fired, terminated, laid off, let go, restructured, dismissed, downsized, rightsized --

translate into only one thing: You're back in the job market and beating the street for new employment opportunities.

Don't panic or spend too much time feeling sorry for yourself. Getting right back into the job market when losing your job is hard to deal with. The best thing you can do (even if you received a severance package) is look at the firing as a chance for a better opportunity. Getting fired is no longer considered a negative on your resume. It's part of today's job arena.

TIP: For every $10,000 of salary, add a month to the job search to find employment.

How do you deal with being fired or downsized in terms of your resume and job-hunting? How do you get you in shape to find an even better job than the one you just lost? Decide on a career path or make a change if necessary. If you loved your last position and the industry you worked in, then move to the next point. However, if you weren't happy, now is the time to think about or implement a career change.

What kind of transferable skills did you acquire from your previous employment?

For example, if you worked in a customer service capacity, and now want to get into sales, you have valuable sales and people skills -- transferable skills from one position to another. If you're not sure what you want to do, you should do some self-assessment. You can find great career assessment tests on the Web.

TIP: Consider a career coach to determine these skills.

Tweak that resume:

Ideally, you've been keeping your resume current, but if you have not now is the time to take a hard look at it. The first thing you need to decide is whether to include the job from which you were terminated on your resume. In most cases, you should include it -- unless you only worked there a short period of time (less than three months). Show an end date from your previous job. Focus on your accomplishments and achievements.

Consider adding -- if you don't already have these sections -- key accomplishments and transferable skills sections for your resume. Positioning these sections at the top of your resume also means you can downplay your actual employment history…or at least make it secondary to your accomplishments and skills.

A functional resume, rather than a traditional chronological resume, will also serve this purpose. Develop both a traditional formatted resume and a scannable (text-only) resume. Since job-hunting has expanded to include traditional methods as well as online methods, you need to have both types and several versions of your resume.

Get your resume critiqued. Ask someone in your network -- possibly a former boss or college career office (most work with alumni) to review your new resume(s) and offer constructive criticism.

Resolve location issues:

Now is the time to evaluate if enough opportunities exist where you currently live or if you need or want to relocate. TIP: If you have a spouse or significant other be sure and involve them in this discussion.

Network, network, network:

Tell everyone you know that you are in the job market again. You don't need to tell them you were fired if you don't want to, but don't be ashamed of it either, as labor figures indicate that many people have lost (or will lose) their jobs involuntarily. Your network includes your family, friends, former coworkers, former bosses, neighbors, and friends of friends -- just about anyone. These people may not be able to offer you a new job, but they may know someone who can, consequently they play a vital role in your job search. Once you find a new job, make sure you keep networking rather than waiting until you don't have a job to do so.

Revisit your references and referrals:

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your dismissal, you may or may not have a good reference from your former employer. Now is the time -- regardless -- to revisit your reference list. You need to contact these people.

Inform them that you are again in the job market, and ask if they will still be a reference for you. If you think your former employer might give you a bad reference, it is extremely important that you have other people who will rave about your accomplishments and abilities.

Be prepared to work @ getting a new job. It's a clich?, but looking for a new job is now your full-time job. Stay focused and accomplish something every day. Don’t go brain dead from too much job searching. Set limits on the amount of time you will commit each day.

TIP: Be prepared for rejection. You may be a little extra sensitive because of being fired, but remember that there is always a degree of rejection in any job search -- so don't let it get you down.

We are quarter way though 2006

Will your job still be there at the end of the year? Are you feeling anxious about this year's job market? You're not alone. It’s a tough market. In one year 50% of your associates will change jobs or locations. Be as prepared as possible before you are faced with the inevitable.

Ten Proven Strategies That Will Keep You on the Right Track

1. Assess yourself:

Take time to do a thorough self-assessment. Understand what you truly want. Do you want to still be an employee or is it time to make the break into self-employment? What are your values and interests? What are your preferences for industries, companies, functions, locations, job content, people you'd be working with and for, and organizational culture, style, and size? What are your strengths and skill sets? Most importantly, what do you envision your next job to be?

