Find a Job

Many people who lose their job qualify for unemployment benefits supplied by the federal government and administered by individual states. Applications may be submitted online or in person. To learn about unemployment insurance, Workplace Fairness provides an overview. It is important to apply quickly since the paperwork and processing may take some time. The number of weeks for which you are eligible to receive an unemployment check varies by state, as does the amount you are able to collect. Many states allow collection for up to 26 weeks; however, Congress has extended benefit limits because of record-high unemployment levels. In states with particularly severe job loss benefits may be available for up to 73 weeks, in total. Depending upon the circumstances, some applicants are denied unemployment insurance, but it is possible to appeal.

If you have medical insurance you don’t want to lose it! Maintaining health insurance coverage is among the most important things to do once unemployed.

Explore your options with plans that may cover your spouse or partner. (This may be the most cost effective avenue). Another option is COBRA, a government-mandated program that extends your current medical insurance for 18 months if your company employs 20 or more people. Investigating COBRA insurance is a must in the period immediately following the loss of a job. The human resources department of your former employer should provide you with information about COBRA. If not, ask them for it. Be aware that you will be responsible for the monthly premium payments to maintain health coverage through COBRA. Between 2009 and 2011 the government subsidized COBRA payments for a specific length of time, but that initiative ended in September 2011. Now you are responsible for the full payment.

Unfortunately, many people have difficulty affording COBRA once unemployed. The Foundation for Health Coverage Education is a non-profit organization established to help people identify their free or low cost health care options.

Another option is to shop for health insurance online. This can be a cost effective strategy since COBRA premiums include the cost of your health insurance plus a fee for administrative costs.

Be sure to ask your recent employer’s human resource department about any retirement monies you are entitled to receive, and make arrangements for the management of that money.

401K money is the most common type of retirement asset today. So, what should you do with your 401K when you get laid off? Make sure to weigh the pros and the cons before making a decision regarding your 401K. Try not to cash in these tax-deferred retirement plans to pay living expenses while you are unemployed. Job loss is usually temporary while retirement can last for decades. If you must tap into this money as a last resort, repay it within 60 days to avoid income taxes and the 10 percent penalty on early withdrawals before the age of 59 1/2.

The Department of Labor operates offices throughout the country known as OneStop Career Centers. These offices provide many resources, including access to computers, fax machines and printers. OneStop Career Centers also provide help with resumes, job applications and training for several software programs (such as Microsoft Office). Finally, OneStop Career Centers will be able to provide information regarding access to formal certification programs conducted by local colleges that may be free of charge if you qualify. Call and make an appointment to get an orientation and learn about the various training programs available in your area.

Obviously, without a job there is less income to pay the bills. Ignoring this reality will only make things worse and add stress to your household. Putting together a budget of household expenses can help you identify your financial necessities and give you an opportunity to make some spending changes, if needed. Mint is a great free website to get you going and is available as an app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Mint will connect to your credit card and bank accounts, allow you to set up a monthly budget and track your expenses by category.  Using a tool, such as Mint, to track your expenses will provide you with detailed information regarding spending habits and give you the data you need in order to make some practical changes in your spending and lighten the financial load during this time.As part of this budgeting process, you may want to contact your bank and/or creditors to negotiate a revised payment schedule for bills like your mortgage, credit cards, etc. This is often more successful if done preemptively and not when your account is already overdue.Unemployment may also qualify you for a special mortgage assistance program offered by the federal government called forbearance. Under this program, your lender may stop foreclosure proceedings and suspend all or a portion of your mortgage payments for several months.

This is where you sell yourself. Your resume should demonstrate that you have the right background and work experience for the job and, most importantly, that have been successful in prior positions. “Success” is largely about demonstrating how your previous employer was better off because you were there. Thus, be as specific as possible about things such as sales increases, improved customer satisfaction, higher productivity, on-time job completion rate of 100%, etc. If you are unsure of how to communicate your accomplishments in a resume-friendly format, read up on the types of accomplishments hiring managers look for in several fields.

There are tens of thousands of job listing websites. Instead of spending time posting on hundreds of sites, we recommend that you focus on just three: Indeed, USA.jobs and Craigslist.

Indeed is the #1 site, with more job postings than the better-known sites Monster and CareerBuilder. USA.jobs, one of the newest online job boards, was created by The Direct Employers Association and features jobs posted and managed directly by companies. Finally, be sure and look at Craigslist to find local jobs and/or employees.

As you are searching for your next employment opportunity, take a few minutes to learn what it is like to work for thousands of companies, like IBM or McDonalds. You can also find current job openings salaries by position at those firms. If you are researching a company of interest, this is a great resource for getting easy and quick answers.

If you live in a major city like San Francisco, Boston, or Chicago, check out TaskRabbit–a new company that offers one-off or short-term projects so you can pick up some quick cash. Their hiring process requires an application, background check (no charge) and interview. Once the hiring process is complete, the website connects people who have a short-term need with qualified personnel. You, as the job seeker, can bid on unlimited jobs without any charge. For longer term, project-length employment opportunities, we recommend checking out Guru or Elance.

