6 more do's and don'ts when dad loses his job

The days and weeks after you get laid off are some of the most stressful in life. In a previous article some immediate steps were laid out. Here are some more do's and don'ts while you are waiting for your next gig.

1. Do make yourself useful around the house. Whether your wife stays home and takes care of the new baby or sends her to day care, having another person around the house changes the whole dynamics of the day. Routines are challenged or broken. Instead of adding to the stress be sure to reduce stress by shouldering household responsibilities. (You were doing that already, right?) Get to the honey do list and make it go away this time by doing the things on it instead of hiding it in the garage.
2. Don't neglect your health. Losing your job messes with your sense of self-worth. This is not the time to let your fitness routine fall by the wayside. There is plenty of evidence that moderate exercise increases good feelings and optimism. CK Or, alternatively, if you don't have a routine established, start one now. You've got a little more time on your hands.
3. Don't go overboard with the job hunt. Hunt for a job, yes. Run yourself ragged, no. Now more than ever is the time for some balance in your life. Make time for sending out resumes and going on interviews. But also give yourself some time off for other important things.
4. Do plan the job hunt. Once you've got your pants on, organize your job hunt. Keep track of whom you've submitted your resume to, follow up to see if there's interest.
5. Do explore your options. Did you hate your job? Or is the market for your job type severely limited? Consider changing your career. Explore what you'd really like to do for a living. Can you cash in on your hobby, ramp it up into an honest-to-goodness business? Can you take some classes that will help you out?
6. Don't spend as if nothing had happened. Something did happen. You lost your source of income. Examine your spending habits to see where you can trim down. Make a budget that reflects the new reality. But don't go overboard and cut out all entertainment, making life dull and drear. Make sure the family can enjoy itself still.

Once again, the Waukesha County Technical College's Career Services will provide you excellent resources for searching for a job or contemplating a career change.