Unemployed…Now What?
Unless you’ve chosen not to work, being unemployed is tough. Regardless of whether you’ve just been laid off, fired, or chose to quit on your own terms, the fact remains that you’re still not getting a pay check. Losing one’s job is never easy, so after you’ve spent a few days feeling sorry for yourself, it’s time to make a plan.
Don’t get us wrong, feeling down is a natural part of the process, one that probably should take place in order to avoid pent up emotions that could lead to unhealthy consequences. Don’t make yourself feel worse for feeling sad. Just remember that this is a temporary setback. But, don’t wallow in your misfortunes for too long. Throwing yourself a non-stop pity party is just as unhealthy as keeping your emotions bottled up.
Re-evaluate your budget. Once you’re beginning to feel a little more like yourself, conduct a thorough review of your current financial situation. Make a list of your monthly necessities and how much each of them cost. Once you’ve written them out, go down the list to figure out which expenses you can live without, at least for the time being. For example, nix the daily Starbucks run and brew your own coffee Cancel that gym membership and take advantage of the warm weather by running or riding your bike outdoors.
Adapt. Take this time to reflect on your career path. Have you enjoyed what you’ve been doing? Maybe you’ve always dreamed about going back to school, or wondered what it would be like to work in a different field. This is your chance to reinvent yourself. Don’t feel as if you have to limit yourself to the familiar.
Re-visit your resume and consider volunteering in order to boost your experience, especially if you’re thinking about a career change. Remember to customize it to the specific job you’re applying for. Don’t get caught up by rejection, use this as a chance to learn and grow.
Network. Remember to stay positive. Maintaining a sense of optimism will be essential in helping you navigate the road ahead. If you previously were a writer for a newspaper, you don’t necessarily have to share this information with everyone. If writing is who you are, then don’t let a job title define you. When someone asks what you do, answer by telling them you’re a freelance writer, rather than answering with “I’m unemployed.”
Keep channels open and stay in touch with colleagues who might be able to refer you to someone they know is hiring.
Schedule as many job interviews as you can. Rather than sleeping until noon every day will not help you find a job as quickly as you’d like. Wake up early, get dressed and schedule what you’ll do throughout the day. An organized schedule will keep you moving forward and give you a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day, creating a positive attitude
If you qualify, apply for unemployment benefits The check you receive from unemployment will help to ease your financial burden until you can find a secure and temporary job. Contact your local unemployment office for details on how to apply and how much you can expect to receive.
Start Your Own Business. Maybe you have an idea for a business or a new product but have never had the time to dedicate to your idea. This is your chance. So write up a plan, take a leap of faith and trust in yourself. If you believe in yourself, everyone else will too.
According to the U.S government, 6.2 million people have been unemployed for longer than 27 weeks as of January 2011. Remember, it’s easy to get discouraged, but it won’t change your situation. Take this opportunity to discover something better than what you had originally planned out for your life; you just might be surprised at what you find.
