In Between Jobs?

Though unemployment has been slowly decreasing in the past few years, there are still many people in the Tampa Bay area who are in between jobs. At first, the unemployment checks feel like a godsend to make ends meet, but after a couple of months of sending out resumes regularly with well thought out cover letters, one realizes that this temporary income won’t last forever and your career pickings look slim.

It has become much more difficult to sell one’s expertise and services to companies that only wish to have resumes submitted online. Many times one’s list of qualifications and skills land on a pile of other resumes that don’t even see the light of day. Even if one is totally qualified or over qualified for a position, if the correct keywords aren’t noted to be picked up by the computerized HR system, your application will be discarded without a glance. Furthermore, as we all know, one’s personality, ethical behavior, and compatibility with other existing department team members is many times the key to success in a business. However, if one never has the opportunity to meet with any of the company’s personnel, these important assets will never be discovered and acted upon, turning your chances of employment into a crap shoot.

Though the most difficult part of being unemployed is centered around the waiting game of being discovered, there are many things you can be doing that will ease your mind, keep you busy, and help supplement your current income. First, look at your skill sets and see if you can get freelance jobs. Accountants, designers, writers, musicians, teachers, and many other people with different occupations can solicit online at www.craigslist.org or other related Web sites to offer their services to those who may need a little extra help with their taxes, Web sites, publications, showcases, those in need of trainers or instructors, and many other available services.

If you are physical in nature and of good health, offering your services to friends and neighbors may bring in a little needed cash by mowing lawns, trimming hedges, planting flowers or vegetable gardens, cleaning out gutters, painting interiors or exteriors, dog walking, baby sitting, grocery shopping, house cleaning, or other things of that nature. If you have good computer skills, you can offer to research projects, type up reports, or layout elegant documents for a reasonable cost to assist students or business executives who don’t have the time to get it done.

This is also an excellent time to volunteer for those charitable organizations that you are interested in, but have never had the time to get involved in as much as you may have liked. Not only will you be helping others and working for a good cause, but you will learn valuable skills that can help you in the future, and community service always looks good on a resume. If you enjoy working with children, most schools have a tutoring program. Hospitals and nursing homes always need a pair of extra hands, and organizations, such as the Red Cross or Tampa Humane Society can certainly use your services.

Whether you decide to freelance, sell you services to help out your neighbors, or sign up as a volunteer, remember that the most important outcome from your actions will be the people you meet and the networking you will be doing. Experts agree that the most successful way to get a good paying job is networking with as many people and organizations as possible. The more people you impress with your good attitude and knowledge, the more likely you will be able to find someone needing your skill sets to fulfill a worthwhile position.

Don’t waste your time fretting about your lack of employment. Instead, get out there and get busy. There are many places you can fit in and gain more experience while having a great time assisting others. You are sure to find that as you knock on doors to offer your talents and support, you’ll see many new opportunities open up right before your eyes.