Between jobs: best way to fill time?

[SpiralOut]

I have some ideas already but I'm looking to see if someone else has an idea that maybe I haven't thought of.

 

I left a toxic workplace with no other job lined up. I know that it looks bad to future potential employers, but honestly I was worried about my mental health and I put that first. Obviously I can't tell them that... I can't bad-mouth my previous employer, or make them think I get stressed out and quit easily. So I need to figure out a way to make myself look good.

 

For the past 3 months I've been decompressing and taking time to re-assess my priorities. Is that an acceptable answer to give during an interview, if they ask me about my period of unemployment? What's an acceptable answer to give for why I left the job with no back-up?

 

My ultimate goal is to write for a living. My plan is to join the STC (society of technical communication) in January since their membership is based on calender year. Then I can arrange for a mentor, and have access to their educational resources and job postings and so on. I want to be a health writer. To be honest, I have doubts about my own ambitions. I worry that I am not being realistic.

 

It is taking me longer than I thought it would to find employment so I am also deciding what to do with my spare time that makes me look good to future employers. I am considering taking some language classes (my city is bilingual), teaching myself to use different computer software programs, going to Toastmasters meetings, or maybe signing up for yoga teacher training. This last one I am unsure of; it would probably be fun for me, but could I get a job afterwards? Seems like competition is fierce for that sort of thing.

 

 

I am looking into volunteer work. Weirdly enough, those aren't easy peasy to get either, or at least not the type I am looking for (behind the scenes positions like writing, computer stuff). Several positions require a yearly commitment and I hesitate to even take that on, in case it conflicts with any job offers I may get later on. Or should I just take on a volunteer job and look for paid jobs that can work around my schedule?

 

As you can probably tell, I am stressed out and lacking direction. My main concern right now is getting a job (almost any job) that will provide me with income while I pursue my writing goals. Realistically, even if I get some freelance writing jobs now it won't be enough to pay my bills. I worry that if my employment gap goes on for too long, it will make it harder for me to get hired anywhere. I am starting to wonder if I made a mistake in quitting my job so suddenly.

 

What would you do?

 

ETA: In case this is relevant, I have an undergraduate degree. I have considered going for a masters degree but I worry that it would put me further into debt and not help me to find a good job. I am disillusioned with the education system.

Edited December 22, 2015 by SpiralOut

[central]

I think you need a mix of activities that will enhance your employability, and provide some entertainment and stress relief.

 

 

Taking a course or two that would be beneficial to future employment is a good idea - writing classes and language classes may help. Research in depth what it takes to get a technical communication writing job, see if you can talk to people already in the field. Yoga won't be much use, except for personal enjoyment - as you say, jobs are few and competitive. Your chances are much better in technical writing. I'd avoid volunteer work that doesn't directly provide short-term job experience - you can use your time better.

 

 

You can tell future employers that you taking time to re-assess your priorities and gain some needed training to pursue it (if you can take classes that support this).

[SpiralOut]

 

 

You can tell future employers that you taking time to re-assess your priorities and gain some needed training to pursue it (if you can take classes that support this).

 

Is it a good idea to say this if my priorities/training don't match the job I am applying for? I don't really know how to tell a job interviewer that I am pursuing a different career and I don't really want to work at their company, I just need money until I find a better job in the area I am pursuing.

 

I don't know how to be honest without turning off employers.... because I do need a paid job, but none of the posted positions match my long-term goals (well some of them do but they want people with 5+ years of experience)

 

I recently registered with a job placement agency so that I can get contract positions. I think temp jobs are my best bet for now, but when I do get set up with an interview, how honest should I be if they ask about my long-term goals?

 

I guess there is the option to pursue jobs in my current field and just pretend that's what I want to do....

[d0nnivain]

Do some volunteer work in a field that interests you. When asked say you left to pursue other opportunities including the job you are interviewing for.

 

If you can pick up some temp or contract work all the better.

[preraph]

If you can afford it, keep taking courses and tell the employer you were taking some more courses.

[Beach Guy]

It is taking me longer than I thought it would to find employment so I am also deciding what to do with my spare time that makes me look good to future employers. I am considering taking some language classes (my city is bilingual), teaching myself to use different computer software programs, going to Toastmasters meetings, or maybe signing up for yoga teacher training. This last one I am unsure of; it would probably be fun for me, but could I get a job afterwards? Seems like competition is fierce for that sort of thing.

 

 

I am looking into volunteer work. Weirdly enough, those aren't easy peasy to get either, or at least not the type I am looking for (behind the scenes positions like writing, computer stuff). Several positions require a yearly commitment and I hesitate to even take that on, in case it conflicts with any job offers I may get later on. Or should I just take on a volunteer job and look for paid jobs that can work around my schedule?

These sound like a valuable use of some of your time.

 

Good plan to not badmouth your former employer. Maybe you could say you left without a backup position because you were looking for new career opportunities and left your job with notice at a time that made it convenient for them to transition to a new employee. This makes it sound like a selfless action, and that you wouldn't leave the new company in a lurch either.

[solway86]

If you are looking to write for a living, blogging may be a useful skill to have.

