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Savings Account:Transitioning
Begin your new gig: getting your next job.
The first thing you'll need to do is get your head straight. Whether you had the gig for 10 days or 10 years (or more), it's over. Though there may be a slim chance that you'll be returning — it happens, though only rarely — it's time to prepare for what's next.
And there will be a "next." The cliché about one door closing and another opening is true. But unless you're retiring, going back to school, or have a wealthy spouse or partner, a lucrative freelance gig, or another job lined up, you're ready to immediately begin your new gig: getting your next job.
Of course, you've already begun networking (as we discussed last time), updated your resume, and have samples of your work ready and maybe even a website to display your stuff. Some people also like to post their resumes online. That's up to you. I'd rather maintain my privacy and control who sees it.
I also don't like to post my resume on job boards like Monster and CareerBuilder for the same reasons. I've received solicitations for jobs completely unrelated to my experience and ambitions, but because I appeared professional and at least minimally literate, I got recruited. WTF? No thanks.
Should you file for unemployment compensation? Maybe. You've been paying into it through payroll deductions for as long as you've worked, but the payout is criminally small and if you have severance pay or income from a freelance gig or a consultancy, it's deducted from the tiny sum you'll get in employment compensation. Oh, and they also take taxes out.
But the same state agency that's responsible for unemployment compensation may also have a "job center." It varies, but many states, counties, and cities offer services ranging from job assessment to training and support, counseling, and more. Some have computers, fax machines, resume-writing classes, etc. It you didn't get any outplacement help from your previous employer, you may want to check this out. Again, not every place offers these services but many do, especially in this crappy economy.
And there will be a "next." The cliché about one door closing and another opening is true. But unless you're retiring, going back to school, or have a wealthy spouse or partner, a lucrative freelance gig, or another job lined up, you're ready to immediately begin your new gig: getting your next job.
Of course, you've already begun networking (as we discussed last time), updated your resume, and have samples of your work ready and maybe even a website to display your stuff. Some people also like to post their resumes online. That's up to you. I'd rather maintain my privacy and control who sees it.
I also don't like to post my resume on job boards like Monster and CareerBuilder for the same reasons. I've received solicitations for jobs completely unrelated to my experience and ambitions, but because I appeared professional and at least minimally literate, I got recruited. WTF? No thanks.
Should you file for unemployment compensation? Maybe. You've been paying into it through payroll deductions for as long as you've worked, but the payout is criminally small and if you have severance pay or income from a freelance gig or a consultancy, it's deducted from the tiny sum you'll get in employment compensation. Oh, and they also take taxes out.
But the same state agency that's responsible for unemployment compensation may also have a "job center." It varies, but many states, counties, and cities offer services ranging from job assessment to training and support, counseling, and more. Some have computers, fax machines, resume-writing classes, etc. It you didn't get any outplacement help from your previous employer, you may want to check this out. Again, not every place offers these services but many do, especially in this crappy economy.
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09:55 EDT, 23.Jul.08
13:01 EDT, 21.Jul.08