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Job Seekers: 7 Tips Toward Maximizing Unwanted Free Time follow this blog post

posted by on Nov. 11, 2009

Below is a post from one of our active job seeking members & occasional blog contributor:

 

With the national unemployment rate pushing 10% according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics many people are sitting at home with plenty of unwanted free time. Seems a little backwards doesn’t it? Isn’t that why we work so that we can maximize the fun of our free time or have more of it in the future?  Unfortunately many people, especially recent graduates, are faced with the problem of finding a job, even one they don’t like. I suppose McDonald’s is always hiring.*

 

 

One often overlooked issue during a long job search is what to do with the overabundance of free time. You can’t spend you’re entire day sending out resumes, calling recruiters, hitting the pavement, scouring job boards or waiting for your government bailout. Unfortunately you are not too big to fail.

You, Inc.

 

You could travel the world or backpack through Europe. But those activities cost lots of greenbacks, which you probably don’t have, hence the intense job search. However there are other things that can be productive and even enjoyable that don’t have to cost anything.

 

  1. Work on your skill set. Improve your interviewing skills. Sharpen whatever skills you already have so that when you finally get the coveted interview with “The Best Company Ever” you are prepared and blow the interviewers away.
  2. Reach out to other job seekers. Form networks. Join social networking sites that work for you, such as MyWorkster. These organizations will give you a maximum return for your time investment instead of searching jobsites ad nauseam.
  3. Network. Like it or not many jobs are given to people because of some kind of personal connection. Oftentimes it is not what you know but who you know.
  4. Volunteer. When else will you have this much time to work for a cause that matters to you?
  5. Part-time or temporary work. Make some money while still job searching.
  6. Read. A lot. You probably have never put down a book and said, “Wow I am now dumber having read that.” Especially if it’s in your field. Or this blog.
  7. Relax. Many people under 25 are unemployed or recently laid off. Cheesy clichés aside, we are all in this together.

 

A MyWorkster Member Memior:

By Dan Vander Bloomen

 

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*I am not suggesting that McDonald’s is a bad place to work. I simply use it as an easy and relatable punch line

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  • 1 point 11 days ago

    Here are the 8 tips we provide to older job seekers. The new design and functionality of RetiredBrains.com went up on the Net Nov 1st. Comments, suggestions, etc. are very much wanted and appreciated.

    1. Register with temp firms in your local area as they don't care about age but are more interested in your skills and experience. Also if you get work through a temp firm it helps build your resume for future work assignments.

    2. Try to get an interview with an employer you are not interested in working for to practice your interviewing skills.  You don't want to go to your first interview in a long time with the employer you are really interested in working for and make easily correctable mistakes. .

    3. Consider having your resume re-written or updated by an expert as the resume you used years ago is no longer appropriate.

    4, Put your resume up on those job boards that connect older workers with employers seeking to hire them. The largest and most effective are www.RetiredBrains.com, www.retirmentjobs.com and www.seniors4hire.org

    5. Look for temporary or project assignments as they are much more available than full-time jobs.

    6. When applying for a job tell the employer you are willing to work on a project or temporary basis; this often gives you a leg up on younger workers or are often unable to accept this kind of employment. Temporary employment can often lead to full-time work. 7. Get information on employer prior to interview. For example
    Contact someone who is at the employer who attended the same school you went to.
    "Hi. You and I went to the same school but graduated at different times. I'm interviewing for a position in your firm later this week and, before I meet with HR and the Hiring Manager, I would like to test out a couple questions I have about your firm on you and see what you think the answers might be." (Later, ask if they will be your employee referral)

    8. Volunteer with a charity or non-profit. Although in most cases there is little or no monetary compensation it is often excellent experience and can possibly lead to employment with a firm that is seeking that particular experience or appreciates your work effort. It is also easier to find employment while you are working as you have a better mind set. Looking for a job on a full-time basis is not a very rewarding experience.