Three Months After Losing Your JobThe three month mark is when most people gain a true sense of how long it will take them to find a new job. Typically your industry contacts will have been exhausted by this point, so you'll want to take a different approach to finding a new job. This is the point when you'll want to consider additional job training and/or working outside of your field just to make ends meet.
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Readjust your budget
If you haven't adjusted your expenses to fit into your new income, now is the time. The money from your last paycheck is long gone, and your unemployment benefits will be running out soon. That means you need to make a budget that will allow you to live on your savings for as long as possible. When you reach the three month point with nothing panning out, it's time to start adjusting your lifestyle. Look at our Basic Plan page to get a good plan together, and make as many cuts as you can so that you can avoid using your savings as much as possible.
Sign up for temp work
Temporary staffing forms usually offer no benefits (such as insurance) to their employees, but the money isn't bad. The jobs can also be a way to get into a large company on a permanent basis. Even if you feel you're past this point in your career, taking on temp work can be a good way to make contacts and earn extra income. Some states don't even count this income towards your Unemployment benefits, making it possible for you to replace some or all of your old income.
Don't get your hopes up too high, however. Temporary staffing firms are the first place that many people go to when they need an entry-level job or just some extra income. With the job market so bad right now, many agencies have more candidates than they can place at the moment. The jobs that are available might be located far away and have crummy hours. It's also becoming more common for companies to use temps just to fill in a temporary labor shortage, then end their contracts when the busy season is over. While that means you'll earn some money in the short term, your odds of getting hired on long term aren't good.
Because of these drawbacks, we recommend that you go into temp work with a very cautious attitude. Unless you really think you have a good shot at getting hired on full-time, don't give up on looking for a job. Even if you know a job has no chance of getting you in full-time with a company, however, that doesn't make it a waste of time. Besides earning some money, it might be a chance to get to know the company's clients and vendors, who might be looking for a new employee. It's also possible that the company is looking for a part-time contractor, giving you a new client for your side business.
Several of our readers have commented that temp work makes them ineligible for Unemployment Benefits. Of course, make sure that this is true in your state before making a decision about accepting a position. Many states allow workers to "hop" on and off benefits between temp jobs. If your state doesn't allow you to do this, we typically recommend taking a job instead of relying on temporary benefits that can be running out in as little as 14 weeks at this point.
Don't get your hopes up too high, however. Temporary staffing firms are the first place that many people go to when they need an entry-level job or just some extra income. With the job market so bad right now, many agencies have more candidates than they can place at the moment. The jobs that are available might be located far away and have crummy hours. It's also becoming more common for companies to use temps just to fill in a temporary labor shortage, then end their contracts when the busy season is over. While that means you'll earn some money in the short term, your odds of getting hired on long term aren't good.
Because of these drawbacks, we recommend that you go into temp work with a very cautious attitude. Unless you really think you have a good shot at getting hired on full-time, don't give up on looking for a job. Even if you know a job has no chance of getting you in full-time with a company, however, that doesn't make it a waste of time. Besides earning some money, it might be a chance to get to know the company's clients and vendors, who might be looking for a new employee. It's also possible that the company is looking for a part-time contractor, giving you a new client for your side business.
Several of our readers have commented that temp work makes them ineligible for Unemployment Benefits. Of course, make sure that this is true in your state before making a decision about accepting a position. Many states allow workers to "hop" on and off benefits between temp jobs. If your state doesn't allow you to do this, we typically recommend taking a job instead of relying on temporary benefits that can be running out in as little as 14 weeks at this point.
Expand your side business
By now you've applied for everything obvious and you're waiting on something to open up. That can be infuriating, but it also means you have more free time on your hands. Spend that time looking for new clients and making sales. This is also a good time to try a new product line or service.
Not Here Yet?Have you lost your job, but you don't think you need to take these steps? Try these other pages for advice on your situation.
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Past This Point?If you've been out of work for three months, and/or you've tried all these steps and you need to know what to do next, try these pages.
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