Alison Doyle

When You Get Laid-Off

A friend of a friend who is a single mom supporting a family came into work last Friday only to be escorted out of the office and out of the job a couple of hours later. She and several other employees were laid-off with no notice and no severance pay.

One of the worst times to lose your job is around the holidays and to compound it, it's a really tough time to be unemployed.  Unemployment hasn't been this bad in years and jobs are scarce.  

Help for the Unemployed

In order to help those who are out of work, I've set up a section of my About.com Discussion Forum for unemployed workers to get help and advice.

Filing for Unemployment

It's important to file for unemployment as soon as you lose your job.  You'll be able to apply online in many states, but before you file a claim be sure you have all the information you need ready.  Check with your state unemployment office ahead of time, so you're prepared.

• Filing for Unemployment
• Who is Eligible for Unemployment

Unemployment Issues

If you're having trouble claiming unemployment or difficulty navigating the unemployment system to get answers, these frequently asked questions and answers on unemployment claim issues, from career and employment experts, that will help you collect unemployment benefits and handle glitches in the process.

• Unemployment Claims Question / Answers

Extended Unemployment Benefits

Also, there are extended unemployment benefits available in many states for unemployed workers.  Check with your state unemployment office for details.

Bad Job, New Job, No Job at All?

Do you have a bad job, the worst job ever, a new job, or no job at all? If you have a few minutes, I'd love to add your stories to our lists.  Also, the stories already posted are interested reading - from really sad unemployment stories to funny first job stories.

Unemployment Stories
Unemployed? Share your unemployment story and tell us about the job you lost, what it's like being unemployed, and what you might have learned while you're out of work. Read, as well, about others who are unemployed and what life has been like for them.
Share Your Unemployment Story

My First Job Stories
What was your first job? How did you get your first job? What did you love (or hate) about it? What did you learn from the experience?
Share Your First Job Story

How I Found a Job Stories
Finding a new job isn't easy, especially in a difficult economy. Share your job search success story and what you learned during your job search.
Share Your Job Search Story

Worst Job Stories
Have you had a really bad job? Share your worst job story and let us know what made it a bad job, what you learned, and how other people can avoid a bad job situation. If you'd like to include a photo, upload one to go along with your story. If you're still working at your bad job, don't include your last name or a photo!
Share Your Worst Job Story

Share Your Stories

Do you have time to share your story?  I've received some really sad unemployment stories.  They are heartbreaking to read, but really give us good insight into how tough the job market is and how difficult it is to be unemployed.   I've also received some great first job and worst stories already - from princesses to paper boys and they are fun to read.

Unemployment Stories
Unemployed? Share your unemployment story and tell us about the job you lost, what it's like being unemployed, and what you might have learned while you're out of work. Read, as well, about others who are unemployed and what life has been like for them.
Share Your Unemployment Story

My First Job Stories
What was your first job? How did you get your first job? What did you love (or hate) about it? What did you learn from the experience?
Share Your First Job Story

How I Found a Job Stories
Finding a new job isn't easy, especially in a difficult economy. Share your job search success story and what you learned during your job search.
Share Your Job Search Story

Worst Job Stories
Have you had a really bad job? Share your worst job story and let us know what made it a bad job, what you learned, and how other people can avoid a bad job situation. If you'd like to include a photo, upload one to go along with your story. If you're still working at your bad job, don't include your last name or a photo!
Share Your Worst Job Story

You Really Can Network - Anywhere

I've written quite a bit about the importance of networking when you're job searching and how in-person networking is as important as online networking.

I've mentioned networking at parties and special events, but I don't think I've said anything (or thought much) about networking at a funeral.  Yesterday was an example of how just mentioning that you're looking for a job can get you some help.

We were at a memorial ceremony scattering the ashes of a dear friend of mine and her beloved dog in the pond next to her home.  Some of those who were there were friends, and fellow dog rescue volunteers, I hadn't been in touch with in way too long.

One of the women noted, in passing, that she had been unemployed for the past ten months.  I offered help, someone else offered her a chance to volunteer (which she was looking to do), and another person offered to connect her with someone in her area who could help.

Aside from having an opportunity to say goodbye to some who was important in my life and who we lost way too young, in a way that was simple, eloquent even with little words, and very meaningful, it was an opportunity for me to remember that helping others and giving back, however we can, is really important.

From the job search perspective, it's a reminder to not be shy about the fact that you're unemployed and looking for a job. You really never do know where or when someone can help you.

More: Job Search Networking

Pink Slip Party: NYC

Looking for work in New York City?  The Galapagos Art Space invites you to to an evening of skill sharpening, social networking, and drinks!  Attend the Pink Slip Party, put on your power smile and connect with hiring managers, entrepreneurs, and career coaches. Learn what industries are hiring now and how your skills translate to creative, digital, and green economy jobs.

Enjoy drink specials, live performances, and the company of neighbors in the same boat. Leave with new friends and a free hair cut by our resident hair stylist.

Tuesday June 16th,
Door - 7pm, Show - 8pm F

The first 100 people to RSVP will have the opportunity to receive a resume evaluation. These will be completed by career professionals before the event and participants will receive the evaluations upon check-in. RSVP to jobhunt@galapagosartspace.com.

What to Do When You're Unemployed

It's a really tough time to be unemployed.  Unemployment hasn't been this bad in 25 years - it' now at 8.1% and expected to go higher.  To complicate matters, the unemployment extension is confusing and unemployment offices are understaffed and overwhelmed. 

