In The News

In the news was information about changes to unemployment benefits and COBRA subsidies. Previously, at least in the State of California, "Someone who receives their last payment on their regular UI claim for a week that ends after Saturday, March 27, 2010 will not be eligible to start one of the four federal extensions currently available because the filing deadline for the first extension in the chain is Sunday, March 28, 2010. Such a situation would apply to someone who started a typical 26-week regular state claim any time after September 20, 2009."

My last day at my former place of employment was September 24th. I opened my UI claim September 25th. I missed the automatic extensions by five days. As such, I was to receive NO extensions. The other day, however, the law was amended and extensions were to be made available to those who previously did not qualify. This is excellent news for those of us whose UI ran out.

More good news relates to COBRA subsidies, which were previously allowed for nine months, but have been extended for 15 months, through December 31, 2010. Also great news for those of us still striving to find work but not quite lucky enough to do so.

I'm hopeful good luck will come my way soon. I am being considered for two positions at a global enterprise in the Bay Area. One position is FT; the other is for a 6-month contract. I have had my first interview for each position and am considered a strong candidate for each. I am in the process of scheduling additional interviews for the FT position. I confessed my candidacy for the FT position to the interviewer of the contract position. Upon hearing that I was being recommended for a second round of interviews for the FT position, the interviewer decided to search for someone else for the contract position. I let her know that I was still interested in the position, especially if the employer was slow in hiring, because I really want to get back into the work force, but I don't know if I'll still be considered. If my interviews for the FT position don't go well, I'll no longer be a candidate for either position, which makes me very nervous.

It appears that my resume is gaining attention with the addition of a Bay Area address in place of my former, remote address. According to the stats on LinkedIn, search results on my resume have just about doubled, which gives me added hope. But hope won't pay the bills, so, for now, I'll just continue to send out resumes and follow-up contacts, and hope something comes my way.