5 Things You Should Be Doing If You're Unemployed

By ZipRecruiter

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?

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Coaching centre for Muslim students opened in Manipur

By Dr. Syed Ahmed, TwoCircles.net,

Imphal: The opening function of a coaching centre was organized at Lilong in Manipur on February 10, 2013. Lilong happens to be the largest Muslim inhabited area in the State.

The opening function of the Dynamic Study Centre was attended by some of the renowned academicians of the State. Secretary of Manipur State Minorities Commission and Associate Professor of DM College of Science Dr. Raheijuddin Sheikh, Senior Journalist Yumnam Rupachandra, renowned Social Scientist Dr. Dhanabir Laishram, Assistant Professor of Lilong Haoreibi College Dr. Syed Ahmed, Social Worker Alhaj Ahamed Ali, Sub-Deputy Collector Md. Ajijur Rahman and District Information Officer of Thoubal Md. Abdul Kayum were the presidium members.

Giving the key-note address, the founder of the Md. Hayatur Rahman (Akuba) said, "The Muslims of Lilong have been feeling the need for a coaching centre for quite a long time. I hope this coaching centre will surely fulfill the need of the Muslims of Lilong and its surrounding areas. Lilong is the largest Muslim inhabited area in the State. The area has over the years produced numerous rank holders in X, XII exams, or in the exams for professional courses, like Medical or Engineering entrance exams, conducted by the State and the Central boards.

Presidium members of the function

Md. Ismat, who topped the CBSE-AISSCE 2012 was from Lilong. Besides these, many meritorious students from the area have also cleared in prestigious job recruitment exams. Out of the 9 Muslims who cleared the State Civil Services exam last year, three are from Lilong. Today Muslim parents are also showing great concern over the education of their children. They are sending their children in the coaching centres situated in far off places. Considering the problems that the Muslim parents of Lilong area face in sending their children to far off places for coaching classes we have decided to open the coaching centre here at Lilong, which is the first of its kind here."

Md. Hayatur Rahman is a young social activist, who is associated with many students' organizations of the State. He is also the advisor of Pangal (Manipuri Muslim) Students' Organization.

Addressing the function, Dr. Dhanabir Laishram talked on the role of parents and teachers in shaping the career of a child. He said, "Home is the first institution of a child from where he/she learns. Parents need to play an essential role in the education of their children. They need to pay attention to their children. They need to spare time from their busy schedule for their children…The children should be given responsibilities. Their views should be appreciated. Parents should watch their daily activities. They should try to know and discuss their problems. Parents should not be very strict and vigilant on their children. They need to know the hidden talents of their children. They should not be forced to do something which they are not interested."

Lamenting the lack of good teachers today, Laishram said, "Once there were good teachers who joined the profession because they loved to teach. Sadly today, those people who fail to become civil servant, engineer or doctor get in the teaching profession. These people are least interested in their profession. We need good teachers. If you want to know what makes a good teacher you can go through UNESCO's book entitled What makes a Good Teacher? (1996). In the book over 500 children from around 50 countries in the age-group of 8-12 contributed their opinions."

In his speech, Dr. Raheijuddin Sheikh talked about Central Government's plan of starting community colleges in the States. He said, "I came back from Delhi after attending the international conference on community colleges. Union HRD Ministry is planning to start 200 community colleges in various parts of India from the next academic session with an aim to build the capacity of our youth. India government realizes the shortage of skilled people in various sectors, including IT. The kind of curriculum which is followed in the educational institutions across the country fails to generate employable or skilled people. In short, our education system fails to meet the demands of the market. The community colleges will be instituted to meet these needs. Manipur will also be getting at least 3 such community colleges. We are proposing one such college at Lilong."

The Dynamic Study Centre is starting a five month foundation course for Class VIII, IX and X.

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