In life, things don’t always go as planned. Unfortunately, unemployment can be an unexpected occurrence that happens to you, as is the case for many Americans each year.¹ We know this can be a stressful and difficult time. If you find yourself facing unemployment, know there are ways to help ease some of the discomfort. Keep reading to discover our tips for getting through unemployment.

Apply for unemployment benefits

Perhaps the most stressful part of unemployment is not receiving your usual paycheck. It is completely understandable that this can put a strain on your finances. Unemployment benefits² are important resources to use while you look for a new job. You can find out more information about unemployment benefits in your state here.

Reach out to contacts

Asking for help during unemployment may be hard to do, but there are likely many people who would be happy to point you in the right direction. Ask previous coworkers, friends and family if they know of any job opportunities that would suit you. LinkedIn® is a great resource to utilize professional contacts.³ It would also be a good idea to ask a few of your contacts, whether they’re a former coworker or supervisor, if you can put them down as references.

Utilize online job boards

Online job boards⁴ and listing sites make it easier than ever to find your next opportunity. Try resources like LinkedIn® and Indeed® to look for jobs that fit your interests and field. Sign up to receive email alerts when new job listings are posted. You can even upload your resume to boards and opportunities could come to you!

Set daily goals

Your daily routine will change during this time, and understandably it might be difficult to adjust to. To ease some of the effects of the change, try to stay as busy as you can. One way to do that is to set goals for yourself each day. For example, you can plan to apply for 3 jobs or to spend the day reworking your resume. Practice your interview skills, create a cover letter template or meet with a friend to discuss job ideas. Working on your skills can keep you prepared as you head back into the job-hunting process.

Enforce your budget

Hopefully you already have a set budget in place, but if you don’t, now is the time to make one. Budgets are important during times of unemployment since they allow you to see what expenses you have, where your money is going and chances to identify where you can cut down on spending. Without a regular paycheck coming in, it is important to make the best of your resources and to use them carefully. An enforced budget can help prevent added stress in an already difficult time.

Stay positive

One of the most important things to do when faced with unemployment is to keep a positive attitude. While it isn’t a happy situation, having an optimistic outlook can help keep you motivated while applying for new opportunities. It can also inspire you to look for opportunities you might miss out on otherwise.

The views expressed by the articles and sites linked in this post do not necessarily reflect the opinions and policies of Cash Central or Community Choice Financial® .

Sources:

¹U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/charts/employment-situation/civilian-unemployment-rate.htm

²Pohle, Allison. (2021, Jun 8). Retrieved from: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-does-unemployment-work-11607715590

³Misner, Ivan. (2017, Sept 8). Retrieved from: https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/growth-strategies/2017/09/how-to-effectively-use-your-network-to-find-a-new.html

⁴Herrity, Jennifer. (2022, Sept 30). Retrieved from: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-job-board