5 Things to do when you’re unemployed. Hint: It’s not job hunting.
Let’s say you get fired, or laid off, or you quit because after two weeks you know you’re at the worst company on the planet. In all of those cases, you will face the interview question: What happened at your last job?
Here’s the answer you should always give: “I left to do x.” And you fill in for x.
Which brings me to what you should be really focusing on when you are unemployed: Learning and growing. Because this is what you are going to talk about in job interviews.
Most people require about six months to get another job. This is a big chunk of time that you can piss away sending resumes to Monster and wondering why no one responds. But you cannot job hunt for eight hours a day. Really. You’ll go nuts. (Wait. Here’s a time-saving job hunt tip from my mom.)
So spend the time creating projects for yourself and executing on them. This is good for you mentally — because you are doing something meaningful with your time and that will keep your spirits up.
But this is also good for you in your job hunt. Because when you talk about why you left the last company, you spin it in a positive light by talking about how you are excited about doing what you are doing. Your interview should include you telling a good story about focused personal growth, and no one will get stuck on why you left your last job. Here are five ways to set that story up:
1. Create a job for yourself. These projects can be wide ranging, but they have to show that you are driven, ambitious and focused. During one stint of unemployment, I worked for free for my boyfriend’s company for a couple of hours a day. That way I didn’t actually have a gap in my resume; a resume doesn’t show part-time or full-time and it doesn’t show pay or no pay. So volunteering at my boyfriend’s company for a couple of hours a day ended up looking like a full-time job on my resume.
2. Focus on ambition and execution and not so much on work per se. Another time I got laid off I spent my days learning to swing dance. I took one or two lessons a day and practiced at night, and after my six months of job hunting, I was good enough to teach dancing just off Broadway. I didn’t put that on my resume, but when people asked me why I left my job, I told them about how I gave myself time to fulfill lofty goals as a swing dancer.
3. Start a blog about the industry you want to go into. Blogging is a great way to keep up in your industry, network without looking desperate, and leverage the fact that you have more time on your hands that people who have jobs. Everyone who is unemployed should be blogging as a way to get their next job. Put your ideas out into the world and connect with people that way. This is why you want to be hired, right? For your ideas. So show them. The reason that people who blog have great careers is that bloggers are always thinking about issues in their industry. Show that side of yourself to people. You don’t need to worry about the technology — this SiteCreator review should give you confidence. And here’s my guide for how to start writing.
4. Start a company. Do you have a company idea? Try it now. During unemployment. There’s nothing stopping you. You have time, and you can try ideas to see which one sticks. Also, whether or not your company does well, you’ll be able to talk about it in an interview as a huge learning moment that will deflect from any problems at your last job. The company that never got out of your parent’s basement can sit on your resume as professionally as a stint in the Fortune 500. It’s all about how you write the bullet points: talk about accomplishments and learning.
5. Practice talking about yourself with everyone. High performers practice for interviews. So now you know what you’re aiming for, but you need to talk about it with everyone — parties, at the gym, on the phone with friends. When they ask how you’re doing, talk about what you’re doing like you are in the job interview. And the good news is that the better you get at talking like that, the more you will actually believe your story, the story that being unemployed is lucky because you have learning opportunities.
What’s important to remember here is that no one can tell you what experience you can gain and what you can’t. You don’t need a job in order to learn cool stuff and be on cool projects. You control what you do with your time and you can make it useful. Talk about that. There is no reason to talk about why the last job didn’t work when you can talk about the great things that leaving opened up to you.
Great Post! I have been unemployed for 8 months and have the luxury of living with my parents (not proud) But it has given me the time to start a web-site (www.BuyRedTag.com) in my spare time, in which I mostly sell on eBay. I took the time off to fix myself as well. I quit smoking after 12 years (which I would have never been able to do while at a stressfull job) and did some long overdue dental work. I do get unemployment as well, so that helps a great deal with things. I do however feel sorry for people without that luxury, who have no income and children to support.
As I continue my job search, I will always be honest on my job applications. ex. “I was layed off from my last job, and used the time to better myself and attepmt to start a business.” Just the fact that you tried to start a business should be enough to show you have potential to pursue things in life on your own and take chances. A great quality I think. Response?
I very much liked this post. Its the first I’ve read of yours but it was nice to see that I had actually done many of the things you mentioned. I was laid off almost 3 months ago and at first it was awesome being able to indulge myself with hobbies and learning new ones. Then, I needed a way to make extra cash so I started my own small business working on computers for people. I definitely started being a lot more social, I too started a blog, and I also have taken this time to spend more quality time with friends and meeting new people. My small business did not take off as well as i had hoped so ended up selling a lot of what I owned, things i didnt need. And I said to myself why not take a roadtrip? so I did and have been spending time with a friend of mine that I havent seen in quite a while. Now, that I am completely free of materialistic things and am somewhat of a vagabond, i’m going back to my home state where i think i will stay and finally get things squared away… spend time with family that is long overdue as i have lived away from home for the last six years.
