In the wake of significant job cuts across the United States, a career coach has outlined three common but damaging mistakes newly laid-off workers should avoid to protect their future employment chances. Kyle Elliott, a tech career coach, shared his analysis following recent layoffs at companies like Amazon, as over 1.1 million people faced job loss in 2025 alone.
The guidance comes amid a turbulent labour market, with January 2026 seeing the highest number of job cuts for that month since 2009. Business leaders are increasingly warning that artificial intelligence will continue to disrupt workforce stability.
Public Venting Risks Professional Reputation
The first and most immediate pitfall is posting emotionally charged content about a former employer on professional networks like LinkedIn. "Sometimes people just really react from that emotion or wound, instead of waiting until it heals," Elliott stated. Such posts are often discovered by recruiters and can create a perception of negativity.
"People want to work with other positive people," he explained, noting that hiring managers may worry a candidate would publicly criticise their company if faced with future layoffs. Elliott advises waiting one to two months before posting, focusing instead on lessons learned and professional accomplishments.
Damaging Valuable Connections with Colleagues
The second mistake involves venting to former colleagues, which can poison crucial professional relationships. Elliott emphasised that the final impression left with colleagues is powerful and can determine their willingness to provide referrals or networking support in the future.
"A lot of people will remember that last piece, and you don't want them to be like, 'oh, they're bitter,'" he said. He recommends using the final company conversations to reiterate proud achievements and outline desired next roles, while confiding personal frustrations only to a spouse, close friend, or therapist.
The Networking Stigma and Lost Opportunities
The third critical error is avoiding networking out of shame or fear associated with being laid off. Elliott stressed that job cuts have become a normalised part of the modern economic landscape, especially due to reorganisations and cost-cutting measures.
"Layoffs are normal now," Elliott asserted, encouraging individuals to start reconnecting with their network without expectation. He suggests beginning with a close former colleague for a low-pressure conversation, focusing on re-engagement rather than an immediate job offer.
Context and Moving Forward
Elliott distinguishes between being laid off and being fired, noting that the former, resulting from broader corporate decisions, carries less stigma. The key to a successful job hunt, he concludes, is managing the initial emotional response professionally, preserving networks, and proactively re-entering the job market with a constructive narrative.