After addressing your finances, finding a new job should be your top priority. Take the opportunity now to review your options, and remember that finding a new job will be easier if you remain flexible. Are you able to relocate? Are you willing to consider changing careers? Are you interested in starting your own business or doing freelance work?

While you’re searching for a new job, establish a routine and stay active. Get up at the same time every day. Make interview appointments for the morning hours and work on your resume and cover letters in the afternoon. Some companies offer help to former employees, ranging from secretarial support to outplacement counseling. If your company offers help, accept it.

Everyone you know may be a potential job lead or contact and networking is often the key to getting your next job.  Contact former coworkers, friends, family members, former customers, vendors or even competitors for networking possibilities. Tell people in your church or temple, your social groups and volunteer organizations that you’re looking for a job. You might be surprised at how much people want to help.

Also, you can search online. Many major companies post job openings on their own web sites or on job search web sites, allowing them to fill jobs more quickly and at less expense. Plus, you can circulate your resume to potential employers for free, whether they’re across town or in another state.  See the job search resources listed in "For More Information." 

Temporary jobs can be useful when reentering the work force, particularly for someone with little or no experience in the targeted field.  Working as a temporary employee does not necessarily mean floating anonymously from job to job.  It can actually be one of the best ways to position yourself for a job.  Many employment agencies specialize in placing workers in temporary positions, or you may find ads for temporary help in the newspaper.  You can find a temp job in practically any field – office, light industrial, technical, managerial, financial, engineering, computer and legal.