The Perfect Job for the Unemployed

Anyone who has ever been unemployed knows that there is a lot more to being unemployed than just the want ads and job search websites, the resumes and applications, and the interviews. Losing your job is probably one of the most frightening things that can happen to you. Not only are you suddenly without the financial means to support yourself or your family, but there are also the emotional issues that raise their ugly heads when you are unemployed.

For example, there is the isolation. You've built a network of co-workers that you talked to on a daily basis, whether it was about work or shared interests or just gossip. Those people are still "out there" ... but if they are still employed, you no longer feel connected to them. In fact, because they still have a job and you don't, you might even feel a little hostile toward them! If they were also laid off at the same time you were, they are still out there, too. But now, it's not as much fun to talk to them anymore, because there is nothing to talk about except the fact that you are both unemployed, and they are just as upset or depressed about it as you are.

Then, there is the loss of purpose. Even if you hated your job, it was something to do every day that got you out of bed and into some type of routine. Now, you have nothing to do (except those job searches, of course) and nowhere to go (except, hopefully, on some interviews!) But in the meantime, before the interviews start happening, and after you've completed all the online applications you can handle for one day, there is nothing to do and nowhere to go. You are bored. You can only watch so much TV, and you certainly can't be going out shopping now that you have no income coming in.

Not only does all this emotional garbage make you feel bad, but it can also affect your ability to find another job! You become anxious, you become irritable, and you are not "on your game" anymore. Your head is full of cobwebs and it becomes harder and harder to force yourself into the job search routine each morning, especially if you've already had a lot of days of disappointment and failure.

So, what can you do to counteract all this frustration and depression? You can find a group of people who share your common interests. A group of people who have a reason to get out of bed each morning and work at a job that gives them a real sense of purpose. You can get out into your community and help people who are so much worse off than you that it will ease your depression and loss of purpose instantaneously. You can VOLUNTEER!

Only about 25% of Americans do any volunteer work, primarily because they are "too busy" with their careers and home life. They talk about how they want to volunteer, they plan to volunteer once they retire, but right now, there is just "no time!" So what better time to volunteer than when you suddenly find yourself unemployed ... without a job, without a career ... and with too much time on your hands? For the most part, volunteering only requires that you give of yourself - your time. Sure, there may be a little gas involved as well to get you to a certain location, but the need for volunteers is everywhere, so most likely, you will find a volunteer opportunity just around the corner from where you live.

Before you start listing the excuses, think of the positive reasons to volunteer. Think back to that list of emotional baggage that comes with unemployment.

Isolation? Working in a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter or delivering meals to shut-ins will take care of that problem. Everyone needs someone to talk to, regardless of his or her current status in life. You will also find that you share a lot of common interests with your co-volunteers. If you want to work with children, they are there because they want to work with children, too. You will have a new network of people to talk to and some of them might even know about a job for which you could apply!

Depression? How can you stay depressed when you see people who are so much worse off than you? You have been out of work for a few weeks, but some of them haven't had a job in years, and no hopes of ever finding one again. They are at the mercy of the "system", and it is often a hopeless and frightening place to be. Being a volunteer will soon put your unemployment into perspective.

Boredom? The volunteer organizations in your area can keep you busier than you ever dreamed of being, and the work you will do is some of the most satisfying work you will ever find. If you find you can no longer afford that gym membership, then volunteer to paint or clean up shelters, or even build new houses! There are other ways to get exercise besides running on that treadmill. If you realize you have been in a dead-end career, look for volunteer opportunities that might give you the chance to learn new skills. In addition, very few volunteer organizations are made up entirely of volunteers - there are paid positions out there, too - you just might find your next job while you are volunteering!

Besides resolving some of the "unemployment blues," volunteering is also great because you can do as little or as much as you have time to do. You can still spend as much time each week on looking for a new job as you need to spend. Volunteering gives you insight into some programs that could be helpful to you as well while you are unemployed, such as the discount groceries "SHARE" programs, or free credit counselors.

How to find a volunteer opportunity? Check out some of the online sites, like VolunteerMatch.com or USA Freedom Corps. Walk into any nearby hospital or school or nursing home and ask how you can volunteer for them. Call your city or county or state offices and ask if they have volunteer programs or opportunities. The options are endless.

Give your life some real purpose while you are struggling to find a new job. The balance will do wonders for your emotional health, and will open your eyes to just how lucky a life you have been living. And once you do find that next job, you will probably find that you also still have time to continue to do something that gave you so much peace of mind when you needed it - you will find time to continue to VOLUNTEER!