Survival 101

Ok - I no longer have a job so now what? I have put quite a bit of thought into this, especially since I knew it was coming. We all have to have a reason to get up in the morning. Now that I don't have a job, what is that reason? I don't have kids to make breakfast for or get off to school. My husband is a full time student at UNCG but he is out for the break between Fall and Spring semesters so I don't have to get up to see him off.

Being unemployed has it's advantages also. Take today for example. It is rainy and cold with the temperature hovering in the low 40's. I don't have to get out in this mess. If I were gainfully employed, I wouldn't have a choice. I would bundle up in a coat and grab an umbrella and out the door I would go. Another thing, if you are sick and really couldn't work even if you had a job, you can just simply stay in bed and recover. And of course there are those things that have should have been done a while back but they could only be done during the hours that you were at work. Now you can get all of those things caught up.

But I do need a routine to keep me going. Here are some things I have come up with. These are in no particular order of importance, but necessary to keep you motivated.

1. Get up as if you had somewhere to be or something to do. Take a shower and get dressed. Unless you are really sick, do not lay around all day in sweats, pajamas, or comfy clothes. Don't spend your entire day in front of the TV. If you normally do your hair and makeup, then do your hair and makeup.

2. Find a way to network. In my case, I have had an account with LinkedIn for a couple of years now. I am very active with my account and have even created my own Group that allows for even more networking. The members of my Group know I am unemployed now and they will let me know if and when they hear of something. Even if it is something that is not (and will not) be known publicly. This is a great resource.

3. Update your resume. You can find several good resources online or at the library to help you prepare a great resume and it has to be great because you are not the only person looking for a job. You have to stand out. Try to get a Letter of Recommendation from your previous employer. You won't submit this when you apply for a job, but you can definitely take it along for the interview.

4. Now that you have your resume, you need to contact at least 2 good recruiters. Meet with them. Make sure they know you as a person so that they feel even more compelled to help you find a job.

5. Post your resume on several job boards. There are numerous job boards available online: http://www.monster.com/, http://www.careerbuilder.com/, http://www.indeed.com/, http://www.simplyhired.com/, and
http://www.theladders.com/, just to name a few. I have no proof that any of these actually land you a job and I have serious reservations about paying to have access to their job listings. When you go to these job boards, you will find that the majority of jobs have been posted by recruiting firms and not the potential employer. You will also find that some unscrupulous recruiters will post jobs that don't really exist or jobs that have already been filled. They do this so that they can get your resume on file - in other words, they are not worried about helping you, but helping themselves. If you have applied for a position and find that the recruiter did not actually have that job available, ask immediately that they destroy your resume and don't do business with them. They will never have your best interest in mind.

6. Volunteer to work for your favorite charity - you're sitting at home drawing unemployment so why not? You don't want to do this 5 days a week, but find more than one charity that you would like to help out and volunteer a couple of days a week. This is a great way to network. You could potentially meet your new employer - either another volunteer or someone who looks at this charity as their philanthropic endeavor. You will also have new contacts through the staff that work for the charity. Not the least important, though, is that you are doing something really good.

7. The job you have just lost will be hard to replace but while you are looking, the Employment Security Commission has determined what your unemployment benefit amount is and what your weekly earnings allowance is. Work part time at a job that you perceive is fun but doesn't offer enough pay to replace the salary you have lost.

8. Exercise. Why? Not only will it take up part of your day, it makes you feel better and look better. It will quickly become a habit and something you look forward to. It will give you energy. Pick your own routine - look online, go to a gym (volunteer at the YMCA and maybe you can work out free), walk. Just do something - take care of yourself.

9. Keep in touch with friends and co-workers. They are part of your extended family. They can lift your spirits when you are down. They can get you out of the house when you are going stir crazy. And if they hear of anything remotely close to what you want for your next career move, they will call in a heartbeat.

10. Do something creative. We all have it in us - make something, write something, start a blog, make a garden, paint! Find a creative outlet to keep you busy. You might just be surprised at what you are capable of. Look at me, I started this blog! ;-)