Five (5) Ways to Grow, Succeed and Thrive Beyond Unemployment

As an Managing Recruiter, HR Consultant and Career and Life Coach, I often speak with people experiencing unemployment. In my conversations, I aspire to listen with compassion and aspire to provide expert guidance, insight and resources that will lead people to grow, succeed and thrive beyond unemployment. While I cannot have a conversation with every person experiencing unemployment, I encourage everyone who is or has experienced unemployment at any point in their lives to consider the following five (5) ways to grow, succeed and thrive in their careers.

File for Unemployment Immediately

Unemployment benefits are an essential resource to the survival of all of us especially during this crucial time where millions of people nationwide throughout the United States have filed for unemployment benefits due to being furloughed or laid off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CareerOneStop and Department of Labor are two (2) resources where you can obtain more information on unemployment benefits and how you can file a claim in your state.

Mourn Your Loss But Move On

Hearing “You are being furloughed” or “You are being laid off” is a traumatic experience that can lead to fear of the unknown future including fear of how to pay bills, how to care for family, how soon a job offer will arise and can even lead to self-doubt. That fear and need to mourn is valid and I recognize that. Mourn your loss of your job, mourn your loss of your colleagues, mourn your loss of your compensation but I encourage you to be self-aware so to not dwell on your loss. Move on to updating your resume, searching for jobs, preparing for interviews and networking with colleagues. Devote time to mourn but devote more time to taking the steps needed to grow, suceed and thrive in the next chapter of your career.

Leverage Your Network

Take time to reflect on people in your professional and personal life you can leverage for feedback, insight, guidance and even references. Colleagues from your most recent employer or even a previous employer, mentors or even a Career Coach can be highly valuable people who can contribute to your success during a period of unemployment. Your network will include people who will give you feedback on your resume, will walk through a mock interview with you and will let you know if they hear of job opportunities aligned with your expertise.

Maintain a Routine with Flexibility

Durng a transitionary time of unemployment, it can be tempting to disregard routine all together. Maintain a daily routine that includes the following goals: applying for jobs, learning or maintaining a skill-set and networking. You can be flexible with how you fit that into your daily schedule but make those three (3) goals a priority for yourself daily. Additionally, it might be beneficial to your overall well-being to include meals with family or friends on your lunch breaks and excercise as part of your routine.

Invest In Your Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Utilize websites like SkillShare, Udemy, Coursera or YouTube to learn or maintain a skill-set. Utilizing these resources can be highly advantageous to being marketable to organizations as you apply and interview with potential employers.

“Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.”

— Roy Bennett