A Purposeful Woman reader recently asked me how to fill the hours when you are in search of a new career or job. It is an interesting question because, although there are many tasks associated with keeping on top of the job search, there are also ways you can use the time to give back to others. It is all about keeping your energy levels high while looking for a job.
Here are just a few suggestions:
- Start a Blog about your experience
- Contribute to other Blogs about looking for a job
- Volunteer at some local nonprofits
- Work with your local school district to be a speaker at some of the special programs in the school districts (computer classes)
- Offer to teach some classes at civic center (PowerPoint, Word and Excel)
Share your knowledge with others. It helps to keep your mind fresh and the benefits you’ll receive far outweigh the costs or time.
Another great place to spend time while you are on the hunt is LinkedIn. We talked about being active in LinkedIn Groups and this is a great time to share your expertise. Employers use LinkedIn when looking for candidates and if they see your involvement and have the opportunity to read about your knowledge and viewpoint, it helps them gain a better understanding of the value you’d bring to their company.
If you are interested in starting a blog to share your career search experience, I would suggest that you visit WordPress.com. WordPress.com is a free platform that is easy to set up. The basic templates, plugins and widgets allow you to set up and start a blog in minutes.
If you are looking to set up a blog that is self-hosted, such as this online news magazine, visit WordPress.org for more information. The software is free and there are many free templates, but you will have to pay to host your site.
If you’d rather contribute to other blogs, visit Alltop and seek the blogs that are in your industry or that also talk about the job search.
Use this time to get involved in your community and network with groups you might not have considered in the past. This time is a gift. It is an opportunity to assess your direction, your passions and your goals and create a job search strategy that will allow you to use your skills and expertise in such a way that is fulfilling and satisfying.
You might also use this time to read my book The Working Woman’s GPS: When the Plan to Have it All Has Led You Astray. I wish you all the best in your journey.
