In this economy, you’re fighting with way more than the usual number of candidates for jobs. Unemployment numbers are growing and that means competition is too. We’re here to make that job search a little less stressful and offer ways to get an upper hand.

The blow of a layoff is hard to handle no matter what the state of the economy is. FiLife has created a help center for handling the process with finesse. It offers advice on: leaving your job with grace, handling health care and finances, as well as ways to start the job search again.

With the unemployment rate at a record high, it’s important to have a plan for braving the job hunt. Don’t think you can rest on your credit card in hard times – you don’t want to find yourself jobless and drowning in credit card debt. If you can’t make ends meet or you eventually run out of your emergency fund, then assess your options and find a job to stay afloat. Consider searching for jobs in new areas or applying for jobs you would have considered beneath you previously. Think of it as an opportunity to make a change or to start over on your terms.

There’s no reason to try to do it all on your own. Try tapping into some of these places for support:

1.) Online Social Networks:

Most people shy away from the formalities of networking, but online social networks are becoming a hub for the unemployed. Whether it’s a way to escape the stress, find support from those in the same situation, or discover a great job opportunity, going online is helping many new jobless people ease the transition.

2.) Career Coach

Maybe you need some help finding the right career, or your next big move. Getting the right career coach is all about finding the best fit. Decide if you’re looking for a complete career change or you need help moving up in your current career. Narrowing down what you want will help you find the best coach for you and make the search less daunting.

3.) Job Boards

It’s key to look in the right places for a new job. In addition to scanning the giant job sites like Monster.com, look for job boards that serve your industry. These industry-specific  job sites often list some of the highest-quality positions out there:

• Find writing, journalism & publishing job boards here.
• Find business & management job boards here.
• Find arts, TV & graphics job boards here.
• Find health care, medicine & social work job boards here.
• Law/legal profession job boards here.

While most companies are cutting new hires and pulling back offers, the government is one place to look for a slew of open jobs, especially for new grads.

Freelancing
Whether you’re trying to supplement your current job or need a temporary income solution, freelancing is a route many struggling workers take. Know your strengths and approach prior employers to see if they have part-time work available. It’s not an easy path, though, so make sure you consider these four points before embarking on a freelancing career.

Retraining
Retraining and honing your skills are essential to career advancement. Companies are still sponsoring executive degrees as they tighten budgets, but even if you have to pay for an executive MBA, you can judge the value based on your return on investment. Compare the cost of the program to the potential increase in salary or career advancement you except to receive. Is it balanced? If not, you might want to consider a different program. Community colleges are seeing an influx of enrollment from laid-off workers looking for cheaper retraining.

Here are some different areas where you can find retraining services and classes.