First, I am sorry to hear of your situation.
This is probably a hard time and please know that you already on the right track by being proactive. Keep going -- action alleviates anxiety. Take control and plan your next steps. Here are 12 suggestions to get you started on the path to your next chapter
Before you leave IBM here are 12 actions to get ready to find a new job:
(1) While it will be hard to stay positive near term, be sure you don't burn any bridges internally before you leave. IBMers know alot of people and will be good references for you, they may know of open positions elsewhere and could refer recruiters to you.
(2) Do a quick audit of your skills -- are the current? the skills that people want now? If you need to buff up your skills, now is the time to take advantage of all the free education at IBM and earn some new badges. Once you get outside, you may have to pay to get re-skilled. Better to take advantage of the free resources now.
(3) Get your LinkedIn profile updated -- lots of good advice online about how to shine
(4) Start getting connected with fellow IBMers on LinkedIn now, before you leave. Once you leave, people may be less inclined to link with you. Of course, when you reach out to them on LinkedIn do not tell them you want to connect because you have been RA'd -- no need to share that information at this time.
(5) Update your resume -- while you can do it yourself, I suggest you invest $200 to have a professional help you. Here's a service my HR Partner recommends www.topresume.com/
(6) If you are in the US, get on the phone with the Money Smart program team and have them provide an assessment of your 401K and finances. This will let you know where you stand financially. The Money Smart program is free, so take advantage of it.
(7) Use your Personal Choice days instead of vacation days. You will not receive any payment for unused Personal Choice Days.
(8) Save all your vacation days since IBM will pay you for those days that you have accrued and not used.
(9) If you have an Anniversary coming up (Quarter Century etc), look on w3 to see what you are eligible for -- and think about how you want to handle it before you leave.
(10) If you have Blue Points, cash them in and treat yourself to something.
(11) Download your Checkpoint and PBC history and documents. You will want to refer to them later when you are interviewing and people ask about your work experiences and performance.
(12) Download your Think40 history so you remember all the courses you have taken and the learning you have done. This will be good fodder for your updated resume and will demonstrate that you are a life long learner.
And here is relevant advice from a few years ago: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-things-id-do-i-got-laid-off-ibm-j-t-o-donnell
Best of luck! Ever onward