Millions of hardworking Americans will be cut off from the emergency lifeline of federal unemployment insurance, unless Congress acts to fully renew the program before it expires at the end of February.

Congress has never cut back or allowed these programs to expire when unemployment was anywhere near this high for this long.

Yet, as a Congressional conference committee takes it up, House Republicans have pushed for drastic benefit cuts and harsh new requirements — slashing federal unemployment insurance by more than half in the highest unemployment states, and stigmatizing jobless workers with mandatory drug testing.

Their plan would erect harmful new barriers to benefits, making it harder for ordinary Americans to access their unemployment insurance.

Please enter your information on nelp.org, including your phone number. You will receive a call, hear a brief message and then you will be connected to your Members of Congress.

Tell your Members of Congress: Reject Cuts and Harsh Barriers to Unemployment Insurance Benefits — Fully Renew Unemployment Insurance Through 2012 Now! You can refer to the sample script on nelp.org - click here.

Or you can call 888-245-3381 to connect with those Members.

Sample talking points:

Hello, my name is ______________ and I am ________________’s constituent from ____________.

I am calling to urge _______________ to support swift action to fully renew federal unemployment insurance through 2012, and to oppose cuts and harmful barriers to benefits.

Please tell _____________ to urge Congressional conference committee members to reject reckless cuts and harsh barriers to unemployment insurance benefits — and fully renew unemployment insurance through 2012 now. Thank you.

All too often we don’t really think much about how we should have been doing preventative employment until it’s too late (at which point it is no longer preventative :) ).  We bring our car in for routine oil changes and maintenance so that it hopefully doesn’t break down on us.  We should be doing the same to keep our employment razors sharp. 

Ask yourself the following questions: If I were to lose my job today, could I start sending out my resume tomorrow?  How much time would I need to spend updating it to really get into a position of being impressive to a prospective employer?  How confident am I in my interviewing skills?  How well can I sell myself in front of others when the ultimate pressure is on during an interview?  Does my resume suit even fit me anymore?

Read More