DEAR HARRIETTE: I worked on my factory job for 15 years, and I was recently laid off, though I didn’t do anything wrong. My company was sold, and the new management is automating everything, so they cut back on a lot of the workers. I have to find work soon, but I’m not sure what to do. I can’t outsmart a computer. Another friend who got laid off has decided to take computer classes so that he might be able to get an administrative job. Do you think that’s a good idea? I don’t know what to do. -- Out of Work, Queens, New York
DEAR OUT OF WORK: It is always smart to increase your skills. What you may want to do is go to your local unemployment office -- the same place where you can get unemployment compensation for a period. Get counseling there for how to direct your job search and expand your abilities. The government offers a range of free classes for people who are trying to re-enter the work force. Seek out this support to see what types of jobs are available these days and what you need in order to secure one. Go to careeronestop.org for guidance.
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)