How to Stay Focused on the Job Hunt When You’re Unemployed

Losing your job can be a frightening and uncertain time. By not knowing when your next paycheck is coming in, you can quickly become despondent and stressed in your job search. Instead of feeling down, look on the bright side: Being unemployed can be a blessing in disguise, as you have the time to really work toward getting the job you’ve always wanted. You could even start your own business. The following tips will help you keep your spirits up and increase your chances of getting employed again quickly.

Update Your Resume:

When you’re comfortable in a job, it’s easy to let your resume drift to the bottom of your to-do list. Pull yours out and read it over. It’s most likely out of date now, so check out some creative examples online and redesign yours. Once you’re done, be sure to have somebody else read it over to catch any mistakes.

Use Social Networks:

If you’re not using social networks at the moment, now is the time to get started. Networking is always useful when you have a job, but it’s even more critical when you’re looking for work. Be your own cheerleader and advertise your skills on sites such as LinkedIn to keep yourself in contact with potential recruiters.

Create New Goals:

You may have felt you were happy in your previous role, but now is the time to reflect on what that job did and didn’t do for you. Do you want to pursue similar roles, or try something entirely new? Create realistic, manageable goals for yourself. You’re your own project manager at the moment, so make plans to get yourself back on your feet.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help:

Being unemployed can become very lonely if you don’t reach out to others. Find the people in your life who can help you find your next job or just encourage you to do your best. Maybe that person is somebody from your previous job who saw promise in you or a friend in a similar job who may be able to give you a leg up. Don’t go it alone.

Volunteer and Improve Your Skills:

Being unemployed could be the best time to pick up some new skills, especially if you’re looking to change careers. Look into classes near you that may be offering training in relevant areas. Alternatively, you could volunteer with an organization, which will keep you busy, help you give back to your community, and give you active training in new skills.

Stay Active:

While job hunting, it’s easy to find yourself cooped up at home staring at your laptop. Try to find a way to get outside and stay active, both for your health and to give yourself a break. Activities such as walking or biking can get you moving while costing you very little to get started.

Do Short-Term Work:

You may not want to do short-term or part-time work, but now isn’t the time to be picky. Pick up roles that will get you paid quickly while you’re looking for your next big career move. As well as keeping the bills paid, working these jobs will avoid gaps on your resume and show that you’re willing to do what’s needed to achieve your goals. This could also be the time to try out freelancing, although the money will be slower in coming in.

Take Some Time for Yourself:

Being proactive in your job hunt is fantastic, but be careful not to burn yourself out. When you’re not working, it’s easy to become stuck in the rut of sending out application after application, scouring job listings, and losing sight of what it is you actually want from your career. Plan for days off, where you’re not thinking about anything job-hunt related. When you come back to your search, you’ll be fresher and able to focus.

This time is perfect for sitting back and thinking about what it is you really want in a job. It’s likely you weren’t happy in your previous role, so think about what you needed from that job, then go out and find it. The trick is to be focused and active but to also take breaks and not overwork yourself. With luck, you’ll soon find another role you will be passionate about.

Sarah Landrum is a freelance writer and the founder of Punched Clocks, a site all about finding career happiness and success. For more from Sarah, subscribe to her newsletter and follow her on Twitter @SarahLandrum