If you decide to go the route of freelancing, we would recommend Toggl as a great web-based app to help you keep track of time dedicated to particular tasks. The basic app is free with a pro upgrade for $5/month.

When you are on the go there are several ways to keep up to date with the latest listings via your mobile phone. Indeed.com (free) is available as an app for iPhone, and Android, while LinkedIn (free) has apps for iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Palm Pre.

Craigslist is also available via app, with prices varying from free to $1.99 for the Craigslist+ app. Please check your platform’s app store. Craigslist apps are adapted to iPhone, Android and Blackberry operating systems.

Every job requires at least one interview. Some positions require 20 or 30 interviews. This is where you bring the information on your resume or application to life. Because you have successfully jumped the first hurdle, your candidacy has now broadened to include personal appearance, communication skills, likability, poise, etc. The good news is that if you prepare for this as you would a test, you will not be caught off-guard. Invest the time to read material about interviewing techniques, as it is a crucial part of the hiring process. Then, practice, practice, practice!

The informational interview (when you request a meeting to learn about a company or an industry) is often a great way to determine whether your skills are a match for a certain job and also a chance to get introductions that might lead to jobs.

While not completely accurate, the old adage “it’s not what you know, but who you know” is a good reminder that social networks are key to finding employment in today’s market. So, how do you use your social network in a job search? Often referred to as the “Hidden Job Market”, a high percentage of jobs (some estimate 75%) are never advertised and are filled through existing relationships and referrals, making this is an avenue well worth pursuing! A word to the wise– ignorance is not bliss. Before leveraging your social network to pursue employment, be aware of what is out there! Google your name to see what potential employers may find. After you get the results, be sure to set up a Google Alert. The Alert will notify you whenever the keywords you choose (i.e., your name) are found on the web. A new option is Brand Yourself. This is a great way to take charge of your personal search results, helping you prioritize certain results and attempt to bury others!

For those who have not mobilized their social networks to find a job, it can seem overwhelming. However, following some basic guidelines regarding the use of these networks makes all the difference. Currently, two of the most popular platforms for job seeking are LinkedIn and Twitter.

LinkedIn is geared toward building a professional profile and network. Therefore, making your profile stand out will require that you maximize your LinkedIn opportunities and take full advantage of the tools provided.

Twitter differs from LinkedIn, in that you can view (and be viewed by) anyone. With an introduction to using twitter for your job search, you will learn how to “show off” your trade knowledge and insights to possible employers. Here are some ideas on how to use get started Tweeting when you are not sure what to say!

Outside of these social media platforms, CareerFuel suggests trying Help a Reporter Out. This is a service that connects reporters with sources that are knowledgeable on the topics they are writing about. This is an opportunity to situate yourself as a leader in your field, while adding to your resume.

 

Use this time to sharpen your skills and increase your marketability with employers. Basic computer skills in Microsoft Word are essential. Excel and PowerPoint are probably the next most important software tools used today.

To get you started on using Word, Excel or Powerpoint, Microsoft introduced an in-program game– Ribbon Hero– that teaches the user how to use Microsoft Office programs (compatible with versions 2007 and later). For those who would like additional help with Excel (and couldn’t we all use some help with Excel?), we recommend a series of Microsoft Excel tutorials from Motion Training.

Also–although we usually recommend free resources, Lynda is one of several sites that offer 24/7 training in many subject areas from web development to programming. For $25/month you can try as many training videos as you like without a long-term commitment. This could be a great way to build your confidence and increase your job options by adding to your skill bank.

Internship positions are probably the most difficult jobs to land because there are so few of them and most are unpaid. Securing an internship is largely about tenacity, connections and luck. It requires a lot of dedicated work to unearth a few opportunities, but the resulting internship experience can be highly rewarding.

All three of the jobsites we recommend have listings for internships. Go to Indeed, USA.Jobs and Craigslist and type in “internship” and your desired geographic location. For summer internships, we recommend that you begin this process by January, as there is a lot of competition for these openings.

InternMatch is a new site dedicated site to internships–complete with job postings and guidance. Reading through their blog you will find specific mention of new and exciting summer internships. For those of you interested in social entrepreneurship, Ashoka offers internships of various lengths, volunteer positions and various other opportunities both nationally and internationally.

Startups–often short on cash and long on needs–may welcome additional hands during the summer to move the business forward. Interning with a startup can be a great way to learn many different skills and to assess whether you like small company environments. Crunchbase can help you find startups in your geographic area.

If you are unsure about staying in school, your major, or where to look for an internship, connecting with a mentor is a great way to receive guidance as you navigate these challenges.

Our philosophy at CareerFuel is to give you the positive tools and information to help you achieve your career goals. Sometimes, however, a reality check is helpful in order to make certain that you are not undermining your own best efforts.

