You are unemployed and you are in Idaho. The first you will have to do, even before you start looking for a job, is to file for the unemployment benefits. Please be aware that you will have to wait for one week (waiting period) before you are eligible for unemployment benefits, though you can apply during the waiting week. In order to be eligible, you need to:

1. be fully or partially unemployed (for no fault of your own) 2. be a US citizen or a legal immigrant 3. have sufficient financial entitlement in the base period (base period = first 4 quarters of your last 5 quarters of employment) 4. have receive pay for at least two out of the last five quarters you were employed 5. the minimum payment during the bases period should not be below $1326/- 6. be able and willing to work

• 7. be actively looking for employment

You will need to have the following:

• 1. a valid social security number - for US citizens
• 2. a valid alien registration number - for non-US citizens
• 3. the total information on your previous employer (address, phone nos, period of employment, reasons for dismissal, etc)
• 4. DD for 214 if you were discharged from the military force
• 5. the complete address if your residence is outside Idaho

NB: Your claim will come into effect from the Sunday of week you are applying in - and cannot be given with retrospection

The period to receive unemployment benefits will be anywhere between 10 to 26 weeks. Your unemployment benefits can be drawn even if you work, if your earning are below the amount of your benefits. Depending upon the amount drawn you can draw your benefits to last you over a period of 52 weeks.

You can file your claim over the toll free telephone, 208-332-3574 or over the net at http://cl.idaho.gov/id-ui.htm, or http://cl.idaho.gov/portal/go/jobservice/3694/DesktopDefault.aspx which is just as convenient.

Now, that you have put the wheels in motion you need to take stock about your position and start looking for active and proper employment so you can get employed before the benefits run out. First of all you should make a list of your strengths -such as qualifications, experience and personal strong traits - not necessarily in this order. Once you have a comprehensive list, you can make an intelligent assessment of what you can best deliver - then look for opportunities in that idea first. Make a priority list, like best fit jobs, second-best fit jobs, and emergency type of jobs which you can up only as stop-gaps. Apply for all and wait till you get the right opportunity. Immediately take up a job you get - regardless on which priority it is; unemployment acts like rust on the mind and if you are unemployed for long you will tend to get depressed and de-motivated. Besides, when you work (even if it not the best job for you) you meet a lot of people and if you are looking for it, you will get a lot of leads. Lastly, any type of work beats waiting for the unemployment check.

In order to get best results fast, you may:

1. enlist in a few placement agencies 2. look in the classified in the local newspaper 3. advertise in the local newspaper 4. actively network - personal contacts can bring a wealth of connection and leads in matters of jobs, some extraordinarily useful 5. offer your services as a consultant - in administrative work (to small business houses), finance & accounting (small & medium business houses), etc

• 6. visit and connect yourself to the local educational institutions and try to get visiting sessions to teach or conduct in-house training programs (if you have a expertise in the area)
• 7. identify low profile high turn-over jobs (shopping malls, restaurants, sales reps) and seek employment
• 8. maintain a positive outlook to life and sunny disposition

Happy job hunting!