lost job

Help! I Lost My Job!

Amy Lu — Thu, 21 May 2015 23:03:49 +0000

Here are tips and resources to help if you have just been laid off or you suspect that you will soon be laid off. Check our other guides to job hunting, earning extra income, and ways to cope if you hate your job.

Lose Your Job Without Losing Your Identity
Getting a pink slip can cause more distress than just a shrinking income. Here are three effective schools of thought for keeping your sense of self (long after the paychecks quit coming).

Seven Tips for the Newly Unemployed
The unemployment rate in California surged to 6.9%, and that is equivalent to the rate in early 2003. Most news reports say that unemployment will probably go up a bit more in the short term as our economy deals with the credit crisis. Personally, I am seeing some friends and family deal with unemployment right now, and here are some tips that could be helpful for those in this situation.

Laid Off? What To Do Before Plunging Into The Job Search
You've been laid off. What’s next? What should you do…before updating your resume, tapping into your professional network, and looking for a job?

You May Have to Fight for Your Unemployment Benefits
If you've recently been laid off, you may have to fight for your right to collect unemployment from the government. You probably know that if you are fired, you can't collect unemployment from the government. Although qualifications can vary from state to state, generally, only people who are laid off from their jobs will qualify for unemployment benefits. But did you know that, even if you are laid off, your employer can challenge your right to receive benefits?

Getting By Without a Job, Part 1 - Losing a Job
Losing a job is always tough. During hard economic times — when it may not be possible to find another job as good as the one you've lost — it's even tougher. Here are a few steps you can take right after losing a job to make sure that your financial house is in order, so that you can focus on your job search.

Getting By Without a Job, Part 2 - Boost Income
If there's one fundamental rule for financial success, it's "spend less than you earn." That rule applies whether you have a job or not. But, if you're used to having a job, the adjustments to getting by without one are going to be huge. It can be done, though. I suggest a three-pronged strategy, the first prong being to boost your income.

Getting By Without a Job, Part 3 - Cut Spending
With the economy tanking, more and more people will be not just losing their job, but will be finding themselves without one for an extended period. When that happens it's not good enough to just cut back a little and use debt to make ends meet until the economy recovers. Getting by without a job is possible, even for an extended period — but it requires taking drastic measures to cut spending, and it requires taking them early, while you've still got some cash.

Getting By Without a Job, Part 4 - Get Free Stuff
There are all kinds of ways to get stuff without money. You can grow it in a garden, gather it from the wild, make it yourself, get it as a gift, scavenge it from trash, or get it free from someone who hopes to sell you something else. All of these generally involve spending time instead of spending money — but someone who's getting by without a job probably has some time to spend.r

Emergency Belt-Tightening
Typical personal finance advice would have you divide your budget categories into two groups: Your fixed expenses and your discretionary expenses. I generally don't like that distinction much — how is your power bill more fixed than your grocery bill? When you reach the point of emergency economizing, though, it's a useful way to structure your thinking.

We've got more great job articles in our Career and Income section.

This article is from Amy Lu of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

I Hate My Job! Now What?

Amy Lu — Thu, 21 May 2015 22:29:16 +0000

You hate your job, but what can you do about it? First, assess your situation to determine what your next step should be. Learn how to survive at a job you hate, how to get out without hurting your career, and what you can do to not hate your next job. Use these links to jump ahead to any section.

Assessing Your Situation
Making Changes at Work
Getting Out of the Job
Finding a Job that Makes You Happy

If you recently lost your job, take a look at Wise Bread's collection of tips and resources for the recently laid off.

Assessing Your Situation

10 Important Signs Your Job Might Be Worth Staying At
Think you hate your job? Before you jump ship, see if your current job has the qualities that makes it worth staying at. Your situation may be better than you thought.

10 Important Signs That Your Job Sucks
You're miserable at work, but do you hate it enough to leave? Here are 10 ways to tell if your job really sucks — and how you can fix it.

The Three F Rule Can Lead You to Happiness
The Three F Rule is a simple formula that keeps you sane and makes sure your working life doesn't go off the rails. If you don't want to hate your job, make sure you have at least two of these: fun, fame, and fortune.

Do What You Love: Idealistic Nonsense Or Good Advice?
Get some advice from Gary Vaynerchuk on why everyone needs to do what they love.

Can you afford to follow your dreams? Can you afford NOT to?
When you hate your job, maybe it's time for a change. Maybe it's time to follow your dreams, instead — but the prospect of such a major change can be intimindating. Sarah Winfrey and commenters discuss the pursuit of dreams and risks it involves.

Making Changes at Work

How to Survive (and Thrive!) in a Job You Hate
Sometimes, leaving a job you hate may not be an option. However, there are ways to survive and thrive in jobs you don't like. Here are 9 secrets to making that hated job easier.

