When the rumors are finally over and the dust has settled and you have left your previous employer, it’s time to look to your future.

A checklist for preparing to return to the job market (with details to follow on the remaining pages of the tutorial):

• Take a break/retreat
• Examine your accomplishments, skills, and strengths
• Develop a clear career goal around your interests and passion
• Pursue any additional training, education, certifications you may need
• Obtain additional experience if needed for career change
• Finalize job-search materials
• Conduct job interview prep
• Establish daily and weekly job-search goals
• Maximize networking opportunities
• Uncover job leads
• Prepare for rejection
• Maintain positive attitude
• Stay connected
• Follow-up all job-search activities
• Review salary negotiation techniques
• Make a great first impression at the new job