This book will provide you with some assistance during your employment transition with what we call the O-D-I-E method: Organizing yourself before leaving a job; Developing a To-Do list after you have been released; Improving your chances during your search for another job; Executing an appropriate work ethic while on your new job We have collected a great deal of experience in the field of employment pursuit, and we would like to share our familiarity of unemployment compensation and survival suggestions, such as: Job interviewing conduct; Preparing for a layoff or termination; Writing the right résumé for the right job; Productive things to do while unemployed; Which bills to pay first during unemployment; The best ways to conduct yourself after losing your job; Suggestions on saving your family money while unemployed; Important questions and answers concerning unemployment benefits
Mr. and Mrs. Smith's Employment Survival Guide
By Mr. and Mrs. SmithAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2009 Mr. and Mrs. Smith
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4389-7970-0Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................................ixChapter 1: How Do You Prepare to Leave Your Current Job?..............................................................................................1Chapter 2: Helpful Tips for Surviving a Layoff........................................................................................................3Chapter 3: Focus and Motivation.......................................................................................................................5Chapter 4: Which Bills Should You Pay First?..........................................................................................................9Chapter 5: Ways to Save Money While Unemployed........................................................................................................11Chapter 6: Unemployment Insurance and Benefits........................................................................................................15Chapter 7: Tips for Applying for Unemployment.........................................................................................................17Chapter 8: Unemployment Benefit Payments..............................................................................................................21Chapter 9: Unemployment Divisions within the United States............................................................................................23Chapter 10: Unemployment Statistics within the United States..........................................................................................31Chapter 11: Productive Things to Do While Unemployed..................................................................................................34Chapter 12: The Importance of an Educated Employee....................................................................................................46Chapter 13: Financial Assistance......................................................................................................................52Chapter 14: Scholarship Foundations...................................................................................................................57Chapter 15: Student Aid Grants........................................................................................................................62Chapter 16: Career Path Ideas.........................................................................................................................64Chapter 17: How to Write a Successful Rsum..........................................................................................................67Chapter 18: Action Words for Your Rsum..............................................................................................................71Chapter 19: Ways to Prepare for Entering the Employment World.........................................................................................73Chapter 20: Interviewing Etiquette....................................................................................................................75Chapter 21: Interviewing Questions and Answers........................................................................................................79Chapter 22: Questions to Ask the Interviewer..........................................................................................................85Chapter 23: Ways to Maintain Your Current Job.........................................................................................................86Discouraged About While at Work.......................................................................................................................92
Chapter One
How Do You Prepare to Leave Your Current Job?
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)
Let's first define the terms layoff and termination and how you should handle each situation.
Layoffs: Most employees may have some idea whether their employer is prospering enough to sustain revenue and maintain their current staffing level. If the company is not profitable enough to continue business, then layoffs may be forthcoming. With many companies, layoffs are usually announced before they take place; but then there are employers who do not broadcast their business dealings with the employees, and layoffs may occur unexpectedly. Although many companies participate in employee placement programs, there are other resources that provide payment and employee advantages that every laid-off employee should be aware of-such as the Unemployment Compensation program. This program was designed to be an advantage to out-of-work employees and to pay compensation to those who are eligible. Although the weekly benefits do not entirely replace your paycheck, they can help you meet your expenses during your time off. We encourage unemployed workers to immediately file a claim for unemployment compensation. Even though a laid-off worker is entitled to receive future paychecks from their employer; he would benefit by filing a claim as soon as possible, because the first week he is unemployed is considered the verification or "holding" week.
Following my first layoff, Mrs. Smith and I did not understand the procedures for filing a claim, and we had to return to the Division of Unemployment Security many times to prepare and submit all of our personal documentation. Today, a claimant can file on the Internet, and only have to visit the unemployment office once a month. The online method will save you time and fuel.
Termination: There is no plan for being terminated, but you can prepare for the inevitable. Most employees can sense if there is a problem between them and their employer. An employer may offer the employee a voluntary resignation, thereby making the transition a mutual agreement. Being fired is the opposite of being laid off, because it is usually brought on by a dishonorable action of the employee. Although it may be embarrassing, it is not the end of the world. Under certain conditions, an employee who is fired might be eligible for unemployment compensation-but usually the worker will not receive severance pay, benefits, earned bonuses, or commissions. If the worker is entitled to unemployment compensation, it would be beneficial to file for unemployment during the same week of the termination. By filing the claim as early as possible, the unemployed worker can begin to collect unemployment compensation sooner.
As a young man, I was terminated from a job because of poor attendance, but since my termination was not considered "deliberate disloyal performance," I was able to collect unemployment compensation. At the time, I was not married and had no children, but it was still difficult to no longer receive that steady paycheck that I was accustomed to. It was my fault for being terminated, and I vowed to never take another job for granted. This incident was twenty-five years ago, and I have been blessed to have never experienced another termination.
