By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

Knowing your ideal salary upfront helps you focus your job search on roles that meet your expectations — and avoid wasting time on ones that don’t.

​If you are looking at contract positions, the salary you will receive is the same as your base salary. Usually, you are paid a set amount for each hour worked with no additional benefits. Consequently, contract positions often have a higher hourly rate.

However, if you are in a benefits-eligible role, you will receive additional value above and beyond your base salary rate. Let's consider what may be included in your total compensation package. 

First, let’s look at a high-level, generalized overview of the money you may receive:
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• Base salary: Money you will earn for showing up and meeting basic employer expectations for your job. This is typically paid on a bi-weekly or bi-monthly basis. This is usually what recruiters are asking for when they inquire about your "salary requirements."
• Bonus:  Additional money you may (or may not) receive based on the performance of you individually, your team, and/or the organization as a whole. Bonus payment depends on the organization and may be paid quarterly, annually, or on another schedule.
• Commission: Additional money you may earn, typically based on what and how much you sell. Commissions are often a percentage of what you have sold. ​How and when commission is paid to you depends on the organization and may be paid monthly, quarterly, or on another schedule.
• Signing Bonus: Additional money you may receive for agreeing to work for a given company outside of your agreed-upon salary. This is usually a one-time payment paid out as an incentive to accept a job offer. You coudl receive that actual payment as soon as right after formally accepting a job offer or as late as after several months of employment. 

​​In addition to receiving money in the form of a check or payment payable to you, you may also receive money from your employer that is earmarked for a specific purpose.

• Retirement Account Contribution: Your employer may give you a matching contribution as a percentage of what you contribute to your retirement account (usually a company-sponsored 401(k) or 403(b) plan). Alternatively, you may receive a retirement contribution before you put any money in. This money is typically deposited into your retirement account and invested alongside your other retirement account money. 
• A Post-Retirement Pension Payment: Upon retirement (and based upon requirements and guidelines set up by the employer), you may be promised a series of payments. The details of that pension will be set up on an employer-by-employer basis. (Pensions are not as common.)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) Contribution: If your insurance is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), your employer may contribute money to your Health Savings Account. This may be a one-time contribution given right away when you start your job, a monthly amount, or money awarded at another interval. This account is specifically designated to be used for qualifying healthcare expenses.
• Tuition Reimbursement or Educational Assistance: If you want to pursue a college degree, some organizations may assist with that cost. Depending on the organization, they could pay the cost upfront or reimburse you after you successfully complete a course.
• Professional Development: Some organizations will pay for memberships in professional organizations, certifications, or additional job-specific training. Depending on the organization, they could pay the cost upfront or reimburse you after company-set conditions are met.
• Offsetting Specific Costs: You may receive a payment or stipend to offset your costs for various expenses. Here are a few examples: gym membership, home office setup, internet access, cell phone access, uniforms, passport, mileage, lunch, parking, travel, rent, and student loan payments.  

In the United States, many people obtain different types of insurance through their workplace. Employer often pay administration costs of the plan and help cover some of the costs. Here are some of the typical benefits available:
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• Health Insurance: Employers may offer one or more health insurance plan options and usually cover administrative costs and part of the monthly premiums. Costs will vary widely. When reviewing benefit premium costs for recent jobs, I noticed that health insurance rates for my family of three ranged from $255.00 per month to $1,249.30 per month for the least expensive High Deductible Healthcare Plan options available.  H
• Dental Insurance: Employers may offer one or more dental insurance plan options, usually covering administrative costs. They may also cover a portion of the monthly premiums.
• Life Insurance: Employers may pay for a life insurance plan. The coverage may be a set amount, like $50,000, or a multiple of the employee’s annual salary. 
• Long-Term Disability: Employers may offer disability insurance plans and usually cover administrative costs. They may also cover some or all of the monthly premiums.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Usually, employers include EAP access to give their employees access to counseling services as needed, referrals, basic budgeting help, and basic legal assistance as needed.
• Flexible Spending Account Access: On a related note, employers may pay administrative fees so employees can have access to flexible spending accounts for healthcare, dependent care, or transportation. These are typically employee-funded accounts.  

Many employers offer the option for employees to purchase additional benefits. These can include vision insurance, enhanced disability coverage, supplemental life insurance, spouse life insurance, child life insurance, accident insurance, condition-specific health insurance, a legal protection plan, or orthodontic benefits. 

