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Summary
A recent wave of layoffs has left some very talented UX professionals unemployed and many others feeling anxious. Given that research and design are often among those functions cut early and deeply, that anxiety is reasonable. For this installment of Rosenfeld’s Advancing Research Community call, we focused on layoffs—what to do if you’re worried, how to implement a strategy in preparation for potential job loss, and what to do if it happens to you.
Key Insights
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Over 120,000 tech industry layoffs have occurred this year, with recruiters being the hardest hit role so far.
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Layoffs cause collective trauma affecting individuals, teams, and communities, and navigating grief stages is important for recovery.
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The stigma around layoffs exists but is starting to unravel as it becomes a shared experience across the industry.
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Keeping a weekly or quarterly habit of tracking accomplishments and project details helps significantly when building portfolios or resumes after layoffs.
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Viewing your current job as a temporary tool to fund your life goals rather than an identity helps manage layoff risk and focus career strategy.
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Active networking and community engagement are critical to building support systems before job loss and improve hiring chances.
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Layoff trends and job market health vary widely across industries; healthcare and government sectors tend to be more stable.
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Negotiating severance packages is possible and advisable, ideally with professional legal or coaching support.
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Career pivots into UX research are still viable but will face increased competition and shrinking entry-level opportunities.
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Innovation in career paths such as independent consulting, entrepreneurship, or cooperatives offers new ways to thrive despite market downturns.
Notable Quotes
"If you were blindsided recently, I’ve been there. I just really appreciated a kind voice because I didn’t hear a single word they said."
"Layoffs are a collective trauma – it’s okay to acknowledge the emotions and grief you feel."
"Your job is a tool to get what you want out of life. Don’t make it more than that."
"You do not have to go publicly thank the employer who just laid you off. They’ll be fine without it."
"Keep your LinkedIn profile updated and compelling so you’re findable for passive job opportunities."
"Don’t force yourself into a job you know isn’t right just because you’re unemployed."
"Build relationships before you need them. You can’t create them when the house is on fire."
"Taking time to intentionally create a career strategy helps avoid reactive decisions based on fear."
"Negotiating severance is absolutely possible; consider legal advice or coaching when doing so."
"This is a moment to rethink identity beyond UX and get creative with income streams and career paths."
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