MAKE USE OF ALL RESOURCES

AVAILABLE TO YOU

 

        Many resources are available to you to help you during your job search, particularly if you are unemployed. Make the most of each resource.

Family

        During a job search it seems that people either draw closer to family or withdraw. My encouragement is to utilize your family in any way possible. Your family would include a spouse, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even in-laws. Those who are within a one hundred mile radius should receive your resume and your list of desired firms. Once you’ve made your initial contact with these people, stay in touch with them. If you are employed, that may be as far as you need to go in the use of your family.

        If you are unemployed you should make greater use of your family. Rather than withdrawing from family, speak to those who are closest to you and tell them how they can help you. Supplying leads is one of the best ways. Moral support is another important thing families can provide. Explain to them that you have a strategy and that you will be working consistently at your job search. Add that what you will want from them is not advice on how to conduct your search, but encouragement.

        If you need financial help, don’t hesitate to ask. Family members usually want to help, especially when they can see that you are treating your search as a real job. Of course you need to be careful who you ask to borrow money from, but don’t let pride get in the way. Families are meant to be there when you need them. Having a little financial support may enable you to hold out for a good job, rather than feeling forced to accept the first mediocre job that comes along.

Unemployment Compensation

        Each state has an Employment Security Department designed to provide unemployment compensation. It may be called by different names in various states. Even if you are not sure if you qualify for unemployment compensation, check into it by filing a claim. The brief paper work you fill out will enable Employment Security to determine whether you qualify. The determination of whether you qualify and the amount of your benefits check will be established by a formula. If you worked for an organization which did not pay unemployment compensation taxes, you will not qualify.

        Unemployment compensation was designed to provide a minimum level of support to people while they conduct a job search. The benefits are significant, but still low enough that very few would feel unmotivated to obtain a job. Benefits usually last for six months, but during periods of high unemployment, extensions are sometimes available.

        Unemployment compensation is usually available in Washington State even if you received a lump sum severance payment equivalent to several months of salary, or are receiving monthly payments from your former employer.

        Once you qualify, you will be told how much your bi-weekly check will be and the total amount in your fund. This is important in case you take a temporary job, or if for some reason you don’t look for a job for a week or two. In such an event you must report that you did not look for a job. In those situations, although you would not receive a payment, your fund would not be depleted as quickly and you would continue to receive checks for a longer time if your job search proves difficult.

        If you think you might qualify for unemployment compensation, you should definitely apply. Your employer paid taxes for this purpose into the state fund. What’s more, unemployment compensation was intended for people who have lost their jobs for any reason. It is not charity and should not be viewed as charity. If you receive unemployment compensation, you will be expected to conduct a thorough job search; the benefits are intended only to tide you over temporarily.

        Before you receive benefits, your former employer will be sent forms to confirm your employment and the reason for your termination. Occasionally, employers will believe a person should not receive benefits. If the organization disputes the reason for you leaving, benefits may be denied. One of the more common reasons for denial would be that you quit and were not terminated. If you are denied benefits, there is an appeal process through the state. Individuals win a fair number of those cases, so it is usually worth pursuing. If you “quit with cause,” you can still collect benefits. The best way to prevent problems regarding unemployment benefits is to work out an agreement with your boss or with personnel as to what you should indicate as the reason for leaving.

Financial Resources And Community Support

        Unemployment is too serious a situation to let pride get in the way. If you’re unemployed, you may qualify for food stamps and should probably apply. Most communities also have food banks. If things get really serious there are various state welfare programs that you might qualify for. If these resources can make the difference in whether your family has food, shelter, and medical care, check into them. Many local agencies assist people in serious financial situations. If you don’t know of an agency to call, review the various agencies in the Yellow Pages under Social Service Organizations. If the first agency you call cannot help you, they will probably be able to refer to one that can.

        I strongly encourage you to make full use of the resources available to you. If you are having trouble accepting such help, tell yourself that once you get back on your feet, you are going to make financial contributions to the organizations that helped you in your time of need.

        If you need retraining, there are usually several agencies in a city or town that can help. The training they provide will be at no cost or very low cost if you qualify.

        You must be careful if you approach a private technical school for job training. Sometimes they are able to qualify you for a federal education loan, but they may fail to adequately train you for your desired field. Nevertheless, they will get paid by the federal government through your federally subsidized loan, and you will be expected to pay back the loan.

        Learn everything possible about the school before committing yourself to their training. Find out what their placement rate is. Then talk to graduates of the program to confirm that rate. On your own you should also determine whether there is a demand for the type of work you are about to be trained for. If you receive lousy training, or if there is no demand for your new profession, the result will be the same—you’ll still be without a job and with no means to repay the loan. There are many reputable training schools. Make sure you find one.

 

Take Care Of Your Mental Health

        Unemployment is one of the most difficult experiences that people go through. After losing their jobs many people experience depression, lack of energy, marital difficulties, and other problems. There is help in the community if you experience such difficulties. Many agencies charge for services based on a sliding scale determined by your income. You may be offered group counseling, individual counseling, or a combination of both. Once again, do not let pride prevent you from asking for and receiving this type of assistance.

        If you have the funds or you have insurance that will cover mental health counseling, seek out a private counselor or therapist. Psychologists tell me that one problem they frequently encounter is the unemployed person who has been depressed for an extended period of time before seeking help. It is harder to help the person who has been depressed for four months than the person who is only beginning to feel depressed. It’s best to seek help sooner rather than later.

            Seriously depressed people do not carry out effective job searches. They tend to wait at home for a miracle to happen. When they do go out on interviews, their energy and confidence levels are so low that they are not viewed as quality candidates. With a few rejections, the depression usually gets worse. So the depression cycle must be broken, and it should be broken early on. Seek out the help you need.