The job search process can be challenging, as professionals often must dedicate a significant amount of effort and time to secure a role that fits their needs. While it’s essential that you focus on your job search while you’re unemployed, it can also be worthwhile to spend some time each day doing activities outside of networking and applying for positions. Doing inspiring things can help you navigate the job search process more easily and grow as an individual. In this article, we outline why it’s important to find inspiration while you’re unemployed and list 10 ways to do so.
Why is it important to find inspiration during a period of unemploymen
Long-term unemployment can happen due to a variety of reasons, such as economic recession or because a person’s skills don’t currently match the market’s needs. Because these causes are often related, it’s helpful to gather all the resources you can to find a new job. If you have been unemployed for more than six months, it’s especially important to keep looking and research new ways to get back into the workforce. In this article, we discuss the meaning of long-term employment and tips to find a job when unemployed.
What does long-term unemployment mean?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that long-term unemployment means being out of work for 27 weeks (six months) or more and actively searching for jobs during the last four weeks. The definition doesn’t include individuals who stopped looking for a job or those who lost their job. This is because long-term unemployment does not have one specific cause. For example, if you are not actively looking for employment, you know why you are without a job.Long-term unemployment results from multiple factors, including economic, individual and social situations. Long-term unemployment can happen to anybody after losing a job, and it isn’t always related to a person’s qualifications.There are two main categories of long-term unemployment:
- Structural unemployment:Â In this situation, unemployment occurs because the labor force’s skills don’t match the current needs of the job market.
- Cyclical unemployment:Â This type of unemployment results from larger forces such as an economic recession.
Those two categories often relate strongly to one another. For example, when a recession occurs, cyclical unemployment often increases. Unemployed people may also find that they need to quickly develop new skills if they stay out of work for an extended period. This situation induces structural unemployment.
What to do after being 6 months unemployed
Here are a few tips that can help you keep the right attitude when you are without a job after a long period:
- Put things in perspective. Remember that you are not alone in this situation. There is hope to find a new job after long periods of unemployment, which is important to keep in mind.
- Don’t fall for the stigma. You may have heard that employers are reluctant to hire long-term unemployed people because of the negative stigma attached to unemployment. However, most employers recognize the unpredictability of the job market. If you can explain gaps in your resume, you give yourself a much bigger chance of getting the job.
- Stay positive. Positivity is essential to succeed in your search for a new job. Not only does this help you face the situation with courage, but it also to introduce yourself as a strong candidate when you meet future employers. Spend some time learning techniques that help you control your negative thoughts and remain calm.
- Repeat affirmations. Positive affirmations can help you regain confidence in your own value, which may have been impacted by the loss of your last job.
- Practice gratitude. Practicing gratitude can help you stay focused on the good things that exist in your life, which in turn can make it easier to stay motivated in your job search. Start by spending every morning thinking about at least one thing you’re grateful for.
- Seek counseling. If being unemployed begins to impact your morale, don’t hesitate to seek counseling from professionals in mental health. These professionals can help you keep a better perspective on your situation.