If losing your job wasn’t on your 2024 bingo card, don’t panic. If you lost your job through no fault of your own, you should apply for Employment Insurance (EI) quickly, since the payouts can take time to kick in. You can expect to receive up to 55% of your earnings, with a maximum of $668 per week. To qualify for EI, you also need to have paid into the program through deductions from your payroll and worked at least 420 to 700 insurable hours in the past year, depending on the unemployment rate in your area. Many people don’t qualify, especially entry-level workers who may not have met the number of insurable hours yet. Despite the rising unemployment rate in Canada, only about 34% of unemployed people are currently receiving EI because of the strict qualifications to receive benefits. When you feel up to figuring out your next job move, look at it as an opportunity. Make a list of your dream companies, and hone in on what it is that you want to do. From there, reach out to companies, even if there are no job postings, to ask for informational interviews, which can land you a job down the line. You can also reach out to a few recruiters through LinkedIn or staffing agencies to help you land a job.