EDITOR'S POST

What do I do between jobs? How do I deal with financial problems?

Q. What do I do between jobs? How do I deal with financial problems?

A.

• If you are suddenly fired, control your anger, anxiety, and guilt until you've left the office.
  
• Find out whether you're still covered by medical insurance (COBRA) and whether the company will provide any outplacement services.
  
• Some companies will let the departing worker take her personal computer, since a new one is usually bought for the replacement.
  Contact your state department of labor and find out if you're eligible for unemployment payments.
  
• Tell your family they're going to have to cut back. Discuss the specific expenditures that can be cancelled or delayed.
  
• Work out an austere family budget, taking into consideration which creditors might allow you to skip or reduce payments. For example, many banks are willing to reschedule mortgage payments because of unemployment.
  
• Plan for the worst. It's smarter to allow for an extended period of unemployment and be pleasantly surprised than to be disappointed when nothing develops immediately.
  
• Remember that the higher your salary requirements, the longer lead time to secure an offer and the more funds you have to stretch until the right position is found.
  
• Taking a interim position to alleviate the cash flow may interfere with your job search, which is a full-time job in itself.
  

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