In a recession, job losses are inevitable. As
consumption and production fall, companies
naturally have to stop hiring except for essential
staffing needs. Many may also have to lay off
staff with redundancies, which adds to an already
alarming unemployment situation. It is a vicious
cycle; as the numbers of those out of work
increase and their income falls, consumer
spending drops which in turn compels companies
to cut back on production levels leading to even
more job losses.
Have you recently been laid off? Here are some
unemployment survival tips that you may find
useful.
This is not the time to withdraw from your
circles. Your network, including your immediate
family, relatives, friends, colleagues, former
clients, and business contacts, matter now more
than ever. Many people rely on word of mouth to
find the right people, so be sure to tell everyone
you know that you are on the market.
Don’t wait till you are pushed. Many people in full
time employment convince themselves that it
won’t happen to them hoping they won’t be
affected. However, if you know that it is inevitable
that your company or industry is likely to lay off
people and your appraisals have been of concern,
it’s best to start the job search before you get the
notice.
Develop yourself. Are there some important skills
that you need in order to improve your prospects?
Do you have the skills to get to where you want
to be? Now, don’t rush off to do the first
Master’s or PHD programme that you get
admission for; I mean practical skills that all
companies need such as IT or digital marketing
skills. Consider doing it now and you will be
better equipped with a skill set for your next job.
Volunteer: It is generally considered that
volunteering can have a positive impact in the
search for re-employment. It may not always lead
to paid work, but it certainly does come with
personal and social benefits. Volunteering will
give you a sense of fulfillment. It can also
enhance the personal skill set, introduce new
knowledge; all this can help in the search for a
permanent role.
Can you consult? An employer may need your
skill set but may just not be able to afford to hire
you as a full-time employee. By offering your
skills on a consultancy basis, you can stay
connected to your network and still be well
positioned for a more permanent position when
things improve.
Perfect your CV. There is nothing more
exasperating for a prospective employer than to
have the misfortune of reading a CV full of
grammatical and typographical errors. Prepare
your CV and proofread it very carefully; there are
many good online samples and tips to guide you.
Do not pretend to be what you are not; you will
be caught out.
Be prepared for Interviews. If you are one of the
tiny percentage of those that get to secure an
interview, you owe it to yourself to be prepared. If
you don’t know anything about the company
inviting you, it could be embarrassing. Do your
research. What value can you add? Look for
problems to solve. Prepare questions that you
wish to ask. There are literally thousands of
people looking for work. What makes you unique?
Try to remain positive. Yes, you have already sent
your CV to 82 companies and interviewed with
18; some may not even acknowledge your CV; it’s
nothing personal. They have so many to go
through. Dust off the disappointments as quickly
as you can and stay focused on the next
opportunity. If you are down and dejected, it will
show, and can make you appear unattractive. You
need to be upbeat, enthusiastic and positive.
Be flexible. Don’t be too fixated on getting your
dream job. Be prepared to accept a role that may
not necessarily meet your expectations when you
consider your qualifications, expertise, or your
experience. Part-time, or contract work are ways
of getting you employed if you prove to be an
outstanding resource. There are far too many
people searching so if you are offered something
that you can do well, accept it whilst you continue
your search.
Stay fit and healthy. Particularly if you are
stressed or anxious, your health can be affected,
so don’t neglect this most important aspect of
your life. We all know that a healthy diet and
exercise is good for the mind and body. You have
the time now to give some focus to this so put a
proper regime in place. It will put you in a much
better frame of mind as well.
What can you do to earn extra income? This is
the time to look inwards at your skills, talents,
those things that you do effortlessly but have
never leveraged on or thought of monetising. Can
you teach, can you bake, sew, take photographs?
Do you find it easy to fix things? Are you an
expert with social media? Many people are trying
to bring a small business idea to life; can you
assist with writing business plans? Reflect on this
carefully and you will find that there is some
solution that you can provide. People pay for
solutions.
Today’s high unemployment rates mean that
more people than ever before are experiencing job
loss, and for significant periods of time. Being
unemployed is one of life’s most challenging
events, but it can also come with opportunities if
you are calm, proactive and able to seize the
moment which may just be the impetus you need
to follow that passion, that dream and bring it to
life.
