I’ve spent most of the previous few months discussing various facets of the job search process. However, what options do you have if you are unemployed? Cut your spending to the bone and see whether you qualify for government aid programs. But then what? The simple response is, “It depends,” as it is with so many things. On what, you may well wonder. My conclusion is as follows:
- Do you want to work but can’t find a job? Do you work but want more money?
- Do you owe money to anyone? What is it? Which kind (a home loan, credit card debt, or school loan) do you have?
- What is the size of your savings cushion? What other sources of cash do you have?
- Do you have a partner or other family members (maybe parents or adult children) who are now employed and/or with whom you can split financial obligations?
An unemployed person in Small Town USA with no debt and a healthy online savings account, who is married to a high-earner, may be better off than a single person in New York City with a full-time job, lots of debt, and no emergency fund.
Take my advice on what to do if you can’t find a job with a grain of salt (and a side of no judgment), as everyone’s situation is different. So, I have compiled a few suggestions for those still questioning whether or not the economy is recovering and where the jobs are.
1. Don’t leave a job because you’re dissatisfied or underemployed.
It is prudent to remain in your current position until a new one can be found. It’s preferable to have some source of income rather than none at all, and some employers may view employment gaps negatively. Furthermore, the tighter your financial situation, the less likely you are to bargain when an opportunity presents itself.
2. Start a side business or work a part-time job.
If this is your main source of income, then it’s not a side hustle. However, you can avoid the resume above gap problem by working part-time (especially in a related field) or forming a limited liability company. Furthermore, who is to say that things won’t take off, rendering one’s employment with another unnecessary?
3. Add your voice to the growing sharing movement.
Peer-to-peer, mesh, and collaborative consumption are all terms used to describe the current sharing economy craze. Lyft, Airbnb, Uber, Udemy, TaskRabbit, and Amazon Mechanical Turk are just a few examples of side gigs and expense sharing that pay you to help those who need or desire what you have to offer.
4. Re-enroll in classes.
Take caution around this one. Suppose you’re unhappy with your job situation. That’s not an excuse to spend eight years and a ton of money on a doctorate in English so you can hide from the world (cough #NotThatIKnowAnyoneLikeThat cough). However, it can be worth investing in yourself by getting a certificate in a high-demand field at a nearby community college. Consider the return on investment and decide whether you’re considering taking a single class or switching majors.
5. Become a networking guru.
You should network all the time, not just when you’re trying to get a new job. Face your fears and make yourself known, whether that means “keeping it warm” or more traditional forms of networking. The benefits of networking can extend well beyond the professional realm. The people you know can help you out if you’re having problems getting about or buying food. Friends and relatives may be unable to find you a job, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help in other ways.
6. Recruit an expert to help you with your career.
It’s not easy to shake the shackles of routine when you’ve been working in the same field or doing the same job for a long time. That’s especially true when it comes to the positions you’re applying for; perhaps you have skills that would be useful in a field you’ve never thought to investigate. If it’s been a while since your previous job search, consider using updated terminology or a different format, such as LinkedIn, in your resume. Expertise in what employers value most is a key service career coaches provide. Watch for cons, but be bold in paying for positive outcomes.
7. Offer one’s services.
You can expand your professional and personal connections by volunteering your time for a cause that means something to you. Volunteering is a wonderful way to try something new without worrying about the financial consequences. You can take a risk and do something you’ve never done before without fear of being let go. You can add another item to your resume whenever you’ve mastered a new talent while volunteering. Good for a volunteer position.
8. Drop your standards, number.
It’s about to get serious up in here, so get ready. If you’ve tried everything and still haven’t caught anything, maybe you’re going after too big of a fish. You don’t want to settle for less money than you deserve. But be truthful with yourself; are you trying to bluff your way into a position beyond your experience level? If that’s the case, you can begin at the bottom of the business food chain and work your way up.
9. Relocate.
Another potential game-changer that many individuals refuse even to consider is moving. However, there are numerous cases where uprooting your life for a job is a smart move. The demand for your expertise may be higher in another part of the state, the country, or the world. It’s not the nature of your profession that is holding you back, but rather the higher cost of living in your region. Student loan remission is one incentive some regions of the country offer to attract persons with specific skill sets.
10. Never give up.
This may be the most difficult advice, depending on the circumstances. Nonetheless, it is among the list’s most vital recommendations. You’ve probably heard the adage, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take,” and it holds. Taking a job, you don’t like or relocating to a different city because it’s better for your career may be a stressful and upsetting experience. Nonetheless, nothing lasts forever. Use what you have to help you achieve your goals.