So you're unemployed, now what? Sometimes it's hard to know where to start. Everything happened so suddenly. You start to go through periods of shifting blame from your previous employer to the the unshaven character in the mirror. You start to get depressed, and at no ones fault but your own. You need a plan, not just any plan - A PLAN OF ACTION.
Since something in your life has been destroyed, what is the appropriate reaction?
- TO CREATE!
These are the 10 things you must do when Unemployed
1. KNOW THYSELF - STAY POSITIVE
It may seem funny to some, but depression is a serious issue. Before anything else you need to take time to reflect on your accomplishments, the person you are. If your list of accomplishments isn't that long, then look forward to the things you will conquer in the future.
It's important to stay in character during this tough time. If you fall apart, it's only going to show others around you how weak you really are.
As a hiring manager myself, I naturally look for good vibes from people. I don't want to hire someone who makes me feel bad for feeling good, I want them to join me. Honestly I don't care how bad you feel about what your old employer did to you, I want to see how excited you are to have this opportunity with me as I interview you.
If you think of your own future as bright, you can think of the company's future in the same fashion. A genuine smile, that's who they want to hire.
2. TRIPLE YOUR RESUMES WORTH
2. TRIPLE YOUR RESUMES WORTH
Still revising the same old resume are we? Try splitting it 3 ways! If you have three different test resumes out you'll be that much closer to reaching the perfect formula. Sometimes it's best to have 3 different resumes for 3 different (yet similar) positions.
I know what you're thinking - an employer might flag you as someone who's lying if your revisions keep coming across their radar, this couldn't be further from the truth. The fact is job descriptions come before company names, dates and even the applicants own name.
You'll get where you're headed much faster with three horses pulling you than one.
3. KNOW THY ELIGIBILITY - FILE A CLAIM
Assuming you were laid off and not fired, get that unemployment claim in as soon as possible. Unemployment Insurance office processes vary depending on what state your in, but most of them have "waiting periods" before you receive your first payment.
Most of you are probably thinking "No need to file, I'll get a job before that!" but that's not always the case. Don't let your income stop when you're bills keep coming. Even if it's only a month you're out of work, a little help goes a long way. After all, you've paid into unemployment, you are entitled to it in your time of need. There's a reason it's called insurance.
4. CHANGE YOUR GAME PLAN
Some of you don't realize how important this time in your life is. This is the destroy and rebuild phase. You will not have many of these opportunities of leisure in your lifetime. Use your time wisely, read as much as you can, get in the best shape of your life, wake up early even though you don't have to. To simply fall into a slump and watch the days fly by is self-destructive.
Look into other opportunities in other fields of work, learn a new language, experiment with your hobbies and passions, expand your vocabulary. If everything happens for a reason - then why this? The worst feeling in the world is not having anything to say when they ask "What did you do with the 6 months you had off?"
5. CUT CORNERS
With no longer having a job to support the habit, it's time to replace spending with saving. The last thing you need is your car to break down on the way to your first job interview in months. If you have money saved up, you must do everything in your power to add to it and not take from it.
Instead of buying things you want, buy things you need - Dress socks, slacks, shirts, ties etc. Pay your bills ahead of time until you are a month ahead on everything. The idea is to create a safety net for yourself, secure your finances while in this delicate economic state.
6. SHAKE HANDS
Yes it's time! Time to call up all your friends, old co-workers and family members. Time to email your resume out to them and make it well known you are looking for work. Time to get out there face to face and introduce yourself.
I can't count how many times I've ran into someone with some sort of connection to a job opening. I've met people at coffee shops, restaurants, parks and gas stations who randomly ended up exchanged business cards with me.
The more people you know the better. Remember - "It's not what you know, it's who you know."
7. ZONE OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
It's very easy to fall into a comfort zone. Sometimes we don't even know we're stuck in one. We start making up excuses to justify our lazy behavior. Rationalizing is trying to paint something socially unacceptable as acceptable.
Correct your sleep cycle, exercise often, keep a list of things you've finished daily. Leaving a task incomplete is the first step in the wrong direction. Become a strong finisher and as your list grows, so will your confidence level.
8. DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER
The time on your hands when unemployed is heartbreaking. Especially when the things you want to do cost throw-away money. The number 1 thing you should be doing above all else is reading. It doesn't matter if you're reading online articles, blogs, info-grams or books in general.
Instead of learning a lot about a little area in life, learn a little about a lot. Become fruitful in many areas in life. Don't limit your knowledge to "Customer service" or "Accounting". Pages and pages of knowledge in all areas are out there waiting to be discovered.
Self-help books can be extremely motivating and inspiring. You want to transform yourself into something better, something more successful - not because the person you are now is a failure, but because you have the time to do so.
9. DON'T BE IN THE WRONG PLACES, AT THE RIGHT TIME
It can't be stressed enough how important it is you use this time wisely. Think of all the wasted time, wasted days, weeks, months, years that have flew by for you. Make a vow to yourself from this day forward to be more productive.
You want to advance, not set yourself back.
Avoid social hangouts that have no nutritional value, people who are self-destructive, cynical conversation, drugs, alcohol, staying up late. If the people around you don't support your new vision, then it's time to find some replacements. Surround yourself with successful people and you will be successful.
10. LEARN HOW TO SELL YOURSELF
Sales is a horrible job, but people who know sales tend to be more successful. Everywhere you go in life you're selling something. You sell your companionship on a date, your friendship to strangers and yourself in an interview.
Learning how to sell yourself starts with you having thoughts of high value. Remember - You deserve to be happy! You deserve to have the job you've always wanted. Take your unemployment and turn it into a beautiful journey to find the strongest version of yourself.
"A journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step" - Buddha