This is the time to get out of your comfort zone and start expanding your world of activities and, with it, your social circle.

Chamber of Commerce meetings, groups that bring hobbyists together like cycling organizations and ski clubs, and athletic coaching are great ways to reconnect with your local community.

Volunteering can also be a rewarding way to spend time if you are unemployed. It gives you a sense of contribution and it connects you with others. In the process, volunteering may lead you to reconsider your professional aspirations and has also been known to lead to a full-time job. For example, the parent who volunteers at school and shows interest in substitute teaching is more likely to be considered (assuming qualified) than the person who is not involved with school activities. Two fantastic places to start hunting for volunteer opportunities in your area are through Idealist and VolunteerMatch. Both services provide connections based on geographic location and your particular interest/qualifications.

Staying on top of the local scene is now easier with AOL.com’s local news organization called Patch. (Although the network is growing, Patch is currently available in limited areas of the country–see if your area is one!) Just fill in your zip code and see what local events are of interest—sports games, informational meetings or informal gatherings that will get you out of the house and connecting with others. Another growing online community, Cubes is specifically centered on issues of unemployment. This is a network designed to connect people on a local level in order to hone in on skills and talents that can help and support members.

Another option for keeping up with local news and goings-on is Newspapers, an app (99¢) designed for iPhone.

If you have college experience or degrees, alumni networks are a great way to connect with a group where there is built-in affinity. LinkedIn has many alumni groups. Once logged in to LinkedIn, search alumni groups for your alma mater.

Finally, local libraries usually maintain bulletin boards with postings for local free events ranging from movies to lectures and meetings. Stop by yours and take a peak.

Knowledge of national news and politics is also important when going through the job search process and meeting a lot of new people. AllTop is a site that allows you to stay abreast of current news and topics of interest, including headline stories from The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and CNN. It is customizable for your life, professional focus, and leisure interests. Try signing up, reading and sharing select articles with others. Sharing articles with employed people in your network, if done selectively, can be an effective way of demonstrating that you are knowledgeable and helpful.

Pulse is a similar resource for mobile devices (iPhones or Android).

For those who are re-entering the workforce after a timeout, find actionable ideas for things to do in your generalized fields. By taking the time to (re)connect with people in your field you might just find the “right” job lead.

There are many ways to inspire your success including books, movies and blogs.

Books — Thousands of books about searching for a job are available on Amazon and many are available for free at the local library. The “bible” of job searching is What Color Is Your Parachute? by Richard Bolles. More recent titles by Bolles are Job Hunting Online and The Job Hunter’s Survival Guide.

Other good choices include:

• Guerilla Marketing for Job Hunters by Levinson and Perry
• Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
• The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
• Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson

Available through iTunes, Free Audiobooks is an app that allows the user access to thousands of books. The application initially costs $1.99, while all downloads are free.

Movies — Take time out and lift your spirits up with a movie. Many are available for little or no charge at the local library. Some suggestions are listed below.

The Blind Side           Braveheart           Chariots of Fire           Dead Poets Society           A Beautiful Mind           Erin Brokovich

Forrest Gump           Julie and Julia           Goonies           We Are Marshall           Reporter           Soul Surfer          E.T.

Glory           Good Will Hunting           Marley and Me           Mulan           Rocky           Secretariat           Sea Biscuit

My Neighbor Totoro          Stand and Deliver          The Karate Kid           Riding Giants           Pay it Forward          Baraka

Mad, Hot Ballroom

Blogs—A great way to stay current. Click here for CareerFuel’s blogs full of the latest information and inspiration from real people.

It matters. And now that you have a break from work, it is a great time to devote time and effort to it. If you have medical insurance and it is covered, get a physical. Your doctor can tell you if your weight is at the right level and can suggest ways to change it if not. The government also provides dietary guidelines to help you determine if you are at an ideal weight, and also provides suggestions to help you get there.

See if your interviewing “suit” is current. Many cities and towns have great second-hand shops filled with terrific deals on clothing. Consignment stores are often found in more affluent towns. ConsignmentShops.com provides you with a clickable map to help you find a consignment shop in your state or connect you to web-based consignment shops.

Also, the next time you have your hair cut ask the stylist for suggestions on current styles. Many salons offer discounted rates to people who can demonstrate that they are jobless. Call ahead and ask.

Another option–find a salon school in your area. Schools will often offer salon services at a highly discounted rate. A quick online search will provide several options. This often holds true for other types of schools, such as massage and acupuncture.

It has been proven that regular exercise improves a person’s mood. Exercise also has an obvious upside for your appearance. Find someone to walk with, take a hike, bike ride, go sledding with your kids, or whatever activity you enjoy that gets you moving outside. Not only will exercise help you mentally, but you may see some physical benefits as well.

This site is designed to be dynamic, providing people with the latest, best guidance and tools to help them find jobs. You can sign up here to receive emails that will alert you to new information as it becomes available, as well as notifying you about our latest blogs, videos and recommended articles.