Help for the Unemployed

In order to help those who are out of work, I've set up a new section of my About.com Discussion Forum for unemployed workers to get help and advice.

Filing for Unemployment

It's important to file for unemployment as soon as you lose your job.  You'll be able to apply online in many states, but before you file a claim be sure you have all the information you need ready.  Check with your state unemployment office ahead of time, so you're prepared.

• Filing for Unemployment
• Who is Eligible for Unemployment

Unemployment Issues

If you're having trouble claiming unemployment or difficulty navigating the unemployment system to get answers, these frequently asked questions and answers on unemployment claim issues, from career and employment experts, that will help you collect unemployment benefits and handle glitches in the process.

• Unemployment Claims Question / Answers

Extended Unemployment Benefits

Also, there are extended unemployment benefits available in many states for unemployed workers.  Check with your state unemployment office for details.

The Nine Month Window

The first thing I thought of when I read  Robert Half Management Resources survey on how long you could be out of work before it adversely affected your career, was that's the same amount of time that someone's pregnant, which, at least at the time, seems like a long time.

That said, given this job market, employers are much more understanding about candidates being out of work.  When there are so many people who have lost their jobs, being laid-off or unemployed for a significant amount of time doesn't have the same stigma it did in the past.

Paul McDonald, executive director of Robert Half Management Resources, says “Most hiring managers recognize the economy has sidelined many outstanding people. In fact, some companies are taking advantage of the current employment environment to hire experienced workers who would not have been available one year ago.”

Employment Gaps

Keep in mind that if you do have an employment gap (or more than one) on your resume, there are ways you can tweak your resume and use your cover letter to explain. It can simply be a matter of not being too obvious (using years instead of months if you had a  job for over a year) or including other work - freelance, volunteering, etc.,  on your resume.   Your experience is more important than when you did it.  Here's more on handling an employment gap.

Extended Unemployment Benefits

Also, there are extended unemployment benefits available in many states for unemployed workers.  Check with your state unemployment office for details.

What To Do When You're Laid Off

It's scary to look at the 240+ (and counting) comments in the post I wrote about the unemployment extension.  More and more workers are being added to the rosters of the unemployed every day. 

So, what do you do when it's your job that's gone by the wayside? First of all, be aware of your employee rights  so you know on where you stand when you lose your job.  Then, if your company hasn't give you information ask about the possibility of severance pay. You may be able to continue health insurance coverage, and if you were laid off after September 1, 2008 the government will pick up 65% of the tab.

Next, apply for unemployment.  You'll need information to file - your current and past employment information, dates of employment, etc., but in most states you can file online for unemployment and update your status on the web, as well.

Here's move about what you need to know to when you are laid off, including the details on unemployment, benefits, severance, saying good-bye to your co-workers, and getting started on a search for a new job.

More: 30+ Websites to Visit When You're Laid Off

It's scary to look at the 240+ (and counting) comments in the post I wrote about the unemployment extension.  More and more workers are being added to the rosters of the unemployed every day. 

So, what do you do when it's your job that's gone by the wayside? First of all, be aware of your employee rights  so you know on where you stand when you lose your job.  Then, if your company hasn't give you information ask about the possibility of severance pay. You may be able to continue health insurance coverage, and if you were laid off after September 1, 2008 the government will pick up 65% of the tab.

Next, apply for unemployment.  You'll need information to file - your current and past employment information, dates of employment, etc., but in most states you can file online for unemployment and update your status on the web, as well.

Here's move about what you need to know to when you are laid off, including the details on unemployment, benefits, severance, saying good-bye to your co-workers, and getting started on a search for a new job.

More: 30+ Websites to Visit When You're Laid Off

How to Survive a Layoff

How can you survive a layoff?  First of all, it's important to be informed.  You need to be aware of your employee rights (yes, you do have rights) after a layoff, so you are clear on where you stand when you lose your job.

It's also important to understand what you are entitled to when your laid off - possibly severance pay, and probably unemployment benefits. You may be able to continue health insurance coverage, but it could be at your expense. 

Getting all your unemployment benefits in place, will make it easier to focus on the next step of the process - getting back into the job market.

Here's what you need to know to survive a layoff, including the details on unemployment, benefits, severance, saying good-bye to your co-workers, and getting started on a search for a new job.

More from About.com's career experts: Surviving a Layoff | Filing for Unemployment

Advice for Wall Street Workers

The world I work in, those people who give career advice and write about jobs and careers, is rallying around those on Wall Street who have lost their jobs.

Mark Kolakowski has excellent advice on surviving a layoff that will help  (Mark is About.com's Financial Careers Guide) with short-term strategies, including career shift options, as well as long term planning when the future is uncertain.

Author, speaker, and consultant Lindsey Pollack put out a call for career advice to help Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, and other Wall Street workers.  Her blog has lots of tips on how to find a new job fast.

CareerDiva  Eve Tahmincioglu has advice on what it feels like (I've been there, down that, not fun) and what to do when you're suddenly out of a job.

I always think it's important to remember that you are typically entitled to unemployment benefits when you're laid-off and in New York (as well as many other states) you can apply for unemployment online.

The About.com Job Searching Forum is available for help, advice, and answers to questions.  Our Forum host and the other experts are available to help and we've already had some Lehman Brothers folks asking for help.  Stop by if you need help or if you have advice to share.