Emerge from shadow of layoffs by being proactive

TINA VANDERWAL

Originally published Monday, March 11, 2002

The state budget news is sure to leave the most optimistic state worker in the dumps: The Legislature is hearing proposals to cut 1,500 state jobs, slash salary increases and reduce health care benefits.

Unfortunately, the threat of reduction-in-force layoffs is hanging over many state agencies.

So, what can you do to help keep yourself well financially if your position is eliminated?

Become proactive!

Upon receipt of a reduction-in-force letter, immediately send your application to the Department of Personnel to be placed on the RIF register.

Many agency personnel offices will be glad to assist you with this process. The RIF register is a great benefit of working for state government.

When filling positions, agencies will only receive one name -- the RIF applicant when there is a RIF applicant on the register.

If there is more than one RIF applicant on a register, then the RIF applicant with the highest state seniority is the name to be referred.

Transition pool

As soon as you know that your position is in danger of being cut, you can contact your agency personnel office and request to be placed in the RIF Transition Pool.

The pool offers employees in danger of losing their jobs an opportunity to find another position within state service.

Employees in the pool can be referred for a variety of jobs based on skills they have developed throughout their careers.

File for unemployment insurance as soon as you have the date that your position will be cut. Filing for unemployment insurance is much easier now. You no longer have to stand in long lines; you can file online at www. go2ui.com.

Don't wait for your name to be pulled off the RIF register to start your job search. Request letters of reference from your supervisor and other employees who know your work.

Agencies are often reluctant to hire RIF'd employees because of the old myth that the poor performers are the employees laid off.

Letters of reference highlighting your skills and abilities will erase the myth and encourage them to hire you.

Build a portfolio. Include the letters of reference, a current state application, a resume and recent performance evaluations.

This is not the time to be shy -- this is a time to show off your accomplishments. You are an excellent employee, and an agency will be very lucky to hire you.

Do informational interviews with agencies where you'd like to work.

Getting out and meeting potential employers is crucial to securing work.

Agencies prefer hiring people they know, and a name from a RIF register is an unknown. Face-to-face meetings allow employers to know you as an individual and not just a name on a register.

Getting help

Searching for jobs is probably the toughest task a state employee will face.

State workers can build roads and bridges, handle an enormous crisis or train hundreds of people. But asking us to search for jobs -- that's frightening.

Most of us haven't gone on an interview for years, and don't have the foggiest idea of how to start a job search.

Thank goodness there is help.

The Career Service Center of the Department of Personnel can assist employees with their job search, giving them career transition advice, and assistance with resumes and informational and job interviews. You can reach the Career Service Center by calling 800-294-8623 or the center's Olympia number at 360-664-1990.

- Next week: Exploring what happens to your benefits if you lose your job.

Tina VanderWal is human resources manager in the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

On the Web:

- Washington State Legislature

- Washington State Treasurer

- Gov. Gary Locke

Sound Off at TheOlympian.com: How do we weather Washington state's budget crisis?

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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