At last count, more than twenty-two million Americans have been laid off or furloughed from their place of employment. That staggering number means that our economy has taken a nosedive due to the Coronavirus pandemic. That’s an understatement at best.
For those of you who have found that you are struggling with the reality that being unemployed brings to you and your family, there are still steps you can take to make the best of your time away from work.
During this time of financial uncertainty, one of the first things you should do is apply for unemployment benefits. Be sure to fill out the forms accurately and to the best of your ability. Most claims are processed within 21-28 days after filing. It may take longer if there is an issue with your claim. This temporary income can help keep you and your family afloat until businesses are able to reopen.
Once you have secured unemployment benefits, there are still some simple, yet beneficial steps you can take to further promote your career as well as help alleviate mental stress. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Get Organized
Now that you have more time on your hands than you were anticipating, it’s a good opportunity to get organized to help promote your job search in the future. This means taking a look at your references and make sure they are up-to-date. If not, then ask key managers and past employers for updates so you may be able to use them in your job search in the coming months.
Another thing you will want to get organized is your cover letter and résumé. Take a look at the skills and job requirements on each and fill in your most recent work so that it, too, is up-to-date. If you have listed your résumé on any job listing sites be sure to update those as well.
Get Online
One of the best places to connect with others about job opportunities and what may be happening in the coming weeks and months, is online. Check out job listing sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter. Be sure your résumé is listed and you have set notifications for jobs in your field of expertise.
As a part of getting yourself online, to make sure to connect with people in your business on social media platforms. This includes the business platform, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and industry specific platforms like Houzz. Let others know your situation and forward your résumé to anyone who has a lead.
Use Your Freedom Wisely
While you are unemployed you can and should take advantage of free online courses, webinars, and certification programs that can help advance your career once the economy has opened up and begun to recover.
For more resources and help making the most of your unemployment time check out our resources pages at North Shore Career Center and MassHire North Shore.
