17 things you should do as soon as you get laid off

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In the moments after a layoff, you may feel like you're in a haze.

Often, we're oblivious to the signs that layoffs are coming, or we think, "It probably won't happen to me."

"The news of being laid off is a major jolt to anyone's self-esteem," Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job," tells Business Insider.

After the initial shock wears off, she says, it's natural for a range of emotions to set in, like panic, depression, or anger.

"In the aftermath of the layoff, you need to focus on getting back up, brushing yourself off, and just understanding where you are in relation to your arena," says Tyler Parris, author of "Chief of Staff: The Strategic Partner Who Will Revolutionize Your Organization." "Then you can jump back in and do what you do best."

If you get hit with the disappointing news, here are a few things you can do in those following moments to help shake it off and prepare yourself to re-enter the world of job hunting:

Take a deep breath

"It's easy to go into panic mode after news like this, but if you do, you might later regret any knee-jerk reactions," Taylor says.

You should stay on good terms with your former coworkers and bosses so you can later call on them for networking help or references, says Edward Fleischman, CEO of The Execu|Search Group, so it's important to keep your cool and not do or say anything regrettable in the heat of the moment.

Taylor suggests finding a quiet and private space to gather your thoughts and decompress. You could physically tamp down the emotion with exercises like deep breathing, a quick meditation, or a brisk walk.

Don't view it as a personal attack

Remember, a layoff likely isn't a reflection on you.

"While it's almost impossible to see a silver lining at a time like this, it's helpful to remember that a mass layoff by definition does not target you specifically," Taylor says.

"There are reasons beyond your control that this has happened to you and others," she adds. "It's how you handle a setback that often matters more than the setback itself."

Don't sign anything right away

If HR asks you to sign a termination letter, take it home with you and look it over thoroughly before you sign it. Your signature could simply be an acknowledgment that you received the letter, or it could be an agreement that you won't sue or compete with the company for a certain period of time.