Layoffs are more common than swine flu. However, they seem to be in air. If one comes your way how are you going to handle it? Here are SIX tips to dealing with layoff.

1.  You are one of 12% of the United States population unemployed. That small percentage represents millions of people. The population of the United States is over 300 million. So rather than feeling like being stuck by lightening or a space rock falling on your head accept that you are just one of millions.

2.  The world has changed. Jobs are so scarce even the illegal aliens are leaving the country. If you want to work rather than draw unemployment be willing to take what is available and swallow your requirements like the pride you have to swallow. Yes, you are worth “more than that” but “that” is what is available.

3. Looking for a job has become so much easier than twenty years ago. At the tips of your fingers are job listings from around the world. Make you of the computer to find a job and spend less time on Facebook or Myspace. You can even file for unemployment without having to trudge to the office and sit among the more unfortunate of society.

4. When a future prospective employer asks, “What did you do while you were laid off” have a really good answer ready. “Oh, I took some classes and upgraded my skills.” That will move you a few notches up the ladder over other prospective employees who lay around the house or spend hours looking at porn, irritating friends on Myspace or Facebook.

5. Don’t go for a drive and pretend you are a NASCAR driver, don’t drown your sorrows with cheap wine and whatever you do don’t go swimming alone in the kid’s inflatable pool. In other words enjoy life, laugh at the funniest movies you can find and don’t take yourself or situation too seriously.

6. The really hard part is that your world has changed. Back in the good old days you walked five miles to school barefoot in six inches of snow. At least today you have shoes and your BMW has been repo’ed. Accept it and learn to live with less. Just like the singing guys in the ads for Free Credit Report.com you may have to live with a lot less than you had before.