Six Strategies For Dealing With Unexpected Job Termination

With over 15 million people unemployed in the USA insure to access not just national statistics, but also
late 2009, many people have been faced withstatewide and county data which are linked to this
unexpected job termination. It is a very rare situationsame resource.
when it is welcome news to learn you are4. Short-term Retraining. Watch out that you are not
unemployed, but in some circumstances the situationdeceived by the myth of lengthy retraining. Many
may result in opening a new door of opportunity.people may be concerned that retraining is a lengthy
Opportunities for new careers, training, retraining, andprocess. Instead, workplace experts suggest that
career counseling are likely available within theadults pursue short term certifications (30-day to 6
resources of your state or county, local colleges ormonth certifications) due to the rapidly changing
workforce centers. Sometimes we just need to beeconomy and workplace demands. Consider the
reminded to look for new options. This article providesopportunity that awaits you to upgrade your skills or
six strategies that people can consider to help copeenter a new field with just 1-2 months of certification
with unexpected job termination.before immediate placement in the workplace to see if
the career is what you really enjoy. At this point, one
1. File and Freshen. In the face of sudden employment,has a much better vantage point to make an informed
of course the first step of self-preservation is tochoice about pursuing degree study, if needed, to
register for unemployment. However we mustfurther advance a new career.
remember not to stop there. Instead, individuals with5. Qualified Programs. The OCO and state databases
initiative will want to immediately begin looking forwill also link job seekers to training programs related to
opportunities to refresh their skills, update their resumeeach occupation. It is important to verify that the
and interview skills even while beginning their job hunt.program you investigate will fulfill any possible
2. Upgrade or New Direction. If you have beenrequirements for a state based extension of your
searching for jobs for a few weeks and are notunemployment. (Please note that this option is not
having luck finding a new position, it may be anavailable in all states.) In New Jersey, for instance,
opportunity to consider a career upgrade or newtraditional unemployment benefits may be extended up
career direction. The state or county Workforceto 6 months for continuing your education in a
Centers, or One Stops, as they are often called, willqualifying educational program: specific bachelor's
have career advising services which may assist indegrees or high demand trade degrees. In most states
such valuable roles as career aptitude testing, andwhich offer this extension, it is not an automatic
career preferences evaluations. You might alsoextension. Instead, unemployed people must meet with
consider whether your career aspirations and goalsa counselor, apply for this benefit, and wait for
have shifted since you were last hired. Maybe this is aapproval.
chance for significant change of direction. If career6. VA Opportunities. If the job seeker is a military
change seems promising, there are many resourcesveteran, check with the veterans' administration to see
for retraining.what benefits are available to support your job hunt
3. Outlooks on Occupations. Occupational profiles,and/or retraining. Basic veterans' educational benefits
demands and salaries are listed in an easily searchableare substantial, but there are new benefits which have
database at Occupational Outlook Handbook (see linkrecently been made available. Check your your local
in resource list below). Using this online resource youVA office and also the online resources listed below.
can explore the occupations which have surfaced asFor more information about this topic you may want to
you moved through the previous steps. In addition, bevisit the following websites.