|
Tackling Your Unemployment Creatively
Are you unemployed or been laid off? You are not alone if that is any comfort to you. Worldwide millions of people are in the same predicament as you are. Unemployment and lay offs are stark realities of the downsizing, reengineering, restructuring, and automation in a sluggish global economy where corporations are trying every trick in the book to reduce costs, increase productivity and keep the organization lean, mean and profitable. Every one of us has gone through the phase of being unemployed once or more in our careers. What does one have to undergo during this period. Endless wait for phone calls, eagerly scanning the emails or letters inviting you for a discussion, even a rejection letter seem to be good as you feel at least your existence is being acknowledged, the pain of unreturned calls from ex colleagues and friends whom once you helped or were close to, sudden disappearance of invitations which used to pour in when you were employed may all sound only too familiar to many of us. The major problem is the loss of self dignity, fall from one's own self respect and severe depression. One feels lower than the lowliest creature. If you are young you can still look forward with better resilience. God forbid if you are one of those in the mid 30's or 40's and may be waiting for months and even years for jobs which many think you are too old to handle in spite of your excellent track record. The pain of running out money, ideas, contacts and even life itself is too intense. However you have a choice. You can either look into an empty future or you can believe that a bright future is just around the corner and you will turn that corner soon. Here are 5 creative ways you can tackle your period of unemployment and turn the corner. Learn a New Skill One of the best ways to spend the time of unemployment or layoffs is to take up a course, learn a new skill, and improve your qualification. There is plenty of time available which needs to be productively used. Instead of worrying and fretting or just watching T.V., one may take up learning a new skill or improve professional knowledge by taking up a course. This would help one to be more competitive in the job market and increase the chances of landing a job sooner. Create a job for yourself Now this is the best alternative and the most creative way to spend your lay off period. Instead of waiting around for a job to come through you may as well set up a business of your own. Yes. It is easier said than done as most people may not have sufficient funds or investments to launch on one's own. There are plenty of options to strike out on your own without investments. All you require is a PC and maybe an extra phone. Everyone has specialized knowledge. You can consider becoming a consultant in your area of specialization. If you feel your skills are not sufficient to set out as a consultant, step one above might help you in that direction. You can look at a home business by becoming an affiliate or join a network marketing opportunity. The money you may be making may not equal what you were earning. But remember the seeds planted today would take time to grow and yield much more in time than what you may make on a job in the long term. Just nurture the seed carefully, water it, weed it and grow it into a big harvest. The immediate benefits are that you have something to do and ward off negativity and depression. Maintain a busy routine Most of us slaves of our habits. Having been accustomed to a busy 12 hour schedule, you may find time hanging heavy. Prepare a schedule of activities for every day and keep busy. If don't have anything else to do, take in those free community lectures, go and meet some one and network, write something, have a learning schedule and read all the books you can. Prepare your daily schedule to keep yourself busy. Create Networks Building new contacts are the best way to tackle your unemployment. While keeping you busy, you never know who may turn out to be useful in helping you to find a job. You may end up striking good friendships lasting a lifetime. Keep a goal of getting to know at least one new person everyday and you have added up 365 more people to your address book. Whether in business or a job the more people you know more the circle of influence Spend quality time with your family Last but the most important; use the opportunity to spend quality time with your family. We always grumble that we do not find enough time for our family. Now is the golden opportunity. Share some intimate moments with your spouse. Watch your children grow. Enjoy these moments of adventure, wonderment, and joy very special to children and adolescents. Take some outings or walks in the morning and evening with your children, parents or spouse and catch up on what you missed. This could really uplift your spirits, help put up your confidence and develop a more positive outlook. It is wise to remember that unemployment is not a sign of failure. It is only a temporary setback. Knowing how to bounce back is the key. To be creative in times of stress will help you with a new beginning, a new a career and realization of some unmet goals. About The Author R.G. Srinivasan is founder of Born to Win Forum. He is a certified trainer and consultant in training design & methodologies. He is also the author of e-books, publishes 2 ezines on success and motivation and Home Business. His articles are widely published across the world. He is featured as an Expert Author in leading content syndication portals. Check out his home business ezine at http://home-businessleaders.tripod.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Jobs City of Rochester (.gov)
Careers Washington State University
Careers Gwinnett County Public Schools
JobFeed NSW Department of Education
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
A Career in Image Consulting
You might have seen them while watching TV shows such as Extreme Makeover, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, or What Not to Wear. Or you might have heard that Martha Stewart needed them to give her advice on how to look sympathetic to a jury.
10 Tips For Writing A Professional Résumé
1. Start with an attractive layout.
Job Search Campaign Tip: An Activity Diary
Looking for a job involves a wide range of responsibilities: preparing a resume, looking at ads, contacting employers, calling and visiting friends and acquaintances, follow ups, interviews. While none of us ever plan to be out of work for very long, it can be very useful to immediately start documenting your activities and your feelings to provide a road map of where you have been and where you want to go.
