If you've just been laid off or let go from a long term job, your job hunting skills are probably a little rusty.
Nancy Collamer, author and founder of Layoff Survival Guide dot com, says your sense of who you are can vanish.
"In the course of a few minutes, you lose your identity. And that's the way a lot of people take it."
Good Housekeeping recommends taking some time off to process what's happened to you.
"It is so important to cry, to vent, to fantasize about revenge if need be," says Collamer.
When you are ready to start pitching for new work, make sure you use the right words when talking to potential employers.
"What's important to say is that due to the economy your company made some cuts and you were one of the people who lost your job," says Janet Siroto, Good Housekeeping's Executive Editor. "Don't say "I was fired" because that implies that you did something wrong."
And finally, keeping a regular routine provides structure to get you up and through the day.
"Even if you're not going to the office go ahead, get that cup of coffee and sit down and start your job hunt. But, do stick to a regular schedule."
And Good Housekeeping says, don't spend hours on job Web sites. They can be helpful, but they can also vacuum up all your free time. Most people still find jobs through their own networking.
Wait a few days before starting the job hunt. You need some time to clear your head and thinking about what kind of job you really want. There is no shame in being laid off, so when you're ready, tell people that you are on the market for a job.
