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How to Escape Unemployment
Published: 11/07/2011 by Kevin Mulligan
» Money
After the real estate bubble collapsed and the financial markets tanked, unemployment has been rampant in the United States. Even as the government has poured money into the markets through the Federal Reserve and through bailouts and handouts, unemployment sits stubbornly high. If you're unemployed, how do you get out of it?
How to Stop Being Unemployed
Here are 4 steps to get out of unemployment and back on your feet again.
Start Looking Immediately
If you find yourself unemployed, your goal isn't to sit back and enjoy not having to work for a while. The longer you are unemployed the more difficult it is to find a job. Sure, you could get 99 weeks of unemployment benefits, but those benefits are likely at a much reduced rate than what you can earn in the marketplace through employment. The longer the gap on your resume is, the further down the stack of applicants you go.
Build and Tap Your Professional Network
The best time to build your network of professional contacts is when you work with them on a daily basis. Set up an account at LinkedIn or get the contact information for your co-workers now, while they are still easily accessible. It is much harder to connect to your network after you've been laid off. If you find yourself in need of help, tap your network wisely. Don't blast out emails simply asking for a job. Set lunch or coffee meetings with key contacts in your network. Ask for advice or who they might recommend you speak to as you progress in your job search.
Use Job Boards Wisely
The big job boards are great because you can post your resume up for any employer to find, as long as they use the right keywords to find you. On the other hand, the job boards are awful because you are literally one resume out of millions. Be sure to get your information out there with updated contact information, but don't rely on employers finding you there. Applying through job boards also usually has limited success because that's what everyone else is doing. You are going to have to be markedly different to succeed in your job search, so use your network first.
Be Picky, But Not Too Much
You might not want to take the first offer that comes along that is at 30% of what you used to make. However, you can't be extraordinarily picky in your situation. Almost any employment is better than no employment. Taking a lesser job might signal to employers you were desperate, but it might also signal that you are willing to do what is necessary to provide for yourself. Taking a step or two back down the corporate ladder is okay. You will avoid having a gaping 24 month hole on your resume; something like that is almost impossible to recover from.
Start a Small Business
A great way to hide part of your unemployment is to start a small business. You have skills that are valuable in the marketplace, even if that means mowing yards. If you can find a business to start with no or little start up costs, you can start generating an income and building a reputation. If your business flourishes you might decide that the corporate world isn't necessary any longer.
Final Thoughts
Action is necessary to climb out of unemployment. You can't click on job applications and hope some employer comes calling. You can't rely on the government to provide for your living expenses. Action is needed, so prepare, and get going.
