If You’ve Been Laid Off, Read This

Clear, strategic guidance for navigating biotech layoffs—without the generic advice

Biotech layoffs are still happening. Fast. Faster than the market can absorb them.

And some of the most capable people in the industry—people who’ve built programs, led teams, delivered results—are suddenly out of work.

Not because they failed. Because it’s incredibly hard to be a biotech right now.

Some are navigating this for the first time. Others are back in it after surviving one or two rounds already.

And if that’s you—wondering what to do next, how to stand out, or how to move forward when everything feels a little scrambled—this is for you.

Not a pep talk. Not a list of open roles. Just a smarter way to think about what’s next.

Because panic won’t help. But strategy will.

What You’ll Learn Here:

🧭 How to reframe your next move strategically
🛠️ How to get clear on what you actually want
💬 What to say when you reach out to your network
📣 How to stay visible to the right people
📈 How to run your search like a process—not a panic

Final Thought: This Isn’t Just a Job Search. It’s a Strategic Reset.

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1. Before You Hit “Apply”…

Most people get laid off and immediately start applying.

It feels like action—but more often than not, it’s just anxiety in motion.

Before you apply to anything, take a breath.

You need to know what you’re moving toward, not just what you’re running from.

Start here:

• What kinds of problems do I actually want to solve?

• Where am I uniquely positioned to add value?

• What kind of teams help me do my best work?

• Where did I feel most useful—and most overlooked?

• What kind of role would actually move me closer to my long-term goals?

Taking time to get clear isn’t indulgent. It’s strategic.

And when the right opportunity does show up?
You’ll recognize it—and know exactly how to speak to it.

Then it’s time to zoom out.
To think not just about the next job, but about where you’re really heading—and how each step can move you closer.

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2. Focus on Fit, Not Just What’s Posted

You already know that job boards aren’t where most hires happen.

They’re noisy, crowded, and full of roles that disappear as fast as they go up.

And even when the role is real?

You’re one resume in a stack of hundreds—often screened by an algorithm before a human ever sees it.

So instead of reacting to whatever happens to be posted, start defining what you’re actually looking for.

Ask:

• What job do I want three jobs from now?

• What experiences, skills, and connections will help me get there?

• What are all of the different ways I could build those—starting now?

When you zoom out and think about where you want to be three jobs from now, the pressure shifts.
You stop hunting for the perfect role—and start looking for the next right step.
One that helps you build the capabilities and relationships you’ll need later.

It won’t all come from one job. And it doesn’t have to.

Because—like a road trip—there are multiple ways to reach your destination.
Some paths are direct. Others take a few detours. What matters is that you're moving towards your goal.

That’s where having a loose map helps.
Not a rigid plan, but a general sense of direction—skills you want to build, experiences you want to have, people and companies you might want to learn from or work with along the way.

Sketch it out—even roughly. It will help you focus your time and energy on opportunities that move you forward—so you’re not just reacting to what’s available, but choosing what aligns with where you want to go.

And if you’ve found yourself wondering whether staying in biopharma is the only “right” next step—

Or if looking beyond it would somehow mean giving up on everything you’ve worked for—

Let me say this clearly: exploring your options isn’t giving up. And it’s not starting over.

You’ve built credibility, capability, perspective. That doesn’t disappear if you decide to apply it somewhere new.

This is your career. Your story.

You’re not resetting. You’re repositioning—strategically, and on your terms.

Side note: there’s a whole other post to be written about titles—and how ego can get in the way of a great fit. As you can imagine, I have opinions. Stay tuned.

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3. How to Reach Out (Without Burning Bridges or Burning People Out)

You’ve heard it a hundred times: “It’s all about who you know.” And it’s true—relationships are how most biotech roles get filled.

But if you’re reaching out for support right now, here’s what you need to understand:

You’re not the only one doing it.

The past few years have stretched this industry thin. Many people are still recovering from their own layoffs, carrying heavier workloads, or wondering if they’ll be next.

They care. But they’re tired.

So if you're reconnecting—especially if it’s been a while—make it easy for them to say yes.

I say this as someone who’s been on both sides. I’ve sent those messages. And I’ve received a lot of them.

And here’s the pattern: vague outreach—like “Let me know if you hear of anything” or “Can we catch up?”—sounds polite, but it puts the burden on the other person to figure out how to help.

