How to Broach the Subject of Recent Unemployment to Kids

We still haven’t told Mimi and Boo about my recent unemployment, which is going on to week two soon. Mimi has caught on I think. She senses that it is strange that Papa is walking with her to school every morning now and spends his day “working” at the public library. However, it is true that I am working at the library since the job search is a full-time job. Further, we aren’t eating out two or three meals during the weekend any longer and trips to Target complete with mystery bag toys are gone. It’s only been about two weeks though… At some point they are going to find out.

Mimi, at the tender age of 10, gets really upset about things and I can imagine her being really scared about my unemployment. Worse yet, I can imagine her fear transcending to seven-year old Boo (especially because Mimi is a bit of a drama queen and overreacts to things). In that sense, the scenario would probably involve Mimi telling Boo that Papa has lost his job, we will be kicked out of our apartment tomorrow and we will die of starvation outside in the freezing cold next week. Natsu and I will consult and discuss a good time and manner to let the kids know the news.

This morning I told one of Boo’s classmate’s father about my situation when he asked me about my job. It felt weird coming out of my mouth, like someone else answered the question. The whole reality of being suddenly unemployed still seems like somewhat of a bad dream- one that I’ll awake from soon once I get a new job.  The father sympathized with me and described when he went through the same type of unemployment a few years ago. The more people I talk to, the more common I realize downsizing is.

Finally, I got the fastest job rejection I’ve ever received. I applied for a company attorney position around 11:26am today and… got the rejection at 11:36am! At least I got closure. Of the 37 applications below, so far I’ve gotten 3 rejections and 1 interview so far.

Day Thirteen Lessons:

1. Being Let Go is Far More Common than You Think

2. A Rejection Received for a Job at Least Provides Closure

Total Contacts Reached Out To: 37

Total Applications: 35

General Eligibility Requirements for Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Illinois/ Taxes

It seemed like a slow day as I spent almost eight hours sitting in the library. I had a lot to do today including working on my 2016 taxes. The taxes are particularly complicated because I lived and worked in Japan from January to mid-October last year.  I didn’t take advantage of it, but there is free tax advice/filing assistance via IRS volunteers for those who meet certain qualifications (income under $54,000, limited English, etc.):

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-you-by-volunteers

In connection with the above, please note that any unemployment benefits you receive are likely subject to income tax. Nothing will be withheld from the weekly benefit amounts you will receive unless you elect to do so.

I realize that I might have gone out of order for Illinois unemployment insurance benefits in my posts. First, all you need to know is in the handbook and the website here:

http://www.ides.illinois.gov/IDES%20Forms%20and%20Publications/CLI105L.pdf

http://www.ides.illinois.gov/Pages/Unemployment%20Insurance.aspx

Next, as a quick primer, from page 4 of the above-linked handbook, the general eligibility conditions for unemployment insurance benefits in Illinois are:

1. You are unemployed through no fault of your own.

2. You were paid $1,600 or more in wages during your base period for insured work.

3. You were paid at least $440 of your base period wages at any time during the base period outside the calendar quarter in which your wages were highest.

4. You are registered for work with IDES.

I’ll go into the details of filing for the above once I go through the motions.

Other than the above, while walking to school with Mimi and Boo today, I ran into the mother one of their classmates and chatted a bit about my situation. Like me, her husband is a lawyer, and she was happy to give advice such as places to contact like the local bar association as well as different legal job search sites. Meeting people like her, that is, people willing to give a hand to near strangers, feels good. If we keep networking like this, we’ll be out of this predicament before we know it!

Day Twelve Lessons:

1. Unemployment Insurance Benefits are Taxable

2. Again, Keep Networking!

Total Contacts Reached Out To: 35

Total Applications: 32

Power of Networking, the Weekend and the Library

The fruits of networking might have worked out.  An acquaintance needs 5-10 hours of assistance now and up to 20 hours of assistance in a few weeks due to a co-worker’s maternity leave.  We will discuss this opportunity early next week. While not full time, the hours would be very beneficial to me during the job search. Another acquaintance directed me to a lawyer who needed 50 hours of work on a project (he found someone already before I reached out to him). Yet another acquaintance was looking for a part-time recruiter to work remotely under him. These opportunities all were “discovered” because I reached out to others about my situation. Again, this drives home the importance of networking. I expect to find my next position not through the online applications but through networking. So, keep on doing it.

The weekend was spent relaxing. I encourage you to treat your weekend as well, a weekend. This will further encourage your adoption of the job search as a job approach. I got lots of sleep. Provided I go to sleep early enough tonight, I’ll be fresh for resuming my search tomorrow.

My little sister, Kira, my brother-in-law Jack and nephew JJ came in from the city and treated us to a fine meal of Popeye’s chicken. Their kindness in this difficult time has been awesome. In addition to the feast, we talked about the Disney Parks, played some Mario Kart and listened to some good music together. It was a great distraction from the present difficult situation.

On Sunday, I went to the public library for the first time in years. I realized what a valuable place it is. First, they have free Wifi and computers for your use. If you want to save on your data usage or if you need to cut your internet service (my heart goes out to you if this is the case; hang in there!), you can use the library for your job search. Second, they have a wealth of resources for the same. I couldn’t fully count the number of job search books they had. Further, you have access to other numerous reading materials to increase your skill set/value for your next job. Third, aside from the search, they have tons of movies that you can checkout- for free. That said, if you need free entertainment for the weekend, check out a movie to watch with the family. Finally, the library is a quiet place for you to conduct your search in peace. Head to the library!

Days Eight and Nine Lessons:

1. Relax on the Weekend so You are Fresh on Monday for Your Search

2. The Library is a Great Resource for Your Search

Total Contacts Reached Out To: 31

Total Applications: 27