Unemployment Questions
Unemployment is not an early retirement. Financially, no one can live on unemployment for more than 26 weeks. Even filing for an extension is not an "extension" of financial stability. As a Human Resources Specialist I am often asked to counsel employee's who are being laid off or let go. One of the first things that I tell these individuals is to "pretend" that you still have a job.
Wake up every morning on time, as if you were getting ready for work. Have an organized plan for your day. Work the normal eight hours with one hour for lunch. Finding a job, is a job within itself. When looking for a job under $15k, you should expect to search for one to two months. When looking for a job $20k-$30k , you should expect to search for three to four months. The higher your salary expectation, the longer the time frame to find a position.
When your unemployment is approved and you start receiving the funds, remember that this is a lower hourly rate than what you previously earned. I advise individuals to calculate how much per hour they are earning and to work the number of hours to earn that weekly income. For instance, if your benefits are 280.00 per week (after taxes), then working six hours a day for $10.00 an hour is $300.00 per week in benefits. The goal in this exercise is for the individual to calculate an hourly wage in hopes of encouraging the individual to want to earn more money and for the individual to feel that he/she is being paid for the work they put in looking for a job.
I always tell individuals that yes this is money due to you, but you are also getting paid to look for a job. Most government agencies require that you look for at least three jobs per week. Do not look for just three jobs. Look for as many as possible.
Began this process right away. Maintaining a routine will ward off depression. Do not take a break from job searching. It is very tiring, time consuming and frustrating looking for a job. Feel all of those feelings and keep plowing away. Do not get discouraged. The longer you are off work the harder it is to find work.
Think logically about the economy and the time of year. Think about your competition. Remember that in the spring high school graduates are looking for part-time or full-time work...competition. College students are graduating...competition. College students are looking for part-time work....competition. Teachers are looking for part-time summer work..competition. Unemployment rates in your area...competition.
Attend free resume/cover letter writing workshops. Ask for letters of recommendation from your employer to send with your resumes. A letter of recommendation, may or may not help you stand out from your competition.
Join a volunteer organization to keep up on people skills (very important). You must be upfront with the volunteer organization and let them know that you are unemployed and would like to keep abreast on your skills and that you would like to use the organization as a reference.
Attend therapy. A job loss is like a death. Many employers who lay/let employees go offer EAP (employee assistance programs). Take advantage of this opportunity to soul search and "bounce" your ideas or problems off of an impartial party. If you employer does not offer EAP upon your departure, check with your spouses employer, most offer assistance to employee's spouses. If that is not an option, try a local church. You can also find a therapist and explain your situation, most therapists will work with you on a payment plan. The last thing that anyone wants is an unnecessary depression that may or may not lead to drugs, alcohol or suicide.
Keep all of your appointments during normal business hours. "Pretend" that these appointments are meetings. Network anytime that you are out. Use each experience to socialize, this will help you maintain people skills. Unemployment often means isolation.
By keeping busy you will keep the feeling that you are a part of society. Wasting time while on unemployment is wasting chances. Remember this is not FREE money. This is your money that has been placed in a fund for you. Do not waste your money. Use your money wisely. You should still be looking for a job and in doing so your are making your money work for you.
