Bouncing back after the ax.

Out of work? Don't sulk; you can make a quick career comeback.

After punching the clock for four years at Chase Manhattan Bank, getting laid off felt like a slap in the face to Raquel Rubens. "We had heard rumors that there'd be layoffs," says the New York native, but she never thought the ax would swing in her direction. "When I got the news, I was shocked and angry. I thought, `How dare they?' and `Why me?'"

No matter who you are or what you do, losing your job is a dramatic event. It's an unexpected upheaval that can change the course of your life. That's why it's crucial that you respond with the appropriate action to get you and your career quickly back …