The Early Show Jobs Summit

The Early Show invited me on this morning to kick off a great show, devoted to the issue of jobs--kind of like an Early Show Jobs Summit.

We ran a little short on the segment, but in a nutshell, here's advice If you're underemployed, like approximately 6.8% of the nation's workers:

• Get a second job and don't worry about the stigma. Consider plant/house sitting, dog walking
• Allocate time for your job search and brush up on these job interview tips
• Keep current with your industry or sector

• Don't hide at the office - know your boss's priorities and be sure you're doing work he/she thinks is important. Keep an ear to the ground so you know about any changes coming to the company
• Network within the company and out, with an eye towards enriching your career and finding people who can help you out, if necessary
• Squeeze money out of your benefits

• On Sunday, February 28th, the COBRA premium subsidy eligibility period ends (went into effect as of September 1, 2008 through February 28, 2010)
• Subsidy was for 65% of COBRA premium
• If you haven't filed for COBRA yet, you are still eligible ex post - 28 FEB
• The current jobs bill, being held up in the Senate, has a provision to extend the COBRA premium subsidy for 10 more months

Jill Schlesinger

Jill Schlesinger, CFP® is the Emmy-nominated business analyst for CBS News. She covers the economy, markets, investing and anything else with a dollar sign on TV, radio (including her nationally syndicated radio show), the web and her blog, "Jill on Money." Prior to her second career at CBS, Jill spent 14 years as the co-owner and chief investment officer for an independent investment advisory firm. She began her career as a self-employed options trader on the Commodities Exchange of New York, following her graduation from Brown University.

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