August 2, 1994 was a black day for Chaya Srivatsa, then deputy general manager and chief of public relations, HMT. She was dismissed for indiscipline, misconduct and misappropriation of money and accused of working against the company's image. The blow was bitterly ironic: She had won three national awards in recognition of her work in the field.

But Chaya would not see it as a black day, unlike most in a similar situation. For her, it was the harbinger of a new dawn - the creation of the Guild of Women's Association, the birth of a new woman.

How did she handle the shock and come out stronger? No strange miracle or luck kept her going, but her quick thinking and self-confidence. You can pick up a few useful hints too.

Most importantly, one must equip oneself with a few tools and take on the challenge with a positive frame of mind. Here's how you can do it.

Get wind of it?
Getting dismissed from a job doesn't happen overnight and you get plenty of hints when you are facing the axe. So the first thing to do is keep your ears and eyes open and catch wind of it. And when you are sure of the indications, pack your bags. "Don't wait for them to dismiss you, just quit," advises Chaya.

Getting dismissed is not necessarily your fault.
There are a lot of factors involved in any company - power, politics, vested interests and a host of unnamable powers behind the scenes. So, don't blame yourself, unless of course you have done something wrong. It's most often a play of forces that are beyond your control. You might not have toed the line the authorities wanted you to; or you might have ruffled a few feathers at the top. So take stock of the situation, don't point fingers, save yourself and quit.

Get over the initial shock
Getting dismissed is certainly no picnic. "You not only lose your job, you lose your credibility and self-confidence," explains Chaya. The initial shock is the toughest thing to overcome, but once you have got over it, you have solved half the problem. As said earlier, it is not an overnight phenomenon, so you have time to get over the shock and start exploring other avenues.

Seek outside support
Facing the world after the loss of a job is not very pleasant or easy. "Getting over it all by yourself is next to impossible. And it can be killing," admits Chaya. You have to seek outside help. Turn to your family and friends - they are your pillars now and form a buttress stronger than you can imagine. You can also seek professional help or turn to organisations like the Guild of Women Association.

Think rationally.
The worst thing you could do is panic in such a situation. No, it's not going to get you anywhere. Think rationally, avoid feeling guilty or wallowing in self-pity. Don't let this setback affect you in any way. Focus on your positives. Look back on all that you achieved during your term in the company.

Don't brood at home.
If a door is closed, you know a window will surely open somewhere. Meet people, utilize all your contacts. Sit and re-work your resume, explore all possibilities. "Ask yourself, `Where do I go from here, how and what do I do to get there. And who will help me to get there' " explains Chaya.

See the brighter side.
C'mon, see the brighter side of things. Do all the things you planned to do but never could because of those grueling hours in the office. You can at last spend some time with your spouse or children. Take that vacation you had always postponed. Take time off, there are more things in life then a job. Enjoy your free time. Take up a course or study something you always wanted to.

Of course, things could not be that easy if you are the sole bread-earner. But that's when you have to explore and tap that extra strength within yourself.

It's not the end of the world.
For many, like Chaya Srivatsa, it can be the beginning of a new world. "Once you lose a job, you lose credibility in the world and then, getting another job might get difficult. So strike out on your own, become an entrepreneur," she says. So do just that, strike out. Search your self and you will see many more hidden assets than you expected. Utilise them to the maximum.