Tips to Solving Your Unemployment Problem

I have just recently gone through a period of unemployment. My unemployment lasted just one month because I worked hard to find another job. Here’s my advice:

Call or email everyone you know. Talk with people you have worked with in the past, relatives, etc. to let them know you are looking for a job. You never know who they know or what job(s) may be unadvertised or coming open soon. (When I learned I was to be laid off, I sent out an email to everyone I could reach and put a positive spin on my situation by saying, "I have a new job. My new job is to find myself a new job!")

Update your resume as soon as possible, emphasizing your accomplishments and experience. Then get it out there to every employer that you have any interest in working for.

Buy or check out from the library a good job hunting book like What Color is Your Parachute.

Make a commitment to do something to look for a job every day. Call someone, send a letter, or look at the paper or the Internet. Do something. Set aside a specific time to do this each day. Get up every day, get dressed, and make it your job to find a job. Don’t just go through the motions as this will not get you anywhere! Make getting a new job your number one priority for the day.

Remember to keep your chin up. It's easy to get down. You are not the only person this has ever happened to. Be good to yourself with an occasional treat and regular contact with good, supportive friends and family. Don’t beat yourself up over failures. Remember, the one thing you can control in the search process is your activity level.

Apply for jobs that interest you even though you may not meet all the qualifications listed. Few people meet every criterion for a job. If you meet some or most, you'll be considered if you show a great deal of enthusiasm and a willingness to learn the rest of what the position requires.