Have officially been pushed out--how to prepare for not working

[Anonymous]

Join a professional networking group. Great way to make new friends and contacts. Gets you out of the house.

[Anonymous]

So sorry, OP. I lost my job a few years back. I knew it was coming, so I managed to find a job very quickly. I'd had feelers out and wasn't unemployed for too long. But before I got that offer, I was panicked and really, really depressed. The way I delt with all the stress was

1) exercise. I went to the gym every day, walked the dog, ran, did five minute workouts at home, crammed exercise into every spare moment I could. It helped a lot.
2) I contacted every reference I could think of, anyone, anywhere in my field and near my field who might know somone looking. I found a few openings this way, had a number of interviews
3) I refined my resume multiple times (see pps post about this above) I tailored my resume to each job I applied for. It took a lot of time and thought, but it was worth it.
4) I did a lot of cooking. I love to cook, and it relaxes me. Requires total concentration, and in the end, I get to EAT it!! Yea!!

Good luck to you, OP. This will not be forever. It's not your fault. You are not worthless. I really hated the people who cut my job (and many others), but I let go of that feeling as a waste of my precious energy. I never think about my old job any more, and I'm very happy at my new one.

One more thing: I keep my resume current at all times. And I have my eye out for new opportunities. I love my new job, but in this post 2008 economy, no one's job is guaranteed, so if a better one comes along, I'm outta here!

[Anonymous]

Probably not at all what you're looking for, but it's the holidays, retail is hiring. Something like Pottery Barn or the Gap might be a good fit to get you through the season and put a little cash in your pocket.

[Anonymous]

It's ok to take a break for a year or 2. I've taken 3 or 4 those breaks throughout the last 20 years.