 

Learn how to use WordPress - I did, use it on OS X /MAMP, once you learn how to do so, not only is it good for writing skills, but also other media skills, file management, website maintenance, ghostwriting etc. Even if you have to get a more IT-literate friend to do the technical stuff behind-the-scenes [the web server], I recommend this.

 

Ghostwriting is a field worth looking into, some WordPress blogs are ghostwritten but pay varies.

 

Hope this helps!

[Taramere]

If you are looking to write for a living, blogging may be a useful skill to have.

 

 

I've occasionally blogged, though not for a long time, and a while back I wrote a couple of articles for a free paper. What I've found is that the blogs which attract the most interest are either

 

a) absolute sh*te that I wrote as a throwaway joke (what I think of as my lamest attempts at humour usually seems be the humour other people like best - whereas when I think I'm being really hilarious, nobody except me is laughing)

 

b) stuff that's difficult to research, because nobody else seems to be interested in researching it thoroughly enough to write about it in an informative way.

 

The latter is more psychologically rewarding...but the downside is that it isn't financially rewarding. It probably can become so if you're willing to really plug away at it, though.

 

I do think that if you want tangible rewards for devoting that level of energy to blogging, you're best focusing on very local rather than international issues. Most people who gravitate to writing probably want to write about exciting international politics, news, celebrities etc...but if you want to make useful local connections (that could lead to real opportunities) it's probably best to write about local issues.

Edited January 5, 2016 by Taramere

[salparadise]

A graduate degree is probably worth pursuing, assuming you get into a good program and take advantage of it. It will also be legitimate justification for the employment in your resume'. You can use freelance and volunteer work to supplement income, gain experience and build connections. It all fits together nicely. And if your writing is good you may never need to punch a clock again anyway. But you should always think in terms of building skill and connections and not just filling time. If you do freelance successfully it will be more satisfying and more secure than a payroll check... when you're in a traditional employment situation, you never go to work in the morning with any real certainty that you'll still be employed at the end of the day.

[Maggie4]

Unless you have a lot of savings, or parents that give you money, you need income. I should think that's first priority. Otherwise you are out in the streets.

Filling in time in between jobs is more like when you have a job lined up, but doesn't start until later. You need to devote 100% to job search now.

[SpiralOut]

If you are looking to write for a living, blogging may be a useful skill to have.

 

Learn how to use WordPress - I did, use it on OS X /MAMP, once you learn how to do so, not only is it good for writing skills, but also other media skills, file management, website maintenance, ghostwriting etc. Even if you have to get a more IT-literate friend to do the technical stuff behind-the-scenes [the web server], I recommend this.

 

Ghostwriting is a field worth looking into, some WordPress blogs are ghostwritten but pay varies.

 

Hope this helps!

 

I use wordpress and have monetized one of my blogs. I don't make nearly enough money from it to pay my bills (I get paid maybe a dollar a month from advertising, ha!!). I agree it is good practice. And I write about a niche topic, so I think if I put enough effort into it, it can grow into something more like maybe putting the most popular posts together into an e-book. That's in the far future, though.

 

I have looked around and found some credible looking sites that pay for articles, and also a site that pays for syndicated posts. So I do have the goal to produce content and send it to some places.

 

Since writing my original post, I have registered with a placement agency and am applying for security clearance. They want to set me up with some office-type jobs with the government, all contract of course but hey it's money.

Edited January 5, 2016 by SpiralOut

[MuddyFootprints]

Mohawk used to have an online grammar/writing program. Check it out. Just going through their prescribed text/workbook would be beneficial to your writing skills. If you give me a day or so, I might be able to come up with the first book in their course.

[MuddyFootprints]

In the meantime, absolutely find someplace to volunteer. It's not going to pay your bills, but the experience is invaluable.

 

Good luck with your government office-type jobs. There is an incredible amount of knowledge and experience to be gleaned there!

 

Still, spend time writing about what you are passionate about and always look to improve your skill.

[SpiralOut]

I haven't been able to find volunteer work in my city that fits my preferences, but I just discovered a site that provides volunteer positions from across the country, many of which can be telecommuted (which makes sense since I am searching for writing opportunities). So I'm feeling a bit more hopeful.

 

Also I am wondering has anyone used the Flexjobs search site? It seems legit. I see some writing jobs that allow telecommuting for people in my country. It has a monthly usage fee, which makes me nervous, but I will probably try it out for a month or two.

 

I registered with the STC and now I'm wondering if I threw away my money. They make it sound like they offer so much, but now that I can access more info on the site, it's obvious that most of their services are directed to US residents. There is literally only ONE technical writing job posting in Canada. There are no refunds. Ugh. Well I guess I will just have to make the most of it during my one year membership. Maybe something will come of it later. I still need to create a LinkedIn profile. Then maybe I can start to network. I did contact someone on the mentor list, so hopefully I can get some legit advice.

 

As you can tell I am very much an online person.

 

The contract job (set up through the placement agency) has been pushed back and I am waiting for them to finalize it so I can know for sure that I'm starting somewhere. It is supposed to start early February. I am feeling a bit stressed out. If I could get some sort of telecommuting job that would be awesome. It can supplement my income and easily fit around whatever full-time job I end up getting.