Changing Careers After A Layoff? (Get These Skills!)
Facing a layoff can feel like a punch to the gut. Many people face a tough decision after finding themselves unemployed and struggling to get back to work. Should I stick with something I’ve never really been passionate about? Or, even more drastic, should I consider changing careers after a layoff?
Layoffs stink, but they could be a golden opportunity to pivot, grow, and reclaim control of your career. Remember, the skills you choose to learn now can make or break your next move.
So, what are the best skills to learn when changing careers after a layoff?
After analyzing hundreds of job postings in industries such as tech, finance, healthcare, and marketing, I’ve pinpointed the most in-demand skills that employers are looking for.
Plus, I’ll dive into must-know AI skills and resume-writing techniques to ensure you stand out.
Let’s get started.
Why Re-Skilling Matters After a Layoff
A layoff isn’t the end—it’s a reset. The job market in 2025 is shifting fast, with automation and digital transformation reshaping roles and entire industries.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs requiring specialized skills are growing. For example, data analysis and tech fluency are growing at double-digit rates through 2032.
Meanwhile, generic skills (think “team player” or “hard worker”) won’t cut it anymore. (We recruiters cringe when we see resumes full of these fluffy buzzwords.) Employers want proof of value, and that starts with targeted, high-impact skills.
You know, the ones that actually get you hired.
So, learning the right skills post-layoff can open doors to new industries, boost your earning potential, and future-proof your career. Whether you’re eyeing tech, creative fields, or even healthcare, the skills below are your ticket to a successful career change.
Obviously, focus on the higher-impact skills related to your desired job type. If something on this list doesn’t fit, choose one that’s more relevant to your career.
Top Skills Employers Demand in 2025
To identify the best skills to learn after a layoff for a career change, I scoured job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor, analyzing postings for roles like software engineer, financial analyst, product manager, and more.
Here’s what stood out—specific, actionable skills that span multiple job types:
Data Analysis and Visualization
Data is the lifeblood of modern business. No surprise that roles across industries—from marketing to operations—list data analysis as a top requirement.
Tools like Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP), Tableau, and Power BI popped up in 60% of the postings I reviewed. For instance, a marketing analyst job might ask for “data-driven campaign optimization,” while a finance role demands “forecasting with Tableau.”
- Why It Matters: Companies need people who can turn raw numbers into insights. After a layoff, mastering this skill can pivot you into high-demand roles.
- How to Learn: Start with free Excel tutorials on YouTube, then try Coursera’s Tableau courses.
Digital Project Management
Surprisingly, project management skills appeared in over 50% of postings, even outside traditional PM roles. Certifications like PMP or Agile (Scrum) were common, but so was familiarity with tools like Jira, Trello, and Asana. A tech job might say “manage sprints with Jira,” while a creative role asks for “cross-functional coordination.” Almost any job type can benefit from knowing the basics of project management.
- Why It Matters: Employers value people who can keep teams on track—especially in hybrid work setups.
- How to Learn: Check out free options for introductory project management classes on LinkedIn Learning or Coursera. You can also try PMI’s free Agile intro.
Cybersecurity Basics
With cyber threats surging, basic cybersecurity skills—like understanding phishing, encryption, or compliance (e.g., GDPR)—showed up in 30% of postings, from IT to HR. A financial analyst role might list “data security awareness,” while a tech support job demands “endpoint protection.”
Besides, your employer will want to know you can keep their data safe!
- Why It Matters: Every industry needs protection from breaches, making this a versatile skill.
- How to Learn: Start with CompTIA Security+ on Udemy—it’s affordable and beginner-friendly.
Content Creation and SEO
Marketing and media roles often overlap with tech and sales, and 40% of postings I saw demanded content skills—specifically SEO, copywriting, or tools like Canva and Google Analytics. For example, a product manager job might require “SEO-optimized product descriptions.”
(Note: When we optimize our resumes and LinkedIn, we’re essentially doing SEO on our careers!)
- Why It Matters: Businesses need visibility online, and content drives it.
- How to Learn: Explore Moz’s free SEO guides, which are a great option
AI Skills Every Career-Oriented Person Needs
Artificial intelligence isn’t just for coders. It’s quickly becoming a standard expectation across all fields. In fact, Stanford’s 2024 AI Index Report found that AI skills in job postings jumped 3-4 times over the past decade. After a layoff, picking up these best skills to learn for a career change can set you apart. One of the most common questions I get is: Which AI skills should I acquire?
