- 1). If you have recently been laid off, you might be wondering what to do next. Complicating the matter is the fact that you may have a family to support. So the first thing you need to do is take a deep breath. Then, lick your wounds and develop a plan for the future.
- 2). It's time to reevaluate your life. Decide whether you want to look for another job in the same industry, go back to school, write a book or pursue other goals. Once you have thoughtfully reflected on what it is that you want to do, you need to "go full force." It's important to remember that while you need to support your family, you absolutely HAVE to love what you're doing career-wise. Whether that includes being an accountant, a nurse or a stay-at-home father, you will never be successful if you don't truly love what you're doing.
- 3). In the meantime, you will need to come up with a way to make money while you develop your plan for the future. Apply for unemployment benefits at your local unemployment office. Benefits typically range between $200 - $600 a week. This will help cover the bare necessities that your family needs in order to survive.
- 4). If you do not qualify for unemployment benefits, try to look for a part-time job. Go to the grocery store and pick up a newspaper so you can view openings in the classified section. There are also free publications such as "Job News" and "Employment Guide" available at most grocery stores on a rack by the entrance. You can also do an online search by visiting www.monster.com and www.snagajob.com. Positions that are always in demand include restaurant servers, telemarketers, cashiers, etc.
If all else fails, post ads on www.craigslist.com or on flyers around town that advertise your services. For example, you could charge $50 for mowing lawns or you could offer babysitting/day care services for $10/hour. Everyone has a skill. Take control of your destiny by using your skill to keep your family from financial ruin. - 5). Go to your local DFS (Department of Family Services) office and apply for foodstamps. Depending on the number of people in your family, you could get anywhere from $150-$600 per month for food. If you have dependent children under 18, special needs children, are pregnant, have elderly people in your household, or meet other eligibility requirements, you need to apply for Medicaid so that those eligible in your household will have health insurance.
- 6). You might want to consider going back to school to get re-trained in another industry. First, research hot career trends on www.bls.gov for information on careers that are predicted to have the most job openings in the future. Job openings in health care and "green" industries are thought to increase the most. If you decide that you would like to start a career in nursing (for example), visit your local community college. In Missouri, the cost for one credit hour at a state university is about $300. However, the cost for one credit hour at a local community college is about $83. If you have lost your job, you will most likely qualify for financial aid, which means you won't have to pay for anything. In fact, you might even be awarded enough aid to get a refund (even if you didn't pay anything in the first place), depending on your financial need and any scholarships that you are awarded. Also, note that even if you have a bachelor's degree, you may still qualify for financial aid. Pell grants are typically restricted to individuals who do not have a bachelor's degree already. However, there is an exception for individuals who already have a bachelor's degree, but want to go back to school to get certified in teaching. Pell grants can be as much as $5,000 per year.
- 7). If you have decided to search for another job in the same industry, update your resume, get a handful of contacts that you can go to for recommendations, invest in a new "interview suit" and start job-hunting. Go to colleagues, friends, neighbors, relatives first. See if any of their companies are hiring and then see if they can refer you. Networking is a very efficient and effective way to get a job. If you graduated from college, it is also a good idea to contact your alumni department and get some help from career services. Lastly, you will want to perform some online searches. You can search company web sites directly and/or search online job sites such as the following:
www.monster.com
www.indeed.com
www.snagajob.com
www.careerbuilder.com
www.usajobs.gov
Lastly, you might want to consider volunteer work. This is a great way to network. It's also a great way to possibly get your foot in the door of a Company by allowing the Company to "pre-view" your skills and possibly hire you in the future. - 8). Donate blood for $25-$50 a visit. Also, think about volunteering for clinical trials. There is a medical research facility in my hometown that offers $400-$5,000 for participating in clinical trials for generic drugs and vaccines. As always, read the fine print and know what you are doing before you sign the release. You can go to local universities and medical research facilities to get more information.
- 9). If all else fails, just pray. Reach out to your church and other charity foundations. Ask family members for help. Consider moving back in with Mom and Dad. Also consider the following web sites which help grant financial and non-financial gifts to families in distress:
www.wishuponahero.com
www.modestneeds.org
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