Boeing Layoffs: How to Navigate Career Turbulence
Create Your Resume NowCaught in the wake of Boeing layoffs in 2025? These layoffs at Boeing have left thousands searching for stability. While the journey ahead may feel like navigating through stormy skies, it’s also an opportunity to refuel, recalibrate, and chart a fresh flight path.
With the right strategies and tools, you can turn this challenge into a launchpad for new career heights. Let’s explore how to regain altitude and move forward with purpose and confidence!
In this guide:
- Key facts about Boeing layoffs 2024.
- Support options for affected employees, including severance tips and job search strategies.
- Practical advice on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and networking after layoffs at Boeing.
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Boeing Layoffs 2024: Scope and Impact
In 2024, Boeing announced plans to reduce its global workforce by approximately 10%, equating to about 17,000 positions, as part of a restructuring strategy to address financial challenges and operational inefficiencies.
The reductions will affect employees in multiple U.S. states, with significant numbers in Washington, Oregon, South Carolina, Missouri, and California.
The main reasons behind Boeing layoffs are:
- Financial Losses: Boeing reported a third-quarter loss exceeding $6 billion, contributing to cumulative losses of $25 billion from 2019 to 2023. These financial strains necessitated workforce reductions to align with the company's economic realities.
- Operational Challenges: Production delays, regulatory scrutiny, and overstaffing in certain areas caused the need for layoffs at Boeing.
- Strategic Restructuring: Under new CEO Kelly Ortberg, Boeing aims to streamline operations, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance efficiency, necessitating a leaner workforce to remain competitive in the aerospace industry.
Pro Tip: Use this time to evaluate your career goals and consider upskilling or reskilling in areas that align with market demands and your interests.
Steps to Take After Being Impacted by Boeing Layoffs
Job loss can be difficult, but it can also open new doors if approached strategically. Here's how to move forward:
Check Severance and Support Measures
Here’s a quick overview of Boeing layoff severance and benefits:
- Severance Packages: Affected employees are offered severance pay, typically amounting to one week of salary for each year of service.
- Extended Benefits: Laid-off workers receive continued health insurance coverage and remain on the payroll for approximately 60 days following notification, in compliance with federal requirements of the WARN Act.
- Career Transition Support: Boeing provides career transition services, including job placement assistance and subsidized healthcare benefits for up to three months, to help employees secure new employment opportunities.
These measures reflect Boeing's efforts to mitigate the impact of layoffs on its workforce while undertaking necessary restructuring to address financial and operational challenges.
Pro Tip: Contact Boeing’s HR team to clarify the specifics of your severance package and available resources, as these can vary by location and role.
Organize Essential Documents for Your Job Search
Strong documentation will enhance your job applications and differentiate you from other candidates. Prepare:
- Performance Reviews: Highlight measurable achievements that demonstrate your value.
- Project Summaries: Showcase quantifiable impacts, such as “Improved production timelines by 15% through process optimization.”
- Professional References: Secure recommendations from managers or colleagues to reinforce your expertise.
- Exit Documentation: Retain copies of severance agreements and termination letters for reference.
Read more: How to List References on a Resume (and When Not To)
Writing an Effective Resume & Cover Letter After Boeing Layoffs
Creating a perfect resume and a killer cover letter is critical to securing your next opportunity. Here are some of the best cover letter and resume-writing tips:
Customize Your Application for Different Roles
Highlight your aerospace experience in ways that resonate with a variety of industries:
- Quantify Achievements: Use metrics to underscore your contributions.
Example: “Streamlined manufacturing processes, reducing costs by 12% and delivery delays by 20%.” - Use Action Verbs: Showcase leadership and initiative with terms like "led," "engineered," and "optimized."
Example: “Engineered innovative solutions that increased production efficiency by 25%.” - Customize for the Role: Align your resume with job descriptions by emphasizing relevant experience and skills.
Pro Tip: Choose a professional, ATS-friendly resume template to boost your chances of landing an interview.
Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide and use content from Certified Professional Resume Writers to have a resume ready in minutes.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.
Explain Boeing Layoffs in Your Job Applications
Be transparent and optimistic when discussing job layoffs in your applications:
- In Your Cover Letter:
Example: “My role was impacted due to company-wide restructuring, which provided an opportunity to reflect and refine my skills in [specific area].” - In Your Resume:
Example: Add a note such as: “Position ended due to Boeing’s global restructuring in [month, year].”
Pro Tip: Focus on your skills and achievements to maintain a forward-looking tone.
Effective Networking and Job Search Tactics After Boeing Layoffs
A strong network and proactive job search can open doors to exciting opportunities. I’ve prepared some tips for you:
Enhance Your Online Presence
Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your expertise and achievements:
- Create a compelling headline (e.g., “Experienced Aerospace Engineer | Driving Innovation in Aviation”).
- Highlight accomplishments in your summary and add endorsements for key skills.
You can also join Boeing alumni groups, attend industry events, and connect with recruiters specializing in aerospace and engineering roles.
Read more: Online Presence Check: Make Sure Employers Like What They See
Find the Right Opportunities
Industries like renewable energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing are actively hiring. Use platforms like Glassdoor, Indeed, FlexJobs, and industry-specific job boards to find new openings. Regularly check the career pages of major companies in your target industries, as some roles may not appear on job boards.
Enroll in webinars, job coaching services, or career transition workshops. Consider joining forums like Reddit’s r/jobs for additional support. Beyond Reddit’s r/jobs, explore r/engineering or r/aerospace for tailored advice.
Consider certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or AWS to boost your qualifications. Think about getting FAA airframe and powerplant (A&P) certification or Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) if you’re planning on staying in the aerospace industry. Remember that platforms like Udemy or edX offer affordable courses to help you upskill.
Read more: Where to Find Jobs Online: The Best Platforms Ranked
Turn Company Layoffs Into Opportunities for Growth
Job loss can be emotionally taxing. Lean on your support system, and prioritize mental health through self-care practices like exercise, mindfulness, or journaling. This transition is an opportunity to pivot to a new role, industry, or even entrepreneurship.
Read more: Top Interview Tips to Nail Your Next Job Interview
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Boeing layoffs, while difficult, don’t define your professional future. With the skills and experience gained at Boeing, you are well-equipped to excel in your next role.
Explore Zety’s expert articles on resumes, cover letters, and career advice to rebuild your career with confidence. With determination and a well-crafted plan, your next career move could be your most rewarding yet!
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Sources
- Le Monde, "Boeing cuts 17,000 jobs and sinks into existential crisis"
- New York Post, "Boeing to lay off nearly 400 employees as company’s mass cuts continue"
- Associated Press, "Boeing issues layoff notices to 400-plus workers as it begins drastic cuts"
- Nasdaq, "Boeing to reset priorities and create a leaner, more focused organization"