Frequently Asked Questions

The League of Laid Off Legends is a first of its kind, and we’re excited to break new ground in an industry in flux.
The answers below cover our mission, membership benefits, community guidelines, how to get involved, and much more. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please use the “Contact Us” resource and we’ll get this added!

Foundations

  • We are a dynamic community of laid off tech professionals coming together during an unexpected chapter of their lives. Through our platform, we’re focused on helping tech professionals channel their expertise into meaningful impact while building exciting new chapters in their careers.

  • Unlike traditional resources that simply provide resume training or job listings, the League of Laid Off Legends focuses on the complete journey of professional renewal. We combine mindful reflection, mental wellness support, entrepreneurial opportunities, skill development, and community connection. Our approach emphasizes pride in achievements rather than dwelling on setbacks, and in building a movement grounded in perspective & authenticity.

  • Members get access to our growing ecosystem of resources, including:

    • A thoughtful podcast featuring layoff stories, member experiences, and life explorations

    • Curated resources for career development and personal growth, including content focused on mental wellness, entrepreneurship, and professional development, and much more.

    • Physical (where possible) and virtual community support

    • Access to connection and mentorship opportunities

  • Our Octopus mark symbolizes the core qualities we celebrate and aspire to in our community. Like an Octopus, tech professionals are adaptable, intelligent, and creative problem-solvers. The Octopus can change its shape, color, and approach to navigate different environments – just as our members skillfully adapt to new circumstances and opportunities. It embodies our community's diverse talents and ability to handle multiple challenges simultaneously. We believe this represents our values of flexibility, resilience, and innovative thinking as we navigate this new chapter. 

    World - meet Otto 🐙!

Community

  • Our community is designed for tech professionals (including designers, developers, PMs, engineers, researchers, support teams, and content writers) who have experienced layoffs in the past 1-3 years. We also welcome current tech professionals (you don’t have to be laid off to join!) that are aligned with our mission and vision of supporting our community! While we're currently focused on US-based professionals, we welcome international members who share our vision of turning career setbacks into impactful comebacks.


  • Our community brings together professionals from across cultures and tech companies - from startups to Fortune 500 companies, representing diverse roles, experiences, and perspectives. With such a richly varied membership, our manifesto serves as our north star, helping us rally around values that go beyond any single company culture or individual experience. It's more than just words on a page; it's our collective commitment to lifting each other up during career transitions.

    The manifesto embodies the values we believe are essential for meaningful community impact: the courage to be authentic about our experiences, the generosity to share our knowledge freely, the resilience to view setbacks as launching pads, and the dedication to support others on their journey.

  • Yes! We offer a free membership that includes access to our community forum, basic resource library, public podcast episodes, and other benefits. For those seeking a more integrated experience, we provide two options. Our Pathfinder group, recommended for early to mid-career professionals, and our Vanguard community, recommended for senior-director level and above professionals. For more more information, click here.

  • Welcome! You can start by joining our free tier membership, which gives you access to our core community features. From there, you can select one of our membership communities, engage with our podcast content, participate in community discussions, and connect with fellow members who share similar experiences and aspirations. There are other ways to chime in as well on the Get Started page.

  • Alumni from various companies often want to stay connected with team members from the same company. We support this approach, and give Vanguard-level members the ability to create one company-specific* thread. Vanguard members are responsible for moderating the channel, in addition to staying true to the values and culture of the Laid Off Legends community. If Vanguard members leave, the company-specific channel remains. Founders of that channel can nominate the next moderator to keep the channel alive! 

    *Only one thread per company can be created! 

The Laid Off Legends Podcast

  • The Laid Off Legends podcast features in-depth conversations about layoff stories, mental health, financial management, career pivoting, entrepreneurship, and industry trends. Episodes will feature guests who have successfully navigated career transitions, industry experts, and thought leaders who provide practical insights and inspiration for our community. For more information, visit the podcast page here

  • The League of Laid off Legends podcast is free, and can be found on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, & Amazon music. More platforms are coming soon!

  • Absolutely! While our primary focus is supporting those who have experienced layoffs, we welcome tech professionals who want to build resilience and prepare for potential career transitions. Our resources and community can help you develop strategies for professional growth and career security.

  • Mental wellness is a core pillar of our community. We provide resources for processing the emotional impact of layoffs, building psychological resilience, managing stress, and reconstructing professional identity. Our community creates a safe space where members can share experiences and support each other's journey.

  • Yes! We actively encourage members to share their experiences and expertise. You can contribute through our community forums, participate in mentorship programs, speak on our podcast, and much more. Your story could be the inspiration another member needs to take their next bold step forward. If you’d like to share a helpful resource or suggest a podcast guest (including yourself!), please go here.