How to Get What You Want at Work
Even if you hate your job, you can still try to improve your work situation by having a meeting with your boss. Here are some tips on how to turn the meeting to your advantage and get what you want at work.

14 Behaviors & Attitudes That Can Drive Workplace Success
If you hate your job because you don't seem to be getting anywhere, changing how you behave at work and re-evaluating your attitude towards the job might do the trick. Here are some ways to achieve workplace success.

Why a Lousy Job Can Lead to a Bright Future
Hating your job doesn't mean you shouldn't try to excel at it. In fact, doing well at a lousy job can help your prospects in future employment opportunities.

5 Ways to Make Your Boss Love You
Tips on navigating office politics and dealing with your boss.

How You Can Change Your Life in Just 45 Minutes a Day
You might hate your job, but there is still that hour in the middle of the day that's all yours (usually). Those 45 minutes every day can be the time you need to make some major changes in your life.

Getting Out of the Job

20 Signs That a Pink Slip is Coming
So you hate your job and you'd rather not have anything to do with it. Still, that's no excuse to let a pink slip catch you by surprise. Answer these questions to see if it's time to start the job search in earnest.

Walking Away (From a Job That's Going Away) on Your Own Terms
Even if you hate your job, you should still look after your interests before walking away. Here is a plan to exit a bad work situation without burning yourself.

How to Get Laid Off
Hate your job but don't want to quit on your own? Being laid off is a better option, but it can be difficult if you've been doing everything right. Here are some ways to get out of a job you hate without destroying your career.

Can You Buy Your Way Out of the Rat Race?
What are the chances that you leave a job you hate, get a new job, then find that you hate your new job, too? Theoretically, you can exit the rat race altogether if you have enough capital saved or invested to live off of. The reality, however, is not so simple; it's actually really hard to buy your way out. So what can you do instead?

On Choosing Temporary Freedom
If you had the option to switch back and forth between freedom and a regular job, you might not hate your job quite so much. Here's an introduction on the concept of temporary freedom and how you can work it into your life.

Is Honesty Always the Best Policy?
If you're leaving a job you hate for something better, it's definitely time to celebrate. But if you're too enthusiastic, that might turn off your ex-coworkers/-bosses and burn some bridges you'd rather keep intact. Ask yourself these three questions to help you figure out how best to break it to your colleagues.

Finding a Job that Makes You Happy

Avoiding Grass-is-Always-Greener Syndrome
It's easy to imagine that working anywhere else would be better than at the job you hate now. However, if you really want to be happy at the next job, you need to identify your pet peeves and make sure they're not waiting for you at the new job, too. Here's how.

Find Your Passion
You can lower the odds of hating your next job by following your passion, but what if you don't know what your passion is? Here are some ways to find what it is that you would love to do.

Find Work Worth Doing
Simply doing work that you feel is worth the energy you put in can go a long way towards being happy, whether at your job or in your daily life. Start by making the distinction between work and a job.

For Love or Money: Must It Be One or the Other?
In further examining the intricacies of love and money, here are some concepts that further deepen the debate.

The First Step to Finding Your Dream Job
You've left the job that you hate; now, it's time to find one that you'll love. The first step to finding your dream job is to define what it is. Define your dream job by taking these steps.

Location Independent Career Basics
If you hated your job because of its location, you can eliminate the issue by working at home — or anywhere you want. A location independent career gives you the freedom to work where you want to. Here's what you need to know about location independent careers.

How Bibliophiles and Film Fanatics Can Find Success
If you've hated all the jobs you've had, it may be time to look at non-traditional avenues of income: writing reviews. Here is how book lovers and movie fanatics can make money off their hobbies.

Could Online Teaching Be For You?
Not sure what you want to do after you've left the job you hate? Why not teach classes online? See if online teaching should be the next step in your career.

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This article is from Amy Lu of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Ways to Stay Upbeat on Your Job Hunt

POPSUGAR Smart Living — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 11:14:21 +0000

A recent study revealed that staying positive on your job hunt ensures you a better chance of scoring a job. Staying upbeat in the face of multiple rejections can be quite tough — here are a couple of ways to cope.

Avoid Talking to Negative People

You need all the cheerleading you can get, so try not to talk to those who have lost all hope and are trying to get you to feel the same way. Misery loves company, and spending time with negative people can influence how you feel as well.

Work Out

When you're unemployed, working out will help you stay positive. The endorphins released during your workout are known to boost moods and the overall well-being of a person. Studies have shown that working out also gives you more energy, which is essential during your job hunt.

