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I'm sorry to hear that Humarockbride! I hope you find a new position soon.
Its tough being unemployed but fortunately my FI is supportive and knows how hard I'm working to find a new job.
To keep yourself busy, other than job searching, are there things you can do around the house? I painted some walls and furniture, cleaned out all the closets, steam cleaned the carpets, worked on the garden etc. Its not all that fun but those are things that have to get done and take a fair amount of time, it gives you that feeling of being productive! I also got a part-time job to keep me busy a couple days a week. I work out more and read more, I also do watch a fair amount of TV though and get quite bored.
Good luck with your job search!
Sorry you are having to deal with this :(
I would try to set a schedule or keep your routine (getting up, eating lunch at a certain time, going to bed) that you have now for the most part. I would consider volunteering at something you love, take continuing education classes that are pretty cheap or some other type of class to keep you occupied and have social interaction.
Yes, definetly keep a routine - otherwise, days get can tedious really quickly, and you don't want depression or anything like that to sneak in :(
I think your plan to cook is good - I was unemployed for 3 months and really tried to make things as nice as possible for my FI so that we weren't wasting money eating out. I spent time sprucing up the house, doing all those things that get pushed aside when you're tired after work, making nice meals at home, etc.
I also picked up some babysitting and petsitting gigs.
Good luck on the job front - hopefully your company can place you, or your training will pay off for another company. ((hugs))
Like others have said, keep a schedule, or it's very easy to fall into laziness! I'd also make sure to hit up the library so you have plenty of reading material!
I am experiencing some of this right now because I won't start working for another month. Like Sparkle, I recommend doing all those things around the house that you may have been putting off. (If your house is anything like mine, then you may be able to organize a trip to Goodwill or a yardsale.) There are lots of places you can look to volunteer a few hours, even if it is only temporary. Nursing homes, hospitals, and Boys and Girls Clubs are always looking for volunteers around here. I'm even doing some babysitting for a friend to give her a much needed break. (I really want to help at the hospital in th NICU as a "holder," but unfortunately, the wait list for holding the babies is LONG!) Maybe you can pick up a new hobby and learn something new that you haven't had time for before? Good luck with your search!
I have been unemployed for almost 5 months now, so I completely understand where you're coming from! My FI has been very supportive, so that's been great.
Coming from a place where I had no time to myself to all my time to myself was pretty shocking. But the usual bout of wedding planning, looking for places to volunteer, etc started to take up a lot of my time. Yes, having a regiment of exercise and a schedule is completely helpful but I think more than anything it gave me a chance to figure out what I wanted to do and what things made me happy.
I caught up on just about a million books. Well, 9 and counting! Did things around the house that I would have otherwise never gotten done (hung photographs, etc), and tried to reach out to my friends whom I had not seen in a while. In the end, a friend of mine and I have decided to go out on our own and start our own business!
Good luck with your job search! The girls on the Weddingbee are here to support you if you need anything! Feel free to PM if you want too!
Wow! I go away for 30 minutes and look what I get! Amaaaazing advice.
Thanks for all the good luck wishes girls!
@sparkle - I think I am definitely going to have a VERY clean condo! Our space is pretty small right now so there isn't a whole lot to redo -- but keeping it clean and organized is definitely in the plans.
@pendola - I am such a creature of habit, I think that making a schedule will be totally necessary. Day get started at 9am - work out for an hour - job search til noon - etc etc ... check back in with job search at 4pm ... schedule schedule schedule!
@gilneas - I am def a little scared I will get lonely and sad ... I am going to have to visit my little cousins and/or offer to do some babysitting for people so I can be social and not turn into a sad hermit!
@mary-alice (and sparkle) - If I am on unemployment, can I still get a side job/babysitting job? Also - any food blogs you suggest? I am not the best cook as of right now, but I'd love to become one!
@budgetbeautiful - I am so excited to read out in the sun, I guess it could be worse, I could be unemployed in February and stuck inside.
@MyFavorite - I think my hobby is going to become DIY for the wedding! I really wasn't planning to do much DIY, but now that I have this time -- why not right?!
@missprettypink -- that is SO exciting for you! I am actually thinking the same things right now. This is a really good time in my life to take a time out and reevaluate everything that's going on in my life. I will be spending more time on the wedding, but a lot of that will be in writing the ceremony, which I can't wait to actually have time to do. And then to take the time to realize what it is that brings me joy every day. Thanks for the outreach, you may be getting a PM :)
ps -- What is your new business?!
