单选题
With the US economy slowing down, layoffs are
everywhere. No industry is spared. If you end up having to start over, in
addition to starting your job search, there are several things you should take
care of to make your transition a smooth one. First and
foremost, clear up any misunderstanding about how and why you left your last job
with your ex-boss. Whether you left voluntarily, were fired or were laid off due
to budget cutbacks, make sure you both have the same explanation. Agree on job
titles accordingly. Also ask for a reference if you think your ex-boss will
offer one and you trust that he or she will speak honestly about your
performance. You should have a source of emergency cash that
you can use in the interim. Don't panic and liquidate your stocks and bonds just
yet, be optimistic in your prospects while also be more frugal than usual. You
should save money on not having to dry-clean work clothes so often and eating
less take-out lunches. Save money by not eating out at restaurants and watch
videos rather than going to the movies every weekend. Make a note of your job
hunting expenses, such as career counselors' consulting fees and resume printing
costs, and save the receipts. By next year's tax-filing time, you could get
deductions on your job-search expense (unless you left a job willingly or was a
college graduate looking for your first job). Most companies
terminate your medical insurance coverage as soon as you stop working for them.
But it doesn't mean you have to forgo medical coverage altogether. There is
something called Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) in the
United States that legally protects an ex-employee's right to stay in the
company's health care plan. However, the company will stop paying your premiums,
and you will have to pay out of your pocket the expenses. This is still a good
option compared to no health insurance at all. Another
important thing to take care of when you change jobs is your 401 (k) account. A
401 (k) is the retirement fund that most companies offer. It's named after
section 401 (k) in the Internal Revenue Service's policy documents. You put
aside a percentage of your paycheck each pay period, and the money accumulated
will be managed by the 401 (k) fund manager your employer has hired and is
invested in the stock market. You cannot withdraw money from this account until
you reach this age, or you will incur penalties. When you leave a job, the money
can sometimes be kept with your ex-employer for a while. It's always a good idea
to compare your new employer's 401 (k) plan with your old one. Every company
offers different types of investment options, from overseas stocks to hightech
stocks and everything in between. If you do want to transfer the account to your
new employer, you need to go to the human resources department and ask for forms
that help you make the transition. Don't forget to ask for job
leads from your ex-coworkers. Even if you are leaving for a job in another
industry, you never know what people they happen to know that can help with your
job search. Keep in touch with the friends you have made at your old job.
Remember to anchor yourself to people, not institutions, and you will find that
any transition is made easier.
单选题
According to Paragraph 1, in the United States, ______.
A. most industries stay unaffected by global economic recession
B. each and every company spares no effort to survive the fierce
competition
C. "compulsory redundancy" is going on in every industry
D. employees are laid off because they are not qualified for their
jobs