For those who have been looking for a job for a while, you know that there’s a big waiting game. You’ve been letting everyone know that you’re interested in finding an opportunity. You attend job fairs, and you even land a few promising interviews. Now how do you wait around for the phone to ring?
In fact, engaging in meaningful activities could boost your mood and make you a more attractive job candidate. Check out this list of things you can do for yourself.
To-Dos
1. Invest your time to get physically fit. Don't let the free time you have on your hands go to waste. The first step is to find an activity you enjoy. If you don’t like running, then don’t run. Instead, try swimming, biking, or hiking. There are plenty of activities out there that will fit your interests and personality. It will do you good to spend your downtime building muscle at the gym, and keeping stress levels low. It’s important to stay active, both for your mental and physical health.
2. Connect with family and friends. Reconnect with those you care about. Spend time enjoying the company of those you love. Plan a day or weekend trip with your family and friends to stay active and explore new places. Phone calls, video chats, and social media are all great options for staying in touch. Just being able to talk to someone who knows and loves you can make all the difference when you're feeling lonely.
3. Appreciate nature. When you are unemployed, spending time outside can also help you take your mind off of your situation and give you some perspective. Getting outdoors and enjoying nature can boost your energy and lift your mood. Go for a walk and have a picnic in the park, or go on a nature hike in the wilderness. The beauty of the sunset is a great way to relieve stress and forget your troubles for a while. So take a break, relax, and watch the sunset over the horizon – you will feel better for it.
4. Read more. You haven’t read for pleasure in forever! Dust off your old fiction or nonfiction books (or visit the library to check them out), if there are hundreds, and catch up on the latest bestsellers or classics that you loved as a child. Reading will help you fill in your time while keeping your mind challenged and active.
5. Clean up your act. When you are unemployed, make the most of your time at home by completing household tasks that you have been putting off or by starting new projects. The act of cleaning the house can be therapeutic. By focusing on something constructive, you can forget about your problems for a while. Get a start on your spring cleaning. Throw away or donate old clothes that you haven’t worn in years and declutter your closets. Clean out your fridge of the old food. Do a deep clean of your bathroom and air out your mattress. Living in a space that is clean and well-organized can make it less stressful to live there.
6. Review your budget. When you are unemployed, it's especially important to review your budget and make sure you have a plan for how to manage your money. Take a close look at your finances. Look for ways to cut costs on entertainment or utilities, such as downgrading your cable package, eliminating premium channels, turning off unnecessary lights, etc. Look for cheaper alternatives for housing, food, transportation, and other essentials.
7. Remain hopeful. Don’t dwell on the negative aspects of unemployment. Unemployment can be a time of exploration and growth. Focus on the positives, such as the opportunity to explore new interests or spend more time with family and friends. You can also look for a new job without having the stress of working full-time. Use your time to network with contacts online and ask them if they know of any jobs or if they can recommend someone who might be hiring. The great thing about networking online is that it's easy and convenient. You can do it from anywhere, at any time. And you can reach more people than you would be able to in person. Remember, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Stay positive and remain hopeful, and you will find your way through this difficult time.
The Top Things to Do For Your Career 1. Enroll in a new learning course. There are plenty of courses available across many different fields. Whether you're looking to learn software development or basic accounting, you have options for both in-person and online classes. Many learning providers offer a reduced price or even free courses if you are unemployed. Contact your local jobs and benefits office to get a list of organizations that offer free training and development courses in your area. Search online for free courses. Many platforms offer introductory courses on a wide variety of topics that can be completed at your own pace.
Orgnaisations such as:
The Open University - https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue
Future Learn - https://www.futurelearn.com/courses
Coursera - https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=free
Alison - https://alison.com/courses
2. Build your portfolio. A portfolio can help you to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers. It can also help you to stand out from the crowd. If you don't have a lot of work experience, think about including projects that you have undertaken in your spare time. Develop professional content such as a website or a blog. Interview a thought leader in your field, and publish your work online or in an industry publication. - Produce an educational video and post it on YouTube. If you are a recent graduate, include your academic achievements and any extracurricular activities that you have participated in. If you are a stay-at-home mom, The most important thing is, to be honest, and accurate. Don't include anything that is not true or that cannot be verified. Potential employers will be able to tell if you are trying to deceive them.
