Unemployment Tips

Have you recently lost your job, or are thinking you may soon lose it? As you begin searching for that new job, here are some tips for things to do during this time of unemployment.

One of the first things you can do when you have lost your job is tell everyone you know. Do not let your pride get in the way. With the economy the way it is, and unemployment the way it is, it is a common fact of life, and nothing to be ashamed of if you find yourself unemployed. Letting everyone know about the situation is a way of networking, of getting your name "out there." You never know which of your friends might know of a job opening at their company, or might know someone who knows someone, etc. Get the word out, and let the networking begin.

Make sure you apply for your unemployment benefits if you are eligible. If the loss of your job was not through any direct fault of your own, you should be eligible to collect some of the benefits that have been established for you. It may not be an amount that will fully sustain you, but anything you receive can help while you are searching for that new job.

If you do not have a large enough "emergency fund" set aside for this type of problem, you will find the need to tighten your belt on a lot of thing. Take a look at your monthly expenditures, and determine which things could be temporarily removed during this time. Do you absolutely have to have cable TV during this time? Can you cut back on the trips to eat out? Look at everything that seems normal, and see what can be removed at least for a while.

Do not be close minded when it comes to accepting a position of lower income or responsibility. Always look at a new position as a new chapter, and see if that new lower starting position has the potential for quick advancement once you get in. You may have to start closer to the bottom, but your prior experience may allow you to move up through the ranks quickly. Being employed, even at a slightly lower salary, is much better than no employment; and nothing says you cannot still be looking for that "perfect" position to come around. This is not to say you should necessarily take the first position offered, but examine them to see what other benefits and opportunities are available.

Lastly, do not let depression drag you down to inactivity. Losing your job is only as bad as you let it be for you. Do not mope around and do nothing. Look at it as a new opportunity, and become "employed" in seeking new employment. In most cases, you probably had previously worked outside the home for at least eight hours each day. Transfer that work time into finding new work. Finding a job is more than just hitting send on a few email resume' or job sites. Work hard and go get that new opportunity that awaits.

Share your experiences and thought by commenting below.

Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, mail order book store manager, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Logistics Jobsite blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog sites.