Out of a job? In light of the current economy, being unemployed has likely put your life on hold - indefinitely. Successfully surviving unemployment is possible, however, by fine tuning your current marketable skills. This is valuable time - use it to spruce up your resume the right way!
Making the Best of Being Unemployed
1. Do something you've always dreamed of: Most of us started working as soon as we got out of college, settling for some entry-level job that paid the bills. Very few of us had a chance to backpack through Europe, pursue our dream of becoming an amateur cyclist, or swim the English Channel. Now, with so much downtime on your hands, you have ample opportunities to do what you've always wanted to do, but never had the time to get them accomplished. Even if you can't afford some of your more extravagant dreams, there's always something in your backyard that you can do while being unemployed. Create a list of your 'must-dos,' and tackle them! The chance may not come up for another couple of years.
2. Concentrate on hobbies: Being unemployed is a good time to focus on what you love to do, whatever it might be. If you like arts and crafts, use this time to knit, sew, paint, or sculpt. You may even want to think about donating some of your handiwork to a cause, which can make your time and talents more rewarding. If you like sports, join a free league that plays a couple of times each week. In terms of surviving unemployment, concentrating on your hobbies is ideal as it allows you time to yourself, equating to more relaxation and a more focused approach to your job search.
3. Brush up your resume: Take a good, hard look at your current resume. If you've just been laid off, chances are your resume hasn't been updated in years. Review everything you've written, re-wording things to reflect what you actually did in all of your positions, and, more importantly, how you impacted the company personally. Did you increase sales by a certain percent? Did you land a big account one year? These kinds of details are the ones that companies and headhunters are looking for each day. Make your resume sparkle!
4. Volunteer your time: Volunteering presents unique activities for the unemployed to get involved with their communities. These days, most employers think to ask interviewees what they've done while being unemployed, which makes having a solid answer more promising in regards to your job prospects. Before choosing an organization or club to work with, think about what you're most interested in. Countless churches, groups, libraries, schools, and causes are seeking reliable, trustworthy individuals to help them get their message out to the community. Not only can you lend a helping hand while being unemployed, but these experiences are a great addition to your resume.
5. Go back to school: If your career has been put on the back burner, consider updating the skills you currently have and adding to your knowledge base. For many companies, technological skills are a goldmine, and perhaps even a foot in the door. Contact your local college or university for information on their programs; many of them allow you to take just a few courses rather than pursue an entire degree. If you need something a little more cost effective, your local YMCA, business association, or civic center likely offers courses throughout the year for less than $200.
6. Consider contract/temp/part-time work: If you've been offered temp or part-time work, take it! What's the harm? It's a great thing to put on your resume and, better yet, helpful on the path to surviving unemployment. You also might learn a few new skills that you can translate to your next role at a more permanent job. While you may not be getting as much as you were paid in the past, part-time work helps with paying that growing pile of bills and surviving unemployment!
Surviving Unemployment the Right Way
Being unemployed is what you make of it. Don't squander your time - use it wisely! Too many people want to feel sorry for the situation they're in and waste their time. The only way you'll get ahead is to get out and make the best of the situation. This is valuable time - take advantage of it, and you'll find that surviving unemployment can have its perks.
Writing a Business Plan Effectively for Free
Writing a business plan can seem like a big, stressful project but can often be easily written with lots of free resources! By starting off with a sample business plan and then expanding on it with free resources from local community centers, libraries, seminars, and the internet, you can develop a great business plan that truly stands out and showcases your own voice and vision.
Learn the Differences Between Each Legal Business Entity Type
When you're deciding upon which legal business entity to choose for your new venture, there are many factors to consider before registering with your state. Each business entity type has different advantages, disadvantages, legal implications, and structures and it's therefore very important to fully understand which type of entity is right for you.
How to Capture the American Dream with Little or No Money
In a rough economy, when trying to eliminate debt and develop a debt management plan seem like impossible tasks, how do you capture the American Dream with little or no money? Almost everyone has the desire to be financially secure, and through a series of simple, long-term goals, you too can achieve the American Dream with a very small amount of money.
