Historic
highs in unemployment
Don Schmitz/Human Resource Staffing
The Minnesota Labor Department reports the unemployment rate
now stands at 7.6%, a 26-year high. Minnesota's highest unemployment
rate was 9% in 1982.
The new Obama stimulus package will immediately increase unemployment
checks $25.00 and eligibility for benefits will be extended
to 46 weeks. Some $50 million is budgeted for "education and
human resources." We are being advised to be patient to see
if the stimulus dollars work, with a portion of stimulus money
not due to be released for years. The bill is expected to
have the greatest impact in terms of jobs next year when some
3.6 million jobs could be created.
Questions
to those unemployed
I
engaged the help of three friends who are unemployed and asked
them, "What are you doing to find work?" This is
what they shared:
--John
“All
of the positions I interviewed with were found through networking…None
were posted on any job boards.”
Monica
--“I
contacted a number of staffing agencies. They know where the
jobs are and what employers are looking for. Companies contact
them to find employees, so in a way they do the work for you.”
--Cecelia,
“Networking
connections are the key. I particularly like the aggregators
such as Indeed.com.”
I
also asked HR professionals, "How do you do to retain
a positive outlook on life?"
--John,
“I
have tried to get things done around the house that I normally
wouldn't have time to do. It makes me feel good to see these
things get checked off my list.”
--Monica,
“I
would keep in mind that there are certain things that are
under my control and things that are not. I could sell myself
the best I could, but the decision was ultimately out of my
control.”
--Cecilia,
“Exercise,
laughter, combined with trying not to take life too seriously
helps me stay balanced in these turbulent times.”
A
few facts
Unemployment
dollars are taxable. Many expenses incurred in the pursuit
of work can be deductible including anything you spend on
creating, printing and mailing your resume as well as $'s
spent on a career coach or headhunter. Other deductions include
long distance or cell phone charges directly associated with
your job-search. Transportation costs such as a bus, taxi,
train or plane to an interview is deductible, as is the mileage
costs accrued when you drive to interviews and even to the
unemployment office. That also includes parking and tolls,
meals and lodging if the interview was out of town.
As
always, remember to keep your receipts.
So,
what can the unemployed do?
Begin
with a top notch resume that establishes one's value to effectively
market your skills and competencies. Revise it often. Be intelligent
in planning and organizing your job search. Tap into your
unique skills and find other industries where they can be
utilized. Be prepared for the question; "Why you are
seeking employment?" Be open to accepting assignments
for less pay and you may need to consider an opportunity less
than your abilities as a transition to a better position in
the future.
Conclusions
"Finally,
avoid negative self-talk and meet with someone each day. This
is a great time for self growth. Focus on one area each week
and begin improving in that area.
Back
to the library
Reproduction of this article cannot
be accomplished without the expressed consent of Human Resource
Staffing. Don Schmitz is a popular speaker and writer on all
aspects of HR and CEO of Human Resource Staffing. Don holds
graduate degrees in Education, Administration and Human Development.
Contact Don@HumanResourceStaffingInc.com 952 854 6040
