So you’re unemployed- and twiddling your thumbs isn’t cutting it. No matter how you got here, you’d like to be done with this unemployment thing. Maybe you’re ready to put your newfound skills to good use. Perhaps you’re ready to be in your dream job finally. It could be time to pay your bills. All good reasons – let’s get you back out there.
There are a variety of reasons you could find yourself unemployed, so let’s divide and conquer to get you back in the workforce. You don’t have to spend those hours lying on your couch. There are so many strategies for finding a job and bettering yourself in the process. Let’s take a look.
Why Your Job Search Isn’t Cutting It
Your first instinct when you’re unemployed is to fill out job applications and blast your resume out to companies who are hiring. You feel “busy,” and like you’re taking control of your situation, but this is one of the worst ways you can go about the job search.
If you’ve sent dozens of resumes and job applications to cricket sounds, you aren’t alone. There are thousands of other people doing the same thing, and this is where it gets complicated.
You’re one of the dozens, if not hundreds of applicants, and you’re up against two obstacles. First, big HR companies aren’t going through resumes by hand anymore, and if they are, they’re tossing a lot of resumes in the trash for time’s sake.
Instead, they’re relying on software to filter resumes out for keywords. If your resume isn’t formatted correctly, you could be going into the “no” pile before a human ever lays eyes on your resume.
Second, more companies are using things like personality and aptitude tests to provide a small pool of candidates for interviews. Even if you’ve got the experience and the background, you may not be getting through these unproven strategies.
Companies are trying to find people who are right for their company culture, not just an employee with the right credentials. Hiring and onboarding is an expensive process, and companies want to make sure they’re spending on the right person.
Instead of throwing out your resume to a faceless HR department, there are a few things you need to be doing instead to ensure your resume is getting to the right place and that you’re at the top of the pile. (And no, it’s not sending the same cold email to 100 people, either.)
The Power Of A Good Network
Many career coaches and experts agree that a better strategy is to put your network to good use. If you know someone in the field or at your ideal job, you may be able to leverage that connection to an interview.
Experts estimate that as much as 70% of jobs are filled through networking rather than job applications, so this is where you need to focus your efforts. And if you don’t have a network yet, it’s time to get started on it.
LinkedIn can be one of the best places for you to develop a network. If you don’t have an account, set one up and build a profile outlining your accomplishments and the type of employment you’re looking for. This is a critical step because, in the new world of job searches, this is one of your most significant selling points.
From there, you should seek out employees and decision-makers from your target companies and industries and connect with them. Let’s be clear, however. They are people, not “targets,” and leading with asking them for a job or demanding face time won’t get you anywhere.
Instead, connect gently and genuinely. They’ll see from your profile that you’re seeking a position, so you don’t need to hit them in the face with it. Try something simple like this:
“I noticed you work with the marketing department at XYZ company. I’ve loved your company’s work in the past – so witty and engaging. I’d love to connect with you to keep up with the interesting things your company is doing if you don’t mind!”
This shows that you’ve done your research and that you intend to make a connection, not demand a favor. From there, keep up with their page, posting thoughtful comments when necessary and keeping an eye out for the possibility of an opening.
Down the road, you might send a quick message expressing your wish to work for their team sometime. Since you already have a connection with them, it makes it far easier to get your credentials in front of human eyes and not resume sifting software designed to weed out job applications.
You could also check for in-person meetups in your field. This is another excellent way to make connections and express your interest in companies. Keep the same boundaries in mind, however. Spend more time talking about the company and less time talking about yourself to make genuine connections.
Job fairs may seem like a good idea, but generally, they aren’t. If you want to try a job fair, do some research ahead of time to see who will be there and if anyone interests you. Follow the same guidelines above and make it short and sweet.
The exception to this would be targeted job fairs, i.e., a job fair specifically for data science. This could prove a lot more useful for your networking and could alert you to companies you didn’t know about yet. Be strategic and make connections there.
Why Investing In Yourself Works
One critical piece of the puzzle is that you can’t let your skills go to waste while you’re waiting around for your job prospects to look up. The process of investing in yourself can be a way to get more realistic job prospects than trying to work through the mess of Indeed.
Companies want to see that you’re active in your field even without an official job title. If you’re a data scientist, for example, a heavy emphasis is on experience and real-world accomplishment. You could get this experience through a variety of ways, such as volunteering or hackathons.
Look for volunteer opportunities first. This gives you the chance to gain practical experience that you can highlight on your LinkedIn, for example. Don’t just outline a series of duties; make sure you talk about what you accomplished or improved.
You can also look for local events like hackathons, conferences, or meetups to continue your skills. You could even offer to host or present at conferences if you’ve got the experience because you’ll attract some incredible opportunities in that arena.
You can also continue your education online through free course sites like Coursera or edX. And if you need official documentation, these sites provide affordable ways to make that happen.