TIP: If you need help let our career coach focus your efforts.

2. Create a personal business plan:

* Explore/research companies

For example, if you worked in a customer service capacity, and now want to get into sales, you have valuable sales and people skills -- transferable skills from one position to another. If you're not sure what you want to do, you should do some self-assessment. You can find great career assessment tests on the Web.

TIP: Consider a career coach to determine these skills.

Tweak that resume:

Ideally, you've been keeping your resume current, but if you have not now is the time to take a hard look at it. The first thing you need to decide is whether to include the job from which you were terminated on your resume. In most cases, you should include it -- unless you only worked there a short period of time (less than three months). Show an end date from your previous job. Focus on your accomplishments and achievements.

Consider adding -- if you don't already have these sections -- key accomplishments and transferable skills sections for your resume. Positioning these sections at the top of your resume also means you can downplay your actual employment history…or at least make it secondary to your accomplishments and skills.

A functional resume, rather than a traditional chronological resume, will also serve this purpose. Develop both a traditional formatted resume and a scannable (text-only) resume. Since job-hunting has expanded to include traditional methods as well as online methods, you need to have both types and several versions of your resume.

Get your resume critiqued. Ask someone in your network -- possibly a former boss or college career office (most work with alumni) to review your new resume(s) and offer constructive criticism.

Resolve location issues:

Now is the time to evaluate if enough opportunities exist where you currently live or if you need or want to relocate. TIP: If you have a spouse or significant other be sure and involve them in this discussion.

Network, network, network:

Tell everyone you know that you are in the job market again. You don't need to tell them you were fired if you don't want to, but don't be ashamed of it either, as labor figures indicate that many people have lost (or will lose) their jobs involuntarily. Your network includes your family, friends, former coworkers, former bosses, neighbors, and friends of friends -- just about anyone. These people may not be able to offer you a new job, but they may know someone who can, consequently they play a vital role in your job search. Once you find a new job, make sure you keep networking rather than waiting until you don't have a job to do so.

Revisit your references and referrals:

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your dismissal, you may or may not have a good reference from your former employer. Now is the time -- regardless -- to revisit your reference list. You need to contact these people.

Inform them that you are again in the job market, and ask if they will still be a reference for you. If you think your former employer might give you a bad reference, it is extremely important that you have other people who will rave about your accomplishments and abilities.

Be prepared to work @ getting a new job. It's a clich?, but looking for a new job is now your full-time job. Stay focused and accomplish something every day. Don’t go brain dead from too much job searching. Set limits on the amount of time you will commit each day.

TIP: Be prepared for rejection. You may be a little extra sensitive because of being fired, but remember that there is always a degree of rejection in any job search -- so don't let it get you down.

We are quarter way though 2006

Will your job still be there at the end of the year? Are you feeling anxious about this year's job market? You're not alone. It’s a tough market. In one year 50% of your associates will change jobs or locations. Be as prepared as possible before you are faced with the inevitable.

Ten Proven Strategies That Will Keep You on the Right Track

1. Assess yourself:

Take time to do a thorough self-assessment. Understand what you truly want. Do you want to still be an employee or is it time to make the break into self-employment? What are your values and interests? What are your preferences for industries, companies, functions, locations, job content, people you'd be working with and for, and organizational culture, style, and size? What are your strengths and skill sets? Most importantly, what do you envision your next job to be?

TIP: If you need help let our career coach focus your efforts.

2. Create a personal business plan:

* Explore/research companie

A functional resume, rather than a traditional chronological resume, will also serve this purpose. Develop both a traditional formatted resume and a scannable (text-only) resume. Since job-hunting has expanded to include traditional methods as well as online methods, you need to have both types and several versions of your resume.

