A Real-Time Conversation on Unemployment
By: Madison Scullin
Tags: Unemployment, Career Advice, Career Development, Job Hunting, Career Change

A Real-Time Conversation on Unemployment

Last month, I made a risky career move few professionals would recommend: I quit my job without another one lined up.

I admit I’ve experienced a rollercoaster of emotions over the last few weeks. Discomfort. Discouragement. Self-consciousness. Uncertainty. Fear. (To name a few.) However, I’m relieved to report regret is not one of them.

I walked away without a plan because I realized my happiness is more valuable than a paycheck.

Before you roll your eyes, let me say this: I understand everything has a price tag as an adult. And while I’ve come to accept that fact, I’ve also come to realize I don’t want my happiness to be one of those things.

So I page-refreshed my life. I read countless stories of successful people who’d once left a job they hated. Moved out of the country to “find” themselves. Left a secure industry to pursue a passion project.

But none of them painted a real-time picture of the path from struggle to success.

As I scoured the web for articles written by someone in the same situation as me, it became apparent that nobody talks about being unemployed while they’re unemployed. Maybe it’s to avoid unwanted attention during the job search, or maybe it’s the fear of vulnerability and judgment during a time when your future is up in the air. Whatever the reason, it’s a sensitive subject that deserves attention.

As I explained my experience to a student who I mentor, I recognized an opportunity to chronicle my quest for career fulfillment. If just one person follows my journey and finds the courage to take a leap of faith in their career, I’ve accomplished my goal.

So, welcome to my life post-page-refresh. It’s not totally together, but I’ll get there. In the meantime, here are a few of the topics I plan to cover throughout my job search over the coming weeks.

The exit: Why, when and how to leave an unfulfilling job

Making the decision to leave your job is not one to be made lightly. It’s risky; uncomfortable. How do you identify when it’s time to pull the trigger? Are you making this decision for the right reasons? How can you exit tactfully and professionally so you don’t burn bridges? I’ll share my experience with leaving my job, and I’ll share advice on how to make the move yourself.

Resumes and cover letters: What the internet says, what professionals suggest, and the happy medium

Consider a resume your first impression on hiring managers. You want to put your best foot forward, considering things like layout, design, verbiage and content hierarchy. I’ll share best practices for updating your resume in a creative field and how to write a powerful cover letter tailored to the job you’re applying for.

The job search: Where do you start and how do you navigate the process?

Knowing where to start the job search is half the battle. How do you source and vet quality job opportunities? Are you applying to the right jobs? How do you organize opportunities in the queue? I’ll outline my process, timeline and lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Interviewing: The good, the bad and the disappointing

Interviewing is arguably the most stressful but defining part of the job hunt. Whether on the phone, via video chat or in person, it can be intimidating to sell your experience to key stakeholders at a company. I’ll share interview preparation tips, my recent experiences (15+ interviews, phew!) and what I’ve learned along the way.

Unemployment: How to spend your time wisely

Time management is crucial through the job search. Should you treat your time off like a vacation or a job? How can you remain frugal and focused with so much free time on your hands? I’ll walk you through a week in the life of an unemployed young professional.

While I’m not sure how long my search for career fulfillment will last, I’m determined to prioritize my happiness (and talent) and treat it with the respect and importance it deserves. Hopefully you will, too.