by Beachbumwriter

Created on: November 08, 2010

There is a stigma to being unemployed.  People think that you are lazy, and that there are plenty of jobs out there if you really wanted to work.  The longer that you are unemployed, the more this stigma may make you feel like there is something wrong with you.  In reality, it may be that you need to upgrade your skills.  Maybe this is the time to go back to school.  Many states offer vocational training to employees affected by company downsizing.  Once you get your new certifications, it will not only give you the required skills for a new job, but it will motivate you to continue the job search with a more likely chance of success.

One consideration during unemployment is how to pay for basic bills such as food, rent, gas, and utilities.  Its a good idea to take any job just to pay for the basics such as pizza delivery or as a waitress, just to hold you over until you find the right job.  You may need to downsize by selling an expensive car with high car payments for a reliable used car, or downsizing to a lower rented district.  One thing to remember is that in this economy it's not just normal people who have financial issues even large companies are going bust, and that even though today, you are in a money crunch, it does not define where you will be next week or next month.  Its important to keep a positive outlook.

Some ways to keep a positive mindset is to plan to be productive everyday.  Sleeping in until noon is a waste of time.  Even though you are unemployed, it doesn't mean you don't have a full time job.  It takes time to search and apply for jobs.  Don't forget to spend time contacting old friends for previous positions and asking them if they know of a job opening. 

Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Unemployment could lead to depression, and a way to prevent it is by staying healthy.  Go for a run in the morning to boost your energy for the day.  Get plenty of rest since you will need to be well rested to hit the ground running at your new position, so this is the time to get an appropriate amount of sleep.  Make sure you don't over do it since sleeping too much will waste time from looking for a job.

Unemployment could actually change your life for the better.  Maybe you got find from a job that you actually hated going to everyday.  Now is the chance to look inwards and evaluate what kind of a job would really make you happy.  A career change could mean that for once you would no longer be working, but would be doing a job that does not seem like work since it is so fullfilling to you. 

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