6. Reconnect with friends and family. Spend time with your kids, be available for them. Take your spouse out for a date. Invite friends over for dinner.

7. Go back to school. Now is time to finish that degree or start graduate school. Don't have time to get to school? Try distance education. Take classes in comfort of your home at your pace. For a list of schools offering distance education, visit www.classesusa.com.

8. Don't bad-mouth your former employer. It's a small world. No matter how you feel about your former employer, never disclose any important information or say anything negative about them.

9. Surround yourself with positive and motivated people. Part of your grief process might be to find other people in your situation to help you cope. Beware of any chat rooms or discussion boards that are outlets for people to vent and complain. Now is time to be effective and optimistic.

10. Relish in present and look to future. You can not undo past. Accept reality and change in your life. Ask yourself "What's next?" It may not seem like it now, but this might be best thing that has happened to you.

Tip 4

Be Prepared

Know what to say.

Most interviewers ask same standard questions about your strengths, weaknesses, former employers, work history. If you are being interviewed by several people, this might be a good cop, bad cop situation. Pay attention to who is playing bad cop, they are looking for signs of weakness and dishonesty. To be well prepared, before interview, write out all your accomplishments, both personal and professional. List your strengths and weaknesses. Be honest, it’s easier to remember truth than it is a lie. Extra Tip: Write out situations in which you have demonstrated: leadership skills, determination, stress management, creativity, and flexibility. Be prepared to answer question: Why do you want this job? If you’re not sure, reevaluate your decision. If you arrive a few minutes early, review what you wrote in waiting room before interview. Great list of interview questions: http://www.indiana.edu/~libpers/interview.html

Tip 5

Ask For The Job

You get what you ask for.

The most important step in interviewing process is one most people miss. ASK FOR THE JOB! Most interviewers are waiting for that closure. If you have done everything exceptionally well during interviewing process, but have not asked for job, you’ve just wasted an interview. Asking for job shows potential employer that you are assertive, confident and right for job. It might feel uncomfortable, but this is your only chance to ask for something you really want. Make sure your voice is firm and you make eye contact. Think of it as your closing argument, you’ve got to win over jury. You should also ask interviewer if he or she thinks you are right for job. Even if they tell you something unpleasant, think of it as a lesson learned. However, do yourself a favor and ask for job. You deserve it!