Tag: Job Offers

A job offer is a formal invitation extended by an employer to a candidate, outlining the terms and conditions of employment, including salary, benefits, and job responsibilities. This tag covers essential topics such as understanding job offers, negotiating terms, responding to offers, and handling offer contingencies. Whether you’re evaluating an offer, considering a counteroffer, or preparing for employment, explore expert advice on making informed decisions and navigating the job offer process effectively.

  • Job Report Impact on Unemployment

    Job Report Impact on Unemployment

    The job report can impact Minnesota unemployment claims and benefits. I see this most often with audits and work availability issues.

    The job report provides data on the number of employment opportunities created. The unemployment office uses this data when claiming a person is not finding work fast enough or that the applicant’s labor market is compromised. Unfortunately, these big words and phrases are terms of art utilized by the unemployment office.

    Back to the statistics that came out on this past Friday, this information is used by policymakers, economists, and investors to assess the health of the economy and make decisions related to employment and other economic policies.

    Right or wrong, these types of things find themselves intertwined with certain types of unemployment appeals.

    In addition to impacting the unemployment rate, jobs data can also impact an applicant’s confidence in their work search process or encourage other job seeking strategies.

    Overall, looking at employment numbers is an important indicator of economic health and can have wide-reaching impacts on individuals, businesses, and the broader economy.

  • Unemployment After A Layoff

    Unemployment After A Layoff

    Unemployment after a layoff is not as easy as it sounds.  With inflation running wild and businesses laying off workers, I cannot help but address a very important point:  unemployment is not a guarantee

    The law aside, there are many factors that go into whether or not a person qualifies for benefits.  Even more, an employer’s actions after a job ends can drastically change how you look at application for benefits.

    As a result, when employers confuse or blur the lines, guessing isn’t enough. 

    Help with Unemployment After a Layoff

    As many people are finding out, unemployment after a layoff sometimes comes with strings attached.  Sometimes, this means a job loss is presented with a separation agreement. 

    This is followed with a wink, a nudge, and a monetary sum of money.  Not to fast though, because signing the dotted line can lead to bigger problems down the road. 

    This is especially true when we do not whether the next job is around the corner or light years away. 

    Before applying for benefits, consider some light reading.  First, look at Minnesota Statute 268.085.  This law outlines all kinds of rules on the framework of eligibility.  In fact, the name of the rule itself is called “Eligibility Requirements”. 

    When trying to understand unemployment benefits, you really cannot go wrong by reading the rules. 

    On the other hand, if a person is trying to obtain unemployment after either quitting or getting fired, consider reading Minnesota Statute 268.095.  Under this rule, you will find all kinds of reasons addressing benefits after a discharge and benefits as a result of quitting. 

    That said, reading each rule isn’t going to be good enough.  This is true because there are nearly 2,000 court cases helping us understand unemployment laws and to the extent benefits are granted.

    I know this is a lot to absorb.  Especially after a job loss.  Start simple.  The process of applying for benefits is just as important as submitting a resume. 

    In fact, some of the same principles apply in either situation.  Every question is a trick and knowing why you are offering specific information is crucial to the bigger picture. 


  • Job Offers Cause Unemployment Problems

    Job Offers Cause Unemployment Problems

    Unsuitable job offers can hurt unemployed workers in Minnesota.  Money, salary, and wages make a job offer prone to an audit.

    When employers and temp agencies hide the details of an offer, this makes reviewing suitable offers versus the unemployment rule, job seekers get stuck.

    Thus, let’s take a quick look at this issue.

    Unemployment Lawyer

    Unemployment Help

    If you have ever watched Wall Street pundits or hung around a pig farmer, you likely have heard the phrase pigs get fed, hogs get slaughtered.  

    Applying this saying to an unemployed worker, it might appear they should jump at the first job offer.  But, what if the job offer is ridiculously low?

    Well, a lot of folks end up seeking advisement on rule 268.085, subdivision 13c, which is actually quite long. Basically, it says a worker is ineligible for benefits if they reject a reasonable “suitable employment” offer for work.

