Stay Motivated
Dealing with a job loss can be an emotional and difficult task, but it's important to stay positive and motivated as you determine your next steps. Below are some suggestions to better help you navigate your job search.
What To Do Right Away
- Seven Questions to Raise Immediately After You’re Laid Off
- You're Not Powerless in the Face of Layoff
- You Lost Your Job, Now What? How to Survive a Layoff
- You've Been Furloughed. Now What?
- If you lost your health insurance, explore your options. SPE offers members a group insurance program.
Think About What's Next
Sometimes the answer is another job similar to the one you lost; sometimes it is about moving into a different type of role. Embrace the opportunity to think through your options and build your strategy from there.

In addition to family and friends, it can be useful to find others in similar situations who can provide support, share leads, strategies for staying positive, help you hone your elevator pitch, and more.
- Virtual community for Members in Transition on SPE Connect [member login required]
- Find a job seekers group through your local section, faith-based groups, alumni groups, or others from your company who may also have been laid off.
- Gulf Coast section Members in Transition
- Denver section is working AAPG to create a Members in Transition group for their region
- Permian Basin section is also developing programs for Members in Transition
- Consider starting a support group in your section using the resources below:
Overcoming the Challenges of Job Searching
Regardless of where you are professionally, whether you are a senior executive, a technology expert, or a college graduate seeking your first professional job, being unemployed is stressful. Acknowledge that, and adopt sound strategies to overcome the challenges.
- Job Loss and Unemployment Stress
- Keep Rolling: How to Stay Motivated During Job Search
- How to Manage Stress and Stay Positive While Unemployed
- Five Steps to Overcome the Challenges of Job Search When Unemployed