Tips for people who have been unemployed for a long time

Here are some useful tips:

• Go to bed early and wake up early so it will be easer to transition when you actually do have a job
• Set up a schedule for a whole work day for applying to jobs, with preset hours for working on your CV and letter, looking for vacant positions, going to companies directly, and don't forget to take a break every other hour or so
• Have different sets of letters and CV's and keep track of which ones that actually get more responses from employers, and try to make them better each time
• Ask employers why they didn't hire you, and make an effort to better that particular "fault" or whatever reason it might have been
• Cut yourself some slack, if you've been unemployed for a long time, it won't be easy going back to working - setting up impossible goals will just demotivate you and therefore be counter productive
• Don't just do nothing all day. As many pointed out, volunteering or learning new skills is the best way fill the time. Exercise is a close second. Chances are, you meet new people, learn new skills, and look better (which sadly also increases your chances of being hired).
• Apply for jobs like it's a full time job. Make sure you have multiple resumes.
• Have a routine and a to do list. Don't spend this time watching TV and playing video games. It's a waste of time.
• Have a positive attitude. I'd hire someone with a positive attitude over someone who is not but technically more qualified.
• Anyone with a brain can tell you this: Save Your Money. Buy essentials first, such as food, gas, medicine, etc. Find the cheaper stores in town, and get "store brand" to save even more. Make sure that you can buy the stuff you need first, before you consider getting the stuff you want. Sure, that new video game that just came out looks awesome, but you could probably get loads of stuff at the grocery store for what it costs.
• Don't let your Grooming Habits slide. Get a nice haircut, and if you're a man, keep facial hair either VERY neatly trimmed or go clean shaven until after you're hired. Don't skip showers - walk into an interview smelling like a sewer, and your resume's in the shredder the second you're out the door.
• Drop your resume/CV off at a Temp Agency. Rarely, if ever, will full-time work result from this, but it'll get you out of the house and working, which does wonders for your self-esteem. Earn a little extra cash, and of course there's the old saying, "Easier to get a job when you've got one."
• Consider Volunteer Work. Sure, you may not be making any money out of it, but it's a way of padding the resume. This too gets you outside, lifting your spirits a bit. Is there an election coming up? Offer your time to the candidates, handing out fliers and/or scrutineering.
• Beware of Job Scams. "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is." You see a job posting, or you get an offer boasting ridiculous payouts for little work? Awesome, but Google the company first and do your research. If that company and "scam/fraud" appear too close to one another in multiple results, you may want to refuse. If they want you to drop a significant chunk of change before you even start, nu-uh. If it's legit, but a "commission only" job, you'd better be really good at pitching sales.
• For "Just Having Fun" activities, look around for stuff that's low-priced, if not free. Hit GroupOn for some good coupon deals. Shit, check the Classified Ads in your local paper. You might be surprised how you can have more fun for less money (and I'm not talking about cheap escorts or fortune tellers).

Tips for unemployed JobSeekers

Upskill

*The* most important thing you can do to boost your chances on the jobs market after a long spell away is to update your skills.

Enrol on - and complete - one of the many free courses available and you’ll see a ripple-effect of positivity. This includes a huge lift to your confidence and morale, as you’ll be meeting and learning alongside people in the same situation as you, and practising professional skills in a safe place.

This extra training will help convince a potential employer that you have the drive and commitment to succeed, as well as having tangible and relevant skills.

 

Retrain for free

Register with a job centre that works alongside sector-based academies. These are funded by the Government and have a remit to get people back into work. They typically team up with companies that offer jobs to candidates who have been on a suitable training course.

Academy-run courses teach technical skills necessary to the job, such as health and safety but also softer skills like conflict management.

 

Be upfront

If you’ve been out of work for a long time, it’s absolutely vital to explain the reasons why to employers. So whether you’ve brought up a family, felt unwell, went travelling or simply been unlucky in the jobs market, explain your absence in a few sentences.

Employers understand CV gaps, and your explanation immediately transforms you from being a statistic into a human being with a personal story, and most employers are happy to give a good person a chance.

 

Be enthusiastic

Consider what attributes and skills such as teamwork, communication and problem solving you can bring to a company; then back these up with an evident passion for the role and the organisation.

Being genuinely interested in the company and role will help you stand out against the crowd in a competitive job market.

 

Consider temporary work

This is often a very good way of getting a foot in the door and securing a permanent post later on. It’s also an easy way to network and make contacts, which can be beneficial in the future.

For people on benefits, this can be a hard choice to make as it’s currently difficult to sign on and off without losing money. Anyone choosing this route in the interests of gaining work experience will impress a future employer at a future date, and be sure to flag up any financial sacrifice you have made.

 

Consider unglamorous sectors

The UK waste management and recycling sector is set to grow by 7% by 2014, according to Environment Minister, Richard Benyon. It’s hardly glamorous but there are many unskilled and entry-level jobs that can lead to other jobs down the line.

Drivers’ mates jobs are often offered on a temporary basis: the biggest qualification you can have for this role is a good attitude. There are equivalents in other sectors up for grabs too, so look out for them when you’re searching for jobs.

 

Contact a former employer

If you have a former employer who you got on well with, get in touch and see if they’ll meet you to have a chat about the sector and work possibilities. Explain that it’s just a fact-finding mission as you’ve been out of the workplace, as it takes the pressure off them.

As well as finding out the latest trends from someone in the industry, the experience of dressing for work and having a professional conversation may help you get into a set routine while applying for jobs.

Plus there’s always the possibility that your former employer may know of a vacancy that’s just right for you.

 

Get back into the work habit

Get used to working with other people and at someone else's pace again.

Voluntary work, whether it’s helping out at a school, charity or church, will get you back in the habit of being at a certain place at a certain time. Experts often say the most essential skill for getting back into work, and keeping a job, is the discipline of setting an alarm clock.

 

Get a mentor

Mentoring can be a fantastic way to get valuable feedback, learn new skills and get tip-offs about possible jobs. 
There are many schemes around, especially to support young people, who have not had access to jobs during the recession.

Volemploy and Forum of Private Business are two organisations that match professionals with young unemployed people to try and raise their skills. It shows commitment and looks great on your CV.

 

Stay current

Reading industry trade publications will help you stay current, so you understand the relevant practices and latest trends in your profession. This shows potential employers you’ve made the effort to keep up-to-date with the industry, and will lead to an easier re-entry into the workforce once an offer is made.

Volunteering, in your industry or within your area of expertise in another industry, is another way to ease the transition back into full-time employment.

 Read more

Also read this