Companies may also offer a variety of perks. These can include items you can purchase for a lower cost or resources you can take advantage of that you might otherwise pay for elsewhere. These could include an onsite gym, onsite daycare, free parking, entertainment discounts, stamps, bus passes, use of the company van, cell phone plan discounts, or reduced entry fees for area attractions.

​Perks can also be anything that makes work easier, more engaging, or more pleasant. These could include shift bidding, flexible work arrangements, remote work, work-from-home days, summer hours, four-day workweeks, onsite flu shots, overtime opportunities, or company events. 

Employers also often pay you for specific hours when you do not work. Here are a few standard categorizations for different types of paid time off: paid time off (PTO), sick time, vacation time, paid holidays, floating holidays, volunteer time, bereavement leave, jury duty pay, or military leave.
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Instead of having a specific number of paid days available for sick or vacation time, some companies have unlimited time off policies. In most cases, instead of earning and then choosing to use paid time off, you work with your manager whenever you want to take off. In general, as long as you are performing your job to an acceptable level, you can take time off.   

Keep in mind that when a recruiter asks for your salary range, it’s not just about base pay. Benefits, bonuses, and other perks can significantly impact your overall compensation package. This is also why I suggest that candidates provide a salary range rather than a fixed number. 

By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

When your “day job" ends, many things in your financial life change. For one, what is for many people their primary source of income, ends. This often prompts a quick shift to a short-term survival mindset that will last from the layoff event until the first paycheck from that new job arrives. 

After you think about your overall survival budget goals and managing expenses, think about your sources of income during your career transition.

Disclaimer: (You know there has to be one of these now that we're talking about topics like personal finances and health insurance.)

While I know quite a bit based on my previous work experience supporting financial coaches, my own research, and my personal life experiences, I do not currently hold a license or certification to give financial advice. Therefore, the information provided here is educational information provided as guidance.

​I hope you can glean value from my lessons learned. Feel free to take my recommendations or not—but whatever you do, double-check my facts (and everyone's facts, for that matter). This is your life, and you will care more about your finances and health care than anyone else. With that, read on. 

When you’re gainfully employed, usually a couple of times per month, you receive your paycheck. Your taxes are deducted according to what you set up.  You also typically have deductions for health care costs, company-sponsored insurance benefits (life insurance, disability insurance), and company-sponsored savings (Flexible Spending Accounts, Healthcare Savings Accounts, retirement contributions). Once that company no longer employs you, your income changes significantly.

While you won’t have the income from your job on a go-forward basis, you may have one or more of these types of money coming from that employer after your position ends.

​You will receive a payment for any hours worked for which you still need to be paid. Typically, this check will not include deductions for health insurance or any other benefits since you no longer participate in those programs. In addition, taxes will be withheld from this payment.

Depending on multiple factors, you may be paid for any PTO you had accrued but had not yet taken. For example, if the company you worked for had “Unlimited” paid time off, you will not receive any vacation payout since there was no tie between accruing and taking time off.

In addition, some companies have written into their company policies that they do not pay out vacation time after an employee no longer works there. However, some states require vacation payouts from previous employers. (I know this because Nebraska, my current state of residence, is one of those states.) Know that getting a payout is not guaranteed, but this is definitely something you should investigate to see if you are eligible.

A severance package may be a component of your layoff. Severance could include a lump sum, continuation of insurance for a period of time, and/or support services to help you transition to a new position outside of that organization. In many cases, companies do not have to provide any sort of severance. If they offer severance, it is often to help minimize the likelihood of former employees taking legal action after a layoff. It is also a way that companies help their employees financially during that difficult transition time. 
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If you do receive a severance payment, the amount can vary wildly. It could be between a fat lot of nothing, to the equivalent of a paycheck, to 1-2 weeks of pay for each year you were with the organization, to a larger check equaling months of income. It depends on the organization, their financial position, how they want to be perceived by the media during the layoff, or any other factors. If you receive a severance payment, realize that it may be less money than you anticipated because of withholding taxes.

If you are offered a severance package, realize you must sign something before receiving a payment, benefits, or any other services promised. Once you sign, any thoughts you might have about legal action regarding your employment with the organization are pretty much over. Read the agreement given to you, consider having a lawyer look it over, and ask for clarifications (and any revisions) before signing it. After that, there is typically a waiting period before you receive that money. This is big-time adulting here, so enlist help as needed. 