How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?
Do you think that there is a big sign that reads, "Freelance Writing Jobs, Apply Within"? There just is not. In fact, you may have a hard time finding writing jobs of any type advertised in any employment magazine or newspaper either.
Job Hunting Tips: Accepting Judgment
Applying for work is stressful, no matter the circumstances. Even if you are already working, and merely looking to see what else is out there, you still want to be offered the position.
Interview Quicksand
How will you respond when you're asked the following two questions?1.What type of boss do you like to work for?2.
10 Key Career Success Questions
At some point in every professional or managerial career, there is a time when one start thinking: Is it time to move on or do something else? However, before you quit your job and take a fling at something else, realistically evaluate your career and potential options by asking yourself these ten career success questions:Do I really like my work or am I hanging on marking time?Am I promotable or am I seen as a disposable commodity?Am I visible to potential employers, as well as my current boss?Am I growing or stagnating or just standing still waiting for the next wave of change? How smooth are my interpersonal relationships with my boss and co-workers?Am I being rewarded at my true worth? Have I recently checked out my value in the marketplace?How valued and diversified are my skills and competencies?How can I distinguish myself from competitors?What will it take to get where I want to go from the place I am right now?While setting distinct goals is a critical factor in career advancement, remaining flexible is important too. Climbing the career ladder with blinders on could mean missed opportunity.
Become A Personal Trainer
Every human body is different and a personal trainer will know exactly how to not just get a human body into proper shape but also shape the body into the desired form. A personal trainer knows that while guys may want to 'bulk up'; a girl might want to slim down.
How to Create a Great Electronic Resume
After creating the perfect resume, you then need todistribute it. You'll likely be sending some professionallyprinted hard copies, especially to "A list" companies ororganizations you've set your sights on.
Mystery Shopping - An Excellent Part Time Job Or Additional Income Source
Though the name itself may seem a bit mysterious, the concept of mystery shopping is actually straightforward. Also referred to as secret shopping, performance evaluations, service checks and frontline evaluations to name a few, mystery shopping allows companies to obtain a "snapshot in time" by trained researchers who know in advance what they are to evaluate.
Salary Negotiation: How To Earn More Money and Respect From Your Employer
Despite how important fair pay is to most of us, effective salary negotiation is an often misunderstood and avoided topic. Current research indicates the average duration of a position today is 3.
Cover Letter Magic: 4 Ways To ASK For The Job Interview - And Get It!
Just how important it is to ASK for the job interview clearly and directly in your cover letter?IT'S EVERYTHING!So the question remains: how effectively are you ASKING? The following four ways will help you nail down many more job interviews. Try them all and see which ones work best for you.
5 Key Factors to Consider When Selecting an Outplacement Firm
With today's economy, more and more companies are finding themselves faced with the situation of having to reduce headcount to remain competitive. Here are five key factors to consider when selecting an outplacement firm if your company is ever faced with a workforce reduction.
The Inevitable Job Interview Question: "Why Did You Leave (Are Planning To Leave) Your Last Position
This is a question that you can almost count on being asked at your next interview What the interviewer wants to know is, "Why are you available?"The answer you give could set the tone for the rest of the interview. For instance, if you were to indicate that you were bored or burned out at your last job, the interviewer would quickly become concerned about your performance at this company.
Five Mistakes That Can Derail Your Job Search
No matter how much time and energy you invest in job seeking, critical mistakes can derail your efforts. Consider the following job search scenario.
Your First Summer Work in the UK - Picking Strawberries The Right Way
Most jobs on farms in the UK involve picking strawberries or berries in general, raspberries and possibly other berries with which I have not have the lucky chance to pick.Picking strawberries is very demanding and hard work and if this being your first summer job, then it will take lots of patience and clear mind.
Telecommuting Website (Part One)
"I've heard you talk about building a website to get telecommuting jobs. Can you tell me more about this, and how I would do it?"If you all listen to WAHMTalkRadio.
Job Layoff: Confronting Why Me?
Perhaps you saw it coming. The fall in company stock prices.
How to Overcome a Bad First Impression
Have any of these situations happened to you? Forgetting your client's name, unintentionally insulting a co-worker, spilling coffee on your boss, not recognizing an old friend, drinking too much at the company party, sending a racy e-mail to the wrong person, or asking a woman's due date when she's not pregnant - ouch! You never have a second chance to make a first impression, so what happens when that first impression is a negative one?In a perfect world none of these things would occur, but the truth is, we all make mistakes. Effective communicators are not only aware of how their actions impact others; they also know how to respond in uncomfortable situations.
How To Take The Pain Out Of Performance Reviews
The Painful ApproachFor many years, "performance management" was of an annual event dreaded by both the management and the workforce. For a week or two every year the manager would virtually isolate himself and ponder the stack of review forms staring him in the face.
|