Unemployment can be one of the most terrifying situations in today’s world. With an unsteady economy and massive healthcare changes looming, the fear of remaining without a job for months is not an unrealistic one. While it can be easy to get discouraged and frustrated, there are things that can be done to best manage the situation.
We see people in our offices on a daily basis that want full-time, permanent employment and that is certainly a reasonable request; however, when that’s not immediately available, I encourage you to consider the alternatives.
It’s not a secret that gaps in employment are questioned by hiring managers during the initial interview process. They will want to know why you were unemployed and how you spent your time while in that status. We ask the same questions here at Flexible Staffing, but that doesn’t mean that a gap will knock you out of the running.
Temporary work is one way to fill that void and is especially beneficial if you can land a position that happens to be in your industry. Not only will it provide a paycheck for a limited time, but it can also provide the opportunity to gain new skills and stay on top of the latest updates and trends within the business.
Something else to keep in mind is, while it can never be guaranteed, that temp job may turn into something more if you perform at your top level. According to national statistics, 43% of applicants get hired by the staffing client on a full-time basis and nearly all applicants reported they were able to get permanent work faster by using an agency like Flexible Staffing.
Specialized training and further education are great additions to that part-time gig, as well. The initiative it takes to enter a program, complete the work, and have a successful completion will demonstrate your work ethic and determination to potential employers.
If you have not yet mastered the skill of networking, there is no better time than during a period of unemployment. The old saying, “It’s not what you know, but who you know” is quite often true. Reaching out to others, both in-person and online, can open doors to opportunities you never knew existed. If you haven’t created a LinkedIn account, do so now. Take the time to complete it fully and highlight what you have done in the past and the areas in which you added value to your past employers. Once that is complete, begin making connections and exploring the possibilities.
There are a few rules in networking that should be considered:
1. Do not visit Facebook and post something that resembles “I’m out of work. What can you do to help me?” While this may produce a few pity replies, that’s not what we’re looking for here. If you happen to have business contacts on Facebook, it would be fine to send a direct message to each contact and let them know you would appreciate them keeping you in mind if they hear of job opportunities.
2. Be cautious about “name dropping” when searching for work. While it can be to your advantage and acceptable to mention a business acquaintance or friend to a potential employer, be sure that you do not abuse the privilege. Claiming to know someone that will not recognize your name in a casual conversation with a hiring manager, could be detrimental down the road.
3. At all times, keep it professional and simple. If the individual wants more information about your work history, he/she will most certainly ask. Wait for them to do so when in a networking situation.
The manner in which you handle your time of unemployment, rather it be one week or multiple months, will speak volumes to potential employers. Make it count! As difficult as it may be, keep placing one foot in front of the other and doing all you can to better yourself as both a person and an employee so that when your big opportunity arrives, you will be ready and fully prepared!
Please feel free to visit our website at www.flexible-staffing.com today or contact me by email at kcross@flexible-staffing.com.
Until Next Time,
Kristie L. Cross
No comments:
Post a Comment