For once unfortunately, the rumor mills around work were correct.
The prediction was that there would be company-wide layoffs and, sure enough, you were one of the ones called into your boss' office and told the news.
Of course, the standard lines "you're eligible for rehire" and "it was nothing you did" didn't make a bit of difference when all you were thinking was "What the hell am I going to do now?" and "Do they KNOW how hard it is to get a job?" Now, with a thank you very much for your all your years of hard work and service, and a check for a month's severance and your remaining vacation, your personal stuff is loaded into a box and you're escorted to your car by 3 burly security guards.
In fact, you didn't even get to say goodbye to the other employees - many of whom were either avoiding your eyes or cowering under their desks hoping they weren't next.
Unfortunately, this is a scenario that's being played out with increasing regularity now a-days.
So now what do you do about it?Here are some tips that might help you cope:

1. Keepyour cool - at least in the company.
   HR people don't want to have to do the "dirty work".
   Additionally, they're not the ones whomade the decision - they're just the ones who have to give you the badnews.
   They'll not only appreciateyou reacting in a mature manner, but it also opens the door for them toassist you in any way they possibly can.
   
2. Negotiate.
   Hey - you're being laid off anyway - so what'sthe harm in letting Human Resources know that you would like additionalbenefits.
   If they're truly sorry tolet you go, it's OK to let them know that you'd like their additionalassistance.
   They might not bewilling to give you more money, however they could pay for healthinsurance for an additional 6 months or more or pay for a privateplacement company to assist you in finding a job.
   There's no harm in asking.
   
3. Network.
   If you have any kind of relationshipwith HR, ask them if you can use them for either a formal or informalreference.
   There are now a lot of business networking sites that allow you tolist your company references.
   Usingsomeone in HR can be an asset because you can whom they know also.
   
4. OK -you've been laid off.
   Tomorrowyou're going to wake up and there's nowhere to go.
   It's going to be tough to handle andyour mind will still be going to work and wondering who's going to handlethat phone call, the project, the report that's due, etc.
   Guess what? It's not your problem anymore.
   It's someone else's responsibility.
   
5. Youmight want to take a couple of days off to just unwind.
   You've probably gone through a shock andit could take a little time to get yourself together.
   Since you probably need something to do,sit down and make a list of the 5 things that you were responsible for,that you accomplished and you enjoyed.
   You'll be using those to update your new resume.
   
6. Make alist of you references.
   Did youwork closely with someone in your company who will give you a glowingreference? If so, contact thatperson and ask if you can use them.
   
7. Staypositive.
   OK, you've had ashock.
   But being negative about howyou were treated, how the company is or why it should have been your lazyco-worker just simply won't help the situation at all.
   Make a list of the things you enjoyed aboutthe company, the projects you worked on and who you worked with - and you'llstart keeping a positive outlook.
   If nothing else, when you interview for that next position, you'llimpress your interviewer with your positive outlook.
   
8. Decideif this is REALLY what you want to be doing.
   Is your job something you loved? Looked forward to each day? Want to do again for the rest of yourlife? If so, then make a list ofall the job sites as well as the placement agencies.
   So what if this is not what you want tobe doing? Well then you should bewriting a list of the things you enjoy most in life and figuring out howto accomplish a career change.
   There are numerous resources available for you to figure out how tocreate a new career for yourself.
   
9. Beopen to other possibilities.
   Consultant, free lance, temporary and part time work may beavailable to you until you find a new position.
   Also, if you've always wondered if youcould work from home or have your own business, well, now's a good time tofind out.
   While you're home lookingfor a new position, how about spending some time discovering if you'd beable to work as a network marketer or other home based business.
   This might even bring in some additionalincome or even enough to go into it on a full time basis.