Keep your life on track after a job loss

Consider these 7 ideas to help you afford your bills and land your next gig.

• Beef up your emergency fund. The goal is to have 3 to 6 months’ worth of essential expenses saved, but even a few hundred or a few thousand dollars can make a big difference when you need it.
• Get familiar with unemployment benefits in your state. Apply as soon as possible if you need to tap into them.
• Refresh your resume by highlighting accomplishments relevant to the next job you want. Keep it brief (1–2 pages), putting forward the best of what you have to offer clearly and concisely.
• Consider how your skills might be valuable in different industries and expand your credentials with online courses and other learning opportunities.
• Research salaries from job postings and job-review sites so you know what you’re worth.
• Maintain your professional network by connecting with past and present colleagues and classmates. Learn about their companies and roles and what they enjoy about them.
• Separate your job from your identity for an easier emotional recovery. Remember you have skills and value beyond your title (or lack thereof).