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This post is inspired from a recent conversation with @JRMoreau, @mehnazt & @abroman (all on Twitter)
It’s a tough slog out there for a lot of us looking for job, and have been at it for a long time. There has been much blog-writing about what people can do to keep themselves clued-in and busy while seeking a job. From volunteering, to unpaid internships, to professional networking events, there’s lots out there you can use your time toward, in a manner that is relevant to your professional goals.
But I’m no saint, and neither are lots of other job seekers out there. I know that after a point, the motivation and excitement in doing unpaid work slowly wanes. Activities that you hope will land you contacts, which will eventually (and hopefully) lead to a meeting (for a job), don’t always yield the right results, even if meticulously planned. It’s easy to feel pessimistic, lose faith in yourself and lose the personal drive to keep at it.
Over the last year that I’ve been seeking a job and volunteering opportunities, I’ve struggled to find ways to keep myself going. To move from one potential to the next without telling myself ‘it’s not worth it’. To continue to believe in myself every single day. I am always keen on knowing what others in a similar situation do to keep themselves motivated, and thought that writing about it would be a great way to find out. Hopefully this can also give tips and support to others in the same boat as me. So this is what has worked for me:
- Do one thing you always wanted to do / learn about but never had the time to do it: Remember when you had a job, and you said you’ve always wanted to run a marathon but never had the time to train for it? No excuses now! Being out of a full-time job means having more time on hand to pursue interests. Read a book you’ve always wanted to, teach yourself how to roller-blade, start a blog, or go meet a friend across town you never had the time to catch up with.I used the last year to teach myself about internet marketing.
I also taught myself to cook (for real) and used the time to start my own food blog, that I also use as a medium to test social media promotion tactics.
- Maintain a schedule: Idle time and lack of a structure to your day is a sure-shot way to allow negative thoughts to creep in. Most of us are hard-wired into feeling useful when there’s a format to the day, and the lack of a full-time job removes that structure. I keep fixed times for meals, make a list of things I’ll tackle for the day (and then stick to it), end the day with defining a rough agenda for the next day, and I try and stop all job-search related work at about 6 pm, post which I cook dinner, and tend to chores. A lot like how I would do it if I did have a full-time job.
- Work out of your home as much as is possible: Variety in work environs often bring out the better in us. Besides, the lack of human interaction on a daily basis is just plain unhealthy. Step out of your home and work at a café, or at the library. You may even find a job-search buddy you can share notes with!
- Exercise: We all know exercising releases hormones that keep us happy. It is natural to think that one should only do activities that are job-search related after losing a job, and not ‘waste’ time doing anything else. In the process, I’ve seen several job seekers give up on their health. Exercising seriously does relieve stress (even if it’s a half hour walk every other day), takes your mind off things, and most importantly, is fantastic for your sanity! Combine pt 1 and 4 and you can take up that free introductory Pilates class you’ve always wanted to.
So what works for you? What do you do keep yourself upbeat while seeking a job? I’d love to hear from you!
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Comments
11.06.09
I agree with many of these points. I do some freelancer work, and have been working towards getting more such work, (as a writer), but I have spent some extended periods of time looking for a 9-5 job to supplement my income in the process. It is oppressive at times. But the tips you laid out here are almost the exact plan I finally laid out for myself at one point...one I still mostly stick to to this day. I incorporate my freelance work into it.
I walk for miles each day at least. I recently switched my walk to a morning walk, to accommodate for the shorter days, and waking up to exercise is great for mind and body. Gets the blood flowing early.
Each day is laid out in a certain way, all of them being the same up until a certain time, (writing every day at mostly the same time.)Then each day having a major "keystone" activity around which the whole day is sort of based. This activity is different depending on the day of the week it is, but each weekday has one. (Some days it's studying code, somedays its working on my photography, etc.) Meals are mostly the same time as as well.
One thing I would add is that into any schedule or routine, one should map out "open" time. Which is not always the same as free time. Free time is when you have nothing to do, but open time is exactly that...it is a block of time between scheduled activities wherein you can do anything you want or nothing at all. The possibility of doing nothing in the middle of your day for an hour or so can keep one refreshed when one doesn't have to be at an office. (Which rarely allows for such refresh time.)
