6. Look to other areas of your life. Your problem may not be your job after all. If your spending habits are out of control, getting a job that pays more is not going to solve your problem. While you're examining things that are wrong with your job also invest time to see what in your life is not as you would like it to be. Problems in your personal life can affect your perception of your professional life (and vice versa).

7. Get more involved. Having a sense of ownership in what's going on at your company may change your perception. These days many employers are looking to their employees for feedback about how to make things better. Join a task team, help plan annual picnic, or write articles for company newsletter. This type of activity will get you increased visibility and may lead to future opportunities.

8. Become a mentor. Unless you are at very bottom of totem pole, there is always someone younger and newer within company who can benefit from what you've learned. Your experience and knowledge will help another individual avoid some of mistakes you've made. Sharing your experience with others is a great way to show yourself how valuable your experience with company has been. Plus, showing a strong aptitude for mentoring could also pave way for a team lead or manager position.

9. Get to know people higher on food chain. Managers, executives, and VPs all have a different perspective of organization than average employee. Talking with them may help you see bigger picture and understand better how your role fits in. In addition, you can learn about their rise in organization to help you set your own career path.

10. Check out your company's subsidiaries and affiliates. Sometimes you can leave company without really leaving company. Acquisitions and mergers have created unique opportunities that enable you to go to other companies that your current employer may have a vested interest in. Working for a "friend of family" may allow you to retain your seniority, benefits and salary while at same time working in a new environment.

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© Copyright 2002 All Rights Reserved. Myrtis Smith is a personal coach. Her mission is to help people create their preferred future and have fun doing it. Sign up for her free newsletter Change Now! available at www.premeditatedlife.com ...because life doesn't just happen!

3. Apply for unemployment as soon as possible. As soon as you find out that you are losing your job, call your state's unemployment office to understand how program works, how soon you can apply, and when your benefits go into effect. Some states have a waiting period and it may take 3 - 4 weeks for your claim to be processed.

4. Make your other talents known. Sometimes you will find a company that is laying off employees in one department while hiring new people in another department. This is due to a skill gap. A company can't just take an employee from Department A and move him into Department B if employee doesn't have skills to do that other job. But, if you are someone who does have those skills, either from a hobby, volunteer work, or education, you might be able to make a case for a transfer. This is a long shot, but you'll never know if you don't ask.

5. Think about what you really really really want to do next. If you are one of "lucky" people who get advanced warning that your job is coming to an end (like an announcement that your office is closing in 6 months) don't hit panic button and immediately go out to find another job. Instead use time to "find" yourself. Read, evaluate your hobbies, investigate jobs that you think would be interesting. This way your next career move will be deliberate and planned, not a knee-jerk response.

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NOTE: The following information must be included if you reprint this article:

© Copyright 2002 All Rights Reserved. Myrtis Smith is a personal coach. Her mission is to help people create their preferred future and have fun doing it. Sign up for her free newsletter Change Now! at www.premeditatedlife.com ....because life doesn't just happen!