Soooo... unemployment anyone? and job hunting advice if you've got it... (tech job, wage)

[knoxnut]

So unless a miracle happens soon (like my company I'm contracted through actually gets their head out of the sand and realize my contract ends in 2 wks and does something), I'm facing unemployment here at the end of the month. I kinda have an idea how filing for unemployment works, but if anyone here would wanna give more detail I'd appreciate it. Especially things like how long does it take to get it started? Can I file the paperwork my last day of work, or do I have to wait a day? I understand you have to meet requirements for job hunting and report those, how does that work?

For that matter, can I call and make absolutely sure I qualify for unemployment? I would hate to count on that as a back up if it turns out for some reason I can't (from what I read on their website I should, but with my luck these days...) Everyone has been telling me not to bother applying for min. wage jobs because I"d get more with unemployment (which is true) so I haven't, I figure I'd be better off taking unemployment and use the time to keep applying for better paying jobs - is my thinking right with this?

Any info would be appreciated!


And while I'm at it, I'm open to any and all job hunting advice. I've tried networking, unfortunately I just don't know that many people to network through. Which is depressing seeing as the latest stats suggest up to 80% of jobs are NOT filled through job boards, but by word of mouth/networking. I'm searching the usual job boards (CB, Monster, Indeed, SH, papers and even craigslist), and have applied to over 50 jobs in probably the last month or two alone (when I found out in Jan my contracted position was coming to an end in Sept, I started sending out resumes then, but more so these last few months). I've had people read over my resume and say it looks good, I've got a nice skill set, etc, though I fear I fall in the cracks in the whole over/under qualified crap. Part of the problem is there's not many jobs for my education/skill set (env tech), and have been trying to branch out to other things like data management and admin jobs. Another is the shear amount of people applying (one chem tech job had 96 ppl apply at the time I had applied, who knows how many more there were after). Unfortunately moving is not an option at this time, or I'd have more opportunities.

I don't know. *sigh* I'm just frustrated (and not just a bit scared too). Sorry this post has ended up so damn long, wasn't my intention when I started this. Like I said any advice/suggestions/etc would be great at this point. And with that I gotta get ready for one of my few remaining days of work...