I was laid off after Musk took over Twitter. Here's my advice for federal workers cut by DOGE.

• Amir Shevat was laid off from his job at Twitter after Elon Musk took over the company in late 2022.
• He said Musk's mass layoffs were impossible to prepare for and left employees feeling demoralized.
• Shevat said workers shouldn't rely on assumptions of job stability when dealing with Musk.

In 2019, I co-founded a company that was acquired by Twitter in 2021. As part of the deal, I became the head of product of the Twitter Developer Platform.

When Elon Musk took over Twitter in late 2022, I was among the thousands of employees who were unceremoniously laid off. I was a senior leader with more than 200 who relied on me, and more than 90% of us got laid off overnight.

It was a chaotic, disorienting experience that sent shockwaves through the tech industry. Now, as Musk's influence extends to the federal sector through DOGE-related budget cuts, government employees find themselves facing similar uncertainty.

Having lived through this before, I want to share what I learned and how those affected can navigate their own layoffs.

Nothing is predictable with Musk in charge

One of the biggest lessons from the Twitter layoffs was that nothing is truly predictable when Musk is in charge.

From abrupt policy shifts to sudden mass terminations, the lack of clear communication after Musk took over made it impossible to prepare. I personally struggled to manage the uncertainty and zero communication, especially being responsible for a large team who were worried about their livelihoods. I communicated what I knew to my team and tried to reassure them.

From my experience, it's important to stay informed, be proactive, and don't rely on assumptions about job stability.

Start networking and assess your skills

The best thing I did after being laid off was immediately tap into my network. Tech workers are accustomed to layoffs, and the ecosystem is built on resilience and community support. A day after the layoffs, I created an online spreadsheet of companies looking to hire and connected a lot of laid-off Twitter people to new companies, helping them to get interviews and find jobs.

Federal employees may not have the same ingrained network effect, but now is the time to start connecting. Building a professional support system, whether through LinkedIn, industry groups, or alumni associations, can make the transition to finding a new job easier.

After Twitter, I had to reconsider where I wanted to go next. Was I going to stay in Big Tech? Join a startup? Start my own venture? Layoffs, while painful, provide an opportunity to reset and explore new paths. For me, that path led me to become a startup investor.

Federal workers should consider whether their skills translate to the private sector, freelance work, or new government roles. Upskilling through courses or certifications can also be a smart move.

Offboarding can be chaotic, so prepare now

Many Twitter employees, myself included, had assumed that even in the worst-case scenario, we'd receive some level of structured transition support. That assumption was naive.

Severance was inconsistent, and access to internal systems — including crucial financial and tax documents — was cut off almost immediately. For example, before I was laid off, I managed to keep a record of all my performance reviews, which some employers can request for new employees. After I got laid off, I lost access to the performance system without any warning. Many of us at Twitter filed for arbitration following the harsh firing process.

My advice? Start preparing now. Build an emergency fund, document all your work history, and ensure you have personal copies of any critical records with the permission of your employer. Do not assume an orderly offboarding process.

Take care of your mental well-being

The psychological toll of being laid off is real. At Twitter, we went from being part of a vibrant, mission-driven company to feeling discarded overnight. The abrupt shift was demoralizing, and many struggled with a sense of lost identity.

For me, this meant many sleepless nights, thinking about my team and what I could have done to support them. I tried to help my people find new jobs, as I still felt responsible for them. It took at least six months for me to slowly find peace.

Federal employees affected by DOGE cuts may experience something similar, especially if they have dedicated years to public service. It's important to separate personal worth from employment status. Seeking support from peers, career coaches, or even therapy can help process the transition.

Don't burn bridges, but start considering your options

Musk's approach at Twitter made it clear that loyalty is not reciprocated in a corporate setting. Musk's actions made it feel like he didn't care about how much an employee cared about the company, how hard they worked, or even what their contribution or personal situation was. Entire businesses within Twitter, like mine, were gutted.

If layoffs seem likely, start exploring alternatives now rather than reacting later. However, it's also important not to burn bridges — maintaining professional relationships can lead to future opportunities.

When Musk took over Twitter in late October, we could've stopped working, but we kept building until we were laid off a few weeks later because we loved the Twitter developer platform.

Building this trust with my developer community throughout my career led me to my next step: investing in developers and entrepreneurs around the world.

Focus on the future

Being laid off from Twitter was a jarring experience, but it forced me to rethink my career and ultimately led me to new, fulfilling opportunities. While the DOGE cuts present a challenging time for federal workers, there is a path forward.

People at Twitter who got laid off found new jobs with great companies, and so will you. Whether it's in government or the private sector, good people are always needed. By staying proactive, adaptable, and connected, I think those impacted can navigate this transition and emerge stronger on the other side. I know I did, and you can do it too.