Special Edition - Here’s what to do if you’ve been laid off or furloughed

Seventy thousand more jobless claims were filed in the U.S. last week than the first week of March — a 33% increase, according to the Labor Department. The numbers will likely continue to grow over the weeks to come as businesses are forced to shut their doors due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

States like Ohio, New York and Colorado have all reported dramatic increases in the number of people seeking unemployment benefits. The New York and Colorado websites crashed due to the increased traffic. People who work in human resources and recruiting have also told me about layoffs, furloughs and hiring freezes occurring around the country. 

You can read about some of the larger layoffs and furloughs by clicking here.

Due to the measurable increases in layoffs and furloughs, I want to discuss what you can do if you find yourself in this position. I also want to touch on what people should do if they had already been looking for work.

Don’t start applying right away

You may have the urge to start applying for open positions right away, but you should take a breath before diving into a job search. “You’ll feel like you’re fixing your problem, but I would recommend thinking and planning for a couple of days,” said Biron Clark, who is the founder of Career Sidekick and was among LinkedIn’s 2019 Top Voices for job search and careers.

Use those couple of days to talk with people in your network, get letters of recommendation and to strategize how and where you want to look for work.

While you may feel a bit hopeless given the ongoing crisis and headlines, many recruiters and HR professionals told me that there are still companies hiring. For example, the health care industry is the front line of the pandemic and needs more people to help fight the virus — whether that’s as a health care professional or in a support role.

For people in industries hit particularly hard by the pandemic, Clark told me industries that are seeing a surge in demand may be areas to explore for opportunities. “If you can identify the one or two sectors that are seeing more demand or need for workers that can boost your chances of finding a job.”

We covered switching industries in a past edition with Melanie Katzman. You can read about that here.

Don’t forget about unemployment insurance

Depending on your circumstance, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. In the U.S., that program — known as unemployment insurance — is jointly run by the federal and state governments. You can find out more about your state’s requirements, including exceptions made due to the pandemic, at CareerOneStop, which is sponsored by the Department of Labor.

“I’d be doing it right away,” said Clark. “It’ll get you groceries and help keep the heat and lights on while you’re job searching.”

If you’re in Canada, you can find out about unemployment benefits here. Information on the UK jobseekers allowance is here. Australians can go to Centrelink. New Zealanders can check out this link. For other countries, it’s best to look on your government’s official website.

What if you were already job seeking?

Existing job seekers should not give up — even if layoffs and furloughs are increasing your competition. 

“Some employers are still hiring and the only sure way to not get a job is to stop applying,” said Clark. “If you stop applying, there is zero chance of you getting a job.”

Of course, you should not expect a normal hiring process during the pandemic. You’ll likely need to get used to video interviews, as we discussed last week with Sarah Johnston, who is the founder of Briefcase Coach. Clark also underscored the fact that the hiring process will likely take longer since most companies are getting used to their new remote working reality.

Also, don’t get discouraged by news of hiring freezes. The job market will eventually heat up and it may be sooner than you think. “A month from now you may hear back from a resume you submitted today,” said Clark.

Remember that you’re not alone

Job seeking can feel like a lonely process. Remember that a lot of other people are in a similar situation as you. Also, remember to take care of yourself to make sure you’re in the best position to get into the right job.

Clark suggests finding a structure to your day to stay productive. “If you have a structure, you’ll stay productive and feel better throughout the day,” he said. We’ve also discussed time management with expert Laura Vanderkam in a previous edition of this newsletter. You can find that by clicking here. 

Lastly, don’t forget to think big and be creative. “I think it’s a great time to think about where you want your career to be in two to three years,” said Clark. "Be strategic about where you want to be when this is over."

If that is something outside your current or previous job, he suggested pursuing a side hustle or passion. Or, if you want to level up in your career, look at the people working in the jobs you hope to have someday and see what it takes to get where they are. Maybe that requires an online course that you can fit into your daily schedule, for example.

Whatever you choose to do, just remember that this is — without question — a difficult time, but time passes and so will this.

What’s your advice for job seekers during this difficult time? Join the conversation.

? Speaking of the pandemic...

My team at LinkedIn is curating a page of information about the pandemic from official sources, such as the World Health Organization. As someone who spent the better part of a decade as a health and medical reporter, I know that accurate information is among the best defenses we have in these situations. You can find LinkedIn’s page about the new coronavirus here: lnkd.in/virusfacts

? The follow-up:

We discussed personal finance with Suze Orman in the last edition of #GetHired. The personal finance expert and New York Times bestselling author discussed how you should manage your money while job seeking and what to do if you get laid off. Orman suggested getting your finances in order before starting your job search but said people who are unexpectedly laid off should not feel guilty or depressed about putting needs, such as groceries and gas, on credit cards. Once you get a job, though, you need to work on paying off those debts. She also said people should apply for unemployment benefits after a layoff. Here’s what people are saying about her advice.

? Up next:

You may be skeptical about any advice suggesting you network and reach out to people while health officials around the world suggest you isolate yourself from others, but that doesn’t mean you can’t connect online. In the next edition of #GetHired, we’ll talk with Dorie Clark, who is the author of Entrepreneurial You, Reinventing You and Stand Out. She’ll tell us how to network and cultivate relationships even when you can’t meet people in person.

? Before you go:

The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the workforce and job market change each day. I will do my best to keep you up to speed on the latest developments and information so you can make informed decisions about your job search. I’ll do that through this newsletter, but I’ll also be trying out some other communication channels over the next few weeks. Feel free to follow me on LinkedIn to take part in those communications.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to reach out to me if you have ideas on topics or questions I should address in future editions of #GetHired. You can also email me at GetHired[at]LinkedIn.com.