Finding Work When You’re Between Jobs
One of the challenges of being unemployed is what to do
with your time when you’re not actively looking for a new job or
interviewing for one. It can be the source of frustration and can lead to
depression if the job search is prolonged and seems to be having little
success.
To counter those feelings and actually add something to your résumé – and
even give you new contacts and possibilities for job options – get out of
the house or apartment and volunteer your services. There are myriad
opportunities just waiting for you. Here are some suggestions:
Your local library can always use help, whether it’s re-shelving books,
reading to children, delivering books to shut-ins, helping to organize a
book sale or keeping the grounds neat, among others. Just pay a visit to the
head librarian and offer your services and see what comes up.
If you have a child in school (and even if you don’t), why not volunteer in
a classroom? Or the school library? Or help around the office. Schools
always have a need for extra hands, hearts and minds. If you haven’t spent
time at school since you graduated (except possibly for PTA meetings or
“Back to School” nights to meet the teacher), you’ll be in for an education.
There’s lots going on with computers, sports, field trips, etc. where you
can help out. Maybe you’ll learn a thing or two while you’re sharing what
you know.
Ever wanted to be a TV or radio personality? Community access cable
television is waiting for you. In front of and behind the camera there are
plenty of things to do: hold the microphone, create stage sets, go on the
scene for interviews, create your own program, be the camera operator,
answer phones – the list is huge. This may be your chance to break into the
entertainment field. Remember all those great stories you used to tell at
the water cooler? (Public television and radio stations are always looking
for volunteers, too. They’re usually called internships.)
Don’t forget to check out the police and fire departments. In this period of
high alert these public servants are stretched to the max. Maybe they have
some tasks they can pass on to you to make their jobs easier. There may be
filing or other paperwork that isn’t getting done as they answer increased
numbers of calls for their help. Or maybe they need help learning new
computer software or distributing information around the community. Drop by
to find out – and while you’re there tell them what a great job they’re
doing.
Interested in politics? There are political organizations for everything
from running for office to helping prevent forest fires. There’s something
for everyone. Whether you want to help beautify the roadways, reduce drug
use among teens, make hiking trails, or increase awareness of homelessness,
there’s a group or activity you can join. Whether it’s in your neighborhood,
city, state or at the national level, make the effort to help in a cause you
believe in. You’ll meet great people while you’re at it – and you’ll make a
difference in someone else’s life for your efforts.
Of course there are religious organizations, homeless shelters,
rehabilitation centers for disabled workers, reading for the blind – the
list goes on and on.
Nothing makes you feel better than helping someone else. Take this
opportunity to share your expertise with others. Often when we’re working
full-time there’s no time to do these rewarding volunteer jobs. Why not get
out there and volunteer today!
Jan Cannon, MBA, PhD, has over 10 years of experience helping clients to
find work that they enjoy through career coaching and resume preparation. She
was an online expert with CIO.com and jobfindtoday.com and currently provides
online content to the Career Connection of the Boston Herald (
http://print.jobfind.com ).
Jan speaks to groups and leads workshops on making career choices, networking,
finding jobs, and staying motivated. She teaches courses on entrepreneurship
for those interested in starting their own businesses. Jan has Myers Briggs™
MBTI™ and FirstStepFastTrack™ certifications and offers Inscape™ DiSC
assessments.
Jan's book on senior job search will be published by Capital Press in
April 2005.
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