Before you part ways with your employer, be sure to have an exit strategy and potential reentry employment plan. Prior to that, it would be to your advantage to:
Take your personal property home. On your last day at work, the company may question whether an item belongs to you or to the company.
Delete any personal e-mail or software from the company computer.
Gather all of your updated contact information from your workstation and keep it for future exchange with prospective associates, clients, and acquaintances.
Acquire letters of recommendation from your coworkers.
Chapter Two
Helpful Tips for Surviving a Layoff Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong ... Ezekiel 22:14 (KJV)
Circumstances can vary-there are many distinctive survival situations and behaviors for anyone who has become a victim of downsizing: from a single young worker, who has the options to continue their education and find a part-time position to fulfill their lesser needs, to the laid-off parent, who must continue to provide for their family. Regardless, both of them are without a steady paycheck and will need assistance and encouragement. No job is 100 percent secure or guaranteed, and anyone is susceptible to a layoff.
How to conduct yourself:
Saying goodbye to your managers and coworkers: On the day of your layoff, if at all possible, cordially greet everyone you have either worked for or worked with. Exchange contact information so you can keep in touch for personal and employment updates. Staying in contact with former employers can be a useful networking tool for future employment.
Informing your Family: A layoff affects everyone within your household, either emotionally or financially. Your family members are the backbone of your support, but self-discipline and determination to endure this setback is your responsibility. This transition is best dealt with in the company of your family. Explaining your job loss to your children may be the most difficult part. Older children especially can imagine the worst: not having the money to pay for the mortgage, car payments or utilities. When informing your loved ones of your job loss, be totally honest with them by explaining the company's decision to downsize, and advise them that the family will have to cut back on some expenses. When you need a shoulder to lean on, turn to a loved one.
It's all right to be emotional: When the reality of it all sets in and your emotions appear, welcome them with self-control and managed composure. After facing the reality of being unemployed and having had time to collect your thoughts, your time to begin addressing the issue will soon follow. Although it may be very difficult to do, try to accept your layoff professionally and not take it personally. You might come to the conclusion that this could be a great opportunity to begin a new career. There are many emotional stages that you may encounter, such as: disbelief, anger, resentment and confusion.
Try not to become frustrated because there are no employers calling you: With our decelerated economy, even the search for an average-paying position may become difficult. There are college students who cannot obtain a job at a grocery store or fast-food restaurant because middle-aged parents are now being considered for these positions. Looking for a new job can be challenging and frustrating, but don't give up; there are employers who are seeking a persistent employee such as you.
Do not neglect yourself: Continue to care for your appearance and health, because when that employer does call you in for an interview, you want to appear pristine and flawless, as though it was your first day on the job. Look and feel positive. Continue to stay optimistic, motivated, and active. Staying confident and hopeful can increase your desire to achieve. Keep active by attending employment seminars, performing research at your local public library, staying in touch with other coworkers who were also laid off, and visit your unemployment office to explore available job openings.
Keep your rsum current: Your rsum is your bibliography, and when a potential employer examines it, you want it to tell them who you are, what you know, and where you would like to go. Your rsum is your introduction to a potential employer, and the first meeting should be a memorable one.
Stay focused and positive: There are many people who find it difficult to stay confident and motivated while seeking employment. One solution would be to imagine that you are receiving great pay for working the job of your dreams-but you only receive a great paycheck if you can find the next job of your dreams. Continue to search every available resource-career fairs, employment agencies, and career blogs-whatever you need to do to find that job. With this attitude and motivation, you are more likely to be successful in your search.
Chapter Three
Focus and Motivation Behavior conduct before, during and after a layoff or termination notice
Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)
When you receive word that you will be laid off or terminated, it is one of the worse feelings that you will encounter, but there are actions that are acceptable and reactions that should never be displayed. Using profanity and exhibiting an offensive attitude will burn the bridge of retuning to work for this employer, (if you were recalled to come back to work for them). This is not the way you want to contribute on building a positive future career plan. We had encountered a few employees who had told their now former supervisor a few choice words, of which each of the employees did later regret. As corporation profits decline, thousands of people are losing their jobs everyday, and according to the evening news, there is no recovery in sight. There are many companies that provide certain employees an advanced two week notice (or more) of their layoff date. This can have a tremendous effect on your work ethic, mind, stress level and health, especially when the inescapable date approaches. It is a difficult struggle to prepare for unemployment and many employees may not be equipped with the clear direction that the employer should take. While on the job and as grief settles in, there are several ways that can help you with rational thinking and organizing your workday, such as:
Prioritize and organize your job duties:
Make a list at the start of your work day of what you will need to accomplish for the day and rank the activities by level of urgency. The more you are able to include all of the work assignments and your personal life into your priority routine, the more resourceful you will be able to perform. This is beneficial for everyone, regardless of their employment status.
