Adam Nicholls - March 17, 2021
Turn Unemployment Into Opportunity
The year 2020 was a tough one for Americans. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of businesses faced a financial crisis. This translated into a massive wave of lay-offs all over the country. And while things seem to be looking up in the job market, there is still a long way to go. In the current economy, the competition for positions is fierce. That’s why, if you lost your job during the pandemic, you have to step up your game.
Knowing what to do when faced with unemployment is vital. The decisions you make during this time are going to determine, to an extent, how fast you will get out of the rough patch. First of all, don’t get discouraged. Instead, think about following these steps:
Deal With Your Feelings
Don’t trivialize what happened. Losing your job can be a destabilizing thing, and you have the right to mourn that part of your life, and what it meant to your life. Change is hard and equally necessary.
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But don’t just stick to the negative. Try to be grateful for what this experience gave you. You earned a living, you learned things, you advanced. Let go of the negative and focus on the good. Maybe you’re a little skeptical of this, but a positive outlook will sustain you when things get hard. Realize that you’re more than your job and that you have a life outside of it.
Think that this is temporary. As much as you feel like it’s the end of the world, it isn’t. The truth is that you will find another job, and will advance towards the future. Your current situation is not eternal. Internalize that knowledge, and it will fuel your search when you lose your drive.
Learn New Things
Keep learning about things that interest you, whether they’re directly related to your career or not. Continued education will make you more competitive, and developing varied skills will give you a new perspective.
In expanding your knowledge, maybe you will find a new passion, and possibly a new career path. It will also keep you active and challenged when things get hard or you feel understimulated.
Nowadays, there are a million ways to acquire new skills, and, for many of them, you won’t have to pay thousands of dollars. You can read books, listen to people you admire, enroll in online courses…The Internet is your best friend. Find something you like, and dive into it with passion.
By continuously updating your skillset, and acquiring new experience, you might find a new path. This will allow you to expand the spectrum of your work search, and open opportunities you had not considered.
Start a Job Hunt Routine
When looking for a job, it is consistency that makes the difference. It’s important to tap into all the resources you have. Start applying for jobs online. Use all the job search engines you can find, and check them constantly. It’s helpful to set up specific times to do this, as it will give you a routine and structure your search.
At the same time, let people know that you’re looking for employment. Reach out to your network and talk about your search and your skills. Ask colleagues and people in your industry to keep an eye out for opportunities and let you know. Do not disregard anyone, as you don’t know where a lead can come from. Keeping an open mind to opportunities will help you.
You should treat your job search like a job itself. Be organized, constant, and creative in your endeavor. If you’re interested in a position, try it out. Send your resume, even if you don’t meet all the criteria; don’t put limitations on yourself that aren’t there.
Conclusion:
You are the person who will determine how your job search is going to go. When you are hired is out of your control, but the process in the meantime isn’t. Focus your energy on building your future, and give it your best. Do all you can, with the certainty that things will work themselves out, because they will. You have done this before, and you will again. Work smart, be patient, and you will see the results you want.
