How To! How To Survive Getting Fired
Oct 21, 2025
Laura Brown, an author and former editor of InStyle, and Christina O'Neill, ex-editor of WSJ Magazine, share candid stories of their own firings and the emotions that followed. They discuss how these experiences led to their book, 'All the Cool Girls Get Fired', which offers insights on transforming setbacks into opportunities. Practical advice includes networking strategies over traditional resumes, managing finances post-firing, and the importance of community support. They emphasize the power of honesty in interviews and reframing narratives to highlight resilience.
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Sudden Zoom Layoff At InStyle
- Laura Brown was laid off from InStyle in February 2022 after the magazine was bought by a new owner.
- The firing happened over Zoom and included HR and paperwork, leaving her and her team relieved of their posts.
Meeting Moved To HR Before Strategy Pitch
- Christina O'Neill was summoned to a strategy meeting after a new boss arrived and had the meeting moved to HR ten minutes before it began.
- She realized in that moment that her decade-long role at the Wall Street Journal was ending and felt devastated.
Own The Firing Publicly
- Laura and Christina found that hiding a firing increases difficulty in recovery and limits help from others.
- Being open about being fired lets opportunities and support find you faster.
