7 Ways to Stay Sharp During Unemployment

If you've suddenly found yourself unemployed, it's essential to stay motivated and prepared for your next opportunity. By following these 7  strategies, not only will you stay sharp, but you will also have a great way to discuss what you've done since your last position, which will demonstrate how proactive you are!

So how do you keep your momentum going and your skills fresh during this time of transition?

Losing a job can be a traumatic experience, so before jumping into job hunting, it's important to reflect and regroup. For the first couple of days, try to avoid networking or any job-related task. Instead, take a couple of days to decompress by talking to friends and family. Reading a book, getting more sleep, and indulging in physical activities can also help to alleviate stress.

Time management is crucial to regaining your confidence. Once you've taken a step back, you can begin establishing a daily routine. Determine when to wake up, how many job applications to complete, and how much time to dedicate to networking. Be sure to incorporate a self-care activity (ie, meditating, working out, setting up a social hour, etc.). By creating goals for yourself, at the end of the day, you'll feel accomplished. Job hunting can be draining, so finding ways to feel fulfilled will keep you motivated.

You've been laid off, but that doesn't mean you're not valuable! Volunteering is a great way to stay sharp, make new connections, build your resume, and do something rewarding. Search for organizations that may need your skills. You can also take this time to develop new skills. Is there an industry that you've been interested in, but didn't have the time to explore? Here's your time!

The purpose of networking is to cultivate relationships. If you find yourself unemployed, you have a group of people to look to for professional advice, leads, and hopefully referrals. Sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and MeetUp are great ways to network virtually in place of in-person networking events. During this time, it's important to remember that most people want to help, but they don't know what sort of help you are looking for, so don't be afraid to ask.

Nowadays, your social media accounts can impact whether or not you are considered for a job. When reviewing your resumes, many employers look to your social networks to gain more insight into who you are. To make sure you're putting your best foot forward, review the content on your personal social media, or make it private. For professional pages make sure that your achievements are updated. Are your career objectives clear? Are you giving a good overview of what you have to offer an employer? If not, it's time for some revisions.

Loss of industry knowledge is a concern hiring managers may have when there are gaps in resumes, so it's imperative to stay up to date with what's happening in your industry. For example, if you work in Human Resources, stay current with labor laws and regulations. Brushing up on skills that are important to your success will give you satisfaction and add something more to your resume to make you a stronger candidate. Your ability to stay current with issues and best practices will establish you as a top prospect.

While you spend time working on yourself, let a professional put in work for you simultaneously! One of the easiest ways to find a job is by considering work through a temp agency. So remember to include staffing agencies on your list of available resources. Even if the opportunity is a temporary assignment, it will give you peace of mind financially and could turn into the perfect full-time role that you hadn’t thought of before.

The most important thing to remember is things don't happen overnight. Being resilient and maintaining a positive perspective is critical to your progress. If you are looking for work, please check our Career Page for openings!