You’ve likely heard the saying, it’s easier to find a job when you have one. Unfortunately, this is often true. It can be more difficult to find work if you are unemployed or there are large gaps in your employment history. But if you are currently out of work, do not be discouraged. There are ways to keep your work experience current while unemployed.
There are a few different strategies for managing employment gaps, and if you are interested in learning more about the benefits of temporary work, connect with Staffing Network to explore current short-term opportunities.
Get Out the Door and Involved
If you are involved with an association or organization, amp up your participation. For example, individuals who have been volunteering once a month with a community organization could reach out and begin to commit more time, possibly joining a committee or heading up a weekly job task.
Then, when you add the enhanced commitment to your resume, put it at the top. Often the volunteer area of a resume follows paid work history, but if you are not currently employed, it could be beneficial to structure your resume in a chronological format, meaning your current committee task, board requirements, or weekly time giving back is noticed.
And when you are looking for work, getting involved in community organizations can have a reach beyond filling resume gaps. You will be naturally networking, making connections, and potentially meeting professionals who are looking to hire.
Explore Temporary Jobs
Work experience is wide reaching and includes far more than permanent paid work. For instance, temporary work can introduce you to new skills, ones that could be transferable to your preferred industry.
Also, you will have control over how much you work. So, if you know you want to devote time to your full time job search, you could prioritize part time temp jobs. Or, you could work a temporary gig for a couple of months and then spend a couple weeks on your job search before committing to another temporary assignment.
Consider Taking Classes
Pursuing education can boost your attractiveness as a job candidate, this is particularly true for individuals who have left the labor market for a handful of years and then want to return to work. The reason why education can be key for people who have been out of the workforce is because jobs change over time. Signing up for workshops or online classes could bring your skills up to date.
If you are worried about how being unemployed will look to hiring managers, proactively work toward solutions. Making moves to improve your chances of getting hired is far more productive than spending energy focused on negatives. When you are ready to get hired, there are employment professionals who can connect you with a position.
Is your current unemployment something that you believe may be complicating your hiring search? Staffing Network is a full-service staffing and recruiting firm that specializes in light/skilled industrial, engineering, and operations professionals. Connect with Staffing Network today.