tips for families experiencing a layoff?

**Sara Noel** · 12-07-2007, 03:28 PM

I'm looking for advice and tips for people/families experiencing unemployment or a layoff.

(including tips for a job search)

**HappyMama** · 12-07-2007, 03:58 PM

My thoughts and prayers really go out to any experiencing this .

Update your resume and depending on the field watch all appropriate boards and be one of the first to send in resume. Get to know the recruiters and head hunters in your field. Some are really great and let them know you are looking. My personal opinion, get to know the reputable recruiters and their own sites, send your resume in , follow up with them but don't post your resume to sites. Get job opportunities sent to your email. Network. Check out temporary agencies for now , not the best but usually will tide you over.

Stock up your freezer and pantry with bulk spices, flour, rice, lentils, brown rice, oats, etc you get the picture. Make as much as you can from scratch. Buy roasts, turkeys, chickens on sale freeze and roast for lunch meat, meals, stews, soups etc. Stock up now on things to bake so you can make treats, make copy cat meals etc so you don't feel deprived.

Try to find your bare bones budget that will get you by , stock up and stick to your plan.

Keep the faith and your chin up.

Angel

**sueh** · 12-07-2007, 04:22 PM

Thanks for the tips.

I am a single mom and I will be getting laid off January 18. I am so sad. I have been with this company for 5 years and they lost a huge contract. The company is closing it's doors. I do however get a severance package (which will help out a little) and I will also have my taxes but I just can't believe that it's almost over.
Thanks again.

**Squirt** · 12-07-2007, 04:47 PM

My first thought was to look for a job right away. Most people are emotionally upset when they lose their jobs, so they don't want to go back to work right away. What they might not realize is that many people end up not working for YEARS. When you try to re-enter the workplace, it reflects poorly on you to see that you spent so much time not working. It makes an employer question whether or not your skills are up to date, and says something about your motivation level.

**IntlMom** · 12-08-2007, 12:06 AM

This has happened a few times to us. My suggestion is to not be so proud as to not accept the help available. I have spent 3 short (6 months or less) on WIC.

**contessa20** · 02-18-2008, 06:48 AM

If you won't have any insurance for yourself or your kids when you lose your job sign up for the state programs. You may or may not qualify but you won't know until you try. We were on this once when DH was laid off for an extended period of time. I don't think we ever had to use it but it was good to know it was there.

Sign up for unemployment the day you are laid off. It's very important to do it ASAP.

If you aren't laid off yet start looking for jobs right now. Get your resume out to every company you can think of, post it on Monster, consider temp agencies only if it will pay more than unemployment.

If you're in a really tight spot at any point don't be afraid to ask a local church for help. Most have programs in place for this sort of thing including a food pantry and even money allocated for those in need.

Try odd jobs for cash (babysitting, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, dog walking etc.)

**carlitasway** · 02-18-2008, 09:20 AM

I think highly of temp agencies and posting a resume on monster.com. Get rid of all the little extras that don't seem like much but add up fast. If you aren't laid off yet build your food stockpile. Check out angel food ministries. It's not the healthiest but in a time of need it can help a lot. Go to your church and ask about food programs.

**imforpeace** · 02-18-2008, 10:40 AM

It's great when you can plan on a layoff. My hubby went to wrork last year, 2 wks before Christmas, and the company closed it's doors. No warning! Luckily, we had an emergency fund {thanks, Dave Ramsey} and they gave him a severance pkg.

**imforpeace** · 02-18-2008, 10:44 AM

oops, didn't mean to submit yet...

My best suggestion is try to build up your emergency fund just in case, and spend as frugally as you can. Live way beneath your means, cook from scratch, utilize government assistance and unemployment. Also asking friends and relatives for help, be it a shoulder to cry on or encouragement!

**shoiji** · 02-19-2008, 12:00 PM

Not everyone may agree on this, however, when I had to look for another job (company was moving to another state) I was very serious about it. In the middle of my job search I started to get burned out. You know, how much rejection can one person take? So I told myself I could take two weeks off from looking and then start up again after two weeks. I did this and a couple weeks later ended up with a job. Probably didn't have as much desperation in my voice. LOL

Also make sure to take notes of where you apply and save them after you get a job. This way if something happens again you have a record of where your resume might be. The way things are now a days it is so hard to tell how secure a job will be.

Also if you can, have someone "interview" you so you can get used to answering questions on the spot.

