A 12-Step Program for Surviving Unemployment
Lost your job and don’t know where to turn? Relax, according to the National Association for Counseling and Development, the average person goes through five to seven careers and ten to 12 job changes in their lifetimes. So how do you cope with the stress associated with losing a job and trying to finding another? Experts say to take it one day at a time and follow this 12-step program.
Step 1
File a claim for unemployment insurance at your local state unemployment office on the first business day after you lose your job. Your benefit payments will help bridge the paycheck gap until you find another job.
Step 2
Unemployment is one of the most stressful events you will ever go through. Whether you’ve known about your termination for months or you just got your pink slip this morning, you’re likely to experience a variety of emotions ranging from guilt and sadness to anger and depression. The important thing to keep in mind is that your feelings are normal and that you need to give yourself the proper time to work through them. Take the next week off. Sleep in, have lunch with friends, or work out.
Step 3
Go through your checkbook register or your debit card receipts. Determine how and where you spend your money. Find ways to cut unnecessary expenses.
Step 4
Writing a good resume takes time. Spend as much time as necessary putting together a resume that accurately describes your qualifications and achievements. Whenever possible, list measurable results and concrete examples of your achievements. Here’s a real-life example: Led a customer service project team that resulted in a 20 percent decrease in customer complaints within three months.
Step 5
Although each and every cover letter you write must be customized for the company to which it is being sent, it doesn’t hurt to have several well-written paragraphs ready and waiting. You can customize this draft in the weeks to come when applying to each prospective employers.
Step 6
It doesn’t take long for a job seeker to learn that the old statement, “it’s not what you know, but who you know,” really is true. Knowing someone on the inside or getting your foot in the door is key. A good place to start networking is with your former co-workers, friends and family members. Ask them if they know of any opportunities in your field or if they know of anyone who may have an opening in the industry in which you are interested.
Step 7
During a job search, first impressions are critical. Make sure you have at least one interview suit ready to go so that you are prepared when you receive an invitation to interview. Although most companies have business casual dress codes, casual dress is never appropriate on a job interview. On the contrary, job interview attire is a critical component of your job search that must not be overlooked.
Step 8
Experts suggest that job seekers spend at least three hours preparing for each interview. You should research the company with which you are interviewing and the industry in which it operates. You also should draft concise answers to the most commonly asked interview questions such as why you want to work for the company and what you can do for the company. To demonstrate your interest in the position, you also should plan to ask the interviewer several questions of your own such as the skills the ideal candidate will possess and how a typical day looks in the job.
Step 9
Looking for a job is a full-time job. Make sure your friends and family know that you are off-limits between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day.
Step 10
Look for ways to expand your skill sets while you have the time to do so. Is there a computer program you’ve always wanted to learn and never had the time? How about an executive seminar or workshop that you think would be interesting but couldn’t afford the time out of the office? Take advantage of your time off by using it to learn a new skill. Learning anything new can be a huge boost to your self-confidence.
Step 11
After 5 p.m., your time belongs to you. It’s more important than ever that you let off steam by participating in activities you enjoy. Take a jog, visit a museum, accept a babysitting job or rent some movies. Do what you enjoy . . . you’ve earned it.
Step 12
One of the worst things you can do after leaving a job is to isolate yourself. If you were part of a mass lay off at your company, stay in touch with your positive-minded former co-workers. Accept invitations from friends and family members to go out. Invite your friends over to watch movies or to exercise together. The key is staying in circulation and staying positive through interaction with people.
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17 Responses for "A 12-Step Program for Surviving Unemployment"
Great tips here! i liked your tip on asking the interviewers questions during the interview, it is an often missed step. Most of the candidates prepare well for the questions to answer during the interview but fail to ask relevant questions which might eventually benefit them during the interview.
Great article. I wish i had found it when i first lost my job, though. It helps a lot.
Good to know. I will refer back to this when I
finally get an interview.
Thanks!
1)My unemployment ran out years ago and little work hasn’t allowed it to build back up.
2)Networking isn’t an option. Former co-workers are unavailable or unwilling; friends, family and neighbors have no ideas or connections themselves. Employment agencies have been dead ends.
3)I cannot take classes. I’m getting help with all expenses and even cancelled car ins. to save money. I share a car with a retired family member.
I cannot even afford an interview suit. I wear separates.
4)Everything thing else I’ve done or do.
just wanna say its not what you know but who you know so true my old co worker is setting me up with a new job so everyone call all your old so called coworkers it will payoff. good luck.
I thought this website was about finding a job! Whoever wrote that the first thing you should do is file for unemployment and take a week off is out of their mind! Get out there and put your best foot forward on your very first day. I work for an employment agency and when someone comes in and says “my unemployment is running out so I guess it’s time to look for a job” it really leaves a bad impression. Attitude is everything!
