What to do when you lose your job

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Host Sheila Boysen-Rotelli is bringing you insight on a tough topic, what to do when you lose your job. It’s a tough time in your life but you are not alone. You will get through it!



Episode Highlights:

  • Losing your job can be both one of the best and one of the worst things to happen in your career

  • Many people lose their job and get the push that they needed to move down their career path

  • If you loved your job, give yourself some room to grieve

  • There are some things that you will have to address and maintain immediately after losing your job

    • You can file for unemployment if you lost your job without fault and sometimes with fault

    • The process of filing for unemployment varies depending on what state you are in

    • Check on the different options that are available for continuing your health insurance coverage

  • Financially, you will have to start making some important decisions

    • There are a handful of options for your retirement plan, but research before you make a decision

    • Budget for your new monthly income so that you can survive until you find a new job

  • See what potential employers are going to see when they check you out online

    • Clean up your social media accounts

    • Google yourself and make sure nothing negative or inappropriate comes up

    • Update your LinkedIn engagement and information

  • Get your resume updated and ready to make it through the applicant tracking systems

  • Utilize multiple avenues to connect with your networks, such as LinkedIn, your college resources, and any other creative ideas

    • While connecting with your network, think about who would serve as a great reference

    • Give your references a heads up that you are starting an interview process

  • It doesn’t hurt to search and/or apply for jobs online with a well-put-together resume and targeted cover letters

    • Salary requirements will come to light very early on in the process, so know your value before you go in for the interview

    • Utilize online resources, such as PayScale, to figure out the worth of your skills and experience in your market

  • Dress the same for your interview whether it’s over Zoom or in-person

  • Just like an athlete in a game, practice as much as you can for your interview

3 Key Points:

  1. Each state has an individual and streamlined process to file for unemployment, though they vary depending on what state you work in.

  2. Practice the grandmother rule. Clean up anything online that you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see.

  3. Networking is your most important tool when searching for a new job.

Tweetable Quote

“The quicker you get your job search up and running, the faster you’ll be thinking about your new job instead of the one you lost.” - Sheila Boysen-Rotelli

“Your unemployment check is going to be less than your paycheck in most cases.” -Sheila Boysen-Rotelli

“Networking is the #1 way to land a new job.” - Sheila Boysen-Rotelli

“Use your cover letters to show the reader, at a glance, why you are the best-qualified person for the job.” - Sheila Boysen-Rotelli

“Manners matter here. In fact, they can make the difference whether you get a second interview or even a job offer.” - Sheila Boysen-Rotelli

Resources Mentioned: