Thanks to today’s sponsors! Weiner Insurance

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

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. #GAINPlan

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. #GAINPlan

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. #GAINPlan

Unemployment Insurance Resources to Get You Back in the Game. Democratic GAIN for Tips on surviving unemployment & State-by-state UI links and info oymentbenefits State's department of labor website for: information on training events, job search advice, & online UI filing #GAINPlan

What About Your Health Insurance? Continuing some kind of health coverage is a must! A lapse in coverage can result in higher premiums and difficulty finding coverage later. 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* #GAINPlan

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. #GAINPlan

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. #GAINPlan

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. #GAINPlan

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. #GAINPlan

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! #GAINPlan

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 several 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 #GAINPlan

Option 3: Your Parent’s Plan* Thanks to Obamacare, 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! The catch: the new policy applies only to health insurance plans that offer dependent coverage in the first place, there is no requirement to do so. #GAINPlan

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 There is one temporary exception: Until 2014, “grandfathered” group plans do not have to offer dependent coverage up to age 26 if you are eligible for group coverage outside your parent’s plan.grandfathered #GAINPlan

Healthcare.gov (where Obamacare is explained online!) 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 Resources All of these resources and more can be found on Democratic GAIN’s GAIN Plan Resource Page: -adult-coverage #GAINPlan

The Job Search Resumes, Interviews, Networking, & more! #GAINPlan

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: GAIN, Wellstone Action!, etc. #GAINPlan

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 #GAINPlan

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” #GAINPlan

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 #GAINPlan

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. #GAINPlan

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. #GAINPlan

The Value of Networking YOUR RESUME #GAINPlan

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! #GAINPlan

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 #GAINPlan

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

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. #GAINPlan

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? #GAINPlan

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 #GAINPlan

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 & Career Counseling  Talent Bank & Hiring Assistance  Training & Certifications  Networking Opportunities  Join the free JobsThatAreLEFT listserv for daily job updates! #GAINPlan

The Timeline December –National Conferences: –Holiday Parties: –Christmas, et al: January –New Years: –Inaugural Events: February –GAIN Career Fair #GAINPlan

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

The Lay of the Land Progressive Professional Opportunities in DC, the states and nationally #GAINPlan

Panelists Alix Dejean, DeweySquare (Moderator) Laura Capps-Burton, Common Purpose Julie Greene, AFL-CIO Susan Markham, NDI Mike Masserman, Commerce Department Jen Pihlaja, McKenna|Pihlaja Jessica Post, DLCC #GAINPlan

Opportunities Nationally & In States #GAINPlan

Some of Your Options Campaigns & Elections All of the Above: Internationally Issue Research & Advocacy The Administration & State, Local Government The Hill & State Legislature #GAINPlan

Campaigns & Elections Candidate CampaignsParty CommitteesConsulting Firms Labor Organizations Progressive Ally Organizations #GAINPlan

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 #GAINPlan

Consulting Firms #GAINPlan

Labor Organizations #GAINPlan

Progressive Allies #GAINPlan

The Hill & State Leg 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 #GAINPlan

The Administration CareerPolitical Appointment #GAINPlan

Issue Research & Advocacy Think TanksPublic AdvocacyIssue Advocacy #GAINPlan

Think Tanks #GAINPlan

Public Advocacy #GAINPlan

Issue Specific Groups Human Rights Women Issues LGBTQ Development & Education Environmental #GAINPlan

International Work #GAINPlan

Now Hiring! #GAINPlan

Democratic GAIN is the professional association for progressives. Offering: Premier Job & Talent BanksIndividualized Career CounselingAnnual Career FairTrainings & Certifications health insurance support, discounts, & more! Member Benefits #GAINPlan

The Atlas Project is the central hub for real-time data and analysis for progressives. Offering: An Institutional Memory platformData Tools (100 sets to map, graph, chart)State-by-State Dashboards & Reports OnlineActivity Reports & Media MonitoringIn-depth ResearchBest Practices & Resources #GAINPlan

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