It is important to start looking seriously as soon as possible. If you take two weeks off (as vacation) and then start looking half heartedly, it is easy to get in the groove of not working. Set your alarm clock. Get up each morning and dress in work clothes. Make a plan and keep plugging away.

Also do not let your finances turn sour. More and more employers review your credit history. Having a couple of returned checks can cost you a job offer.

Good advice. Keep plugging at the job search. Set your alarm clock. Get up each morning. Dress (maybe not in interveiw clothes - but not jeans.) Make a job of looking for a job. If you allow yourself to slow down and wallow in self-pity you will lose momentum.

My best tip. Keep a notebook of every contact you have made. Keep it by your phone. Seeing the contacts that you have made will remind you of your forward progress. Keep in touch with folks. Just because they didn't have a job opening six weeks ago, doesn't mean that they are fully staffed now. By keeping your notebook by the phone, when you do get that call from Mr. Smith at Company Jones, you will remember who referred you to that job and why you are interested in it.

sell everything buy rv camper and retire on tax free unemployment forthe rest of your life under the democrats plan.................woooohooooo

Ive done the ,keeping my job contacts by the phone,the problem is the phone never rings,i was drawing unemployment ,but thats all dried up,plus my extension, you call,and call agian to the employers,and all you hear is: we will keep you application on file for 90 days, Im so sick of hearing that,i cant hardly stand it!  this country is in sad,sad, shape! any ideas as to what to do next,cuz the bills are stackin up,and they do get away from you!!   At a dead end,in indiana!

To blogger: getpaidbydagov  

What a stupid comment!     The Republicans got us into this, and  the Dems will have to  get us out.  In the meantime, I just recieved a layoff notice and theres nothing funny about it.

Message to Donnie Holbrook and to anyone out there in this position.  I've been there and barely out of it right now.  But I prayed, alot.  In fact, I always prayed, but more so when thing got extremely shakey.  I went out so several temporary agencies.  I signed-up and took some test and kept praying.  Very soon I received a call for a long-term assignment p/t that was fine, because I was also drawing unemployment particially.  I needed and wanted to get back to work so that rude dog depression wouldn't set in.  Keep your options open.  You'd be surprised with how staffing agencies will keep you employed.  The have a variety of industry categories.  Try it.  If you live in a small town, try to go to the next largest city.  The internet is a great tool.  Check the local papers for upcoming job fair, yeah, they still have those.  Try to keep a positive mind.

I agree with this article that the first thing you need to do is handle your emotions when your laid off.  After any job loss it is so easy to fall into the trap of self-pity, depression and doubt.  We also make the mistake of focusing all that emotion on  the door that has closed instead of looking at the new one that has opened. Having been laid off before, I made sure that I looked at it in a positive light.  I saw my lay off as an opportunity.  To handle the stress, I managed my time as if I were still employed, spending 40 hours a week looking.  I made sure I stayed busy.  I networked, put up website, picked up a part-time job and went to the gym everyday.  Ultimately, I decided to pursue a new career.  I went back to school and interned while I was there.  In the end, my job loss gave me an opportunity to change course, it also gave me a new perspective-I can do anything I put my mind to.   While at the time my lay off seemed like the worst thing that ever happened to me, looking back I think it was the best thing that ever happened to me.  I am in a new career and doing well.  To those of you who have lost your job, hang in there and stay positive.  Just remember, opportunity can be found in any difficulty.