You know the saying: Every cloud has a silver lining. Not everyone can see that slim sliver of hope, but it is usually there, visible only to those who can look beyond the immediate disappointment to see the possibilities lying beneath.

Even in a job market that is losing over 500,000 jobs a month, there are employers that are hiring and people who unemployed that are returning to work. If you are unemployed or worried that you might lose your job, there are practical steps you can take today to turn your setback into an opportunity.

1 - Career Self-Assessment
Have/Had you been working in a job that you found enjoyable and fulfilling? Does/Did it have advancement potential and provide you with a ‘living wage’? If you answer No to any of these questions, take a few minutes to complete a career self-assessment, such as those offered at Career Compass and JOBehaviors.

2 - Determine Your Local “Growth Jobs”
Do you know what jobs are growing in your area? At Career Voyagers, you will be able to find growth occupations listed by state. Other resources that help you identify local growth jobs are your State Labor/Economic Development Offices or your local Workforce Investment Boards.

3 - Upgrade Your Skills
As you’re assessing your interests and options, ask yourself if you need additional education or job training. You may qualify for a Pell grant for classes at a local community college or you may be eligible for free training offered by a One-Stop Career Center or local Goodwill.

4 - Update Your Resume and Prepare for Interviews
Free assistance with resume writing, job search techniques, and interviewing skills are often available at Goodwill career centers and One Stop Career Centers. If you haven’t been in the job market for a while, take advantage of these free resources.

5 - Get Your Boots On and Pound the Pavement
Don’t let unemployment get the better of you - make a daily job search schedule, set goals for the number of resumes and job applications you will complete each week, regularly visit you local career center, and don’t give up!

Visit the Career One Stop for more ideas on how to get back to work.

Related: Make a good first impression on your job interview.