I was fortunate to receive unemployment after being laid off and while it ended last week, I was excited to commence a new role the second week of February.

39 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 2,2023 at 7:43PM UTC

   This depends on the state you are in. Because of the supposed glut of jobs (but those of us looking don't feel that) many states ended the extra weeks of UE that were in place pre-pandemic, which is an unrecognized problem. Best thing to do is call your unemployment office and see if there is anything to be done.

2. AnonymousFebruary 2,2023 at 10:15PM UTC

   If there are super plus of jobs, I only need one! I've tried contacting unemployment but it's automated. I made an appointment for a career coaching session with unemployment and I need to wait for an orientation first. I'm not too proud to work any job but I'm being stonewalled when I try. I appreciated your feedback and support!

3. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterFebruary 2,2023 at 7:48PM UTC

   I can't speak to any benefits that might be available to you, but could you possibly take a "bridge" job to help with the bills? You'll have to look at the big picture, financially speaking, of course. Get creative - what can you put yourself out there to offer on a short-term basis? Also, what about a temp agency; many of these jobs are temp-to-perm.

   Best wishes on next week's interview!

4. AnonymousFebruary 2,2023 at 10:13PM UTC

   Thank you, Lesa! I've tried temp companies, contract roles and even subbing. I keep hearing that I have too much experience for their temp roles and I shared that it's fine, I want to work. I've even tried submitting a more limited resume but they found my background on LinkedIn and my doing a 'social search' that brought up everything I've done. Now that unemployment,

   I stopped into a grocery store to see if I could get some work to have money coming in and they said they only hire students and retirees. To lighten the mood, I said I've been retired from my last role for six months. They didn't find that funny! ;)

5. AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 2:01PM UTC

   Retail is hemorrhaging for reliable workers and many of the large companies pay $19 an hour. Consider Target, Lowes, Home Depot. Starbucks offers a health plan to part-time workers. Do you have experience waitressing? Do you have skills that you can utilize for contract work, like copywriting or virtual assistant tasks? Many Gen Z workers only do contract work and find jobs to bid on through sites like Fiver and Upwork. In some areas, dog walkers make 6 figures. Pizza delivery, Uber or InstaCart deliveries are another revenue stream for a lot of people looking to just bring in some additional cash. A lot of call centers don’t just hire students or retirees, they pay well and while the work might be tedious it can pay the bills and provide you with health insurance and a path into a company you might want to move up into. At least it would get you in the door somewhere. Obviously these options might not allow you to spend as much time on your full time job search and make it harder for you to be flexible for interviews but they will pay the bills. And they are constantly hiring. Good luck!

6. Emilie NewkrikFebruary 6,2023 at 8:26PM UTC

   I can't believe a grocery store would say that when the retail and service industries have so much trouble finding reliable workers. Maybe try telling them that you would stay part time even after you find a more permanent full time job.

7. Charlee HarrisFebruary 2,2023 at 8:06PM UTC

   In the future do not stop looking until you have completed 1 week of work.

8. AnonymousFebruary 2,2023 at 10:08PM UTC

   Valid point and will definitely keep that in mind!

9. AnonymousFebruary 2,2023 at 11:21PM UTC

   First and foremost, check with your local department of Health and Social [or Human] Services (usually abbreviated DHSS or DHHS, depending on your state) and check about cash assistance (aka welfare), food stamps, and Medicaid. Hopefully, you will only need these temporarily to bridge the gap until you find your next job. There is no shame because you worked and paid your taxes to have a safety net (as a DHHS worker once explained to me when I was in a similar situation). Ask about any availability for rental assistance as well.

10. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 3,2023 at 12:07AM UTC

    YOU SAID: "While my goal is to remain off unemployment if possible and be back to work"

    I disagree. I think your goal should be to get back on unemployment as soon as possible. There's a lag time and I would reapply today. If you find something quickly, you can always drop off it. Potential benefits depend on what state you live in.

    Is there a possibility to revisit any of the opportunities you were in the process of interviewing for? If you'd still be interested in any of them, I would recommend you reach out to them - what can they say? No? If you don't ask, it's already a no.

    You're getting interest and interviews, so your resume is doing it's job. Please let me know if you have any questions - GOOD LUCK!