3. Volunteer. When you are unemployed, it can be easy to feel isolated and alone. However, volunteering can help you feel less isolated and more a part of something. Volunteering also looks great on a resume and can lead to networking opportunities. There are many different types of volunteer opportunities available, so find one that interests you and get involved. Volunteering your time and talents to a cause you care about can increase your self-esteem and make you feel more purposeful. Participate in fun runs or food drives or join a clothes drive for victims of a natural disaster. You can also contact a local charity and offer your services as a volunteer.
Volunteer Now - https://www.volunteernow.co.uk/
The Conservation Volunteers - https://www.tcv.org.uk/northernireland
UK - https://doit.life/volunteer
You can also contact National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), Volunteer Scotland, Volunteering Wales, Jersey Charities, Guernsey Charities or Volunteering Matters to find opportunities in your area.
4. Polish your online presence. Your online presence includes everything people see when searching for you online. This includes your CV, social media profiles, and any articles or blog posts you've written. Be aware of what you post on social media – avoid posting anything that could be viewed as unprofessional or negative. So, how can you make sure that your online presence is polished? Google yourself to see what comes up in search results. If anything negative or embarrassing pops up, take steps to remove it from the web.
Does your LinkedIn profile attract any traffic at all? Take it down a notch! Get rid of any unflattering photos and replace them with a professional headshot. Update all of your accomplishments and follow any experts in your field. Be active on LinkedIn and other professional networking sites. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions. LinkedIn is the most popular professional networking site. It has over 400 million members from around the world. You can use LinkedIn to find jobs, connect with potential employers, and build your network. Other professional networking sites include Facebook, Twitter, and XING. All of these sites have millions of members worldwide.
5. Continue to network. When you’re looking for a job, it’s important to network with people who can help you. That includes your family and friends, of course, but it also includes people in your industry or profession. The best way to network with people who can help you is by attending industry events or Meetups. Keep in touch with people you meet at networking events, and stay connected with your LinkedIn contacts. The more people you know, the better your chances of finding a job that’s a good fit for you. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. People are usually happy to give advice or say good words to you. So keep networking and stay positive. The perfect job is out there somewhere, and sooner or later, you’ll find it.
6. Explore your options. One great way to explore your options is to take a career assessment. This can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and see which careers might be a good fit for you. There are many different types of assessments available, so be sure to do some research to find the one that's best for you. Speak with a Career Advisor or a Job Coach in the Jobs and Benefits Office for free. They will probably be able to provide advice and suggestions for your career.
If you've decided that it's best to stay in your profession, you can continue refining your career goals, playing to your strengths, and working hard for what you want. Take a look at the job market in other industries. There might be opportunities in fields that you didn't think of before. Or start your own business. Although the job market may be tough, there are still opportunities for those willing to put in the effort.
7. Follow up with job applications. When you submit a job application, don't forget to follow up on it! Many people forget to do this, and as a result, they may miss out on the opportunity to land a job. Following up shows that you're interested in the position and that you're willing to do whatever it takes to get it. It's important to follow up in a timely manner - within a few days of submitting your application is ideal. You can either call or email the company to check on the status of your application. If you don't hear back, don't be afraid to follow up again. Following up on a job application is just as important as the application itself. By following up, you show that you're interested in the position and that you're willing to do whatever it takes to get it.
Conclusion
Your career development doesn’t stop while you’re between jobs. There are many things to do while unemployed. You can network, improve your skills, and volunteer. While job-hunting is expected, you should maintain an open mind. Make sure that you don't rule out anything. Employ these strategies to stay ahead of the curve as you’re looking for your next opportunity. Finally, stay positive and don't give up. There's always light at the end of the tunnel.
Regards, Paula
Careers and Personal Growth Coach
⭐If you're beginning your journey or seeking a new path, I can help you plan your next steps. ⭐If you need to chat about your career dilemma?
📌 Contact me at info@donnancoachingservices.com
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Do you think there is enough help available from government organisations to assist the unemployed?
Yes
No
Some help is available.
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