My Career Voyage! Charting The Course

By Patty Edwards Shaver
MCV Career Development Facilitator

As the high unemployment rate lingers on, so does frustration, low self-confidence and other negative feelings for many unemployed persons. However, some job seekers seem more positive and less stressed about being unemployed.

How do they do it?

It’s a matter of good health. I don’t mean good physical health – that’s part of it – what I mean is good all around health: financial, career, physical, mental and spiritual health.

FINANCIAL HEALTH

Budget and Financial Tips
First, file for unemployment benefits a.s.a.p. Do this on the first business day after being laid off to get your claim open and processed.

Next, create a budget based on your current situation and stick to it.

• Don’t count on a severance package, savings or unemployment benefits to keep you going at your current lifestyle. Unemployment only pays so much and savings and severance pay will go fast.
  
• Try to not dip into IRAs or 401ks if at all possible as it can take away from your retirement and cost you penalties for early withdrawal.
  

Cut the non-essentials

• Television – cut the extras and keep basic service if can’t deal with using a tv antenna.
  
• Phone and internet – cut the extras here and stick with the basic plan. If you have a land line and cell, consider using just one and cutting the other. Or, consider a pre-paid cell phone or Magic Jack phone that works through a computer. Also consider
  Scypeor other free video calling services.
  
• Dining out – cut down on dining out. Consider ordering “to go” from low cost restaurants maybe once a week, no more.
  
• Entertainment – rather than going out and spending money, consider going to a park or having a family game night. Be creative.

Save money on the necessities:

• Clip coupons
  
• Shop for clothes at thrift stores.
  
• Purchase food at discounted rates from AngelFood Ministries or discount stores.
  
• Conserve water, electricity and natural gas.
  
• Save gasoline - walk or ride a bike rather than driving to destinations that are close by.
  
• Take a look at insurance costs and see if you can find lower rates for the amount of coverage you need.
  
• Use caution when shopping for health insurance. See if you qualify for the 65% premium reduction for COBRA insurance. If not, check out rates for individual plans. Make sure you understand how the plan works before purchasing. Many plans are low cost, but the rates increase significantly when you use them.
  

For emergency assistance, go to Resource Links then scroll down to

• Assistance: food, housing, medical, utilities, etc.
  
• Medical, Health Care Insurance and Prescriptions.
  

CAREER HEALTH
Good career health consists of the following components:

1. ASSESS: Look Within – The first tool in the career voyage is the spyglass. Rather than looking out, the career spyglass looks within to assess interests, skills, abilities, personality traits and work values. Before you can decide on the right career, you must “know yourself.”
   
2. EXPLORE: Find Direction – The career compass provides direction on the career voyage. It finds occupations that match your interests, abilities, personality and values.
   
3. PLAN: Chart the Course – The career chart involves creation of career goals, marketing plan and preparation of marketing materials: résumé, cover letter, business card and career portfolio.
   
4. NAVIGATE: Take the Wheel – The career wheel will help the career explorer navigate a successful career voyage while networking and using the best job search strategies.
   
   Staying on Course in the career voyage is a life-long process. Change is inevitable. Adaptability is crucial in this constantly changing labor market. Finding career-life balance will help in dealing with the many issues that can occur in one’s career and life. Sometimes setbacks occur and periods of reassessment may be necessary. Being prepared and knowing what to do when your career and life are out of balance is key to staying on course.

Education and Training
During unemployment it may be a good time to upgrade your skills and knowledge.

• Community Colleges offer low-cost, sometimes free, classes and workshops. Wake Tech in Raleigh offers continuing education classes and small business workshops.
  
• Check with a Workforce Investment Act (WIA) counselor at a local JobLink Career Center to see if you qualify for free training or classes.
  

Job Seeker/Networking Groups
Get plugged in to a local job seeker group for moral support, occupational and industry information and workshops to help with interviewing and resume preparation. For a list of jobseeker groups in Raleigh, go to Network & Job Seeker Groups

PHYSICAL HEALTH
It is especially important to maintain good health by eating right and getting exercise 3-4 times per week. Based on your current health and approval from your doctor…

• Participate in exercise classes at the local college or community center.
  
• Go swimming a community pool
  
• Walk your neighborhood or walk a mall
  
• Play outside with your kids or grandkids
  
• Work in your yard or garden
  
• Trinity Baptist Church, Raleigh, has a Recreational Outreach Center (ROC) available to the community for free. For hours of operation and more information, go to the ROC webpage.
  

MENTAL HEALTH
Attitude is everything. Maintaining a positive attitude can be difficult, especially in an extended job search, but it vital to your job search. When negative thoughts enter your mind, quickly dismiss them as they will sabotage your confidence and self-esteem.

Support system

• Surround yourself with positive people who support, encourage and build you up.
  
• Stay away from negative people.
  
• Join a local job seeker group that is supportive. Being with other people who are in the same situation offer a great support network.
  

Counseling
If you are really having a tough time, such as depression or thoughts of harming yourself, consider speaking with a counselor or your family physician. There is nothing to be ashamed of in asking for help to get you through a tough time. We all need help at some point in our life.

If you cannot afford a counselor or do not have insurance, go to Resource Links and scroll down to:

• Counseling: career, credit/financial, life
  
• Medical, Health Care Insurance and Prescriptions
  

For counseling in the Raleigh area, go to Triangle Family Services

SPIRITUAL HEALTH
During times of unemployment, many job seekers rely on their faith to help get them through each day. Prayer and meditation are great stress reducers and confidence and self-esteem boosters. Having faith in God and letting Him carry your burdens is like having a heavy load lifted from your shoulders.

Having a church family to fellowship with is having a great support system where you can grow in faith with other believers. If you do not have a church home, find one that is aligned with your beliefs and go on a regular basis.