Everything you’re doing is bringing you closer to the people in your target network and expanding your connections so that you can now about job offerings before they ever go on job posting sites. This is the key; those connections put you ahead of the pack and help ensure that you never go on top of a “no” pile before a recruiter or HR employee even sees your resume.
Different Strategies for Unemployment Situations
Let’s be honest – not all unemployment situations are the same. Some require a slightly different approach than others, so you’ll need to attack your circumstances differently.
Let’s take a look at the most common reasons you find yourself unemployed and how to approach each situation based on those unique circumstances.
When You’re Just Out Of College or School
The job search doesn’t always go as you planned. You went to college or maybe a certification program with the understanding that it would open doors for you. Now you’re finished, and it feels like a void.
Your school skills are a vital part of your job search, but you’ll need to figure out how to show employers that you also have the experience to succeed. Here’s where you have to get creative.
First, prioritize the self-development advice above and focus specifically on active aspects. You probably don’t need yet another certification in data science, but winning a hackathon? That’s an accomplishment worth noticing.
Volunteering should be a high priority here as well, but be sure you aren’t spending so many hours volunteering that you don’t have time for the job search. Go for five to ten hours per week and focus on providing real help and expertise that you can cite later for your networking purposes.
Volunteering isn’t just a means to an end. It’s best (and less disingenuous) if you volunteer for a cause you believe in and maintain something you can keep up with even if you have a job. Otherwise, your plan could backfire.
Next, work on building up your network. If you can join a membership that has meetups, this is an excellent way to get your feet wet with targeted networking. Be sure to follow up with them on LinkedIn for easy ways to stay connected.
Leverage that into inside information about companies that are expanding or needing new hires. Be sure to let people know that you’re actively looking for a position, but again, keep the conversation focused on the company most of the time.
Networking takes practice, so don’t be discouraged if your first event or two isn’t as productive. Brush up on your soft skills and get back out there. The effort will be worth it. Here are a few different soft skills you can practice to prepare for your next networking appointment.
Active Listening
Many people listen only to respond, but active listening takes a whole new approach. With active listening, you listen to understand, remaining engaged, and helping to draw the other person out.
Active listening builds rapport, something people will remember later. Do this by rephrasing what you’re hearing someone saying, not by parroting, but stating in different words every so often. You can also summarize what the person said at the end of a story.
You can also provide validation for how the speaker feels and use probing questions to reflect more deeply. These could be questions asking about alternative solutions or other things. Use a few encouragers and maintain comfortable eye contact. Plus, don’t underestimate the power of silence to help draw the other person out.
Empathy
Empathy involves understanding where the other person is coming from and understanding their emotions and feelings about a situation. If you can put yourself in another person’s shoes, this can help your networking. You’ll be better able to communicate without sounding fake or like you’re just after something from the other person.
Networking is often tricky because people don’t know what to say and treat connections as collections rather than people. Networking is always an exchange, never a one-way street. Sure your connection may be able to help you get a job at your desired company, but what are you going to do for them?
Even if it’s just making them look good later, each connection takes a chance when they recommend you for a position. Take the time to build a real relationship with that person to make it easier for them to trust recommending you.
Conversation Skills
When you’re networking for the first time, it can be tempting to talk only about yourself. You want to be impressive, right? This doesn’t come across well, however, because you’re not showing enough interest in the company or person you’re networking with.
Instead, you should practice better conversation skills by asking a lot of questions and redirecting the conversation back to your partner. If you allow the other person to talk about what they do at the company and you show a lot of interest in the company itself, this is a better strategy.
You can begin to position yourself better as someone who can accomplish things for the company itself. Your skills don’t matter if you can’t work well with others, or you aren’t able to take direction. Using the conversation to find out more about your prospect helps you with your positioning later.
Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication is a huge factor in teamwork, communication skills, and empathy. If you understand what the other person is communicating with body language, you’ll be more attuned to the conversation itself.
These nonverbal skills are subtle cues that tell you how your pitch is coming across, how the person feels about your conversation and a host of other things. Practicing nonverbal understanding also makes you more aware of how your body language is coming across.
Are you able to communicate your interest effectively, or do you come across as cold? Your body language can change your presentation from something off-putting to something your conversation partner can’t forget.
When You’ve Been Laid Off
If you’ve been laid off, this is terrible news. It can rock your confidence and affect how you approach future job prospects. Your tasks will be a little different in this case because this is a time to find your confidence again.
You might be a good candidate for skills-based training and self-development. If you were in the position for a while, it might be time to learn a new skill that can help you with your networking or job prospects.
It could also be a great time to change careers, making the jump to doing something you love or something with greater flexibility. It can also be an excellent time to explore options for starting your own business or company.
You will also want to collect references from your former employers and colleagues as well as use them to network into a different position. Fine-tuning your LinkedIn and your resume to reflect the accomplishments you achieved for your company is an excellent way to shore up credibility.
You don’t have to lead with your layoff. Instead, craft your elevator pitch to say that you’re looking for new leads and leave it at that. No one needs to know that you were laid-off, but if they ask, it’s always best, to be honest. Keep it short and to the point, and redirect the conversation back to your future goals.
