BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – In recent months, a number of U.S. workers have found themselves on the receiving end of a pink slip. This past March, the number of layoffs increased to 1.8 million, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Losing a job can be emotionally exhausting. All of the effort you’ve put into perfecting your work might seem pointless. Your self-confidence is shot, and you question your abilities. Even worse, now you worry how you’re going to pay your bills.
“Job loss is one of the top stressors in life, along with death and divorce. Managing your stress after a job loss is critically important because it can directly impact your attitude and the success of your job search,” says Janna Taylor, the executive director of Louisiana Human Resources Development Institute.
But losing a job isn’t the end of the road. The process of getting back on your feet takes effort, but it’s a step-by-step strategy that many people have successfully navigated.
“If the worker was laid off due to no fault of their own, they can go to LaWorks.net and file a claim for Unemployment Insurance benefits, or they can also file by phone,” Taylor said.
While unemployment benefits can help but don’t offer the long-term stability of a regular job.
Reassess your skills
Taylor said a first step toward making that happen involves visiting the Louisiana Workforce Commission website.
“If it’s been a while since they’ve had to look for a job, we recommend they start by taking a skills assessment to help them identify their most marketable skills,” Taylor advised. “Our website features a powerful skills analyzer tool that will help them match their skills to current job openings in Louisiana.”
Click here to take one of LaWork’s career assessments.
Research the work you want to do
After figuring out which niche they’re best suited to, it’s time to do a bit more research.
Taylor said, “We also recommend that they look at job market trends and labor market information in their immediate area, which can also be found on LaWorks. They may need retraining to be competitive in today’s job market. Laid-off workers interested in retraining may be eligible for the Dislocated Worker training program, which provides tuition assistance.”
Update your interview skills
With more knowledge about their chosen career, the prospective worker might consider brushing up on their interview skills. They can do this by attending workshops that provide information on resume construction and networking.
“They can find a list of virtual and in-person workshops on our Job Fair and Events page. Finally, they should visit their local American Job Center for other resources and assistance. A complete list of American Job Center locations can be found at LaWorks.net,” Taylor suggested.
With assistance from state agencies like LaWorks, individuals who’ve been laid off can find a number of job opportunities.
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