Instead, be specific:

• Share what you’re exploring and what kind of insight you’re hoping for

• If you’re curious about a space, say so—and name what you want to learn

• If you’re looking for intros, suggest a few names or types

• And don’t default to a call—a DM or short note is often more respectful of their time

You have value—right now. Not just when you're employed. Not just when you're “ready.”

So offer it:

• Share a trend you’re noticing

• Pass along a helpful article or report

• Make a thoughtful intro

• Follow up with an update, even weeks later

This is how networking stops being transactional. It becomes relationship-building—when you’re not just asking, but contributing.

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4. Stay Visible (Without Feeling Cringey)

Let’s be honest—we all know how this usually goes:

Someone gets laid off, makes the “open to work” post (you know the one), gets a flurry of supportive comments… and then goes quiet.

That post? Totally fine.
Smart to share it.

But if it’s the only time people hear from you? They forget. Fast.

And I get why you go silent.
The thought of posting on LinkedIn doesn’t even cross your mind.

Then someone like me says “You should share that idea with your network,” and you look at me like I have three heads.

I know. I get it.

But staying visible isn’t about about proclaiming yourself a thought leader. Or trying to be an influencer.

It’s about showing up—consistently and intentionally—in spaces that matter.

Even something as simple as commenting on a post from a company you’re interested in, or engaging with a former colleague’s update, can be enough.

It’s a quiet little “Hi there. Remember me?”
In the least desperate way possible.

And honestly? It beats sending that third follow-up email.

Where to start:

• Follow the companies on your map—the ones you’d be excited to learn from or work for

• Follow former coworkers, managers, leaders you admire

• Engage with their posts—like, react, comment, reshare

Once that feels more natural:

• Share what you’re noticing or learning

• Reflect on a challenge you’ve worked through

• Ask a thoughtful question

• Add your take to a post that made you think

This is self-promotion—but not the cringey kind.

It’s about staying visible in a way that feels honest, useful, and easy to engage with.

Because when someone asks, “Who do you know who…?”—you want your name to come to mind.

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5. Run a Process, Not a Panic

It’s easy to default to activity—apply, message, repeat—especially when it feels like nothing’s moving.

But more isn’t always better.
And more won’t help if the strategy’s still unclear.

You can’t hustle your way out of a vague strategy.

So stop chasing activity. Start running a process.

A smart one. One built on:

• What you need to learn

• How you’re going to learn it

• And how you’re adjusting as you go

Ask yourself:

• What am I trying to figure out this week—and who might help me do that?

• What kinds of roles or companies am I ruling in or out—and why?

• Am I just checking boxes—or actually getting sharper in my search?

A good process isn’t just about what you’re doing. It’s about why—and what you’re learning from it.

It doesn’t have to be high-volume to be high-value.

Track the wins:

• Reached out to someone I respect—and they responded → win

• Realized that job I thought I wanted? Not a fit → win

• Didn’t doomscroll job boards or Reddit for two hours → still a win

• Said no to something that felt off → huge win

Set a rhythm. Make space to reflect. Refine. Focus. Keep going.

Because the people who land well?

They’re not the ones who move fastest.
They’re the ones who move with clarity, purpose, and discipline.

That’s not just a better job search—it’s a better way to move forward.

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Final Thought: This Isn’t Just a Job Search. It’s a Strategic Reset.

Yes, the market is hard. And no—you’re not imagining it.

But that doesn’t mean you jump into overdrive. It means you think differently.

Don’t just look for your next role. Reorient. Reposition. Reclaim what you want this next chapter to look like.

I’ve seen people make that shift—and come out stronger. With momentum. With clarity. With a story that actually feels like them.

And that takes more than movement.

It takes strategy.
It takes the discipline to ignore the noise and focus on what actually works.

You don’t need to apply faster.
You need to slow down, think smarter, and act with intention.

You don’t need to network harder.
You need to start meaningful conversations—with people who matter, about things that matter.

You don’t need to get back out there just to prove something.
You need to find a role that fits how you work, what you bring, and where you want to go.

So don’t treat this like a sprint.
Don’t measure progress by inbox pings or LinkedIn alerts.

Measure it by clarity. By traction. By the feeling that you’re finally moving in the right direction—because you’re the one choosing it.

This isn’t a detour.
It’s a reset.
It’s a reframe.
It’s you—stepping back into the driver’s seat.

And it starts now.
(Or, you know… maybe tomorrow. Give yourself a minute.)

P.S. If this resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
A friend. A colleague. Someone quietly figuring out their next step.
You never know who’s feeling stuck—and this might be the thing that helps them move.

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