Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Unemployed

Since by now I consider myself (unfortunately) an expert at being unemployed, I thought I’d put together some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for those of you who may be new to the world of joblessness.

Q. It’s summer.  Can I take a vacation while I’m unemployed?

A. You can and you should.  Searching for work is work and it’s stressful and exhausting too.  Finances are undoubtedly tight, but try to at least give yourself the gift of a relaxing mini-break.

Q. Why do employers take so long to make a hiring decision?  Don’t they realize the stress this creates in hopeful job candidates?

A. Unfortunately for us jobseekers, employers are inundated with qualified candidates, so they’re interviewing lots of us.  Summertime can be worse because hiring managers sometimes take vacations in the middle of interviewing.  While they make up their minds about us, there’s nothing we can do but wait.  Distract yourself by applying for other jobs.  That way, you’ll still have other “irons in the fire” if the hoped-for job offer doesn’t come through.

Q. I’m an unemployed Baby Boomer.  Will I ever work again?

A. I’ll report, you decide.  Baby Boomers have been termed “The New Unemployables” in a study published several months ago by Boston College and Rutgers University (see Baby Boomers: America's new unemployables - CBS News).  That study found that laid-off workers in their 50s have only a 24 percent chance of finding a new job within a year.  As a result, Boomers may settle for part-time work, lower-paying work, or give up looking for work entirely.

Q. What can I do to enhance my chances of finding a new job?

A. I think the best thing to do is to keep your skills sharp and learn new ones while you’re out of work.  Don’t be one of those people interviewed in an article about unemployment that says, “Twitter?  What the heck is that?”  Stay current and stay informed – take courses to keep your abilities fresh or to learn new technologies.  Do volunteer work that draws upon your talents.  Interviewers may ask you, “So what have you been doing since you’ve been out of work?”  Be sure that you have a good answer (besides “Why, I’ve been looking for work, of course”).

Q. If my job hunt drags on, how do I keep from becoming discouraged?

A. You know yourself better than anyone, so take good care of yourself.  Don’t turn to overeating or overdrinking for comfort; it won’t help you find a job if you look and feel less than your best.  Don’t waste time feel sorry for yourself; instead, help people whose situations are worse than yours.  Find the little things that make you happy, that give you joy and peace and lift your spirits, and do them.  Often. 

Q.  I can’t shake this feeling that it’s my own fault that I’m unemployed, that I somehow didn’t measure up.  Why would anyone want to hire me if my previous employer didn’t want to keep me?

A. This is the easiest trap of all for the unemployed to fall into, but keep in mind the government’s devastating statistics: the national unemployment rate in June was 9.2 percent (9.5 percent in New Jersey).  The June “U6” unemployment rate was 16.2 percent (U6 includes people who have given up looking for work, people who want work but aren’t actively seeking it, and people who are involuntarily working part-time). 

It’s obvious that it’s the dismal state of our economy – not your (or my) personal shortcomings – that is responsible for the lack of jobs.  Never forget this and do not blame yourself!