How to Survive Unemployment 8 Steps...

How to Survive Unemployment

1. Establish a routine. Not having to get up and go to work in the morning may seem like a benefit of unemployment. But without a daily routine, your life can unravel pretty quickly. Make yourself a daily schedule and stick to it. Having said this, don’t overdo it. Make sure you don’t spend too much time on things you cannot control. This will help you stay focused and in control.

2. Contact your support system. Even though unemployment is nothing to brag about, talk to your friends and family about your situation. Their support may give you the emotional boost you need to get through this difficult time. Also, they may be able to help you find work, at least on a temporary basis. Most jobs come from already established relationships. Humble yourself and let everyone you talk to know of your plight.

3. Adjust your budget. There’s no way to know how long unemployment will last, so until you have a steady paycheck again, cut unnecessary expenses. Happy hour is not so happy when it doesn’t follow a full day of work and unemployed people have plenty of time to pick up their own dry cleaning. Eliminate all non-essentials from your budget temporarily. One way to cut expenses in a big way during this time is to live off of your Food storage. Food can be expensive. If you have an adequate supply of food, you can now get great use out of it. The Money you save by using your food storage can be used to help you pay bills while you search for new employment.

4. Research free and inexpensive entertainment. Surviving unemployment requires occasional fun. Find out where the dollar movie theater is and which day they offer half price popcorn. Make note of all the free entertainment options available to you, from a walk at the local park to dinner once a week at Mom and Dad’s house. Make sure you take the time to relax. This will help you be effective when it counts most!

5. List your contacts. You will need contacts to get back into the workforce. Make a list of all the people you interacted with while you were on the job. Include casual acquaintances from other companies in your building, vendors you regularly do business with and friends of friends you met at lunch. It feels good to see how many people you actually know. One of them could be your ticket back to the 9-to-5 world. Then contact each of these associations and let them know you are looking for a job. You are more likely to get a new job through one of your contacts than you are through a random resume.

6. Volunteer. Of course, this is not a substitute for finding a paying job, but volunteering gives you a purpose and helps structure your day. Through volunteering, you will stay in touch with working people and have an opportunity to demonstrate you abilities. Volunteering could also bring you into contact with people who are worse off than you are, helping you realize that unemployment isn’t the worst thing that could happen to you.

7. Brush up on your skills. This is a great opportunity to get some more education in the areas you really want to be in. Focus on learning and making yourself better. In a capitalist system, there will always be times that things get shaken up. The automobile replaced the carriage, the factories replaced the local shoemakers. Take a look at the economy and consider getting some eduction the areas that look most promising for the future.

8. Consider making your own job. Being your own boss can be very rewarding. Check with your local entrepreneur groups and clubs. There are many opportunities available for those who are willing to take the risk.