Melanie_Alnwick's Blog

I have been unemployed twice in my life -- not counting my post-collegiate job search.  The two layoffs came as a surprise, and the unemployment check, while a paltry sum, was better than nothing.   And these were the times that I had to say, "Mom, you were right!" ( I know she loves that!)   My mother made me take a typing class in high school.  It got me a summer job at the Pentagon for 4 consecutive years,  a part-time job in the Business Department during school, and plenty of temp work while I was between jobs or deciding what I wanted to do.   I worked as a para-legal, I worked for a French telecommunications company,  I spent a week or so with the World Wildlife Fund, I spent several months with the American Gear Manufacturers Association (exciting, huh?)   Typing even helped me land my first "big market" TV job - as the Newsroom Secretary at WUSA-TV.   I took the job that was available  -- so I could work my way up the ladder.    

The job forecast doesn't look so great right now.   The numbers can sound a bit scary.  But it's important to remember that 5% unemployment, in historical terms.. is REALLY good.   The bad news, is that there may not be a lot of jobs in a particular sector.  So, you punt.   You use the time as an opportunity to try something new.   You may decide, you like it.

For those of you who have a job -- and want to keep it... check out our link to Motley Fool's "What to Do When Layoffs Loom".  It's tough advice -- no slacking anymore! -- but absolutely necessary.