Unemployment can be one of the most
challenging life experiences anyone can go through. It may come as a
surprise or maybe the situation has built up over time; but still, no
one can exactly prepare for such an ordeal. People who find
themselves in-between jobs cannot avoid that feeling of uncertainty –
and that in itself is quite hard to cope with. In all honesty though,
every day becomes a constant struggle to avoid falling into a state
of hopelessness and depression.
There are, however, some things that
can be done to keep a positive outlook while seeking future
employment. And if ever you find yourself in this situation, here are
seven ways that you can stay positive while hunting for your next
job.
1.
Set employment goals
There is a saying
that a plan without a deadline is just a wish. And when you’re
looking for work, you might want to set viable goals for yourself.
For example, you can send your resume to three companies in the
morning and make four calls in the afternoon. You can also add
expanding your professional network by meeting one new person every
week. Of, course, these goals have to be reasonable too. So, take
your situation into great consideration and be realistic in your
goal-setting.
2.
Maintain a schedule
One of the
biggest temptations during unemployment is to remove the structures
that were once there during your work-life. When you’re
unemployed, it’s hard to maintain a certain schedule. There is
always that great temptation to play video games or watch television
all night and sleep until noon – some of the things you weren’t
able to do when you were working. Maintaining a schedule involves a
lot of discipline and commitment, but the effort will definitely pay
off once you reintegrate with the workforce.
3.
Take this time-off to learn
Remember that
time you swore to become a lifelong learner and learn new skills?
There’s no other time to level-up your skills than now. Take free
online courses. Watch instructional videos. Learn how to code. Enroll
in free classes at your local career center. You have at least eight
hours of free time daily to do whatever you want. Now, wouldn’t it
be nice if you dedicate some of this time for self-improvement?
4.
Improve your health
A common result
of unemployment is weight gain and an unhealthy lifestyle. These,
however, are all up to you. While a gym
membership might be too
much of a luxury at this point, always remember that it’s free to
stay healthy and exercise. Take a walk for an hour. Jog for a few
minutes. Do some push-ups.
5.
Put up a side business
Unemployment is
also a good time to find other sources of income. Who knows? Maybe
these sideline businesses can become your full-time career. You can
do freelance work online. You can rent out your seldom-used tools.
You can even rentout your unused driveway
as a parking spot on online community sharing sites!
6.
Do volunteer work
Want
to gain a different perspective? Do volunteer
work. You get to get a
better grasp of your own predicament by understanding how others are
doing in their struggles too. Aside from learning experience, doing
volunteer work also opens up your mind to see the world from other
people’s perspectives. You might also get to find a cause that you
are passionate about and dedicate yourself to.
7.
Be realistic
Things may not
look that bright as of the moment. Your income may have decreased or
disappeared entirely. The future might look uncertain for you.
However, don’t fret. Everything’s not over yet. You are not
defined by your employment status. You just need to be more realistic
about the timeframe for getting your next job. And just like in most
things that are worth it, it does take some time. Just keep your head
low and keep trying.
Conclusion
You can avoid the
usual pitfalls that come with unemployment by following these seven
tips. Just always remember to never be idle and use your time to work
on yourself. And if things get too rough – which sometimes do
happen – don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family. And
if you feel like you’re falling into serious mental issues like
depression and addiction, there is no shame in seeking professional
help. Unemployment can be such a challenging ordeal, but you don’t
have to go through it alone.
Sarah
Kearns is a hard working mother of three daughters. She is a Senior
Communications Manager for BizDb,
an online resource with information about businesses in the UK. She
loves cooking, reading history books and writing about green living.
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