How to Get Strong Recommendation Letters During a Layoff

Layoffs suck. There, I said it. If you've recently been laid off, you're not just staring at an empty inbox — you're also likely wrestling with uncertainty, pride, and a to-do list that feels longer than an IKEA receipt. One of the things that can really help you reboot your career is having strong recommendation letters in your back pocket. But getting them when you're leaving a job (especially via layoff) takes some strategy, courage, and a little bit of finesse.

Here’s what I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way), plus advice that actually works — and resources I lean on when I coach people through this.

1. Acknowledge the Layoff, But Frame It Smartly

First off: there’s no shame in being laid off. It's a structural thing, not a moral failing. As Colorado State University Global notes, asking for a recommendation letter post-layoff is totally acceptable, and you should absolutely lean into it. Colorado State University Global

When you ask, you don’t have to over-apologize or detail internal drama. Keep it calm and matter-of-fact. As Indeed suggests in its guide on writing a cover letter after being laid off, focus on what’s next, not the blame. Indeed

2. Ask Early — Before You Sign Anything

Timing matters. Ideally, you ask for a recommendation before you sign your separation or severance agreement. Outplacement experts at Quest Outplacement say that’s when you have the most leverage. questoutplacement.com

If you wait until after everything is folded up, you risk losing access to people (managers, colleagues) or making things awkward.

3. Choose the Right People — and Diversify

Not everyone is going to be the best recommender, especially when a layoff is involved. Here are some people to think about:

• Your direct supervisor or manager, if your relationship was decent.
• A peer or colleague who saw your work day to day.
• A subordinate or someone you mentored, if applicable. Colorado State University Global recommends gathering letters not just from higher-ups but from different vantage points. Colorado State University Global
• Clients, partners, or cross-functional teammates — sometimes your best advocates are outside your direct reporting line.

But also be realistic. As Randstad advises, avoid asking someone who might not feel comfortable giving a “glowing” letter. Randstad USA

4. Give Them What They Need — Make It Easy for Them

When someone agrees to write for you, you should make their life as easy as possible. Here’s what to send them:

• Your updated resume or a summary of your recent projects. Indeed’s advice: include examples of what you did, what you’re applying for, and why you value their voice in this letter. Indeed
• Bullet points of accomplishments or contributions you think are worth highlighting. Indeed’s do’s and don’ts for recommendation letters suggest giving a list so your recommender can pick and choose. Indeed
• A reminder of your relationship: how you worked together, what kind of projects you collaborated on, what you learned from them, and where you grew.
• Context about what you’re applying for: job descriptions, future plans, and how you envision their letter helping.

If you're asking on short notice, some additional sensitivity helps. Indeed’s guide to requesting a letter on tight time frames recommends being honest about your situation, and giving them an out if they’re too busy. Indeed

5. Be Tactful — Even if You’re Angry, Be Strategic

Layoffs can be messy. You might feel hurt, resentful, drained. But when you're asking for a letter, it's not the time for a diatribe. Use polite language, show gratitude, and make it clear you value what they’ll say about you. As Indeed puts it, respect their time and give them room to decline if they need to. Indeed+1

Also, be ready that not everyone will agree. Some people simply can’t or won’t — for reasons that might not even be personal.

6. Negotiate as Part of Your Exit (If You Can)

If you're in the negotiation phase of your layoff (or severance), don’t forget to ask for a written recommendation or reference letter as part of the deal. According to Quest Outplacement, this is exactly the time when you have more negotiating power. questoutplacement.com

This doesn’t mean threatening your employer, but rather making a professional, reasonable ask: “Would you be open to writing a letter that I can use for future roles?” If they agree, you should clarify what format you’d prefer (email, PDF, signed letter).

7. Maintain Relationships — Don’t Burn Bridges

Even though you're leaving, your goal should be to part on good terms — or at least not ruin what’s left of the professional relationship. After someone agrees to write you a letter:

• Follow up with a reminder a week or two before your deadline.
• Send a thank-you note once it’s done. This is basic respect and builds goodwill.
• Stay in touch. Let them know when you land something, or how their reference helped. It closes the loop — and people remember that.

University of Iowa’s guide to maintaining references suggests keeping a system (even a simple sheet) of who you’ve asked, when, and for what. Pomerantz Career Center

8. Consider Third-Party Help If Needed

If you're finding it hard to get a good recommendation (or any at all), there are services that can help you craft more formal letters. For example, RecommendationLetters.pro offers a way to get a professionally written full-page recommendation letter. Their full-page recommendation letter product is tailored to create a polished, meaningful reference that you can use in your job-search toolkit:

• Check out their main site: RecommendationLetters.pro

• Learn more about their full-page recommendation letter option: Full-Page Recommendation Letter

I don’t say this lightly — investing in a well-written recommendation can be a game-changer when landing your next role, especially if your own network is stretched or burned out.

9. Use Recommendation Letters Strategically in Your Job Hunt

Once you have letters in hand, don’t just stash them and hope for the best. Use them proactively:

• Include excerpts or quotes from the letter in your cover letter or LinkedIn applications.
• Offer them as part of your job application when requested.
• Share them with your network or mentors to vouch for your experience.

Strong recommendation letters not only validate you, they amplify your story. They carry more weight when they come from people who genuinely know your work ethic, your contributions, and — yes — how you handled being laid off with grace (or at least grit).

10. Take Care of Yourself Along the Way

This whole process — asking, waiting, negotiating — is emotionally heavy. Getting laid off shakes your identity. Career coach Kevin William Grant points out that rebuilding after a layoff is as much mental work as practical: reconnecting with what you value, what you're good at, and where you want to go next. professional-certified-coach.com

Be gentle with yourself. Give people context if you're feeling raw. Prioritize small wins. One well-crafted recommendation letter is not just a tool for getting hired — it's a reminder that you’ve actually built something meaningful, and it still matters.

Final Thoughts

Getting strong recommendation letters during a layoff isn’t just about asking — it's about preparing, communicating, and preserving dignity. You’re not just collecting “nice things people say about you” — you’re building evidence for your next chapter. And yes, that matters.

Layoffs can feel like a reset, but with the right endorsements in your corner, they don’t have to feel like an ending.