It has been a very long time since my last post. I have to apologize, for the break, but also let you know that being unemployed, means changing priorities on short notice. Hopefully, by taking care of some business over the last few weeks I will be able to return to doing the things that I like and have the greatest potential for success.
Today, I want to briefly address dealing with the stress of being unemployed. If you have a job, that you absolutely hate, you still do not have the stress level you will face, if you lose your job. While in some instances, leaving a terribly stressful job, seems to improve your outlook on life; it will be short-lived, if you do not soon get another job. That is why it is important to make good use of this time.
First, during the time when your outlook has improved, seriously evaluate your options and career choices. What factors in your past jobs were rewarding and uplifting? What factors were stressful, and detracted from your feelings of achievement and pride in your work? Evaluate your skills developed through work or school. Include an evaluation of your abilities and personality as they relate to your career choices.
Once you have completed this self-evaluation, it is time to seriously and objectively look at your options. If your last job was the only kind of work you were qualified for, you have some serious soul searching ahead of you. If you feel that the stress and disagreeable circumstances of your last job were unique to that particular employer, then you may want to pursue the same job somewhere else.
If however, you find that the stress and dissatisfaction of the last job is common in all similar employers, you have only two choices. Either try to find an organization that is better than your last employer, at reducing stressful and demeaning situations, or just take a similar job, with the determination to gain skills, knowledge and abilities that will allow you to soon make a career change. Take it from me; life is way to short to waste it dealing with a job that is anything but fulfilling.
If you find that you have skills, knowledge and abilities not used by your job, it is well worth investigating other career opportunities. There is a publication, you can probably find in your public library, titled "Occupational Outlook Handbook," published by the U.S. Department of Labor. This book lists thousands of jobs and their associated skill requirements. You should also research the “Guide for Occupational Exploration,” which I believe is also published by the Department of Labor.
Take some time and match your skills, knowledge and abilities to jobs you find there. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that you are qualified for many other very rewarding jobs. At the very least, you may find that you only need a little additional education or specialized training to significantly improve your employment opportunities. You can find much of this same information on the Internet at the U.S. Department of Labor website at this link.
During this time, consider seriously furthering your education, if you do not have a degree. Depending on your financial circumstances you may qualify for assistance through various government agencies. Visit with the counseling staff at a local college, to learn more about the financial resources available, for your area. You may be pleasantly surprised, by what you learn. Remember, even an Associate degree will improve your job prospects in many cases.
Lastly, try to develop some interests or hobbies, which will provide stress relief. For instance, when I was going through a particularly stressful time in my career, I found the challenge of water painting, to be so absorbing that I forgot about work and its problems. While you may not have an inclination for watercolors, you may be able to develop some interests like photography, outdoor activities, or even learning new cooking skills. Find something that helps you appreciate life and those around you.
Remember your response to the circumstances in your life, will determine how happy or unhappy, you will be. You will feel like a victim, if you do not take responsibility for what happens in your life. When you make the decisions as to how you will feel in any given situation, you are in charge. It may only be in a minor way, but from the acorn grew the mighty oak.
© Copyright 2005 by David Posival
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