Unemployment: the golden opportunity

Are you newly unemployed? Been unemployed for a year or more? Being unemployed is frustrating; it can also be demeaning, stressful, and even make you question your belief in yourself. On the other hand, being unemployed can also be your ticket to a new and better job, a better you, and a happier life… if you do more than simply try to find another job.

Relying solely upon your own intuition to resolve a jobless situation is not a good use of resources. Being human, we each have our preconceived notions of what is "best" for us; these notions come from our genetics, our upbringing, and our experiences as we travel life's journey. Those preconceptions sometimes act as blinders, restricting our sights within a narrow view in much the same way as they guide a horse's vision, incidentally preventing us from seeing opportunities away from our current path.

I can't tell you what to do; that is your own decision. I can share with you things you can try, give you some hints about things to think about, and help you discover how to take off your blinders. This is only advice; please feel free to take away whatever works for you and ignore the rest.

I assume you are already aware of the advice given by employers, recruiters, job web sites, and peers, such as how to format a resume, how to interview, how to market yourself, and so on. This essay isn't about how to find work; it's about the process of self-discovery you can follow rather than simply trying to find a job "just like your previous job." I deliberately left out most of that advice because you've heard it all before.

Point One: don't panic when you're laid off, or it's been a long time and you still can't find work. It is highly likely this situation isn't your fault. Most people don't find work immediately upon being laid off. Maybe there are no or very few jobs available in your field, or the economy is bad. If you need to upgrade your skills, do so; if not, focus some of your energy on other things.

Point Two: do some self-checking. Why did you choose your current field? As an old joke says, "I thought I wanted a career; turns out I just wanted paychecks." Is that true for you? Are you happy in your current career? Really happy, or just sort of happy? In your current career, do you feel you have strong skills which aren't being used effectively? Are your skills valuable in other fields? How do you know? This brings us to Points Three and Four.

Point Three: find people who share your interests. In the professional networking site LinkedIn, there are numerous groups for almost any area of interest you can think of. You should certainly join at least two groups for your current field; for example, there are many groups for people who work with mainframe computers. Browse or search the group list for other topics which interest you. Join a few which seem most interesting to you and read a few of the discussions. Maybe the focus of the group doesn't fit your interest; maybe that interest isn't for you. Above all, remember you are trying to find what interests you the most. You are not locked in to your choices; if the group isn't helping you with your interests, or that topic isn't really "grabbing" you, find another group.

Point Four: network, especially with people who share your interests. It's easy and natural to network with peers; IT with IT people, marketing and sales with marketers and salespeople, and so on. Career counselors and recruiters will tell you that's the most efficient way of finding a new job. But what if there is something you always wanted to try? What are your other interests? Step One is to find out what your interests are; this is Step Two, talking to people who share those interests. This is the best way to know if you are on the right track and, more importantly, how to get into a field which excites you. Do you get excited cooking for others? Talking to chefs and caterers will give you insights into those professions you can't get elsewhere. Do you want to make a difference in education? Join a few groups such as Education Innovation and Innovative Educators and find out what it takes, what ideas are out there… maybe you have a few new ones of your own to contribute.

Point Five: you do not have to make looking for work a full-time job. Many career websites, recruiters, and well-meaning colleagues say that… but there is a saturation point, a level of effort which no longer gives results. Of course, if your financial situation demands you be working (maybe you can't pay your bills), that's different. However, if it's not an emergency (for example, you have savings to live off of, your spouse works, etc.), exploring other career opportunities is looking for work.

Looking for work and not finding it, day in and day out, can be frustrating. We all want to succeed at something, do something with a positive result, so take a break from your job search and find something else to do. Organize your picture collection for a day… or half a day. Have you been meaning to clean out the garage but were "too busy"? Do it. Take a hike… literally. Take a day or two to work on a volunteer project. Spend time with your family. Remember, you took vacation days from your paying job, so you should take "vacation days" from looking for work full-time.

Point Six: if you find career possibilities, follow up on them. Within your interest groups you make connections to people who are employed doing what you want to do. Ask them how to get involved, whom to talk to in your area, what training or certifications you need, and so on. Point Four is nice; you find people to hang out with and talk about interesting things. However, if you don't follow up, that's all it is: talk. Get involved, do something constructive. If your interests involve "spreading the word" on something you think is important, reach outside of the group to others, get them interested too. That's what networking is all about: spreading the word.

Point Seven: don't just ask for help, give it. Praise freely, criticize rarely. Give gentle, non-judgmental feedback in discussions. If someone asks a question answer it if you can, share the name of someone who knows the answer, or point them in a direction which will help them answer their own question. If someone is new to a field you've made a career of, share your experiences with them.

I hope this essay has been helpful to you. Good hunting!