Nuts & Bolts of Unemployment

The Unemployment Safety Net Yes, it can be scary. But, it’s not the end of the world!

Unemployment Insurance Unemployment compensation (or unemployment insurance - UI) is a way of receiving monetary income even after losing your job. All states have a UI program. Taking advantage of UI is a great way to stay on your feet while searching for a job. You won’t have as much income as you did while working, but it will help you get by in the interim.

How Much Does Unemployment Insurance Pay? The amount you will receive is usually based on how much you earned while most recently employed. You will typically receive a weekly payment for half a year (26 weeks) as long as you remain eligible. The amount varies by state and in the District of Columbia and is usually determined by a formula using amounts based on previous wages.

Who Can File An Unemployment Claim? Many states have restrictions on the kinds of job loss that unemployment insurance protects against.  Workers who quit voluntarily without showing cause, or who are fired from their job for misconduct, for example, may not be eligible for full benefits (or, in some cases, any benefits at all).  In addition, some states require that you register in a state job-search database in order to receive your compensation.

Unemployment Insurance Resources to Get You Back in the Game. Democratic GAIN for Tips on surviving unemployment & State-by-state UI links and info mentbenefits Idaho’s department of labor website for: information on training events, job search advice, & online UI filing 1&URL=/iw/Default.asp&VersionDate=11/14/2007%2 06:45:00%20PM

What About Your Health Insurance? Continuing some kind of health coverage is a must! As a newly unemployed person, you’ll have up to THREE options for health insurance before you find your next job: COBRAIndividual Health InsuranceYour Parent’s Plan*

Option 1: COBRA COBRA provides temporary continuation of group health coverage at group rates to certain former employees, retirees, spouses, former spouses, and dependent children. This coverage is only available when coverage is lost due to certain specific events – like termination of employment.

How Much Does COBRA Cost? Group health coverage for COBRA participants is usually more expensive than health coverage for active employees, since usually the employer pays a part of the premium for active employees while COBRA participants generally pay the entire premium themselves. Depending on the size of your group, employer contribution, and covered benefits, COBRA coverage can be more expensive than individual health coverage. COBRA is normally paid one month at a time – so you can sign up for COBRA while you figure out all of your options.

How Do You Become Eligible for COBRA? To be eligible for COBRA coverage, you must have been enrolled in your employer's health plan when you worked and the health plan must continue to be in effect for active employees. COBRA continuation coverage is available upon the occurrence of a qualifying event that would, except for the COBRA continuation coverage, cause an individual to lose his or her health care coverage.

How Do You Elect COBRA Coverage? 1.Your employer must notify plan administrators of your termination/reduced hours of employment within 30 days. 2.You generally must be sent an election notice not later than 14 days after the plan administrator receives this notice. 3.You then have 60 days to decide whether to elect COBRA continuation coverage. The person has 45 days after electing coverage to pay the initial premium.

Option 2: Individual Health Insurance Idaho State Health Exchange Your Health Idaho Open Enrollment for 2015 begins November 15, 2014

Option 2: Individual Health Insurance Depending on your circumstances, individual health insurance can be less expensive than COBRA. The best way to determine your costs and compare benefits available is by working with an insurance broker. Democratic GAIN offers members access to individual health insurance support. Compare rates and benefits, determine if individual vs. COBRA is right for you, and find the best plan to suit your needs!

Navigating the Individual Health Insurance Market Getting your insurance quotes through Democratic GAIN’s member portal is a quick & easy process: Open an inquiry through our member portal at You’ll receive a response in 24 hours with follow up questions You’ll have quotes from 3-5 different plans within 3-5 days (often sooner) Our insurance broker will help you navigate these options and choose the plan that best meets your needs

Option 3: Your Parent’s Plan* Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, if you are under 26 you are still eligible for coverage as a dependent on your parent’s health insurance plan Same Benefits/Same Price.  If you are under 26, you are eligible for ALL of the dependent benefits the plan offers.  You cannot be required to pay more than other dependents! Visit adults/coverage/ for more informationhttps:// adults/coverage/

How Do You Get On Your Parent’s Plan? You can join or remain on your parent’s plan even if you are: married not living with your parents attending school not financially dependent on your parents eligible to enroll in their employer’s plan

Healthcare.gov Resources to Protect Your Health Coverage. US Department of Labor website for: FAQ to answer all of your questions! A full Guide to Health Benefits Under COBRA lanResources All of these resources and more can be found on Democratic GAIN’s GAIN Plan Resource Page: adults/coverage/

The Job Search

Finding a Job  The professional association for progressives providing training & support for individuals & organizations.  Join to GAIN access to all the benefits we offer, including:  Job Board & Talent Bank  Career Counseling & Resume Resources  Calendar of Trainings & Networking Opportunities  Join the free JobsThatAreLEFT listserv for daily job updates!

Before You Start Your Search… Evaluate:  What did I enjoy about my last job? What did I hate?  What are my skills?  What do I need in my next job? Financial requirements Schedule Location Benefits  What do I want in my next job? More money Additional job responsibilities A promotion  Where do I want to be in 5 years?

