After a layoff, the first thing I do is apply for EI (Canada). Even if you get a layoff package, EI here takes that into account. For example if you get a 3 mo

After a layoff, the first thing I do is apply for EI (Canada). Even if you get a layoff package, EI here takes that into account. For example if you get a 3 month severance, then your EI will be approved and start in 3 months, basically pretending like you were still working those 3 months. Then I update my resume, update my LinkedIn, start setting up some job alerts, set myself to "looking for work" so recruiters will see me. I have a couple of recruiters that I reach out to as well. I have unfortunately been on this treadmill more than once. It's tough. The biggest thing to make sure is you start looking and keep looking for work. Once you start spending a week or two binging shows or playing videogames without a single resume going out, you're going to be in a bad place. Edit: To your specific question, no. 40 hours a week doing interviews, jobhunting and leetcode is absolutely not necessary. When I am off work and looking I would say I spend about an hour or two each morning looking for jobs, replying to recruiters, etc. I do try to keep a normal schedule so I don't treat it like a vacation. No sleeping in excessively, no staying up excessively late. Other than that, I mostly do spend my days on what I want to. Take walks, play games, work on side projects, whatever. It's a good time to rest and destress, just don't let yourself stop pushing for a new job. One other important thing is when I am seriously job hunting, I reply to every recruiter who messages or emails me. Regardless of if I am interested in the job or not, it's good to connect and they might find something else. Being polite goes a long way because they are very used to being ignored or having people be downright rude to them.