Yesterday I talked about the need to work on updating your existing skills and learn new ones while you are unemployed. Often, of course, a period of unemployment leaves you with additional time on your hands and so expanding and revitalizing your skills is an extremely constructive way of filling those extra hours, as well as a great way to keep the old grey matter ticking over and ensure that your prospects of finding work are greater. As promised, therefore, here are a few more things that you might want to consider to try and get yourself ahead.
Improve your networking skills
Networking is not only the number 1 way to find work, but it is also a vital skill in the workplace, helping to keep you up-to-date with what is going on and leaving you better placed to make highly valuable contributions to your employer’s business. In some lines of work, such as sales, the ability to network effectively is what helps to bring in new business, but whatever field you are in it will bring positive benefits. So, get out there and network with your local store owners, the guys at your gym, your hairdresser and whoever else you can think of, and of course be sure to join networking clubs to make new contacts.
Online networking is every bit as important as face-to-face networking these days, so if you haven’t done so already, set yourself up with a profile on business networking sites such as LinkedIn, as well as some of the social networking sites like Facebook too and get connecting. Remember though to keep it professional!
Work on your typing skills
It might seem like a small thing, but if you’re one of these slow two-finger typists then the chances are things are taking you much longer than they need to to get done. Learn how to touch type so that you can watch the screen for errors as you go along and your work will not only get done quicker but it will be more accurate into the bargain.
Hone your research skills
Like networking, research skills can be extremely useful in many areas of life whether they are used for job searching, work-related or purely personal reasons. Of course, as part of your job search they are absolutely integral to being able to target your applications and demonstrate that you are the best fit for the vacant position, but in addition, continual research into your field of business will ensure that you are always on top of your game and one step ahead of the competition.
Touch up your personal branding skills
A period of unemployment is a great opportunity to learn more about personal branding and put your new skills to work as part of your job search. Use them to take a fresh look at your online profiles and improve them wherever you can, and why not set up your own professional blog to declare yourself an expert and attract the positive attention of all those employers who are no doubt ‘googling’ you every time you make a job application?
There are literally hundreds of different skills that you could potentially work on whilst you are unemployed and have an extra bit of time to play with. You could do anything from learning a new language which might benefit you in your future career to working on your body language. Make the time away from the workplace work for you because as soon as you do find a new job, you might be kicking yourself for not having used it more constructively when you had the chance!
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