While your regularly scheduled income from your previous employer ends, in most cases, with a layoff, you will be eligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. In short, apply for UI benefits. Remember--the money that pays unemployment benefits comes from taxes employers (and in a few states, employees) are required to pay for this specific purpose.

You're not abusing the system when you take advantage of unemployment benefits. You're using a valuable benefit that is set up specifically to help people through what can be a rough transition.

Here are a few key details about UI payments:​​

• You can only collect UI benefits from one state at any given time.
• The amount of your UI benefits payment varies by state and factors in your previous income while working.
• You may be able to decide whether or not to set up deductions from your UI benefits payment. However, come tax time, unemployment income is taxable.
• You complete an online application for UI benefits to determine eligibility and payment amount.
• Payments are issued weekly.
• You apply for each payment weekly, usually online or via phone.
• There is typically a waiting period before you will receive your first payment.
• Payments typically last for as long as 26 weeks, with some variation by state.
• You stop being eligible to receive unemployment payments until you are past your maximum benefit period or have a new job, whichever comes first.
• Doing paid work while receiving UI benefits may impact the amount of one or more payments.

Each state handles Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits.

​You may also be eligible for job search support services and even programs to help you upgrade your skills. In many states, you must complete outlined “reemployment activities” to stay eligible to receive unemployment payments. For example, some states may require you to apply for a given number of jobs each week, or attend classes, or confirm you did not turn down a suitable job offer.

Also know that if you will be receiving a severance payment, it will impact when you are eligible to start receiving unemployment payments. When you apply for unemployment, you will be asked to specify any payments you still expect to receive from your previous employer. Typically, if you are receiving severance that is intended to cover a set period of time, you will also not be eligible for unemployment payments during that time. Personally, I had periods when I was in a career transition where I never received an unemployment payment because I started a new job before the number of weeks specified for my severance ran out. Again, if you’re unsure on details, make that phone call to ask for clarification.    

Depending on your situation, you may need to find interim work while looking for a more permanent role. For example, if the amount you receive from UI benefits needs to be increased to pay your core bills, you may need to take a job to make ends meet. This could be anything from contract work in your chosen field (that may pay pretty close to your previous full-time job) to a supplemental job that you do for a little extra income. If you have a partner, it may be a case where they take on additional paid work or help more with expenses while you are in career transition. 

There are multiple ways to pay for your life, varying from good to decidedly bad ideas. You could do anything from using your savings, to selling unused items, to using credit cards, to acquiring additional debt, to using your home equity, to taking money out of your HSA account (and paying taxes on what you removed), to starting a Go Fund Me page, to donating plasma, or even tapping into retirement accounts (and paying a steep penalty). Be sure to consider the short and long-term implications of any of those decisions before choosing your course of action.

By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

When you’re getting ready to apply for jobs, at some point, those companies will ask for professional references. Some organizations will ask for references during the initial application. Other employers will ask as they approach the final stages of their interview process.  Let's look at how you can select and communicate well with these people who you want to vouch for you and your skills.

Your professional references will speak well of you and help potential employers see your value. While personal references are generally people who can vouch for your character, professional references can share their experience with you in a work-related capacity.  Typically, you'll need the names and contact information for three people who can share their experiences with you.

When selecting your professional references, here are a few ideas on who you may want to use:

• Previous managers
• Coworkers
• Direct reports
• Contacts from professional organizations
• People with whom you've volunteered
• Someone who is referring you for a role

Overall, it's helpful to find people who have worked for you doing relevant work (paid or volunteer) and who can attest to your skills. Here are a few of the people I have used a reference in the past:

• A recent manager when I was in an individual contributor role.
• A director who was not my immediate manager but who I collaborate with on projects
• A colleague who I worked alongside when we each led different teams
• A project manager who managed a team I was on
• One of my direct reports
• Someone who I interacted with while I volunteered for a professional development organization
• Someone who was also a contractor for the same company I worked for
• A parent who also volunteered to chaperone a school event  

When I apply for jobs, I have two references I use consistently.

