The pandemic has ripped apart the fabric of our economy. 22 million have applied for UC benefits. Have you been furloughed or, worse, laid off? Are you still waiting for your stimulus and unemployment checks?
I can’t sugarcoat the current job marketplace. Millions of hardworking and productive employees are without jobs. What to do?
- Apply for your unemployment benefits. State UC agencies are overwhelmed, slow to respond. How frustrating is it to get your application processed! If you are self-employed, you are still eligible for benefits. Stay the course. Don’t give up!
- Contact your accountant to make sure s/he has notified the IRS you want refunds or future federal/state recovery payments put directly into your bank account. This will speed up deposits.
- By all means, reach out to friends, work colleagues, referral sources and potential employers to create visibility and expand your network. Use LinkedIn to full advantage.
- Sign on to Jobcase, Indeed, and other job-posting websites. I’ve presented myself as a job seeker and am getting postings for available job openings. Perhaps I’m naïve, but I think these are real openings. Please remember, employers with openings are primed to offer online interviews. Dip your toe into the stream and see if there are fish to be caught.