Fear, stress and unemployment

The word unemployment seems to explode with feelings of fear, stress and all kinds of emotional negativity. Throw into that cauldron the added ingredient of being over fifty and you have a brew that is hard to swallow.


If you are lucky enough to still be working you are probably worrying night and day that you will still have a job tomorrow. Companies in the past year have cut way back on the number of employees that they have. Many people think that they can’t cut anymore, but that is little reassurance to those who still have jobs. The stress of this burden can weigh heavily on anyone, especially those who are just a few years from retirement. It is difficult to stay positive through all of this but you must. Stress can harm you in so many ways such as high blood pressure and heart disease. You need to be at full strength to get through this tough time and that means to stay healthy.

Easier said than done (I know)

If you have already lost your job and you are in the middle of a job search where the results have been rather dismal, then it wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that you are afraid. No one can blame you because work, a job, your livelihood defines you in society besides paying the bills. Your self-worth is low and can’t be much lower. So what do you do?

Reexamine who you are and what you are. You are more than just some guy who use to go to work and get a paycheck. You are much more than that. Your job may be gone but not your dignity. You have to know in your heart that you will find another job, maybe not what you want, but you will. You are the same person before you starting working and you will be the same person long after you retire. Your value as a human being doesn’t drop sharply because you were let go at your last job.

Don’t let fear and stress weaken you and make you think that there is something wrong with you because you don’t have a job right now. This is just a hard time, indeed a hard time for many people, stay strong and positive and believe in yourself.

What happens when the unemployment runs out?

You lost your job over a year ago, you got a severance package (maybe, maybe not) and that ran out. Still unemployed, you sign up for unemployment and that too ran out. Didn’t it use to be that you would find another job before all your lifelines ran out? With this economy all bets are off, finding a job, any job within a year is extremely difficult. What happens when the unemployment runs out?


Hopefully, you will be thinking about this way before the unemployment benefits actually run out. If you haven’t cut your costs drastically back to just the basic living essentials now is the time to do it. Is there anything that you can sell to bring in some extra money? It might be hard to part with but sell it if it is worth anything. Yard sales are real big right now, think about having one yourself.

Accepting charity isn’t all that easy on one’s pride but in hard times you must do what you have to do. One organization is Modestneeds.org; check out their website to see if you are qualified for their assistance. Another good organization is feedingamerica.org.

And of course the government has plenty of programs beyond providing unemployment. To find help with your heating bills, go to the LIHEAP website. There is plenty of information about what they provide in terms of assistance and who is qualified. One of the oldest programs is the Food and Nutrition Services which helps feed nearly one in five people.

If you need help with prescription drugs check out the website RXassist. Many pharmaceutical companies provide free medication to those who can’t afford to purchase them. Another organization that helps with prescriptions is Partnership for Prescription Assistance.

Filing an unemployment claim online by State

Here is a listing of where to find each state's site to file an unemployment claim.

Alabama https://dir.alabama.gov/uc/Claims


Alaska http://www.labor.state.ak.us/esd_unemployment_insurance/home.htm


Arizona  https://egov.azdes.gov/cmsinternet/landing.aspx?id=4211


Arkansas  http://www.arkansas.gov/esd/UI/


California  http://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Filing_a_Claim.htm


Colorado  http://www.coworkforce.com/uib/onlineservices.asp


Conn. https://iic.ctdol.state.ct.us/welcome.aspx


Delaware  http://www.delawareworks.com/Unemployment/welcome.shtml


Florida  https://www2.myflorida.com/fluid/


Georgia http://www.dol.state.ga.us/js/unemployment_benefits_individuals.htm


Hawaii http://hawaii.gov/labor/ui/index.shtml


Idaho http://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Default.aspx?TabId=681&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1


Illinois http://www.ides.state.il.us/individual/online_claim.asp


Indiana http://www.in.gov/dwd/2473.htm


Iowa http://www.iowaworkforce.org/ui/file1.htm


Kansas  https://www.uibenefits.dol.ks.gov/default.asp


Kentucky  https://uiclaims.des.ky.gov/ebenefit/


Louisiana https://laors.laworks.net/laclaims/website/


Maine  http://www.maine.gov/labor/unemployment/howtofile.html


Maryland http://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/unemployment.shtml

Mass. http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=elwdonlineservices&L=1&L0=Home&f=Home_more&sid=Elwd#top


Michigan http://www.michigan.gov/uia


Minnesota http://www.uimn.org/ui/UI-OnlineAppGuide.pdf


Mississippi http://www.mdes.ms.gov/wps/PA_1_0_CH/docs/AccessPages/jsp/applicantServices.jsp


