I am not sure of the formula, When I was unemployed 11/08 I qualified for $493. However I had a six figure income when I was (involuntarily Separated) from that position.
In Ohio at that time Max benefits where 79 Weeks, Not sure what it is now. My personal situation has limited me to two or three days a week working as independent Insurance Agent. Luckily I have had over two decades in personal sales and with proper motivation can make very good money in a few hours a week.
What most people do not understand is that not everyone has the proclivity to do several different forms of work over a career., regardless of desire.
The loss of reasonably paying low skilled jobs has lead to a great deal of unreported unemployment. The U-6 rate is at 17.5% or higher and the true unemployment rate when forced early retirement, underemployment and loss of people in the job market are calculated, the true UE rate is around 22%. This is a depression.
The fact is that NOBODY is immune. I spent several years honing my craft, had career path that put me at the top of every sales position I had ever had. Won every conceivable sales award, trip and spiff, and never went a month without a head hunter or an offer from a legitimate company didn't come to me. Since ‘08 I have had 1 phone interview for a job that didn't exist. The person was hoping that he could bring me on if things picked up. He has since lost his job and the company has attrophied to an extent that it barely exists anymore. You may think you are immune, you may not have to find out, but unless you have a job in the government, or have a multimillion dollar portfolio, you are just a short trip to humility. There is always someone better, smarter, younger, or just good enough and willing to work for much less than you are.
NO MATTER HOW SMART OR GOOD YOU THINK YOU ARE!
>>NO MATTER HOW SMART OR GOOD YOU THINK YOU ARE! <<
That is sort of the point of the networking thing I was mentioning earlier. I keep those headhunters in the loop and keep with people with whom I had mutual and successful relationships. About once a month I hear “If you are tired of where you are, we always can make a spot for you here.”
Of course, it may come to pass that no such statement is forthcoming. That is why I work so hard on my skill set — to let these people know that I have knowledge that is difficult (or, quite frankly, near impossible) to cultivate within their organizations. I share this freely and make myself available to answer calls to unstick sticky wickets for them.
Yes, it cuts into my personal time (hey, I could be FREEPING! lol) but I consider it an investment, not just in my career but because I think it is the right thing to do (Karma?). I have been told by these people I have saved them tens and sometimes hundreds of hours (I sometimes do Show and Tell on unpublished techniques).
I hope this post was a more measured description of what I mean by “keeping my tools sharpened” and “networking.”
It is why I feel confident that I am OK where I am but also have a lot of other options. I offer it as a model that may work for some.
And as you say, you never know — them contacts could dry out in a day. Take nothing for granted.
Here's one for you: One of my best friends is a PhD. chemistry professor. He interviewed for a position at a college in the Mountain State area about 5 years ago. His main competition was a husband/wife couple from Eastern Europe who were willing to split the one salary slot between them.
Guess who got the position?
Two for the price of one.