The Unemployment Guide: Tips for Creating Your Action Plan

Pop the cap off the highlighter, circle ads, call people, repeat. That’s been your morning process for the past two weeks. You’re unemployed, so no one expects you to throw confetti in the streets. But, hey, shake off that post-employment funk and click through helpful unemployment resources like health and wellness tips, state guidelines for unemployment filing, and even national statistics for unemployment rates by industry. Use these tips to create your action plan today.

    1. Assess your finances to determine your absolute debts and expenses, then create a budget.

    2. File for unemployment, but make job seeking a full time job.

    3. Be creative, and find alternatives to earning extra cash. Doing odd jobs, working part time, and selling items on eBay or at yard sales can offset the loss of income.

    1. Update your resume. Highlight your skills, abilities and track record of longevity on jobs.

    2. Join a job club for support, encouragement and job leads.

    3. Tap into your professional network for employment opportunities.

    1. Your family can be a great source of support. Consider their advice and try to make time for family fun.

    2. Keep an open dialogue with your children. Make sure they know it isn't anybody's fault.

    3. Make children feel as if they are helping by cutting expenses. You may even allow them to take an after school job if they so desire.

    1. Write about your feelings to get them off your chest.

    2. Volunteer to maintain your sense of value and purpose.

    3. Evaluate your health insurance needs to determine what kind of coverage you need. Keep in mind there are short term health insurance programs that may help bridge the gap.

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting

Mining, Quarrying and Oil and Gas Extraction

Construction

Manufacturing

Wholesale Trade

Retail Trade

Transportation and Warehousing

Utilities

Information Services

Finance and Insurance

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

Educational Services

Health Care and Social Assistance

Arts, Entertainment and Recreation

Accommodation and Food Services

Hover over the icons to view unemployment rates by industry.

Click on a state to view unemployment information in a new tab.

  • Coping with Unemployment
  • Unemployment Rates
  • Filing for Unemployment
Interactive graphic brought to you by HCCMIS

If you find yourself unemployed, you should not give up or beat yourself up too much. In fact, you should take the opportunity that unemployment provides you and make the most of it. Here are some additional tips that can really help you along the way:

Unemployment Guide: Job Hunting Tips
Job Hunting Tips by:

No one likes the idea of being unemployed, but there are ways that you can make unemployment work for you. Try not to stress out too much and take every day as it comes. When you worry about your future too much, you may end up overlooking important opportunities as they pass. Do not rush into the first job that comes your way, but instead take the time to learn and grow as a person and get back in the game when you feel like you have found something worth doing again.

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Interactive Guide to Financial Management and Agency Support for the Unemployed (tweet this)
Interactive Guide to Job Hunting Tips for the Unemployed (tweet this)
Interactive Guide to Unemployment Rates by Industry (tweet this)

Sources:
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2010/06/01/state-unemployment-guide-listing/
http://www.helpguide.org/life/job_networking_how_to_find_job.htm
http://unemployment.com/dealing-with-being-unemployed/
http://www.helpguide.org/life/unemployment_job_loss_stress_coping_tips.htm
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/11/how-to-not-end-up-uninsured-when-you-find-yourself-unemployed/
http://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag_index_naics.htm