How to Survive Being Unemployed

Losing a job can be very emotionally and financially difficult. However, there are some steps that you can take to make your unemployment time more manageable. This article will outline those steps and help you survive your time between jobs.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet Access
• Telephone
• Resume Paper
• Transportation
• Interview Clothes

Instructions

1. Organize your finances. If you share expenses with a significant other then consider your family income, your savings and investments.

2. Make a new monthly budget that lists your fixed expenses such as car payments, rent or mortgage payments, insurance payments, loan payments etc. and variable expenses such as food, utilities, gas and entertainment. Looking at the finances you reviewed in step 1, make a plan to have money available for your new monthly budget for at least 3 months.

3. Begin your job search. It is most effective to treat your job search as an actual job. Set regular hours that you will look for job openings, complete applications and submit resumes.

4. Include networking in your job search. Contact your high school, college or graduate school alumni association and speak with alumni who work in the field that you are looking to enter. Join local networking and professional groups. Speak to friends or friends of friends who are employed in your field.

5. Begin interviewing for potential positions. Make sure that you are dressed appropriately for the position for which you are interviewing. Follow up each interview with a thank you note.

6. Keep records as to where you have applied and where you have interviewed. Follow up with any potential employers that do not respond to your initial contact.

7. Once you are hired, be sure that you replenish your savings and investments as soon as possible so that you have a financial cushion to fall on if you find yourself unemployed again in the future.