Lost Your Job? It's time to get to Work!

One of the most common occurrences since the September 11th World Trade Center attack has been the incredible amount of layoffs and business closings. Over 500,000 workers have lost jobs in the last year in the US. Of that about 150-200,000 came as a direct result of the attack.

If you have been through this you know how devastating this can be especially when the family income is cut in half. You begin to think about things you never thought about. "How are we going to pay the mortgage", "How about the car payment", not to mention the Holidays coming up. Yep it hits right where it hurts - right in the old security blanket. For us guys it hits us right in the old "provider instinct". Sure you might have savings, but if you are like a lot of people you might have just been living paycheck to paycheck. Now your not only unemployed but your pride has been shot to hell and you feel like a slouch.

So what do you do? You can cope with it even though the solution to your problem may not manifest for some time there are things you can do in the meantime. Do your wailing and soul searching later, right now roll up the sleeves,there is work to be done.

The first thing to do is to get a handle on your finances. You know, how much in the bank, how much on hand, what is yet to come in. If you are going to run into problems with paying your bills get a hold of all your creditors right away. You will be surprised at what they will do to accommodate your situation. With personal bankruptcies at a all time high you can be sure that they are getting a lot of phone calls from people in the same situation. Many finance companies already have built-in solutions to help you out.

For instance the mortgage company might be able to take the present month's payment and prorate in over several months. Some mortgage companies even offer a "month off". Sure the interest collects, but at least it will take a big financial load off for the current month. Your car company can "forgive" the current month's payment and extend your payoff date by a month. Believe me they are glad you called. It does no good to worry and hide. They will work with you. Just make sure you work with them after all you borrowed the money, they've got you one way or another.

Second, file that unemployment compensation application as quickly as the next day after losing your job. The paperwork usually takes a couple of weeks to process before they cut the check, so get an early start. In some States you can file via the internet. That saves a lot time footwork and time. You still have to follow up with a visit to the job office but at least your application is completed.

Plus you might find that the unemployment offices in most States have changed in the last 10 years or so. For instance here in Florida they are called "Workforce Innovation" offices. Not only do they process your claims but they have job bank computers on site and case managers to handle your case in a much more personable way. Plus there are many programs that have been placed into effect since September 11th to help displaced workers. Some of this assistance involves receiving help so that you can train for a better job.

Don't forget that there are job-search websites all over the internet. Most of them are free and best of all they let you create a resume that you can automatically use to apply online once you find the job that suits you. Hubbynet suggests Monster.com. They have probably the largest database of jobs and the easiest interface. There are others like Careerbuilder.com and Hotjobs and many more.  You really can't have too many pans in the fire you know.

Losing your job is no reason for shame. In fact it might be the best thing in presenting opportunities you would have never considered before. Your last job might have paid well but had no real benefits like 401K or healthcare. You might have thought about finding a job that offered those perks but let the security of your present job keep you at bay. Now the world is literally at your beck and call. Believe it or not even with all the layoffs there are still plenty of jobs out there. You may or may not get a job as good as what you had, then again, you might just find that dream job. You just don't know, but now you are going to find out.

Don't do like some people. They refuse to accept a "lesser" job just because of pride or a thought that it is beneath them. Nonsense! Do what you have to do. If it's flipping hamburgers then OK. It's still a check and it will keep the wolves at bay until something else comes along.

Just keep positive. You're not a bum, its like the President said, "It's the economy stupid!"  You'll find something just keep at it. The worse of the things you think are going to happen probably will not manifest, but nothing will manifest if you don't get going. Good luck

Written by T.P. McAtamney.

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