When you have recently become unemployed, you are surely going to feel some of the negative emotions that come along with this type of unfortunate change. However, you do not need to let unemployment get you down. Instead, you can change your perspective and see the room for opportunity that is created by your new-found freedom. In fact, unemployment can be considered a “blessing in disguise,” especially since there are several ways in which you can be productive during this down time. From this article, you will want to take note of the four ways in which you can be productive as an unemployed professional.

Do Some Career “Soul-Searching”

When you are newly unemployed, it is important for you to take some time for yourself so that you can do some soul-searching when it comes to what you want out of career. For some people, having a job is all they need to feel satisfied with their financial situation; however, this is generally not the case for most professionals. Nowadays, more people are looking to find employment opportunities that will bring them both mental satisfaction and financial security. That said, you can use this period of soul-searching to help you determine what it is that you really wish to do in your career. If you do not analyze what you really want out of your career, you may quickly find yourself in a position that is unsatisfying, boring, and lacking the qualities that you need in a job.

Build Your Contact List

More often than not, you will be encouraged to network if you are seeking new employment opportunities and/or a change in your career. In fact, networking is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get the job that you want. Whether you are networking online or through attending professional events, you will want to be sure that you are building the right connections and developing your contact list. Since most jobs are not advertised online or through these events, you will need to use your contacts to learn about new job opportunities and openings for employment. Once you have built your contact list, you can begin to present yourself as a candidate for the jobs that you wish to find.

Improve Your Interview Skills

With the right contacts in your pocket, you can also start working towards setting up interviews and meetings with professionals who can help you obtain employment. However, you will want to prepare for these opportunities beforehand, and you can do this by practicing your interview skills. More specifically, you will need to refine your personal brand and image so that you are able to present yourself in the best light possible. Furthermore, you will want to appear authentic, genuine, trustworthy, and confident as a job seeker so that industry professionals are able to see you as a candidate who is ready for any new job or situation. As part of your interview preparation, you may need to do some research in order to learn about common interview questions for job openings in your field or industry.

Understand What it Means to “Seal the Deal”

One of the most important steps that you can take as an unemployed professional is to understand the real meaning of “sealing the deal.” In specific, this step requires that you follow up with your contacts, maintain your presence as a job seeker by networking and attending events, and it also means saying thank you for the opportunities that you are given to interview. Regardless of what method you use to communicate with your contacts, it is important that you do not forget to follow up or thank them for helping you take a step forward in your mission to obtain employment.