How to Overcome Unemployment

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References

Being unemployed can be a tough, discouraging position to find yourself in. However, there are multiple helpful approaches you can take to the situation that will help you get back on your feet, pick up a few new skills, and eventually find a job. It’s important that you keep a good attitude and find new ways to pick up training and network, whether you’ve been unemployed for a week or for several months.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Jennifer Butler, MSW
Life Coach
Expert Interview. 31 July 2020.}

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Transferring Skills in the Job Market

1
Inquire about work at your local job services center. Most of these places offer resume services for free, in addition to job placement information and opportunities.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
US Department of Labor
Federal department responsible for promoting the wellbeing of workers
Go to source} Jobs services centers can also help you file for unemployment, if you choose to do so. Do this immediately after you lose your job, in order to take advantage of job coaching.
- To find a jobs services center in your area, search for “jobs services office near me.”
2
Fill in gaps in your professional training through educational opportunities. Training yourself while you’re unemployed is a great use of time and will increase your likelihood of finding a new job. This is a great time to get certificates or to increase your computer knowledge.^{[3]
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- Contact your local Lifelong Learning Center, Job Services department, or community college and sign up for classes that will make you more qualified with the tools you work with.
- For example, if you worked as an educator but received most of your training through on-the-job learning, take a few education courses to learn some new pedagogy.
- This can help you see your unemployment as a time of growth rather than simply a liability.
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3
Find a new job that correlates with your skills through online job sites. Don’t assume you need to do the same job as the position you lost. If you lost your job because it was obsolete, it will be very hard to find the same job again. If you’re unlikely to find new employment in your old field, look for a new type of job.
- Look on websites like Monster, LinkedIn, or Indeed, and search for jobs that differ from your previous work. Think of ways in which you can apply skills you already have to a new line of work.
- For example, if you worked in a factory, your job may have been taken over by an automated machine. But, if you gained administrative skills at your factory job, you could find a way to channel those into a job in a new field.
4
Volunteer to build skills and contacts that make you more employable.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Jennifer Butler, MSW
Life Coach
Expert Interview. 31 July 2020.} The best volunteer positions for your resume are those that allow you to get out and make contacts in the community. Volunteer positions within your community will look good on your resume and sound good in an interview.^{[5]
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- To find volunteer opportunities, reach out directly to organizations that you’d like to work with. Or search online for “volunteer opportunities near me.”
- For example, if you’d like to work in a veterinary field, volunteer at a local animal shelter. Or, if you’re an educator, ask if you can volunteer at your local high school or community college.
- It is good to stay busy, but too much unpaid work can take away from valuable job-seeking time.
5
Look into a disability-services program in your area if you are disabled. If you are unemployed and have health issues or a disability, a local disability-services program can help you receive vocational rehabilitation. You may qualify to undergo retraining for a new career free of charge.^{[6]
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- There are also plenty of online resources designed to help people with disabilities find employment.^{[7]
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  Research source} Check out the U.S. Government’s disability employment homepage at https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/disability.htm.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Coping with Emotional Consequences of Unemployment

1
Take time to process the negative feelings that accompany job loss. When you lose your job—whether you were fired, laid off, quit, or the company itself went under—it’s normal to experience a range of negative emotions. These can include shame and grief, frustration, and anger.
- Don’t try to repress these feelings or push them away. Instead, feel the feelings, and acknowledge to yourself the negative emotions that you’re going through.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Jennifer Butler, MSW
  Life Coach
  Expert Interview. 31 July 2020.} Understand that these feelings are normal and healthy to experience in this setting and will pass with time.^{[9]
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- If you’re having a tough time coping with these feelings, or worry that you may be slipping into depression, you may need to reach out and find a therapist.
2
Manage your stress through expressing your feelings and exercising.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Jennifer Butler, MSW
Life Coach
Expert Interview. 31 July 2020.} Losing a job and being unemployed are tremendously stressful situations. Decrease the amount of stress you’re under by writing down your feelings, whether in a diary, a list of thoughts and feelings, or even a poem or 2.^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source
HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
Go to source}
- Getting these difficult emotions out on paper will give you relief from the stress. Physical activity is also a great stress-relief activity. Try to exercise for 30 minutes a day.
- You can do activities like jogging, running, walking, swimming, dancing, weight training, or martial arts.
3
Build a support network of friends and family members. Sharing your feelings and concerns with friends and family is a good emotional decision after losing a job.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Jennifer Butler, MSW
Life Coach
Expert Interview. 31 July 2020.} Unemployment often leads to insecurity and depression. Ask for support during this difficult time.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
Go to source}
- For example, ask a friend if they would be willing to socialize on a weekly basis so that you don’t feel socially isolated.
- Or, talk about your unemployment-related feelings with a family member, so they can help you work through and process the frustrations.
4
Keep yourself busy by looking for work online and in person. When you’re unemployed, it’s important to fill your time and keep yourself busy. Do this by looking for jobs through online job sites, beginning with LinkedIn and Monster. You can also look through print job listings in local newspapers.^{[14]
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- In fact, it may be most helpful to think of searching for jobs as your full-time job. If you allow yourself to do nothing while unemployed, your prospects for finding a new job will worsen.
- At the same time, it’s important to still have fun and enjoy your life. So, if you’re looking for jobs, applying, and interviewing from 9 to 5 every day, make sure to do something you enjoy in the evening.
- Keeping yourself busy will also prevent you from feeling sorry for yourself or giving up the job search in despair.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Networking to Find New Job Opportunities

