Careers guidance when you’re in-between jobs

There are many reasons why you may be in-between jobs but whether it is planned or unplanned, you should make the most of the time and stay productive in preparation for finding your next role.

Think of your time as a benefit, use it wisely and give yourself the space to get clarity on what you want to do next.

Here are our tips for staying productive whilst in-between jobs

1. Be focused and try not to worry

There is nothing wrong with having a gap between jobs. It is actually very common.

Even if your gap wasn’t planned, don’t let it worry you. If the break is due to losing your job or redundancy, remind yourself that there are lots of positive and practical steps you can take to ensure your next role is the right one.

Use the time wisely to gain clarity on your next move, and if you use your time productively, explaining your break to employers will be straightforward.

2. Plan what you want to do next

A plan of action is a great way to focus your mind and make the most of your time finding a new job. The plan will help you be more focused in your job search and setting yourself short and long-term goals will help you see the progress you are making. Setbacks will undoubtedly happen, but it’s important to be resilient and see these as simply part of the process.

3. Treat your job search as if it were your job

Your job search is likely to be more effective if you treat it as if it were your current job. Think about the range of activities you could do to help in your search – speaking to people you know, researching local companies, attending networking events or updating your LinkedIn profile are just some.

4. Develop new skills

This is the perfect opportunity to identify any skills gaps you have that may hold you back from getting your next role. Read job specs to find out what employers are looking for. There are many different sources of skills training and we can help you find the most suitable.

If you’re looking to change career direction, we have lots of practical advice available online and on a one-to-one basis to help you work out the steps you need to take.

5. Volunteering

There are so many benefits that volunteering can bring. Not only are you giving something back in terms of your time and expertise, you are learning new skills, meeting new people and showing that you’re proactive. These are all great traits that employers like to see.

Read our blog on how charity work can improve your marketability

6. Develop your online profile

Social media can be a really helpful tool in your job search. Linkedin especially can open up a new source of job opportunities.

Invest some time in creating a profile, sharing your skills and experience and connecting with people who work in the sector you’re interested in. By joining Linkedin groups and commenting on people’s posts, you can quickly build up a profile on the platform. You’ll also be able to spot opportunities posted by employers.

7. Rehearse how to explain your time off

As you start applying for jobs you need to be able to explain your employment gap, although if it is really short you shouldn’t need to. List all the positive things you have done during your time off – new skills, training courses, voluntary jobs and even new hobbies – and include them on your CV as accomplishments.

8. Seek some advice from careers advisers like us

Here at Inspira we have a wealth of options to help you be better equipped to find your next role. Our experienced advisers can offer you practical career advice and support to refresh, refocus and determine your next move.

Here are just a few examples:

• Help with making a step-by-step plan to reach your goals
• Identify your strengths and weaknesses
• Improve your skills and qualifications
• Refresh your CV and interview skills
• Develop new job search techniques
• Improve your job applications
• Practice interview questions
• Get you in front of potential employers

What you should do next

• Spend some time browsing the content on our website to learn more about preparing for your new role
• Read about how we’ve helped others in the same situation
• Pick up the phone and talk to one of our advisers to see how they can help you 0345 658 8647
• Fill out our form if you’d rather communicate by email and tell us a bit about your situation and if there’s something in particular you would like help with.