How to survive unemployment
I feel driven to discuss this as I find again and again the clients that I meet – at least some of them anyway – are suffering from uncertainty and low self-esteem.
Why?
Because they are now unemployed and perhaps had a bad experience in the past with bullying or even just having a tough boss to deal with.
This can get you down. Perhaps, you are feeling what’s the point of it all.
There are no jobs out there anyway.
The economy is lousy.
And my last boss told me I was an idiot and totally unemployable. Maybe he is right!
Well, I am here to tell you not to let that little man in your head to keep putting you down.
You may have just had a bad boss or indeed you were in the wrong job that didn’t motivate you. Or perhaps, you were overworked or not trained properly to do the job right in the first place.
You need to be realistic about what happened in your last job.
Do I need to up-skill or perhaps change career altogether? Or do I just need a decent boss?
We all have certain needs that need to be fulfilled.
We need to feel like we matter, we need certainty and we definitely need to feel like we are growing on a personal and professional level and that we are contributing to society.
Only then will we be truly happy. Find a job or profession that meets these needs and boy have you won the lottery!
Be careful of being harsh on yourself especially if your last job was not a pleasant place to work.
If you keep telling yourself that you are rubbish and stupid and not able to hold down a job well guess what, you won’t be able to hold down a job.
You need to give yourself a break
OK maybe you did make a mess of the last job for what ever reason but that does not mean to say that the next job or position will be the same way.
If you are between jobs take the time out to get some real help, get your CV/Resume re-done.
Do a job-seeking skills course or visit a career coach for some one to one advice and make a plan.
Where do I want to be in a year’s time and how do I achieve my goal(s)?.
Take baby steps and build up that self confidence again. Maybe work for free to get some valuable experience on your CV/Resume and start feeling confident about who you are and what you can do again.
Leave the past behind and move on
Visualize a new life for yourself, stay positive and don’t give up.
Write down your goals and check in with them on a weekly basis.
How many jobs did I apply for this week? Is my CV/Resume up to scratch?
Did you apply for government funding to complete a new course?
Have you set up a meeting with your social welfare case officer to discuss which direction you want to go in and discover what supports you can avail of to help you achieve this? Have you done any research into the area you want to move into?
Can I make a decent living doing this type of work?
Nearly everyone has had at least one bad experience in the job market the trick is to not let it define you, learn from your mistakes and use them to become a better person, a better employee and a better work colleague.
Always do your research on the company and make sure the environment and company culture will suit your personality and that the working conditions i.e. pay and hours will suit your current situation.
Jumping into the first job that comes your way because you are desperate for money while understandable is inadvisable.
I am a strong believer in “What you think and feel, you manifest”, so keep it positive and imagine your dream job dropping on your lap each day and you will see amazing opportunities come your way.
Just remember when you are imagining your dream job remember to feel it too! Manifestation will only work when you get the feeling of happiness going.
Then don’t forget to grab the chances when they appear and take action.
What do you think? How do you survive unemployment? Share your thoughts with me by leaving comments below!
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