The idea of unemployment may sound inviting but those who have been out of a job for a while may beg to differ.
It can be very frustrating and disheartening, and tiring! Searching for the right opportunity, preparing and going for interviews, waiting for a call back or sometimes a rejection is emotionally draining and often a long process. It’s sometimes difficult to know how to use your time effectively so here are some tips on how you can plan your days to make the task of getting out of unemployment more manageable.
1.Make a schedule and stick to it! Structure your day like a proper working day and maintain these timings throughout the week. Get up at 7am, go for a run or to the gym, get dressed, make yourself a good breakfast and set yourself up for a productive day. Set out a list of tasks for yourself and make sure it’s realistic, achievable and works for you. Don’t just sit at your computer all day either, get some fresh air and exercise and keep that brain ticking!
2.Be organised. If you are confused about what career path you want to take, make a distinct list of things you want to get out of a job, and the skills you have and want to develop. Use this to find the relevant recruitment agencies and companies that you want to connect with. Call and arrange a time to go in and register with them – don’t delay or put it off, they are there to help and you need to get the ball rolling! Keep a list of people you’ve called, jobs you’ve applied for and CVs you have sent, it may need tweaking depending on the types of roles they have.
3.Sign up to at least 3 recruitment agencies. Different agencies will have a number of different roles on, in different industries. The more you sign up to, the more likely something will come your way. Remember to keep in touch with them and update them with your current situation, give them a call and remind them that you’re still looking for a job.
4.Use the internet. Social media is a great way to market yourself whether it’s on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, so make sure you have a professional and up-to-date profile that will attract recruiters and employers. It’s also a great way to network and connect with people and keep track of what’s out there.
5.Do something different! If you’re not interested in finding a job think about other ways you could use your time. What other interests do you have? Perhaps you could write a blog or do a course and learn a new skill. If you then decide to go back into employment you’ll be able to impress employers with what you have done rather than having big gaps in your CV. What about volunteering somewhere, for a charity or at a school? This will show you are proactive and are driven, if you say that you’ve been doing nothing for two months it won’t show you in a great light. Maybe you’ve always wanted to travel, what a great opportunity to do that! Have you had a good idea for a business but not had the time to look into it properly? Maybe this is a chance to do something entrepreneurial and start something of your own. The opportunities are endless!
6.Talk to people. You shouldn’t sit at home alone all day – set up meetings with friends or any contacts you may have. They might have ideas you haven’t even thought of or they might have other useful contacts for you. You might also be able to help them. This is a challenging but exciting process where everyone should communicate and work together.
Unemployment shouldn’t be looked at negatively, instead think of it as a time to really think about your future and what you want to get out of life and your career. Take time to make some decisions and don’t rush into anything, you want to get it right!
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