Most people have been unemployed at some point in their lives, and what comes next after resigning or getting laid off is a feeling of uncertainty regarding one’s future. But instead of moping around or waiting for a job offer, there are many things that you can do while looking for a new job.
One should take the time to do productive things while preparing for a new job or career. Taking the time to hone your skills, make connections, and recharge are all good ways to pass the time while you’re unemployed.
Here are some productive things to do while you’re unemployed.
Set a new budget
Hopefully, you would have set aside enough money to last for three months while waiting for a job offer to come through. Because you don’t know when you’ll be making money again, this is the perfect time to sit down and review your expenses to see what you can eliminate for the time being. For instance, you might want to cancel your cable subscription and downgrade to a lower Internet plan while waiting to get hired.
Take a class
According to Forbes, 61% of hiring managers surveyed recommended taking a class while a person is unemployed.
Andy Teach, author of “From Graduation to Corporation: The Practical Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder One Rung at a Time,” said, “You never stop learning in your career, so the more technical competence you have, the better.”
Good classes to take are business writing courses, speech courses, and computer classes. You could also use this time to learn a new language, which can be useful in a new job or while traveling abroad.
Maintain a positive attitude
Now is not the time to dwell on your past or to sulk about your joblessness. Maintaining a positive attitude and keeping your self-esteem up is the key to surviving this difficult time.
You could reconnect with friends and family, and you could also start a bullet journal to keep track of your job applications, mood, and things to do. The important thing is not to despair or isolate yourself from the people who know and love you—remember, this too shall pass.
Build your network
Network with people on Facebook and LinkedIn. Let them know that you’re looking for a job. You’ll never know where that job offer is going to come from.
While LinkedIn is commonly used to look for jobs, don’t overlook Facebook, as the social media site has led to a lot of job offers for users. Fill out your profile with your professional history and post content that you think will give employers some insight on your character.
Consider taking on some online jobs
You might want to use your skills to earn money while working from home. As previously reported by Jobs & Hire, some online jobs don’t require you to work full time, which gives you plenty of time to look for a job you want while earning money at the same time.
