Tips for dealing with unemployment on clarkhoward.com

With the rise in unemployment, Clark wants to lay out a strategy you can use if you get laid off.

• Do not be reluctant to file for unemployment insurance. There's nothing shameful about it. Employers pay premiums over time during the good years to provide for those who get laid off in lean times. It's not beneath you to accept this insurance money.

• If you are hit with a layoff, it's likely that an immediate superior who is familiar with your performance will break the news to you. That's the best time to negotiate on your own behalf. Think through what you want to ask for when it comes to health coverage and severance (if applicable). Ask for a personal letter of reference to assist in your job hunt.

• Looking for work is a full-time job. You need an action plan. Start by reviewing your list of contacts, but heed these words: People don't like to be called and asked if there's a job. However, they love to give advice that may lead to an opportunity. Visit in person with your contacts if possible.

• Triage your finances so you know which debts to prioritize and which to neglect if your money runs out. Paying for your car is central to finding employment for most people. It's practically higher than paying your mortgage or rent. You many need to live with friends or relatives until you can get back on your feet. What shouldn't you prioritize paying? Your credit cards!

• See a list of unemployment insurance links by state.

What others are saying

Trades
For those of you recommending learning a trade - it wont help you now. I've been in construction for 20 years, and this is the first time I am facing unemployment. The reason is simple: Jobs that are out there now are being underbid and the companies are hireing illegal workers at low wages to get the work done. Simple as that - we saw it coming over the last 15 years, and now its too late for america.
By Brian @ 01/27/09 11:51:03 PMreport abuse
Job contract terminated without explanation, female age 60
I was required to establish residence in Nashville. Purchased a home expecting to complete a two year contract. Terminated without explanation after 11 months. Excellent performance evaluation four months prior. I feel retaliation and discrimination. What do I do? Stuck with a second home and no job.
By Kathleen Hurt @ 01/27/09 03:28:52 PMreport abuse
Career change?
n c steve said he became a plumber, and is fully employed. His strategy is probably right for others, as long as they do this:
- Train for the job & get GOOD at it.
- Be willing to focus on REPAIR work. (My brother was a union plumber who loved new construction, but hated repair work in old houses because of existing problems that added time & difficulties to jobs he'd already bid on.)Lots of "expert" plumbers won't do those "little" jobs, so you can build a business on them.
- Get state-licensed. Many homeowners won't hire you without some kind of documentation to show minimum competence.
- Be honest with your customers. If you lie to them, they will not refer you to their neighbors.
- Depend on references from satisfied customers: they will send you new customers who keep you busy every day with the small jobs that bring home the bacon.
By herby002 @ 01/27/09 02:35:36 AMreport abuse
Career Change or Starting Out
I Tried to get into a trade for the past 3 years and still have not been able to. Every year i am in the top ten on any trade I try out for and never get called for apprenticeship and that is out of 50 to 100 other possible candidates. There is no longer anymore work left for the trades, because all the construction in the USA has slowed and is not going to be picking back up soon enough. I Luckily do have a job now at a beer distributor and only thanks to knowing someone and trying for 2 years. I am sorry but all this noise about going into a trade sounds good but there is barely enough work the tradesmen in the union halls right now to go around and keep them working.
By Eric H @ 01/26/09 07:50:10 PMreport abuse
career change
You're right, nc steve. Up until the housing market crashed, the trades were BEGGING kids to come and train for high-paying jobs with benefits and they couldn't get any takers. I'm sure the market is a little lean right now even in the trades, but you're right, people always need things repaired, and moreso in bad times.
By Anna @ 01/26/09 01:25:30 PMreport abuse
Unemployment
Any suggestions for a person who is 65 that got laid off due to lack of company work? Who wants to hire a person that age when there are so many younger people looking for work.
By Tiger @ 01/26/09 01:10:30 PMreport abuse
Career Change
I am 50+, after my second layoff in my 30's I decided to leave the corporate scene and learn a trade, became a plumber and for the past 20 years have had to turn jobs away. My son is now a plumber and can easily work 60 hours a week if needs to. Even in tough times homes and businesses need repair - that is my best advice to any young person who wants independence and security. In case anyone is interested I have a Business Degree from a 4 year state college. Learn a trade!!!!!!!!!
By nc steve @ 01/13/09 03:49:23 PMreport abuse
Response to Unemployed Graduate
Yes you are flat out of luck there unless you worked enough qualifying time in the period set by the state you are in and were laid off.
By Texan @ 01/12/09 05:44:32 PMreport abuse
Unemployed graduate
What about unemployment for the recently graduated? Georgia law talks about a "base period" where the person had to have earned or worked a certain amount. What if you were a full-time student, have graduated, and now cannot find work. Are you just out of luck???
By Flower @ 01/12/09 04:18:56 PMreport abuse