Wake Up Early

Retract the shades on your window so you'll be waking up to the sunrise every day, or set an alarm clock that will get you up at an early hour. Just because you don't have to clock into an office in the morning doesn't mean you should sleep in. In fact, researchers from Roehampton University found that people who get up earlier have happier and healthier lives than those who sleep in. Develop healthy sleep habits for a better mood.

Go to Networking Events

Going to networking events is not only just good for building up your professional Rolodex, but it also benefits your positivity. The people you meet at events will give you encouraging advice on your job hunt and can also be potential leads. It will give you hope and help you persevere on your job search journey.

Clean Your Crib

Living in clutter can make you feel anxious and depressed. Make sure your home is in tip-top shape so that it will feel like a welcoming place. Cleaning will also help you feel more productive. To get started, try out this cleaning schedule.

Read as Much as You Can

Enrich your mind by doing a lot of reading during your spare time. There will be a big difference in your mood if you decide to spend the day reading educational content rather than watching reality shows.

Avoid Reading Really Negative Articles

There's going to be a lot of really negative articles about the dismal job market or your profession. Try to avoid the temptation of reading too many of them, because they can't really help your situation. Reading a few articles will give you a reality check, but poring over too many of them is going to get you down.

Don't Overspend

Do be frugal during this time and try not to overspend. Money is definitely a big stressor for job hunters and there's nothing more depressing than seeing the numbers in your bank account drop. If you are planning on buying things you can't afford to cheer yourself up, remember that there are ramifications. Find frugal alternatives that won't drain your shrinking bank account, especially if you're not making income.

Searching for a new job can be disheartening — stay positive and productive with these great tips.

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This is a guest contribution from our friends at POPSUGAR Smart Living. Check out more useful articles from this partner:

This article is from POPSUGAR Smart Living of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

When Your Employer Dumps You

Andrea Karim — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:00:05 +0000

In the summer of 2009, I was laid off from the worst job ever. My boss simply took me aside and let me know that the company had decided to let go of 18 people, and that I was one of them. Also, as a helpful side note, he let me know that he had never liked me, been consistently disappointed in my work, and had felt that the job was never a good fit.

He was right, the job and I were a terrible fit. From day one, it was clear that the company should never have hired me.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that this was the worst job I could imagine. My supervisors were cranky and irrational. Products were unreliable and had hundreds of versions. Hard work and good results were not rewarded, but brown-nosing certainly was. Obvious favoritism was rampant, with some employees barely working at all from remote locations, and others slaving away for hours in a large room with spotty air conditioning. Contractors were hired and fired seemingly at random, and the head honcho — well, he was a little odd, let’s just leave it at that. (See also: How to Survive (and Thrive!) in a Job You Hate)

I was certainly not at my best at this job. Truth be told, I stopped trying after a while.

Still, being laid off really felt like a punch to the solar plexus.

You Can't Fire Me Because I Quit!

I had never been let go of before. I always leave a job first. Sometimes I get bored, sometimes things aren’t working out, sometimes a contract is winding down or I can see that a company is struggling financially, and I put in my two weeks’ notice without any fuss.

And just like my career, in the world of dating, I'm always the one who ends a romantic relationship. I don't like to draw out failing romantic entanglements. When I see a relationship faltering, I usually call it like it is, severe the ties, and move on. This isn't to say that I'm not friendly with exes — I usually am. It's just that I usually initiate the process of breaking up when I realize that things are not what they should be.

Usually, honesty is the best policy. But then again, I’m usually the one who gets to be honest first.

Basically, my company dumped me. They broke up with me before I had a chance to break up with them, and it sucked. It was completely humiliating, made worse by the fact that the job had been so terrible. It was like dating a really awful, smelly guy and being publically dumped by him.

And once I was dumped, I behaved... well, pretty much the way I did the last time I was dumped, which was in college.

In a Divorce, One Side Gets the Friends

There were people at the company that I considered to be good friends — people I spent time with outside of the office, people who were friends with me on Facebook, people that I had traveled to visit, people I chatted with regularly. I didn't hear a peep from anyone once I was laid off. It was like I was dead.

When not a single coworker emailed or called to check on me after I was laid off, I unfriended all of them on Facebook. I fantasized about flattening the old boss's tires or egging the office windows. Unfortunately (or fortunately), my old office was on the fourth floor, and I can't throw anything that high. I stalked the company obsessively on LinkedIn, trying to find out who was hired to replace me, wondering what she had that I didn't. I snottily commented to friends that the new writer was, in fact, TOO GOOD for the company, and that she would surely see the error of her ways and soon depart for greener pastures. All of this while I was starting a new job, with new coworkers, at a company that I actually adore.