11.06.09
I'm glad you're finding ways to cope with the uncertainty. I know that you will do amazing work wherever you go, but that it's hard to keep thinking about that while you're still searching. We have your back!
11.06.09
Your advice is great, and in the 5 months I was unemployed I basically went against all of it, knowing I shouldn't have. The problem with being unemployed and feeling like you're not getting anywhere is the very strong desire to stay in bed and watch Hulu. Exercise is the hardest but most important thing, I think, and the key to staying sane!
11.06.09
@Ty - Discipline is truly what keeps the momentum of job search steady and as you said, breaking down the day into clear capsules does help in achieving that. I like how you've allowed for some 'keystone' activity for each day. I must try it. It kinda makes you look forward to everyday doesn't it? Thanks for reading and I really do appreciate your inputs!
@Emily - Thank you for the encouragement! Life is short and I guess the sooner we learn to "change our way of thinking to change our situation in life", the faster we'll be out of those horrible self-destroying thoughts and actions. (the quote is from a dear friend)
@Rachel - It can be really challenging being out there by yourself and having to battle your inhibitions, with factors that are beyond your control while seeking a job in this market. One is only human to feel what one feels. Thanks for reading and sharing your experience!
11.07.09
definitely taking back activities I used to enjoy doing, and had not had a time left for them while I was studying or working. Since I know I won't be able to spend a lot of time with my family once I start working, I try to spend long quality time with them...to be part of their projects. That's one thing that helps me...to help my family with their projects by putting into practice my proffessional skills.
I think it is also important to keep up with your friends (even when sometimes u might feel out of place since the conversation can turn job related and u have nothing to share), but it is good. U will be the one with the most energy, and hey u never know they might just heard about a job vacancy.
U just have to remember that u might never have this much "extra" time to star o finish what u want or need, so use it wisely!
11.08.09
@Aura - You have a great outlook to this transient period! Helping family with their projects while using your professional skills - I must try that! I completely relate on the keeping up with friends bit. I guess a lot of us underestimate the support our friends can be at such times, and honestly a lot of mine have reached out with support and as you said, job tips. Thanks for the comment Aura!
11.09.09
Sabera - I took up learning to cook (for real) last year when I was unemployed, and now that I'm unemployed again I'm learning to make even more dishes. Isn't it great to have the time to master some dishes so that when you are employed those dishes are quicker to make?!
Aura - I find helping family out with their projects is also a great way to reconnect and spend quality time while unemployed. I learned a lot about home improvement over the course of my unemployed time, and I'm grateful for that even if I had the time because I wasn't working.
One more thing to add, I was once a person very much against getting part-time work unrelated to my career industry while searching for a full-time position. I thought it was pointless because I wouldn't be learning new skills related to my chosen field and would have less time for "real" job searching. However, just this past week I interviewed and was hired for a seasonal part-time retail position. I know these are becoming harder to come by this year, but if you apply early enough (i.e. now) you have a better chance of making some money for the holidays. And what I think is great about this type of part-time work is that the contract is for only two and a half months (or less) and because I only work up to 30 hours a week, I still have ample time to continue my full-time job search and cook and do family projects and all the other things I enjoy having time to do while unemployed. I'm also the type of person who is more productive when I have more to do - so having work hours on my calendar is going to force me to get my other stuff done more efficiently. Plus, I'm dipping into my savings less for holiday gifts and parties.
11.09.09
@Amanda - I know exactly what you mean about being against taking up part-time work. I went through a similar phase of fighting with my ego and I'm glad I decided to go for it. I've done a great internship since.
Glad to know you love food and cooking as well! Thanks for reading. :-)
11.09.09
This is a perfect time in your life to soul search about your talents and what you like to do. What would you like to do when you wake up tomorrow morning? Each of us has something that we have a talent for (and a natural interest in) that can become a career if we pursue it diligently. It may take some time to get it to produce income for you, but it can be done. Do something to make an income for yourself until you can make your passion work for you. casino online
11.12.09
@Mary - I agree with you. I've seen a lot of professionals use this time to think about how they can pursue interests they never had the time to before. Thanks for your comment and thanks for reading!
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