If you’ve ever lost your job you already know...

Coping with the loss of a job can be a huge challenge...

There are bound to be a lot of condolences and bits of advice at first – but Ariane de Bonvoisin, author of “The First 30 Days,” has a little insight people don’t always tell you about:

• Take your time – probably a few weeks. You’ll need to let the shock wear off before you can really be objective.

• The next job you take may be a transitional one. Every experience is a valuable one and you never know where it may lead. Keep an open mind and embrace any full or part-time work you can find, when you're ready.

• Look for companies, not jobs. Find companies with missions and values that you can get behind. Employers are much more interested in candidates who have a passion for the company than someone who is just looking for a paycheck.

• Use your health insurance while you still have it. Get that physical, go to the dentist and take advantage of any complimentary therapies your plan might include. Job hunting can take a lot out of you and you want to be in tip-top shape for the challenge.