The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented. People across the world have experienced significant changes and disruptions to their lives, both personally and professionally. While the human toll is unfathomable, the economic impact is also huge. Many companies have had to make difficult decisions like making budget cuts, staff reductions or even closing entirely.
For cancer patients and survivors, this can be overwhelming. Not only are there concerns about staying safe and healthy during treatment or recovery, but also worries about the financial impacts that come with a loss of income. While it’s essential to find ways to maintain your well-being and manage your stress levels during this time, it’s also important to know what steps you can take after suddenly losing your job.
Our friends at The Muse offered some useful tips to help get you back on your feet during this challenging time:
Filing for Unemployment: You’ll want to file for unemployment immediately since there could be delays due to the volume of people filing right now. There is expanded flexibility around states offering insurance to workers impacted by COVID-19. As of March 27th, part-time employees, freelancers, independent contractors, gig workers and self-employed individuals are also eligible for benefits. Remember that benefits vary by state and you’ll want to file your claim in the state you worked. After successfully filing, you should receive your first payment in two to three weeks but delays are possible due to volume.
Manage Your Current Expenses: Many companies are providing payment assistance to their customers during this time. You’ll want to reach out to your service providers (utilities, banks, landlords, etc.) and let them know if you’ve been laid off or your work hours have been reduced. Some providers are waiving fees or working with customers on payment plans. You might also want to consider reducing expenses where possible and canceling all non-essential bills.
Seek Career Advice: Now might be the perfect time to find a mentor that can provide career guidance and advice. Some companies also offer career coaching services as a part of a severance package. Check to see if that’s available to you or reach out to your former employer to see if they have any available resources. Additionally, if you have a work-related question you can submit it to our Ask a Career Coach online forum!
Continue Searching for Your Next Role: Although the job search landscape might look different now, companies are still hiring! Take the time to start networking and updating your resume. After you’ve made your updates, take advantage of our free Resume Review Service to get feedback from one of our career coaches. In addition to devoting a portion of your day to job searching, you should also etch out time to prep for phone and video interviews so you’ll be more comfortable with those mediums.
To read the full Muse article, click here.
For additional information on job-hunting, check out our Looking for Work section, and be sure to order or download a free copy of our Job Search Toolkit.