It’s always tough when you’ve been out of work for a while, since you tend to be completely out of practice when it comes to your old work routines. Some people end up feeling at a loss about what they should do with all of their free time during periods where they don’t have work. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do.
Create a Professional Blog
Using professional blogs to get new work is all the rage these days. If you can demonstrate your abilities, knowledge, and expertise through a professional looking blog, it can be a great way to gain the notice of employers. And if you play your cards right on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Linkedin you might just be able to get the right people looking at your blog, and before you know it, you may be employed again.
Volunteer
Being able to list volunteer work on a resume is always a plus, especially if you can do so in a field similar to your own, or in a way that demonstrates your abilities and expertise. There are almost always organizations nearby that could use the help. It allows you to keep busy and have something to show to potential employers, and in the meantime people who need help get it. This is one of those few win-win scenarios.
Take Classes
If you have free time, you could do a whole lot worse than use it to learn new skills. In point of fact, learning new skills might be exactly what you need to get new work in the first place. And even if you’re just honing skills you already have, you will come away with new certifications and classes to show to employers, as well as new ways to excel in the work places of the future. The landscape of the working world is changing even more rapidly than ever before, so it’s important to constantly re-educate yourself in order to stay on top of the waves of change. There are often programs in place that allow you to take classes for cheaper as well, both through the government and through other organizations, so it pays to look around for grants and scholarships that might allow you to get back to school and stay busy.
Stay Connected
No matter how bad things get, you always have options. For example, if you are in danger of having to get rid of your cellphone, or if you’ve already lost service due to not being able to meet payments, you can get cellphone service back by going through the Lifeline program. It’s good to look online for more information about this program because it’s entirely possible that you qualify, and having a phone is often essential to getting back on your feet with a new job, since this is necessary for many employers to be able to contact you and verify your home address.
Photo Credit: Flickr/gosheshe
