The Unemployment Survival Guide

The few months of hiring freezes, deferred promotions, and pay cuts at the workplace have caught up with you and now you are unemployed.  Not only are you jobless, but you are beginning to question your survival.  Worrying about your future and the well being of your family is an inevitable outcome of unemployment, but it is possible to make some changes to improve your situation.  The following is a helpful survival guide for the unemployed and it all starts with keeping your spirits high.

Staying Positive

Good can only come out of keeping a positive attitude and your energy up.  Most people who are unemployed quickly lose sight of everything and only imagine the worst.  The first skill to develop right away is the art of staying positive.  Surround yourself with supportive people who are also positive.  You can join support groups in your field of work and get connected with a mentor.

Apply for Unemployment

Maintaining some sort of financial stability is the number one priority for the unemployed and the first place most people tap into is unemployment benefits.  If you have been laid off, chances are that you qualify for unemployment and you should apply immediately.  Obtaining unemployment benefits will not harm your credit score.  Unemployment is something that employers have paid for on behalf of their employees.

The best advice given by experts is to apply for unemployment early on in order to get the check as soon as possible.  Most unemployment benefits last for 26 weeks, unless the unemployment rate is high in your state.  The amount you will receive depends on the state you live in as well.  Unemployment checks tend to always be less than your original income, but it is better to receive some help rather than zero.

Aggressive Job Search Habits

Being unemployed gives you every incentive to aggressively search and apply for jobs.  By setting job hunting goals every week and staying focused, you can not only get out of this situation faster but also save your sanity as well as your money.  By being home, you are more likely to spend money on shopping, groceries and other items that you do not need.

Wake up early every day and spend two to three hours looking for jobs and applying.  Improve your resume and cover letter and be sure to tailor your resume to each job you apply for.  Read articles and books for guidance on writing resumes if needed.  The key is to have a schedule and set goals for yourself.  This will help you stay motivated and keep you on track.

Monitor Your Spending and Cut Back

Thanks to online banking, you can keep track of how much money you spend much more easily.  Monitoring your spending and having a budget are the most important steps you can take to ensure that you do not fall into debt or tap into your savings.  When you see how much money you actually spend, you can budget better and find ways to cut back.

Additionally, you can set priorities for spending.  For example, you will save your money for groceries and paying bills.  Most important of all, you will have to be prepared to make small lifestyle changes in order to prevent your situation from getting worse.  Perhaps you can drive less to save gas, not waste electricity at home, cut back on eating out, cut back on cell phone costs and look for cheaper insurance rates.

Get a Part-Time Job

If unemployment checks are not enough to stay afloat, even on a budget, and getting hired is taking longer than expected, you can get a part-time job.  It may not offer the same prestige as your previous job, but having an ego is not going to bring you any success at this point.  Having a part-time job will give you enough time to continue searching for a full-time position while bringing in some extra cash.