Ask-A-Recruiter: Surviving A Lengthy Unemployment
Contributed by Caroline Ceniza-Levine of SixFigureStart
In this down market, many people were laid off simultaneously, so it is taking longer to find a job. Are there are any special tips when you have been unemployed for several months with no job in sight?
The same basic job search rules apply in an up or down market. However, in a down market, the competition is fiercer, everyone is more anxious, and therefore it can be harder to execute a proactive, thoughtful search. Furthermore, if you have been laid off and have been unemployed for several months, there are specific considerations to take into account: your skills may get stale, your motivation wanes, and unemployment benefits or severance may run out before a new job materializes. Here are some survival tips:
If your confidence is low from a layoff, remember that, in this difficult market, many qualified candidates share your predicament. Employers will not hold this against you, if you come to interviews with a positive attitude and fresh ideas. To keep your knowledge fresh, read trade journals, attend conferences, and keep in touch with your employed peers in the same industry.
If you think you are no longer competitive, improve your skills, whether specific to your job or in general (e.g., computers, marketing, communication skills). If you have been in the same job for awhile, you may have a skill set overly specific to that job. Broaden your toolkit for the broader market. Libraries, community centers or local colleges may offer free or subsidized classes. Self-teach through books or online resources.
If you are tired of looking, find different ways to keep motivated. Network with jobseekers to share support and ideas (make sure this is a networking group with forward momentum and not just a pity party). Keep a journal of your progress. Writing down what you have accomplished keeps you accountable and reminds you of all the things you are doing. Treat yourself after meeting certain targets. For example, after making five new contacts, see a movie or eat a favorite dessert.
If you are low on cash, keep your financial goals separate from your career goals. While it would be ideal to make money by finding your next full-time job, you don’t want to take whatever comes along just because you need the money. In the immediate term, keep your financial and career objectives separate. Some ways to make cash: consulting, freelancing, temping, retail. No job is insignificant if it keeps you in the search long enough to land the right next job.
Learn how to jumpstart a stagnant search and other job search secrets from personalized, 1:1 coaching with SixFigureStart, 212-501-2234 or www.sixfigurestart.com.
