We’ve posted the steps to take immediately following a layoff, but just as important is knowing what to do with your time once you’ve applied for unemployment and begin the hunt for your next job. Applying to every job posting online will only drive you crazy; you simply cannot sit at a computer for eight hours a day and not lose your mind-or your positive outlook, both of which are crucial right now.
This period of unemployment is an opportunity to learn and grow as much as possible, so, before you log on to Monster or Career Builder, recharge your batteries with some of the steps below:
1. Head to the gym. It’s no secret that high-stress jobs are bad for your health, but even a 9-5 position can leave you too tired to exercise or unable to make time for it at all. Take a time-out from job hunting and get your heart pumping daily by lifting weights, taking a spinning class or doing some good old-fashioned cardio. Exercise renews your mind, body and spirit, helps you work out your frustrations and keep a positive frame of mind .
2. Plan a trip. This may seem unrealistic, given that you’ve just lost your income, however, once you do find a new job you won’t be able to take vacation time for a while. You worked hard at your last job and, chances are, weren’t able to take vacation because your husband was deployed or your kids were in school when you had the time off. It doesn’t need to be extravagant, but take advantage of the down time while you can.
3. Find an internship. This is a great way to get experience in a new field and helps fill the gap between jobs on your resume. Future employers won’t know you only worked a few hours a day or whether or not you got paid, and best yet, it gives you a foot in the door in a new industry you are interested in.
4. Create your own blog. Blogging is one of the best ways to keep up in your industry and connect with potential employers. Showcase what you bring to the table and highlight issues in your industry, along with solutions to these issues. You have a lot of time on your hands and this is one of the wisest ways to use it.
5. Create projects for yourself. Creating a project is half the battle-actually doing it is the other half. Do something with your time that is meaningful to you so that when an interviewer asks why you left your previous job, you can talk about the projects (and blogs) you are spearheading now.
6. Network, network, network. Turn every place you visit into an opportunity to meet new people-at the gym, at parties, wherever. When someone asks what you’ve been up to, talk about your blog and the issues your unveiling in your industry.
Networking is often more successful in landing your next interview just by getting in front of the right people and talking about what you’re doing. All of my jobs have been obtained by finding the right people and talking to them, so get moving!
Photo by Konstantin Sutyagin