1
Ask locally employed friends if they know of employers offering jobs. Many people learn about jobs through their social network. So, take advantage of this fact by reaching out to employed friends and seeing if they have any potential leads for you to look into. Friends and even family members should be willing to help when you ask for their help.^{[15]
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Trustworthy Source
HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
Go to source}
- Say something like, “Are you still working for that publishing house? I’ve been having a little trouble getting back on my feet after I lost my job. Is there any chance you’re hiring, or could put in a good word with the boss on my behalf?”
2
Join a local business group or job club to find out about new jobs. Most towns have locally-focused business networks, sustainable business networks, or Chamber of Commerce groups. Get involved so that you can meet the people supplying the jobs. These groups or clubs will regularly provide information regarding local job availability and may assist with readying your resume.^{[16]
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- Local churches or other religious hubs often host business groups as well.
3
Visit job fairs to connect with potential future employers. Brush up your resume, put on a suit, and market your experience and qualifications at these fairs.^{[17]
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Trustworthy Source
HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
Go to source} If the job fair offers an online resume-submission option, consider this as well. Also, depending on the types of business groups that meet in your community, you could also ask for an invitation to a local Rotary Club or Chamber of Commerce group.
- Also, if you know friends who attend cocktail hours with clients or work colleagues, you could ask to join. This is a perfect time to meet new people and get your name out in the community.
4
Keep in contact with your former colleagues and bosses. They may be willing to share knowledge about company job openings before they are publicly posted. As long as you left the company on good terms, you can view the people there as networking partners.^{[18]
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- This doesn’t necessarily mean that you can get your old job back, but you can at least ask former supervisors or coworkers if they know of any openings in general.
- However, if you left the company on bad terms, it may not be wise to reach out to former coworkers and ask about new job opportunities.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you make the best out of unemployment?

Jennifer Butler, MSW
Love & Empowerment Coach
Jennifer Butler is a Love & Transformation Coach and the Owner of JennJoyCoaching, a life coaching business based in Miami, Florida, although Jennifer works with clients all over the world. Jennifer’s work centers around empowering women who are navigating any stage of the divorce or breakup process. She has over four years of life coaching experience. She is also the co-host of the Deep Chats Podcast along with Leah Morris and the host of season 2 “Divorce and Other Things You Can Handle” by Worthy. Her work has been featured in ESME, DivorceForce, and Divorced Girl Smiling. She received her Masters of Social Work (MSW) from New York University. She is also a Certified Health Coach, a Communications & Life Mastery Specialist, and a Certified Conscious Uncoupling and Calling in “the One” coach.

Jennifer Butler, MSW

Love & Empowerment Coach

Expert Answer

Try to keep a schedule and make sure to do things every day that bring you joy. Practice self-care, including connecting with your loves ones and eating healthy. Consider setting an intention and focusing on living that intention.
Question

How does entrepreneurship help to combat unemployment and improve the economy?

Community Answer

Becoming an entrepreneur is often something that eventually requires the help of a staff, which means that by being an entrepreneur, you can create jobs for others in your community; more jobs means lower unemployment. By being employed, you are also contributing to economic growth as a citizen, which improves the economy overall.
Question

What is one strategy to overcome unemployment?

Community Answer

Get part time jobs at colleges, libraries, churches, non profits, universities, delivering pizza, be a courier, online jobs, do anything just get at least 2 to 3 jobs. You will be okay.