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Appendix: Before You Start the Search

“I tell the people I work with that the best time to be looking for a job is while you still have one and before you need one. Obviously, that doesn't always happen, so regardless of their situation, the advice I have for them is that there's always a positive angle to take on whatever situation they're in. Lead with the positive.”

—Recruiter and ray of sunshine

I'm eager to make job search easy for you, but before we dive in, you might be in a situation that requires you to take action right away. You only need to read this appendix if any of the following situations apply to you:

• You were laid off or fired.
• You are about to graduate from school.
• You are coming out of the military.
• You are returning to the workforce after a gap in your work history.

If you DO fall into one of those categories, read on so we can make sure you knock out the paperwork, leverage the programs, or explore the resources that won't be available to you later on if you miss the window. Once you're done, head on back to Chapter 1 where the real work begins!

You Were Laid Off or Fired

Sorry to hear it. But you're not alone. In 2020 more than 20 million people went through the same thing.¹ In our annual job seeker surveys, job loss tends to be the second most common reason someone is looking for a job. (#1 is “looking for a better job.”)

Losing a job can be painful. But don't let that stop you from leaving in a way that sets you up for success. Here is ...