6 Activities To Help Find Work That Aren’t Applying For Jobs
Of course, you should be applying to new jobs every day. But we all know how tiresome and repetitive this can become, and besides, it isn’t the only thing that can help you land that new (and better) position.
We have lives outside of work to begin with, and just because your direction changes doesn’t mean your personality has to be put on hold. In fact, just the opposite.
Companies want people who can get the job done from day-to-day, but they also want to like the person they are working alongside. Instead of switching off and becoming a job-finding drone, utilize your whole being to seek out new avenues for work that suit your lifestyle.
Here are 6 things that you can do to strengthen your personality which will directly affect your career search!
Exercise
Getting laid off sucks, and believe me, I understand the urge to turn off the alarm clock in the morning because, “Why bother?” This lethargy can become addictive, and leads to a downward spiral in all facets of your life.
Exercise is a fantastic way to start the day and comes in many forms, so even if you weren’t much of a body-builder to begin with you can find the retinue that works for you.
For those lacking equipment or large amounts of space, jump-start your regiment with these body weight exercises so you can still get the benefits of working out without spending money on a gym membership since cash may be a little tight.
Going for a run every day not only keeps you fit but can alleviate anxiety and depression that you may be dealing with since losing your job.
Consider joining a local pick-up sports league in your area. It’s a great way to meet people while staying engaged, and who knows? Maybe your next interviewer also loves to go rock climbing!
Volunteer
There’s many reasons to take up volunteerism beyond the obvious benefits for your community.
Losing a job takes an emotional toll as well as financial. By working with organizations that support disadvantaged members of your city or town, you can learn to appreciate your where-with-all and feel good about making a positive difference in someone else’s life.
Alternatively, apply to intern positions available in your field. While they may be unpaid or low-compensation, they offer you a chance to keep your skill set sharp or gain new abilities.
For example, I am co-director of a not-for-profit magazine that focuses on arts and culture in my city. While this does not bring in a paycheck, the personal fulfillment and practical knowledge I have gained by running a publication alongside local artists is extremely valuable.
These extracurricular activities do stand out on resumes, both for the experience acquired and showing your potential employers that you keep yourself busy with functional projects.
Spend Time With Friends
This one seems like a trick, right? Isn’t hanging out with my friends something I don’t have time for during a lapse in work?
Absolutely not.
It may be embarrassing at first to tell your peers that you’re out of work, but the truth is they can be your best support group. They will be sympathetic to your situation and try and cheer you up, while also keeping you grounded in your quest for your next employment opportunity.
Spending time with them adds a sense of normalcy, meaning you won’t feel like your life has been severely disrupted. The bars are still open, the world keeps turning, and karaoke nights are always hilarious.
You’re also improving your chances of finding a job that suits you, since it’s unlikely that you’ll find work through a job board. Roughly 70% of job-seekers find employment through networking, and your friends will vouch for you better than any recruitment agent.
P.S. While you’ll want to spend half your time (and your severance package) at the pub,compartmentalizing your drinking and safely partying with your friends will ensure you don’t over indulge in vices.
Travel
Again, this is something that seems counter-intuitive but actually helps your job hunt and overall morale.
Had a trip you were planing already? Now’s your chance! If you think about it, you will spend the majority of your life employed, so take advantage of these rare times to accomplish what you could not in the ol’ 9–5 work week.
Travel widens your horizon and opens new perspectives that aren’t accessible from a single postal code. There are worldviews out there waiting to be discovered, and if you can budget it, travel offers unique experiences that can only be found through exploration.
Besides, hitting the refresh button on life is needed every now and then, now probably more than usual. By taking yourself out of your element, you may discover the new direction your career and your life should be going in.
Learn Something New
It is easy to get set in your ways after the hundredth or so job application, but this is no time to limit your mind.
As an avid reader, I always have both a fiction and non-fiction on the go, and there are literally dozens of books on communications (which are surprisingly readable) that have come out in the last year.
Stay on top of the industry fluctuations and pick up some new talents along the way as any entrepreneur worth their salt should be doing.
Speaking of which, it’s never too late to improve your skills list, and one of the most universally sought-after assets is the ability to speak multiple languages.
In the city I live in, French is tres important if you aspire to work in the government, public media, or really any senior level communications position.
There are many websites and apps that can aid you in bridging the gap between greetings and intermediate conversation, but fluency will only come from prolonged and constant use of the language.
Find a language appreciation group that studies on a weekly basis et vous serez étonné de voir à quelle vitesse vous apprenez!
Write
Most of you won’t have to be told this, but hopefully this serves as a reminder for those who have put their pens, pencils, and keyboards to the side.
Our roles are defined by how well we write, and there is a direct correlation to the quantity and quality of our work flow to your company’s — and your own—profits.
It’s a scary thought for most, but this immediate culpability is what pushes most writers to complete their best projects.
We often refer to our craft as akin to a muscle which atrophies without use. If you don’t flex it every now and then, even superficially, then you’ll find it isn’t as strong when you really need it.
Don’t let the next time you start writing again be the first day of your new job.
Write your family and friends daily emails, keep a journal, try your hand at creative writing, or start a blog on anything you’d like.
The best writers have put the most words down on the page, so don’t deny yourself the chance to get better every day.
Try these activities and see if you can perceive a difference in your own job search!
