Are you unemployed?
There are many reasons people may find themselves in this position.
Maybe you got laid off, fired, or needed a change in career. Maybe you just graduated college or high school. Maybe you have been a stay-at-home parent and now must enter the workforce. Whatever the reason, facing the task of finding a new job can be very daunting. Many people feel depressed and anxious when finding themselves in this position.
Here are some helpful tips to overcoming the unemployment blues.
Reflect, but Do Not Dwell:
Think seriously about how you came to be unemployed, especially if you were laid-off or fired. List things that you would change if you could. For instance, did you often spend more time socializing than working while you were on the clock? Did you frequently show up late or call in sick to work? Think about the things that you would improve on in your next job and write them down. Would you do more to increase company sales? Could you be better at finishing paperwork? Zeroing in on things like this gives you a goal for improvement. However, you should not beat yourself up or consider yourself a failure because your last job ended. Instead, learn from it and make a conscientious effort to change what you don’t like.
Take An Objective Inventory:
Just because you are currently unemployed does not mean you have to look for a job that won’t fulfill your requirements, both in the financial aspect and the self aspect. Make another list…of all the things you NEED in a job. How much income MUST you have? Benefits? How far is too far to travel for work? Do you need flexible scheduling due to children?
What is your passion? What kind of job can you do that fits your interests? Do you enjoy working with people? Or would you rather a quiet office job? Or maybe you like to be outdoors? List these things. And don’t be afraid to think outside of the box, particularly if THE BOX can be defined by your last job. IN today’s world, with the right amount of enthusiasm and a little education, there is no end to the job possibilities.
Understand that you likely can’t get everything on your list right away. But, having a list will arm you with the knowledge of what you ned and what you want. IN order to be successful in the workforce, you need to be able to feel as if your job is fulfilling you.
Sell Yourself But Don’t Sell Yourself Short:
Our next list consists of yours skills and education. This one is usually pretty easy for those who have been in the workforce. But, for those who haven’t, such as stay-at-home parents or youths just out of school, figuring out what to tell an employer or put on a resume can be quite confusing. What you need to do is ask yourself, “What do I know how to do?” Before you say nothing, have you cared for children? Have you managed your family’s bills? Have you kept a clean house? Have you cooked for your family or yourself? Can you drive? Can you send emails? Can you answer a phone? What skills do you have that you use often? Also, what are your character traits? Are you outgoing? Can you help sort out conflicts? Are you organized? Do you learn new skills quickly? Put this list together in a section on your resume to show prospective employers what you have to offer them. Even if you have never worked in a secular job before, your character traits and your life experience can be invaluable aspects of your resume.
No Such Thing:
To sum all this up, we at Advantage strongly believe that there is no such thing as being unable to find a job. Unemployment is only a temporary state for those who are willing to take the steps required to transition themselves into the workforce. If you believe in yourself and recognize your traits (good and bad) for what they truly are, there is no reason that you cannot overcome unemployment and find a job that fulfills most of your requirements.
Remember:
For over a quarter of a century, Advantage Personnel has assisted people in finding jobs. We have the experience and the knowledge to help you, too!
