Be Ready For The Worst: What To Do When Laid Off

DAVE CARPENTER

CHICAGO (AP) — The shock of being laid off barely had time to set in before Jim Wessel began looking for another job.

Released as purchasing director for a resort one Friday this fall, Wessel started phoning business contacts from his car on the way home. He tweaked his resume over the weekend, signed up for job-related Web sites and reconnected with old friends who happened to be recruiters.

The loss of a job can leave you disoriented, wondering what to do first. With unemployment topping 10 percent last month and more than 15 million other Americans looking for work, it's essential to quickly address not only job options but other money-related issues.

"The important thing is to get yourself organized," says Deborah Russell, director of work force issues for AARP.

Though Wessel, of Belle Vernon, Pa., took immediate action, having a plan hasn't paid off in another job yet. But the 31-year-old has a few promising leads and knows it was important to move fast.

"If I can acquire a job with only being unemployed for three months in this market, I'll consider it a success," he says.