In a recent LinkedIn post, Justin Welsh offers a strategic framework for individuals navigating the challenging waters of a layoff, shifting the focus from traditional job-seeking to immediate monetization of existing skills and knowledge.
Welsh begins by acknowledging the common panic response to job loss, which often involves updating resumes and applying to numerous positions. However, he advocates for a more proactive and entrepreneurial approach. His core message encourages those affected to ask themselves a pivotal question: “What do I know right now that people would pay me for?”
According to Welsh, the key lies in identifying the actual problems one has solved for previous employers. He outlines a three-step process designed to help individuals leverage their experience into immediate income streams.
Step 1: Identify Solved Problems
The first step involves introspection and documentation. Welsh advises individuals to “Write down every problem you’ve solved in the last 10 years.” He emphasizes focusing on tangible business outcomes rather than job titles. Examples provided include improving sales metrics or generating leads. The principle here is that the skills and solutions that were valuable to an employer can be directly offered to clients.
“The thing people paid your employer for…that’s the thing you can sell directly to other people who need it.”
Step 2: Find One Client
Welsh’s second step is about targeted action. Instead of broad outreach, he suggests identifying just one person who currently faces a problem that you have the expertise to solve. This could be a former colleague, a contact within your network, or even a stranger on LinkedIn who has publicly expressed a need for assistance. The goal is to offer a solution, even at a reduced cost initially, to create a “proof-of-concept.” As Justin Welsh notes, the focus is on “Solve it cheaply.”
Step 3: Package Your Solution
Once a problem has been solved for an individual, Welsh proposes packaging the experience into a repeatable offer. This involves clearly defining what was done and how it can benefit others. The outcome should be a straightforward service or product, such as a consultation, a coaching program, or a guide.
“It doesn’t need to be fancy or have a damn logo. It just needs to be clear: ‘I help [specific person] do [specific thing] in [specific timeframe].'”
In Justin Welsh’s view, these steps provide a robust method for individuals to “future-proof” themselves against future career disruptions. By focusing on direct value and repeatable solutions, laid-off professionals can transition from seeking traditional employment to building their own client base and income, leveraging the very expertise that made them valuable in their previous roles.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Justin Welsh on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on February 25, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →