FIRED, LAID OFF, DOWN-SIZED -- they are pretty much the same thing when you consider how it makes a person feel ...

How do you take a job loss in stride, keep your head up, and still go after your dreams?

More intelligently, how do you approach the modern workplace where downsizing, layoffs (and sometimes firings) are increasingly commonplace?

The first thing is you have to face reality, and be prepared.

Even if you are a talented person with a passion for your work, you still have to face the unpleasant reality that you may be laid off or fired at some point in your career future.

Here are some "reality check" ways to deal with losing your job:

1. There are much worse things than getting "downsized" -- like staying in a bad job you hate just because it is a paycheck.

Everyone wants to find a job that that they love, where they are valued, where they feel they are really contributing. It is easy to let that dream fade when you are faced with possible financial issues -- but is that really how you want to spend your life? In a job that you dislike? The bills may be adding up, but being trapped in a life-sucking job can be even worse.

2. Losing your job may even be the be the best thing that ever happened to you.

Being unemployed is no picnic, but it may be a good time to really re-think what you want out of life, and out of your career. Take a solid block of 4 hours and write down everything you really want to have, do, and be. Make yourself a promise that your are going to work hard to find a job that is right for you.

3. You will probably be unemployed longer than you thought you would be.

It may even be up to 4 months. This is a reality. Deal with it. Plan for it. Use that fact to motivate yourself to look for different jobs, interview with more companies, tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. Invest in career guides and self-improvement. Whatever you do, don't take the first thing that comes down the road just because it is a paycheck! ... think carefully about what will make you happy.

4. The Internet won't necessarily solve all your job-search problems.

While the ability to search for jobs and post your resume is a huge help in finding new work, it's true that PERSON-TO-PERSON contact is still the way business gets done. Email is so easy to delete. Just because you emailed your resume into some email address, does not mean anyone actually looked at it! you MUST pick up the phone and do some detective work. Find out who the hiring manager is. Meet people that work at the company. Do your internet job search stuff at night, and spend your days away from the computer, meeting people, networking, joining groups, building relationships.

5. You may also have to consider moving to a different city.

Sometimes you just have to go where the jobs are. What do you really want to do? Where are they doing that? Are you brave enough to follow your dreams and live the life you have imagined? Consider moving.

6. Basically, your real job is to figure out what you love, and then find a way to do it.

At the end of the day, your goal should not be just to find another job, but to find work that speaks to your soul -- no matter the state of the economy, or your bills that may be piling up. True, that's a lot easier said than done when you are under financial pressure. That's exactly why you should sit down with yourself RIGHT NOW, and with pen and paper for a solid 4 hours write down everything you want to be, have, and do over the next five years ... Look inside yourself -- that's the best place to start.

Best of luck to you with your job search and your interviews!


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