Today I will share with you 5 unemployment tips that do wonders, and hopefully can benefit you the same way it did for me.
The thought of unemployment is scary for most people, but quitting a job without a backup plan can be even more liberating and daunting. After two months of unemployment, I will be back to resume my career journey next week, I can safely say there are ways that you can navigate this transitional period effectively with these unemployment tips. And Babes, you’re not alone!
Here are 5 unemployment tips for you to start:
Unemployment Tips #1: Assess Your Financial Situation
First thing first, you have to assess your financial situation. Review your savings and emergency stash. Evaluate how much you have in savings and calculate how long you can sustain yourself without a steady income. This way you can have a clear picture of your financial runway.
The best thing to do is list down your commitments, and daily spending and navigate through what you can cut back on for just a little while.
Tip #2: Update Portfolio, Resume and LinkedIn Profile
I must admit, we don’t have time to update our portfolio, resume or even LinkedIn profile while also juggling our 9-5s. These things do take some time to address and there is no better time to update and polish them than right now. Take this sweet golden time you have to highlight your skills, achievements and experiences. Tailor your resume to align with the types of roles you’re interested in.
Also, make sure you optimize your LinkedIn profile and make necessary updates. This helps to increase your visibility among recruiters, and networks on LinkedIn.
Unemployment Tips #3: Consider freelancing & Gig Opportunities
Ladies, we live in a digital world now. Let’s dive into online platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer to find short-term gigs that match your skill set and can generate extra money.
If you don’t fancy those things or they may have become a bit overwhelming for you, you can also look for part-time or temporary jobs in your area for a steady income while you are searching for a more permanent position.
Better yet, if these things do not work out for you, you can always start your own business that you can do in the comfort of your home. We will uncover this topic in another post, so stay tuned to our blog!
Unemployment Tips #4: Invest in Skill Development
I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to always learn new skills especially if you are early in your career in your 20s. Use platforms like Coursera, Udemy or LinkedIn Learning to acquire new skills or enhance existing ones. Make sure you narrow down your options and focus on skills that are in demand in your industry.
I use Coursera because I am more comfortable navigating my way around the platform. It is so easy to follow through the courses, and you can even learn at your own pace.
Once you’ve completed the courses, you will obtain relevant certifications to boost your qualifications and make yourself more attractive to potential employers. Don’t forget to add your certifications to your LinkedIn Profile. Remember, keep them updated at all times!
Bonus Tip: Maintain a Positive Mindset
Maintaining a positive mindset takes hard work and you have to keep reminding yourself that this is a temporary phase. Focus on opportunities this transition presents rather than challenges.
If you are a career girl like me, being unemployed at first is exciting. But after you’re done sleeping and resting, all you want to do is get back to hustling at work. But what is there to do if you don’t have a job at the moment? Engage in activities that reduce stress and promote well-being.
Easy! Do exercise, learn new hobbies, pick up the hobby you once loved to do or even go for volunteer work to network with people.
By taking these steps, you can effectively manage your transition period and increase your chances of finding a fulfilling new job opportunity.
So ladies, I wish you all the best of luck in your career hunting, and embrace this transitional period so you can focus more on yourself.
