Do take the time to think about your next job before beginning your search. You don't have to take the first thing that comes along. Being laid off doesn't lessen your marketability. Take as much time as you can to define your ideal position and then go after it.

Do network. Don't hide the fact that you've been laid off. Share it with everyone in your network. You'll be surprised at how many people will have good job leads - and similar stories.

Do update your resume. Make sure your resume has all of the skills and qualifications that you gained in your last position, especially if you haven't updated it in a while. Also, change your resume to reflect accurate start- and end-dates of employment. If it's been many months since the layoff, perhaps you should consider changing your chronological resume to a functional resume. Functional resumes highlight your strengths, while bringing less attention to the dates in your work history.

Do prepare to answer the tough questions. Potential employers will want to know why you were laid off, and will often ask a battery of questions about the circumstances of your termination. Practice giving confident answers and avoid being negative. Common ways to describe a layoff are: Don't stretch the truth about your layoff. The old saying: "It's easier to get a job when you have a job" might be true; but it's nearly impossible to get a job if you're caught lying. Be honest about your status.

Don't bad-mouth your ex-employer. Although you might be unhappy that you were laid off, it's always bad form to speak negatively about a former employer.

Do maintain optimism. Remember . . . getting laid off could be the best thing that ever happened to you. Each positive thought puts you one step closer to your goals.