11. AnonymousFebruary 3,2023 at 11:28AM UTC

    I would get back on it. The job market is awful unless you're willing to take anything. I'm nearing 10 interviews and tons of applications, been at this for two months now with no luck.

12. Dcre1977February 5,2023 at 4:34PM UTC

    Unemployment is insurance your employer pays to cover your losses if they can not afford to employee you anymore.

    Saying you are trying to stay off of it is like saying you are refusing to collect on life insurance from your loved one to pay for their funeral.

13. Amy GeffenFebruary 6,2023 at 1:27PM UTC

    Get back to the job search. Reconnect with the companies you turned down. Network with all of your current connections and build your network through alumni and your professional association.

14. AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 1:30PM UTC

    You didn’t say how long you had been on unemployment or why it ended. Since you didn’t actually start working at the new job, which is just awful, you would not be able to file an unemployment claim against them. So on going unemployment would have to be claimed against the company you were originally laid off from. Since you didn’t say why that ended, hopefully you still have benefits available to you under that employer. Check with your unemployment office to ensure you’re still eligible to receive benefits. If not, a part-time or temporary stop gap job might be your best recourse to keep funds coming in.

15. AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 1:31PM UTC

    Contact your unemployment office and ask about your options and if extensions are allowed. You accepted a job and probably slowed down your search in good faith. You can also consider a bridge job until you find something more suitable.

16. GirlBossanova934974February 6,2023 at 1:31PM UTC

    Usually unemployment benefits end after 6 months. Unless you have exhausted those 6 months of PAID benefits, I would go in and simply certify for the next 2 weeks of unemployment.

17. AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 1:40PM UTC

    See if you have any options with unemployment, if not, look into temp work. It allows you the flexibility to keep looking for a job and interviewing and can sometimes result in a temp to perm position. It also offers networking possibilities. Good luck.

18. AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 2:23PM UTC

    Try Upshift. Flexible work with your life events. You choose when you can work. Originally began for parents and caregivers. I joined and am waiting for shifts in my area.

19. SUZANNE SWANSONFebruary 7,2023 at 4:15AM UTC

    What is Upshift?

20. AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 1:44PM UTC

    We are in similar boats, and I feel for you. I know the job market is supposed to be good, but my background is in tech, and even though it technically transfers to other sectors, recruiters are not seeing it that way. Man, I just want to work and get my life back! My unemployment ends in three weeks. I've got a note to call today, but I'm fairly certain I'm at the end of the lifeline. I wish you the best. We are going to get through this!

21. AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 2:20PM UTC

    In my experience with recruiters, they lack common courtesy. They have enough power to be like mini-Gestapo. Can't even get anyone to personally talk on the phone.

22. AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 3:49PM UTC

    recruiters are also understaffed and may not have the ability to make calls. Or perhaps they have lost their jobs too?

23. AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 2:17PM UTC

    I am not sure what you can do. My background is in technology even though I was teaching. I can't qualify for unemployment anymore. I work part-time yet I keep on having issues with my allergies and stomach condition. I wish you the best.

24. Shelly EdwardsFebruary 6,2023 at 2:58PM UTC

    I’m so sorry this happened to you. I would reach out to your local unemployment office to check your options. Then I would reach out to the companies where you were in the running to let them know you are still on the hunt. Then hit those job boards again. I wish you luck.

25. Carol23February 6,2023 at 3:15PM UTC

    Continue to collect until you step foot into the office of the new job...

26. AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 4:11PM UTC

    I agree with the comments to contact those you pulled out of. Hopefully they've not made decisions or have had a "failed search"-- they didn't find a suitable candidate (it happens more than you'd think!). Good luck.

27. AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 4:29PM UTC

    Your unemployment benefits are based on past quarterly earnings. Unless you have already exhausted your previous total Unemployment benefit award (typically 6 months of benefits), you should still be able to collect. You should 100% collect. This is the reason you pay taxes.

28. AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 10:03PM UTC

    A minor correction: Technically, unemployment is not supported through tax dollars. It is funded through an insurance policy that the employer pays into. It is administered through the state's department of labor, and each state has different rules for its administration. This includes timeframes for collecting it, the maximum amounts, and how the charges under the maximum are calculated. Exception: Emergency relief was sent to each state through the CARES act, which funded $600 per week for those displaced by COVID, financed through tax dollars. Employers often fight an unemployment claim because each person who collects unemployment increases their premiums. Being laid off is the ONLY reason I am aware that guarantees that you are owed unemployment because that is not for any performance cause or reason.

29. AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 10:41PM UTC

    Yes, you’re correct: employers pay unemployment insurance. I was going to edit to clarify but was too lazy. I meant what I said to point out why government support exists—and we, as tax payers, should not feel reluctant to apply for aid.

    I will also add that, depending on what state you live in, being laid off is not necessarily the only reason one is eligible for benefits. In some states, you can be fired and receive benefits as long as the reasons did not involve criminal activity such as fraud, etc. You can be fired and be eligible for benefits if the reason given was something like inability to perform the responsibilities required of the role for whatever reason.

30. AnonymousFebruary 11,2023 at 7:03PM UTC

    Thank you. It was the way I worded it. I know you can be fired and collect unemployment. The DOL determines if it was "for cause" or not, as defined by state labor laws. I was fired, even after being put on a PIP. I still collected unemployment because the reason on the termination paperwork did not match the wording on the PIP (completely different reasons). The issue stated in the PIP was an insubordinate act (dozing off at work while sleep-deprived), and the termination was for a paperwork issue. Being laid off is a guarantee of eligibility in every state I am aware of.

31. AnonymousFebruary 7,2023 at 7:45PM UTC

    In my state, the COVID extension is not available. It was ended by the Governor.

32. AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 5:32PM UTC

    Ladies, if you are unemployed look into the “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act” WIOA grant. This is a federal grant to help people update their skills and get back into the workforce. I believe every state has access to this grant. Ask your unemployment office, they should have some additional information available. Some of the courses are Project management, Tableau, Power BI, SCRUM courses, business analysis and many many more. Many times WIOA will also pay for your certification(s) as well. I hope you look into this! https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/workforce-investment/adult. BTW: I went through the WIOA program in 2019-Early 2020.

33. Sally RichardFebruary 7,2023 at 9:58AM UTC

    This is a great suggestion. I currently work for the organization in my state that administers this program and we call it our best kept secret (sarcastically of course!). It's free and has helped so many people. Your state should have a workforce development arm to it that would administer the program. If not for training, in my state (Michigan) they help connect people with job opportunities. Definitely something to check out.

34. Clydene HorriganFebruary 7,2023 at 12:24AM UTC

    What kind of work are you looking for? Maybe someone here has a lead.

35. AnonymousFebruary 7,2023 at 3:37AM UTC

    While attending outplacement counseling, we were instructed to ‘never take you foot off the gas.” A fellow attendee had accepted a job offer, stopped his search, stopped pursuing several other positions. Like you, days before his scheduled start date, he was tolld the position would not be filled due to a hiring freeze. We were cautioned against stopping “until you are sitting at your desk at your new position”.

36. AnonymousFebruary 7,2023 at 4:35PM UTC

    good advice for the future - what can she do now?

37. AnonymousFebruary 8,2023 at 9:16PM UTC

    Other folks have posted excellent suggestions. Among them is reconnecting with the other positions she had been pursuing prior to accepting the offer that was rescinded.

38. AnonymousFebruary 7,2023 at 11:47PM UTC

    Restart your unemployment. There is no reason not to accept your benefits. You pay for your unemployment while working via your employer and you deserve to use it when necessary. Keep pushing for a new role but do not expose yourself to any further financial hardship than necessary. Savings go fast and many companies are worried about recession so this could happen all over again.

39. AnonymousFebruary 9,2023 at 5:51PM UTC

    Contact unemployment and have them reinstate your benefits it's taking 3-6 months to find a new job these days and this month is usually when companies are finalizing their budgets for the year and do cut staff. You have documentation of what happened so if need be use it for the UI folks. These things happen and unless you quit a job because of the new offer and then got the new job pulled out from under there is zero reason a prospective new employer would or should give you severance. Severances are usually given when a RIF happens after a tenure at a company you left. As you never worked there they owe you nothing, and for all you know they laid off their HR team or they too are frustrated by getting you through to only have it not even happen. Don't be too harsh on the HR folks, they are only the messengers usually and often companies don't want internal info leaking about the why of rescinded offers. Now as for moving ahead, keep applying don't put all your eggs in one basket. Talk to as many companies as will have you and hit your network for referrals as much as you can. Good luck and keep going something that is right will come along soon.