Lockdown is easing, and companies are having to make some major restructuring which is leaving a lot of people unemployed. As if it’s not enough stress dealing with a pandemic, now you also have to deal with not having a job. It might seem like the worst thing to happen, however I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. You may find it difficult to accept being unemployed, especially when you’ve applied for 100 jobs. However, it can actually be a good thing – I’m all about looking on the bright side.
It’s important to remember rejection is only redirection. So if you find yourself in a position where you are unemployed, its probably the right time to reassess your career plan, position yourself strategically and make the best of being unemployed. I’ve detailed below how you can do this:
Avoid negative thinking
Applying for jobs and attending interviews can feel like a job in itself. It’s especially important to maintain a positive attitude in this time. Negative thoughts can seriously harm your job search, not only by affecting your attitude but also your confidence.
Assess your life and find out what you really want
Being unemployed gives you the perfect opportunity to utilise your time to reflect and evaluate yourself. Ask yourself what is it that you really want out of your career that your last job didn’t offer you? What’s your passion? Maybe you’ve been thinking about changing careers for a while, this could be the right time to go for it.
Start a side hustle
If you have a dream – whatever it is – a business, a blog… now is the right time to make use of all this “extra” time you have. As the saying goes, ‘if opportunities aren’t knocking on the door, create your own.’ This can be as simple as selling unused items on eBay. If you are a natural talent when it comes to designing websites, writing articles, then you can look into opportunities or get involved with temporary projects.
Getting a side hustle is also a fantastic way to build your personal brand and position yourself as an expert, which could lead you to your next career opportunity.
Perfect a new skill
Now, just because you are unemployed doesn’t mean you need to act like it. To make the most of this ‘extra’ time, it’s important to get into the habit of keeping yourself busy. Make a conscious decision to invest in yourself by doing new things and investing in yourself.
Learning a new skill has many benefits. According to research, leaning a new skill improves your memory overtime and keeps your brain active and sharp. The good thing is you needn’t pay for this skill, the internet is full of resources – especially YouTube.
R x