For middle-aged workers, layoffs can be a particularly frightening and disruptive experience. Several employment specialists in Michigan, an area particularly hard hit by layoffs of mid-career workers, spoke to the Kalamazoo Gazette this week about ways to survive the economic downturn. Lori Stanaszek, a local union representative, said that it's important for laid off workers to re-train themselves for new, in-demand skills and to be fully aware of the educational opportunities in their community. She also stresses the importance of seeing this experience as an opportunity to do new things, not as a "doom and gloom" situation. Bob Straits of the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research told the newspaper that job-hunting in itself is a full-time job, to be done at least forty hours a week. Experts also emphasize the importance of networking, constantly updating your contacts, and staying on top of new developments in your industry. Many states offer career centers where laid off workers and others can update their resumes, work on their interviewing techniques, and research new job opportunities. Job hunting skills may be especially important considering the latest report from Challenger, Gray and Christmas, which estimates that up to a million more jobs may be lost in 2009 before the economy begins to recover.  |