If you are searching for your dream job, but so far you’ve haven’t been called for an interview, there are a lot of things you should be doing when you’re unemployed. If you think that all you have to do to get a new job is to update your resume and search online for a couple of hours a day, you might want to think again. Don’t apply to jobs that you are not qualified for, because this is actually counter-productive to your job search. Instead, try to allocate more time to becoming more hirable because even if you are jobless, it doesn’t mean that you should be bored too. Here are 7 things you should be doing when you're unemployed.
Snapshot Survey
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:
1. Volunteer
This is definitely one of the most important things you should be doing when you're unemployed. You will meet new people, you’ll keep your skills fresh while you’re enhancing your resume and you will increase your chances of getting hired. Try to be strategic about it and do something that it’s relevant to your field.
2. Freelance
A lot of people who are searching for a job tend to be opposed to anything that's not a full-time job. If you are one of those job-seekers, then you should change your mindset, since freelancing is a wonderful way to improve your skills, your resume, your portfolio, your professional network, your confidence and even your income.
Frequently asked questions
3. Network
One of your primary goals when you are searching for a job should be to gain contacts and to establish relationships with other professionals in your field. You could also reconnect with old contacts (college advisors, professors, internship supervisors, business acquaintances) or form new business relationships with people who could help you in your career. You should be exploring local opportunities to meet new people with similar interests because this way, you will not only improve your chances of getting a job, but you will have fun too.
4. Keep Your Skills Current
If you are searching for a specific job, but you lack one of the skills required, then spend some time and build that skill that you need. There are a lot of free courses for professionals that you can take online, also a lot of e-books that you can read or a lot of how-to videos that you can watch.
5. Build an Online Presence
If you want to increase your chances of getting a job, you could start a blog; you could create a personal website or even an online portfolio to showcase your work. This way, employers can find you online and they might be impressed with your skills, talents or even by your previous work.
6. Practice for Interviews
High performers usually practice for interviews. You could do that too if you are searching for your dream job. Just practice talking about yourself with everyone, with your friends, your family members, the people at the gym or even with people that you don’t know so well. The better you get at talking about yourself, the more comfortable you will feel during interviews with potential employers.
7. Stay Positive
One of the most important things you should do if you are searching for a job is to not lose hope. It quite hard to find a good job now days, in this tough market, but it’s not an impossible thing to achieve if you have patience and if you don’t give up pursuing your dreams.
Don’t worry, success will come with a lot of hard work, patience and determination, so stay focused and keep busy. Do you know any other things someone should do when they are unemployed? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section!
Sources:
careerealism.com
businessinsider.com
blog.penelopetrunk.com
Comments
Isabella: This is much needed for me, as I'm studying full time in childcare at the moment and finishing my course in July, all important points for me right now :) just gotta stay positive and really seriously look for work when I'm finished!
Keshia: Pray! The serenity prayer will help out a lot
Claudia: I am looking for opportunities to volunteer right at the moment into the performing arts centers nearby in Newport News VA. While I'm in college.
:
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge