Nuts & Bolts of
Unemployment
The Unemployment Safety Net
Yes, it can be scary.
But, it’s not the end of the world!
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.
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.
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.
Unemployment Insurance Resources to
Get You Back in the Game.
Vermont’s department of labor
website for:
information on training events,
job search advice, & by phone UI filing
http://labor.vermont.gov/unemploymentinsurance/unemployed/establishing-anunemployment-claim/
Democratic GAIN for
Tips on surviving unemployment &
State-by-state UI links and info
https://www.democraticgain.org/?page=unemploy
mentbenefits
What About Your Health Insurance?

Continuing some kind of health coverage is a must!

As a newly unemployed person, you’ll have up to THREE
options for health insurance before you find your next
job:
COBRA
Individual Health Insurance
Your Parent’s Plan*
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.
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.
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.
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.
Option 2:
Individual Health Insurance

Vermont State Health Exchange
 Vermont Health Connect
 http://hcr.vermont.gov/timeline/exchange

Open Enrollment for 2015 begins November 15, 2014
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!
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
www.DemocraticGAIN.org

You’ll receive a response in 24 hours with follow up
questions

You’ll have quotes from 3-5 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
Option 3:
Your Parent’s Plan*

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 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!

Visit https://www.healthcare.gov/youngadults/coverage/ for more information
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
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
www.dol.gov/ebsa/COBRA.html
Healthcare.gov
https://www.healthcare.gov/youngadults/coverage/
All of these resources and more can be
found on Democratic GAIN’s GAIN Plan
Resource Page:
www.DemocraticGAIN.org/GAINP
lanResources
The Job Search
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 & Talent Bank
 Career Counseling & Resume
Resources
 Calendar of Trainings &
Networking Opportunities
 Join the free JobsThatAreLEFT
listserv for daily job updates!
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?
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
Resume +
Cover Letter
Basic Resume Content
1. CONTACT INFORMATION
 Name, Address, Phone Number, Professional Email 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: NOI, PCCC, Mid-West Academy, EMILY’s List, etc.
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
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”
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
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.
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.
Networking
The Value of Networking
YOUR RESUME
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!
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
Social Media
LinkedIn
 Excellent way to keep track of and utilize your
network
 Use the connector tool
 Request recommendations
Facebook
 Be careful.
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.
Additional Resources
LISTSERVS:




EMILY’s List
Tom Manatos
JobsThatAreLEFT
NOI
NETWORKS:
 LinkedIn
 Facebook
 Twitter
JOB BOARDS:











Idealist.org
Unionjobs.com
WorkForCongress.com
Brad Traverse
HillZoo.com
The Hill
Roll Call
Politico
DSCC
DCCC
DLCC
How to Get the Right Job
Lay of the Land
Some of Your Options
Campaigns & Elections
The Administration
The Hill
Issue Research &
Advocacy
All of the Above:
Internationally
Campaigns & Elections
Candidate Campaigns
Party Committees
Consulting Firms
Labor Organizations
Progressive Ally Organizations
Candidate
Kitchen
Cabinet/Donors
Finance Director
Finance Assistants
Campaign Manager
Field Director
Administrative
Staff/ Scheduler
Regional Field
Directors
Field Organizers
Administrative
Assistants
Volunteer
Coordinator
Volunteers
Communications
Director
Press Secretary
New Media
Communications
Staff
Research
Director
Research
Staff
Trackers
Consultants
Consulting Firms
Labor Organizations
Progressive Allies
The Hill
Senator /
Representative
Chief of Staff /
Admin Asst.
Legislative Director
District Office(s)
Legislative
Assistant
Legislative
Assistant
Legislative
Correspondent
Legislative
Correspondent
Intern
Intern
Press Secretary
Scheduler
Staff Assistant
Intern
The Administration
Career
Political Appointment
Issue Research & Advocacy
Think Tanks
Public Advocacy
Issue Advocacy
Think Tanks
Public Advocacy
Issue Advocacy
 Environment and Climate
 Good Government
 Women’s Health
 Human Rights
 LGBT
 Voting Rights
International Work
Democratic GAIN
 The professional association for progressives providing
training & support for individuals & organizations.
 Join to GAIN access to all the benefits we offer,
including:
 Job Board & Talent Bank
 Career Counseling & Resume Resources
 Calendar of Trainings & Networking Opportunities
 Member Discounts
Questions?
Learn more about what you can
GAIN by joining us!
www.DemocraticGAIN.org
www.facebook.com/DemocraticGAIN
@DemocraticGAIN