What to do if you lose your job : preparing for the search

Take Control for Your Future What to do if you lose your job: Preparing for the search Turn your focus to creating a new future as soon as you become separated from your employer. This transition time is an opportunity to consider what direction you would like to take for your future. View yourself as employed full time — 35 to 40 hours per week — creating your new future. Establish and work a regular schedule to accomplish your goal. Studies show there is a direct rela¬ tionship between the number of hours a person spends looking for work and the length of time it takes to get a job. Decide career direction Consider whether this is an opportune time to change your career focus. Do you have enough savings and projected income to support changing your career direction? The Workforce Development Office/Unemployment Assistance Office can provide information about education opportunities for displaced workers seeking to make a career change. The Career OneStop Web site (listed below) and the Workforce Development Boards have a list of industries and jobs expected to grow in the future. Do any of these jobs appeal to you? Find out about financial support that may be available while you are in training or school. Part-time work may extend your abil¬ ity to engage in training. Explore whether your past employer or some other organization has a need for part-time assistance. Make a "to-do" list Your daily schedule will be more productive if you plan your activities. • Register for unemployment. • Contact the Workforce Development Board in your area for information, job search as¬ sistance, training/education assistance and more. • Contact placement agencies, unions, profes¬ sional associations, your college’s career cen¬ ter or technical school's placement center. • Review help wanted ads, Yellow Pages and online job postings for companies that might need your skills. • Energize social networks. Let family, friends, and other social contacts know of your job search. Prepare for interviews You will want to be ready for opportunities that may present themselves unexpectedly. • Assemble clothes to wear to two or three interviews and place them together for easy access. Many companies interview a candi¬ date multiple times. • If need be, get the clothes cleaned and shoes shined. • Create a master resume with all of your experience. Edit the resume when applying for specific positions. Search the Internet for effective resume examples and make sure yours is proofread, concise and clear. • Pay special attention to your skill sets and consider how your skills may be “transfer¬ able" to other industries. This will help you prepare for interview questions. • Be sure you can get to the interview safely and on time. Make sure your car is “road State University A&T State University COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Empowering People • Providing Solutions