LAY-OFFS, AT ALL LEVELS ARE A FACT OF LIFE...GET ON WITH YOURS

Answer this question: If I could do anything, I would... Your answer will determine whether you should find a new job or exercise the entrepreneurial spirit within. If you think in the present, look for a new job. If you think in the future, like the author, you're an entrepreneur--time to get out on your own.

FINDING A NEW JOB

Update your resume. Focus mostly on your accomplishments...new sales records, promotions software you wrote that revolutionized "x", more people managed, developed, and promoted, etc. A great book on the subject is available from Amazon.com. Then, send it to a professional resume writing service...they'll polish your resume far better than you ever could. Hire a resume/cover letter mailing service. No, you can't do it yourself! They will send out 1,000's per month to potential employers, you'll never be able to match that, reducing your search time(critical) by two-thirds. When interviewing, focus only on the positive (what you've learned and how you can help new employer). Quickly, cut expenses to the bone, and sell unneeded assets.

POST RESUME ON JOB BOARDS

Post your updated resume on the big boards like monster.com and careerbuilder.com. Smaller more specialized ones such as: ustopconsultant.com, bankhire.com are good. Skip unemployment by ALWAYS having resume on them. Don't put name of current employer and always lock-out current employer from being able to view your resume. This technique alone (always having their resume posted) saved my family member from any lost time/income job-searching when her job was being eliminated due to a merger. In these times, having your resume constantly OUT is like having your seat belt on in the car....it should always be ON. Never assume you're safe!!

Use national employer-paid search firms such as MR.com, Sales Consultants.com. and others who have specialists in each industry. Also utilize local search firms if they're fee paid.

NETWORKING

Old Employers, employees, customers, competitors, professional organizations, your clubs, friends, university alumni job board, church groups, sunday classifieds, WSJ, on-line blogs, forums, local business networking groups and Forty-Plus groups are all great lead sources. My best job came from having lunch with an old friend. Get own URL for resume/content. Also, you can offer consulting in your industry. Place a small ad in newspaper under "employment wanted" or similar listing.

MAKING INCOME NOW

Get evening/night job,leaving daytime for interviews. Call centers, warehouses, temp services, package delivery services and janitorial services all need eveing and night help. Your friends and professional acquantances and prospective professional employers will never know...if you don't tell them. Write articles on-line for pay(E-Zine, Squidoo), etc. Apply for a research grant(salary). Paid Speakers Bureau. Teach Jr. college. Buy local crafts, sell on e-bay, publish that book you've been working on, sell that article. Do income taxes now if you're expecting a refund; some places will give you a check now for a fee. Collect old debts you haven't called in. Family member or good friend own a business? See if you can work for them doing anything, until you land that dream job. Take that hobby to a new level or make it a full-time job.

If you want to try something on the internet, as a short-term moneymaker, you might look at Affiliate Rescurer at http://affiliaterescuer.com/?e=3wx246&71y. This requires a certain degree of internet marketing skill and the tactics may or may not be for you; but its worthy of consideration.

ENTREPRENEURS

Buy a business, buy a franchise, work on idea, start on-line business. Mfg. reps. try: RepHunters.com. Blogging can pay...blogger.com; wordpress.com. Thinking of buying that business you've had your eye on? Ask for audited financials; anything else--take with a large grain of salt.

Prospective internet entrepreneurs: If you are interested in internet marketing as a full or part-time career, like the author, you need to recognize that it can be very lucrative if you know what you're doing and it can also be a disaster. Knowledge, practice, dedication, and perseverence are the keys. I recommend Russell Brunson and his DotCom Secrets program. Check out the following: http://ref223.TheSecondTier.com/dotcomsecrets This is my link to Russell Brunson's course. Russell practices what he preaches and his courses are excellent, as is customer support! More to follow on this career choice at a later date.

CHANGING CAREERS

Use evenings to, work on advanced degree, get into new training. Take college courses on-line. Change majors; or get an advanced degree.

MULTIPLE STREAMS OF INCOME

Why have only one income source? We were programmed that way; but who makes the rules now. It should be you. Why take a chance? Develop multiple sources. Therein lies the only real security. When one stream is running out, you ideally have several more in their mid-life, beginning, or embryonic stages.

ENTER YOUR NEW CAREER/JOB ONLY IF YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR OR ABOUT IT!!

When we were young we could make any gig work for us because we were extremely flexible and would "take any crap" thrown at us...verbally. Now, its a different story. Why do you think they want all their sales people(big co.'s I'm speaking about here)--it's because of three things: 1) They won't say "no" you're wrong to the customer, they don't have firm opinions yet, 2) they're still good looking so they promote the "young image" for that 80yr old co. and 3)lastly, they have much fewer if any medical claims. Recognize these things and get on with your life!!

But when you do, recognize that you can't do anything about the last two(except take care of yourself).

Take a mental inventory of your likes and dislikes and don't go with some job or position that you hated before. Get into something that you have a PASSION FOR even if you've sold equipment and you want to open a flower shop. There are no wrong answers. IF YOU LOVE WHAT YOU'RE DOING---YOU'LL BE SUCCESSFUL!! Challenge yourself and start your own business if that's what you really want. You'll find a way to raise the capital if necessary. One thing is for sure...you'll be much much happier and it will carry over to your family and personal life!!