Fast Start Tips

1. Review your situation and assets.  Is this a long term layoff, is your spouse employed (how secure is that job), what are your current financial obligations (get a pen & paper) and what can be cut immediately, What are the job prospects in your industry and what other job skills do you have if you need to explore job opportunities in other industries?  How much reserve cash do you have on hand?
2. Stop normal spending habits now and be prepared to cut unnecessary expenditures. Do you need that country club membership, those high cable TV bills, your daughter's ballet lessons, etc?
3. File for unemployment benefits ASAP (most state UE offices are swamped and many are finding it takes as long as eight weeks to process and get your first check).  Do you qualify for any other state aid such as food stamps or medical care?  Review the requirements in your state.  Also, check with your utility providers to see if they offer any kind of assistance, reduced charges, etc.  The goal is to cut your expenses now.
4. If you have credit card debt, begin the process of contacting them to get your interest rate/payment cut.
5. Sell off un-needed assets.  You may not get top dollar, but your goal is to raise ready cash now.
6. Register with your state job service (most offer free counseling for resume improvement and other job skills and many offer retraining programs); post your resume on job boards; begin to network with friends, relatives, neighbors, church groups, etc.
7. Consider temp work
8. When cash is tight, don't be tempted to raise money or spend via credit cards - cut 'em up!
9. Consider the use of barter; create your own barter network (see our site for resources) to conserve cash.
10. Last Resort - Bankruptcy...not as bad as it sounds in today's economic climate but everyone's situation is different and it's wise to check with an attorney first to get an accurate picture (each state has different rules when it comes to exempt property that you can keep).  If you do not own much in the way of assets and ARE NOT a business, consider using a paralegal to cut the legal cost.  Under Pres. Bush, the credit card companies managed to make the rules harder and more expensive to accomplish a personal bankruptcy and the costs for filing and consumer credit counseling now run about $4-500 (excludes legal or paralegal fees).

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Think Your Job Defines Who You Are?

It doesn’t!  Pay attention to compliments.  They

Will provide you with hints about the gifts you have.

Try this site for changing careers:

www.ChangingCourse.com

This site offers quizzes & articles that will help

You brainstorm new career paths.

www.MeaningfulCareers.com

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Steps to Take after the Layoff

After the initial emotion of the layoff is dealt with, it’s time to take some important steps. First and foremost, the person should point his or her web browser to the U.S. Department of Labor to apply for unemployment benefits in the person’s state. Other steps to take after the layoff include

·                    asking for coworker’s contact information and keeping in touch to share new job opportunities and job search strategies

·                    determining health insurance options (COBRA or individual health insurance)

·                    rolling company 401K into a rollover IRA

·                    updating resume and cover letter

·                    registering with job search engines including Monster, Dice, and CareerBuilder

networking via in-person networking groups and online via Linkedin

 Unemployment Lifeline

The figures are staggering. Unemployment at 8.9 percent. Record new unemployment claims. By one measure, unemployment and underemployment at 15.6 percent.

Hardworking families are struggling to get by, and too often, they don't know where to turn for help.

That's where the Unemployment LifeLine comes in. It's a one-stop guide that links workers to the resources in their area, from unemployment offices to veterans' services to child care. It also offers the opportunity to talk to others and share support and lessons learned.

http://www.unemploymentlifeline.com/

For more information about coping with a layoff:

• articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-5054067.html

• workstrategies.com/laidoff.html

• www.job-hunt.org/layoffs/surviving-a-layoff.shtml

• www.mnwfc.org

Finally…Have a Lay Off Party!

It’s just a thought.  But many folks have found getting laid off to be a blessing in disguise.  After years of working in a boring cubicle and putting up with stupid office politics, some have discovered their true passion in life and have gone on to successfully pursue their dream.

Consider gathering family, friends and associates and have a pot-luck or afternoon BBQ to discuss and share job resources, start your own barter network, food co-op, and other tips!

RehireAmericaNow.org

As I write this, friends of ours are laying the foundation for the creation of a national support network that will focus efforts on getting US firms to hire American workers, job creation resources, and to get our government to end its policies which encourage corporations from sending jobs overseas.

We’ve donated money to their cause in order for them to pay for incorporation papers, filing its non-profit status and to set up a website.  The group is also seeking an advisory committee and for a national spokesperson…your suggestions and contributions are welcome.  Tentative launch date (at least for the web site) is August-September 2009.

Send an email to:  rehireamerica@yahoo.com

You can use this email also for making a PayPal contribution (nothing is yet tax deductible as the IRS takes about 90-180 days to issue its approval).  More details will be posted as they become available. 

Don't Let This Happen to You!