How To: Survive unemployment

So you've been given the slip -- the pink slip. Take a deep breath, and do the following.

You Will Need

* An unemployment benefits application
* Job-posting sites
* Ways to bring in money
* Professional courses
* Temp work

Step 1. Apply for unemployment

If you haven't already, apply for unemployment, even if you don't think you're eligible. Studies show that many people who are entitled to collect don't even apply.

Step 2. Investigate other benefits

Investigate benefits that may be available to you in addition to unemployment, like food stamps from the United States Department of Agriculture (see www.fns.usda.gov) and home heating assistance from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (see www.liheap.org).

Step 3. Cut expenses

Look for creative ways to slash monthly expenses, like raising the deductibles on your insurance policies. If you're a two-car family, get rid of one car until you're back on your feet.

Step 4. Bring in some money

Consider ways to bring in money that won't jeopardize your unemployment check, like selling whatever you can part with on eBay.

Step 5. Work at getting a job

Consider your new job to be finding a job. Put in 9 to 5 days scouting leads and sending out resumes.

Step 6. Evaluate your skills

Think about what skills you have that might translate to another field. Consider making yourself more employable by updating your expertise through courses or training, or by learning a new skill.

Step 7. Consider temping

Consider signing up with a temp agency. Many of the positions lead to full-time employment, and in the meantime you'll be earning about $12 an hour and perhaps learning new skills that could help with your job search.

Step 8. Don't get depressed

Watch out for signs of depression, like letting your personal hygiene slip or zoning out in front of the TV all day. When that new job finally arrives – and it will – you'll need to be ready to jump back into the wor