| If you have become unemployed, retrenched or laid | | | | letter that says why you would like to work for that |
| off recently there are steps you should take | | | | company, emphasize what skills you can offer them. |
| immediately to protect yourself and your family. | | | | - Start doing whatever you can to bring in an income. |
| - Make all your family members aware of the fact | | | | By staying active and doing something positive you |
| that you are unemployed and their source of income | | | | will avoid becoming depressed. |
| has been affected and that they need to consider | | | | - Take time out to decide what it is you would really |
| any expenditure carefully. Work as a team and make | | | | like to do with your life. Maybe this is the time you |
| an adventure of doing whatever is required to keep | | | | could change your career and follow a different path. |
| the family together. | | | | - Use whatever resources are available in your |
| - Immediately apply for whatever government, social | | | | community to network with people who might be |
| service unemployment benefits you are entitled to. | | | | able to assist you in finding employment. Talk to |
| The bureaucracy involved can be very time | | | | people at the library, church, wherever. |
| consuming so the sooner you apply the sooner you | | | | - Consider becoming self employed. What skills or |
| will get your benefits. | | | | assets do you have that you could turn into an |
| - Make use of whatever government or other | | | | income? Use the family van to do deliveries for a |
| employment services are available. Get your name | | | | local store. Offer painting or gardening services in the |
| down on their lists and follow up regularly to make | | | | neighborhood. Use your computer for an internet |
| sure they know who you are. | | | | business. |
| - Assess your personal budget and decide what is | | | | Whatever else you do stay positive and proactive. |
| essential and what expenditure can be trimmed and | | | | Unemployment is not the end of the road. The worst |
| take action to do this. For instance do you need a | | | | thing you can do is allow yourself to slip into inactivity |
| gym membership or could you exercise in the park. | | | | and become depressed. |
| - Make an inventory of your skills and put together a | | | | There are employment opportunities for those who |
| CV which emphasizes your skills. | | | | actively look for them or for those who make their |
| - Be proactive in sending your CV to the companies | | | | own opportunities. |
| that you would like to work for. Include a covering | | | | |