Unemployment benefits in Massachusetts may be ending at the end of the year for many receiving extensions. I have heard from several customers that their benefits may no longer be extended and they face either taking a low paying job or no income if this happens. I don’t know if this is a rumor. If this is true then there will be many people racing to snatch up any job they can get.
What does this have to do with computers? I’m being asked by a co-worker reading over my shoulder. I am predicting technology demands will increase for the unemployed. People who don’t own computers are going to be forced to purchase or rent and people with slower computers are going to be forced to upgrade. I want to offer suggestions to make your job search more productive and efficient.
Most people own or have immediate access to a computer. Unless the computer was purchased new within the last year chances are there are some improvements that can be made. For starters, you should make sure you have Windows XP or newer. Software necessary for surfing the web and job hunting probably won’t run on anything older than XP.
Perhaps the most important thing that most people don’t worry about is updating virus software. AVG and AntiVir make two excellent free virus programs that scan computer files and monitor internet traffic. You should make sure your out-of-date virus software is completely uninstalled prior to installing either of my recommendations.
Hard drives are a common failure among PC’s more than a few years old. Perhaps the most telltale signs of a failing drive include humming or crunching noises coming from under the hood. You may notice data files are missing or corrupt. Finally, more times than not you may see windows perform a check disk (a blue screen that scans your hard drive) at startup. Most new hard drives are packaged with self install software that lets users copy from drive to drive.
A lack of memory will make your computer perform slowly. Upgrading memory is very easy for most people to execute on their own computers or laptops and usually only requires a few basic tools. XP machines run best with 512 megabytes of memory or better. Vista and 7 computers run best with 2 gigabytes of RAM or more. Inexpensive used memory can be purchased on eBay for half the price of new.
Some type of internet connection is necessary for job searches. Where available, I suggest DSL for price and cable internet for speed. Although dial-up is still available it may not be fast enough for modern job search sites. DSL subscriptions are slightly more per month then dial-up plans and have speeds up to ten times as fast.
Putting a resume together with Microsoft Office (MSO) isn’t necessary anymore. MSO used to be the only way of creating a .DOC file that employers and recruiters require for submission. OpenOffice is a free alternative that allows creation of .DOC files that anyone with MSO can open and edit. I have changed all computers in my home and office to OpenOffice with no issues from colleagues. Why pay $150.00 or more to type a resume?
I have seen the devastating effects of unemployment. During the recession of the early 2000’s I found myself with no job and no unemployment. I found myself scrambling to find a job with no income and very little financial reserves. I offer these suggestions so you can have time to prepare for the future. Good luck if you are unemployed; I understand what you are facing.
(Jeromy Patriquin is the President of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. located at 509 Main St. in Gardner. You can e-mail him at remoquin@gmail.com or call him directly at (978) 919-8059.)