You know the saying, “Applying to jobs is a full-time job”?

Don’t listen to it.

What You Should Be Doing If You’re Unemployed

Applying to jobs you’re not qualified for (which 50% of job seekers reportedly do!) is counter-productive to your job search. Competition is too fierce. Even qualified applicants aren’t getting callbacks. So, stop applying to so many jobs and allocate time each week to becoming more hirable. Here’s how…

1. Volunteer

Volunteering can increase your chances of being hired if you’re strategic about it. Unemployed teacher? Help out with after school programs or volunteer to be a coach’s assistant. Web designer? Find a local non-profit in desperate need of a re-design and offer your services pro bono. By volunteering somewhere relevant, you’ll keep your skills fresh while enhancing your resume.

2. Keep Your Skills Current

If you lack a skill commonly required for jobs you’re seeking, spend time each day building that skill. Take advantage of numerous free resources online, including tutorials, e-books, and how-to videos. If you’d rather have more of a class setup, then look for free or affordable adult education classes in your area. Alternatively, if you already possess the necessary skills but haven’t been practicing, the do so. Skill atrophy is a huge concern for hiring managers, so practice and get yourself ready for pre-employment skills tests.

3. Network

There are two parts to networking: reconnecting with your old contacts and forming new ones. Depending on where you are in your career, reconnecting might mean contacting professors, college advisers, and internship supervisors, or it might mean getting in touch with old colleagues, bosses, and business acquaintances.

Find them, e-mail them, call them. Ask them to coffee. Ask how they are (networking is social, after all) and let them know the specifics of your job search (industry, location, etc.). See if they know of anything or anyone.

Most importantly, follow up!

At a temporary dead-end with your current contacts? Make new ones. Go to networking events sponsored by your university, industry, city, and so on. And look beyond traditional networking events. Consider going to lectures, neighborhood council meetings, even community bar crawls (go easy on the sauce). Each of these provides an opportunity to meet people with similar interests, and you can have fun in the process.

Again, follow up!

4. Freelance

Some job seekers are opposed to anything that’s not a full-time job. If this sounds like you, it’s time to change your mindset. Freelancing is a great way to boost your skills, resume, portfolio, professional network, income, and confidence. Search for freelance openings here.

5. Build An Online Presence

Get found online. Start a blog, spruce up your social network profiles, create an online portfolio to showcase your work. Find companies you’re interested in working for, subscribe to their blogs, and follow them on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Find decision-makers at those companies and follow them as well. Learn what they’re talking about, do a little research, and then engage with them online. Impress them with your interest and insights.

Worst case scenario — you’ll learn what’s important to them and use this information to customize your application when a job opens up.

Better case scenario — you’ll establish a rapport with someone who will recommend you for a position and/or tell you about unpublished openings.

Best case scenario — you’ll impress someone so much over time that they’ll create a job for you or bring you in for an exploratory interview.

What are you doing to become more hireable?

I am definitely making more freelancing than I made as a worker. Still hoping to work a bit though before going solo full time.

Freelance tinz

hustle had men

when I was unemployed in Nigeria then after my Bsc...I did graphic designs for small businesses, churches, schools (handbills and flyers) all in my room n on my computer...Then I did sports schedules for Worldcup, Olypics and Afcon soccer fixtures...made some cash...and even got people to help with marketing them.
Dont stay idle people...do something, no matter how seemingly unimportant...

.

Start somewhere no matter hw small it might be. Give up ur pride n earn a living, nobody owes u one.

I really like point number 2. Acquiring a skill (not hanging on your academic qualification) will help a lot. If you do, sooner than later, you will not only be hired, but it could open doors for you to start your own business.

Trying hard to forget my school certificates as I passionately follow what I love, video production.

If you're unemployed, drop your number. There are some vacancies at my work place. With N2000 i can get you a good and high paying job. Qoute my post an drop your number if interested. Thanks

What brings N2,000 into the matter?

you can also try blogging but its a way of investing ur time

While you are keeping yourselves busy, stay connected to friends on the latest news regarding jobs and also be more connected to your God, HE will surely visit you before this year ends

I do fashion designing,and i love it though i dont have a university degree.

Pls am new here can anyone help on how to post topic

Working on your passion project. I.e those things you love to do but never really got the time. My job search lasted 9 months,now i'm publishing a book about it next month. #TheJobSeeker'sCreed

ok.nice idea but some unemployed graduates dnt even have d money start any of these. which advice u go give nigerian graduate whe get only 2k for acct

If you're unemployed, drop your number. There are some vacancies at my work place. With N2000 i can get you a good and high paying job. Qoute my post an drop your number if interested. Thanks

You need 2000 to give person job,,,kai,
guy u r so cheap.Get a life,,,, fish brain.

A year after my youth service, I got a job as a waiter in an hotel in Abuja; am confessed whether to take up d job,because am nt doing anything for now. What do u advice?

divinelove: Start somewhere no matter hw small it might be. Give up ur pride n earn a living, nobody owes u one.

True.

If you're unemployed, drop your number. There are some vacancies at my work place. With N2000 i can get you a good and high paying job. Qoute my post an drop your number if interested. Thanks

Have you helped yourself?

obichijiokeobi: A year after my youth service, I got a job as a waiter in an hotel in Abuja; am confessed whether to take up d job,because am nt doing anything for now. What do u advice?

Go for anything you get. And be looking out for better opportunity. May God help.

Know that nigeria is a bad country.

eduson002: ok.nice idea but some unemployed graduates dnt even have d money start any of these. which advice u go give nigerian graduate whe get only 2k for acct

correct! One mumu already asked people to pay 2k to get jobs. Abi?

Freelance, concentrating into full time grapphic & other related art.

As a forex trader income has nt really been a problem n with that I obtained two Undergraduate degrees n jst completed my masters dis year...so I see it as an opportunity to upgrade Myself for better job opportunities in time to come.

jobberman is nice website to search for jobs

sit at home and chop akara

You can even start a bulk sms Portal as it doesn't need you to speak techno-Jargons to own one

I have not left my house 2day but I have made some gud amount of money #NoBrags