Job loss woes
Most of us have experienced the stress of hunting for a job and worrying about what the future will hold for your career. Dealing with the mental and physical effects of being unemployed can impact us more than we often realize.
- Sleep: sometimes the worry and overthinking that comes with the search for secure employment can disrupt our sleeping pattern. Sometimes it can become hard to relax and fall asleep, other times we find ourselves sleeping too often because of the mental strain.
- Mental health: long term unemployment has been shown to be correlated with increased reports of depression or symptoms of depression. Being out of work can make us feel unproductive and undervalued, often feeling like we are being wasteful with our time. It is important to remember that it is okay to have times where we are less productive and that circumstances will change.
- Changes in appetite: It is common for stress to disrupt our appetites and eating routines. Sometimes we feel anxious and experience a loss of appetite. Other times we may find ourselves eating much more regularly as a form of comfort to our worry.
- Physical illness: Long term stress and anxiety is commonly reported to cause headaches, upset stomachs and body aches. When stressed, our bodies react in response to a perceived threat, these reactions can lead to us being tense and experiencing aches and pains. It is important to engage in relaxation techniques to help the body return to a resting state and ease the strain we feel.
Tips on bouncing back into the workforce
Time to come to terms
If you have lost your job, it is important to give yourself some time to relax and come to terms with your situation. Job hunting is stressful, burning yourself out and not leaving yourself with time to clear your mind usually does more harm than good.
Dealing with rejection
Dealing with rejection is disheartening and everyone responds differently. It is important to stay positive and motivated.
Use feedback
If you receive feedback from your applications, make sure to use the advice to help you to strengthen your future applications and interviews. There are also lots of online resources to help you to create the most effective resume and practice applications.
You are your own brand
See yourself as a brand, be critical and aware of how you are presenting yourself and if you are showing the skills that relate to the specific role you’re applying for.
Use your connections
Networking is valuable in any stage of your career. Using connections and gaining new connections is important with regards to finding opportunities and becoming recognized in any particular industry.
Tips on making ends meet in-between jobs
Budget
Budgeting is one of the simplest and most effective ways to manage your financial situation. Budgeting will allow you to gain a clear understanding of the money you have available and how much you need to allocate to each expenditure.
This will help you to avoid overspending in any given area and prevent you from falling into debt.
Lower spending
During challenging financial times, it is important to reduce the amount of money you spend. You can save money in various areas by searching for discounts and shopping around for alternative products.
You can lower the cost of running your home by conserving energy, you can use smart thermostats and other technology to help lower your Eversource utility bill.
Ask for helpMany people experience financial challenges. Experiencing periods of unemployment is nothing to be ashamed of. Asking for help from friends and family or researching how else you may be eligible for help can allow you to get back on your feet.