Big news last week in the marketing world was the completion of Omnicom’s takeover of Interpublic Group, with at least 4000 layoffs expected and the absorption of DDB, MullenLowe and FCB into other networks. This is after IPG had already removed roughly 3,200 roles in the first nine months of 2025, on top of about 4,000 cuts in 2024.
Recently after leaving my firm after eight years, I caught up with some friends going through a tough period. One rarely discussed but crucial aspect of these job losses is the “identity shock” of suddenly not knowing who you are without your job title and the shame that often sits underneath that.
For many professionals, work is the primary source of status, structure, and meaning, so a layoff can feel like an attack on the self, not just the role. This can show up as feeling oddly invisible, fraudulent, or “less than” in social situations, even when the layoff had nothing to do with performance.
People often conceal their job loss, distance themselves from friends, and steer clear of networking precisely when they require the most support. That secrecy can intensify self‑blame and depression, making it harder to take practical steps like reaching out to contacts, updating a profile, or showing up confidently in interviews.
Here are some practical daily steps to ensure self-efficacy after leaving a job:
Self-efficacy grows fastest through *mastery experiences*, completing something difficult enough to matter, but small enough to finish.
The goal isn’t to overhaul your entire job search in a day. It’s to give your brain tangible proof of progress.
Pick one to three tasks you can fully complete each day: update one LinkedIn section, reach out to one person, rewrite one bullet on your resume. Track them somewhere visible. That simple act of checking things off begins to rewire the internal narrative from “I’m stuck” to “I’m moving.”
2. Use Your Values to Reset the Story You’re Telling Yourself
When we lose a job, we often lose the story that made sense of our days. A short values-reflection exercise can help rebuild it.
Research has shown that writing about what matters most to you—and recalling a time you lived those values—can improve reemployment outcomes and confidence.
Try this: spend 15 minutes writing about a moment when you acted in line with a core value, whether that’s courage, curiosity, care for others, or something else. Then ask yourself, *”What’s one small action this week that fits this value?”* And do it.
This isn’t about affirmations. It’s about reconnecting action with identity.
One of the most disorienting parts of unemployment is the loss of structure. The alarm that no longer matters. The commute that disappears. The meetings that gave shape to the day.
People who create a simple daily routine after job loss report better mood and a stronger sense of control.
Anchor your day with what I call “competence cues”: a consistent wake time, some form of movement (a walk, a workout), and one dedicated job-search block at the same time each day. These rituals aren’t just about productivity—they signal to your nervous system, *”I can still direct my life.”*
Job-search confidence grows when you practice the actual behaviors: researching roles, tailoring applications, reaching out to people, interviewing.
But most people only do these things when the stakes are high—when there’s a real job on the line. That’s like only practicing free throws during the championship game.
Instead, design low-stakes “practice reps.” Do three mock interview questions with a friend or coach. Send two targeted outreach messages a day, even if they don’t lead anywhere immediately. The goal is to get better at the *process* so you’re ready when the right opportunity appears.
Self-efficacy isn’t only built through your own actions. It also grows when you see people like you succeed, and when you’re reminded of times you’ve succeeded before.
Create what I call a “proof of capability” file. Fill it with specific achievements, positive feedback you’ve received, and the names of three to five people who see your strengths clearly. Then make it a habit to review one item, or talk to one of those people, each day.
This isn’t about ego. It’s about evidence. When your internal voice says “you can’t,” you need external proof that says “you have, and you will again.”
If you’re going through this, I want you to know: the fog you’re in is normal. The self-doubt isn’t a sign that something is wrong with you—it’s a predictable response to a real loss.
But you don’t have to wait until you feel confident to start acting. Confidence comes *from* action, not before it. Small wins. Daily structure. Reconnecting with your values and your past successes. Practicing the hard things in low-stakes ways.