Guest Post: How to Enhance Your Resume While Unemployed by Rachel Doyle

Unemployment is a difficult phase to endure, and the longer you remain unemployed, the more this status hurts your chances of getting hired. Employers look at the time gaps between jobs when reviewing resumes, but you can make use of your free time to enhance your credentials and negate the time spent unemployed. The following tips can help improve your resume and provide you with impressive answers when the interviewer asks what you did during gaps in employment.

Volunteer work is an excellent source of networking and skill-building. Filling your time with meaningful work can also raise your self-esteem and motivate you to continue the arduous job hunt. The people you meet can offer you jobs, connect you with employers or provide professional references. It is best to choose organizations that relate to your field so that you can hone your skills and learn new ones to enhance your career profile. For example, an IT professional can work on websites for free, and a medical technician can volunteer at hospitals. Cleaning up the litter in your community may make you feel better, but it will not enhance your resume for an accounting position. Do not spend too much time searching for volunteer work if nothing is available. According to news reports, charities have reached their maximum capacities for volunteers since unemployment rates have increased. Looking for a new job takes priority over free labor.

Extending your education and training can make your resume stand out against the competition. You may not qualify for grants or loans, but community colleges offer inexpensive courses that teach you new skills with up-to-date technology and methods. Online groups and services can also connect you with free or inexpensive training events. LinkedIn is a valuable tool once you create a full profile and utilize its searches for events that meet your interests and career needs within your location.

If you are a member of any trade organizations or online groups, you may have access to free or low-cost webinars that offer valuable information. You can also use Google to find free webinars relating to your field. The speakers offer insight into new technologies and methods of communicating with others professionally, and these tools can enhance your current expertise or teach you new skills. Webinars range from software tutorials to interviewing techniques, so there are plenty available to increase your chances of gaining employment.

Sometimes, you feel like you are in need of professional assistance and consider services for job-seekers. Agencies offer everything from resume writing to complete career coaching, but you must consider the cost of such services before hiring anyone. Success varies between individuals, but the advice you gain may provide you with the edge you need to create an effective resume. Most job-seekers have the best luck when they choose an agency that specializes in their industries.

The majority of your unemployment time should be spent searching for a new job, but you can network with professionals who will provide you with good leads, great references and new skills while continuing the hunt. While filling out online applications and sending out hundreds of resumes, watch out for local career fairs and other job-related events. These opportunities can enhance your skill set and provide you with invaluable advice that gives your resume the edge you need to enter the employment status.

Rachel Doyle
Marketing Director for CMN.com
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