I will say that it has been an exciting, daunting, emotional, scary, yet fun ride so far. But i think the most important thing, as has already been stated, that this is a learning experience… in so many more ways than one. Its like i’ve been stripped of everything… and I am forced to ask myself… “who am i now”? The answer is mind blowing. I wish the best of luck to everyone, and all the tips and ideas, especially this post have been very inspiring.
It kind of makes me laugh at all the suggestions people are making. Join a gym? Swing dance? Intern? I understand most of you have been laid off after long careers but what about us youngsters that are unemployed? How can we possibly afford to do anything? If it weren’t for a movie gift card a friend gave me, I wouldn’t be able to afford to do anything but stay home, eat rice and apply for jobs.
Hey Jessica, I’d be glad to take you out to a movie and dinner sometime! Im still unemployed but milking the unemployment and searching for a salary worthy job. If your anywhere near the Miami, Fl area send me an email. triptheory26@aol.com. As for those still searching for jobs, I found out my old job was replaced by someone with a masters degree in business, well over qualified, but hey, thats the only people that seem to get these posted jobs available. Im glad I didnt waste my time with 4 years of school to be a Resturant Manager or Retail manager of any type. This, like everything else will get better. We will all survive!
Hey Jessica, I’d be glad to take you out to a movie and dinner sometime! Im still unemployed but milking the unemployment and searching for a salary worthy job. If your anywhere near the Miami, Fl area send me an email. triptheory26@aol.com. As for those still searching for jobs, I found out my old job was replaced by someone with a masters degree in business, well over qualified, but hey, thats the only people that seem to get these posted jobs available. Im glad I didnt waste my time with 4 years of school to be a Resturant Manager or Retail manager of any type. This, like everything else will get better. We will all survive!
I have been unemployed for about 6 months. I decided to enroll in college, and will likely earn 20 credits in my first term.
I absolutely hate being unemployed, but I also am less stressed, rushed, and was able to spend more time with my family. I believe I am also closer to my wife and daughter. I fight a lot less with my wife…
Also keep in mind I am looking for a job. I would guess I sent out about 150 applications so far, and about 4 interviews. I hope the college credits and certifications I am receiving will open up a window of opportunity for me in the not to distant futrue.
I read this blog, and I think i will start a blog on my own about the industry I want to get into.. Makes perfect sense.
I’ve been laid off for a week and a half now, and WOW! The constant stream (I like to call them “the crazies”) of thoughts are never ending and go something like this:
“I’ll start taking McDonald’s Monopoly seriously! Can I lower my water bill by showering every other day? Yay! I have the time to google whatever the h*ll I want. Must start obeying traffic laws, can’t afford a ticket! I should really go to the gym today. Why hasn’t X company called me? But, I feel guilty taking a nap… Seriously,that was just a 10 second tour of my head and this happens all freaking day! Anyone else have that problem?
I’ve started a blog, http://corporatespladder.blogspot.com/
in hopes of corralling some of those thoughts, and it does give me something to focus on, so, YAY blogging.
Yeah very true. Although the time of unemployment is counted to be worst for anyone, even then if you could focus on yourself this is a good time to enhance your skills along with searching a suitable job. I really appreciate this article…thanks for sharing.
Doesn’t swing dance cost money?
Such great advice! The day I was laid off I began my own company. I still look for full time employment but it has become a great way to expand horizons.
I am just going through a consultation process with my company as a track to redundancy.This obviously brings in realisation that I will be unemployed soon at 44 and at that age in the recession is a bit daunting! I have come to realise that time is money and money is time,so perhaps because I will have lots of time I can turn it into money one day by personal development and meeting ppl from different backgrounds who I would’nt have met if I was still employed? I suppose being unemployed is a great opportunity to develope skills other ppl havent.Most ppl look on you as the person that you are and not so much the skills that you are?
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I have literally done all of the things you have suggested intuitively. And still looking for work after a year of rejected interviews. I am at the point of giving up on myself.
Shelia,
I feel the same way. My spouse got accepted to a graduate school in the Mid-West and though I’ve been unemployed for 7 months…I’ve actually been looking for a year. After applying to over 350 jobs with a total of 12 interviews and no results I’m feeling pretty negative and am ready to quit too!
