What to do when you lose your job.
1. Take a deep breath and relax. It’s not you.
2. Have a conversation with your spouse/partner/children/parents as to the ramifications of your new status. Keep those close to you closer. Stay away from negative personalities (re-think your friends).
3. Go through you finances. Start cutting out all non-essential expenses (cable TV, eating out, etc.)
4. File for unemployment immediately.
5. Get assistance in creating/updating your resume.
6. Identify career-specific sites which are geared to your occupation or profession.
Suggested daily schedule:
1. Get up at a regular hour, as if you were working.
2. Exercise or take a walk for one hour.
3. Dress in business casual attire. You are what you wear and your attitude will reflect this.
4. Spend no more than one hour researching potential job offerings on the internet (NJ.com, NYTimes.com).
5. Send out at least 10 applications for work, even if you do not meet all of the requirements.
6. Plan to make at least 10 phone calls either looking for work, or following up on applications.
7. Build a self-improvement plan – courses to take, lose or gain weight, hair color, clothing choices, etc.
8. Start and maintain a list of your positive attributes, qualities and skills. Read it often.
9. Get out of the house. Find, join and go to every networking and job-seeking support group available in your area. Volunteer. Do anything that will keep you meeting and talking to people.
10. Don’t be embarrassed. Talk to people. You are not alone. You never know which person you meet and speak with will be the link to future employment.
11. Maintain a positive attitude.
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