The ultimate guide to surviving a layoff

• Top companies in corporate America, including Google, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs are cutting jobs.
• Nearly 40% of US workers "are nervous about being laid off," according to a recent LinkedIn survey.

Some of the biggest names in corporate America are cutting jobs.

While layoffs overall remain historically low, household names like Amazon, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Google, and Spotify have collectively shed tens and thousands of workers in recent weeks.

And as companies around the country scramble to get ahead of a possible recession, American workers are worried. Nearly 40% of US workers said they "are nervous about being laid off," according to a recent LinkedIn survey of more than 2,000 US employees conducted in December.

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If you've recently lost your job — or are afraid you will lose it soon — Insider has your back. We've compiled a guide with everything you need to know about reading the signs that your job is in jeopardy, collecting severance and unemployment benefits, handling retirement savings and health insurance, as well as taking care your mental health.

We've also got you covered with advice from career experts, executives, and people who have turned their careers around during prior economic downturns so that once you're ready, you can start hunting for a new job. It's a hard time, no doubt, but you'll land on your feet.

What you should do if you're worried about losing your job

How to read the signals that your job is in jeopardy: Insider spoke with 4 career experts about the warning signs that your job might be on the line

When you get a poor review: Here are the 5 things you should do when you get a bad performance rating and your boss isn't in your corner

How to financially prepare for a layoff: 5 strategies to ensure you'll weather a financial emergency

What to do if you think you're being laid off: 7 steps to take if you think you'll be laid off or furloughed so you can have peace of mind if the unexpected happens

What you should do right now if you've been laid off

How to handle stock options: 5 immediate steps to navigate your stock options if you've been laid off from a startup and want to make the best financial choices for your future

Filing for unemployment benefits: How to file for unemployment benefits if you lose your job in an economic downturn

What's the best way to care for your mental health

Protecting your emotional wellbeing: Psychologists recommend taking these 4 steps to improve your mental health if you recently lost your job

How to cope with unemployment depression: Unemployment depression is when being out of work or between jobs hurts your mental health

When it's time to start the job search

How to bounce back after losing your job: Insider spoke with 3 career coaches about how people could start their job searches on the right foot.

Searching for a job during an economic downturn: Recruiters and career coaches who survived the Great Recession share their most urgent advice for finding a job during a new economic downturn

Where to look for a new job: LinkedIn has published its new annual "Jobs on the Rise" report for the US, highlighting hot fields.

An email template for job searching: Use this exact email template from a LinkedIn career expert to network and find a new job during a recession

Emailing hiring managers: How to write an email that gets the hiring manager's attention at your dream company

An earlier version of this guide published on May 8, 2020.