Even if you expected it, being laid off can be traumatic. You depend on your salary to live, and now that income has disappeared. While you know that it is time to find a new job, you find it difficult to move on. At some point, you have to bounce back and start focusing on your next step.

Give Yourself a Moment to Grieve After Being Laid Off

While you need to start applying for jobs soon, give yourself at least a day or two to grieve. Your mind had a plan for the future. You saw yourself getting promoted and staying with the company. Now, you have to rethink your entire future. This takes time, and you deserve a little time to process this. Time is of the essence in jump starting your job search.

Think About How to Improve

You could not stop yourself from being laid off. Your division was downsized, or the company needed to save money. In other cases, you know why you lost the job and what you need to change. For you to succeed at a new job, you have to let go of any bad feelings when presenting yourself to other employers. Your interviewer will ask about your past jobs. You need to be prepared with an answer for why you left and how you can improve. An interviewer understands layoffs. The important thing is how you recovered and learned from that experience.

Create a New Dream

Now that your last job is over with, you have to build a new future. This starts with your job search. Create a plan for tackling your job search. Start planning out your new goals and what you want out of life. Once you know what you want, go for it.

The Job Search Starts Today

You might not get every job you apply for, but you will never get a job if you do not truly dedicate your time to your search. Stop putting off your job search for the future. Set a goal for the number of resumes you want to turn in every day. To be successful, treat your job search like it is your job. Before long, one of your resumes will lead to an interview.

Stay Active

Many people become depressed after losing a job. While this is normal, staying depressed will not help you find meaning in your life. As you search for a job, keep yourself active. Go to the gym, start jogging in the morning or read a new book. You might not have a job to fill your day right now, but that does not mean that you have to sit at home feeling discouraged.

Use Career Counseling

If you want a head start on your job search, invest in a career counselor. They can help you find a new career, build a resume and find a job. If none of your resumes have resulted in an interview, a career counselor can help you figure out why. With the right help, you can find a new career path and get the job you deserve.