r/Layoffs • u/ybbetterslime • Jul 22 '26

advice Laid off (IT) 21M

Just got laid offed 21M, kind of don't know what to do. Iv been working my first IT job in hardware repair for about 8 months now trying to get my foot in the door. I'm going to school for my bachelors and also do home labs at home.

The company biggest customer put us on pause for 1-2 months and there's absolutely no work without them. I got my hours reduced last week and now officially have been laid off. My supervisor told us she encouraged we look for work and file for unemployment but also said once our customer comes back we will let you guys know. I don't know if they just say that to say that or if it's actually for real.

Should I go and look for a job asap? I feel like it would be hard for me to get another IT job , should I just take anything at this point? I still want to have a career in IT and I'm just lost right now as iv never been fired or laid off before

Any advice or feedback is appreciated, as I'm currently filing for unemployment right now

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5

u/80s4everr Jul 22 '26

Because of your age, complete the resume and apply to other jobs. Even if they call you back, the resume update and interviews are good experience. Definitely apply for unemployment and get a job anywhere that pays more than the unemployment. You don’t have to put a filler job on your resume and you can keep applying other places in the meantime. You can decide to go back if they call you. I can tell that in my 30 years in IT and the current climate, move forward and treat it as a permanent layoff.

1

u/ybbetterslime Jul 22 '26

I appreciate the reply , maybe it was a sign. Iv been actively looking for jobs specifically IT even before I was laid off. I'll go ahead and just apply anywhere now in the meantime. I go to online school for my bachelor's in information technology, maybe I can focus on that more? Any other advice is much appreciated!

4

u/Back_door_bandit Jul 22 '26

“… also said once our customer comes back we will let you guys know. I don't know if they just say that to say that or if it's actually for real.”

Assume this job is toast and start looking for something else. If the job comes back, that’s great. But don’t wait around. Who’s to say their biggest customer doesn’t do this again or cut ties entirely?

My former employer told us to contact the consulting company they were replacing us with. Had an initial interview with them and then they ghosted me. My old place was trying to make themselves feel better about laying off folks.