by Patti Mcquillen

Created on: May 29, 2008

During unemployment, it is crucial you make the best use of your time. Having experienced this myself, I recommend volunteering, short-term training opportunities and self-learning help. These encourage prospective employers to view you in the most positive terms.

Employers want employees who know how to communicate with others, display good organizational skills, and can resolve issues on their own. They want people who can work as a team or independently. While you have downtimes, look for ways to develop these skills. Do not overlook the ones you have by running a household, managing your money and handling family issues.

Karol Ladd, author of The Power of a Positive Mom, lists the everyday tasks mothers perform and the salary for each one. She explains if mothers received pay for all they do, they would earn at least $100,000 each year! The publishing date for this book is March 2001. With time changes, the amount is likely to be higher now.

My point for including this information is many people overlook the skills they gain from life. It takes focus, organized thinking and compromise to run a household. Communications must remain strong. We need to use active listening, problem resolution and wisdom. Employees use these on the job and employers need them.

Volunteering is a great way to handle unemployment. My grandfather, who is a veteran volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, met an unemployed man who volunteered while looking for work. He found a job within a short time. His service gave him the boost he needed and an edge over the competition.

Brush up on your skills while unemployed. Enroll in a short-term training program. Computer classes are great for this and they show you can lead. Moreover, many states offer assistance for job seekers who enroll in programs. They know these increase your chances of finding work and this saves them money in the end.

If you write for Helium or another site, you have Internet access and a computer. Use these to your advantage and learn new information. Improve your typing speed and accuracy, increase your numerical keystrokes and maintain good work habits.

Plan a schedule for your day and show up for work, on time. Career Builder, www.careerbuilder.com, recommends job seekers dress for work too. This helps you stay prepared for opportunities. Your computer will be your assistant.

From my own training programs, I learned networking with others, online and in person provides advantages. Look for groups you can join for support. Read at the library, and visit any place with plenty of people. Talking with others not only helps you emotionally, it allows you to know the latest job news. Remember, employers do not always advertise positions; they use word of mouth instead.

My mother, who was unemployed, met a business owner. He liked her skills and they discussed his business. From this short conversation, he hired her and within a few months, she created a patient management system for a hospital in California.

The amazing part is she never even had to visit the place; she did it all through the computer and email! By keeping her skills sharp and completing self-learning courses at home, she was prepared to accept the job.

Preparation is the key of making the most of unemployment. Strengthen your skills, connect with others, learn new information, and maintain good work habits; thus, increasing your value. Seek the help of those who experienced similar circumstances and learn from them. These people may even agree to be good references for you.

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