I was laid off in 2006 as a Sr. Software Engineer writing systems software in C++ and Java. Thankfully my employer provided 3 months of severance. Through local connections I was able to land a new job immediately at the same title/level (albeit at a slightly less salary but higher total compensation). Thus I started my new job the Monday immediately following my last Friday of work (e.g. with no gap). So I banked the 3 months severance.

In retrospect, I wish I had taken advantage of the break between jobs to spend more time with my kids.