What I learned from unemployment

[mbernardi]

So now I am working again, I thought I'd make some notes on what I've learned and what I wish I'd learned sooner.

The most important thing is that if you are off work for more than a few weeks then you should find some volunteering opportunity to show that you are still actively looking for work. It will ensure you don't have a large gap on your CV. It will also keep you in contact with other working people, and keep your skills alive.

Sign on at the job center straight away

Contact the council to get reduction on council tax.

If you have a PC use a spreadsheet to track your job searching, use the format of the JSA if you want. You can colour code depending on what you are recording.

If you don't have IT Skills, especially with recent Office suite software, get some training (there are free courses available on line www.learndirect.co.uk, www.vision2learn.com and www.alison.com).

Get other certification especially Business Admin also from www.vision2learn.com

Temp and Contract work is more likely to be available than permanant work. So sign up with as many appropriate agencies as possible, and keep in regular contact.

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