In today's Covid economy, millions of Americans are out of work. If you were one of the many people laid off or otherwise out of work, you probably find some solace in the fact that you're eligible for unemployment benefits. But it's not as simple as waiting for a check to arrive. You need to go through specific protocols to receive unemployment benefits, which sometimes means searching for jobs. In certain states, you must actively search for new jobs to receive benefits. Other states still waive the search requirements due to Covid, but those policies could change.
How Do You Actively Search for Work
Before a state doles out financial support to an individual, they want to know the person is actively searching for jobs. So, there are work search requirements. Although the requirements vary by state, there are a few basic minimums you need to meet. Every week, you need to make between one and five work search contacts with prospective employers. Those employers need to have openings or at least have the potential to have openings.
Most states also demand recipients of unemployment benefits to submit a job search log. On either a weekly or monthly basis, you may need to send a log of your job search efforts. In some states, you don't need to submit the logs but do need to save them for up to one year.
What You Need to Do to Comply
You can read your state's unemployment handbook to detail the work search requirements. However, there are a few activities that can keep you compliant, regardless of your location:
- Apply for a job in-person, online, or through the mail
- Registering with a state career center for work and reemployment services
- Attending a job interview by video, phone, or in-person
- Going to job fairs, networking meetings, or job search seminars
- Registering with a private staffing agency
Fortunately, actively searching for work doesn't take much time. You can use a job board to find out about the latest opportunities, and you can do everything safely from your home. Although the job market might not be at its height, there are still jobs available.
Whatever you do, avoid the urge to wait to get into the job search. Even if your state has no job search requirements, you should remain engaged and active. While the majority of people are waiting for the pandemic to ease up, you can get a head start on the competition.
Tips for Getting Hired and Staying Active
You could do the bare minimum to comply with your state's job search requirements. Or, you could be proactive and do everything in your power to get hired. Unemployment won't last forever, and neither will the pandemic. To prepare for the future, you can obtain a job offer now.
By following these tips, you improve your chances and finding a job:
Know Where to Look
How are you finding out about job listings? If you're only relying on Craigslist or word of mouth, you could be setting yourself up for failure. When you have a reliable job board to search, you can find out about the latest vacancies. You also save time by having all of the jobs in one place.
If no job listings interest you, don't be afraid to directly reach out to companies. First, check company websites for job postings. If there are no listings, send an introductory email to a hiring manager. At the worst, you'll never hear back from the person. But at best, you can get a job offer.
Be Organized
It's always essential to have an organized approach as you apply for work. However, it's even more crucial to be organized when you're receiving unemployment benefits and searching for a job. As part of the requirements, you may need to log your work search efforts. Every time you search for a job, keep track of your time. When you apply for a job, record the action on a spreadsheet.
The more detailed you are, the better. Include the date you applied, a link to the company website, and any other pertinent details. If you want to maximize your chance of getting a job, set a reminder for a follow-up email.
Spend Time Networking
Although in-person networking is harder to do with Covid-19, online networking is easier than ever. You can use social media to connect with important people in your industry. Before you get started, make sure you check your online presence. Are all of your public accounts professional? If not, either remove the unprofessional aspects or make your account private.
LinkedIn is a handy networking tool. Use your time away from work to improve your LinkedIn account. If you're knowledgeable on a certain topic, write some blogs about it. Share them with colleagues and participate in discussions. By being active, you make connections and may learn about a new opportunity.
Optimize Your Resume
Unemployment takes away the stress that often comes with losing a job. Instead of rushing to apply for positions, you can take a little extra time. While you have money coming in, use the time productively, and optimize your resume.
Go through the document and update your details. Is all of the work experience relevant to your desired job or career? Can you add any skills or achievements to the resume? If you're unsure of what to do, you can read articles about resume creation or hire someone to help you. Keep in mind that Applicant Tracking Systems could be screening your resume and preventing you from moving forward. To remedy this, you need to include certain keywords in your resume.
Be Positive
As much as you want to give up and stop the search, keep pushing forward. You probably won't find a job overnight, but you will make progress. Any time you feel doubtful, remind yourself that the future is bright.
As long as you comply with your unemployment requirements and keep up the job search, you can rest easy. You could be only one click away from your next job.