The Unemployed Life

Tips and Tools for the Recently Unemployed

Chances are growing that you or someone you know has been laid off in the last year. The unemployment rate pushed further upward last month with the loss of an additional 663,000 jobs, to 8.5%. It’s beginning to look a lot like 1983, the last time the unemployment rate hit this level.

But is it? In 1983, the national mood was not very hopeful – despite a new president in the office, the Cold War still raged on, crime was holding strong, the inflation rate was 3.22% and unemployment actually hit 9.6%.

Times are hard now, there’s no denying that. Breadlines have appeared in some areas around the country, and Michigan is struggling with a mighty burden of turning around or replacing its major industry and employer to chip away at its 12% unemployment rate.

Since 1983, at least two key developments have emerged that offer a tad more of an outlet for coping with unemployment and hard times.

For one thing, equal opportunity in the workplace has made some progress. It’s far from perfect, but since 1983, the number of women in the workforce has grown from 43.7% to 60%; minorities now make up 34% of the American workforce; both groups have moved into C-suite ranks. As a result, strong networking organizations have emerged in these various groups to provide support and professional development. We recommend turning to such groups in these times. Use the Web to search for organizations in your area.

The power of the Internet offers ways to learn about job opportunities, take classes to improve skills or learn about another industry and, perhaps most important of all, connect with others undergoing similar experiences and share tips and ideas.

At Recessionwire, we’ve been trying to do our part to help meet some of those needs, and on this gloomy day, we wanted to offer a reminder of some of the answers we’ve found for dealing with these tough times.

The Laid-Off Checklist
What should you do first? Even before you sign up for unemployment benefits and start firing off resumes, take care of yourself: call the most sympathetic person you know; do something enjoyable or calming (indulgent) for yourself; and keep in mind that you’re not alone.

Resume Services that Work
A handy list from Mashable.com covers the new diversity of resume services, including social-networking sites and resume builders.

The Freelancer’s Tip Sheet
If you are considering consulting or freelancing while you search for permanent full-time work, use these tips to ensure you don’t lose out on any money you can be making – by, for instance, keeping meticulous records and setting payment rates.

How to Find Cheap Office Space
Also for freelancers and consultants, we gathered up other people’s experiences and ideas for landing office space – sometimes in places you would least expect.

The No Health Insurance Survival Guide
Probably one of the biggest obstacles and burdens when being out of work is the health care issue. Review these lower-cost options to find one that’s right for you.

Grieving for What Was Never Mine
The job you lost may have filled an emotional or psychological need that you’ll miss. I wrote about my own experience and hope it can help as you go through our own.

Gigonomics
And don’t forget to read John Riha’s Gigonomics column – one of the millions laid off last year, he chronicles his efforts to move on to his next gig.

Tags: job-hunting, layoffs, The Unemployed Life