The financial industry is cyclical and volatile. What if you are displaced from your position? It can be a challenge to think objectively at a time when the future suddenly becomes bleak and directionless. Financial analyst jobs can be difficult to come by when the industry is going through a shake-up.

Here is a six-step action plan to finding a new job. Notice that looking for a new job is last on the list.

1. Acceptance

Accepting reality is the first step so you can cast aside your resistance and resentments. This will you gain a clear perspective of the big picture. These emotions are understandable given the circumstances but they will get in your way if you want to move forward in your career.

2. Take a vacation

Allow yourself time to unwind from the tension and anxiety built up prior to the layoff. Look at it as a paid vacation. You've been working long hours and you deserve a vacation. You will be able to think better and more creatively when you are relaxed.

3. Design the life you choose to create

With your financial analyst job out of the way and 80-100 hours released to you each week, you will have the time and freedom to design the life you want.

What does the vision of your life look like? If you don't already have one, now is the time to create yours. Once you have decided on your life vision, make plans to deliberately create opportunities towards it.

Your life vision should cover all major aspects of your life. Here's a list of the main areas. Feel free to make your own list.

* Career
* Self
* Family and friends
* Relationships
* Health
* Wealth
* Fun
* Contribution

You may wonder why you need to include so many areas of your life when all you are looking for is a financial analyst job. These areas are all intertwined and inseparable. Each one of them will impact one or more areas in your life.

4. Assess where you are

Compare where you are now to your life goals. It is like finding the "You are here" sign on the shopping mall directory. This will help you gauge how far you are and the alternative routes that will take you to your destination.

If you are most recently an equity research analyst and you would like to move into hedge funds one day, how many ways can you get there? What skills do you need to acquire to qualify for the position? How do you build them into your next career move?

5. Develop your job search action plan

List up to ten specific measurable goals to complete within the next 30 days. Break down your larger goals into smaller steps and set a target completion date for each step.

If the supply of financial analyst jobs is slowing, explore options and alternatives to reach your career goals so you can build some flexibility into your action plan. This increases your chance of finding a position and still in line with your long-term career goals. For example, moving into buy-side equity analyst job or hedge fund research are both logical next steps for a sell-side equity analyst who aspires to become a hedge fund manager.

6. Take action: looking for a new job

I have placed this last on the job search action list because I believe it is necessary to first have a specific career goal before contacting the recruiter or networking with your connections in the field.

You must first know which direction you want to go, then you can articulate intelligently to the recruiters and potential employers what you want. No one wants to hire a desperate, panicky prospect who will accept any position just because.

Remember to review and fine tune your job search action plan weekly to help you monitor your progress. Follow up with purposeful actions.