Interesting news to read - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30638290
Layoffs slowed, but Jobless Rate Up?! Not sure how that would happen. Anyway, that's not my concern now!
Speaking on the intended subject - Let me put forth my perspective and a practical (in my experience..) approach living in the US and having personally been laid-off recently.
This applies more to someone in the US, however can be adopted globally.
- If qualified, apply for Unemployment benefits. Check out your local unemployment center.
- Upgrade your resume. Read on the net, get professional or outside help (friend etc. to review)
- Start applying - through job sites, company websites, contacts and NETWORK.
- Learn and practice interview techniques. Browse on the net, practice with your friend or relative or neighbor.
- Do not have a timeline in mind. It's bound to take much longer than expected!
- Start reading books that you wanted to read - technical, self-help, gardening etc.
- Do your hobby - what you love to do - eat something different, travel within means or inexpensive, watch movies, listen to songs, browse - there is whole lot of new stuff going on in the world in the gap of a day, play or watch sports, refresh your contacts - call or visit friends, gardening, attend events around your community, etc.
- Attend web seminars or webinars. They are interesting, at no cost you learn something new and interesting in a short time.
- Follow-up on point 3 - where you had applied and people you networked.
- NEVER GIVE UP. KEEP TRYING. NEVER LOSE HOPE. It's easier said than done - keep fighting. Believe you have a place under the sun. The interviewer might ask what you did during the lay-off period and if given a convincing answer other than - applied jobs, prepared for interviews, you might stand out. Meeting challenges admirably and creativity will be appreciated - if not immediate at least later. Vent your frustration and anger not in a way it affects others, but DO NOT bottle it up.
Good luck to the millons out there (like me, as of this week 6.5M getting UI+x.x millions). I know our new job is right around the corner, we would be stronger, wiser and more intelligent by then!!
God bless,
YesK (SreeKumar)
Yes. Anything's possible!
