2020 was a difficult year for many Americans, and one of the reasons was the unemployment rate. More than 18 million people have lost their jobs since the start of the pandemic, back in February. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of unemployed Americans is listed as 12.6 million. Still, that figure doesn’t consider workers who have had their hours reduced or been misclassified or undercounted. The actual number is closer to 30 million these days.
Throughout life, there will always be times of challenge. In addition to hard work and talent, your ability to survive this obstacle will depend on how you accept this temporary situation. Studies have shown that a positive frame of mind and a sense of perspective can help people get through many hardships, including a faster recovery time after an illness or injury. Look at this time in your life as an opportunity to prepare yourself for the next exciting chapter. Psychologists refer to this skill as reframing, which turns your attention to the positive aspects.
One of the benefits that unemployment offers you is time. That shouldn’t mean to treat it as a vacation. However, if you have worked for many years, it’s perfectly fine to administer self-care and have a little time to relax. Use this period to update your resume and add additional qualifications, as well. Many people leave their credentials dormant for years when employed, so take a careful look and refresh everything, including making changes to any contact information, before stepping into the job market again.
Although your usual routine has been disrupted by unemployment, it’s healthy to maintain a daily schedule. This is both for your mental health and to ease you back into the workforce when the time comes. Have a set wake-up time, ensure you spend your working hours of the day in a specific area that is organized. Prioritize checking emails, eating meals, and preparing to-do lists. Being organized is the key to motivation and productiveness. A great tip is to clean a desk or table and spend the working part of your day cleaning up your resume, increasing your knowledge about your industry, or job-searching. Most importantly, let yourself clock out and go to another room to enjoy your free time.
This is also a great time in your like to step back and do a self-assessment. This might be an excellent opportunity to pursue a career change. It is also crucial to have an online presence that portrays you as someone future employers would want to hire. Create social media accounts that are professional and use them to connect with a network of like-minded business people.