Whether you're unemployed, underemployed, employed but looking for a new job, entering the workforce for the first time or after a long absence, you're facing change. When finding yourself in a change situation with your career or job, you may be experiencing transition in several different areas:
Structure and routine
Perhaps one of the most important things lost or changed when unemployment occurs is structure. In order to maintain structure and routine, you can:
- Set an alarm clock to get up at your regular time.
- Schedule time on your calendar to work on specific job search tasks. Use this Checklist of Job Seeking Activities to track your progress.
- Dress as you would for work.
- Set aside a place in your home where you do all your job search activity.
- Get out of the house and go to the Minnesota WorkForce Center, local state employment service office, library or meet with a job search partner or network contact.
See Job Search Step By Step to stay on task and see the steps you need to take to make progress.
Top of page
Family life
While you're unemployed, your family life may be disrupted. Even though you have more time to spend with your family, you feel the constant burden to find a job. Your family isn't used to you being at home, and vice versa. They may experience feelings of fear, anger and confusion for a while, but with time, they will adjust. Their self-esteem may be increased through independence and responsibility. You may find it helpful to:
- Let your family know what you need and don't need.
- Laugh or cry, admit your true feelings to yourself and someone you trust.
- Say NO. When you need to take care of yourself, set limits for friends and family.
- Find things to be thankful for.
Top of page
Social life
If you're new to or haven't been in the labor market for a while, your social life also changes. Leaving the comfort and security of home, school, friends or former co-workers is difficult and frightening at first. However, old relationships can be preserved if you make the effort, and over time you may develop new and valued friendships in a new job.
During a transition consider the following:
- Maintain relationships with supportive friends.
- Plan low-cost or free forms of entertainment: walk or jog together, volunteer for a service project, invite friends over for a potluck dinner.
- Exchange ideas with acquaintances who are also in transition.
Top of page
Income
A job change may affect your ability to support yourself or your family. Your income determines your ability to pay bills, buy groceries, pursue your hobbies or enjoy leisure time. Not having enough money to pay bills adds stress. If you don't deal with this stress, the pressure builds and builds until something just has to give! Developing and keeping a budget will ease your transition through this time and also into the future.
- Sit down with family to review the changes in your income and resources.
- Determine spending priorities.
- If necessary consult a financial advisor.
Top of page
Identity
What we do for a living often defines who we are. When meeting a person for the first time, the question usually asked is, "What do you do?" It's as if by knowing what job a person has, we then know who the person is! What a conversation stopper when you answer, "I'm between jobs right now," or "I'm unemployed," or "I've been a student or a homemaker. Now I'm looking for work, but I don't know where or how to find a job because I have no job search or work experience."
Focus on the sources of your identity that exist regardless of your employment status:
- Visualize achieving your goals, your future position, your role, and situations to come.
- Stay positive: use positive self-talk, affirmations, list your strengths, be with supportive people.
- Relax daily: take time to do something you enjoy.
Top of page
Change often leads to stress. Learning about Stress Management Techniques can help you regain confidence.
Source:
Creative
Job Search, Minnesota
Department of Employment and Economic Development
Page last updated in April 2008.
Job Loss and Transition