• One is a colleague I've worked with at three different companies. I have worked with him for over ten years. I first had him as a trainee in a class, then we both worked at another company in different departments, then he was my direct report at another company.  He is one of my go-to references because he has seen me work in several roles, can comment on me as a leader, and has first-hand experience with my instructional design skills. 
• One is a recent manager of mine.  I worked with her on a small team in a large organization. She can also attest to my skills as a learning consultant and in a technical role while commenting on how I work on project teams and meet deadlines. Having at least one former manager as a reference is essential. 

Depending on the role for which I am applying, I will choose which other reference might be the most helpful: 

• For a role focused on finance, I might include a former colleague of mine who was a  retirement coach.  He and I have collaborated on projects, created financial education materials, and fine-tuned a process for coaching individuals on retirement planning concepts. 
• For a role with a healthcare company with an opening for a technical trainer, I might include a former colleague of mine who used to work on the same team as me. Since she and I had worked together to co-facilitate classes, she could speak to the specific skills I would bring to the role. She could also refer me for that role as well. 
• For a role focusing on career coaching and resume development, I might include a board member for a professional organization where I put together and regularly deliver content on career development. 

Overall, make sure that your references can speak to your skills as they might pertain to the specific job. 

Make sure to collect the following details on your potential references so you are ready to share it with possible employers:

• First and last name
• Current company and job title
• LinkedIn profile (if available)
• Phone number
• Email address
• Background information on your relationship

Before you start giving out people's contact information, be sure to confirm they are okay with being your reference. I suggest doing this before a specific job asks for references. I usually send them a message via email, LinkedIn, or text that reads something like this:
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Hi, [first name].  I'm launching my job search, and I'm wondering if you'd be willing to be one of my professional references. If so, please share the following contact information details with me:

• Current company and job title
• Preferred phone number
• Preferred email address

Thanks for your help!
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After you have their initial permission to give out their name as a reference, be sure to also inform them if they should expect someone to reach out to them. In addition to letting them know who may contact them and the type of position, it's also good to share a reminder of your previous work relationship so they aren't scrambling. Here is an example of that type of message.
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Hi, [first name]. Thanks for being willing to be my reference!

I recently applied for a [job title] position with [company name]. I am in the final stages of their interview process, and they may contact you via phone or email.

As a reminder, you and I worked together at [company] from [date range] when I was a [my job title] and you were the [their job title].  

Thanks again!
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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

As you begin your job search, you need to identify key characteristics of your target job. To begin, make sure you do a little soul-searching and have a clear picture of what you want from your next role. For guidance on how to go about that process, check out my article entitled, "​Career Planning: Figuring Out What You Want To Be Next." 

Here are a few of the main pieces of information that will help you move forward:

• Your target job title
• Working arrangements: hours per week, job location, remote/onsite/hybrid
• Company size and industry
• Key skills you want to use
• Problems you want to help solve

​Now, let’s figure out how to take that information and make it into a clear statement outlining key components of what you want. Remember, the purpose of this statement is to help you clearly communicate what you are looking for in your next work opportunity. The more you talk with people about what you want, the clearer the details of what you are looking for will become for you. 

If you are targeting a specific job title, your What I Want statement might look like this:

• I’m seeking a full-time technical writer role with a growing software company. I want to collaborate with product management to document new and existing product functionality. I also want to use my skills in knowledge management to optimize knowledge base searchability. 

• I’m interested in finding a contract social media marketing consultant role where I can help a small to mid-sized business create their social media presence. I want to develop and execute a business strategy to grow audience size and engagement for TikTok and Instagram.

• I’m currently seeking a full-time technical project manager position that is 100% remote or hybrid/onsite in Baltimore, MD. I would like to work in the telcom or communication industries supporting cyber security projects.

Each of these examples highlights a job title, type of organization, and even the specific skills each person would like to use in their new job. 

If you are open to multiple roles within different types of organizations, you will write your statement differently. For one, start with the soul searching you did and pinpointing key characteristics of what you want in your next job. Review your list, and prioritize which factors are the most important to you. It could be the type of company you’ll work for, the geographic area, work arrangements, or specific skills that you’ll use more.  

Focus your statement on the aspects that are most important to you. Here are a couple of examples that I have used in previous job searches:

Earlier pandemic, I used the following What I Want statement: 

• I am seeking a 100% remote full-time learning and development position. I am interested in roles with larger organizations where I can be a strong contributor and leverage my skills in needs assessment, performance consulting, change management, instructional design, and learning facilitation. I am open to roles as a strong individual contributor, managing the learning function, or managing a team. Job titles that may be appropriate for me include Learning Consultant, Learning & Development Lead, or Training Manager. 

