PLATTSBURGH — Given the sinking economy and the fact that Wyeth is leaving the area anyway, the 118 layoffs there this past week may not have been a complete surprise. But to 125 employees at Comfort Inn and Perkins restaurant who find themselves out of work after a devastating fire a week ago Saturday, it was a total shock.

Either way, in an era when an average worker can expect to change jobs seven to 10 times during a career, it pays to keep the resume updated and have a plan in case the worst happens.

"The loss of a long-time job is just like a death," said John Masella, North Country team leader at OneWorkSource, an umbrella employment group including the New York State Department of Labor office on the U.S. Oval in Plattsburgh. "Each person handles a job loss differently."

But, especially in the North Country, there is plenty of help available. "I think that's the great thing about small communities. Other businesses see what's happening and they kind of step up to the plate," Masella said.

The agency has already received calls from companies interested in hiring displaced Wyeth and Comfort Inn employees and does its best to match workers to new employment opportunities that fit their skills.

There is a diversity of resources available for job seekers. OneWorkSource, which also has offices in Malone and Elizabethtown, has a long list of Internet job sites, while private employment agencies and the "hidden job market" of networking and word-of-mouth can also be effective. Maybe a friend or relative knows of a job opening at the place where they work and can pass the information along. But it takes persistence and long hours, just like the effort that goes into a job itself.

"If you're looking for work, you have to be doing it every day of the week," Masella said. "The hardest job you're going to have is looking for work again."

For those who are determined, remain flexible and keep a positive attitude, opportunities are there to be found. OneWorkSource has extensive educational and job-training programs, in addition to Microsoft Word, resume and interview workshops. "We have a resource room. We have computers where you can do your resume," Masella said.

A software program called Prove It determines what marketable skills a job seeker actually has and what gaps need to be filled in. "It gives you and us an idea of where you really area."

The agency also has a Rapid Response Team that has allowed them to quickly mobilize help for Wyeth and Comfort Inn workers. They set up meetings and provide packets with extensive information and point out other companies in the area that might be in need of their services.

They also supply information on state-sponsored and private health-insurance programs so unemployed people won't have to do without health care and instruct them on how to apply for unemployment insurance. Counselors are available for a variety of needs and, if a person needs a GED high-school equivalency certificate, training and testing are available.

Programs linked to Clinton Community College and CV Tech are also offered with training in such fields as aerospace, manufacturing and transportation.

It's also important to get the right job, not just the first one that comes along, Masella emphasized. He said about 75 job openings currently exist and are on file for applicants. "There are a lot of resources out there to help you."

At Westaff, a private employment agency located at West Bay Plaza in Plattsburgh, Katie McClelland, manager of branch operations, said her agency has been busy due to the economy.

"We have seen quite a few employees who have lost their position or job," she said. Also, the jobs-available market has been a little tighter than it's been in the past.

Westaff can help people find permanent positions or fill temporary gaps, such as students seeking extra money or people who are only going to be in the community a short while. Clients can work temporarily as a Westaff employee to see how a job works out for both parties before making a decision to become a permanent employee of the company.

Often, she said, upper-level management positions or jobs that require a high degree of technical expertise can be matched right away.

On the other end of the scale, there are also a lot of light-industrial, manufacturing and warehouse jobs available both on a temporary or permanent basis. Some work is seasonal, and Westaff helps companies with Christmas hiring.

In this economy, she said, temporary workers can be a good option for businesses that may lack cash flow or may not be able to commit to permanent jobs at this time. "It helps the company, and it helps the client," McClelland said.

Due to the new airport and the proximity of Canada and Vermont, the North Country has more diversity and is in a stronger position than other areas of the country, she said.

"I think the area is poised to allow new businesses to come in," McClelland said. "Our location is really kind of a special thing to have."

She said Westaff has been helping Comfort Inn employees whether they are maintenance workers, front-desk people or housekeepers.

"We have a little bit of everything," she said.

Paul Seymour, a registered representative and investment adviser representative at Financial Services in the Gateway building on Durkee Street in Plattsburgh, has a lot of Wyeth clients. For those who have savings, he said, growth-oriented investments can be changed to income-generating investments.

"I would say the first thing he should look at, his investment objective could change," he said of a person who has just suffered a job loss.

More liquidity, cash flow and income generation may be needed for the short term. "If investments can be converted to that, it certainly would be helpful."

He said he had encouraged his Wyeth clients to consider not saving quite as much income in their retirement plan, maybe just enough to get company matches, and consider putting some in more accessible investments due to their uncertain job status. "If something does eventually happen, they're in a much better position," Seymour said.

While the first reaction of a laid-off worker may be to use savings or a severance check to pay down debt, this may not be the best idea. "People don't understand the difference between debt and cash flow," he said, adding that clients will come to him saying they want to pay off credit cards or pay down mortgages first. "In my opinion, both of those situations are potentially disastrous."

The reason is, when a person is unemployed, cash flow goes down. So, it's important to save and store as much as possible to survive for the longest period of time. A mortgage payment, for example, could be $600 a month. If you use a severance check to pay a chunk off the principal, the payment remains $600 per month, and cash flow is still needed for that and normal living expenses.

"It's very contrary to the average person's thinking," Seymour said. "If you pay the credit card with the severance, how are you going to get by while you find other employment?"