Unemployed? 5 Things You Should be Doing with Your Downtime

When you’re unemployed, it’s tempting to spend a few hours a day looking for work and then use the rest of your time enjoying the reprieve from a job. And while this is a rare and worthwhile opportunity to decompress from the stress of a steady 40-hour work week, you need to spend your downtime doing more productive activities if you want to find a quality new job faster. Here are five ways to make better use of that time.

Volunteer Your Time

Volunteering your time at a not-for-profit organization is a great way to stay active and keep your skills current. For example, if you have web development skills, offer to update the website of a local charity.  This helps get you out of the house, keeps you engaged with professional communities, and gives you something to add to your resume.

Update Your Skills

Picking up new skills can be difficult when you’re working a full-time job. Now that you’re not, use the surplus time to learn a new coding language or software package. There are a number of free or low-cost resources available to you. Try to pick skills that are in demand and that will make you more appealing to hiring managers. And be sure to mention your professional development initiative on your resume or in your cover letter.

Grow Your Network

Networking is one of the best ways to find a job. Use your downtime to connect with similar professionals, especially if they work at companies that are attractive to you. Be proactive about making these connections, and don’t start off by asking for a job. Effective networking is all about reciprocity, so be sure you have something to offer in return.

Pick Up Freelance Work

Freelancing is a great way to make some extra money while you are out of work and still have plenty of time to conduct your job search. Plus, it helps you refine your skills, shows that you are committed to staying busy, and potentially connects you with people who have a job to offer. You might even find that you prefer the flexibility of freelancing, and decide to do it permanently.

Build Your Online Presence

Making yourself visible online helps potential employers find you. Start a blog, stay active on LinkedIn, participate in message boards, and connect with decision makers at top companies. Online searches are part of any recruitment effort, so the larger your presence is, the larger the impression you’ll make.

Stay active and you can turn your unemployment into an asset that ultimately benefits your career over the long term. Learn about other ways to enhance your job search by working with The Squires Group.


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