The fact is, thousands of people are filing for unemployment every day, and there are only so many unemployment counselors, and only so many people they can see in one day.

This is why you want to have a game plan – a plan of attack for filing for unemployment, so you can get it out of the way and begin your search for a new job.

Check out our Step By Step Instructions For Filing For Unemployment so you can avoid getting caught in endless lines, or caught up in the system.

Please share your stories about when you filed for unemployment, or any tips you might have below in the comments section.  Also you can start a new topic about it in the unemployment forum

If you are unemployed in Illinois you can file for unemployment compenation as well as other forms of assistance.  But you’re looking for answers to your pressing questions about what to do next, questions like:

1. Do I qualify for unemployment insurance?
2. How and where do I file for unemployment benefits?
3. Unemployment Office Contact Information.

To get solid answers to these questions, check out our state unemployment directory’s entry for IL Unemployment.

Here’s a valuable lesson that I had to learn the hard way.  First of all, you need to file for unemployment online, if at all possible.  You should know pretty quickly what the status of your claim is.  If you have not heard from the unemployment office, or know the status of your claim, in one week — it is very important that you go to the unemployment office in person.

Often, the unemployment agency tells you “Don’t contact us, we’ll contact you” or some such similar message.

Don’t listen to this.  This is how people fall between the cracks.

So, we’ve put together a guide full of great tips and tricks for filing for unemployment, and not falling through the cracks.

Check out:  **How To Contact Your Unemployment Office – How To File For Unemployment**

If you have some hard-learned tips of your own that you’d like to share, please leave them in the comment

section below, or post them in the **unemployment forum**.

Currently, the NY unemployment rate at 8.7% in June 2009.  While not as high of a rate as many of the other states, New York’s large population means that this is still a lot of folks out of work.

If you are unemployed in New York you can file for unemployments benefits and other forms of assistance.  But you need answers to a lot of questions, including:

1. Do I qualify for unemployment insurance?
2. How and where do I file for unemployment benefits?
3. Unemployment Office Contact Information.

To get solid answers to these questions, check out our state unemployment directory‘s entry for New York Unemployment.

If you’ve just lost your job, you’ve got so much to worry about – you certainly don’t need the added burden of getting taken by a scammer.

We give you a checklist on how to identify and avoid these criminals and their scams:

How To Identify Unemployment Scams

If you’ve been a victim of an unemployment scam or any kind of job scam or internet scams, or have some suggestions of your own, please post it in the comment section below, or in the job forum.

If you are unemployed in Michigan there are lots of services and programs to help you.  But you need answers to a lot of questions, including:

1. How do I qualify for unemployment insurance?
2. How do I file for unemployment benefits?
3. Unemployment Office Contact Information.

To find out answers to these questions, check out our state unemployment directory’s entry for MI Unemployment.

• Monster.com
• Dice.com
• SimplyHired.com
• Yahoo! Hot Jobs

and many more.

You’re still going to have to apply for jobs the old fashioned way – pounding the pavement, mailing resumes, and networking with friends, family, and associates from your field.

These job search engines will help you focus in on just the kinds of jobs you’re looking for, and selectively submit your resume to the companies and jobs that best fit what you’re looking for, as well as your resume.

If you have any job search tips you’d like to share, please post them in the comments below, or start a discussion in the job forum.

You need to be keenly aware of the gap between your layoff and when you will receive your first unemployment check.

In the meantime, we’ve got a great article on how to find money to fill in the gaps between what unemployment will pay, and won’t.  You’re still going to have to cut your budget, hustle to find a new job, and be very creative, but we give you some good places to start.

If you have any tips on how to make ends meet when you’re unemployed, please post them in the comments or share them in the layoff forum.

Just check out our A-Z list of state unemployment websites, choose your state, and look up your town or city.

Be sure to check out the rest of our articles for some great tips on filing for unemployment, because you’ll need them.  If I knew then, what I know now, I would have done it totally differently.  So, learn from my mistakes and take my advice.

It’ll get you on your way to getting back on your feet and landing a new job within no time.

If you have any unemployment tips or would like to share your experience, then post it in the comments section or on the unemployment forum.

If you are unemployed in California there are lots of services and programs to help you.  But you need answers to a lot of questions, including:

1. Do I qualify for unemployment insurance?
2. How do I file for unemployment benefits?
3. Unemployment Office Contact Information.

To find out answers to these questions, check out our state unemployment directory’s entry for CA Unemployment.

If you have any questions, or would like to share you story about how you got laid off and are coping with being unemployed, please post in the comments section or on our Unemployment Forum.