9 Tips for Surviving Unemployment

Have you ever felt like you were at the end of your rope and just couldn’t build up enough courage to keep looking for a job? Did you feel like you didn’t want to go through another interview and face another rejection? Here are some strategies to follow on a day- to- day basis that will help to get you through the process as quickly and painlessly as possible and will help to get you up when you’re feeling down.nnTip #1 – Treat your job search as a jobnnGet up early each morning as you would normally do so if you had a paying job. You should devote anywhere from 30 to 40 hours each week working on your job search. The more effort and time you put into your search, the faster you’ll be gainfully employed.nnTip #2 – Dress as if you’re going to worknnWell, you don’t have to wear a suit and tie (if that’s what you would normally wear) but you should be showered, dressed and ready to face the day – after all, your job now is to find a job. Pajamas will not put you in the job search mindset!nnTip #3 – Plan your job search campaignnnFor most people, the typical job search will simply entail putting together a resume, posting it online and responding to some newspaper ads and job boards. This is not a proactive way to find a job in the shortest amount of time. Here’s a better way. Take out your calendar for the coming week and pencil in all the activities you will complete each day in order to find a job. (See Tip #4.) Allow for at least six “to do” items for each day. Figure out how much time each item should take in half hour increments. Then follow the plan religiously. nnTip #4 – Use a multi-strategy approach for your job searchnnDon’t limit yourself to just a few strategies; use them all. Here are the four basic approaches: n1) Respond to job postings on the internet, newspaper ads and company websitesn2) Sign on with recruiters or staffing agenciesn3) Network with as many people and groups as possible to get the word out that you’re in the market for a jobn4) Research companies that you would like to work for and contact them directly to see if there are any openingsnnTip #5 – Track your progressnnKeep a daily account of your job search efforts. Yes, write them down. For example, if your goal was to contact 10 companies, talk to 3 recruiters, and network at 2 meetings this week, your log will not only help you to keep track of your efforts, it will also let you know which efforts were the most fruitful. In addition, you’ll feel as though you’re accomplishing something and getting somewhere. Instead of thinking “I don’t have a job”, you’ll realize that you’re moving forward and therefore, that much closer to getting a job.nnnTip #6 – Take care of yourselfnnIt’s easy to neglect other areas of your life when you’re focusing on finding a job. Unfortunately, that won’t help to keep your spirits up and your stress down. Exercise, eat healthfully and put aside an hour each day to enjoy yourself.nnTip #7 – Surround yourself with positive people and thoughtsnnIn your spare time, read inspiring books and listen to uplifting CDs (you can rent them from your local library). Watching funny movies also helps to raise your spirits. All of these things will improve your outlook and help to lift your mood above your present circumstance. nnTip #8 – Resist escapist activities and procrastinationnnIf you put off your job search, it will not go away and you’ll only end up feeling guilty. The best cure for procrastination is to have a plan and follow it faithfully, even when you don’t feel like it. As Nike says, “just do it!”n nTip #9 – Visualize yourself being successfulnnImagine being called for interviews, projecting confidence and then receiving offers. This will help you to maintain a positive outlook and a hopeful expectancy.nnDon’t let the job hunt get you down! The average job search takes 3 to 6 months, or for senior level executives, one month for each $10,000 of annual salary earned. If you consistently follow the above tips, you’ll be able to increase the odds in your favor on those statistics and have a job before you know it!