Friday, November 29, 2019

5 Methods to Avoid Unemployment Depression

5 Methods to Avoid Unemployment Depression5 Methods to Avoid Unemployment Depression5 Methods to Avoid Depression Caused by Long-Term UnemploymentSome describe it as a deep, dark hole from which no man can return.Others deem it a curse of the darkest evil. Either way, long-term unemployment is one of the scariest prospects in anyones life, and is one of the most destructive elements to ones career.Unfortunately, the effects of unemployment can go hand in hand with wirtschaftskrise.The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines long-term unemployment as lasting 26 weeks or more. Many workers departure looking for a job immediately after losing the one they have. Some have immediate success, some find work later on and others find themselves trapped in a vicious cycle, eventually struggling with unemployment wirtschaftskrise. Dont fret even if youve found yourself agonizing over the next rent payment, there are tools to break the cycle and avoid depression associated with long-term unemploymen t. TWEETBreaking the cycle has more to do with mentality than actual practice. Being out of work, worrying about bills and eating Ramen soup all play an integral part in your depression. Breaking free from your darkest hours requires strategic planning and self-encouragement. Yes, its important to continue searching for a job. But its just as important to build your self-worth.If youre unemployed and depressed, check out these 5 methods to break the cycle.1. Step back and take a break.No one likes losing their job, unless they hated it in the first place. Dont look at it as failure. Whether you like it or not, youve just been given a mini vacation. More than likely, you needed the rest. Use the first few days to take inventory and relax. Youll have plenty of time to work around the clock. Watch a movie with your children. Finish the koi pond youve wanted in the backyard. Find something meaningful and enjoy the extra time off from work.Relax Thats absurd. I just lost my job. Okay, fo r most of us, this isnt reasonable, or easy. Reality has a funny way of turning a minor event into a catastrophe. Maybe a little relaxation is too much to ask for at first. Its difficult to turn a negative experience into a positive when you actually loved your job. The point is to not drown in self-pity and doubt. Make a list of all the things you hate about your old job. Take the time to rant a little about those pesky complaints to your friends. Vent about your bosss absurdities. This may help you break from the old job, avoid being unemployed and depressed and prepare to move forward. Just avoid doing this on social media.2. Dont get too cozy.Relaxing and learning to love-hate your old job is great. Just remember your goals. Dont get too comfortable catching up on missed TV shows on Hulu. Use your time wisely and efficiently. Just because the paycheck stopped doesnt mean you dont have work to do. Treat your new life as a job. Set your alarm clock to wake you at the same time and get ready for work. Schedule your time for important tasks and relaxation.Prepare for the job search by polishing up your resume and cover letter. Remove out-of-date items, like Class President from 15 years ago or those entry-level classes you took for the first job. Update the design and template to a more modern, professional feel. Are there experiences, skills or professional development missing? Have you added your most recent position? Does your resume reflect a doer or an achiever? Monster offers free resume writing advice to help prepare you for the job search. Udemy offers a free resume writing workshop as well. TopResume also offers a free resume critique.3. Learn to identify risk factors.Losing a job is much like losing a loved one. Many people grieve the loss of their job and then become angry. Once theyve worked through all of the emotions, they pick up the pieces and start moving on. Sometimes though, unemployment depression sets in and it takes a little more pushing to move forward. Learn to identify depression triggers and symptoms. Are you a little moody? How much are you sleeping? Are you missing meals? How long has it been since you hung out with friends? Lifestyle changes are the most common signs of depressionListen to your friends. If they start showing concern about your behavior, it may be appropriate to seek professional help. Dont be afraid to see a counselor. Its nothing to be ashamed of counselors specialize in helping others get on the right path. Think of counselors as traffic conductors. They point out dangers and help direct you towards a safer route. There are online, licensed counselors who can help you get past unemployment depression.Breakthrough and Talkspace are two popular organizations offering online support groups and individual counseling.4. Get in shape.With all the spare time on your hands, this is a perfect time to learn a new hobby or start an exercise regimen. View Active leisure as a necessity you cant live wit hout. Being active has many health benefits. It creates a sense of accomplishment, develops strong self-esteem and turns downtime into valuable time.Visit your local gym and join one of their weekly activity programs. Many gyms offer swimming, racquetball and other healthy activities. Some even offer game nights, movies and other leisure events where you can make new friends and socialize. The YMCA often offers reduced price memberships for people with low incomes.5. Be useful.Everyone needs to feel useful. We need to feel wanted and appreciated. Thats just human nature. Its also why self-esteem often is connected to our jobs and family life, and unemployment depression is common. We feel valued when others come to us for advice and help. Take this notion and start helping others. Many stay at home mothers and fathers learned to become more involved in their childrens school activities or local community events. They joined neighborhood organizations, local PTA boards and other or ganizations to feel needed.This is great for the resume as well. Volunteering for local events and causes show leadership potential and builds communication skills. Hiring managers look for candidates who go the extra mile to help others. This shows commitment and dedication, a valuable trait for any business. Look for local volunteer initiatives in your area. Non-profits always need help from volunteers.Depression, anxiety and stress all play an important role in how long a person is out of work. While much of this cannot be prevented, you can take steps to reduce the chances of being out of a job long-term. Maintain a positive attitude and dont give up. There are more jobs out there. Giving in to unemployment depression and anxiety only prevents you from moving forward.Need help with your resume? Take advantage of our free critique today

