Surviving the scary job market

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Your best bet is to tap your network. That’s where the hottest leads tend to come from, but don’t stress if you can’t think of any immediate helpful connections. Studies have found your weak ties — i.e., the colleagues of your colleagues’ colleagues — are actually the most useful. “If you’re interested in a particular role, check LinkedIn for any mutual connections who work at that company,” says Julia Simkus, a career coach at Wanderlust Careers. “And, even if you don’t see a role posted yet … reach out anyway. Many openings are shared internally before they are posted on job boards, so having someone in the door early can give you an advantage.” Having said that …

Get off of LinkedIn, or, I should clarify, don’t only use it or other large job marketplaces to find open roles. Expand your search by identifying niche sites that fit your bill. Job Search Database has a directory you can tap to find the best job boards for your industry, desired role, or level.

Look for opportunities to upskill, particularly if you’re a long-term jobseeker. I, for one, am in the process of obtaining my Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF) designation, but your options will obviously vary by industry. “Consider taking online courses or certifications to show you’re proactive, or engage in contract, freelance, or volunteer work to demonstrate ongoing professional development,” Simkus says. “These experiences will also provide fresh examples to talk about in an interview.”

Write a robot-friendly resume. I mentioned this earlier, but these days, job postings receive an unmanageable flood of applicants, so recruiters, who are also in short supply, are increasingly relying on software to conduct initial resume reviews. To get past the robots, you’ll need just the right amount of keywords in the right places, but I’ll refer you to my former colleague and current job search expert, Rachel Pelta, for more details on writing resumes that appeal to Applicant Tracking Systems.

Be sure to customize your resume and cover letter to the position you’re applying for. Annoying, I know. (Let’s all take a moment to reflect on how unfair it is that applying for work is … so. much. work.) But the ATS robots are programmed to search for different keywords in each posting, and nearly every recruiter I solicited for advice emphasized the importance of this step.

Work on your emergency fund. We’ve covered this before, but the average length of unemployment in the U.S. right now is 24 weeks, or very nearly six months, so you want at least that much money socked away for a rainy day.

Staying put might be your best bet. Switching jobs used to be one of the fastest ways to get raise, but new stats show those tables are turning, so, at the least, be sure to compare the stability of a new job against your current one when deciding whether to make a leap.

Do your homework. Bottomline: Some buyouts are worthwhile, some are not. Almost all of them come with fine print that can sour a deal. The most common caveats to be aware of include non-compete agreements, liability waivers, and confidentiality agreements. “Make sure you understand what you're agreeing to, and if possible, have an employment lawyer review the offer,” says Simkus.

Take your time. “Most companies provide a generous window to consider the offer, usually 21 to 45 days,” Simkus says. “Use this time to weigh your options, ask follow-up questions, and, if needed, negotiate better terms before signing anything.”

Apply for unemployment right away. There’s a gap, usually two to three weeks, between when you do so and when you start receiving benefits.

Know your health insurance options. They include COBRA (very expensive), Obamacare (expensive, but you could qualify for subsidies), and Medicaid (fully subsidized, but trickier than usual, thanks to the big bill). You could also jump to a spouse or life partner’s group plan, if available.

Remember, you can negotiate severance. I’ve never done this for a higher dollar amount, but I have gotten past employers to agree to waive contract clauses that can complicate a new job search. “Just like with a buyout, read the fine print and make sure you understand what’s being offered,” Simkus says. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions or negotiate for more time, more money, or extended benefits, if appropriate.”

You’d think that the one upside to buying a house in a disaster area would mean deeper discounts on the still-standing properties. And yet.

Tariffs are back this week. If you’re feeling the squeeze, remember these 50 ways to save.

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