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 some suggestions to get you started.
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 and they may know of open positions elsewhere and/or 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 there is no need to reveal that you want to connect because you have been RA'd. You can share that at a future time when you are ready to network.
(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.Also check if you have a Future Health Account on the Fidelity NetBenefits site under Health Insurance.
(7) In the US, depending on what State you reside in, you may or may not be paid for your unused Personal Choice Days. If you will not get paid for your Personal Choice days, I would suggest you use your Personal Choice days instead of vacation days.
(8) In the US, 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