UNEMPLOYEDS CAN GO TO ANY ECONOMY OF USA WEBSITE CAN BECOME A POLITICIAN,WE ARE SCARCE IN ALL ASPECTS GIVE PLACE TO HOLLYWOOD MOVIES STILL BETTER GET INTO FOR THE BEST OF POLITICS NOT ANYOTHER FIELD.IT CAN FETCH YOU JUST A WORK OF SOME SOCIAL PRECAUTION SUPPOSE HERE THE TELEVISION IN COMPUTERS HELP THAN REAL HOLLYWOOD OR TELEVISION REAL EAT COMPUTERS.
your talking about nothing
Blogging is a great thing to do in conjunction with starting a company. Web business is a low cost investment, which is perfect for people who were just laid off.
Just make sure you know what you are doing. Some web hosts will offer a free trial. The first year of a web business can cost as little as a hundred bucks. Really look into it.
I strongly agree with the information presented in this article. Directly selling various items like designer prom dresses, jovani prom dresses, designer gowns, short designer prom dresses and a lot more depending on your business interest.Definitely, unemployment is not a problem for any person who is determined to succeed. In fact, there are lots of successful businessmen nowadays who were previously unemployed. They just take the risk of getting into business and after a few years, they have successfully stabilized their own business.
Humidifier filters. A very concrete explanation why you don’t have to worry about unemployment. Basically, a brighter future does not only depend on employment but for those people who would risk to achieve the best by putting up a business on their own. Engaging yourself into furnace filters business can be a great choice. Since, these products are in market demand nowadays. However, in doing it, you must comply with the furnace filters standard to ensure the quality and durability of your products most especially the air conditioning filters.
I started my company. I rediscovered my passion -Art Printmaking and painting, I work out every day. For some reason this still does not help entirely as the sword of Damocles hangs over my head -The home is in foreclosure, I am filing for bankruptcy, and I am pretty isolated in that if I attempt to talk to a friend about things -they just tell me that I need a job so badly I should do what they “would have” done and worked fast food because it’s better than nothing. How do you explain this to people when after 2 years I get contracts and small gigs that amount to more than that -and I still get interviews -3 this last month and still I don’t get hired. My only resolve is to keep it all inside hoping I don’t implode.
I find this article interesting and the comments everyone making also. I have been out of work for 10 months after a new boss came in and forced me out. It drags ya down but I keep on trying in the job search. I realized being patient is pretty important during all this. Thanks for the suggestions!
How am I supposed to start a business if I don’t have any money?
Hi guys
First time I have come across this site, just need to feel
like I am not the only unemployed person in this country of ours?
I am in my late 40’s, still active and alive not ready for the rocker just yet. I have “painstakeingly” tried everything in my
power to find a job! After 26 Years experience in the Financial
Industry, I would think I have something to offer a Company! Well, it seems to find a job in this country is as bad as trying to win the lotto! I dress smartly, I carry myself very well, and am confident in interviews, nothing! I have tried a homebusiness! well it’s been 15 months now, and my poor family
are carring the burden, all I can say to you all, All the very best may come your way! “There is still a flicker of hope”
Eileen
people who blog have a great career… i like thats quote :) cause i’am a blogger :D
You people need to wake up and smell the coffee, I have been unemployed for 2 yrs know and unemployment is about to run out, the second that you put on your application that you’re unemployed you’re out of luck, they will hire someone that is currently working and to me this is discrimanation , but what can you do? You say start a blog/ lie on a resume about something that you’re not doing or simply do nothing, well is that going to pay your morgage,food , utilities? Get real you can’t spend money so you can do nothing!
Found it really a very helpful post.
I just wanted to add a comment here to mention thanks for you very nice ideas. Blogs are troublesome to run and time consuming thus I appreciate when I see well written material. Your time isn't going to waste with your posts. Thanks so much and stick with it No doubt you will definitely reach your goals! have a great day!
yeah, dont look for a job. meanwhile how to you pay your bills?
start a company? anyone can do it… but starting something that you can make money on, there lies the HARD part. fact is MOST people are not meant to be self employed or start a business.
I will vote for starting new company and starting own blog.
Once can earn good amount of money once he has a very good looking blog with daily posts.
read a nice article after a long time.
All great stuff,this is what i did,when i first lost my job.i helped a friend start his business and it was fun.That time i had enough money in saving to i was job searching but not panicked,secong time when i lost the job it was one of the most difficult time of my life,i had no money,i borrowed it from friends and family but soon was running out of it.If you would give us some ideas that people when lose jobs and are penniless what can they do?????/will be great.Manythanks.
When all else fails: find a friend’s couch to crash on and learn to live on Top Ramen.
Is there anything more up to date than 2009???? I have know someone who has a bach degree and cannot find anything better than warehouse work. And talk about feeling defeated! No, not self-pity, just plain defeated. It’s 2011 and the job market is horrible. What do you tell a 25 year old that has an assoc. degree and a bach. degree, but no one is hiring!
