If you feel as though it’s currently very difficult to navigate unemployment then you’re not alone. So many people are in the same situation as you, and if you are willing to push through and utilize the time you now have on your hands then you can easily make the most out of your situation.
Stick with a Schedule
Sudden unemployment can lead to a lot of uncertainty. You may find that you are now left with a great deal of unstructured time on your hands, and this can give you a lot of anxiety. Intentionally scheduling the time you do have is the best way for you to sustain a predictable routine. It also gives you the chance to take a breath so you can get back on your feet once more. Set aside some time blocks so you can focus on self-care, and so you can be more productive. Productive activities you can adopt include networking, applying for benefits or even applying for new jobs. If you are out of a job because you have experienced an injury then one thing you can do is explore structured settlement benefits. This is a great way for you to get the payments you deserve. Either way, if you can take the time to maximize control over your day and if you can break down your schedule then this will help you quite a lot.
Organize your Job Search
It’s very difficult to overstate how important it is to stay organized when carrying out your job search. Before you even think about applying to any open positions, you need to determine whether or not your career goals have changed since you lost your job. You may have a new minimum salary you’d be willing to accept or you may want to explore more work-from-home opportunities. Either way, when you know your goals, you can then begin to apply for jobs much more efficiently. Be sure to keep track of every position that you apply for or that interests you. You can even put this in a spreadsheet if you want. Put some columns on one side for the company name and then the position name. You can also add any relevant contact information that you can use to chase the company if required. Visually organizing your job search is one of the best ways for you to ensure a positive result from your efforts.
Apply for Benefits
If you’re not looking into what benefits you could be eligible for then you are making a major mistake. In your area, there could be many benefit options available for you to choose from, so you need to give them some thought. People often lose their jobs through no fault of their own and if this happens, support is out there. Even though you may feel as though you can get through without benefits, it can give you some relief while you navigate this new situation and it also buys you more time to find a new job. This will stop you from jumping into a position that might not be right for you, so make sure that you keep that in mind as it could make a major difference to your overall situation.
Take on Some Temporary Work
Temporary work, such as driving or even ride-sharing can all be good if you need to tide yourself over until you find a job. They help to keep you busy and on top of this, it’s a great way for you to get a bit of extra experience. You might also be able to seek work as a freelancer. Online freelancing marketplaces often connect employers with talent, across a diverse range of fields. When you have dipped your toes in the water, you may then find that you prefer this kind of work and that the lifestyle alone gives you way more flexibility. It may even become your next career move, so don’t overlook it. There are a lot of freelance sites you can sign up with, if you don’t know how to get started with your freelancing journey so be mindful of that if you can.
Know your Rights
If you have lost your job recently then it is so important that you make sure it was a fair process. If you know that you were fired without much cause or if you feel as though it wasn’t done with your professional performance in mind then you may have a case. Even though you may not want your old job back, it’s important to know that there are a lot of people who are there to help. This can help to give you some closure too, which is imperative if you feel as though you are getting depressed or down about your current situation.
Focus on Training
Another thing you can do is try and look into online training. The great thing about taking a training course online is that you still have time in the day to carry out household chores or even your work-related job searches. With that in mind though, you can show that you do not have any gaps in your resume as you used your time wisely when you were at home. Taking an online training course may also open you up to new positions and careers, so make sure that you keep this in mind as it could help you to get the edge over your competition when applying for new roles.
The Bigger Picture
At the end of the day, it’s incredibly difficult to feel positive when you are navigating a new situation, such as job loss. With that in mind, if you are willing to push yourself and if you feel as though you can see the benefits of this huge change in your life then you will be able to make it out the other side better than ever. You may find that you can take advantage of a higher wage packet, the ability to work from home or even extended holidays.