NEW YORK STATE -- As unemployment continues to climb, many of the people who find themselves out of a job have never faced a long stretch of career uncertainty. And, more new numbers paint the bleak picture of the American economy with jobless claims reaching a new high for the 10th straight week.
The first step is to file for unemployment benefits. Then, a service like CNY Works can help with building a resume and your skills. David Lepinske, of CNY Works, says "a lot of them aren't sure and they don't know where to go and, finally, when they do find something and then they have somebody who's assisting them - then they're ready to roll."
The system can be confusing. Employers and job seekers told us today that some people can find themselves between a rock and a hard place when offered part time employment. On one hand, it's a job but, it could cause them to lose their unemployment benefits that could pay more.
Lenore Sealy from CNY Works says that it doesn't matter if you have a job or don't - you need to be proactive. Sealy said "nobody should be resting on their laurels and thinking change can't happen. Change happens every day whether we look at it or don't look at it."
For those who are looking, a place like CNY Works can be more than just a place to tune up a resume.
Lenore Sealy said "just coming in and associating with other people who are facing the same thing can be very strengthening. You don't feel so alone."
Experts say it's a very different workforce now, than twenty years ago but many people don't even realize the valuable skills they have for other career opportunites.
Click on the link below to connect to the NYS Department of Labor.
