While it's difficult to determine at this stage exactly how many people have lost their job since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we know for a fact that the number is in the tens of millions. And unfortunately, you might find yourself counted among those ranks.

For most people, being unemployed is no fun. (Although some individuals are making more on unemployment than they did when they had a job, thanks in part to the stimulus package that the government passed recently.) However, we're going to assume that if you're currently unemployed, then you have a desire to go back to work and/or find a new job.

At present, there are two main types of unemployed situations:

1. A person who was laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will soon return to work once the restrictions are completely lifted regarding their employer. This assumes, of course, that their employer plans to bring them back. Some workers are discovering in a painful fashion that this assumption is flawed.
2. A person who is currently unemployed, due to the coronavirus or other factors, and does not have a job or other form of employment lined up in the short term.

This series of blog posts is going to address the second group, those who are unemployed and have no current prospects for a new job. In each blog post, we will analyze one step that people can take to make genuine progress in their job search.

And the first step is to use the time to reflect and properly assess your current situation. Namely, you should take this time to create a clear plan for moving forward. Specifically, think about the type of role you want and where you'd like to work.

Now of course, this depends solely upon the circumstances that surround your particular situation. For example, you may have the luxury of pursuing only a certain role or job. On the other hand, the bills may be mounting, and frankly, you're simply not that picky. Whatever the case may be, it's important to know where you want to go before plotting a course for how you're going to get there.

If possible, create a list of jobs that you want to target, as well as particular employers, if you have some in mind. Then, you should apply for every position that meets most of your criteria. You'll notice that we didn't say "all" of your criteria. That’s because in some cases, "most" is enough.

So stay the course and join us for the next blog post in this series.

If you're currently seeking a new job, Time Staffing's team of qualified staffing specialists offers assistance to job seekers in the light industrial and clerical fields. We prep candidates thoroughly by answering their questions and addressing their concerns.

Earlier this year, Time Staffing won ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and candidates. ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients and job candidates. Time Staffing received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 75.4% of their placed talent, significantly higher than the industry's average of 45%.

Contact Time Staffing today to find out more about our placement services for employers!

You probably know the numbers by now. Unemployment rate over 20%. More than 40 million people have filed for unemployment benefits in the United States. And then there is the $2.2 trillion emergency relief bill that President Trump signed in March, with a second stimulus package passing the House earlier in May.

First of all, every state's requirements and benefits for unemployment insurance are different. During "normal times," benefits are designed to help unemployed people cover their costs on a temporary basis, namely until they are able to find and secure another job.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of unemployment insurance, at least in the short term. Under traditional unemployment, a person would not be able to collect benefits if they were self-employed. Because of the stimulus package, though, a person is eligible to receive benefits as a part-time or self-employed worker under the following conditions:

• They were going to start a new job but were not able to do so because of the pandemic.
• Their employer was closed because of the virus.
• They're not working because they have to care for children or other family members who would typically be at school or some other facility, but are not because of COVID-19.

But wait! There's more good news. That's because the stimulus package also provides an extra $600 per week on top of whatever you receive through your state's unemployment package. (We would assume that most of you live in the state of Ohio.) Not only that, but it will also cover you for an additional 13 weeks.

Once again, during "normal times," the maximum amount of time that you would be eligible to receive unemployment benefits in the state of Ohio is 26 weeks. But with the passage of the stimulus package, you will be able to apply for and receive an additional 13 weeks of benefits through the end of the year for a total of 39 weeks.

The most difficult part of this whole process is actually successfully applying for unemployment benefits. Unfortunately, most states' systems have become overwhelmed, which has resulted in confusion and delays for those trying to collect benefits.

For more information, visit the Ohio Department of Job and Family services website at https://unemploymenthelp.ohio.gov.

If you're a job seeker, Time Staffing's team of qualified staffing specialists offers assistance to job seekers in the light industrial and clerical fields. We prep candidates thoroughly by answering their questions and addressing their concerns.

Earlier this year, Time Staffing won ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and candidates. ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients and job candidates. Time Staffing received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 75.4% of their placed talent, significantly higher than the industry's average of 45%.

Contact Time Staffing today to find out more about our placement services for employers!