Don't let time drift by before you start looking for work. Even if you received a great severance package, you need to begin right away. While everance and unemployment compensation will provide some peace of mind during your employment search, they shouldn't be used as a reason for doing less than your best at your current assignment: finding a new job.

Studies show that the people who seek work most actively are the ones who find it. It's time to get organized, get busy, get out there and get a job.

When you were working, you followed a schedule. Now that you're unemployed, a regular schedule is even more important.

• Make a daily plan and stick to it. Use a large calendar or plan book and write down when you are going to work on your resume, practice interviewing, make phone calls, write letters, answer ads and go for interviews and/or appointments.
• Get up and get dressed at a regular time every morning. Follow your job search schedule – don't get bogged down in household chores or vegetate in front of the television. Maintain a regular bedtime.
• Include time off for recreation, just as you did when you were working. Leave your weekends free, but don't spend valuable work-day time on recreation. If you have free time left after doing everything on your schedule, think about volunteer work. You can do something good for your community and yourself. You'll learn new skills and make new contacts that may come in handy during your job search.
• Set a date on which you will evaluate how things are going. You may find that you need to develop alternative strategies.

In general, job prospects do not come looking for you. And just because you are looking for a job does not mean that there will be one waiting for you. Devote the time to your job search that such an important enterprise deserves.

If you are currently unemployed, understand that you are really working for yourself to find and get the right job. If job-hunting is your job, you owe it to yourself to give it 40 hours each week.

Whether you are currently employed or not, organization is important. Keep good records of your appointments and activities.