Can you file for unemployment benefits after signing a release?

Q: I recently signed a severance agreement.  The title of the document was “agreement and release.”  I was given six weeks of severance in exchange for signing the release.  My question to you is about collecting unemployment compensation during this time.  Do I have to wait until the end of my severance period?  Can I file after my last date with my company.  In case state laws make a difference, I live and work in Boston.

A: Thank you for asking this question as it raises an issue that often causes confusion.  An “agreement and release” document is sometimes offered by an employer to a separating employee.  Perhaps a company is relocating and the employee has expressed no interest in the new location. Or maybe the employee’s role is being eliminated and the work will be automated or handled by other colleagues.  For whatever reason, employers sometimes offer this type of agreement to an employee who is leaving the organization.  Often this type of agreement provides severance pay and maybe some continuation of other benefits, like medical insurance.  It may also provide outplacement benefits, which will assist the employee in finding a new employment.   These additional benefits are only given if the employee signs the agreement.  As you know, employees are often eligible for unemployment compensation upon a separation in most situations, when a job is eliminated.

To help answer your question, I contacted Attorney Jeffrey Dretler, a partner at the Boston office of Fisher & Phillips LLP.  Dretler explains, “In most circumstances, an individual receiving severance pay is disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits during the period of severance. However, when an employee executes a release of claims as a condition of receiving severance, that disqualification does not apply. So, in your case, you should file your claim for unemployment at the same time as you would have done regardless of the severance pay, which is during your first week of unemployment, even though your eligibility to receive benefits would not begin until your second week of unemployment (the first week is a “waiting period”). It normally takes 2-3 weeks for the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance to process your claim before you will begin receiving payments, which will be retroactive to the end of the waiting period. The impact of severance pay on eligibility for unemployment benefits and the process for filing is determined by each state, so the advice could be different if you had worked outside Massachusetts.”

As Dretler mentioned, unemployment benefits can differ by state. The weekly benefit and the maximum number of weeks vary by state.  However, in Massachusetts, an employee who signs a release of claims is able to file for unemployment upon separation.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.

When I walk into a networking event…

Q: I have been told to network at different professional events.  I don’t know where to find these events.  Beyond that, I am nervous about what to do.  How does one actually “network” at these events?  Please give me very basic rules.  I have no idea what people mean when they say I should “network” at professional events to find a job.

A: Network, network, network — it’s our mantra to job seekers.  We encourage, preach and cajole job seekers to network and then network some more!  You are right though – we don’t share enough on the specifics!

Here is my best list of networking events for job seekers:

1. Alumni associations which connect you with others from his or her school (undergraduate or graduate). Often, at these events, you will see friendly faces.
2. Professional associations which link you with others within your profession (HR, finance, IT, etc.). A common profession is easy to talk about with other attendees.
3. Trade associations which are professional groups within your industry (biotech, higher education, etc.). Often these attendees know of companies hiring or expanding.
4. Events which specifically target job seekers. Acton Networkers – www.actonnetworkers.org is a very active group.
5. Meetup groups (www.meetup.com) connect people with common interests, from salsa dancing to meditation. There are also meetups for technology job seekers or those who want to learn more about interview prep.

How to prepare yourself for such an event:

1. Print business cards and make sure that they are simple and easy to read. Include a quick phrase which describes your career interests (e.g. “controller with public accounting experience.”) A phone number and email should also be included.  I think a LinkedIn URL is also helpful.
2. Dress appropriately. Spiffy business casual is what I suggest.
3. Research the event. Arrive on time. The fewer surprises the better.  No one likes to circle searching for a parking space.  Understand the format in advance.  Have your 1-2 minute elevator pitch ready.
4. If it is a larger gathering (20 or more attendees), don’t try to shake every hand in the room. It is better to leave with 3 to 5 new contacts who are most relevant to your search.
5. Follow-up after the event. If you met a few people who could be beneficial to your search, ask to meet them for coffee. Or at least connect on LinkedIn.
6. Be gracious. Always email a quick note of thanks to anyone who meets with you.

With each event, you will gain more confidence.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.

How to follow up after an interview

Q:  I have been told repeatedly to “follow up” after an interview.  But how?  Should I mail a thank-you note?  Snail mail seems old-fashioned.  Do I send an email?  Or place a phone call?  What do you recommend?  I have had more than one recruiter ask me to “follow up” with them?  But honestly I am not sure what that means.  Thank you Job Doc.

A:  Following up after an interview is essential.  Candidates who follow up after an interview demonstrate interest and show a commitment to the process.  Alternatively, candidates who do not follow up are perceived as less interested or less serious about the job opportunity.

I recommend candidates ask about how to follow-up before the interview ends.  For example, Marie is interviewing with ABC Company on Tuesday, February 14th.  Before she leaves the interview with Tamara, the hiring manager at ABC Company, one of her final questions should be: “Tamara, can you explain to me the next steps in the selection process?”  Marie will hopefully learn more about the process.  Marie might learn when they hope to fill the role, how many interviews are part of the process and how many other candidates are being considered at this point.  This is helpful too because it can set expectations as to how long each step might take.  If a company explains that they intend to ask candidates to interview two or three times at ABC Company, then that may take several weeks.  If a company explains that they expect to have a decision by Friday February 17th, that is a very different timeframe.  Marie can also ask “how do you prefer that I follow up with you?”  Tamara may offer several options – by phone, with an email or she may offer a specific date.  When we handle recruitment for our clients, I will often ask a candidate to email me by a certain date.

Additionally, always send a thank-you note.  Email is typically the best way to send a thank-you note.  Make sure you email it within 24 hours of an interview.  In the email, you again want to reiterate your interest.  It is also an opportunity to demonstrate professionalism and can serve as a sample for your writing skills.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.

Hundreds of resumes mailed and no response

Q: The last time I had to find a new job it was 1992.  This time I am not having great success.  I have sent out over 100 resumes along with very carefully written cover letters.  I have only heard back from one person and that was a former colleague who saw my resume and knew me.  I am getting increasingly desperate, annoyed, concerned and irritated.  How do I kick start my job search?

A: Stop what you are doing.  It’s not working, but you knew that.  The days of sending out hundreds of hard copies of resumes along with cover letters are over.  It is not an efficient way to use your time.

Instead, focus on building your network.  You already share one very important piece of information.  “I have only heard back from one person and that was a former colleague who saw my resume and knew me.”  This sentence says it all.

A strong professional network is a powerful job hunting tool.  Yes, candidates still get jobs through sending hard copies of their resume, responding to job postings and through placement firms.  However, your professional network is probably the most critical piece of the job hunter’s tool kit.  Most employees still hear of job leads through a professional contact.  LinkedIn is a great way to continue to build your network.  However, it does not replace face-to-face networking.

I still have the goal of adding three plus new connections every week on LinkedIn.  I have about 4700 connections on LinkedIn and I continue to build my network.

How do you network face-to-face?  You can used LinkedIn and ask to meet contacts for coffee or lunch.  You can attend networking groups.  There is a very active group in Acton (www.actonnetworkers.org) and also a sister group in Hopkinton.  There are Meetup groups all over (www.meetup.com) and you can find groups with common career interests.  On March 16, 2017, I am speaking at the Career Center of Lowell, Networkers event at 9:00am (www.cclowell.org).

Think about the time you have devoted to your job hunt.  Now think about the time you have spent behind your PC vs. meeting contacts face-to-face.  I challenge you to limit your PC work to 25% of your time and then face-to-face networking should be about 70 to 75% of your time.

Good luck in your search!  Congrats to our NE Patriots!

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.