"My severance is running out at the end of the month. I really need you to find me a job."

Far too many people have said that to me in my career as a recruiter. For many of them, it was too late. Severance did run out! Did I fail them? Talk about stress.

The sad truth is, however, they failed themselves by waiting too long to start their search for new opportunities.

As a recruiter, I am only one resource. And I don't find positions for people; rather, I find people to fill positions. There's a difference.

Whether you're laid off, downsized, furloughed, displaced, whatever you call it, when it happens to you, you'd be better off to say, "I'm out of work...so what or now what?

Okay, being displaced stinks.

I know, I've been there

. It's important to take the time to let it sink in. You owe it to yourself to take a little time to do what helps you to accept it and clear your mind.

Take a football quarterback for instance. A sack can send him to the sidelines to "shake it off" with the support of his coach, teammates, fans, etc. But after a few plays he's back on the field ready to go.

Taking some initial time and using it to your advantage can mean different things to different people. Clean your garage, wash your car, visit a friend, laugh, cry, reflect. Do whatever it takes to work through the initial feelings you have about your situation.

Do it and then move on.

By the end of the first week you should be getting to the task at hand - your future. You need to change your focus from "so what" to "now what". What do I want to happen next? What do I need to do to make it happen? What resources are available? What steps should I take to begin?

There are many questions to be answered before starting the work of the actual job search. You may decide to pursue work in the same field. Perhaps you want to try a different type of work. You want to start your own business? Maybe this is the time to go for that dream job you've often thought about.

Severance and unemployment compensation are offered so an individual who finds himself or herself out of work can afford to take the time to work through the issues necessary to identify and find resources to get a new position. This is your job.

Networking, researching, training, applying, interviewing are only part of a process that takes time if you are to achieve the results you desire.

Every minute of this time should be taken advantage of. In today's work environment, where it's not unlikely a person will change careers, the "gold watch retirement" is becoming a thing of the past.

It is important to be aware that change can happen, and it can happen to anyone. It's okay to be surprised, it's okay to need some "me" time, but it's important to move forward and just as important to do so as quickly as possible.

After all, perhaps you had little or no control over the past, but you do control your future - so what or now what?