Lose your job, not your mind

Laid off. Terminated. Made redundant. Let go. Separated.

You may feel like burying your face into the nearest cat and sobbing uncontrollably while consuming an entire pint of cookie dough ice cream. (No? Just me?) Trust me, all that gets you is a wet cat and a midnight stomachache.

Fear not, you’re not the only one out there feeling lost, hopeless, unneeded, useless and adrift (feel better yet?). The Seattle Public Library is here to help. Why shell out upwards of $500 on a career counselor when we have all the resources you need for free? Here are some of the ways to get you out of the Ben & Jerry’s and back on your feet:

Check out the Jobs and Education section. Located in each one of the branches, these shelves house the tools you need to take charge of your career. Just browsing the Southwest Branch, I found such gems as New Job, New You, Fired to Hired, Make Job Loss Work for You, Eliminated! Now What?, and my personal favorite, Thank You for Firing Me. These sections also have books on résumés, cover letters, interviewing techniques, college admissions, test preparation and more.

Attend a job skills class. The Seattle Public Library partners with WorkSource to offer free classes in job search basics, résumés, interviewing and networking at several different branch locations. The Library also teaches free courses in computer basics so you can acquire or brush up on the skills you need for the job of your dreams. Call the branch closest to you to register for a nearby class.

Have you tried our website? An entire page of resources is right at your fingertips. You’ll find everything from how to obtain free voice mail access to free live résumé help, job search websites to information on unemployment benefits. All this and more in just one place.

Come to the library! Library staff are here to help: any time, any place, any language. Drop by a branch, ask a librarian, send us a text or call the Quick Information Line at 206-386-4636.

You are not alone. And if you do find yourself overdoing it on the cookie dough, we can even recommend a few remedies.

This is an exciting time for you to land the job you’ve always wanted. Best of luck in your search!