Expand Your Horizons
So, you’ve recently lost your job or you’ve been unemployed for quite some time. Other than spending more quality time with family and friends and indulging in your hobbies, what else are you doing? Did you take the advice from my last post and put yourself out there online for the important people to see? Great! That’s the first step. The next one may take more courage, effort and time but if you’re willing to go the extra mile, you’ll be sharper and happier. Here are some alternative ideas catered to a few occupations.
The Salesman
It doesn’t matter if you’ve sold cars or other inanimate objects in the past: once a sales pro, always a sales pro! Right now, pharmaceutical sales is a good place to be. This field, often called “recession-proof,” is popular because it offers excellent salary potential, great benefits and flexibility. Other safe bets include process and logistics consulting services for businesses and personal financial/investment advice for consumers. Also, don’t forget about the success of health insurance sales.
The Artist
Whether you’re a web or print designer, traditional artist or marketing manager, listen up! If you already haven’t done so, build your own personal website. Brand yourself. Showcase your talent and keep your skills fresh. Tumblr and Wordpress are a couple of free blogging platforms you can use as your professional canvas. If you’re a marketing guru, market who you are and what you do best. If you’re a cutting edge copywriter, blog your brains out and package everything and anything you talk about. If you’re a developer, there’s no better time than now to learn how to design and write new code. The same applies to designers: teach yourself how the backend works and put yourself in the shoes of a developer. Better yet, trade some lessons with each other. Nowadays, hiring companies and agencies that are looking for mid-level creative candidates expect you to be proficient in HTML, CSS, PowerPoint, Photoshop and SEO. Basically, to save a buck, they want to hire one all-around web expert.
The Humanitarian
Recruiters and hiring eyes are looking for more than just qualifying attributes when it comes to your resume. They also pay attention to gaps in your employment history. If you’ve been recently laid off for a few months, they’re probably wondering what you’ve been doing with your free time and if your skills have gone stale. This is where you can fill in the gaps (literally) by volunteering. If you have construction experience, help out with your local Habitat for Humanity or community. Churches and homeless shelters could always use a handyman. If you’re a culinary genius, teach cooking classes or make a recipe book and publish it. Others that could benefit from your help are senior homes, blood and plasma donation centers and child care facilities. For a complete list of opportunities in your area, check out VolunteerMatch. No matter your previous experience or job history, anyone can volunteer and be a mentor. Put your skills and talent to good use even if you’re not receiving a paycheck. Sharing and obtaining knowledge is most valuable in times like these.
