Jobless? Turn the tables around.

An advantage in disguise? Here's a letter of hope.

Dear unemployed reader.

I feel and understand what you're going through. I know it's not easy.

But you've got this.

Unemployment, such a deep topic to talk about. Something that I understand very well and has been through.

But Wait.

Can you trust me? Do I know what I am talking about?

Well, I've been unemployed ever since I graduated in April 2021, and I’ve come to know a thing or two about it. A lot has happened in between.

The aim of this post is to fuel you with inspiration and reassurance about your situation. I don't know your situation, but I can, at least, give you a bit of hope, encouragement, and a positive outlook.

I hope I can help you see that the situation you are in, might be a chance for you to reset your life.

Taking it in a direction that is fulfilling to you.

In this letter, ill try to cover:

• Positioning yourself
• Perfect time for a side hustle?
• PATIENCE, (i know you've heard it before, but it's so true).
• Expecting the unexpected.
• Talk, speak up, that's how opportunities can come.
• How the government might help.

Yes, I’ve tried hard to find a job and finally, I might be starting a job I love at the beginning of the coming year.

But I know the mental implications that come with being unemployed, not to mention the crippling embarrassment that comes when a distant family asks you the famous question.

What do you do?

In this case, losing self-confidence is very real.

Please understand that this is just a phase, and it certainly will pass.

Either today or tomorrow, you’ll get that job that is perfect for you. You never know, you might even use this time to, turn a side hustle into a job.

Position yourself well.

Let me try to explain it in this way.

Simple as that, just a thought to consider.

Try this simple step-by-step process, (Without complicating it).

1. Pick a job/jobs that you love, are qualified or are experienced in.
2. Go through job postings and see the common skills they require.
3. Tailor your CV, cover letter, LinkedIn, and website to the skills and specifications they require. Try telling a story about why you're interested in that role. (for the cover letter).
4. Make a website and write some relevant articles, this can show passion + interest from the employer's perspective.
5. Additional certifications and qualifications can help. There are plenty available for free online. This can really set you apart if you take the effort.+ past testimonials from employers or clients can help.
6. Make sure you qualify for those jobs first, make sure you fit the job description exactly. There's no point in applying if you don't fit the role, you'll probably get rejected since you're not what they're looking for.
7. To save time, apply to jobs that are very similar to each other. You’ll spend less time tweaking each submission.
8. Get ready for interviews. (I’ll write another post about, plenty of interesting stories to tell here).

A few more tips to could consider :

• Burn out can be real, spend time on your applications, less can be more. Aim for quality more than quantity.
• When a job is available, apply early.
• Try you make sure you actually love it and have a passion for it. A soul-crushing job just isn’t worth it. It reflects in your performance too, it might not be beneficial long-term.
• If you get rejected, it means you weren’t meant for it. Just keep going.
• Split your time, between job-hunting and side hustle.

Fear can be real.

I used to experience a ton of fear and anxiety when I experience being jobless.

I can mainly come from the feeling of uncertainty that can lurk within us.

I used to often say to myself.

Where the hell am i going to go from here?

I’d love to expand more on this, and I will do in a dedicated post.

This is the perfect time to build a side hustle, think differently.

Yes, looking for a job is crucial for you right now.

However, you also need to feed and sustain yourself, this is where a side hustle can come in.

You could:

• Use your skill and freelance.
• Get creative and start an Etsy store.
• Write here on medium.

The world is really your oyster

Most importantly, please make sure you love it. It’ll be easier for you to stay consistent to the point where you're making money.

It's handy to split your time evenly.

For example:

08:00 am — 16:00am

Job applications, CV writing, cover letters.

17:00 am –19:00 am

Side hustle that you aim to generate additional income from.

Simple as that.

Now, let me say this out loud, PATIENCE.

I know, even I hate waiting. However, it was something I had to do.

Sometimes, you do simply need to wait (especially true for certain government jobs in the UK).

Waiting to hear back can cause a lot of confusion, however,

Good jobs can time take to manifest themselves, so much time in fact that you might feel that they've turned you down without telling you.

In fact, there was a time when I failed one of the tests at my assessment center for a job I really wanted. I walked out thinking, how could I screw it up.

However, I had to…

Expect the unexpected.

Even though I didn't do very well in two of the assessment. I must have done something right to get a provisional offer.

Provisional offer, meaning that you'd still need to pass vetting and pre-employment checks.

So as much as you think that you wouldn't get that job,

please keep an open mind, consider every possibility.

You never when things can turn around in your favour.

What else can I say in this letter to you?

Oh, yes

Talk to people, be open to receiving help.

You never know, your cousin might have an opportunity.

However, if you don't talk to them, they'll never know you’re looking for an opportunity.

When family or friends visit, don't be shy in telling them you're looking for an opportunity.

They'll be able to give you insights, opportunities, and resources you never thought were there.

Another thing I feel I should mention…

Government benefits might be there, but don't rely on them.

To be honest, I've never really claimed any benefits, so i don't what it's like. This is because someone in a situation much more challenging than mine might just need it more.

I had a family with me, so in any way there was support.

If are receiving government benefits, be grateful. At the same time, don't rely too much on it.

Instead, use it as motivation to get to where you'd like to be. Your local center might even have coaches to help you in your job search.

Check out Jobcentreplus if you're in the UK.

Anywhere else in the world, look around. I'm very sure there are services and helpful resources around you.

I hope this letter gives you some pointers to remember when you're out of work.

Remember to always look at it as an opportunity.

You'll be at a job you absolutely love in no time, or used that time to build a side hustle to replaces your income entirely.

Keep your mind open because it can go either way.

In the meantime, do check out a great post beautifully written by Cynthia A. Morgan — Medium on how you shouldn’t let fear devour you.

I feel it really relates well to this article, especially with context to dealing with fear.

She goes into a lot of depth on this topic.

Have a wonderful day, filled with passion and productivity.

Yours truly.

Kunaal.