Food blogs: http://bakerella.blogspot.com/
I just came across this but they don't seem to update too often but the posts and pics are amazing and addicting!
My FSIL got laid off in October. She is freelancing from home but has not full time job. She says the thing that has been helping her the most is sticking to a schedule. She gets up when her FI leaves for work, they have breakfast and she goes about her day. She sets time aside to take a break from job searching/ freelance to exercise and tries to make social plans she can afford to get out of the house. She also confessed to me it isn't so bad when planning a wedding!
I'm so sorry about your job loss. Best of luck in searching. I can tell you right now i wouldn't mind not having to go to work =) I've got so much to do!
pendola - adding that to the blog reader, but also def going to check out the archives! YUM
@sarsk - agreed, a bunch of my friends are like "perfect timing, now you can get all that wedding stuff done!!" always have to look at the glass half full. I wish I had a talent I could "freelance" ... other then writing on Weddingbee boards, I've got nothing :) ha.
I'm unemployed (by lay off) and here is my advice:
If you qualify for unemployment apply as soon as you possibly can so in your case 8/1.
Try to find a parttime job in your field. This will keep you relevant in your field.
If you can't find a part time job in your field, try to get something in retail or restaurant. The extra few bucks will save you a headache later on.
Talk to your FI. In my situation FI and I moved across the country as he got offered a new job the week after I got laid off. He has been AMAZING. I haven't paid rent since I came out (which I hate) and he has been so supportive.
Apply for every job that you are the slightest bit qualified for... you never know what opportunity lies ahed. Also, if you went to college, see if their is a alumni network throught the career development center. Use it.
Make a list of where your money goes now. Cut it in half. Don't go to the mall to window shop and try not to online shop/browse. Make grocery lists and stick to them. Don't throw you money into a daily Starbucks, ice cream, soft pretzel, etc.
Stick to a schedule. I still wake up between 7 and 8 am (don't sleep in and laze all day). Set goals "I will apply for 4 jobs today" or "I will make three industry contacts this week". Join Linked In.
Go for walks. Honestly, this has kept me sane! There are going to be days where you need to get out of the house and cool off... do it with exercise, not with shopping or driving!
Stay optimistic! You aren't alone in this by any means... there are so many of us on the Bee who are in a similar situation!
I think it sounds like you're taking a really good perspective on this situation. Looking at it as a time to reevaluate your life and situation is smart. I second (or third or whatever) what everyone else said about getting yourself into a routine while you're not working. I've never been unemployed, but one summer I took classes full-time, but had a day off. I found if I didn't make myself get up and run errands, etc, then I was lazy all day!
@Gab - Wow, that is an awesome list. I think I can handle most of that! A lot of things I hadn't thought of before - really really helpful. I like the idea of goal setting. I already have a long list of things to accomplish - number 1 is find a job ASAP.
@jessie - Thanks for the kind words. I think as long as I, like you said, get up and get moving, it should all be for the better in the end!
@Humarock -- I hope it helps! Feel free to PM if you ever need to vent. Also, when I left grad school the career center had a workshop about networking with people you don't know. There were alum who said they actually had success sending an email to their dream company reading along the lines of "Hi My name is Humarock. I've been researching your company and would love the chance to set up a few minutes to pick your brain a bit. I recently completed a management program and I am now in the ranks of job hunting. If you have any suggestions on getting involved in your industry, it would be greatly appreciated. I'd be happy to send along my resume so you can get a better idea of my experience."
Basically see if you can make contact to learn how they got involved, what organizations are available to get involved in the industry, etc. The number one point is to not ask for a job or see if their hiring, just look like you are genuinely interested in learning what that single person does. It can start networking bonds so quickly!
I was unemployed for three months last year, and I can honestly say, I wish I had taken advantage of it while I could! I mostly worried about finding another job and spent most of my time online looking frantically and sending resumes and meeting with recruiters (such a waste of time). During my last two weeks, I gave up (kind of) and set a schedule of only job hunting for three hours in the morning from 9-12, and then I allowed myself to do whatever I wanted because I knew the opportunity wouldn't present itself for a while. I started running again, took my dog to the park a lot, got really into cooking and baking, etc. Honestly, you'll be surprised at how easy it is :) After two weeks, I got a job offer, and as happy as I was about it, I definitely wished I started the new routine earlier.