Get your resume critiqued. Ask someone in your network -- possibly a former boss or college career office (most work with alumni) to review your new resume(s) and offer constructive criticism.

Resolve location issues:

Now is the time to evaluate if enough opportunities exist where you currently live or if you need or want to relocate. TIP: If you have a spouse or significant other be sure and involve them in this discussion.

Network, network, network:

Tell everyone you know that you are in the job market again. You don't need to tell them you were fired if you don't want to, but don't be ashamed of it either, as labor figures indicate that many people have lost (or will lose) their jobs involuntarily. Your network includes your family, friends, former coworkers, former bosses, neighbors, and friends of friends -- just about anyone. These people may not be able to offer you a new job, but they may know someone who can, consequently they play a vital role in your job search. Once you find a new job, make sure you keep networking rather than waiting until you don't have a job to do so.

Revisit your references and referrals:

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your dismissal, you may or may not have a good reference from your former employer. Now is the time -- regardless -- to revisit your reference list. You need to contact these people.

Inform them that you are again in the job market, and ask if they will still be a reference for you. If you think your former employer might give you a bad reference, it is extremely important that you have other people who will rave about your accomplishments and abilities.

Be prepared to work @ getting a new job. It's a clich?, but looking for a new job is now your full-time job. Stay focused and accomplish something every day. Don’t go brain dead from too much job searching. Set limits on the amount of time you will commit each day.

TIP: Be prepared for rejection. You may be a little extra sensitive because of being fired, but remember that there is always a degree of rejection in any job search -- so don't let it get you down.

We are quarter way though 2006

Will your job still be there at the end of the year? Are you feeling anxious about this year's job market? You're not alone. It’s a tough market. In one year 50% of your associates will change jobs or locations. Be as prepared as possible before you are faced with the inevitable.

Ten Proven Strategies That Will Keep You on the Right Track

1. Assess yourself:

Take time to do a thorough self-assessment. Understand what you truly want. Do you want to still be an employee or is it time to make the break into self-employment? What are your values and interests? What are your preferences for industries, companies, functions, locations, job content, people you'd be working with and for, and organizational culture, style, and size? What are your strengths and skill sets? Most importantly, what do you envision your next job to be?

TIP: If you need help let our career coach focus your efforts.

2. Create a personal business plan:

* Explore/research companie

Revisit your references and referrals:

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your dismissal, you may or may not have a good reference from your former employer. Now is the time -- regardless -- to revisit your reference list. You need to contact these people.

Inform them that you are again in the job market, and ask if they will still be a reference for you. If you think your former employer might give you a bad reference, it is extremely important that you have other people who will rave about your accomplishments and abilities.

Be prepared to work @ getting a new job. It's a clich?, but looking for a new job is now your full-time job. Stay focused and accomplish something every day. Don’t go brain dead from too much job searching. Set limits on the amount of time you will commit each day.

TIP: Be prepared for rejection. You may be a little extra sensitive because of being fired, but remember that there is always a degree of rejection in any job search -- so don't let it get you down.

We are quarter way though 2006

Will your job still be there at the end of the year? Are you feeling anxious about this year's job market? You're not alone. It’s a tough market. In one year 50% of your associates will change jobs or locations. Be as prepared as possible before you are faced with the inevitable.

Ten Proven Strategies That Will Keep You on the Right Track

1. Assess yourself:

Take time to do a thorough self-assessment. Understand what you truly want. Do you want to still be an employee or is it time to make the break into self-employment? What are your values and interests? What are your preferences for industries, companies, functions, locations, job content, people you'd be working with and for, and organizational culture, style, and size? What are your strengths and skill sets? Most importantly, what do you envision your next job to be?

TIP: If you need help let our career coach focus your efforts.

2. Create a personal business plan:

* Explore/research companie

We are quarter way though 2006

Will your job still be there at the end of the year? Are you feeling anxious about this year's job market? You're not alone. It’s a tough market. In one year 50% of your associates will change jobs or locations. Be as prepared as possible before you are faced with the inevitable.

