Life, as well as startups, can be unpredictable. Maybe you’re here because you’ve done everything right professionally, but still find yourself without a job. Or because you decided that it was time for something new and made an exit before you fully determined what was next. Our career paths are rarely clearly defined at every step, but sudden unemployment can be a huge shock, no matter what stage you’re at in your journey. In the context of companies Venture For America works with – startups – sometimes, they just don’t make it. Sometimes they do and need to restructure. Both situations usually result in difficult decisions and staff members are usually the ones to bear the brunt of them. Unemployment can be tough, and these days it can be difficult to navigate the job pool. So what do you do next?
Here are some tools to take back control when you suddenly find yourself in the position of having to find a new opportunity.
Timing is Everything.
Looking for a job can be a full time job. Adjusting your resume, finding openings and applying, interviewing, and networking – it can be exhausting. Being jobless and out of school with priorities, you may feel the need to fix the situation quickly, dedicating endless hours to landing a job.
The flip side to this is that unemployment brings a suddenly free schedule. You can look for jobs any time of the day. That also means plenty of opportunities to sleep in and catch up on your favorite shows, right?
Well, sort of.
Though reclaiming time to decompress, recuperate, catch-up, and recalibrate is an extremely important part of the unemployment process, it’s equally important to keep some semblance of a routine. Wake up, eat breakfast, leverage connections, job search, and then create a time to clock out. Your day may be two hours or eight, but try to keep to a schedule! That includes workouts, cooking meals, and spending time with family and friends.
And don’t forget to take weekends. Then on Monday, set an alarm and start again. It also helps to create space while dedicating yourself to the work of finding a job separate from your daily life. Check out our tips on keeping boundaries while working from home.
Your search can also be dependent on the state of the economy. At some moments there may be a deluge of roles from you to choose from, which may allow you to be more selective. At others, the market may be tighter and you’ll have to more closely determine what you’re looking to get out of an experience and what you’re willing to sacrifice.
Think of Alternatives.
It’s possible that there aren’t any available job openings for your level of experience, or preferred industry. In that case, consider alternative routes you can take.
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Volunteer
You may find that many entry-level positions still require years of experience. That can be frustrating. You’ve spent time, money, and energy for your degree or gaining skills relevant to the role but it still may not be enough. If your situation allows it, find a part time volunteer role. It can help you gain experience and provide meaningful connections with people who may be able to help you find a job. Also, even if you don’t meet the required years of experience, it still doesn’t hurt to throw your hat in the ring!
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Tap into your Network
Sometimes the people we already know can be the best resource in finding our next step. Talk to friends, family, professional connections and former colleagues about what you’re looking to do in your career and how you’re trying to get there. Leveraging your connections can help get you connected to others in your industry that can determine how you should be positioning yourself. They may also be able to put you in touch with someone as a mentor, advocate, or reference.
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Fellowships
There are organizations that provide volunteer or service opportunities. Some provide training and work with companies.
We, Venture For America, offer a two-year Fellowship for recent college graduates up to three years post graduation. Many others, like the William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship for Minority Students, Urban Leaders Fellowship, or Future Leaders in Action (FLIA) Fellowship provide the chance to accumulate valuable experiences and skills that help propel you toward additional career opportunities.
While not all fellowships are paid and many can have very lengthy application processes that may not align with your envisioned timeline for reentering the workforce, it’s important to find one that fits your current needs as well as your overall goals for the future. Some are shorter, like the Greenlining Leadership Academy Summer Associate Program that lasts 10 weeks, and some are longer. If you have the time, it can be worth it, but if you don’t that’s okay, too.
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Work Part Time Jobs
It may not be what you dreamed of doing, but the reality is that bills need to be paid. Find some part-time work to get the money flowing. And if you can, try to find a part time job in an area or industry you like. If you like books and want to work in publishing, working as a sales associate for a bookstore will provide you with some relevant experience and has the potential to help you form the connections you need.
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Challenge Yourself
Take some time to learn some new skills. There are plenty of free resources (and certifications) online that can help you gain an edge when applying for a job.
Check out places like Udemy, which offers a variety of courses and certifications in business, digital marketing, IT and software, coding and so much more. They also regularly offer discount codes that bring costs down as low as $10 per course. Learn the ins and outs of the Google Suite with their free Skillshop, or dive into their Google Analytics Academy to better understand data.
In addition to adding news skills, this also shows employers that you weren’t idle while you were unemployed.
Don’t Give Up!
Though it can be demoralizing and stressful, unemployment doesn’t have to derail your professional aspirations. It doesn’t define you, and it is temporary. Put in the time and effort and you’ll be working a job soon. Just don’t forget to take breaks and most importantly, take care of yourself!