Advice after a layoff?

[bluebug32]

I'm in my late 20s and was notified last week that my job is being eliminated at the end of the year. I've never had this happen before and could use some advice on how to cope, but also how to get out there and find something right now. I'm a writer and have an amazing job at a top college creating their promotional materials. Normally I cope with stress by riding, but I have a bit of a knee injury and my PT wants me to take it easy. Very hard to do right now!

[Onix]

not much advice on the loss of job.... except keep your head high, and hopefully the stars will align for you.

I can totally relate with you on the coping/lack of riding due to knee injury though. That is horrible. I am in that boat too. I can ride---but not hard, and not much. Do you have any back-up coping mechanisms? Things you've been meaning to do for a long time? Long-neglected hobbies?

Good luck!!!

[Crankin]

Ask your PT what you *can* do. Maybe s/he will say you can ride, but just slower/less hills. Or walk/swim/do yoga.
Sorry about the layoff. My son is about your age and is looking for a new job. He is still working, but his pay was reduced by 20%... he has had some success with postings on Craig's List; he got one interview. Sharpen your resume and put it up on Monster and LInked In. My son got an unsolicited call from a company just like the one he works at now, but bigger and more stable, and he is setting up an interview with them today.
He also met with the career services people at his university and contacted some people through the alumni association, who gave him very good advice, as well as meeting with a headhunter who helped him with his resume (the guy was a friend of my husband's). There are jobs out there!

[smilingcat]

update your resume and start hunting for a new job. And if you are working for the uni, can you use their job placement office to help you out? Put the word out that you are in a market.

Don't wait. It's better to have a job then without when you are looking for a new one.

[bmccasland]

Pay of any debt now. Apply for unemployment as soon as you're elegible.

Between starting looking for a job now in your chosen career. Depending on how tight that field is, consider other options. What else are you good at / interested in?

I was laid off twice early in my career, unemployment isn't much fun, but it is survivable.

Depending on what your PT tells you about riding, there's always walking. So long as it isn't icy slick to land you on your behind!

[gnat23]

Get out of the house *every* day. Do not shut yourself in and pour out resumes for 10+ hours, actually set an alarm and have something to do outside. Even better if you set up some sort of volunteer effort that you have to be there for on schedule. Tutor kids, cook in a soup kitchen, walk dogs for a shelter, whatever.

-- gnat! (socializing with kittens helped me survive my layoff)

[alpinerabbit]

Hit Monster, too. You have experience in your field, that helps.
I was unemployed after a first crap job after my PhD and wanting to change fields, it was hard.
Get the word out to friends. Sign up with a recruiter. Make cold calls.

To keep busy, why not help out at a small business in anything they might need - if anyone in your network will take you on on a hourly basis. I did that.
Make sure you don't sit inside all the time and let the ceiling crush you. Get out daily and do something that does not cost any money.

[e.e.cummings]

Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job - word of mouth has worked more than once for my friends.

I have a bachelors degree in English Language and Literature and started my career as a writer. I was hired out of university to write for an ad agency. Have you checked out ad agencies?

I agree with others above - pay off your debt, and get out there. Look at the companies in your area that you would like to work for and decide where you can fit in. If worse comes to worse, register with temporary agencies - when I moved to Quebec I had no French and it was really tough. I registered with an agency, and I was sent over for an assignment to assist the President of a company for three days while his assistant was sick - he liked that I had an English degree and could help him with the English on some contracts. The second day I was there, he told me he wanted to hire me permanently. There are lots of ways to get jobs! Good luck!