Ten Proven Strategies That Will Keep You on the Right Track

1. Assess yourself:

Take time to do a thorough self-assessment. Understand what you truly want. Do you want to still be an employee or is it time to make the break into self-employment? What are your values and interests? What are your preferences for industries, companies, functions, locations, job content, people you'd be working with and for, and organizational culture, style, and size? What are your strengths and skill sets? Most importantly, what do you envision your next job to be?

TIP: If you need help let our career coach focus your efforts.

2. Create a personal business plan:

* Explore/research companies broadly. * Narrow your choices: pick key targets. * Design your marketing plan (your resume, how you will promote yourself, how you'll connect into the industries/companies, how you will follow up, etc.) * Do you have a weakness? Is there a knowledge or skill you need to be competitive? (Better plan now to enhance those skills.) * Can you differentiate yourself or make you a stronger candidate? * Do you know industry's buzzwords and vocabulary? Do you know what's hot and what is not?

3. Use career services websites:

Participate selectively; use your time management and prioritizing skills to help decide which resources you should take advantage of. Career centers offer a variety of resources to help you including advice/counseling, articles, recruiters, and a resource center/library or website which provides books, directories, website links, reports, research, and other resources.

4. Research the industries in which you are interested:

Do your homework. You can't be too prepared. A common refrain I hear from recruiters about someone who's impressive is, “She/he really understands our business and asked some great questions." Learn which companies are in strong financial positions and which are not. This is doubly important today with all the downsizing, mergers and acquisitions. TIP: Don't go from one uncertain situation to another.

5. Research the selected companies:

Ask yourself questions like:

How does this company stack up against its competitors?

What is the company's culture?

What are its values and personality?

Who are the leaders?

What are they like, and how do they value (or not value) people?

What is the company's level of innovation, turnover, and commitment to developing and keeping its employees?

Read the company's job descriptions, check out its website, and get evaluations of the company from anyone you know that might do business with the company or work there.

5. Develop a distinctive resume:

If you will be changing industries, your resume is extremely important in helping you stand out from other candidates. Remember recruiters see hundreds of resumes. In a few seconds they will determine whether you get a second look. Your resume is just like your "elevator pitch." Be prepared to tell the essence of who you are in a single page. TIP: PERFECT Your "Elevator Speech."

6. Explore interviewing skills:

Learn the anatomy of an interview, approaches to interviews, interviewers favorite questions, and interviewing philosophies. Keys to success in the interview include preparation and practice.

TIP: Ask friends and colleagues to interview you. Have them give you the third degree.

7. Network, connect, and follow up:

80% of all jobs come though networking.

It’s not whom you know but who knows you. Use organizations/associations that facilitate the information generation process. Our suite of resources posts our members' press releases and new training programs, technologies and general business information. Stay "Connected" 24/7

8. Reflect, refine, and redirect your search:

Be critical of yourself. How are you doing? Where could you improve? What help or advice do you need? Who can provide that to you quickly? Are there gaps in your performance that need filling in? Are they knowledge gaps (e.g., you aren't up to speed on industry lingo), or skill gaps (e.g., your cover letters aren't as sharp as they might be)? Remember: Knowledge is attainable, and skills can be developed.

TIP: Don't obsess. You cannot be all things to all people. Sell to your strengths not weaknesses.

9. Mind your etiquette throughout the process:

Stay in touch and connected. Keep your network open. Are there colleagues you haven't been in touch with in a while? Shoot them a quick E-mail and let them know what you are doing.

TIP: Do not wear out your welcome. Etiquette also means returning calls promptly, not harassing the employer, and telling others who help you that you appreciate their efforts.

10. Leverage the best job/career-related websites. Spend time finding out which sites work best for you.

So if you are prepared and have done your homework, when you hear these words "Fired, Laid Off, or Unemployed" you will be ready to face whatever comes.