Hello and Welcome to Unemploymentville

The thought is traumatizing. Especially to an individual who has worked for more than 20 years without interruption. What about those individuals who have been in unemploymentville for more than 6 months? Working is a way life. We work to provide food, shelter, and stability. So, now what are you going do? Do you just erase 20 years of hard work to start at the bottom? Are you going to give up looking for way out of unemploymentville? Or, are you going to use your resources to floor the gas pedal right through unemploymentville? It’s possible that you don’t even know what your next steps are because you are either a total wreck or you have given up on finding a way out of unemploymentville. Some of us are lucky that we don’t have to stay in unemploymentville for very long. For the rest of us, we are out of gas and it may take us some time to get out of unemploymentville and into employmentville. But for now, you are out of gas. Put your car in park, and let’s see if we can find some gas and any other resources to help you out of unemploymentville.

1. Gather Yourself.

Like in any other life crises that may arise, you have to take some time to think. During this period, you should focus on your circumstances and develop a strategic plan to help you out of unemploymentville. This plan should involve the time period in which you expect to be employed again, the career field you are targeting, and budgeting what finances you may have left. Upholding these three factors can accommodate you during your stay in unemploymentville.

2. Seek Out Help.

This can fall into multiple categories. For example, you can seek out help from government assistance. See if you qualify for unemployment, temporary cash assistance, and food stamps. This can help you cut back on using you own finances that you may have left. As a result, you will be able to use your finances for other necessities such as mortgage and/or rent. You can also seek out help from close family and friends. Some of our family and friends are willing to help us get back on our feet.

3. Fix Up Your Résumé.

Some of us have not been on an interview in the past 3 years, if not longer. Therefore, it is only logical that you add skills that you have developed in your previous jobs. You may have to look on the internet to see the new format of résumés. Remember to tailor your résumé to the job description. There is no one size fits all. You must analyze what the employers are seeking and develop a resume that fits their needs. Try to use keywords from the job description and skill set.

4. Be Patient.

If you are like me, you want things to happen immediately. I do not have the best of luck in this area and you may not either. Therefore, we must be patient. It can seem like an eternity waiting for someone to call you. Each minute that passes is a nail biter. You may even sit by the phone, hours at a time, in hope that someone will call about a job opening. It is also extremely hard not to get frustrated during your time of waiting. You may be frustrated at the thought that something is wrong with you. In reality, there is nothing wrong with you. The only problem is you must wait until someone decides to call you and offer you an interview.

For those of you who are in unemploymentville, do know you are not alone. Understand that your call for a new job is on the way.