After a layoff, it's time for an assessment of career goals

Getting laid off means something different for everyone who experiences it.

For some, losing a job is as devastating as heartbreak, and for others it is an escape from a hated profession. No matter the circumstance, now is the time to weigh your options and decide what to do next.

Ask yourself these questions to help determine your options:

Do you want to return to work?

Free time caused by a layoff is a good time to decide whether going back to work is the right option for you. Some people see this as an opportunity to go back to school, spend more time with family or partake in any activity there wasn't time for previously. Evaluate your finances and your feelings, and choose accordingly.

If you are starting a job search, make it your new full-time job.

"You have to think of this process as you are now ‘Me Inc.', and it's the first day and your new job is to find a job," says Nancy Collamer, the author of The Layoff Survival Guide. Create a daily schedule to recreate the structure you had at work, mark a calendar with appointments (even if they are with yourself at first), and get to work. Collamer, of Old Greenwich, Conn., also suggests setting up a new home office. "Taking the time to transform your physical space can help you really adapt to this new situation with some level of enthusiasm," she says.

Set realistic goals for yourself. Aim to send out 10 jobs applications and schedule one interview each week. Cater your goals to what you specifically need and are capable of doing. Set the bar high, but make sure that your goals are achievable.

Psychologist Robert Leahy says that getting organized and structuring the day is key: "You can exercise today, you can eat the right food today -- and you can contact people today."

Do you need job re-training?

Many people find themselves in situations in which they are asked to learn how to use new technology, or they are replaced by someone who already does. Daisy Swan, a career coach in Los Angeles, stresses to her clients that "if you're not interested in staying up-to-date, then you'll get left behind." She also encourages them to get beyond the fear of trying something new because "it is crucial to engage in lifelong learning."

Look to these resources for inexpensive re-training options:

□ Community college courses.

□ Your local unemployment office.

□ Technical schools.

□ Books or software to use on your own.

Enroll in courses, attend seminars, workshops and conferences and start learning.

"It is crucial to keep up in these times" says Pamela Skillings, a certified career coach and the author of Escape from Corporate America: A Practical Guide to Creating the Career of Your Dreams. Learning new technology ensures that you are a marketable candidate for future employment, which is a necessity, Skillings adds

Do you want the same profession?

Swan suggests making a career wish list to identify precisely what you are looking for. Ask yourself what special skills you have and what you would enjoy doing on a daily basis.

Collamer, the career-transitions expert, also advises making a list of your skills, and then searching for opportunities in the job market.

Even if you want to start a new career, you should have realistic prospects to ensure success.

Once you have homed in on what you want to try next, find industries where your skills are needed.

Collamer advises looking for industries that are doing well and wanting to hire.

"Even in this economy there is still opportunity," she says. "You are just going to have to work much harder to find it, and it requires that you maintain a very open mind about your options and what you are willing to pursue."

Talk to current professionals in your field of interest. Research the specific job you desire and arrange interviews with people who have extensive experience, Swan suggests.

The more you learn about the profession, the more able you will be to decide whether it is truly worth trying.

Spread the word

You have calmed your emotions and developed a plan of action, so now it is time to let people know that you are looking for work.

Even if you are shy or the type who likes to accomplish things by yourself, the fact remains that networking can land you a job that you would not have heard about otherwise.

Make your situation known, build connections and soon, unemployment will be a thing of the past.

Here are a few simple ways to begin networking:

□ Send out a job SOS: Send an e-mail to former bosses and co-workers and tell them you were recently laid off and are looking for employment. These are the people who know you and your skills the best. Informing them of your situation can lead to new connections and career opportunities.

□ Join a support network: Becoming part of a support network will not only let you know that you are not alone in this experience, but it is another way to build connections and lead to open doors with new opportunities. Search for support groups online, at local churches and in the community. If you can't find what you are looking for, create one yourself!

□ Join a networking Web site: Online networking sites such as CorporateAlumni.com and Facebook are a useful way to connect with former employers and co-workers. Use these resources build more connections and spread the word, and make sure to stay in contact with those to whom you reach out.

The best resume

Whether you are jumping into a job search or considering an alternative path, you need to revamp your resume while your work experience is still fresh on your mind.
You don't need to hire a professional to do the work for you. Resume writing is a skill that everyone should develop, and there are cheap and easy ways to learn.
Do a "mind dump" of the things that you have done at work and how you did them, suggests one career coach, Daisy Swan of a Los Angeles. Write down everything you can think of, even if it seems insignificant. This will help you focus on your skills and pinpoint what you should include in your resume.
You are likely pinched for cash, so go to the library to find an assortment of books chock-full of tips.
Career counselor Nancy Collamer, the author of The Layoff Survival Guide, says that there are hundreds of resume books out there and that you can learn just by looking at good examples. Bookstores also have a variety of guides and how-to's to make re-styling easy and painless.

There also are countless online resume resources with downloadable samples and templates for free or for a small price. At VisualCV.com, you can create an online resume and add multimedia features, such as a PowerPoint presentation.
Look at examples of resumes that are job-specific so you can cater yours to your desired profession.

And if the thought of styling your resume on your own makes you cringe, simply download a template from Microsoft.
Edit, edit and edit again. A simple mistake can land your resume in the garbage bin, so it is crucial to find all mistakes and fix every sentence.
Resume exchanges are a great way to get feedback and see what other people are doing, says Pamela Skillings, a certified career coach and author. The more eyes that view and critique your resume, the better it will be. Just make sure the feedback is constructive, Skillings says, because hearing that your resume "looks good" as-is won't help you.
Reach out to family members, friends, and even old bosses and co-workers. E-mail them a copy of your resume or meet with them in person, because every little suggestion can make your resume stronger.

The Washington Post