You quit or lost your job and you wonder about your career because you don't know how soon a job search may show results. Your next position needs to be financially solvent, a step forward and one you can enjoy. Some employers may hire other people ahead of you because of your unemployed status. Luckily, you can mitigate this issue with a few tips and tricks.
Understanding the Length of Time
The length of time you've been out of work is vitally important with regards to landing your next position while unemployed. Hiring managers may not even consider your application if you have been unemployed for a year or longer. That's because employers feel as if your skills aren't up to speed, which is why no one else wants to hire you. If you've been out of a job for more than a year, you need a plan to regain your panache.
Using Your Time Wisely
How you deal with unemployment is the key to getting the interest of employers. Volunteer at a nonprofit to showcase your talents because your volunteer supervisor can vouch for your skills. You can also prove you put your skills to work. The next position might come about because people noticed your volunteer efforts and how hard you worked.
Learn a new skill during your time off by going back to school, earning a certification or attending training courses. This shows a prospective employer that you're willing to learn new things to further your career rather than languishing in unemployment limbo.
Hunting in Relevant Ways
Go beyond a traditional job search for your next position. Instead of applying for work through job boards and sending resumes to generic email addresses, reach out to people at firms that interest you. Network your way to a new job by connecting with people at various employers. Attend industry events to keep your name and face fresh in the minds of hiring managers. Use social media to reach out to people who can hire you.
Managing Your Personal Brand
Tell your story, and manage your message on paper and when you speak to hiring managers. Be succinct and to the point when mentioning why your employment status changed, and then focus on your skills and experience. List your verifiable accomplishments, skills and experience first in your resume before listing the reason why you left your job. Do this during your interview as well.
Your skills are more important than a lengthy layoff. When you prove your skills are still relevant to the next position for which you apply, employers may overlook a long unemployment gap.
If you find yourself without a job for a long period of time, how you fill a gap in employment and then explain this issue can help you land your next position. Yes, not having a job is stressful. However, sitting there and doing nothing doesn't solve the problem either.
Photo courtesy of Sira Anamwong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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