3 Tips for the Unemployed That Nobody Tells You
Whether you’re out of a job by choice, force, or what seems like endless bad luck, unemployment isn’t something anyone eagerly anticipates - at least not among those of us who have to work to pay the bills! When people find out that a loved one is newly unemployed, they are quick to offer all kinds of advice. “Apply to jobs!” “Update your resume!” “Learn a new skill!” These are excellent and practical ways to be productive when you’re out of a job, but they are certainly not the only things worth doing. As a former CEO, I have some insights on valuable things to do while unemployed that may surprise you.
1. Rest.
I don’t mean sleeping in past 7:00 a.m. every day or binging on Netflix, though neither of these is a bad idea in moderation. Use unemployment as an opportunity to truly rest for a week or so. Go on a vacation or staycation. Take walks and eat healthy meals. You can’t effectively get back into the game if you are burnt out. Rest before anything else, and if you’re the type who tends to get lazy, ask someone in your life to hold you accountable to a limited period of leisure.
2. Read.
Read whatever captures your attention. Fiction, non-fiction, or self-help, reading will allow you to relax, enjoy yourself, and keep your mind sharp. Don’t think you have to limit yourself to business books, although those often have relevant advice, especially for the unemployed. Most of us complain when we’re working the 9-5 that we “don’t have time” to read. Take advantage of the more open schedule this opportunity affords to re-read favorite books, pick up a new one, and get lost in the literature that’s meaningful to you. This can also be a good time to renew your commitment to reading God’s Word and ask His help in discerning the direction He wants you to take, and what He wants you to learn from this unemployment.
3. Volunteer.
Volunteering will not only help you and others, but it will also look excellent on your resume when you start interviewing again. Much of the advice given to the unemployed is self-focused, which is not a bad thing. But because of this trend, it makes it that much more valuable when you become someone who is willing to focus their time, energy and attention on others. Even if it is something simple like serving at a soup kitchen, stocking food at a food bank, or organizing clothes at your local Goodwill, volunteering in any capacity is a way to grow yourself, your community, and your career.
Unemployment is never an easy thing, even when it’s welcomed or expected. Remember that no job or lack thereof defines you, and there is always room to grow and improve. By taking this time as an opportunity to focus on the areas we often leave neglected, you can come out on the other side of this more fulfilled than you were before.
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