1. Stay calm and reasoned, which will serve you well as you network, explore your options and go on interviews. You may have a hard time hearing or believing it, but people really can "smell" desperation.

2. Use the resources offered by unemployment, not just collecting the check but tapping into educational possibilities that exist there. I know someone who is likely going to be laid off in January and he is already planning to train for a career in heating and refrigeration by taking advantage of this option.

3. See this time as a gift, an opportunity you’ve been given to explore a new career path you’ve been thinking about. For those of you who have been wise with your money up to the point of actually getting your walking papers, this is a particularly viable option, as there are a broad spectrum of life and career coaches who are experts at seeing what you may not.

4. Stick with the gym and any physical exercise you’re already doing to stay healthy. It will help you work through stress and offset self-esteem issues that often come with losing one’s professional identity. Seriously, I’m not suggesting you hold on to the gym membership if you can’t put food on the table for your family, but it shouldn’t be the first thing to get chopped from the budget either. I believe it will prove essential in your rebuilding process.

5. Learn to receive. Yes, put pride aside and express immense, sincere gratitude when family and friends give you a much-needed hand. When I was unemployed, my family gave me help in a variety of ways such as, temporary housing, groceries, clothes, money, etc. Very few can survive this alone. And by all means, if you’re in a position to do this for someone else, do it!

6. Listen to people who tell you you’re good at something. Their talent may help you facilitate a major career path — by either opening your eyes to another career or perhaps provide an opportunity to gain a partner to start your own business. Sometimes a random comment from someone who meets you or from a person who knows you well can lead to a great idea.

7. Allow yourself to go through the stages of grief and be real. Sometimes even the most well-intentioned people make comments that will drive you batty. If it bothers you that Aunt Joan, no matter how well meaning, keeps asking how many interviews you’ve been on, nicely, try a firm, "Thank you so much for your concern, but I’d love it if we could talk about something else. What are your holiday plans?"

8. Set your parameters about how far you’ll go to get a job and then stick by them. If you choose to use a temp agency be prepared to be "wise as a serpent but harmless as a dove". Don’t be surprised if your told your overqualified, and therefore, they won’t be calling. However, just "dumb" down your resume and try again. The only other choice you have is solicit various work projects by pounding the pavement and hanging flyers in your town instead. The bonus is you will get to know your community better.

9. Summon the gumption that if you should go out to dinner with friends (if you go) not split a check six ways when you had salmon and a glass of water and everyone else had filet mignon and three cokes each. If someone in your life has a problem with simple fairness, you might need to re-evaluate your social circle. Finding out who your true friends are is one of the best but toughest parts of this. People who care about you will be thrilled to be in your company, period.

10. Avoid constant references to the state of the economy being a hindrance to finding a job. No need to make that into a potential self-fulfilling prophecy. This one may sound like a throwaway to some, but spiritually it is right on. Like attracts like. Use positive language when talking about your options and be consistent.