For another job search, I used the following What I Want statement: 

• I’m searching for a Learning & Development role in the greater Omaha, NE area. I have a wide talent management skill set, and I am interested in roles that involve leading a team, player/coach, managing projects and programs, or acting as an individual contributor. My target job titles include Learning Consultant and Learning and Development Manager. I’m also open to similar job titles in the areas of L&D, sales enablement, or organizational development.

Overall, since I wasn't focused solely on one job title, I prioritized what mattered to me and went from there. Notice that I start with specifying the field, and the work arrangements that were most important to me. Then, I reviewed a few key skills I had that I wanted to use, and in one case talked mroe about the employer. Since the goal with these statements is to help communicate what you want, this is a good way to narrow it down so people are better able to help you in your job search. 

Writing a clear and concise What I Want statement can help you as you review job openings you encounter and empower you to prioritize your job applications to those that most closely align with your job search goals. You can also include a version of this statement in the following contexts: 
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• Your cover letter
• Your LinkedIn About section (while in career transition)
• Emails to recruiters, connections, or hiring managers inquiring about roles
• Posts asking for assistance in finding a new job

Pre-pandemic, "networking" typically meant attending in-person events, shaking a few hands, and having a somewhat meaningful conversation with another human. While in-person opportunities are again plentiful, webinars continue to be popular since they are a flexible way to bring people together to learn. Be sure to think of your network during virtual events, too.

Like many people, I have attended (and delivered) approximately a bijillion online meetings, trainings, and interactive instructor-led sessions. I've been approaching these sessions with a mind towards not just attending, but also making new connections. Although the process differs from in-person interaction with people, I have managed to connect with more people (and often form more meaningful connections) than attending in-person meetings and “working the room.” As someone who is introverted by nature, and communicates effectively in writing, this was an opportunity to turn webinars into a bonus network-building exercise.

When attending a webinar, I make sure that people are able to see who I am, my full name, and a picture, if at all possible. I use the same photo I use on LinkedIn so that people associate me with that picture. I also make sure that my first and last name are present so people have a chance of being able to find me after the session--or will recognize my name. 

In addition, during the webinar, I interact during the session. This usually involves commenting in the chat when prompted--which is also an opportunity for other attendees to see my full name. During any small group interactions, I'm sure to turn my camera on so people can see my face, hear my voice, and see my name. If the presenter asks people to share out loud, I usually turn on my camera, and share my thoughts. Again, this is another opportunity for people to hear my voice, see my face, and see my name. Each of these "impressions" helps people start to get to know me at least a little bit. 

During a webinar, I often take a screenshot of the participant list and a gallery of attendees if people are on camera. Whenever possible, download the chat from the session. This helps me identify who was active in the webinar and gives me additional information on anything they might have shared during the session. I also often write handwrittern notes to help me remember attendees and their conributions during the webinar. These details can help me build a personal connection with these people later when I sent LinkedIn connection requests.

Now that LinkedIn limits the number of personalized connection requests those with the basic membership receive each month, sending everyone a personalized connection request might not be an option for you.

In those cases, here are a few other ways to show your value to a potential connection: 

• Send a non-personalized request right after the event ends. This way, people may associate you with the webinar you just attended.
• Take a moment to react to and/or comment on recent LinkedIn posts made by your potential connection. This way, they may recognize your name and be more likely to accept your connection request.
• Make sure your headline is descriptive and up to date. This way, when people receive a non-personalized connection request, they at least have a better sense of who you are from your headline.

How do you further nurture that relationship? Here are a few ideas.

• React to other people's posts.
• Comment on other people's posts with your insights.
• Share someone's post to your feed and @mention them to thank them for sharing the information.
• Send a quick message to a connection sharing helpful information they will appreciate. 
• Congratulate people on their career milestones and successes.
• Wish them a happy holiday/Friday/weekend on occasion.

After connecting with people initially, be sure to continue to nurture those connections. Posting useful content or occasionally messaging them are two ways you can do that. Ideally, you can add value to the relationship before you are in a position where you need to ask those individuals for help.