    As you can probably guess, what is suitable or reasonable for some, might not be suitable or reasonable for others.  In no particular order, here are a few factors to consider:

    • How long has one been unemployed
    • The size of one’s labor market
    • Commute length
    • Shift work
    • Previous jobs or careers
    • Past wages, salary, commissions, etc.
    • Difference in pay compared to job history
    • Occupation
    • Contract terms

    Again, this is a very subjective list and it will be different for nearly everybody.

    Absolutely I believe the process of being unemployed can turn into an even better opportunity for executives, managers, union workers, hourly workers, part-time workers, and everybody in-between.  

    But, hogs have a tendency of getting slaughtered, when waiting for pie-in-the-sky job offers.

    For some, the risks and penalties identified by case law and Minnesota unemployment statute 268.085 outweigh the rewards.  

    Again, this is a case by case situation because it requires a deep understanding of unemployment misrepresentation versus a business risk.

    From my perspective, I want to help folks remain eligible.  Being ineligible or taxed with an overpayment makes being unemployed even more difficult than it already is.  

    Here are a few more issues every applicant should be prepared for:

    • Engaging the reason(s) for becoming unemployed.

    In my profession, I see small problems turn into big problems because people respond horribly to questionnaires and judges.  Thus, please be prudent and versus rolling the dice.

  • Interview for the Unemployed, Tips and Thoughts

    Interview for the Unemployed, Tips and Thoughts

    An interview for the unemployed is stressful.  Answering questions about a job loss makes this process even more difficult.   This is especially true when a person does not know how to classify the events that led up to their job ending.

    Because most folks who contact me are unemployed, I am very familiar with this type of anxiety.

    Being Scared about the Unemployment Label

    No, I do not think workers should be scared of referring to their job loss as a lay off.  Really, what alternative do we have?  It happened and now we need to move on, right?  On the other hand, we cannot make the situation worse by falling for a trap.

    For one, a layoff and getting fired is practically the same thing.  The distinction people get stuck on, are the words and events that led to their job ending.

    Whether an employer is honest or they stretch the truth to avoid unemployment taxes imposed by Minnesota, is not a problem or issue a person should bring to their next interview and job.  Please read on, for more tips.

    Interview For the Unemployed Worker:  Resume

    Personally, I like to see people focusing more on their skills and talents within a cover letter, resume or application than a negative.

    First, time and space is of the essence.  Second, the interview process is likely the better venue for discussing a job loss.  Third, a person gets hired based on their talents.  You already know this, but I will say it always: focus on your positive attributes instead.

    Applications for Unemployed Workers in Minnesota

    Surprisingly, I meet with a lot of people who cannot wait to fill out a job application and use their past employer as a reference or summarize a storyline that led to their job ending.  Don’t do this!

    Would a divorced person encourage a potential date to ask their ex-souse questions about a past marriage?  Of course not!  Your divorced?  Ok, lets move on.  Likewise, I believe the same is true for folks filling out applications and work past the unemployment process.

    That said, a person who is divorced shouldn’t lie about being married.  And, job applications shouldn’t lie about having a past job.

    The trick is keeping it simple.  In my experience, a lot of employees, workers, managers or whatever, are able to state with a clear conscious that their job ended because they were laid off.  Period.  When the situation is more complicated, I think seeking help is highly encouraged.

    Unemployed Workers Getting Interviewed

    Every person who has suffered a recent job loss (quitting or otherwise) should take their unemployment benefits seriously to assist in their transition.  After that, focus on acquiring an interview.

    The difference between a bad interview and a great interview is preparation.  Unfortunately, unemployed workers are failing at the interview question about their job loss.  Sometimes, future employers use “why do you want this job” as another way of asking about your job loss.  Do not fall for this trap.

    Luckily, you read this article and contacted me directly.  Limiting an answer to a lay-off is so much easier than talking about a bunch of events which only a significant other and an attorney should know about.  Perhaps you agree.

    Either way, I wish you the very best.