How to overcome unemployment - NYS Department of Labor strategies that actually work?
Been out of work for 8 months now and getting really discouraged. Filed for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor but that's barely covering my bills. I keep applying to jobs but either get no response or rejection emails. Starting to feel like I'm doing something fundamentally wrong in my approach. Has anyone here successfully overcome a long period of unemployment? What actually worked for you beyond just filing weekly claims and applying to random postings online? I'm in IT support but open to changing fields at this point.
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NeonNebula
Eight months is tough but definitely not uncommon in today's market. Beyond your weekly NYS Department of Labor claims, focus on networking - reach out to former colleagues, attend industry meetups, join professional groups on LinkedIn. Also consider temporary or contract work to bridge gaps and build new connections. The job search requirements for unemployment actually help structure your search if you track everything properly.
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Malik Thomas
•I've been doing the required job search activities for my weekly claims but maybe I need to expand beyond just online applications. Thanks for the networking reminder.
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Isabella Costa
What specific steps are you taking for your job search? Are you just meeting the minimum requirements for NYS Department of Labor or going beyond that? I was unemployed for 6 months last year and what finally worked was targeting smaller companies directly, not just big corporate postings. Also make sure your resume is ATS-friendly since most applications get filtered out before human eyes see them.
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Malik Thomas
•Honestly probably just doing the minimum for my weekly claims. What do you mean by ATS-friendly? My resume might be outdated.
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Isabella Costa
•ATS is Applicant Tracking System - most companies use software to screen resumes before humans see them. Use simple formatting, include keywords from job descriptions, avoid fancy graphics or tables.
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Ravi Malhotra
ugh this is exactly where i was 2 years ago, just want to say it does get better but the waiting is horrible. keep filing those weekly claims no matter what and don't give up
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Malik Thomas
•Thanks, really needed to hear that today. Some days I wonder if I'll ever find something decent again.
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Freya Christensen
Have you considered using a service to help you get through to NYS Department of Labor agents directly? I was having issues with my claim status and couldn't get anyone on the phone for weeks. Found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person at NYS Department of Labor. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Might be worth checking if there are any issues with your unemployment benefits that could be resolved.
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Omar Farouk
•Wait is this like a paid service to call NYS Department of Labor? Seems sketchy...
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Chloe Davis
Been there friend. What really helped me was treating job searching like a full time job itself. Set schedule, track everything (helps with your weekly NYS Department of Labor reporting anyway), take breaks so you don't burn out. Also don't neglect your mental health during this time - unemployment can really mess with your head even when you're getting benefits.
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Malik Thomas
•You're right about the mental health aspect. Some days I feel completely worthless even though I know it's not really my fault.
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AstroAlpha
The system is rigged anyway. I've been jumping through hoops for NYS Department of Labor for months, doing their stupid job search requirements, and still nothing. Companies ghost you after interviews, the whole thing is a joke. At least the unemployment benefits keep coming but it's not enough to live on.
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NeonNebula
•I understand the frustration but staying positive and persistent is important. The job market is challenging but people do find work eventually.
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