If you’ve been fired after age 40 because of a lay-off or company downsizing, don’t panic. You have skills, experience and talent and you can recover your career. Here’s advice from Phil Cooke…   If you get fired later in your career, here’s the first thing to do: Get up to speed on the world and do it fast. Recognize that while you’ve been living in a work bubble at your place of employment, the world has been changing. If you get fired or laid off, get up to speed quickly on technology, changes happening in the workplace and even with your wardrobe.   Are you looking like the person you’re trying to project yourself to be? Appearance does matter.   If you haven’t been laid off – now is a good time to make sure you’re up to speed with changes in the workplace.   Get on the phone.Look through your contacts and start making calls to people who can help you with your career. A great technique that can lead to a job is to ask for advice on where to go next in your career instead of asking for a job. It’s a great technique that may open up an opportunity!   Working a great job? Take time to create a list of 10-20 people you could reach out to should things change.   Be flexible, particularly about relocating. If you don’t want to move, it will cut your job possibilities down and give you a restricted field to choose from. Is a move worth it for a new job? Consider your options and don’t be too locked in.   Make sure your resume, bio, or portfolio is updated and evergreen.Nobody wants to hire yesterday’s genius. No matter how great your work was years ago, what have you done lately?   If you still have your job, now is the time to make sure your resume is up-to-date.   Make sure you leave your job on a good note. You may need a recommendation or reference, so always walk away as graciously as you can, no matter how difficult it may be.   Get used to it. Recognize the changing work environment. Prepare for potential layoffs, downsizing or a shift to contract labor.  Be ready for it so you’re not taken by surprise.   If you get fired or laid off, don’t let your feelings or emotions rule the moment. It’s not necessarily a terrible thing. In fact, it may be the best thing that could ever happen to you. – Phil Cooke   For more help on recovering your career, visit Phil’s blog at https://www.philcooke.com/fired-after-40-how-to-recover/#more-13593   Get a free eBook on Creativity! Sign up for Phil’s blog at https://www.philcooke.com   Listen to the Phil Cooke Podcast here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/philcookes-podcast/id1439369056    Find out more about Cooke Pictures here: http://www.cookepictures.com/   Visit Phil Cooke’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzivfiicpepFmAv5ZblgYWQ