-- Take an aptitude test to evaluate your skills and interests that could lead to a new job, Snyder suggested.

-- Thoroughly research jobs in the area and find out their salaries if you’re considering switching careers. Make sure the career can sustain a family.

"We don't want people going to school and then not finding a job or supporting themselves,” Snyder said.

If making ends meet has become a challenge, people can take a budgeting class at CareerLink. In more urgent situations, apply for help from the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency, which provides emergency housing and help with fuel costs to qualifying individuals.

Claiming unemployment benefits

Laid-off workers should also apply for unemployment — temporary income support for people unemployed through no fault of their own, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry's Web site. Area residents must call the Scranton Unemployment Compensation Service Center to file claims.

But that's easier said than done, according to Bardole.

With so many in the area applying for unemployment, the unemployment office phone lines are consistently busy, she explained. Multiple calls placed from The Daily Item to the Scranton unemployment office Thursday afternoon and Friday morning received a busy signal.

“I just keep hitting the redial button,” Bardole said of trying to call the Scranton office about her unemployment. “It’s very frustrating, especially when you’re just laid off and sitting there trying to get things rolling.”

Snyder suggested waiting until the end of the week to call and submit an unemployment claim because so many people call on Mondays.

For unemployment benefit information and eligibility requirements, visit or call CareerLink or go online to www.dli.state.pa.us.

Plans for the future

“I’m thinking about maybe going into healthcare — there’s work there and you won’t get laid off,” said Zechman, who is currently researching classes to become a certified nursing assistant.

To get through the holidays, Bardole said she’ll look for a part-time job in the area and then move to Colorado in February if she hasn’t yet found full-time work. Bardole previously lived in Colorado for 13 years and she has already spoken to a former employer there who said she can get back her old job.

Whether she stays in Pennsylvania or moves out west, Bardole knows it won’t be easy.