Trades

For those of you recommending learning a trade - it wont help you now. I've been in construction for 20 years, and this is the first time I am facing unemployment. The reason is simple: Jobs that are out there now are being underbid and the companies are hireing illegal workers at low wages to get the work done. Simple as that - we saw it coming over the last 15 years, and now its too late for america.

By Brian @ 01/27/09 11:51:03 PMreport abuse

Job contract terminated without explanation, female age 60

I was required to establish residence in Nashville. Purchased a home expecting to complete a two year contract. Terminated without explanation after 11 months. Excellent performance evaluation four months prior. I feel retaliation and discrimination. What do I do? Stuck with a second home and no job.

By Kathleen Hurt @ 01/27/09 03:28:52 PMreport abuse

Career change?

n c steve said he became a plumber, and is fully employed. His strategy is probably right for others, as long as they do this:
- Train for the job & get GOOD at it.
- Be willing to focus on REPAIR work. (My brother was a union plumber who loved new construction, but hated repair work in old houses because of existing problems that added time & difficulties to jobs he'd already bid on.)Lots of "expert" plumbers won't do those "little" jobs, so you can build a business on them.
- Get state-licensed. Many homeowners won't hire you without some kind of documentation to show minimum competence.
- Be honest with your customers. If you lie to them, they will not refer you to their neighbors.
- Depend on references from satisfied customers: they will send you new customers who keep you busy every day with the small jobs that bring home the bacon.

By herby002 @ 01/27/09 02:35:36 AMreport abuse

Career Change or Starting Out

I Tried to get into a trade for the past 3 years and still have not been able to. Every year i am in the top ten on any trade I try out for and never get called for apprenticeship and that is out of 50 to 100 other possible candidates. There is no longer anymore work left for the trades, because all the construction in the USA has slowed and is not going to be picking back up soon enough. I Luckily do have a job now at a beer distributor and only thanks to knowing someone and trying for 2 years. I am sorry but all this noise about going into a trade sounds good but there is barely enough work the tradesmen in the union halls right now to go around and keep them working.

By Eric H @ 01/26/09 07:50:10 PMreport abuse

career change

You're right, nc steve. Up until the housing market crashed, the trades were BEGGING kids to come and train for high-paying jobs with benefits and they couldn't get any takers. I'm sure the market is a little lean right now even in the trades, but you're right, people always need things repaired, and moreso in bad times.

By Anna @ 01/26/09 01:25:30 PMreport abuse

Unemployment

Any suggestions for a person who is 65 that got laid off due to lack of company work? Who wants to hire a person that age when there are so many younger people looking for work.

By Tiger @ 01/26/09 01:10:30 PMreport abuse

Career Change

I am 50+, after my second layoff in my 30's I decided to leave the corporate scene and learn a trade, became a plumber and for the past 20 years have had to turn jobs away. My son is now a plumber and can easily work 60 hours a week if needs to. Even in tough times homes and businesses need repair - that is my best advice to any young person who wants independence and security. In case anyone is interested I have a Business Degree from a 4 year state college. Learn a trade!!!!!!!!!

By nc steve @ 01/13/09 03:49:23 PMreport abuse

Response to Unemployed Graduate

Yes you are flat out of luck there unless you worked enough qualifying time in the period set by the state you are in and were laid off.

By Texan @ 01/12/09 05:44:32 PMreport abuse

Unemployed graduate

What about unemployment for the recently graduated? Georgia law talks about a "base period" where the person had to have earned or worked a certain amount. What if you were a full-time student, have graduated, and now cannot find work. Are you just out of luck???

By Flower @ 01/12/09 04:18:56 PMreport abuse

Listen Live:

Clark On Demand:

Clark's Advice:

Consumer Action Center:

Quick Links:

Clark Media:

Call The Show:

Jan 12, 2009 -- Tips for dealing with unemployment

What others are saying