Do you ever feel like your day just slips away? Did you work 40+ hours a week and still get everything done and now that you are not working and have tons of free time, you can’t seem to get anything done? Lack of structure is a key issue in job search and one you can overcome if you use a couple of key tips and tools.
Watch this video to get started:
Use this Job Search Plan Master Checklist worksheet to help you organize your job search journey.
Job searching is stressful, especially after losing a job, which can impact your confidence and outlook. The “loss curve” describes the emotional journey from shock to acceptance, though the process isn’t linear. Reactions vary—fear, relief, or anything in between—but navigating change successfully involves three key steps: 1. Reflect on the past. 2. Manage the present. 3. Plan for the future.
Expect ups and downs, give yourself time, and trust that brighter days are ahead. Review each stage of the loss curve to explore strategies for moving forward.
Give yourself time to process your loss.
This is not the time to make major life and career decisions.
Control the impulse to say or do something you might regret.
Apply for unemployment insurance, if you are eligible.
Release your anger and tension.
Exercise.
Talk to people.
Go out and do things that are fun.
Find ways to laugh.
Focus your energy on making a positive impact on your job search, not on getting even.
Take care of yourself.
Give yourself time off from your job search to do things that energize you (make a list).
Volunteer to get outside of your own head and situation.
Do quiet job-search activities (write resume, research, look for job leads).
Because of low energy and low self-esteem, this is not the time to network.
This stage can mirror depression, so if you cannot get out of bed for days or weeks at a time and you cannot find a reason to move forward, talk with a medical professional.
Seize the moment.
Take this newfound energy and move forward.
Get out and talk to people (network).
Think about the future and what you want to be doing.
Work on a plan of action to get where you want to go.
It takes time to get over a loss and possible feelings of betrayal. But eventually you will move forward.
Taking time to identify your skills, interests, values, and personality preferences can provide you with valuable insights into career areas that would be a good fit for you.
Use the assessment below to assist you in evaluating your skills and strengths including your transferable skills which are skills you use in one job or career that can be used in another. Leadership, problem solving, communication and time management are examples of highly transferable skills.
Take the Skills Profiler Assessment to assess your transferable skills and identify skills that may be useful in your next role.
When your job matches your interests, you are more likely to be happy and successful in your work. Thinking about your likes and dislikes and finding out which jobs and careers use your interests helps you to discover occupations you would probably find satisfying and enjoyable in the long term.
Here are some assessment tools to help you define your areas of interest:
Career or work values are personal beliefs or priorities that help you identify what’s most important to you in your work and contribute to your work satisfaction and success. Knowing your values can give you a clearer sense of what’s most important to you. People’s values change over time and assessing your values can be helpful at any stage of working life.
Here is an online values assessment to prioritize your values as they relate to your work preferences.
Personality can be defined as your natural way of working. Some of us prefer working quietly alone, others like to interact with many people. Many of us appreciate detail and exactitude, while others prefer to see the big picture. Choosing a career simply because it’s currently “hot” or because it pays well overlooks the basic question of “can you do this job successfully?”
Understanding your own natural way of working has another benefit. It not only helps you to appreciate your own uniqueness, but to understand and work with the unique styles of your co-workers. In the team-oriented environment of business, relationships are the basic building blocks of work. A good understanding of work styles will help you to communicate well with co-workers and managers.
Here are some free personality assessments. Additional fee-based reports or services are unnecessary for this purpose.
Career exploration helps you understand your options and decide which path is right for you. Use the career exploration guide to gather information. If you're considering more than one career, complete a separate guide for each to compare and make an informed choice.
What does a typical day look like?
Do I have the skills, experience, and education required to do this job?
How much money can I make in this job?
What does the job market look like for this job? Will I be able to find a job?
Will I like doing this job?
The websites below are excellent tools to help you learn more about different career areas.
Knowing the current market rate for a position will assist you in knowing if you can afford to work in the field and will prepare you for the interview and negotiating process where you will be asked questions about your salary requirements. The following websites can assist you in gathering salary data.
A great way to learn about a job, company, or industry is to talk to people and learn from their experiences. Informational meetings are a way to gather advice, information and referrals. You meet with a new or current contact for a brief period of time, usually about 15 to 20 minutes, and ask them questions about their profession, company and industry. You ask the questions with the intent to learn. It is not a job interview.
What are your current job responsibilities / tasks?
What skills, certifications, and education are required for this job today?
With my background, what challenges will I face in finding a job in this field?
What do you recommend I do to help me get a job in this field?
What are California Training Benefits?
The California Training Benefits (CTB) program allows eligible California Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants who lack competitive job skills to receive their UI benefits while attending an approved training program. CTB does not pay for the training.
Why Should I Indicate My Interest in CTB?
To be eligible for CTB, you must first express your interest in CTB or apply for CTB training approval no later than the 16th week of your regular UI benefits or prior to the final week of benefits if your claim is less than 16 weeks.
Even if you do not plan to attend training, it is recommended that you express interest, in the event that you later determine that you need additional skills.
Additional information regarding CTB eligibility may be obtained by visiting the Forms and Publications section of the EDD Web site and downloading the CTB Fact Sheet (DE 8714U) or CTB Quick Tips (DE 2332).
How Do I Express Interest in CTB?
Call 800-300-5616, or contact UI online:
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