Are you currently in between jobs, searching for your first job after graduation or have you been laid off due to downsizing in your former company? If you are unemployed, then this may be for you.
Unemployment may come at different stages of life. For a graduate looking for his or her first job, the pressure begins to build up after several months and perhaps years without success. You want to make proof of your education and gain some work experience.
The dynamics may be a bit different for the person who has tasted the world of work before but is currently unemployed. At this point, you have many plans for the future but you live on a thin budget as there is no salary to look forward to.
You are hopeful to land a new job as soon as possible, but this can turn into months and even years. The longer the new job lingers, the tighter your life becomes in most cases, unless there are other sources of income to cushion you.
No matter the stage you are faced with unemployment, its effects such as pressure, stress, frustration, depression, etc., are common to all. Consider these points, in dealing with such unemployment and its consequent problems
1. VOLUNTEER
Volunteering is one of the means of acquiring new skills which will be beneficial in securing a new job. In the course of the volunteering period, you will meet like-minded people. Your next job can come out of these networks.
Giving back to society and making an impact provides a sense of purpose which will improve your mental and physical well-being. Aside these, your social skills will improve, your confidence will be boosted, and in some cases, the volunteering act is financially rewarding.
Some organizations take care of your accommodation, living stipend, travel, and medical expenses. For example, Peace Corps Ghana in addition to the benefits earlier stated, gives their volunteers USD 10,000.00 after two years of service.
2. GET YOUR CV PROFESSIONALLY DONE
Unemployment rate is high, and thus, hunting for the few vacancies available demands that a hunter must be highly skilled and always put his or her best foot forward. Since there is a lot of competition out there, you will need all the help you can get.
Hiring a professional to write your CV or resume is a good idea that must be considered. A well-written CV helps you put your best foot forward and show a prospective employer why you are the right person for the job.
IMPACTiNATION gives good mentorship and coaching services if you need assistance with writing your CV. Reach out to your mentors.
3. HAVE A DAILY ROUTINE
Man has been wired to derive joy from success, overcoming obstacles, and being useful. The absence of accomplishment drives a person down a dark tunnel of frustration, whose end is depression.
It is therefore important to have a daily routine that revolves around setting and achieving goals no matter how small they are. If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes - Andrew Carnegie.
Let's consider a simple routine that involves exercising, reading, preparing for your desired future, and applying for jobs.
Routine 1
Start your day early by committing to achieving the exercise goals you have set to keep fit. Waking up daily without a job can be inimical to your mindset. The assiduity needed to exercise improves your mindset. Daily exercise is not only good for your health but also reduces feelings of anxiety and depression. The fulfillment of completing a task early morning will create the spark needed to start your engine for the day.
Routine 2
Stay fresh by exercising your mental faculties through reading, as it decreases cognitive decline due to aging. Have a schedule of reading as part of your daily routine.
The more that you read, the more things you will know. Reading makes you empathetic, improves communication skills and creativity, increases your vocabulary and comprehension, and develops critical thinking skills.
These are soft skills that will distinguish you at an interview and cause you to excel on the job. Research has also shown that reading reduces stress, and anxiety, and fights depression symptoms. Today a reader, tomorrow a leader - Margaret Fuller.
Searching for a job can be dispiriting and frustrating at times as the many ‘nos’ and no responses from employers get a person discouraged many times but you cannot quit on yourself. No matter how ominous your job search is, keep at it.
You might hear ‘no’, many times, but you will definitely hear a yes if you persist. As part of your daily routine, spend time applying for new jobs and following up on applied ones. Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. What is the desired future you foresee? Start preparing for it. Some jobs may require you to take an aptitude test as a means of shortlisting candidates.
Routine 3
Practice aptitude tests online to familiarise yourself with its dynamics. Aside this, prepare for interviews by reading and watching videos on interview preparation and how to answer interview questions. After months and years of job hunting, you don’t want to be caught unprepared when the opportunity comes. Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation, there is sure to be a failure.
Routine 4
Commit a portion of your daily activities to preparation. Be abreast with trends, news, and happenings in your field of interest. The essence of having a daily routine with set goals is to aid in staying positive, reducing stress and depression while preparing for opportunities that will come. Have a productive daily routine.
4. NETWORK
Be deliberate with networking. Use social media to network with people. Join groups like your old school groups, the Rotary club, Full Gospel Men’s Fellowship, etc, and network with people.
As much as you need a job, don’t pester people with your joblessness, you might lose valuable contacts. Be of service to them and someone may connect you to a job opportunity.
5. COMMERCIALIZE YOUR SKILL SET
There are skills that each person has that can solve the problems of others. Once you are educated, you possess skills that are usable in a field. For example, an unemployed accountant possesses bookkeeping skills that traders in the informal sector need to enhance their business.
This accountant can commercialize his skills by availing himself to these informal businesses to solve their bookkeeping problem at a fee. Consider the skills you have and how you can use them to solve problems for people.
6. STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR SOURCE
Use the time you have to find your purpose and have a deeper connection and relationship with your Maker. Do not waste time on unprofitable ventures which add no value to your life and destiny but rather derail you from being purposeful. It is in God that a man finds his purpose and true fulfillment. Give attention to your spiritual growth.
All the best.