Bouncing Back After Job Loss: Advice from Those Who’ve Been There

Kathleen Smith, AICP, had four weeks to make a difficult decision: accept a deferred resignation offer at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or remain there despite government volatility.

When Smith was hired in 2001, she thought it would just be for a year or two. But she fell in love with the work, valued the mission, and eventually advanced to community planning division director. "It kept repeatedly just presenting opportunities to innovate and improve and to really just serve the public and meet the mission," she says.

As the years went on, Smith — a longtime resident of Arlington, Virginia — had no intention of working anywhere else until she retired. But in January 2025, it became clear the Trump administration planned sweeping changes, including layoffs.

Smith adopted a "wait-and-see" approach. "There was no information coming at all," she says. "So, as much as the press heard, it was a lot of what we heard internally, too."

That spring, she received the deferred resignation offer and ultimately accepted. And while she voluntarily resigned, "I do feel like I've lost my job," she says.

Losing a job — whether due to a layoff, furlough, or other circumstances — can take a toll emotionally, especially among those struggling financially. But research shows even families with financial stability often experience stress and anxiety. "I'm at the tail of my career if retirement plans go as planned," Smith says. "So, it is very disruptive to change course at this time."

"Make a plan for what you can control."
—Kathleen Smith, AICP

Think Strategically

For those who can relate to Smith or are dealing with a similar situation, she has found a few coping and decision-making tools particularly helpful.

As Smith debated whether to accept the deferred resignation, she leaned on her ability to think pragmatically and objectively. That meant recognizing when she was making decisions based on emotions, not logic. "If there is any element of uncertainty that's driving that fear, put that aside and really make a plan for how to handle it," she says. "Make a plan for what you can control."

Smith suggests creating a list of pros and cons. For those facing deferred resignation, consider factors like how your decision affects your healthcare coverage or life insurance, or how much your workload may increase if you choose to stay.

Talking to trusted co-workers and friends can be beneficial, she adds, especially if they've experienced comparable circumstances or are empathetic listeners. "Sometimes, I just need somebody to hear me, not to give me advice," she says.

Reimagine Your Skillset

Corey Hull, AICP, remembers the stress of being laid off shortly after his family, including two young children, relocated across Georgia in 2023.

His wife also had started a new position that required travel, so they moved about two hours from her hometown to be closer to family and their new jobs. Six months later, Hull learned he was being let go.

In some ways, he wasn't surprised — a round of layoffs occurred about a month earlier. But it took time to wrap his head around it. "That was a challenge to work through and to understand what it meant for our family," he says.

Now looking back, Hull says assessing his skillset and how to market his expertise was valuable during his ensuing job search. "There were not a lot of planning jobs locally," he says. "It forced me to really think about what I wanted to do, and I was a finalist for a couple of positions outside of my planner comfort zone."

About three months after being laid off, Hull was hired at The Ray, a nonprofit foundation that aims to reimagine how highway rights-of-way are used. And, despite the turmoil his sudden job loss created, Hull isn't bitter. "I'm not angry at that company," he says. "I know that the world of planning is small, and I'm going to have to interact with them at some point in the future."

"I've had to create my own community, which has inadvertently turned into my support system and my guiding North Star through all of this."
—Antoinette Freeman

Build a Support System

Both Smith and Hull acknowledge that a job search can feel like a full-time job, and being turned down can sting. "The patience and grace to handle rejection or to acknowledge other people's success is something I think everybody's dealing with," Smith says.

Antoinette Freeman can relate. She applied for dozens of jobs — up to three jobs a week for around six months — before being hired as sustainability coordinator in Sonoma, California.

Freeman left her previous role in August 2025 because it was the best choice for her mental health. "Working in a small jurisdiction is fantastic, but what can happen without clarity is you can start wearing too many hats," she says.

Since completing seemingly endless applications felt so draining, Freeman developed several strategies to find a job while keeping her well-being up. Creating a network of planners throughout the Bay Area to learn from and lean on was pivotal. "I would literally just send a message on LinkedIn or email, or I'd show up at a public meeting," Freeman says. After introducing herself, she would say she was "growing her career," and she'd love to learn from their expertise. Then, she'd offer to buy them a coffee. People rarely said no.

"I've had to create my own community, which has inadvertently turned into my support system and my guiding North Star through all of this," she says.

Through Freeman's network, she learned a few tricks for interviews, like the STAR method. Another helpful hack is to review the city's most recent budget, goals of the planning and community development departments, staffing resources, and any upcoming projects that may be contentious or challenging. Then, during the interview, mention one of the problems they're facing and tie it to a department goal.

When she didn't get an offer she wanted, she told herself that sometimes internal candidates, budget constraints, and other factors play a role in the hiring process. "The main thing that really helps me is reminding myself repeatedly that this isn't about me and my worth as a candidate," she says. "This is about a system that is much bigger than me."

For Hull, finding that sense of perspective has the greatest impact. "Going back through my career, some of the most positive things that I've learned are from the most negative experiences I've had and the most negative jobs I've had," he says. "So, I think there's maybe a time for reflection. What did I learn from this — and how can I turn these experiences into positive outcomes?"

Top image: Sudden loss of a job can create stress and anxiety, but maintaining connections with your peers and giving yourself grace can be helpful as you move forward. Photo by AleksandarGeorgiev/Getty Images