Unemployment is difficult anytime of the year, but it can be devastating as the holiday season approaches. While they should be enjoying time with friends and family and celebrating the various religious holidays, for the unemployed and those concerned about their company’s plans for downsizing, this can be a very difficult time of year.
“Workforce Solutions is here to help with the training opportunities and employment searches,” the Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Solutions Gwenda Thompson said. “The search shouldn’t slow down with the ramp up of the holiday season.”
The following are some guidelines to help job seekers continue their search activities.
1. Some businesses hire part-time to fill positions created by holiday vacations or to meet year-end demand from customers. Part-time work is better than no work at all. Part-time work adds to your unemployment credits and is an excellent way to show your talents to a prospective employer. Because of the complexity of hiring full-time personnel, some companies hire part-time employees to evaluate how a person fits in and meets their expectations.
2. Don’t put off applying for full-time work during the holiday season. Companies operating on a calendar year budget will make decisions about personnel and there is always turnover – no matter what time of year. Make sure your application and resume are there for employers when they consider hiring new people.
3. Exploit the season by attending parties or gatherings and networking yourself with people who might know of job openings. Many times your best source for job openings is friends and acquaintances with insider knowledge about good jobs currently open or companies will post in the future. While it’s difficult to admit being unemployed to friends and family, these people are essential to your personal marketing network. They will keep their eyes open for potential opportunities for you.
4. Don’t complicate your situation by overspending during the holidays. Try to avoid debt and cut expenses. Renew your relationship with family and friends. Many wealthy, successful people look back to tight financial times, when they were forced to focus on friendship, as some of the best, most meaningful moments in their lives.
5. Seek help from Workforce Solutions for career counseling and financial assistance. Explore the services available to you through job training to package or improve your skills to locate a new job. You have access to these services at no cost to you. Visit our website at www.yourworkforcesolutions.com.
6. Understand that job loss, unemployment and job seeking are stressful situations. Acknowledge this fact and understand that you are not alone. Many people are experiencing this same situation or have gone through periods of job seeking. There is some truth to the statement that the hardest job of all is finding a good job. Avoid bad habits – don’t get into drugs or alcohol. Get yourself in shape, focus on your health and enjoy the extra time you have to do things for your family. Keep a positive attitude. Today’s new education and training opportunity can become tomorrow’s job.
7. Get organized. Write and design a new resume. Customize a few resumes to highlight specific career tracks where you have solid skills. Be methodical about your job search. Workforce Solutions has excellent resume writing workshops and can provide you with helpful tips and suggestions to make sure you are approaching your job search in a professional, effective and efficient manner. Post your resume online. Use our Resource Rooms. Again, for unemployed or dislocated workers there is no cost for Workforce Solutions’ job search services.
8. Decrease tension at home. Money issues and employment problems rate highly on the stress scale. If you have a friend or family member who is unemployed, be supportive and helpful. Now is not the time to be argumentative or to blame someone or yourself for your situation. Kindness, sympathy and compassion for people who are going through a temporary period of unemployment will be rewarded when your significant other lands that good job. Sooner than you think people will be complaining about all the time you’re spending at work.
9. Be positive and be patient. Bringing a positive attitude to your job search and interviews will help you be successful. Patience goes a long way too – understand that it takes time for your resume and cover letter to be routed to the appropriate person or department. Be courteous and understanding when you follow up with potential employers – your attitude on the phone may be the deciding factor in getting an interview or job offer. “Thank You’s” go a long way both before and after the interview.
10. Use the staffing agencies. More and more employers are using “contingent workers,” especially during time of economic recovery and uncertainty. Employers often use temporary help agencies as recruitment and screening strategies. These jobs often turn into full time, regular employment and even if they don’t, the experience can yield another positive employer recommendation. Workforce Solutions also provides linkages with the staffing industry.
About Workforce Solutions
Workforce Solutions is a private, non-profit, Florida corporation with a Board of Directors consisting of private business, economic development and education representatives, community and state agencies, and elected officials. Members of the Board represent the diversity of businesses, organizations and trades that operate in the Treasure Coast Region, including Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie County. Chartered by the State of Florida to create and manage a workforce development service delivery system responsive to the needs of businesses and jobseekers, Workforce Solutions offers award-winning complimentary programs and partnerships recognized locally, statewide, and nationally. Our staff members are certified workforce professionals often recognized by their peers as leaders in workforce development and can be reached by calling 1-866-4U2-HIRE or 1-866-482-4473 or learn more about us on the web by logging on to www.YourWorkforceSolutions.com.
