Underemployed? Keep Your Career Search on a Roll

Underemployed is a term used to define anyone who has a job that isn’t relevant to their skills or training, i.e doesn’t see them using their expertise. It is also used to describe those working part-time or zero-hour contracted jobs as they were unable to find part-time work. While it’s easier to find a job while you have a job already, it allows you less time to search and attend interviews etc. More and more young people are falling into the trap of settling in their underemployment and losing sight of their original goals, especially if they have been in their jobs for while. So how can you make sure you career ambitions don’t get lost or diluted while working in your stop-gap job? These tips are provided by an expert of online resume writer service and proven by hundreds of employers.

Keep Your Head in the Game

Stay in touch with the industry you’d ideally like to be working in and make sure you keep up to date with the latest developments. Things that you should be looking out for include which companies are hiring. What areas are doing well and why? What challenges are facing the industry? What roles are becoming more available? What skills are needed? This way, you’ll get a good idea of how and when you can get a foot in the door. Consider getting a career mentor – someone higher up in your desired industry to help you gain insight into a realistic entry route. A successful person who has gone down your desired career path is probably the most valuable resource there is.

Don’t Settle For Less

It’s easy to give up on your career dreams. Once you convince yourself that you’re destined for a role in your stop-gap job, it’s a slippery slope. Keeping sight of your goal is half the battle, as a real hunger to get into your desired field will drive the cogs behind your job search. This makes you more driven and committed to achieving your ideal position. Think of you current job as a pit-stop towards your destination, rather than a barrier that has halted you. Keep dedicating as much time as you can to searching job boards and handing in speculative applications – those that have stuck it out the longest are most likely to become employed!

What’s Stopping You?

Realistically consider what is preventing you from being hired, writing it down if you need to. Underneath all of these points, you need to identify how they can be resolved. Probably the main one at this stage will be lack of experience. This can be especially tricky to resolve when you have work commitments, but your current position isn’t extending your knowledge base further. Consider taking an unpaid internship or voluntary role alongside a part-time paid role to tide you over. If this is too much of a stretch, any voluntary work you can do outside work hours will be invaluable to you. This could be anything from helping at a nursing home to running the finances of a non-for-profit organisation.

Transcript

1. Underemployed? Keep Your Career Search on a Roll
2. Underemployed is a term used to define anyone who has a job that isn’t relevant t their skills or training, i.e doesn’t see them using their expertise. It is also used to describe those working part-time or zero-hour contracted jobs as they were unable to find part-time work. While it’s easier to find a job while you have a job already, it allows you less time to search and attend interviews etc. More and more young people are falling into the trap of settling in their underemployment and losing sight of their original goals, especially if they have been in their jobs for while. So how can you make sure you career ambitions don’t get lost or diluted while working in your stop-gap job?
4. Keep Your Head in the Game Stay in touch with the industry you’d ideally like to be working in and make sure you keep up to date with the latest developments. Things that you should be looking out for include which companies are hiring. What areas are doing well and why? What challenges are facing the industry? What roles are becoming more available? What skills are needed? This way, you’ll get a good idea of how and when you can get a foot in the door. Consider getting a career mentor – someone higher up in your desired industry to help you gain insight into a realistic entry route. A successful person who has gone down your desired career path is probably the most valuable resource there is.
5. Don’t Settle For Less It’s easy to give up on your career dreams. Once you convince yourself that you’re destined for a role in your stop-gap job, it’s a slippery slope. Keeping sight of your goal is half the battle, as a real hunger to get into your desired field will drive the cogs behind your job search. This makes you more driven and committed to achieving your ideal position. Think of you current job as a pit-stop towards your destination, rather than a barrier that has halted you. Keep dedicating as much time as you can to searching job boards and handing in speculative applications – those that have stuck it out the longest are most likely to become employed!
7. What’s Stopping You? Realistically consider what is preventing you from being hired, writing it down if you need to. Underneath all of these points, you need to identify how they can be resolved. Probably the main one at this stage will be lack of experience. This can be especially tricky to resolve when you have work commitments, but your current position isn’t extending your knowledge base further. Consider taking an unpaid internship or voluntary role alongside a part-time paid role to tide you over. If this is too much of a stretch, any voluntary work you can do outside work hours will be invaluable to you. This could be anything from helping at a nursing home to running the finances of a non-for-profit organisation.