Restarting Your Career After Unemployment

Becoming unemployed can certainly be a demoralizing experience. You may feel a sense of hopelessness or worthlessness. The problem can be particularly acute if you were fired. However, you must recognize the fact that you can successfully re-start your career after unemployment. In fact, you can craft a career better than the one you had before. However, such a feat will not happen automatically. It will only result from careful planning and concerted effort.

Job-hunting as a full-time job

The first thing you must do if you're unemployed is to make a full-time commitment to your job search. You must treat it as a job. That means getting up early; dressing professionally, and putting in a full day's work job hunting. At first, you might think that this would be a waste of effort, but actually, it can be quite effective. First of all, it shows that you are treating the job search seriously. Secondly, the more time you invest in a project, the better the results are likely to be. Moreover, treating job-hunting as a job allows you to learn to work independently and to organize your day. You might actually find that you are able to develop job skills in the midst of your search.

Charting your progress

You should also develop a way of charting your progress. For instance, keep track of how many want ads you've answered, how many phone calls you've made, and how many interviews you've gone on each week. This will allow you to see the measurable results of your job search. With this information, you should grow in confidence, a trait that will only help you as you are looking for work.

Establish goals

Often, the key to success is setting goals. Goals allow you to organize your priorities and to schedule effectively. They can also leave you with a sense of hope. Of course, your ultimate goal is landing a job, but you can also have a number of interim goals. For instance, you might want to make a pledge to set up at least one interview each week. Alternatively, you might want to make a promise to yourself to attend a meeting of a professional group each week-a group that could help you significantly as you try to network.

You must be certain, however, that your goals are realistic. Otherwise, you could become quickly demoralized once your plans fail to materialize. Recognize your limitations, and try to work within them. In the end, you'll be much happier that way-and you're likely to be more successful.

Give yourself a break

Make sure that you give yourself time off from your job search. While the hunt is full-time work, you deserve a break-just like you would have if you were working. Take time out to exercise, to spend time with your family, to read, and to take care of household chores. As a result of this break, you'll feel refreshed-and better able to take on the challenges of the job search. 

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