Q. I worked for a 24,000-circulation weekly for five years before I was laid off two weeks ago. Our paper had been struggling for some time -- its five reporters had taken late paychecks to try to help the company for at least four years.
But around Christmas, when we should have seen improvement, sales took a nosedive, and the publishers went three weeks without paying us. Also, a pending sale of the newspaper fell apart. Push came to shove, and the writers ended up taking layoffs just to get paid.
Some staffers were able to stay on without pay (these were people who were married and had another income). But single workers like myself were frightened by growing stacks of bills and took the layoffs.
We have not been able to get any answers on paychecks, but we were able to get letters of recommendation from the publisher. Needless to say, I would be floored if the paper doesn't shut its doors within the next month or so.
My question for you is, if in the event that I can get another interview, should I explain all of this? I really would not want to say anything nasty about my former employers (it would probably make me look like a dolt), but I don't want recruiters to think I was laid off for some secret reason. Also, I suspect the efforts to collect my last couple of paychecks will get very ... umm ... heated.
I want recruiters to understand the impossible situation I'm in when they debate why I collected unemployment (I assume I will be asked that, or that my former employers may disclose it). But I'm scared to bring it up.
Joe -- throw me a lifeline here, please!
MollyA. Ouch! I am sorry to hear about this.
I wish this were not the case, but you have a lot of company. No one will be surprised, in 2009, by what has happened to you. Nor should people judge you. Develop a brief, factual explanation. Use it if asked. Do not use it in your cover letter. Write that as you normally would. But put a brief explanation on the resume, as recruiters always ask about turning points.
"Had to leave when newspaper could no longer meet payroll." That, with the publisher's letter, should assure prospective employers that you can do the job.
And, you are right; do not burn up much interview time talking about events that were out of your control.
Finally, do not be ashamed or embarrassed to collect unemployment. You paid into the system, and the system was made to help people in your situation. The transition we are going through is painful enough without needless guilty feelings. Stay in touch with others and remind one another that you worked hard and well and that there will be futures for all of you.
Comment: Have you been through this? Are you a hiring manager? What do you say? Coming Tuesday: This print-based reporter is raring to go into digital media. She just wants to know: Which way should she go?
Three weeks with no pay - and some people stayed...
