Living Unemployed

Do what you have to do for yourself

You may not think much of it, but when my husband has been unemployed, he looks his age, or even older. The frustration and worry wear on him. When he is positive and energized, looking forward to a second interview or working on a new prospect for a business, or a project at his current job, he looks at least ten years younger. The wrinkles literally fade from his face. There are many things that you can do to fight the doldrums once you have a survival plan financially. Get up early, as if you had a job to go to. You do have a job, that job is to find work, and in order to find work, you need to take care of yourself so that you can present yourself well to prospective employers. Try an early morning exercise routine. Even 10 minutes of stretching every morning can put your mind in a more positive frame for the rest of the day. If you can throw in a half hour of cardio exercise, so much the better. Then eat some breakfast and hit the shower. Dress as if you were going to an interview, the idea is to be ready for any chance encounter that might bring a job offer. Smile in the mirror and be proud of how good you look. In fact, just smile. Find something to make you smile every day, whether it be a funny quote, a movie, a flower in bloom, a hug from a family member, or something else. Be gentle with your family. Remember that this is a hard time for them too. Everyone’s tempers may be short. Try to be understanding and forgiving, especially of yourself. It may not have been your fault that you were laid off, but it is your job to solve the problems that result. Only you can control your actions and your point of view. Even when it seems impossible, you need to look at the positive things that you do still have in your life.

Pursue employment

Don’t just fill out forms and applications because it’s what you are supposed to do. Really search for full-time work in your preferred field, and in any other area where you have an interest and the required skills and experience. Go ahead and look at contract work while waiting to find a full-time job. Go to your local job center to find leads. Ask your network of friends, family, and contacts if they are aware of any positions that might suit you. Study resources available about resume writing and interview techniques. If all else fails, remember that taking a step down in income, even if it’s a large step, to pay the bills does not mean you are less of a person. It means that you are providing in the best way you can, for now. In the meantime, practice your skills or work on new training so that you can jump back in at a higher level when the opportunity arises. You might take this time of waiting to get training in a field that you were always interested in, but were too busy to pursue. Don’t stop looking for opportunities to make things better. See each application as a learning experience and try to learn how to present yourself in a way to grab the attention of a potential employer in a positive fashion. The news may say that there are 13 million people unemployed, but only one of them is you. Only one of them has the exact combination of personality and skills that you have to offer. Only one of them has control over your future. The only one who can plan and make a difference in what you do with this situation is you.