1. It has nothing to do with you. You got laid off. I don’t know you and I can tell you that your job is the least interesting part about you. Ask your wife. As

1. It has nothing to do with you. You got laid off. I don’t know you and I can tell you that your job is the least interesting part about you. Ask your wife. Ask your family. Ask your friends. None of them care what you do. 2. It is actually awesome you are in a degree program. Because if you really want to avoid the conversation you can explain any gap with, “I was finishing my degree.” Not that you really have to because getting laid off is so common these days no one bats an eye or cares. 3. Get on your wife’s insurance. She is a teacher, so it is more reliable and probably better. Explore unemployment benefits. It is better to take unemployment because it will free you up to focus on the job search and your degree. I have been there and I took a hourly job out of pride, but I don’t know if I would do it again. 4. Spend 1-2 hours a day applying or interviewing for jobs. The rest of the time do what you have always wanted to do if you didn’t have to work. You will be fine.