Ask the expert
Question - 8 July 2009
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My position was included in the recent round of layoffs at my company. I am a senior research scientist in the development, manufacture and launch of pharmaceuticals. I'm a mid-career professional and have never been unemployed. This may seem like an odd question but now that I'm not working, other than looking for a job, what do I do with my spare time?
Answer
When you've been employed in a structured workplace all of your adult life, it can take some getting used to having a blank slate of hours ahead of you each day. Instead of jumping for joy at the newfound freedom, many job seekers yearn for direction on how to best structure the available time. Use the following four directives to strike a balance between structure and flexibility, as well as between discipline and spontaneity.
1. Re-establish routines. For a time, there'll be no need to beat the rush-hour traffic, no more boss's priorities, project deadlines or new product launches to deal with. Some of the processes you won't miss, while others will leave a gaping hole to fill.
Figure out which routines served you well and are worth transferring to your current situation. You may find that continuing to set the alarm and read the morning news over coffee is the best way for you to start the day. You might decide to finish job-search activities by 2:00 PM, which leaves the opportunity for an exercise regime and a leisure activity. While there's no magic formula, you'll benefit by consciously thinking this through and coming up with a structure that works for you.
2. Stay current and active in your field. Consider using some of your spare time to pass along wisdom through writing, teaching or mentoring. You can contribute to the development of others while enriching your own experience. Try writing an article for a scientific journal or an industry website; creating a blog related to your field; offering your skills in a volunteer capacity; teaching a continuing-education course at a local college; or facilitating a workshop at an industry conference or mentor a recent graduate.
One way to stay current, according to David Bakken, a consumer and marketing-intelligence consultant who is in between full-time gigs, is to create your own blog. A blog is not the place to blast your previous employer; rather, you should use it to build credibility and advance your job-search agenda. "It's motivational because you're not passive; you're active in it," Bakken says. "You can draw on your expertise and create posts to convey how you would handle a given situation." You'll not only make a contribution but also add to your network of contacts. Preparing the content for your blog prepares you for live interviews and gives you a positive response to the question, "What have you been doing with your time since you've been unemployed?"
3. Juggle your job search activities. You've probably heard the phrase, "Finding a job is a full-time job." It's true that looking for work takes considerable time and effort. The real test, however, is measured by the quality and productivity of the time you dedicate to your search. Perusing online postings and sending off resumes to recruiters are efforts best done with a clear focus in manageable doses. Be sure that these initiatives are interspersed with more targeted approaches that grow out of a thorough self assessment, research of specific employers of interest, and networking to make direct contact. Put together a resume that highlights the value and specific attributes you bring to your employers of choice and be prepared to present a concise and compelling introduction of yourself. Then get off of the Internet and out of the house. Turn your attention to networking with people who might know someone or something that could lead to your next position.
4. Act on your "always wanted to do" list. Spending all day every day on a job search leads to being boring, burned-out job seekers. Devote some of your time to your own personal and professional development. We all have an "always wanted to do" list. Why not pass some of your time acting on these goals?
Search the recesses of your mind and run down your "to do" list. Start checking off the goals – from the ailing aunt you've wanted to visit, to the class you've always wanted to take, to the volunteer hours you've been meaning to contribute for a cause you believe in, to the new software program you've been hoping to master. These activities not only help you to stay motivated in your job search, but also differentiate you as a more interesting candidate in a competitive field of qualified candidates.
