How to use your time effectively when youre in between jobs

How to use your time effectively when youre in between jobsFor most of us, our career paths are not a simple straight line. Instead, there are multiple twists and turnssome planned and others unexpectedalong with diversions, reroutes and new and unexpected directions that appear as time goes by. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average time people spend at their jobs is now only about 4.2 years. Our paths also include times in which were gainfully employed and times at which we find ourselves in between jobs, either by choice or circumstance. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) For most people, filling the time in between jobs can be a real challenge. We want to make sure that were using this time to our advantage, but figuring out how to do so effectivelyespecially if its a longer time period than wed like it to becan be difficult. With all of this weighing on your shoulders, its really in your best interest to try to structure and use your time effectively when youre in between jobsboth for your long-term health and happiness as well as to help set you up for your next job.Build and maintain your networkIn todays job market, cold calling and responding to general job ads is way less effective than it used to be. These days, a significant percentage of new jobs are obtained by leveraging your network, which includes your personal and professional contacts. That said, are you taking full advantage of your network? While youre in between jobs, building and maintaining your contacts is an invaluable use of your time, and who knowsit may not be long before one of your connections comes up with a job opening that perfectly fits what you need and can offer.Look for contract/freelance workJust because youre between full-time jobs doesnt mean your time has to be completely work free. In todays job market, many companies utilize contract and freelance staff for a wide range of projects. Consider seekin g out opportunities in your field or in an area that fits your background and skill set not only will it provide you with some income, it will also help fill in any lengthy time gaps on your resumeand who knows, if you do a particularly good job on a project you might be considered for a longer-term position when one becomes available.Take a classKeep your mind and skills sharp while in between jobs by taking a class. You can pursue a subject in your professional fieldwhich may help you during your job huntor you can take a class in a completely unrelated subject that interests you. Either way, your time will be structured, educational, and well spent.VolunteerAnother good use of your time and energy in between jobs is to volunteernot only will you be helping to support a worthy cause, youll also be keeping active and may possibly even acquire some new skills. Also, you may discover some completely new interests, which may help reshape your career aspirations.Create a backup planIf things just dont seem to be going your way and the amount of time that youre unemployed is becoming a real issue, then it may be a valuable use of your time to come up with a backup plan. Take some time to research alternate fields of interest, industries where your existing background and skills may be easily transferable, and jobs that seem hot right now and have an abundance of openings. It may turn out that your backup plan pans out and makes you happier and more fulfilled than you previously were.Just because youre in between jobs doesnt mean that your time cant be well spent. Use the strategies and advice presented here to make sure youre using your time effectively.

