Make the Most of Being Unemployed
Posted on 20. Feb, 2009 by Morgan in Career Advice, Job Hunting News
John McKee at socalTECH.com has a great column on how to make the most of being unemployed. It’s definitely worth a read. In 2009 making a living is different than having a job. You have to get creative, you have to be totally committed to creating value no matter where you go, and in this economy you have to focus and out-perform the rest of the public.
Here are John’s 7 tips for making the most out of being out of work. I would add just one more – network offline. He’s got network online, but I think you really need to get out there and press the flesh if you’re going to make some winning connections.
Be sure to read the rest of his article for some good unemployment advice.
From socalTECH.com:
- Consider going solo. Given the amount of dramatic changes affecting organizations and businesses across all sectors, it may be extremely difficult and perhaps impossible to replace your job when it’s lost.
- Understand the outsourcing threat. If you do choose the corporate route, determine whether or not a change of specialty will better satisfy both personally and professionally.
- Do a self-SWOT analysis. For decades, SWOT analysis has been a basic, straightforward model providing strategic direction to organizations worldwide.
- Update your skill set. With unemployment now at record highs, there is far more demand for jobs than supply. Not staying on par with others vying for the same job(s) will be a death knell.
- Create a “Personal Action Plan.” Even in difficult times, there are many who thrive despite economic downturns, business closures, and other tumultuous events solely because they have defined goals and strategies.
- Network online. Now more than ever those in a hiring position are looking to social media to qualify suitable candidates and weed out those who may simply look good on paper.
- Stay busy. Going from full speed in a full time job to complete stop at home can be demoralizing and counterproductive. It’s true that the more we do, the more we can do.
What do you think? What are you doing to beat the unemployment blues and get yourself back in the game?