Losing a job sucks. Wondering what skills to learn while unemployed? We’ve got you covered. Use this unemployment time to boost your career profile, take time to reflect on what you really want, and start expanding your network on places like Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram. Look for opportunities everywhere.
If it feels like your world is crashing down, know that new opportunities are on the way! Explore courses to learn something new today.
What To Do If You’ve Just Lost Your Job
Whether you saw it coming or were blindsided, it’s tough to plan for moments like this. It might take a minute for everything to sink in.
- Before you start your new job search, explore what your dream job looks like.
- Take notes of what you want in your next role and what you don’t want.
- Reach out to your network and start making new connections. If networking events aren’t happening in your area, begin to network online. Finding a Job: How to Effectively Network While Social Distancing
- Revamp your resume and add new job skills.
Best Skills to Learn While Unemployed
The job hunt can be a long process. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get callbacks right away. Start a side hustle to make extra money right now, connect with your network, invest in yourself and learn something new.
Use these tips to stay focused and positive.
1. Apply for jobs, but avoid getting overwhelmed.
Finding a job is a full-time job, and if you put yourself out there, network, and apply yourself, you’ll find something good. Keep in mind that it can be hard to deal with rejections, especially if it’s been months and you haven’t heard back from anyone. Many times companies will send an automatic response or nothing at all. After time, the no’s can start to weigh on you.
Don’t get discouraged.
- Create a vision board to narrow down your intent.
- Use journal prompts to help you stay focused and aligned with what you truly want.
You are smart, talented, and qualified for your dream job. Don’t forget that! Think of every “no” as an opportunity to lead you in the right direction.
Related:
2. Start freelancing.
It’s easier to start freelancing than you think. If you love working with kids, have a Bachelor’s Degree and some tutoring or teaching experience, you can teach English online to students through VIPKid and ItutorGroup. The application time varies, but once you pass, you can create a schedule so you can start making money. You won’t need to make any lesson plans or spend too much on props.
Where to apply:
- VIPKid – Teachers in the USA (except California) and Canada can apply.
- iTutorGroup – Teachers worldwide accepted.
Freelance Writing Jobs
If you are a good writer, create a portfolio or blog to showcase your writing samples. Even if you’re only looking for temporary work, build up your writing portfolio by submitting articles on Thrive Global.
Want to learn how to market yourself to land higher-paying clients? Here’s how to start freelance writing.
Related:
Start a Money-Making Blog
Here’s how bloggers make money online:
- Affiliate Marketing
- Sponsored Posts
- Ads
- Selling their own Products.
If you’re thinking about starting a blog, invest in self-hosting from the start. Here’s why: Self-hosting gives you the freedom to customize your blog and add plugins to make it work for you.
I use Siteground to self-host this WordPress blog. Siteground keeps my site running fast, does daily backups, and offers tech support. Whenever I have a question about something on my site, I just contact Siteground, and they fix my issue within minutes. Support is available 24/7.
Wondering what to blog about? Read this!
3. Invest in yourself.
Time is a valuable resource, and if you suddenly cashed in on some time, spend it wisely. Explore Skillshare to see what new skills you can learn while unemployed. Discover new hobbies to see what piques your interest.
There are so many free courses online. Invest your time in learning something new, and grow your skills.
4. Position yourself as an expert in your field.
Freshen up your resume and cover letters by adding keywords and examples of what you have done. Meet with recruiters to practice your interview skills and use it as an opportunity to review your resume and what improvements you can make. I used Canva to update and design a very stale resume that was built on Microsoft Word ages ago. Get creative!
Instead of adding words like “punctual, motivated, and a team player,” share details on how you managed a team of five and reached your sales targets every quarter. It helps paint a clear picture of your work ethic and what you will bring to the table. Read the keywords on the job description and use them to your advantage.
5. Make Connections.
Whether or not you’re looking for a job, it’s always a good idea to engage with your social media and Linkedin network. (Here’s my LinkedIn profile.) Update your profile, add keywords, and start reaching out to people in the industries where you want to work. Send a short message with each introduction explaining who you are and why you want to connect.
Once you connect, don’t just say a quick hello and forget about your network. Nurture those relationships and offer ways to help them.
Let friends and family know that you’re unemployed and ask to be introduced to any connections. Let them know how they can support you during this time.
6. Volunteer and learn new skills while unemployed.
Volunteering is a great way to learn something new, give back, and build your network. Check for volunteering opportunities in your community. You never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities may open up from volunteering. Use your skills or learn something new. It will look great on your resume and could open doors for new opportunities. Volunteer by taking photos at an event, teaching people basic computer skills, or giving your time at a local animal shelter. Search for opportunities that can expand your skills and help your community.
Conclusion – Skills to Learn While Unemployed
To recap:
- Create a plan.
- Review your budget.
- Focus on investing in yourself. Don’t neglect the benefits of self-care.
- Make short term goals to help you stay focused and on track.
- If you start to feel defeated and alone, try not to stress.
When it comes to new skills to learn while unemployed, avoid trying to do everything all at once. If you need a distraction, spend some time outdoors, get plenty of excercise, and create a routine for yourself to conquer the day. You’ve got this!
Related:
Absolutely! It’s a good time to reset and focus on what you want next.
Use this time to build connections. I think that is the best advice. Not only with other people but with yourself to learn what it is that you really want.