Lessons from Unemployment

I have been unemployed for three months now. I have chosen to be as positive as I can be in these trying times, but I also realized that I should be authentic here on my blog. I feel negative on some days, and I know that there are people out there who might learn a thing or two from my ordeal.

I have been working out everyday in order to be the healthiest that I can be. I owe it to myself to be in shape. The endorphins keep me centered and calm. Also, my best ideas usually occur while I am doing cardio. As I was working out today, I realized that I should share with you some lessons that I have learned from unemployment. Here they are:

Keep on praying! 

1. Haters are everywhere.  There will always be those negative people who will put you down. Don’t listen to them. You should know by now who to trust.
2. If someone makes you feel instinctively bad, stay away from that person.  Chances are, your instinct is correct. There will always be people who have hidden agenda for their personal gain. They will use your vulnerability as a reason for you to comply. If someone makes you feel iffy, stop seeing that person and move on.
3. Prayer is faith in action. Now is the best time to offer prayers. If possible, go to church. The mere act of kneeling down in front of an altar already demonstrates your resolve to improve your condition and overcome unemployment.
4. Nothing beats self-care. Find your routine to relax and unwind. Job hunting can be stressful, so learn how to take care of yourself so you can bounce back with fierceness. I have a budget for toiletries, and I have rituals like scrubbing, applying face masks, and cooling lotion. These are little luxuries that can go a long way in maintaining your confidence and overall well-being.
5. Update your CV. Attend seminars, conferences, trainings, workshops, and even online courses. Any form of learning can boost your chances of getting hired. List them down on your CV and keep your online employment profiles up to date. 
6. Listen to those who love you. They know what is best for you.  

This cup of Sagada coffee from Papa Diddi’s soothed my soul while awakening my weary body. 

If you are losing hope right now, I suggest that you take a step back and examine the bigger picture. Is there anything you can do right now to improve your circumstances? It could be a workout, a shower, a hot meal, or a cup of coffee. Now is the best time to reflect and take care of yourself. Unemployment is not a permanent status. It is a short break, so make sure that you relax, keep fighting, and continue job hunting.

 ***Comments are welcome at speakoutsam@gmail.com***

Working on Getting Work

A and I ate fish balls near my house. It was a memorable snack, and it was cheap! 

I am actively job hunting at the moment. It is not easy, and I have received rejections for most of my applications. I am not the easiest person to be with these days, as I am usually on my phone applying for jobs or reading to calm myself down after receiving a rejection email.

Due to the demands of an increasingly digital workforce, I was forced to have interviews via phone or even chat. It was difficult to describe my experiences through these mediums. It was impersonal, and it was not possible for interviewers to see my gestures. As a result, I got rejected for asking “too many questions”, being “too inquisitive”, and “sounding too authoritative” on the phone. These were exact words from interviews I have spoken to. 

To overcome the anxiety that comes with jobhunting, I have resorted to asking my family and closest friends for feedback. I realized that yes, I do sound authoritative so I have learned to tone down my speech and modulate my voice. I have also been told that in recent HR training, questions from applicants are sometimes unwelcome because HR professionals these days are busy with countless recruitment interviews. They cannot even hold it in the office due to budget constraints. As a naturally inquisitive person, this is a pain to deal with. I am curious about the company culture, which is challenging to decipher if I am only speaking to a recruiter, or worse, being interviewed via chat. After many rejections, I have crowdsourced for job leads. I am thankful that I have friends who have sent links to openings and even possible career options which I have previously not considered. Hopefully, I will get callbacks this week, as I need the resources to survive the upcoming holiday season. 

To live without an income is not easy, but I am getting by with the help of motivational podcasts, books, and my loved ones. I have been experiencing insomnia because all of the financial challenges have been haunting me at night. My family has raised me to live within my means, and I live mostly on my meager savings. My savings account is close to empty, as I have spent almost all of my allocated funds for my supposedly brief unemployment. It has been three months. I have acne due to sleepless nights worrying about the next few weeks.  

I need a job. I hope I can be interviewed in person soon. I believe in myself, and I will get through this. 

If you are also struggling like me with the unemployment game, remember to NEVER GIVE UP. There is a bright future ahead. Just live within your means. Try looking for meaningful ways to spend time with loved ones, just like the fish balls date I had with A yesterday. It was a cheap date, but the food was delicious and I was with the one I love the most. Even in my joblessness, I am loved. Find the silver lining and treasure what you have. 

Keep on fighting! 

 ***Comments are welcome at speakoutsam@gmail.com***