To #6: I think it IS a good idea (after just being unemployed myself) to take a week off, and assess what has just happened, see where your feelings are after being laid off, and where to go moving forward. Unemployment comp is DEFINTELY the one thing you should do immediately. I did mine after getting home from the lay off exit interview. You don’t want to go right into looking for work after all that’s happened with the range of emotions running through you. That’s why I think taking a step back for about a week, maybe two if it’s really needed, to get your head clear and steer yourself toward looking for another job.
I’m an actor between jobs looking for any work to fill the gap. Thing is though I am stuck living with my parents in a part of the country that doesn’t have offer the jobs i’m looking for and I’m starting to feel incredibly depressed and at times worthless.
What can I do?
Andy,
If you don’t have skills or the discipline to find work you can do from home, consider moving somewhere there are more jobs in your field. I know it’s usually somewhere expensive that you can’t afford (learn budget discipline!), but a move is a positive life change that takes courage and resourcefulness. Look around for contract agencies that may be able to hook you up with a housing stipend, but the key is to target a field and build a reputation and network of people in it. Networking to find work is critical.
The depression part is a tough one. We all go through it. I suggest setting some personal (non-work-related) goals, such as for fitness, education, learn a new language, etc, and get into a routine working toward them. Set your alarm clock in the morning and go to bed early enough at night. Even read a book you might have wanted to. The key is to keep building your confidence and not allow the easy slide into thoughts of your self-worth. I know how easy that can be – trust me, you’re not alone in this economy.
Good Luck!
P.S. And the comment before (Andrew #7) is dead on.
I think that these jobs are much too relevant and suck my will to live…Better off just being homeless…What does it take to just work hard and find a job now days???
Are you being productive right where you are today? Are you doing everything to the best of your ability? A lot of times we think, “As soon as I get a better job, then I´ll start working hard.” “As soon as I get over this sickness, then I´ll cheer up, then I´ll have a good attitude.” Or “As soon as my spouse changes, I´ll start working harder at my relationship.”
But really, we must do everything with all of our might no matter what the circumstances are. Be productive today! We need to have a good attitude and do the right thing even when the wrong thing is happening to us.
If you´ll keep doing the right thing with all your might, in spite of the circumstances, then you are sowing a seed for positive results.
May strength and courage fill you today.
Looking for a job is the most difficult job in the world!!! All unemployed people are expected to look for a full time job 40 hours a week during a recession!!! Approximately 400 people are applying for every decent job advertised. The people without college degrees or are 40 years old or older are basically out of luck!! It is extremely difficult to even get an interview.
The secret of not going crazy is – eat healthy, drinks lots of water, exercise, keep busy, find a cheap or free hobby. Also have some fun and hang out only with happy, positive people. Try to stay away from negative and grumpy people.
This is a good time to seek God for answers. In these times He is who we must turn to. If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ, give it a shot…
Job wise, I agree with so many of the posters here. These times are not friendly to those seeking work. I know, as I am in the midst of it myself.
I talked with a positive friend like many of you have recommended. He has some good things to say.
Often in these times it is easy to get depressed, and guess what, people don’t want to hire depressed people! It is going to take choosing a good attitude, and coming across confident, relaxed, and cheerful.
It might take some acting, but you must come across like, “I have ten other people who want to hire me. I would be a great asset to your company. I am really excited about the opportunity. I am ready to start.”
This can be really difficult when you have gone through the rejection of many interviews.
One way of dealing with the rejection is to not see it as rejection, but as re-direction. That didn’t work out, so there is a better place I am supposed to be.
For me this situation has taught me the value of working as hard and diligently as you can at your current job, and then always leaving on not just good terms, but great terms.
Not having good references for past employers really can put quite a damper on things.
Tim, I totally agree with your initial comments. It’s what is keeping me going during my job search.
Wow! Some great suggestions. I wished that they had worked for my Hot Hubbie. This economy has made it extremely difficult to find and procure a job. We keep doing these steps over and over again in hopes that one day it may pay off.
I think the best suggestion is about the networking. “It is not what you know, but who you know” is correct. The problem is when you have networked without results, and then networked your network again, and (like we have) networked your network’s network. Hopefully we can find something soon. It has been a LONG 3 years!-Heather
surviving-unemployment.com
I agree with most of the post…and I think some of of the suggestions are right on point..I have been diligently looking and searching for employment for two years and yes, I have been depressed on and off however had to pull myself up by my boot straps because I have noone that can or will support me if I donot get a job soon. I have a great fear of being homeless after living in my house for 27 years..My unemployment has ran out and no I did not just start looking for a job,,I have been looking for employment since being laid off…as the years go by I’ve had to take from peter to pay Paul…in layman’s term, some of the bills have not been paid..therefore my credit scores have gone down consideratably…which makes it harder to get a job..any suggestions to lift my spirits and keep me going is welcome and yes I have a relationship with the lord and I pray to him every day and night..God bless!
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