“At the moment, I am in between jobs,” she said feeling confident and happy. As a freelancer, she experiences this period often before a new freelance contract begins after the end of another freelance contract.
For most people, this in-between period is accompanied by the fear of the unknown. The person whose role has been made redundant feels humiliated, uncertain, and like a failure.
While being in between jobs certainly is unsettling, there is no reason why you can’t make the most of this situation. Whether you have resigned or your contract at your respective company has ended, you too can benefit from your in-between situation.
Instead of feeling like you are stuck between a rock and a hard place, keep your head held high and remember a few things:
- You need to drop the blame game: While you may want to cry over your lost job, you do need to give yourself some tough love. While there will most certainly be days where you cry your heart out and wallow in self-pity, you need to focus on the days where you remind yourself that these things happen and it is not entirely your fault. You may not have been the perfect fit for a certain company, but there will be a company that realises your worth. The more you blame yourself or look to blame others for your lost job, the harder it will be for you to advance and turn your bad situation into a better one. Part of acceptance is to stop playing the dreaded blame game.
- Make the most of your free time: When you are working, you barely find time to do certain things such as spend time with your friends and family. There may be certain hobbies that you never pursue due to work commitments and the like. Read as many books as you want to. Being in between jobs surely is a blessing in disguise as you get to focus on the things you may have neglected before. Ensure you don’t regret not making the most of your free time when you find a job again.
- Misery loves company but the right company breeds happiness: Instead of finding a friend or friends who are in the same boat as you, look for friends who can inspire you, lift you up, and spread happiness too. The right company may open doors for you as well.
- Eat ice cream but maintain good health too: You can have days when you enjoy spoonfuls of your favourite ice cream, but you surely will feel better if you work on your health and stay fit. This time is when you can work on your weight goals and become fitter and healthier. Work on your cardio while searching for a new job on LinkedIn. Do limit the amount of Ben & Jerry’s tubs that you go through so that you don’t feel depressed about weight issues as well.
- Take the plunge and start something new: Assess your current situation and think of how you can turn your tribulations into something fruitful. While searching for a new job, you can start the small business you have been dreaming of, create a blog, or just find your niche on social media. Nothing is stopping you from sharing your in-between situation with others going through a similar experience on social media.
- Devote time to search for a new job: While making the most of your time, make sure that you are devoting your time to searching for the right job for you. You can work on your CV and tailor your CV to each job that you apply for if need be.
- Practice interviewing skills: To get a jump start, practice your interviewing skills and make sure that you are ready for any questions that the interviewer throws at you when the job interviews start coming.
- Take on temporary roles: If finding a new full-time role is hard, make sure to find some temporary roles to keep you busy and to hone in on other skills. You may find a temporary role that is well worth it in terms of skills and pay.
- Track your expenses and note spending habits: It is important to use the time to map out budgets, track your expenses, and make note of your spending habits. This will be beneficial and help you stay in control of your finances even after you secure your next job.
- Volunteer your services and gain rewards: If the days seem too long while waiting around for your next interview, you can volunteer at an organisation and devote your time to doing good and serving your community. The voluntary work will be rewarding and will look great on your CV as well.
While being in-between jobs is a rather stressful time thinking of where your next income will come from, it is also a time where you can sit back, reflect, prioritise, and think forward to a brighter future. While waiting for the next job offer to come along, remember that nothing lasts forever. This too shall pass.