Jobs for the Recently Laid-Off

Dec. 15, 2008— -- So you've been laid off from your job. Once the initial shock has worn off, you are looking to get back into the job market.

Sure it might take some time -- even a few months or more in this recession -- to find something in your field. In the meantime, you need to feed your family and pay the mortgage and other bills.

So here are some tips on how to find jobs that can hold you over until that next dream post comes along.

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Laurence Shatkin, a career information expert and author of 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs, said that people need to be "looking for the hidden job market and not depending on the listings in the newspapers or the online job banks."

The best leads come through your networking connections. Those people can also act as a support network to help you cope with being fired.

"It's devastating. It's almost like a death in the family," Shatkin said. "You really have to work your way through this and get a positive attitude."

When it comes to finding that emergency job, think about how much training you need or what type of skills you can bring to the job. And think a bit outside the box.

Traditional fall-back jobs, like being a bartender ($19,740 average annual salary), waitress ($18,570) or restaurant host ($17,770) might not be available in some hard-hit markets where consumers have curtailed eating out because of the recession.

Instead, Shatkin suggested looking off the beaten path, such as working as a funeral attendant ($22,470).

"People go on dying, even when there is a recession," he said.