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Networking Tips to Improve Your Job Search

Networking Tips to Improve Your Job SearchNetworking Tips to Improve Your Job SearchThe Importance of Networking in the Job SearchLearn how to network your way to a new job with confidence.Thank you to everyone who participated in our latest edition of OfficeHours, presented by TopResume This time, I was joined by Deena Baikowitz, Chief Networking Officer and co-founder of Fireball Network, to discuss how you can become a more confident and efficient networker online and offline.Why networking is important for your job searchNetworking is important at every stage of your career however, it takes on even greater importance when youre searching for work. Consider thisIts estimated that approximately 50 percent of all job opportunities are never published.Multiple studies have found youre 10 times more likely to land the job when your application is accompanied by a referral.RelatedThe Importance of Networking (and How to Do It Well)In plus-rechnen to helping you discover new job leads and land valuable referrals, a strong professional network can help you bypass theapplicant tracking system, explore new career directions, access valuable job-search resources, and develop the skills required to pursue your dream job.Below are some of the highlights of our conversation, a link to the Facebook Live Chat video, and a summary of Deenas and my answers to your networking questions. For more career advice and information about upcoming events, like us on Facebook and sign up for our free weekly newsletter.OfficeHours How to network to get workRelated How to Expand Your Professional NetworkYour networking questions answeredWhat should my business cards look like if Im currently unemployed?What should my business cards say if Im unemployed and searching for a job? ElhamBe sure to include the same contact information on abusiness cardthat you would include on your resume name, phone number, email address, acustomized linkto your public LinkedIn profile, and if appropriate links to your personal website, online portfolio, and other social media channels. You can use the professional title from the top of your resume or your LinkedIn profiles headline in the distribution policy where youd normally list your current job title and employers name.Above all, your business cards should reflect your personal brand. Regardless of your employment status, your business cards should be distinctly yours and express who you are as a professional.How long should I spend talking to someone at a networking event, and how do I end a conversation?What do you do when you get stuck talking to someone at a networking event and you dont want to talk to them anymore? JenniferWhen making networking connections, its important to remember that quality is more important than quantity meeting one valuable new contact will serve you better than many poor ones. If youre having a fulfilling conversation with someone and making a strong connection, stay with it You may not meet as many people, but this one, solid contact will be more valuable to you in the long run.If you feel like its time to end a conversation, politely let the person know that you want to go work the room or meet the speaker. Being gracious and considerate is the key to closing a new networking conversation with professionalism. Ask for the persons business card or contact information, thank them for their time, and promise to connect on LinkedIn. Make sure that, when you walk away, they know you appreciated everything they offered during your conversation.Should I use social media to network for work?Is social media a good way to network? ElhamSocial media, when leveraged appropriately, can be a valuable addition to your networking strategy. Every social media channel operates a little differently for example, Facebook is geared toward your personal connections whereas LinkedIn is regarded as a professional networking platform and will require you to approach your networking activit ies differently to suit the environment.Overall, its about engaging with the people and accounts that genuinely interest you and are related to your career goals. As you departure interacting and building rapport with people in these virtual environments, look for opportunities to take this new relationship offline. You can start by sending an email with a personal message and setting up a phone call or coffee date. This step in the networking process is paramount because its what helps you make the leap from being a social-media follower to atrue network connection.RelatedHow to Leverage Social Media to Connect with Potential EmployersHow do I ask someone I meet at a networking event to be my berater?If you meet someone who is very established in the industry you want to get into, how can you ask them to be your mentor? RielYou shouldnt ask someone you just met to be your mentor right off the bat these kinds of relationships take time to develop. We recommend approaching this cont act as you would any other potential new networking connection. Connect with the person online after the event and look for opportunities to pay it forward. Instead of approaching the person to be your mentor, try setting up an informational interview to pick the persons brain. Continue to nurture this relationship over time and, if its a good match, your relationship will evolve organically.How do I follow up with the people I meet while networking? How soon should I do it?After Ive met someone, how do I follow up with them? ElhamStart by sending a LinkedIn connection request a day or two after first meeting someone. When sending the request, never send a blank invite. Doing so can come across as impersonal and lazy, which is the opposite of how you want a new connection to landsee you. Instead, always include a personalized note it can be as simple as telling the person that it was Nice to meet you at XYZ event This is also helpful for you because later down the road, you can ref erence this message if you need a reminder of how you met.Beyond simply connecting on LinkedIn, one of the best ways you can follow up with new contacts is to look for opportunities to pay it forward. For example, if you see an article or learn about an event that your new connection would enjoy, send it their way. By offering something that may be of value, you establish yourself as an authority and earn their gratitude.Click on the following link for more networking advice.Your resume should be as strong as your networking skills. How does yours stack up? Submit for a free resume critique and well tell you.Recommended ReadingAsk Amanda How Do I Ask My Network for Help?Career Quiz What Type of Networking Best Fits Your Personality?10 Networking Mistakes That Make You Look Unprofessional

Thursday, November 21, 2019