Coaching Career Transitions: Supporting Clients Through Layoffs and Beyond

One of the most challenging and difficult situations clients face is being laid off. As coaches, we have the opportunity to provide invaluable support during these difficult times, helping our clients not just survive but take the opportunity to truly thrive in the face of unexpected life changes.

These in-between moments often end up being some of the most impactful of our lives, and while challenging, it’s an incredible privilege to walk alongside a coaching client during such periods of growth and change.

Understanding the Impact of a Layoff on Your Coaching Client

Layoffs are almost always emotionally and financially devastating. Your coaching client will probably experience a range of emotions, including shock, anger, fear, and self-doubt. It may take time for your client to be ready to engage in the forward movement of coaching.

As a coach, your first step is to create a safe space for clients to process these feelings. By acknowledging their emotions and offering an empathetic ear, we begin to lay the groundwork for making progress within the coaching relationship.

Reframing the Situation

One of our key skills as coaches is to help clients reframe their layoff experience. It's completely natural to view a job loss as a negative, and if that emotion is raw, then our job is first to hold space and go at the pace desired by the client. When the client is ready, we can offer questions to guide them to see the experience as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. 

When appropriate, encourage your client to reflect on their career journey so far:

• What parts of their previous job did they enjoy most?
• What skills have they developed?
• Where do they want to go now?
• What new directions might they explore?

By shifting perspective, you can work together to transform a setback into a creative space to explore options.

Creating an Action Plan

Once a client is in the right mindset and ready to create a plan to move forward, you can focus on practical steps. Here’s a few possibilities, although it will vary with each case:

Self-care: Encourage maintaining routines and prioritizing physical and mental health.

Skill assessment: Guide your client in identifying their transferable skills and areas for development.

Networking: Assist in creating a networking strategy, including updating LinkedIn profiles and reaching out to professional contacts.

Job search strategies: Collaborate on creating a plan to tailor resumes, prepare for interviews, and explore various job search methods.

Personal and professional growth opportunities: Consider relevant activities like taking online courses to upgrade skills, volunteering or exploring freelance or consulting opportunities.

By focusing on creating momentum, growth and exploration, clients can come out of this experience stronger and more resilient.

Future Visioning

Future visioning is a core coaching skill – and involves creating a clear picture of the life we want to lead, then working backwards to make the action steps that get us there.

Some clients may need to return to work as quickly as possible, but if it’s financially possible, your client might benefit from taking a beat to figure out where their passions lie. 

Use this time to help your client reflect on their long-term career aspirations:

• What does meaningful work look like for them?
• How do they define success?
• What values and attributes are non-negotiable in their next role?

By aligning their job search with their future goals, they may be ready to explore different fulfilling and sustainable career options.

Celebrating Small Wins + Finding Community

In the face of rejection and uncertainty, it helps to acknowledge and celebrate every single victory, regardless of size. Whether it's completing a new certification, landing an informational interview, or simply maintaining a positive attitude, recognizing small steps boosts motivation and confidence.

Your client is not alone in this experience. Along with your coaching support, encourage them to connect with others who have gone through something similar. Support groups, alumni networks, and professional associations can provide both emotional support and useful resources.

Remember: your role as coach extends beyond plugging a hole and finding the next job – you’re helping clients build resilience, clarify their goals, and craft meaningful careers that align with their values and aspirations. 

And in doing so, the larger impact of your work becomes even more clear – contributing to a more fulfilled workforce, one person at a time.

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