Missouri https://www.ui.dolir.mo.gov/som/


Montana https://app.mt.gov/ui4u/index


Nebraska https://uibenefits.nwd.ne.gov/BPSWeb/jsp/BPSClaimantWelcome.jsp


Nevada http://nvdetr.org/uiben/uiben_uiben.htm#Internet_Claims


New Hampshire https://nhuis.nh.gov/claimant/


New Jersey http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/ui/ui_index.html


New Mexico http://www.unemploymentoffice.net/State_resources/New%20Mexico.htm


New York https://ui.labor.state.ny.us/UBC/home.do


North Carolina https://www.ncesc1.com/individual/webInitialClaims/applyBegin.asp


North Dakota http://www.jobsnd.com/jsnd/jobsnd/insurance/workers_apply.html


Ohio http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouc/ClaimInformationPage.stm


Oklahoma https://unemployment.state.ok.us/


Oregon https://ssl8.emp.state.or.us/ocs4/index.cfm?u=F20091120A085353B29346038.888&lang=E


Pennsylvania http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=355&q=235210


Rhode Island http://www.dlt.ri.gov/ui/


South Carolina https://secure.sces.org/PDIC/GatewayServlet?hptAppId=ICFJREG&hptExec=Y


South Dakota http://dol.sd.gov/ui/uibenefitsfilingclaim.aspx


Tennessee http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/unemployment2.html


Texas http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/uiclaim.html


Utah http://jobs.utah.gov/ui/Jobseeker.asp


Vermont http://www.labor.vermont.gov/Unemployed/tabid/109/Default.aspx


Virginia http://www.vec.virginia.gov/vecportal/seeker/jslogin.cfm


Washington https://fortress.wa.gov/esd/uia/icintro/intropage.aspx?lang=en-us


West Virginia https://www.wvuc.org/WVWeb/Welcome.aspx


Wisconsin https://ucclaim-wi.org/InternetInitialClaims/InfoBasicRequirements.asp

Wyoming http://doe.wyo.gov/workers/unemployment/Pages/MethodsofFilingNewAdditionalandReopenedClaims.aspx

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Older workers need to be flexible

Flexibility seems to be the keyword in the current job market especially for those unemployed and over fifty. Of course luck is another keyword but let’s concentrate on flexibility.


Being flexible or being able to adapt doesn’t come naturally although some people are better than others at it. A keen sense of the environment that exists around them gives the flexible person a huge advantage over someone who has a narrow vision of what they want and expect.

Are you that person who isn’t flexible or adaptable?

I hope you aren’t because you will have a difficult time ahead of you if you’re looking for work. In today’s world you have to be able to make sacrifices in your career, like taking a step backward in accepting a job offer. Remember years ago someone probably told you that you need to get your foot in the door. Well that is still true today.

Use every available way to seek employment, whether it is networking or searching the internet. The first place to look online is the Career One Stop government website; there is a lot of great information there.


Remember to keep an open mind because you just can’t shoot down any idea that might make you feel uncomfortable. And don’t get discouraged either. You are in the same boat as a lot of people out there.

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Is the upcoming worker shortage going to help older workers?

It is very difficult to imagine a worker shortage, especially now with the employment numbers the way they are. If you do any research on the future of employment there are many experts that say there will be a shortage due to retiring baby boomers. But is the upcoming worker shortage going to help older workers, especially those unemployed and over fifty?

The way that companies are laying off right now it is very hard to even consider a worker shortage. The jobs that are being eliminated seem to be permanent with little or no chance of coming back.


So what businesses will be hurting for employees?


As you might imagine the health industry will continue to grow and the demand for personnel will be great especially for nurses which is the largest numerical growth area according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. The health industry looks like a good field to get into but it usually requires specific education and training. You would have to look at whether the training time would be worth it especially if you only have a few years before retiring. Another possible setback is whether a hospital would hire someone who they thought would only work a couple of years. If they are desperate for workers they just might.


As for the growth in retail and fast food, that’s believable since young people usually work at these types of jobs and there will be less teenage workers in the years to come. But it would be difficult to make a living working in a store or flipping burgers since they hire a lot of part time employees and their wages are usually pretty low.


Computer support in areas such as network systems and data communications analyst are going to be the top percentage growth area occurring to the Occupational Handbook. But once again you will need training in this field just like the health industry.


But keep in mind that these numbers are estimates; the economy could unexpectedly change and throw all these numbers off.

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Are you willing to take a step backward to get a job?

You have worked for many years, your salary and your experience has risen accordingly. Now you are unemployed and over 50 with a lot of experience that no one seems to want. Are you willing to take a step backward to get a job?

Maybe the question should be, why wouldn’t you take a step backward. Jobs aren’t easy to come by especially in this economy so you better take what you can get. Right? Is it your pride holding you back or are you just stubborn?

