For whatever reason, you’ve found yourself unemployed. Don’t let it get the best of you! Here are a few tips that will help you handle unemployment like a pro:

1) Relax and reboot while you can:

This unexpected break provides a welcome opportunity to catch up on some sleep and reboot your motivation. Maybe your last job wore you down, but this is a time to rebuild! Don’t let yourself get lazy and addicted to Netflix binges, but take some time to reconnect with old friends and loved ones. This will help reaffirm your sense of self and pick your spirits up, a necessary part of moving on.

2) Evaluate yourself and what you want from your next position:

Maybe part of the reason your last job didn’t work out is that it was the completely wrong position for you. If you aren’t passionate about your work, you will become complacent. Take some time to evaluate what you want out of your next position. Make lists and set time aside to reflect on yourself, how you’ve changed over the years and how your workplace values may have changed, before you search for new positions. This will help you better understand what you’re looking for when you’re ready to start looking.

3) Make the job hunt your new job:

The 8 hours a day you were spending at work can be put to good use. Hit the ground running with your job hunt! Read articles about the current state of the IT industry, how to find a company culture that suits you and ways to add value to your resume. You’ll never get another job if you don’t start putting yourself out there! Make this one of your significant priorities and treat it like a full-time job. This dedication will help you find the position you want much faster.

4) Hone your skills and learn new ones:

Keep your existing skills sharp! They’re still valuable to you, particularly in your job search, and you won’t want to let them get stale. Another great way to spend this time is by developing new skills. Whether you’re taking MOOCs on tech skills you’ve always wanted to learn or developing creative skills you never felt you had the time for before, skill-building will help you feel productive throughout this downtime. You’ll appreciate that you maintained this habit once you’re thrown back into the professional world, especially during those first few months at a job when everything is new, and the learning process is rapid.

5) Don’t wallow in self-pity:

Whatever you do, don’t let yourself get down. Wallowing in self-pity not only feels awful, it’s a waste of your time. You’re feeling a little blue because of your unemployment, so the best solution is to get a new job. Take all the steps you can to get out of your current predicament, and don’t be too hard on yourself through this challenging process. There may be some days when you can’t find the motivation to continue your search, and that’s understandable, but don’t let these negative moments become a habit. The worst has already happened; now it’s time to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving.

Unemployment is never fun or easy. But, with the right attitude and approach, it can become a productive time filled with education, self-discovery, and relaxation. Make the most of your unemployment and shun the self-pity instinct. You’ll be back to work in no time, grateful to yourself for taking a positive approach rather than letting the negativity take over. Good luck with your job search!

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