Survival guide for the unemployed

W

WhiteIndian

New Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2008
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Good day gents, I am well known on other forums as Bullet_GP but my name is Francois aka Faffa and I have been unemployed for 5 months now. In 2012 I was without work for 10 months.

Step 1: Register on all job related websites.

Step 2: Claim UIF if possible. The UIF offices are actually fairly hassle-free

Step 3: Prioritise your accounts according to importance and try to pay all of them (adjust ratios so that all accounts get paid something). Phone and make payment arrangements even if its only temporary. Cut out extras like DSTV, domestic worker and other subscriptions.

Step 4: Stay positive and broaden your job hunting scope if possible. Apply for contract/temp positions to make the prospect of getting a job better.

Step 5: Keep yourself busy with odd little jobs. If it means repairing those leaky taps, busted cupboards or faulty light in your place...LOL

Step 6: Selfstudy/Training online can help you in the long run as well as benifit your CV.

Step 7: Seen as though one has more time to himself/herself, re-look your CV and try to make it shorter but with more impact. And try to keep it looking professional at all times.

Step 8: Shop wisely (Grocery shopping). Stick to buying basic healthy foods. Fruit and Veggies are cheap.

And above all, never doubt yourself. Remain strong and positive and perservere

Adios gents :-)
 
WhiteIndian said:
Good day gents, I am well known on other forums as Bullet_GP but my name is Francois aka Faffa and I have been unemployed for 5 months now. In 2012 I was without work for 10 months.

Step 1: Register on all job related websites.

Step 2: Claim UIF if possible. The UIF offices are actually fairly hassle-free

Step 3: Prioritise your accounts according to importance and try to pay all of them (adjust ratios so that all accounts get paid something). Phone and make payment arrangements even if its only temporary. Cut out extras like DSTV, domestic worker and other subscriptions.

Step 4: Stay positive and broaden your job hunting scope if possible. Apply for contract/temp positions to make the prospect of getting a job better.

Step 5: Keep yourself busy with odd little jobs. If it means repairing those leaky taps, busted cupboards or faulty light in your place...LOL

Step 6: Selfstudy/Training online can help you in the long run as well as benifit your CV.

Step 7: Seen as though one has more time to himself/herself, re-look your CV and try to make it shorter but with more impact. And try to keep it looking professional at all times.

Step 8: Shop wisely (Grocery shopping). Stick to buying basic healthy foods. Fruit and Veggies are cheap.

And above all, never doubt yourself. Remain strong and positive and perservere

Adios gents :-)
Click to expand...

Awesome advice. Thanks for sharing.
 
Great advice. Good luck with job hunting!
 
Wall said:
Great advice. Good luck with job hunting!
Click to expand...

I think something to add is networking and getting improvement on your interview skills.

Can't stress enough how important networking is in most fields, if people know you then they give you a chance
 
I think that Step 4 is very important and be willing to do any job just to show that you are not a lazy piece of ****.
 
Also:

Get retrenchment cover. Pays up to 75% of your gross salary for up to 6 months. Has 3 months waiting period, so get it soon enough if you can. Mine is quite cheap at R10pm per R1000 that it will pay out. Frank.net and Old Mutual are providers I know of.

Check if any of your credit accounts, like edgars account and personal loans and anything else, has retrenchment cover component that you are already paying for and claim for it since your are retrenched.
 
Also...no coach potato routine. Shower, shave etc every morning & have a plan of action. You'll feel better about yourself & be ready should opportunity come knocking unexpectedly.
 
Step 9: Don't spend all your money on high-end audio gear :p

Welcome to MyBB
 
Add this:
Have faith, pray, count your blessing & give thanks for them - remember there are always people worse of then you.
Focus upon the positive, visualize yourself in a job situation.
Have a plan of action, draw up goals...work towards them.
Best of luck!
 
Reading this thread I just thought of something... there's a million sites out there that list jobs for job seekers... are there any websites where the unemployed could register so employers can find them?

If not, there should be...
 
Steps 4 and 5 are extremely important.

Steve Pavlina has a really good guide to managing limited finances in http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2009/03/living-paycheck-to-paycheck/

But from experience, with my dad who was retrenched and myself as a freelancer, Step 5 is crucial as it fuels your soul. (So to speak).
Keeping busy helps you to stay positive and motivated. In my dry seasons I often do free work for people who can't afford my services. That way I get to practice skills I never have time for, and I always feel great and motivated after a good job done.

Then while on that motivated high, I send out adverts, applications and emails.
 
Wow thanks gents.

Truly great advice. Going to follow up on a few of the smart pointers

Ta gents
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X