5 Tips for Pursuing Employment

It’s a wild emotional rollercoaster ride- being gainfully employed and feeling secure than then given the dreaded “we don’t need you anymore” or “we can’t afford to keep you on” line.

At first you may rationalize that a few weeks or months off will do you good. After all, you’ll be getting unemployment (if you are lucky). Why not take a rest?

But at some point you’ll start to worry. You’ll hear of others not getting jobs and not being able to care for themselves and their families. You’ll start to wonder what kind of job you’ll have to take to make ends meet.

You’ll go through various stages- anger, depression, self-pity, annoyance, defiance, sadness, guilt…. It won’t be easy. But, it will pass if you put yourself on the right track.

Here are 5 Tips for getting you on the right track:

1. Get up every day at a decent hour (say 7 AM) and get out of the house.
2. Volunteer at least 20 hours a week at a place or with people you will enjoy and feel like your contribution matters (animal shelters, religious institutions, senior centers, non-profits of all sorts, hospitals, etc…).
3. Go to at least 2 networking groups or social group events each week. (Google groups in your area for various areas of interest- there are also groups for the unemployed)
4. Have a resume ready to go for each area of interest you have or area you may want to target (a general resume, a technical resume, a “field-specific” resume like healthcare).
5. Let everyone in your life know that you are looking for your next position (not job) in the xxx area. Make sure people know you are looking and they are looking out for you. Don’t make it sound desperate- keep it positive and professional. Make sure they know what you do or want to do. Help them help you better. And, don’t forget to ask them how you can help them!
6. Bonus Tip #6: It goes without saying, but you should be spending at least 2 hours a day actively looking for open positions and targeting companies you want to work for. Call them. Submit resumes. Don’t just spend your time in the “research” mode. You must be in the “sending” “calling” and “doing” modes. You can’t be interviewed for what you don’t put in for!
   
   If you like these tips let me know and I’ll send you 5 more!