Recovering from unemployment can be challenging. Not knowing when you will secure a job makes planning for the future difficult.
Although you might not have control over losing your job, you do have control over how you react to the experience. Therefore, you should engage in activities that build career resilience. These suggestions can help.
Implement these tips to recover from unemployment and maintain career resilience.
Explain Your Unemployment in Your Cover Letter
You might want to mention your unemployment in your cover letter. For instance, after outlining your skills, experience, and other qualifications, consider adding a paragraph explaining what led to your unemployment. Include why you lost your job, why you have been out of work for an extended period, and how you have grown from the experience.
For instance, you lost your job due to downsizing, had trouble finding a role after 3 months, and chose to take some time off from your search. You took a class to learn a relevant skill to provide additional value for your next employer. You then took on a volunteer opportunity to apply what you learned and get results. Adaptation to change, openness to learning, and creative skill application were among the lessons learned from your experience.
Mention Your Unemployment in Your Resume
You could address your unemployment within the Work Experience section of your resume. For instance, bullet point a brief explanation of why your job ended if it had nothing to do with you personally. Perhaps you became unemployed for any of the following reasons:
- You were laid off.
- The business closed.
- The company changed locations, and you chose not to relocate.
- You were training for a new career.
Share Your Recent Career-Related Activities
Consider explaining the professional activities you have been engaging in during your unemployment. For instance, you might be taking a class, volunteering, or taking on contract work to develop your skills and experience. Clarify how these activities can benefit your next employer.
Discuss Your Unemployment During an Interview
Prepare positive, honest answers to interview questions about your unemployment gap:
- Share your experience in a compelling manner.
- Include the professional activities you engaged in during your time off.
- Share what you learned since becoming unemployed.
- Discuss your approach to finding a job.
- Demonstrate strong motivation and engagement in your job search.
Work with a Staffing Agency
Partner with a local staffing agency that specializes in your industry:
- The staffing agency has a vast, deep network of employers who are looking for qualified talent.
- An agency recruiter can match you with opportunities that fit your education, skills, experience, goals, and interests.
- Having access to the hidden job market leads to less competition when interviewing.
- The recruiter can coach you throughout the hiring process.
- The agency recruiter negotiates any job offers on your behalf.
- The recruiter regularly follows up to ensure complete satisfaction with the role.
Partner with Techneeds
Work with Techneeds for help with finding a job that is right for you. Visit our job board today.
