By George Blomgren

Losing a job can be an emotionally devastating experience. Finding another job requires you to be motivated, upbeat, and on top of your game. That's why you need to bounce back, heal yourself, and get focused as quickly as you can. It isn't easy. Here are some tips:

First, you need to give yourself some time and space to get over the initial shock. Just don't go overboard - it's only too easy to continue to engage in self-pity and paralysis for an indefinite period of time.

Second, if necessary, seek help. Emotional or psychological support may be warranted. (Face it; you've been through a serious trauma.) Be particularly aware if true depression sets in. If you have concerns, please talk to a local member of the clergy or immediately seek professional assistance. Even if the problem isn't severe, you may want to get counseling or attend local support groups for job hunters.

Third, career counseling and job hunting advice may be needed - available through books, support groups and professional career counselors. Being a skilled executive, top manager, or a renowned expert in your field doesn't mean you are well prepared for interviewing, networking and/or resumes. Look in the yellow pages under resumes or career coaches, or consult the website www.prwra.org and choose "member search." Talk to several coaches before you choose one.

Fourth, take care of yourself. Eat right, make sure you get enough sleep and exercise. After losing a job, it's not uncommon to be depressed. And depressed people often fail to take care of themselves. Among other consequences, you won't look or feel your best. Frankly, these are handicaps you don't want to take with you to job interviews.

Finally, stay focused. You've probably heard this before: job hunting is a full time job! Yes, full time. If you aren't spending 40+ hours a week, you can expect a particularly long job search. The solution is to apply the same discipline as you have to previous jobs: get up at the same time, plant yourself in a home office space and spend your regular working hours on job hunting tasks. If you find yourself spending more than 20% of your time searching online job ads, get help from a career counselor - you're spinning your wheels.

There are two basic messages here. You need to take care of yourself and take control of your situation. At the same time, there are many forms of help out there and there is no good reason not to take advantage of all of them. Your ability to do these two things can help ensure the shortest, least painful transition to your next job.

As Operations Manager for a Milwaukee-based employee benefits firm, George Blomgren is often involved in recruiting and interviewing. He provides an employer's perspective on job-hunting issues.