This is all well and good, but what if you have no money?
Are there any crimes that are easy to get away with that doesn’t hurt anybody?…………………………………………………………………….i’m joking! i think!
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Yeah, this article does sound good on paper, but what do you do when you actually have to pay your bills and your rent and your food and you have no income to support any of these things? Nobody gets Unemployment when they get fired from or quit a job. At least, not in my state they don’t.
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Great tips.
Just one thing to keep in mind is that maybe when you are unemployed you don’t have as much money to spend on creating your company or doing courses you would like.
I was unemployed for a while and started learning how to write websites.
BUT having to buy food and feed and provide money for college to teenage boys with no help is no joke. I found I was spending most of my time either worrying about where the next meal was coming from, or spending time and money on wild goose chases after non-existent jobs. (One of these had been advertised in the job center and I received mail that said.. How did you get my Email address?)Eventually the money ran out and I lost my Internet after selling things that would have helped to make money if I’d kept them such as my kiln, that I couldn’t afford to fire up. I’m sorry but it’s a nice idea that is difficult to put into practice if you actually have to live in that situation.
I was laid off a couple years ago and you know what? It was the best thing that happen to me! You heard correctly. Now I am the proud owner of http://www.acepetmemorials.com/ because I never want to work for someone else again!
tell me how did you do that…..
your post is very intresting thanks and sure i wabt to create my job himself…..
kitesurf-dr
Some tricks I used when I was unemployed are this… 1. Rrecruiters are your friends! Send your resume to every recruiter you can find. Let them do the work for you. They don’t get paid unless you get hired… so they really WANT you to get the job. They’ll coach you on the interview, on the company, etc… and they are enormously helpful. 2. Know how to make your resume searchable. Most recruiters and HR reps will scan your resume looking for keyworkds (or attempt to pull resumes out of a database). Know what keywords are hotbuttons for your job. If you are in marketing, it may be “SEO” and “Pay per click” or if you’re in IT, it may be a particular software. Work these words into your resume. 3. Social media, Social media, social media. Reach out to your network. Let them know you are looking. Link up to recruiters on linked in. Post your resume EVERYWHERE.
Some tricks I used when I was unemployed are this… 1. Rrecruiters are your friends! Send your resume to every recruiter you can find. Let them do the work for you. They don’t get paid unless you get hired… so they really WANT you to get the job. They’ll coach you on the interview, on the company, etc… and they are enormously helpful. 2. Know how to make your resume searchable. Most recruiters and HR reps will scan your resume looking for keyworkds (or attempt to pull resumes out of a database). Know what keywords are hotbuttons for your job. If you are in marketing, it may be “SEO” and “Pay per click” or if you’re in IT, it may be a particular software. Work these words into your resume. 3. Social media, Social media, social media. Reach out to your network. Let them know you are looking. Link up to recruiters on linked in. Post your resume EVERYWHERE.
Some tricks I used when I was unemployed are this… 1. Rrecruiters are your friends! Send your resume to every recruiter you can find. Let them do the work for you. They don’t get paid unless you get hired… so they really WANT you to get the job. They’ll coach you on the interview, on the company, etc… and they are enormously helpful. 2. Know how to make your resume searchable. Most recruiters and HR reps will scan your resume looking for keyworkds (or attempt to pull resumes out of a database). Know what keywords are hotbuttons for your job. If you are in marketing, it may be “SEO” and “Pay per click” or if you’re in IT, it may be a particular software. Work these words into your resume. 3. Social media, Social media, social media. Reach out to your network. Let them know you are looking. Link up to recruiters on linked in. Post your resume EVERYWHERE.
This is good to hear from others who were or are in my shoes I been unemployed for four months. I try to do everything that I possibly can think of to keep from worrying how long will I be unemploy will find a job. I thought about relocating to a state with less unemployment percentage. I have my days when I felt there just aint no use because I have been down this same path before and applying for jobs is a job within it self I just being tryin to find what others do in this situation. I
Enjoyed this, it’s a different take on a well-worn subject. My small offering is an article I wrote about saving time during a job hunt – hope you like it. http://timetosavetime.com/2011/09/job-hunting-top-time-saving-tips/
Enjoyed this, it’s a different take on a well-worn subject. My small offering is an article I wrote about saving time during a job hunt – hope you like it. http://timetosavetime.com/2011/09/job-hunting-top-time-saving-tips/
I did all that. It’s been three years. Now what?
Yeah, I’m heading into year three as well. I’m pretty sure this writer is full of shit.
I did all that. It’s been three years. Now what?
This writer is full of shit. You can’t start a business without money. It takes money to make money. Here’s what to do when you’re unemployed: Welfare and food stamps. Rob some rich people.