Job lay-offs is something that continually happens throughout history. Market fluctuations come and go and with it so do the jobs associated with any market.
During tight or difficult times, business will always look to downsize and control expenses and this will usually result in some type of layoff whether it be temporary or permanent loss of jobs.
Either way, if it happens to you, the result and the feelings are same. After the initial shock of losing your job, one of the first questions to ask is what can I do next?
First of all you'll want to take a look at what your state's unemployment laws and benefits are. Although they may vary from state to state, each state does have unemployment compensation for those who have found themselves laid off from their job.
Unemployment compensation, although not replacing your income, will off some short term relief from the financial pressure and help you buy some time in order to get back on your feet.
Even though receiving unemployment may not be your first choice, remember that it is designed to help during situations such as this and through your years of being employed, you have paid into the system in the form of your taxes.
Obviously, unemployment income is not the long term solution. So, the first task for you is to get your resume either written or completely up to date.
Although writing a resume isn't a terrifically difficult task, if you've not done one for yourself in the past, you'll want to do some research on the topic before you get started. Not to worry, there are numerous templates and examples on how to best format your resume either online or at your local library.
Don't take writing a good resume lightly. A well written well presented resume can mean the difference between you getting an interview and ultimately a job or not at all. So, take some time and put together a good looking and good sounding resume.
Once you've completed your resume, it's time to begin your job search. The best place to start is in your local paper. Also, be sure to get your resume set up with a couple of online job services. Most cities now have such websites for local and immediate area job searches.
Be patient and persistent. Don't get discouraged right away. Keep your looking and keep your proverbial line in the water. Remember, it only takes one good interview and you're back on your feet.
If you were employed for a longer period of time at your last job, you may feel a bit more uneasy and nervous about trying to re-enter the job market. This is quite natural, but don't let it get you to the point of not being active. You may have to go on an interview or two in order before you get past the nervousness, but don't worry, this is quite natural.
Interviewing and the whole job searching process can be a stressful period. If you don't have much experience interviewing, you may want to consider practicing with your family or friends. Doing this will help you formulate answers to questions so that during the actual interview you will come off completely conversational and professional... and this is a big leg up on your competition.
As for the questions your family or friends may want to ask you... it's easy enough just to check out these types of interview questions online, or again, a visit to your local library will be quite beneficial.
If time stretches on, and you've not been successful with your job search, either one of the two aforementioned parts may need some polishing up. Either you are not getting any response to your resume, or you are getting some responses to your resume but not job offers coming after the interview process.
If this is the case, it may be time to seek some professional help. You can check out the services offered by many of the career centers, or look online for professional recruiters. In some cases there may be a cost involved, but if your resume isn't pulling, or your interview skills are lacking, this may be money well spent if it gets you over the hump.
During a period of being laid off, it's important that the time that spend on yourself in the form of getting a good resume together and learning how to interview is time that is extremely well spent. Taking the time up front to get going on the right foot will greatly reduce the amount of time and stress that comes with being unemployed.