10 Quick Ways to Beat a Creative Block

10 Quick Ways to Beat a Creative Block Having a creative outlet has lots of benefits. But when you find yourself running low on inspiration, it can bring on a real state of frustration. When you encounter a creative block, here are 10 ways to keep moving forward1. Move Your BodyWhen I spend too much time sitting at my desk, I often find myself in a major brain fog. This is why I take a short walk every day during my lunch hour. Even if Im doing work that doesnt feelsuper creative, even coming up with solutions to problems is easier after getting up and moving around.2. Try aFree WriteThis mightbe one of the most repeatedpieces of advice for pushing past a slump, but thats because its usually effective. The beauty of forcing yourself to put pencil to paper (or fingertips to keyboard) is that you can alleviate some of the pressure of making something good. Take some time to write that first draft. Just getting down whats on your mind can be fassonative. Even if 99% of what you do isnt usable, the 1% that sticks can turn into something great.3. List Things OutSimilar to free creating, making a list can help kick your creativity into gear. You could list the first influencers in your field that come to mind, your project ideas, or even just 20 random words. There are no rules in this game, and it can prove to be a super generative exercise.4. Jot Down Ideas While on the GoSo many ideas materialize for a second before disappearing foreverin the shower, in the car, before bed. Taking time to write down these thoughts can seem like so much work, but unless you have a truly impeccable memory, you should write down ideas as they come to you, so you can flesh them out later.5. Have aChatWhile the mythic figure of the lonely creative locked away with their project still exists, interactions can also be fruitful. If youre feeling stuck in a rut, open yourself up to hearing someone elses ideas. Learning what theyre watching, reading, and listening to could be the jumping of f point that inspires you to delve into your next big project. If nothing else, interacting with another menschenwrdig typically proves to be more intellectually stimulating than staring at a blank page for hours on end.6. Do NothingTrying too hard can be counterproductive. There are so many things in everyday life that need our attentionthat sometimes the practical things that have to be done can choke out our creativity. When this happens, try to do nothing. Sit with your thoughts. Relax.I know it can be harder than it seems, but just sitting in silence for 20 minutes can give you the space you need to let your mind wander into something great.7. Create aCreativeRoutine...Starting something new can jumpstart creativity. If youve never tried carving out a specific time to work at your creative endeavours, you might be surprised to find that knowing you have to be in a specific place at a specific time to fulfill a specific task can corral your mind into focus.8. ... and Break YourT raditional RoutineIf youve been doing the whole saatkorn place, same time routine for a while only to find that your creativitywell hath run dry, dumping thisold obligationmay give your mind thefreedom to roam. Then, it can come up with ideas it couldnt come up withwhile restrained.When I was an undergraduate student, Starbucks was my go-to place to hammer out papers that were pushing their deadlines. However, working on writing projects there now doesnt work the way it used to. I get distracted and end up spending hours mindlessly reading Facebook, so I decided to ditch the Bucks and alternate between other work spaces. Believe it or not, its worked.9. Copy SomeoneNot only is imitation the sincerest form of flattery, but it can also be the step you need to create something others long to imitate. Reproducing a work you admire can put you back in touch with what you like about your discipline and how you can improve on old ideas.10. Try Something NewSimilar to breaking routines, try ing a new experience can help awaken something you didnt even realize you wanted. When were exposed to the same stimuli day in and day out, your thoughts can feel stale, and coming up with new ideas can seem daunting. Try cooking a new meal or taking a class to try out a new skill. You never know, a new passion or story to tell can be the push you need to go out and express yourself.--Kayla Heisler is an essayist and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet. She is a contributing writer for Color My Bubble. Her work appears in New Yorks Best Emerging Poets anthology.

The Indisputable Truth About What Is 1st Person in Resume Writing That Nobody Is Telling You

The Indisputable Truth About What Is 1st Person in Resume Writing That Nobody Is Telling You Learning how to do a resume when dont have any work experience is far easier if its possible to demonstrate some seasonal or short-term work experience. Since you might not have lots of experience, its important to include information thats pertinent to your intended job like coursework, projects, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work. If you wish to understand how to have a job with no experience, you must understand how to make your first resume. Even if youre doing first time or whether its your second job, its essential for you to make good resume. The Ultimate What Is 1st Person in Resume Writing Trick 1 advantage for employers to internet resumes is the considerable cost saving in contrast to traditional hiring methods. The constant procedure for applying, learning, and adjusting your resume is just the start of developing your work search strategy. In case you have any skills in particularly large demand, emphasize them first. Learn about the three kinds of skills it is possible to highlight and the way youre able to incorporate them into your resume. Get the Scoop on What Is 1st Person in Resume Writing Before Youre Too Late Create a section titled Skills, which ought to briefly list the most essential skills you may offer to possible employersthe hard and soft skills that might not be easily conveyed by your work history. The process isnt complicated, but it takes a little time and energy. Learning how to create your first resume is a significant part of starting your career. Your resume should consist of discrete sections that address different requirements a hiring manager would like to see. ABOUT THE MUSE Im a prose writing rolle. Writing a book is rather easy. Writing on exactly the saatkorn topic is never an easy job. It becomes very fun when you just dont care. The standard of your resume makes a very first impression and can determine whether a prospective employer will consider you for an interview. It is essential to add information regarding confidence towards your work and your talent in addition to how long and hard you can get the job done. Ask them general questions regarding the organization and specific questions regarding the job which you seek. The majority of when folks talk about themselves, they speak in the very first individual. What About What Is 1st Person in Resume Writing? To begin with, communication online has at all times been more informal than print communication. You cant change your previous experience however, you can control the timing of your applications. Well it is all dependent on whether the job posting instructions specify a specific format. If you really need to be the prosperous person in the content writing field, then you have to know the marketing skills of the content writing.