Things to Do While Unemployed or a fresher.

Due to the increased level of unemployment due to the current economic climate coupled with the fact that period of unemployment currently last longer than before creates a quandary for job seekers. Job seekers now need to worry about that large gap between jobs. This in no uncertain terms looks unimpressive on a CV/Resume. Employers are consequently less likely to short-list much less hire a profile with gaps in employment history. This will definitely hinder progress in the job search. So the question to be answered is… What should be done while unemployed to plug the gap and increase the marketability of ones profile?

This also holds true for freshers. There is a fine line between being considered a fresher and being considered unemployed. Companies are more likely to treat a candidate six months to a year after completing studies as a fresher. A profile with a gap of two, three or more years tend to be considered as unemployed.

Take a class The majority of hiring managers when surveyed recommended taking a class during a period of unemployment. “Learning in your career never stops it’s an ongoing exercise, the more technically competent you are, the better”. When you take a class in your field, you are displaying that you are serious about your work and that you take initiative.” Another advantage to taking a class is that it’s offers a great networking opportunity.

Upgrade your skills The key to being successful in finding a job is to be marketable. Developing relevant skills and increasing your experience ensures this. So the period of unemployment is the ideal time to come closer to this goal. Utilizing time wisely will lead you to just the job you’ve been looking for.

Make connections There is no doubt that referrals work best. A resume handed directly by someone within the company to the hiring manager is more likely to get noticed. So build and expand your network of contacts through social media and professional organizations. Put the word out to all your contacts, be it friends, family or other professionals, so your contacts know that you’re looking for a job. Do not be hesitant to ask for help in finding connections to the organizations you’re interested in.

Practice talking about you with everyone High performers practice for interviews. So now you know what you’re aiming for, but you need to talk about it with everyone parties, at the gym, on the phone with friends. When they ask how you’re doing, talk about what you’re doing like you are in the job interview. And the good news is that the better you get at talking like that, the more you will actually believe your story, the story that being unemployed is lucky because you have learning opportunities.

Exercise and Eat Healthy many experts propose that when we are unemployed, we have the option to replace the regular work day with a day of exercise and preparation of healthy meals. In the natural course one may not be obsessed with working out and eating healthy, but if there is nothing else going on, at least this is something to do. Exercise naturally makes us feel better in so many ways and when you are unemployed it is easy to start to not care. Use this extra time to plan workout routines and make meals that you wouldn’t normally have time to prepare.  Make being healthy your full time job, you will feel so much more productive and better about yourself.

Join a social network or start a blog about the industry you want to go into Social networking or blogging are great ways to keep up with your industry. Your mission should be to network without looking desperate. Leverage the fact that you have more time on your hands that people who have jobs. Everyone who is unemployed should be networking or blogging as a way to get their next job. Put your ideas out into the world and connect with people that way. The reason that people who network or blog have great careers is because they are always thinking about issues in their industry. Brilliant ideas well executed make careers. Show that side of yourself to people. Networking or blogging takes a lot of time, but when unemployed you have the time. So make use of your time constructively.

Start your own business but attempting to start a business can be costly and time consuming. If you have the financial means to do this, it’s a great resume booster and a wonderful marketing tool. “The beauty of having your own business is that you can work part-time or full-time depending on whether or not you are able to land a job working for someone else”. “You are also going to learn skills that are transferable if you do end up working for someone else again.”