Here’s what to focus on:
Prompt Engineering
This skill—crafting precise inputs for AI tools like ChatGPT—appeared in 25% of tech and creative postings. A graphic design role might say “use AI tools for mockups,” while a business analyst job lists “generate reports with AI.” Pretty much every AI agent uses prompts, so this is a must-learn.
- Why It Matters: AI boosts efficiency, and employers want people who can wield it.
- How to Learn: Practice with ChatGPT (free) or take a prompt engineering course on Coursera.
Machine Learning Basics
I’m sure you’re thinking…”Do I really need to learn machine learning?” Not exactly. But understanding the concepts helps. Things like regression or clustering showed up in 20% of postings—think “predictive analytics” for finance or “customer segmentation” in marketing.
This is particularly good for technical or data-intensive roles, but I wouldn’t discount it completely if I were in a more creative field.
- Why It Matters: It’s the backbone of data-driven decisions.
- How to Learn: Try Google’s free Machine Learning Crash Course—zero coding required.
AI Tool Proficiency
Tools like TensorFlow, Microsoft Copilot, or even basic ChatGPT usage were mentioned in 15% of roles. For instance, an admin job might ask for “AI-assisted scheduling.”
Look at your specific job type. Is there a tool that’s used more commonly? (For example, a recruiter may want to know how to use the ATS system’s AI tools or learn how to source candidates with prompts)
- Why It Matters: Everyday tasks are getting automated, and you must keep up to stay relevant.
- How to Learn: Experiment with free versions of these tools—hands-on is best.
Resume-Writing Skills to Land Your Next Role
A career change after a layoff hinges on one thing: your resume. However, slapping generic buzzwords like “detail-oriented” won’t work. Employers want proof of impact, and that’s where resume-writing skills shine.
I personally consider resume writing a core skill that everyone must master in their career. No other skill on this list will earn you more than knowing how to write a recruiter-approved resume yourself.
Here’s how to master this critical skill to learn after a layoff for a career change:
Tailoring with Keywords
Every job posting I reviewed had unique keywords—e.g., “stakeholder collaboration” or “SQL proficiency.” Tailoring your resume to match these boosts your ATS (Applicant Tracking System) score by 70%, per Jobscan data.
- Why It Matters: Recruiters skim for relevance in seconds. (I speak from experience)
- How to Learn: My Resume Rocketfuel course provides a step-by-step guide.
Quantifying Achievements
Numbers sell. For example, “increased sales 15%” beats “worked in sales.” Over 80% of high-impact resumes I’ve screened as a recruiter quantified results.
- Why It Matters: It proves your value, not just your tasks.
- How to Learn: Reflect on past wins—dig into old emails or performance reviews.
Storytelling Over Laundry Lists
A job posting might say “led a team,” but your resume should tell the story: “Led a 5-person team to launch a $2M product in 6 months.” This hooks hiring managers.
- Why It Matters: Stories stick; lists don’t.
- How to Learn: Get in the habit of adding more context to your accomplishments.
How to Start Learning These Skills Today
Now that you know the best skills to learn after a layoff for a career change, where do you begin? First, assess your current strengths. For instance, if you’ve managed budgets, data analysis might be a natural fit. Next, prioritize based on your target industry—tech needs AI, finance loves data.
Here’s a quick plan:
- Pick 1-2 Skills: Start with data analysis and prompt engineering—they are broadly applicable and quick to learn.
- Use Free Resources: YouTube, Coursera, and Google’s Skillshop are gold mines.
- Practice Daily: Spend 30 minutes tweaking your resume or testing AI tools.
- Network: Share your progress on LinkedIn. Visibility matters, and people are often more engaged with the journey than the end destination.
Additionally, my FREE webinar ties all this together with hands-on exercises.
The Payoff of Upskilling Post-Layoff
Investing in these skills isn’t just about survival. It’s about thriving in a job market where layoffs are increasingly commonplace.
In other words, it’s time to future-proof your career.
But it’s not just making yourself more marketable. You can even potentially upgrade, like many of my coaching clients have.
So, while a layoff stings, it’s your chance to flip the script and acquire skills that will help your career.
By mastering data analysis, AI tools, and resume writing, you’re not just changing careers—you’re building a layoff-proof future.
Conclusion: Take Control of Your Career Change
A layoff doesn’t define you—your response does. Therefore, the best skills to learn when changing careers after a layoff are those that align with today’s market and your goals.
Data analysis, project management, AI proficiency, and sharp resume skills aren’t just buzzwords—they’re your toolkit for success. Start today, and soon, you’ll be the one calling the shots.
Ready to dive deeper? Follow my Youtube channel for more career strategies or explore A Life After Layoff’s resources to kickstart your journey.
Your next chapter’s waiting—go write it.
