10 Tips To Survive Unemployment

No long intro into what this article is about, its just a simple 10 step process that will keep you motivated into looking for a job but also for getting through this tough time.

1) Establish a Routine: When you are out of work it can be quite simple to sleep in everyday, watch TV till noon, shower, and lunch and then relax again. If you didn’t notice this program means that you will be spending a lot of your time doing absolutely nothing. You need to get out of the house, and you need to be hitting the pavement and networking. Spend the first hour of the day emailing companies. Spend the afternoon networking, and the evening preparing for tomorrow. Do not let yourself spiral into a situation whereby you get nothing done.

2) Network: Let your friends/family/neighbours know that you are looking for work. 80% of jobs are found through networking and word of mouth. An introduction from someone on the inside always helps. No one is going to be able to help until you ask for it. Swallow your pride and make the call.

3) Volunteer: Being without work can lead to a lot of boring days. There is only a certain amount of time that a normal person can spend watching day time TV without becoming either a redneck or a fat woman watching “The View”. Take your time to volunteer, not only will it take your mind off the fact you are not working it will again help you network with colleagues.

4) Adjust Your Budget: Your not working so you can’t afford to be going out every day or buying a new high end entertainment system. If you do have to go out, learn how to save money at restaurants. Do not try to justify it by saying you are using it as a pick me up or justify that new laptop just because you are using it to write your CV. Start tightening your belt because you never know how long it will take to get back into the workforce.

5) Update your CV: Do not let the CV gather dust. If you have been in the same job for 10-15 years, time to update your CV as the one that you used 15 years ago is no longer relevant. You have learned a lot of skills and experiences in the past 15 years time to update your CV so that your new employer knows what you have been up to.

6) Plan the next interview: If like a lot of people that have recently been made redundant you have been in the same job for many years it might be worth dusting up on your interview skills. For some people the fact that they are going to be looking for a new job or interviewing with someone asking them all types of questions seems quite daunting. Practice makes perfect.

7) Keep Your Debts in Check: Most credit card companies have insurance for when you are out of work. If you were stupid enough to purchase this in the first place it might be a good time to start using. The second best thing you can do is lock up all those damn credit cards because they are a death trap, you are spending cash that you do not have on the assumption that you are going to be getting a pay check. This was fine 3 months ago, it won’t work anymore.

8) Get Rid of all Monthly Bills: Cancel any magazines that you may be a member of. You can read them online. Cancel all your extras on your television package, cancel cable in general. You can watch all the TV that you want on the internet for free. If you have a crazy cell phone package cancel that as well. You’re pulling in for the long haul, if you have a gym membership that you do not use cancel that as well!

9) Develop Your Skills: Remember that course that you wanted to take that would help you immensely in your job. Time to take it.

10) Never Give Up: It may seem like you have been trying forever to get a job and nothing is happening. No one is calling you back and no one is interested in your CV, you must continue. Someone will get back to you as soon as a position is open; no one has anything against you. Keep trying and keep following up on all your leads. This is not a time to be arrogant you need to be able to swallow your pride so that you can fill your stomach.