To begin with you’ll need to think about what you want to do next in your next job.  Do you want to remain in the same type of position that you were just in?  Do you want to change careers?  Were you happy in your last position doing what you were doing?  Is there something else that you might like to do instead?  Is there something you always thought about doing but never took a step in that direction?  Now is your time to consider that alternative career.

If you do want to change direction in your career path, make an effort to research what a career in that field would require.  Would you need to take some classes?  Do you need a license to move into that career?

If it requires additional education, you should know that the Department of Labor (Unemployment) does offer free education.  Yes, I said FREE!  Visit your local unemployment office, explain what career change you were interested in and they will help you to connect with the people who can tell you whether they have schools pertaining to that type of job.  Every situation is different and they will be able to guide you as to what free schooling is available.  They are there to help you reach your goal.

During one period of unemployment I took a course to become a certified real estate appraiser.  I discovered that someone in the class had gotten their classes paid for by unemployment!  I could have done the same thing but didn’t know about this benefit.  Don’t let that happen to you.  Those classes cost me $700 and they got it for free.  So visit your local unemployment office and use every resource they offer to find another career.  Sit down with someone there and explore all your options.  You may find yourself doing that very thing that you had only dreamed of!  If you don’t ask, you don’t know.  Ask LOTS of questions at your local unemployment office.

Once you know what direction your career is taking you’ll need to update your resume.