**AmeliaM** · 02-23-2008, 09:33 PM

Also contact United way...supposedly you can dial 211 (not from a cell though) or 1-800-91-REACH.....they can help connect you to different organizations like food pantries in your area. I know they are in most of the states though not all. I was laid off last month from my job after almost 8 years-due to downsizing and my job got replaced w a robot....we have been told repeatedly about this organization-heck many of us here have donated in previous years. They can help out w daycare and such to if I rem correctly...never hurts to check it out. I know they can help if you are having problems paying on your house and such.

http://www.unitedway.org/

I have not had to use them because I am getting unemployment,being really careful w my spending...and the only good thing that came out of this(I'm posted this on other comments) is that due to the downsizing in my area-I'm a 'misplaced worker' (Auto that is as in factory-go fig w gas prices so high) and this being a big area for unemployment across the country that they signed a federal document of some sort where I can go to school( a community college,career center,tech center,beauty school what have you...)for up to 2 years as long as they approve it(as long as job is in demand and has room for growth(if you have a promise letter saying you will be hired upon graduation you also have a high chance of them oking it also)...so right now I'm working on that. I am going in to be a Medical Office Specialist aka Medical Secretary, but hey....you may have something like this where you are at. Your HR rep should be letting you know what your options are ahead of time-ours did. We had a meeting w all the people we would be working w possibly...like Our Career Transition Center,United Way,Job Center-you name it it was a 3 hour descussion about all our options.
So I know where you are coming from. I had just started working on my credit and wished I had 6 more months...a year,but oh well what can you do right?

And after i can claim 6 months of unemployment I will be able to claim up to 6 months of TAA....though if I can get into this next term which starts next month I'll be done in 8 moths(as long as they have a summer term otherwise it will be 1 year), but I'll be back in the work force....it's kind of scary going back to school....it's been so long. I'm in Ohio and I know laws are different from state to state,but see what you can find.

**AmeliaM** · 02-23-2008, 09:35 PM

Also at out Transition Center they would help you w your resume...apparently everything has changed in the last 5 years....when it comes to interviews. I have some paper work of what to do and not do-I'll try to get it typed up in the next few days.

**Meshelleee** · 02-26-2008, 06:25 PM

First thing I did was apply for unemployment and went to the Orientation. I didn't think I'd get much out of it, but I got more than I could have ever imagined.

The state of Washington has an online job search for just about any job for the entire state. This was really helpful.

They also have classes to review your resume for free and tips for interviews. These are great classes.

And my biggest win?? They paid for my education!!! If you are a low income worker, haven't had a job inb a while, or just laid off, they have a program that puts you through tech schools, community college, AND university! Then, after you graduate, they actually have a case worker that helps you get a job! So, I have to say for anyone losing their job.....check out your State's benefits. You never know what you're eligible for unless you try.

**AmeliaM** · 02-26-2008, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by Meshelleee

First thing I did was apply for unemployment and went to the Orientation. I didn't think I'd get much out of it, but I got more than I could have ever imagined.

The state of Washington has an online job search for just about any job for the entire state. This was really helpful.

They also have classes to review your resume for free and tips for interviews. These are great classes.

And my biggest win?? They paid for my education!!! If you are a low income worker, haven't had a job inb a while, or just laid off, they have a program that puts you through tech schools, community college, AND university! Then, after you graduate, they actually have a case worker that helps you get a job! So, I have to say for anyone losing their job.....check out your State's benefits. You never know what you're eligible for unless you try.

That's pretty much what I'm going through. I just took my assessment tests today for the school I am going to and waiting for my case conference so they can approve everything. Then I'll be in school starting next month. Two terms total(only 8 months of school though they will go up to a 2 yr degree). They also make sure you are going into a field that has growth potential and little to no decrease in workforce so you won't find yourself in this predicament again(though they do point out that rem it's not your fault). The Career Transistion Center is who we go through here for this program. They are even getting national recognition...one of the guys that was laid off w me gave me a site that is planning on broadcasting online (thurs maybe) about the decline of jobs in Dayton and the issues w GM and what'll happen if they end up closing....there is a lot of unemployment and more people are getting laid off each month here.

**happimommi** · 02-27-2008, 08:37 AM

We have been there a couple of times. Don't be to proud to accept help anywhere you can get it. We have gone on food stamps a couple of times and it was a lifesaver. You have paid into the system and this is what it is for. It was nice not to have to worry about how we would feed our children.