The Covid-19 Pandemic And Unemployment: What Can You Do?
If you are unemployed during the pandemic, the first thing you should know is that you are not alone. Because many people are going through a similar situation, there are many resources and options available. Don’t panic and try instead to make a plan of action to solve the problem. Here is what to do if you were laid off during Covid-19.
Assess the Situation
The first step when your company laid you off during the current environment is to assess your situation. Covid-19 has changed a lot of aspects of our lives, but you should analyze how it has hit you. Start by identifying what are your main responsibilities right now, financially, or otherwise.
Maybe you have kids that depend on you or a parent you help take care of. Make a list of all the bills you have to pay monthly. You can compare this amount with the money you have saved. And if you don’t have anything saved up, you can at least know what plan will work better to meet your needs.
For example, if you are a front end developer, with some money saved and no responsibilities or dependents, you could take some time to update your skills. What to do moving forward will depend on your situation.
Research Resources Available
In the US, all Americans who were laid off because of the Covid-19 pandemic have the right to file unemployment. The government will then give them an allowance to support their families during these difficult times. The amount varies for each state, but applying for this benefit is a good choice for you.
Many companies, institutions, and non-profit also enable a lot of resources to help their community during these challenging times. For example, the Department of Labour created a website called CareerOneStop. There you can find everything from guides on how to update your skills to how to change careers.
Draft A New Budget
Making a new budget is something that you should definitely do from day one of being unemployed. Even if you have savings and don’t need to get a job right away, making a new budget will help you stretch that money to last longer. You can start by taking note of every expense you make each day.
After a week, you will be able to see which things are indispensable and which ones are not. Cut back on the spendings that aren’t bills or food for a while. Buying new clothes and accessories can wait until you get a new job. And when hanging out with friends, make plans that don’t require you to spend too much money.
Update Your Resume
You can also take advantage of this time to update your resume and skills. Take out that old resume that you probably haven’t touched since you began your last job. Add any new experience you have and change the format. Resume formats have changed with time, and if you have an old format, employers will see you didn’t even bother updating it.
A good tip is to change the font and rearrange the information to highlight what you think will make you stand out from other candidates. You can also research which skills are in high demand and learn it with an online course. If you want to learn a tech skill that is trending, you could enroll in a coding bootcamp.
Break into Tech
The technology industry was one of the least impacted by the pandemic. Many companies even increase their operations like Amazon and Zoom. So, if doing a career change is something you’ve been thinking about for some time now, this may be your chance. And if you haven’t thought about it, maybe you should start considering it.
Tech professions are one of the best paid in the US and around the world. Plus, working in the tech industry has many perks that are exclusive to tech companies. And the best part is that you don’t need to go back to university to learn the skills. You can become a tech professional with a coding bootcamp in a few months. For example, Coding Dojo is just one of the many schools around the country.
In Summary
You should first assess your current situation, which will help you make a plan that will meet your needs. Then, you can research the resources available and take advantage of them. Also, make a new budget and update your resume and skills.
My last advice is to consider making a career change into tech. The technology industry has a great outlook for the next decade, and you will probably have plenty of job opportunities. Plus, the excellent benefits and perks that most tech companies offer.