With the economic and financial issues of today's world, dealing with job loss is becoming an all too common occurrence for many people. You thought your job was safe, or that the business would never be hit hard like it was. Dealing with job loss brings many things to the surface:

• Why didn't someone warn me?
• What could I have done to stop this?
• What do I do now?

If you have the time to plan for this day, take all opportunities to do so. Dealing with job loss takes time, and some effort. A few tips to help in a situation where you know unemployment is coming follow:

• Start networking with everyone you know, including bosses, managers and the lady you buy morning coffee from. Other positions or jobs come from anywhere.

If any buyouts or money is being given to help in dealing with job loss, put this aside to cover daily expenses and basic needs such as housing and food. If there is any insurance plan or savings plan in place, see how you can safely handle taking it with you.

• Check with the local Unemployment Office or Job Agencies about requirements and work availability.
• Make sure all bills are current. This will help avoid shut off notices while dealing with job loss.
• Start looking at unnecessary spending now so that you have an idea of what it costs for basic needs.
• Update the resume and get copies to hand out to anyone who will be of interest.

But what if you are dealing with job loss immediately? If there is no warning the shock and range of emotion will be the first thing to deal with. Dealing with immediate job loss is different than if you know it is coming. While taking the steps above will still be effective, there are a few other steps which help the transition to unemployment.

• Take a day or two to deal with emotions and gain a clear head.
• Assess the situation. The world isn't ending, it is just switching gears.
• Use the first day to look at your world around you. Maybe tasks that have been put off because of work can get done and can help put the brain in another place for awhile.
• Do not panic and start applying to everyplace you see on your first day unemployed. Job searching takes planning and time to achieve good results.
• Do not start arguments about how, why, or what next; these are irrelevant and do not help in dealing with job loss.

Close the Door to Yesterday

While it may seem an old an tired expression, the phrase 'Look to Tomorrow' helps in dealing with job loss. The job is gone, and life will move on without it. You need to take charge of the new direction.