This could also be a great time to use meetups or conferences to leverage your skills. Yes, consider attending them for learning and networking, but you could be an excellent candidate to lead a meetup or present at a conference. Begin exploring those options now that you have some time to make it happen.
This is also the time to find some other types of outlets for your skills as well. Whether it’s volunteer work, hackathons, art exhibits – whatever your field of work, find a way to keep showcasing and developing your talents so that you have something to put into those blank months on a resume when someone asks.
The biggest key is to make sure you’re working on your confidence. If you let the layoff affect you in that area, you may not network as well as you’d like or go after positions you’re suited for. You may even find yourself applying for positions you’re overqualified for.
When You’ve Been Fired
If you’ve been fired, the first thing to remember is that you don’t want to burn bridges. Whether you agree with it or not, remain respectful and calm so that you can potentially use someone as a reference later on.
If you were fired because of poor performance, this could be a time to learn new skills. First, ask for an honest assessment of what you could have done better during your time at the company. You can begin working on those areas right away to show initiative and avoid repeating the mistakes you made.
You should also hone your skills. Free online courses and certifications can help you jumpstart new areas of your career – look to places like Coursera or edX for inspiration. You can also look for things like boot camps or short certification courses in your local area.
When you network or go on a job interview, it’s essential to be honest about what happened without dwelling on it. Admit your shortcomings and then redirect the conversation to the practical ways you’ve worked on yourself since then. This would be the time to show a potential employer or connection the completed certification, for instance, or attendance at a meetup.
You should also consider volunteer work that can show your new employer that you’ve successfully developed your skills and overcome your shortcomings. Volunteer work is a low-risk way to put skills to use while building your confidence back up.
Whatever you do, don’t badmouth your previous employer to connections or a new boss. There’s no way to frame it so that you don’t come across as petty, so keep on target with what you’re doing to improve your situation.
More than anything, you should work on maintaining your confidence and working on areas where you need to develop. Take criticism gracefully, and you can avoid making the same mistakes in the future. Being fired is only the end if you allow it to be.
When You Quit
You’ve quit without a job prospect in place, and now you’re panicking. That’s ok. Sometimes because of toxic work situations or for life circumstances, we have to make the jump without a safety net. The best thing to do here is to focus on what you can do to build your network and develop your skills further.
- If you quit because you needed a career change – begin training for your prospective career and volunteer to get real experience. Look for connections within your existing network that could lead you to connections in your desired field. Attend meetups and maybe find a mentor to guide you.
- If you quit because of a toxic job situation – Don’t badmouth your previous place of employment, but be honest about your situation. Tell people that you left because of differences in the workplace but that you’re excited to put your skills to use for a new company.This could also be the time to dig into your existing network to find connections for new positions. Since you’re staying in the same field, you may also consider consulting, presenting at conferences, or leading meetups to get your skills out there.
- If you quit because of life circumstances – Save the sob stories for another time, but be clear that you took time off for temporary circumstances. Maybe you needed to be a caregiver, and that time has passed. Perhaps you needed to work on yourself, and you took a leave to put some things in order. Leave it at that.Focus on getting back into the workforce with things that build your confidence. Ask to guest on a podcast. Offer your experience to a local nonprofit. Connect with meetups in the area. Look for part-time positions or consulting positions. Maybe you could even freelance.
All these options help fill the gaps in your resume and show employers that you’ve kept up with your skills even if you weren’t specifically in the workforce. Plus, you can also talk about how this time away has helped you grow or gain a new perspective that could benefit your prospective company.
Unemployment Can Be Valuable
Whether you like it or not, this has happened to you. Now, it’s up to you to make your unemployment productive. You can always use the time to build new skills and make networking connections.
One of the most significant issues with unemployment is gaps in your resume. It can make employers nervous if you have periods of unemployment, so showing them that you’re working on yourself and your skills may help propel you to a job.
Here are a few things to remember as you go through this period of unemployment:
- There’s always a way to hone your skills. Whether you’re volunteering, going back to school, or presenting/teaching, you can always use your skills outside of employment. It shows initiative and is a great way to meet people in your field.
- Nurture your relationships. Your connections aren’t just a means to an end. They also aren’t thinking about you the whole time. You’ll want to ensure that you follow up periodically to keep the connection fresh. It can be good to meet for coffee, but even just a quick note to check in is great.
- Look for further education opportunities. Is there a conference happening in your area? A meetup group you can attend? Can you find a certification program or a course that builds your skills? Now is the time to put that into practice.
- Be graceful about previous workplaces. It’s never a good idea to talk poorly about previous workplaces, coworkers, or employers. If you can’t find something positive to say, it’s best to be as brief as possible to avoid burning bridges.
Make Use Of Your Time
It may feel difficult to overcome being unemployed, but this can be a valuable time of development. Keep the right perspective, and you could come out of this with new experiences, better connections, and a renewed sense of who you are.