Were you laid off?
If you or someone you know has been laid off from work please take a look and share the tips below on what to do next!
1- Take care of YOU Your health is important so don’t go without health coverage! Speak to your employer about extending your health insurance benefit for up to 18 months under COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) if it's available. You have 60 days after your coverage lapses to opt-in or start shopping for your own policy [here] (https://www.healthcare.gov/) Your new employment status allows for you to actively enroll even if it's not open enrollment time.
2- Apply for unemployment benefits To receive unemployment benefits, you need to file a claim with the unemployment program in the state where you worked as soon as possible! Don't delay because this process can take quite a long time. The government-sponsored site, [CareerOneStop] (https://www.careeronestop.org/), has details on unemployment benefits in each state. You also can do a quick Google search to locate your local Department of Labor and unemployment office and apply there as well.
3- Revisit your budget There’s no way of knowing how long you will be unemployed and because your income is now significantly less, it's important to plan for the future. Revisit your accounts and see where you stand. Cut down on your expenses and spend only on what is necessary for the time being (think food, gas, etc.). Put together a list of all the bills you currently pay such as car payments, student loans, rent, mortgage, medical bills, etc. that are non-negotiable. Anything that isn’t essential cancel it for now and focus on the more important bills. If you feel you are unable to pay your mortgage reach out to your bank ASAP and alert them to the problem as well as your landlord if you rent.
4- Stay in touch Don’t be afraid to connect with your coworkers/managers, now is the time. Ask them for their contact information and if they would consider being a reference in the near future. Stick to anyone you worked closely with who can attest to your skills on the job. If they ask you, make sure to offer them the same courtesy.
5- Be positive Right now is a difficult time but remaining positive will help see you through this! Surround yourself with loved ones who will support and guide you and talk to them about how you feel. Stay strong and look to the future. As the saying goes, "This too shall pass."
6- Apply It goes without saying that once you lose a job you need to replace it with another. So revamp that resume! Be sure to add any new skills and experiences you gained over your employment. Then when you are ready, search and apply to jobs in your area [here] (https://www.jobcase.com/jobs/search).
Wishing you the best during this difficult time.
Have questions? Please ask!
We are here to help : )
Where would I go for State insurance? In FL. Exactly what I'm dealing w right now.
I disagree about the health insurance. Most companies will only provide insurance for 15-30 days of termination and 30 days to decide if you want their cobra insurance whish is expensive. I suggest that you visit your local Dept of Human Resources and advise them of your life change situation and apply for the State's health insurance whish is free. If you're laid off with limited funds, no way can you afford COBRA. average rate for one person $800 if dependents are added then it's over $1000 month.
.
I've been laid off before. Trust me, it sucks. Luckily I was only on the job market for a few weeks until I picked up another job. It sucked because it was lifting fifty pound bags of rocks all day. While I was on break, I applied to work at FedEx ground. Two weeks after i put in the application, they called me and asked me if I still wanted to interview for the position. It was a wrap from there. Sometimes when you have a job, you might have to apply for another one in the meantime.
I wasn't laid off. I got Plantar fasciitis last year so I gave a notice to quit hoping to find part time
I think the positive mental aspect of this is super important (and applies to any difficult life event)! Remembering that things will pass with time, and how crucial it is to get back up and push forward. Thanks for sharing!
When I was laid off I found my local unemployment office extremely helpful. In MA there were requirements around taking classes from your local unemployment office in order to continue your benefits. Some of their social networking classes for job hunting were really informative. I discovered that sometimes companies post new job openings via Twitter first.
Another benefit I bumped into, in my local office, was a former unemployed photographer was offering free head shot photos for those on unemployment.
If you are unemployed, check out your local unemployment office. They are there to help you and want you to succeed. There are so many resources there that are free. (It can also be a place to job search from that gets you out of the house. You'll have access to job postings, computers, printers, in person resume reviews, etc.)
Really informative post!
When I was first laid off one of the best pieces advice I learned was, don't hide it. Don't be ashamed, don't try to fake it. Because you never know who is hiring. The last 5 or 6 jobs I've gotten were because of people I knew, not because of a job posting. Let your friends know that you are on the market. Leads can come from the strangest of places.
You'll also learn you're not alone. It may feel that way, but the more you openly talk about it the more you'll discover others in your same situation, and you can help and support each other.
Agree with Quintina. Why and How COBRA was created as an option if you can't afford? In certain states, all you can get from unemployment can go just to pay COBRA. What about your additional expenses? Getting a similar or better job is getting more difficult.