I know that not working sounds unfulfilling, but really, take advantage of the time you have off and really just enjoy life. Go to the museums, parks and cafes you've always wanted to go to. I think it'll come easier to you than you think (and I'm usually the workaholic type).
I'm unemployed right now, I'll be honest I hate it, but I'm in school at the same time which helps me to fill my days. I spend a lot of time reading, wedding planning, and working on my DIY projects. In fact I'm trying to get a lot of my projects done ahead of time because I start student teaching in the fall and won't have a lot of time. I also allotted a lot of time for fitness and eating healthier. I actually haven't minded being unemployed up until about a month ago when I started getting bored during the day. Six months of unemployment makes me a little crazy. It's for the best right now, school needs to be the center of my focus until graduation in December.
Just fill your time, volunteer some place where you could cut back to one day if needed or only every other week. Work on your wedding, fill your time however you can. Good luck to you!
After I finished my PhD, I took a few months before starting my new job. It was a little different than your situation b/c i knew when it wuold end...but I was also a little unsure about what I would do during that time. Well, it ended up filling fast. I spent a couple weeks visiting family. I started going to a trainer. I did *tons* of stuff around the house. I just kind of got my bearings after having had things be so hectic. And for you, the wedding planning is really going to be cranking up soon...so you'll probably surprise yourself with how busy you'll end up being!
for me it was a *huge* change of pace, and in the end I kind of got to enjoying (though I'm sure it would have been harder if I didn't have a pretty firm date for it to end).
One thing I've heard that is really important in your situation is to allocate a fixed amount of time each day for the "job search". Otherwise it's easy to put things off. You can use it however you want, researching new types of positions, updating your resume, finding and following job leads...but it sort of keeps you in the "this is just temporary" mindset which I think is really important for keeping your spirits up. But then don't go over that time allotment too much each day either. Give yourself time to enjoy your circumstance and free time.
Also, for volunteering, see if you can find things to do taht aren't long term commitment. A lot of non-profits have office tasks, like stuffing envelopes, that just blow-up when they are sponsoring fund raisers. There may be ways you can be involved on an as-needed basis.
sminerva21 -- that is great advice and something i left out but have been doing also!
Hugs to you Humarock. I was unemployed for a short while a few years back when the practice I was a part of split up. NOwhere to work. They were in limbo after that and I was out of my job.
What I did was make FINDING my job MY NEW job for a while! I worked every day several hours and got up in the am, made my usual (business as usual) cup of coffee I enjoy every day, and worked on my CV and sent out resumes and updated my job profile on profession websites nonstop. I'd do that about 3-4 hrs a day.
Then I cleaned the house alot and did things with my son.
I found a new job in less than one month and was back working again in a mere five weeks. Been at new job since.
I think keeping good work habits, keeping some sort of usual routine, and also networking virtually via computer and also in real life (for me it was going to lectures and handing out my card) worked like a charm. Also remaining positive is important!
I'm sorry you haveto deal with this. I agree with all the advice you are getting! Places like Sears are usually always taking applications for part time if you need a little something!
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To make a very long story short I have been in a management development rotational program with my company for nearly two years ... as the program ends it is expected that you get "slotted" into a permanent management position ... well as you can imagine by my title - there are no positions available within the company right now and as much as they want to, they are unable to keep me as an employee. It really stinks, but they laid off 350 people in January, so it isn't completely shocking and it was nice I was able to stay employed until now.
With all that said - and besides the obvious - "Find a new job" (which I plan to work really hard to do!) - what advice do you have for me? I'm a little nervous to have long days to myself. Also my fiance is really busy at work right now and has been coming home later which is totally fine right now, but if I am going to be home all day, it's going to make the late nights even later!
I do plan to exercise more, which is a good thing, and to cook really nice healthy meals ... but I just don't see that as being totally fulfilling. I had mentioned another post about volunteering, but I am afraid to get into something knowing I have to drop it as soon as I find a new job. I just fear I will be sitting around the house watching TV and playing around on Weddingbee (I guess that's not too bad!) .... but what do you all suggest? Are any of you unemployed? How has it been? Has it been hard with your fiance? I know mine fully supports me, and I will be getting a severance and obviously unemployment ... but still it will be weird not contributing as much as I usually do to things. Everything I can think of to keep myself busy is going to cost money! Money which I shouldnt be spending too much of if I am not working! Any and all advice welcome!