1. Post your resume on specialist job sites
including Dice.com and H1Base.com
2. Do not solely depend on your consulting firm.
In this economy - You Need To Market yourself! Most consulting firm are limited by their sales bandwidth. Use Directories of employers to market yourself and apply for positions directly.
3. Know Your Legal Rights
On being Out of Status; on the continuity of your Green Card processing; on the opportunities of returning home and on H1B Expiry.
4. Try a new Country
try Europe, Singapore, Australia… Look for a job in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Cyprus, the Gulf, Singapore, Japan or Australia for a year or two.
Take a look at H1Base.com 'Emigrate 2...' kits
5. Retrain yourself
Retrain yourself in a new technology. Read up on the Hottest Skills; Technology Trends……….
6. Travel!
Travel in the US, go coast to coast, buy a 30 Day Grey hound or Amtrak ticket, go overseas.
7. Don’t get into a long term obligations
Don’t get into a long term financial obligation like a house purchase or a car.
8. Shift to a new technology
Shift to a new technology… move to ERP, CRM, UNIX and C, C++. They are all still hot.
9. Keep yourself updated
Read up on who's laying off. Read up on your legal right. Keep researching on new jobs. Subscribe to newsletters….
10. Return Home
Find a Job
Get trained in a new technology
Wait outside the US for a year and apply for a new 6 year lease for your H1B visa