Balance your schedule:
Try not to overload yourself with work duties, family life or personal conflicts. It is hard enough when you have to focus on your personal matters, but what can help is if you set weekly and daily goals for yourself. When you don't balance your schedule, you will go around in circles and you will not accomplish very much. The more balanced you are, the better your chances are of succeeding.
Time management:
A person who uses an effective time management strategy can be a very successful person. One way to accomplish this is by spending time in order to save time, and what we mean by this is, if you left home early enough to arrive to work everyday at least 10-15 minutes early, you will give yourself time to organize and command your day. Use your free time wisely by being productive and creative and you will discover that while on the job, you will be a very valuable employee and a key part of keeping your employer (and possibly your future employer, again) in business. At the same time, you will begin feeling more confident about yourself. Mr. Smith and I have encountered coworkers who were given 14-30 day layoff notices which stated "due to budget constraints, the company regrets to inform you of the following layoffs". This was devastating news to some of them, but it was an expected report for the others. Not only were each of them slightly embarrassed, because they had to continue working everyday while being viewed as a condemned employee, but each of them took the downsizing news differently. Some of the comments spoken from the soon to be laid off coworkers, which were heard around the workplace were: "I'm not going to work too hard, what are they going to do to me, lay me off early?", "I'm glad that I'm getting laid off, because I need the vacation" and "the company can't survive without me, I'm too valuable". To this day, we have never encountered an employer who withdrew the layoff notices because an employee was "too valuable". We are being direct when we say that when layoff notices are made public within a company, it is usually an unavoidable situation. Through the years, we have gained knowledge of the best ways to utilize your time wisely while unemployed or during a layoff notice and each of the details that we provide are very useful, such as:
Deciding on Which Bills Should You Pay First (see Chapter 4)
Discovering the best Ways to Save Money While Unemployed (see Chapter 5)
Filing for state Unemployment Insurance and Benefits (see Chapter 6)
Learning about Tips for Applying for Unemployment (see Chapter 7)
Becoming skilled at How to Write a Successful Rsum (see Chapter 17)
Researching and reviewing valuable Interviewing Etiquette (see Chapter 20)
Studying quality Interviewing Questions and Answers (see Chapter 21)
Stressing Out:
Both Mr. Smith and I have experienced stress and pressure during our layoffs, and together, the first action we always perform was to pray and thank God that he has blessed us with a home, our two healthy children and for giving us a mind to survive by immediately seeking employment. Many employers today are equipped with a Human Resources manager who can provide workforce adjustment assistance, but there are lots of other employers who do not have the luxury of employing a Human Resources department. This can be very tense and stressful, especially if you do not have someone who can counsel and direct you in the proper direction. While some indications of tension from constant worry may be obvious to yourself and to others, there are many other warning signs that you may not notice, but others will. It would be in your favor to ask a loved one to be attentive and alert you if they witness any of the following stressful symptoms.
Fatigue
Headaches
Muscle tension
Social withdrawal
Problems sleeping
Stomach problems
Trouble concentrating
Using alcohol or drugs
Loss of interest to work
Feeling irritable or depressed
Displaying loss of enthusiasm
During our layoffs, we will admit that our stress levels were approaching the alarming stages. Our family Doctor was very supportive with providing advice and valuable information on controlling any depression, anxiety or stress. His advice to us was:
Exercise regularly
This gives your body the natural boost. During the warmer days, we would walk several days each week in our neighborhood, and later, we purchased a tread mill to use during the colder days.
Regularly turn off the television and radio
This was incredible advice, because the TV can be a distracting device that will supply you with a daily dose of negativity, such as: crime, disasters, depressing gossip or unconstructive shows. We did not want to deal with any more negative information.
Take necessary breaks throughout the day
We learned how to relax ourselves when any of the symptoms materialized. One method that I utilized often was soothing long warm baths. This was my peaceful therapy.
Diet properly
When we learned to eat well, while exercising, we were able to get a good night sleep and begin every morning with a fresh outlook.
Chapter Four
Which Bills Should You Pay First? LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. Psalms 16:5 (NLT)
Sometimes your budget is so stretched that creditors may be calling you on a daily basis. Everyone who has established credit has a credit rating, and it is important to protect that score. Without a steady paycheck, it is difficult to have a payment plan. There are several credit counseling services that can evaluate your budget and offer debt-management and financial advice for little or no cost. If you lose your job, you should immediately contact all of your creditors with this information. If you are a loyal customer who consistently pays their bill on time, each of the companies may place you on a benevolent plan of assistance by waiving late fees or allowing deferred payments. Following is the suggested priority order of paying your bills:
Family necessities: The obligations most important to your family are food, clothes and medical. When you have a limited supply of money, these are the essential elements that will help you sustain a healthy family. If you don't provide your family, who else will?
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Excerpted from Mr. and Mrs. Smith's Employment Survival Guideby Mr. and Mrs. Smith Copyright © 2009 by Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Excerpted by permission.
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