The negative news about the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic can be frightening, but we need to stay focused so that when we come out on the other side of this — and we will — we are prepared to resume our normal activities. For too many of you, that will mean finding a job. That process can’t wait. If you are unemployed or fear that you will be, there are things you can and should be doing right now. In the first place, do whatever you can do within the guidelines of social distancing to remain physically and mentally healthy during these stressful times. Maintaining a positive mindset will be critical for working from home, or for conducting a successful job search.
Secondly, take this time to invest in yourself through one of the online educational resources that offer free courses to learn new skills, or upgrade existing ones, through sites like KhanAcademy.org and Coursera.org.
I will also be coordinating a consortium of HR professionals to join me in providing free résumé reviews and to answer common job search questions for unemployed New Yorkers through this Web site GotoGreg.com. Look for information on this free service in this column and via Twitter and LinkedIn soon. In the meantime, visit the New York Department of Labor at their Web site Labor.NY.gov regularly, because the laws and benefits for the unemployed are constantly being updated.
I wish all of you and your loved ones safety and good health. We will get through this together.
