Getting laid off from a job used to be one of the worst things that could happen to a person. In terms of trauma, it ranked up there with getting divorced or crashing a car.

These days, it seems as if everyone has been laid off at least once, and some have been through it several times. With that kind of frequency, the trauma loses its edge.

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To some extent, that's good. If you're going to get laid off, why should you have the emotional turmoil, too? The only problem would be if people got so relaxed that they forgot to take the necessary steps to move forward.

Hopefully, you won't need this, but — just in case a layoff looms in your future — here are steps to take as quickly as possible after you get the news.

1. If you still have access to your work space, and if your employer allows you to do so, gather copies of your work to use in your portfolio. Also make copies of your company's internal directory and of your business contacts to help in your job search later. And ask to see your personnel file, to be sure that nothing untrue has made its way into the records. Disputing things will not be easy — if it's even possible — once you're outside the company. This is also a good time to get copies of your past reviews.

2. Get the details of your severance package, if you have one. You may need an attorney's assistance if you're being asked to sign away rights before receiving severance. Most of these agreements are relatively harmless, but some can sting. Be sure you know what you're signing.

3. Tell your support network immediately that you have been or will be laid off. This includes family, friends, business contacts, former schoolmates, neighbors . . . Anyone who might have job leads for you should get the news. If possible, tell what happened without much detail or emotion, so that you don't get etched in your contacts' minds as angry or bitter. Reserve those emotions for a few very close friends, but tell the rest of the world that you're ready to move forward.

4. Take care of the details: Sign up for unemployment benefits, ask your state work force center to enroll you in a dislocated worker's program (for state-paid training and career counseling), see a financial person about your 401(k), clarify your health benefits . . . These unfamiliar tasks can be overwhelming, so it's best to tackle them one at a time. If you do one a day for a week, everything will get done.

5. Create a household budget that accounts for both the best-case and worst-case scenarios. Decide what you would do in the worst case, so you at least have the comfort of a backup plan.

AMY LINDGREN

WORKING STRATEGIES

6. Keep your money close at hand. Don't give in to the impulse to pay off a debt with your savings account. During your transition, liquid assets are key.

7. Even if your budget doesn't call for it, get a part-time job or at least a volunteer position. Anything from five to 20 hours a week will provide contacts and a reason to get out of the house but won't substantially interfere with a job-search campaign.

8. On your own or with the help of a counselor, make a career-change or job-search plan. Include dates when key steps are to be finished so you can check your progress.

9. If your new plan calls for it, sign up for training. If you're still at the company at this stage, try to negotiate tuition reimbursement into your severance package.

10. Create a weekly schedule that includes your volunteer or part-time job, your classes and your job-search steps. Post the schedule at home, so others can help keep you on track.

11. Write your résumé to reflect the goal in your plan; consider making business cards to help with your networking.

12. Reconnect with the people you first contacted in Step 1. Tell them your new plan and ask for specific help (e.g., do you know anybody who works in . . .?). Schedule brief networking meetings, and send out copies of your résumé so everyone has it in hand.

13. Start working on your plan, troubleshooting problems as they arise. Meet regularly with a job-search buddy, career counselor or mentor to stay on track, and reward yourself for meeting goals.

- Amy Lindgren owns Prototype Career Service, a career consulting firm in St. Paul, Minn. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecaree rservice.com or at 1071 W. Seventh St., St. Paul, MN 55102.