I.T.S.

In this bleak economy that we currently live in, one may very well find themselves out of a job. The truth is 1 in 5 Americans fear job loss. The unfortunate outcome is that many lose hope as well. So my dear Watson, take out your iCompass, make the infinity motion to set it up, and let’s begin our journey due north; we may not find jobs per say but we will find hope in creating a map for those who find themselves at a complete loss.

People primarily lose hope when losing a job because of fear for financial securities or lack thereof. Hopefully these steps can ease your mind.

PREPARING for an arduous trip

• Do as the squirrels- It’s harvesting season, in other words you have a job and plenty to take care of your daily struggles. Have some food supply stored so that if the winter is a bad winter you won’t starve! If you do or do not get laid off, having a little cushion money will definitely ease your mind.
• Plan for the worse, live for the best- With lions, and tigers, and bears out in the concrete jungles of corporate America; it serves you right to prepare ahead of time. Get out that dusty old resume and keep it updated. Keep your knowledge regarding the current job market in your field and strengthen your own skills. By keeping an eye on your resume, you are subconsciously looking for ways to better yourself as an asset to any company. By following your fields’ market trends and staying up to date with your own personal knowledge, you will basically be molding yourself into exactly what is needed because you will have exposed yourself to what is currently relevant in your field.
• Let the stars guide you- Whether you have “secure” placement or have heard layoffs are in the frontier; you as an individual should always be looking to progress. Peruse the net and see the types of jobs that are being offered in your field. Who knows, you might just come across an offer that will make you quit rather than waiting to get fired. Always be looking- whether it is actively or just checking it out- never take your eyes off the stars.

TRUDGING all up hill-

If you have lost your job and have lost your breath because “the road you are trudging seems all up hill…” And you find that “…the funds are low and the debts are high….” Here is some great advice… “Rest, if you must, but DON’T YOU QUIT.” –nod to the anonymous writer of the famous poem Don’t Quit.

There are actions that you can take to secure yourself financially; in the event that you were blindsided and did not head my preparing advice-You might be thinking…“PSHT, I lost my job, am broke, and this A.P. Heffer is talking about ‘financial security’ is she nuts!” Hey hey hey! No name calling and yes I am a little nuts but read on…

1. Know your rights- Most employees, especially those recently going into the job market, don’t know our rights. CLICK HERE to learn about your rights as an employee.
2. Make sure you get what’s due. If you get travel/expense reimbursement make sure you hand that in. Also consult your employee manual to see if you are entitled to unpaid sick/vacation time. RETAIN COPIES OF EVERYTHING YOU SUBMIT BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE! If you are wondering when you can expect to see you last paycheck CLICK HERE to learn about your state’s law regarding when employers must provide a departing employee their final check.
3. Continue your health insurance. If you had health benefits through your company, complete all paperwork to keep that insurance in place. You see there is this thing called C.O.B.R.A (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) which allows you to keep your employer-based group insurance for you and your dependants for about 18 months and sometimes a bit longer. Definitely do your due diligence. Because even though Health Insurance is steep and usually the first to go when it comes to expenses- keep in mind the cable is not going to keep you alive should the heavens forbid you get sick.
4. Prioritize and Cut Expenses- As stated in the last tip… Cable TV is not going to keep you alive should something happen nor will it keep you sheltered. So prioritize necessity from wants and cut the wants first! I know I know this is tough to do because, I personally could swear that my internet is a necessity… Hello I am a blogger! However this isn’t true, should I lose my job the weekly starbucks run is the first to go, then the cable, then the internet. To figure out what is a need and what is a want truly ask yourself, “Would I literally (not metaphorically) literally DIE if I could not have this” answer truthfully and you will know what to cut out.
5. Make that money, honey- parting ways with something of value is heartbreaking, trust me I KNOW… However, when we have no steady income and tend to get in a financial bind-this act is inevitable. Now, I am not telling you to go pawn your grandmother’s ring that was given to you on her death bed. I am saying take inventory of what you have in your house and in your closet. Since you’ve gotten to this tip, I can safely assume you got rid of cable, so sell your TV. Liquidate the things you do not use or can temporarily live without. You can go on craigslist or on ebay and get hard cash for the junk you don’t use.
6. SHRED YOUR CREDIT CARDS- Ok that may be a bit much, but honestly if you are like me and have difficulty differentiating an actual emergency and simply a tough situation… shred your cards then light the shreds on fire. If not and you know the difference than just tuck your credit cards away to lessen the temptation of using them. You see, spiraling debt is one of the major effects of unemployment. Using your card on things you can’t buy because you have no job and then being burned with interest rate on that of which you could not originally afford-makes NO DARN SENSE! Sooo a word to the wise just stay away..

Losing your job is tough, but losing hope could kill your soul. I know- morbid; ain’t it-but it’s the truth. Everyday people lose their jobs. Those who lose hope along with their job end up losing themselves. Those who have the right attitude, taking the loss as a gain. I leave you with this my Dear Watsons, “Keep your ears to the streets and your eyes to the sky!”

[pullquote]“When the world throws you curveballs, go out swinging!”[/pullquote]

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