Before You Start Your Search… Research:  What is the mission?  Who is the leadership?  What is the governing structure?  Who makes decisions and how?  What are the benefits?  What does the position entail? Prepare:  Resume & Interview Skills

Resume + Cover Letter

Basic Resume Content 1.CONTACT INFORMATION  Name, Address, Phone Number, Professional Address 2.EXPERIENCE  Highlights  Professional Experience  Education (Post High School only) 3.SKILLS  Additional Qualifications: Computer Skills, Language Skills, Research/Writing Experiences, Training/Public Speaking Skills  Trainings: NOI, PCCC, Mid-West Academy, EMILY’s List, etc.

You Should… Tailor your resume to the position/organization Keep it short  1 page (10 years work experience or less)  2 pages (10-20 years work experience)  3 pages (20+ years work experience) List job title, employer, dates worked & location Fact check yourself Keep it clean, concise and reflective of your experience

Best Practices Highlight accomplishments vs. tasks you performed Use action verbs to describe responsibilities & experience  Wrote, managed, researched, directed, oversaw, coordinated, produced, increased, implemented Use numbers to quantify experience  “Managed a team of 3 interns and more than 20 volunteers over a three week period.”  “Directed GOTV effort and increased turnout by 15% over previous election year”

Getting it Out There Send as a PDF Address to a specific person at the organization, if possible Include a cover letter Make sure all of your documents match Name the files appropriately! Good Examples: Smith_John Resume.pdf John Smith Resume.pdf Bad Examples: My resume.doc Political resume.pdf Resume12.doc

Writing A Cover Letter Begin by addressing to someone specific. Find out who will read your letter. If you don’t know, use “To Whom It May Concern.” Then, three Sections: 1.Express interest, specify the job you’re applying for and describe how you heard about the job. 2.Provide professional highlights that are relevant to the specific job. Don’t repeat your resume! 3.Explain why you’re interested in this specific job and why you’re the best fit.

Application Package Be consistent across all your documents. Read the requirements before submitting application package. Make sure you follow all instructions carefully. Double check your files on more than one system to catch any formatting errors.

Networking

The Value of Networking YOUR RESUME

How to Network Build YOUR Network Set up a LinkedIn account Make sure it matches your resume Make a list of who is in your network and begin connecting Former supervisors, coworkers, employees, people you’ve met at events/meetings, friends Keep building Go to events that are relevant to your career interests. Always collect business cards Connect!

Work the Network The “Meet Up” Coffees, meetings, happy hours Learn about the landscape, meet more people Informational Interviews PREPARE! The “Check-In” Stay on the radar

Social Media LinkedIn  Excellent way to keep track of and utilize your network  Use the connector tool  Request recommendations Facebook  Be careful.

Preparing for Interviews Learn about the Organization  Mission statement, programs, activities, public image, etc. Learn about the People  Management, your network Learn about the Job  Job description, your network, similar positions elsewhere Know your questions  Substantive questions  Don’t ask about benefits, salary, hours, etc. on first interview Treat Informational Interviews like REAL Interviews. Because they are.

Additional Resources LISTSERVS:  EMILY’s List  Tom Manatos  JobsThatAreLEFT  NOI NETWORKS:  LinkedIn  Facebook  Twitter JOB BOARDS:  Idealist.org  Unionjobs.com  WorkForCongress.com  Brad Traverse  HillZoo.com  The Hill  Roll Call  Politico  DSCC  DCCC  DLCC

How to Get the Right Job

Lay of the Land

Some of Your Options Campaigns & Elections All of the Above: Internationally Issue Research & Advocacy The Administration The Hill

Campaigns & Elections Candidate CampaignsParty CommitteesConsulting FirmsLabor OrganizationsProgressive Ally Organizations

Candidate Kitchen Cabinet/Donors Campaign Manager Finance Director Finance Assistants Field Director Regional Field Directors Field Organizers Volunteer Coordinator Volunteers Administrative Staff/ Scheduler Administrative Assistants Communications Director Press Secretary Communications Staff New Media Research Director Research Staff Trackers Consultants

Consulting Firms

Labor Organizations

Progressive Allies

The Hill Senator / Representative Chief of Staff / Admin Asst. Legislative Director Legislative Assistant Legislative Correspondent Intern Press Secretary SchedulerStaff Assistant Intern District Office(s) Legislative Assistant Legislative Correspondent Intern

The Administration Career Political Appointment

Issue Research & Advocacy Think TanksPublic AdvocacyIssue Advocacy

Think Tanks

Public Advocacy

Issue Advocacy Environment and Climate Good Government Women’s Health Human Rights LGBT Voting Rights

International Work

Democratic GAIN  The professional association for progressives providing training & support for individuals & organizations.  Join to GAIN access to all the benefits we offer, including:  Job Board & Talent Bank  Career Counseling & Resume Resources  Calendar of Trainings & Networking Opportunities  Member Discounts

Questions? Learn more about what you can GAIN by joining us!