US – Thursday, March 18
National
Congress passes job-creation bill
A package of tax breaks and highway spending cleared Congress yesterday, the first of what Democrats hope will be several efforts to bring down the 9.7 percent unemployment rate.
 
International
Pakistan charges U.S. 5 with terror
A Pakistani court formally charged five young Americans of plotting terrorism in the country yesterday, their lawyer said, in a case that has raised alarm over the danger posed by militants using the Internet.
 
The Word
Bullock gets ‘Blind Side’d by alleged affair
It seemed too crazy to be true — America’s sweetheart Sandra Bullock fell for Jesse James, a heavily tattooed former bodyguard for Slayer turned custom motorcycle maker who was once married to a porn star.
 
Music
‘A fun night of music, a little shindig’ with STP
For the first time in nearly a decade, Stone Temple Pilots will be premiering material from a new album, kicking off a tour with a show tonight at the 3,000-capacity Austin Music Hall at the SXSW Music Conference in Texas. But as guitarist Dean DeLeo says, size doesn’t matter.
 
Business
‘Free’ ad leads to fraud suit
NEW YORK. A Wisconsin college student is suing credit firm Experian — the brains behind the ubiquitous FreeCreditReport.com jingles — for fraudulent advertising after she inadvertently signed up for a monthly $14.95 monitoring service.
 
My Travel
The key to Kyoto
Kyoto’s temples and Geisha culture are legendary, but this city is no slouch when it comes to mixing in a large slice of contemporary, too.
 
Published 21:27, January the 26th, 2009
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The first steps to take after being laid off

Industries hiring

Health care:
Baby boomers keep getting older and need doctors.
Education:
People are going back to school and getting higher degrees to be more competitive.
Accounting:
It is tax season, after all.

 
  • Take a deep breath. Put aside emotions. Think rationally about practical questions you need to ask in the here and now. Go into calm, problem-solving crisis mode. Take notes.
  • Negotiate your severance package. If your employer offers two weeks, negotiate for two months based on stellar performance. Can you cash in unused vacation or sick days?
  • Try and salvage what opportunities you can. Offer to be an independent contractor on an hourly or project-based rate.
  • Ask for a letter of recommendation. Say it would be very helpful to have it in your hands before you leave.
  • Update your LinkedIn Profile. Let people know that you’re available, and call, don’t e-mail, those in your network.
  • Get a leg up. Find out about benefits you may be eligible for in addition to and separate from your severance package at CareerOneStop.org.
Dr. Debra Condren is a business psychologist, career advisor, and author of Ambition Is Not A Dirty Word.
 
 
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Music
MMMpod
The March MMMpod features conversation and music from Surfer Blood and The Allman Brothers Band (There's a double-bill you're not too likely to see. However, Gregg Allman does mention Hannah Montana!). We also speak with Vampire Weekend and the Dropkick Murphys.
 

[Flyers by PaperG]

 
Metro Life Panel
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