Irrespective of the reason you no longer have a job, being unemployed sucks! It could even be more upsetting if it happened unexpectedly. You lose your steady source of income, the peace of mind or structure that comes with having a job, and the great companionship you may have had with your co-workers. During this time, your emotions may also run high. You could feel sad, betrayed, angry at your employer, yourself, or whoever you think may be responsible for your job loss, and uncertain about your next steps. It is also very easy to fall into the funk of self-pity /self-doubt and develop negative coping mechanisms during this difficult time, but it is important to seize control of the situation to bounce back and emerge stronger.
In this article, we have highlighted 5 healthy ways to bounce back from temporary unemployment. They include:
Once you have taken some time to acknowledge your feelings and grieve the loss of your job (it is normal to do so), you must draw up a budget. It is depressing enough that you have lost your job, running out of money while you do not have a job will leave you frustrated. Experts advise that you evaluate your assets, fixed expenses, and variable expenses to draw up the perfect budget. If you live in a country where there is a system in place that enables you to file for unemployment, do so as soon as you can. Manage your finances during this period by:
This is not a time to sit back and watch. This is the time to learn all the skills you can. Make yourself marketable and valuable. Enroll in and take courses online and offline even if it means paying for them. See your temporary unemployment - and I know this is terribly cliche to say - as a blessing.
Career coach Zed aptly described it when he said losing your job pushes you out of your comfort zone and forces you to think outside of the box. Take advantage of the extra time you have and see this period as an opportunity to re-evaluate your past choices and reach for opportunities you ignored in the past while making better choices this time. Watch YouTube videos to learn new skills and techniques. Expand your horizons, do some research, find new hobbies, and do volunteer work to keep yourself busy. In the long run, they could be great avenues to make money. You may also connect with people on Bayt.com, your college alumni network, personal networks, etc.
It is natural to want to withdraw from everyone and bury yourself in your thoughts, but everyone needs support and a shoulder to lean on. It is advisable to seek guidance from someone who has been there to help you go through this phase more easily. This person will very likely have profound answers to all the questions you may have from first-hand knowledge and experience.
The perfect guardian has to be honest, know your strengths and weaknesses, propel you to step out of your comfort zone, and set goals that are out of the ordinary for you. This doesn't mean the person has to be rigid. The person must be empathetic, understanding, and a good listener.
You may also want to open up to family and friends as their support can help you thrive. Do not dismiss their concerns/ suggestions and invest in quality family time. If you have children, remember to keep them in the loop without overwhelming them. Have an open dialogue with them and help them understand why adjustments may have to be made to their regular routines.
Updating your CV is instrumental in getting a new job whether you decide to remain in the same career or change trajectory. Do some research and arm yourself with up-to-date information about the latest technology and trends related to the industry you intend to work in then update your CV to reflect your strongest skills and experiences making sure to include factual data and information.
One CV never fits all so tailor your resume to grab the attention of the employer you are targeting. This means that your resume must fit the requirements of the employer you are targeting and get you an interview.
Here are some ways you can make your updated CV perfect:
You can get the perfect keywords by searching on Google for the ones peculiar to your industry
Once you have perfected your resume, practice and polish your offer/pitch to be convincing and resultful, and do not underestimate the power of authenticity.
If you are encountering problems updating your CV, you can consider using the services of CV and career consultants. Our CV writing service at Bayt.com will help you pick and properly position action-oriented words to organize your CV in a way that best reflects your strengths, uniqueness, and capabilities, marketing you to a host of top employers.
The process of searching for a job when you are temporarily unemployed could be daunting, but you must keep it positive. During your job search, it is advisable to not give in to desperation by applying to every available job. Instead, figure out the job that is best for your skillset and go for it. Fill the gap in your resume with skills you have acquired, or volunteer work you did.
Consider joining a job finders' group and registering at job boards to expose yourself to a larger network of people. Connecting to a large network of people makes it easy for you to hear news about local employers recruiting or get help from other members of your group. With your résumé already updated, in no time, you will find the perfect job again.
