Steps You Can Take To Manage Your Emotions During a Period of Unemployment

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Job search is not an easy venture. It can be stressful, frustrating and lonely. The highly competitive job market, limited opportunities, national economic realities where a person plays are also contributing factors to the rate of unemployment.

I have been there. I know what it means to be searching for a job; and while you search, bills pile up and you need to take care of yourself, family or elderly parents.

Some people are lucky to live in countries where some provisions are made for the unemployed and the elderly. Some are not so lucky.  Whatever your situation is, the taste of unemployment is not good. In this write-up, I will share some steps you can take to help you as you search and wait.

Apply for Jobs Where You Have Better Chances for Interview: I made this my number one point; because in my recruiting experience over the years, I see a lot of jobseekers fall into this misstep.

Your work experience and/or educational background are part of what a Recruiter will look at to determine your suitability or potential for a particular position.

Therefore, when job hunting, focus on your areas of strength – where your work experience or educational background can boost your chances. Rather than, apply for all and any job that arrives at your feeds.  The later method gets your hope raised and dashed, when you do not get an interview invitation. Even within these two criteria, it is important to follow the job requirements in the advert, and limit your applications to majorly where you are more likely a good fit.  I used the word majorly, because sometimes, recruitment circumstances can cause a Recruiter to make an exception to the rule.

Inform Your Network: In this social media age when the norm is to burst social platforms with successes and achievements, some people are not comfortable about disclosing their life’s setbacks to their friends or network; justifiably, for fear of being looked-down upon; and no one wants to be the odd one out.  So people basically hide their pain. My view?  Forget all that. It is their time, your time will come.

So if you are unemployed or simply searching for opportunities, find a close circle within your network, including previous colleagues from past employment that you can inform about your job hunting or unemployment situation. This spreads your stream of information as they are likely to share job opportunities your way or refer you.

Engage in your Hobby: In a period of unemployment, rather than get glued to your device job searching all day, find something you enjoy doing, do it once or twice a week or more. This is not to say that you spend less time in your job search, you need to give it quality time daily.  But your hobby can also provide you some emotional soothing or offer you opportunity for creative thinking.  I particularly find myself thinking through ideas while I am running or taking a long walk. Find yours.

Manage Your Social Media Exposure: My word for this is ‘breeze in’ and ‘breeze out’ of social media platforms. Use social media on need-basis for information and job search. Do not get stuck on social media platforms reading everyone’s success. It will have an impact on your emotions if you are unemployed. I have practiced this and it helps me stay focused on my goals.

Volunteer: Find ways to volunteer for a cause. This enables you to contribute to something that positively impacts others; and can be emotionally rewarding and fulfilling. You can volunteer within your community or online. United Nations Volunteer (UNV) now provides opportunity for people to volunteer from any part of the globe.  Certain volunteer opportunities can actually help boost your skills and resume.  Caution, some volunteer opportunities such as UNV require you to submit an application, so be prepared.

Join A Community: The period of unemployment is not the time for total isolation. Find a community where you can learn and network.  A good community will be emotionally and professionally rewarding.

Concluding, let me add that your emotion is critical to maintaining confidence, self-esteem and being able to pitch or compete at interviews. It therefore requires every guard and protection you can offer. A period of unemployment is just a phase that will pass.  It is important that you use it wisely by properly managing your emotions during the season.

I hope this has been helpful.  If you like what you have read, visit the ‘Resources- Career’ section of my website http://www.afomauchendu.com for more job search and career guides. And remember to click the share button to share this with your network, like, comment or ask questions below.

Kind Regards.