Job hunting after a job loss can be tough. Whether you loved your old job or hated it, being laid off is a shock—and it can be hard to dive into a job search right away.

But by planning a careful job hunt, you can increase your chances of landing a great next job. Follow these tips to make your job search as successful as possible.

TIP 1: Be positive. Most of all, don’t feel ashamed or guilty. Companies downsize because of the economy, not because of the employees. If you’ve lost your job, you’re not alone. If you’re finding it hard to move on after a job loss, read these tips for helping you Deal with job Loss.

TIP 2: Plan to devote time to your job search. A successful job hunt requires planning and time. Often, after a layoff, your immediate concern is replacing lost wages. Find out about any Unemployment Benefits you may be entitled to. You can also consider temporary work as you conduct a more thorough job hunt for a long-term position. You can also visit CareerOneStop’s section on Creating a Job Search Plan for more tips (this site will open in a new browser window; to return to this page, simply close the new window).

TIP 3: Know your job options. When you are laid off from a particular occupation in a particular industry, you have several options. You can often get advice about which option would be best for you by visiting your local One-Stop Career Center (this will open a new browser window; enter your Zip code or city and state to find the One-Stop center closest to you). Three basic options for laid-off job searchers are:

• You can look for a similar job in the same occupation and industry. If this is your goal, you can begin your job search by following the rest of the tips below.
• You can look for a different type of job that requires similar skills as your former job. You can explore this option by visiting the Change Careers section.
• You can look for a job in an entirely new field that requires new skills. Explore this option by visiting the Change Careers or Upgrade Your Skills sections.

TIP 4: Network, network, network. Networking is so critical to a successful job hunt, we’ve devoted a whole page to it. Read about Networking During a Recession.

TIP 5: Have several people read and comment on your resume. When you apply for a job, your resume is often the only information a prospective employer has about you. Make sure your resume highlights your skills and qualifications in just the right way. Visit CareerOneStop’s section on Resume Advice or the Resume Tutorial to get tips on creating or improving a resume, access resume samples and templates to help get you started (these sites will open in a new browser window; to return to this page, simply close the new window).

TIP 6:Use many different sources for job leads. Even during a recession, businesses are hiring. But since it can be harder to find job openings, it’s important to explore all avenues. Job banks, job fairs, One-Stop Career Centers, and of course your networking contacts, are all good sources of job leads. Here are some ways to get started:

• Learn about job banks in the How to Use Job Banks section. 
• Visit CareerOneStop’s Employer Locator to look up local businesses and get contact information to see if they are hiring (this site will open in a new browser window; to return to this page, simply close the new window).
• Contact a One-Stop Career Center (this will open a new browser window; enter your Zip code or city and state to find the One-Stop center closest to you).

TIP 7: Brush up on your interviewing skills. This is especially important if you haven’t had to interview for a job in many years (or if you’ve never interviewed before). You can visit CareerOneStop’s Resumes & Interviews section to help prepare for interviewing (this site will open in a new browser window; to return to this page, simply close the new window).