The thing is, a job is very much like a romantic relationship. There are complex emotional ties to everything that you do, and you have to work hard to maintain open, honest communication with your coworkers, supervisors, and charges. If you work eight hours a day like I do in an office, you spend more time with your coworkers than you do with your significant other. And just like romantic relationships, your relationship with your job can be abusive and horrible, hard to extract yourself from, and mentally and emotionally draining.

Personal Identity

It’s also very easy to define ourselves by our work. I spend a third of my waking hours during the week at the office, so of course my job is a big part of me. Some people don't see their careers as an integral part of their person, but I do, and that puts me in a vulnerable position when I am out of work.

Romantic relationships can be similar. When you date someone for a long time, you come to see yourself as a part of a unit, as a couple, and your own identity can get swallowed up. Friends might make up cute, “Bennifer”-style monikers to refer to you. If that relationship ends, you find yourself suddenly alone, it might feel like half of your being has disappeared.

The Grieving Process

When a romantic relationship comes to an unexpected and sudden end, we usually allow ourselves a certain amount of grieving. Complaining to friends, listening to sad or angry music, burning pictures, and moping are all a tolerated part of the mourning process.

But we don't allow ourselves the same kind of grieving process when we are laid off or fired, even though the pain of separation might be just as acute. The shock can be nearly overwhelming, and the time it can take to feel normal again might be longer than you'd expect. It took me almost a year to feel confident and whole after being laid off, and I still can't bring myself to fill my workspace with personal objects, just in case I am once again given a cardboard box and an hour to clear out.

However, just like being dumped by a complete loser, being dismissed from a terrible job was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I immediately found a job with amazing supervisors and a fulfilling role at a great company. I learned a great deal about work relationships and how to keep a healthy distance from coworkers while still enjoying friendship with the people I work with.

What got me through it? Here are a few tips for getting over being dumped by an employer.

Things to Deal With Right Away

Go ahead and admit that your feelings are hurt. You don't have to tell the world, but admit to yourself that it stings.
Don't try to figure out what you could have done differently, unless you are doing so as a part of an interview question for your next job. If you take your mistakes from the last job and learn from them, great. If you are replaying that badly received presentation to the Chicago group over and over in your head, you're probably not getting anywhere. You will need to move on.
Acknowledge that the situation feels totally unfair. After all, they didn't fire that doofus Jeb in Accounting, and he sleeps at his desk for hours every day. Layoffs are not always about the most valuable employees being kept and the complete idiots being dropped; layoffs are about saving money, about petty politics, and about your vindictive boss replacing you with his niece.
You can allow yourself to wallow in ice cream and late-night TV for 48 hours, max.

Things to Not Waste Your Time On

Assigning blame; it doesn't matter that it was Sue's fault for not getting those reports to you on time. The relationship is over, and it can’t be changed.
There are a hundred reasons why former coworkers aren't calling to commiserate. Don't bother trying to find out why Mary Beth never phoned. Wait a few months, unfriend people from Facebook if you have to, and spend time on the people who matter to you.
Don't spend hours discussing your misery with friends and family. You can only talk about it with them so much before they tune you out.
Keep written rants to yourself. There are lots of websites out there now that allow you to anonymously complain about how badly you were treated by a former employer. While it can be tempting to jump on the "This company was so BAD" bandwagon, it's really easy to accidentally identify yourself through that forum. If you want to compose angry poetry about your stupid former boss and how bad he looked with that mustache, do it by hand, in pen, and feel free to burn it when you're ready to get over the pain.
In the same vein, don't post "I HATE COMPANY XYZ, INC. THEY SUXXORS" all over Facebook or LinkedIn — you think new employers won't be trying to check out your online profiles? They will. Public dignity with the split is the key here. When you let people know that you are looking for work, it's OK to admit that you are bummed, but keep the crying to yourself and try to come across as upbeat as possible.
Stay away from daytime television.

Ways to Cope

Find the music that helps you express your rage and pain and listen to it at home or while out on a jog. For me, Rancid was really helpful.
Instead of a personal makeover, consider a resume makeover. Hey, if you're willing to spend a couple hundred bucks on a new suit or highlights, it can help to get a professional resume writer to give your resume a facelift of sorts.
Remember that the longer you allow yourself to be controlled by your pain, the more power you are giving to your former employer. The best revenge is success, but it probably won't happen immediately.
There are two things you can do at no cost to yourself that will help you feel better: Read as much as you can get your hands on (free books and magazines at the library) and exercise (even if you just walk around your city for hours, with no particular destination in mind). Read and exercise, read and exercise, and you will find yourself smarter and fitter and all around happier.

How did you cope emotionally with being laid off? Did you feel like your heart had been stomped on?

This article is from Andrea Karim of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: