Here are six strategies to assist you make the most of your unemployment to help you advance both your career and emotional well-being.
After Being Laid Off, Take Some Time To Refocus Before Starting Your Job Search.
Everyone will experience unemployment differently and have various demands. However, Indeed career coach Jamie Birt strongly advises it if you can take some time off after being let go.
Burnout is a possibility if you start looking for a job right away after getting fired, according to Birt. Rushing things also prevents you from taking time to unwind after a traumatic life event, which may cause you to accept a job that doesn’t fit with your long-term objectives or moral principles.
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Visit and travel with loved ones. Give your favourite hobby some time. Enter the outdoors. Because getting fired is upsetting, concentrate on your favourite activities during the initial weeks. Make sure you have enough gas in the tank to provide your best effort during the interview process when you come across a position you’re passionate about.
Set Modest & Doable Objectives For Yourself:
To avoid long-term burnout once you’re prepared to begin your job search, start each week by setting smaller goals. Make sure your list also includes goals that are unrelated to your search for a job.
Birt advises making these daily or weekly goals to give you a sense of progress. Making it a point to apply for 10 jobs by the end of the week or sending five people requests for informational interviews by the end of the day are two examples of how to do this.
The objectives must be independent of one another, thus “secure two interviews this week” wouldn’t be on the list.
However, Birt advises that you should spend time on your happy pursuits after reaching your daily or weekly work goals. And incorporate it into your daily lifestyle.
Don’t feel bad if you take some time for yourself during this time, Birt said. “Watch a movie in the afternoon, go to an exercise class in the morning, etc. Do activities you can’t ordinarily do while you have a job because having time off from work is uncommon.
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Networking Is Essential!
Don’t undervalue the impact of networking or who you’re connected with when looking for a new job.
A 2016 study found that networking on social media with your close friends (or solid connections) might not be the greatest option for someone looking for a new career.
Instead, the study discovered that your acquaintances, or weak connections, are more helpful in your job search since they provide doors to social circles and employment chances that are beyond the scope of your regular network.
Reach out to your friends and those who are employed by businesses or jobs that interest you, Birt recommended. “Set up coffee dates with people who work in your sector using social networking platforms. Making better judgments during your job hunt will be aided by learning more about the businesses and positions you’re interested in.
The best job search trick, according to Birt, is getting a referral to a company. If you’ve been referred for a position, businesses frequently will send you right to a phone screening, so it’s a terrific method to stand out from other candidates. A lot can depend on who you know.
Stay Active In your Industry:
Finding activities that give you the impression that you are still progressing forward in your profession is crucial because being unemployed frequently makes it seem like your career is regressing. You’ll feel more productive both personally and professionally if you make a concerted effort to study more during your downtime.
Consider performing personal projects, taking an online course, or reading books or articles about your field, Birt advised. When you get an interview, demonstrating how you’ve stayed involved in your field while looking for work will also help you stand out.
Numerous companies provide inexpensive, comprehensive online courses like MasterClass as well as cost-free tools like HarvardX, where you can access courses in subjects like chemistry, food and nutrition, computer science, music, and more.
In addition to online classes, you might consider freelancing or volunteering to boost your income while you’re unemployed.
Consider professional branding if you’re thinking about changing careers.
Some job seekers might want to switch to a new field or industry that offers more stability because some sectors are currently seeing more layoffs than others—particularly those that overhired in the early years of the pandemic.
Birt Offers Some Advice If You Want To Transform Your Career:
First, consider your abilities, fundamental principles, and areas of interest to see if the new profession or sector you’re considering fits your priorities. If you’re unsure of where to begin, use tools like the employment estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify the industries with the quickest rate of growth.
Next, arrange informational interviews with people working in the fields you’re considering. Social media platforms like LinkedIn let you add a brief note to a new connection request. Use this space to briefly describe your desire to connect to possibly learn more about the XYZ industry as you are wanting to change career paths. Inquire as much as you can.
It’s crucial to rebrand yourself once you’ve entered the new area or industry you’re migrating into. Your cover letter, résumé, and social media accounts should all be tailored to this business. Draw attention to your versatile abilities. assemble references.
Additionally, if you discover during the rebranding process that you lack certain skills or knowledge, think about enrolling in some online courses or finding volunteer positions within the sector to obtain experience.
“Transitioning may seem overwhelming, but people successfully change careers all the time,” Birt said.
Invest as much time in yourself as you do in your job search:
Keep in mind that you are more than your profession. Think about how you want your life to be going forward, both personally and professionally, during this time away from a 9 to 5 job. Do you enjoy living in your city? How do you spend your free time? Is there anything you’ve always wanted to do but felt was out of your reach in the past?
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As stressful as a layoff may be, for some people it triggers a reevaluation, according to Birt. “Don’t be hesitant to look into that.”
You have the power to look for new employment options that will bring you one step closer to the lifestyle you desire. For instance, perhaps you’d want to work for an organization that values work-life balance and promotes taking advantage of your paid time off.
Whatever your notion of the perfect existence is, don’t be afraid to establish limits on what you will and won’t put up with while you look for your next position.
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