It's Back to the Books for the Unemployed

In this rough job market, the unemployed need all the help they can get. Laid-off workers are no doubt spending a lot of time not only looking for jobs, but also polishing their resumes and practicing their interview skills. But while a stellar resume might get you in the door, and a solid interview will get you on the short list, you need something that will give you a leg up on the competition. And a good place to start is your local community college.

I know what you're thinking: College, even community college, is expensive, and adding another bill to your already tight budget is not something you're interested in doing. But many community colleges and even some state schools are now offering free tuition to laid-off workers.

That's right: You may be able to go back to school for a degree or even just to re-tool your skills with a couple of classes, for free. And it could go a long way to helping you get a job.

"One of the questions in any interview is going to be 'what have you been doing since you lost your job?' and going to school is one thing you can point to. You're competing with lots of other folks right now, and having post-secondary education credentials will help set you apart," says Dr. Terry Hartle, senior vice president of government and public affairs for the American Council on Education.

Every community college in New Jersey is offering free tuition to laid-off workers -- in fact, they're required to do so by law. A handful of community colleges in the Philadelphia area are following suit, including the Montgomery County Community Colleges. Michigan has a "No Worker Left Behind" program that gives the unemployed up to two years of free tuition at any state community college, university or other approved training program. Other states have scholarship programs, either already implemented or in the works.

Here's how to use these programs to your advantage:

-- Do some research. You have to find a school in your area that offers free tuition, and to do so, start with an Internet search. If you Google "free tuition for laid-off workers" and your state name, a list of options should pop up. Most schools do their best to broadcast these opportunities. But if you don't find anything, pick up the phone and start calling around to the schools in your area. Ask not only about free tuition, but also scholarships for laid-off workers and even one- or two-day seminars. Many schools will offer classes for community members in subjects like grant-writing and computer skills for minimal or no cost. Any kind of up-to-date training like this -- provided it's in line with your career ambitions -- reflects well on your resume.

-- Follow the rules. Each school or state is different, and they all have requirements that you must meet before your tuition is waived. Some, like New Jersey, require you to register with county career centers. Most also require proof that you were laid off -- a letter from your former employer will likely do -- and in most cases, you need to live in the county where the community college you plan to attend is located. A quick call to the school's admissions department will net you all the information you need.

-- Act fast. These free tuition programs, as you might imagine, are in pretty high demand. Classes are limited in size, and many schools give preference to paying students, so being on the ball is crucial. In an economic downturn, community colleges are more popular than ever, says Hartle. "Most expect a surge this fall, as the result of several factors. Some young people conclude that the job market isn't their friend and they need to get an education. And a lot of people who lose their jobs decide they will be more salable if they get more education, so they either start a post-secondary education program or pick up where they left off."

-- Pick the right programs. "Think of where you are, where you want to go, and what academic courses can get you there. Most institutions will be all too happy to talk to students about what they offer," says Hartle. You don't have time to waste right now, so really put some thought into this and pick classes or a degree program that will give you the biggest boost in this job market. G. Jeremiah Ryan, the president of Bergen Community College in New Jersey, says most schools, including his, offer one-year certificate programs that are popular with laid-off workers. Examples are curriculums in paralegal studies, healthcare (always one of the fastest growing fields) and web design. If you don't know what specific direction you'd like to explore, take a look at the Department of Labor's employment projects. They list the 30 industries with the largest employment growth (from 2006-2016). Topping that list are registered nurses, retail salespersons, customer service representatives, office clerks, home health aides and post-secondary teachers.