The best way to get past these hurtful feelings such as pride and stubbornness is to change how you look at the situation. Nothing lasts forever even crappy jobs; you can keep looking for a better job while you are working at one that you don’t really like. This can get you through a tough period.

Another way to look at this is that you aren’t alone. Many people who are older are taking lesser jobs because they have to. If you go to some fast food joints or grocery stores you will see older people working there. They are to be admired for not letting their pride get in the way of being employed.

Or you can take a novel approach and consider any job a challenge and simply make the best of it. With this attitude your working experience will be much more pleasant and rewarding.

You have to remember that all work is honorable.

Finding a job after 50

If you do a search on the internet you will find millions of articles on finding a job after 50. With all this information why is the job of finding work so difficult.

The easy answer is the economy, which is very bad right now. But you know it has never been easy to find a job after your reach a certain age. Age discrimination has been around for a long time and unfortunately it will be with us for a while. The best thing you can do is know your rights and report any company that you think has slighted you because of age.

Of course there are the myths about older workers, such as being sick more often then younger workers and you probably have heard that old geezers don’t pick up the new technology as fast. You know and I know that isn’t true. The way to fight these myths is to keep up with the technology and even stay ahead of the game.

As I mentioned earlier the internet is full on information about job search specifically for older workers. AARP is a great place for information as well as Government sites. I know that it is a lot to go through but you will be glad that you did.

So keep your hopes up and keep your skills up and don’t let your age get in the way of finding a job.

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Dislocated Worker Rapid Response program

You just got laid off along with many of your co-workers. What happens next? A state agency can be contacted usually by the employer to come in to your work and assist you with the transition of being laid off. This program is called Dislocated Worker/Rapid Response.

If the Rapid Response team is invited into your work they can provide you with resources and information. They can help with your unemployment benefits right away so you will have some kind of income before you get another job. They will also inform you about what health benefits that you qualify for, so your health insurance continues during your unemployment period.

Employee orientation sessions will be set up so you can learn about all that is offered by the state to recently laid off workers. Programs that are offered are resume help, interview tips, education, training opportunities, and stress management among other things. These programs can be very valuable in helping you through this difficult time so try to take advantage of them.

Rapid Response also partners with One-Stop Career center which in turn combines many resources to help the unemployed.

Here is a Listing of rapid response contacts from each state.
http://www.doleta.gov/layoff/rapid_coord.cfm

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Community economic development hot report

You may find in your job searching that you might have to consider moving. It may be drastic but some things call for drastic measures if you are unemployed and over fifty. But if you are thinking about moving to find a job do a little research before you pack your bags. The best place to start that research is at the Community Economic development hot report.

The community economic development hot report is found in the career one stop website. The site will allow you to do research state by state by each county in the state or by what they refer to ETA WIRED regions. In 2005 the ETA designated 39 regions across the country as WIRED regions.

If you do your research by state, click on the state and then the county that you are researching. Information will be broken down into following 6 headings.

• Overview – This will give you the size of the county, labor force information, education level and real estate numbers. There is also a graph that breaks down the number of people by age and sex.
• Economics – This will show the top areas of employment in the county and the ages of the workers. Plus occupation and educational information.
• Demographics – Shows the household income distribution
• Housing – The average house value in the county. It breaks down the number of vacancy and it breaks down the households by age.
• Transportation – Shows the percentage of commuters by travel time and it shows the means of transportation.
• Community Assets – Shows the number of public schools in the county by type of school, plus it shows the number of colleges and universities.

This website is a terrific tool to find out quite a bit about an area what out visiting it. It is definitely worth checking out.

Over 50 and becoming an intern

The last thing that most people who are unemployed and over fifty consider is being an intern. Interns are for young people, right?

Not necessarily, even though everyone pictures interns as recent college grads or even college students, there is no reason to believe you can’t become an intern at any age. Is it going to be easy? Of course not, in this economy there is nothing that is easy. You will probably have to work harder than anyone else and you will have to impress the hell out of everyone.

But you have to think that you can do it.

Before you sign up for anything keep a few things in mind. Will the internship be helpful for your job search? If it doesn’t add value to chances of getting a job don’t do it. How much time do you want to spend being an intern? Getting paid nothing or next to nothing wouldn’t pay the bills so don’t make a career out of it.

Where are the intern opportunities? The government has an intern program called the Career Intern Program. You might want to check that out.

There are also websites such as internjobs.com, monster.com, careerbuilder.com and others which list intern positions.

Of course if you are really ambitious you could contact a company and ask if they would consider you as an intern. The worst they could say is no.

So don’t use your age as a reason you can’t become an intern.

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