Unemployment can be a new beginning

Topics

• Competence development
• Job seeking
• Lay-off
• Personal story
• Unemployment

At the end of August, we launched the Unemployment is Hard Work campaign. One of its aims is to give jobseekers a more humane ground to be openly unemployed jobseekers.

Our member surveys show that unemployment can be a challenging time in many ways. For example, unemployment is associated with shame and many people feel they have to justify their status.

Fortunately, there are some positive experiences and we asked our members to share these as part of our campaign. We received a large number of responses to our survey. Thank you for all your comments – we have read them carefully!

Opportunity for change

The responses suggest that unemployment is a phase in life that can bring unexpected opportunities. Although it may seem challenging at first, many people have found a new direction in their lives during unemployment. Unemployment can even be a turning point.

“Fortunately, I went outside my comfort zone and found a job where I really feel I am doing something meaningful. When you dare to peek around the corner, you might be surprised,” says one respondent.

“Being unemployed is an opportunity to open new doors and develop yourself. Being unemployed allows you to look at the labour market in a new light and find a new direction in life. It’s a chance to rediscover yourself!”

For some respondents, unemployment has given them time to stop and think about what they really want to do with their lives. Unemployment has made major career changes possible.

“After the initial shock of being unemployed, I see this as an opportunity to redirect my career a bit, more towards what I really want to do for a living.”

“Unemployment has opened my eyes to what I still want to do, a leap towards something new.”

“Unemployment allowed for personal, emotional recovery and grounding.”

Courage and new skills help you move forward

In our survey, some respondents told us about frustrating experiences in job search, including age discrimination. However, several had tried to turn these difficulties into a win-win situation.

Respondents stressed the importance of initiative and an active attitude. Many have found a new job thanks to these qualities.

“I was brave enough to ask for a job in a shop, even though I didn’t know if they were even looking for employees (…) I have now been working there for a couple of years on a permanent basis. It paid off to be proactive.”

“The fact that I think of myself as a jobseeker rather than unemployed makes me feel more positive.”

Respondents also highlighted the importance of developing skills and learning new things. It is precisely the period of unemployment that has enabled them to acquire new skills and grow personally. For example, strengthening digital skills has been a way to prepare for the future.

“I have learned a lot of new skills while unemployed.”

“Identifying my own strengths and working on areas for improvement. Strengthening my self-esteem.”

So while there is a lot of anxiety associated with unemployment, our survey suggests that unemployment can also be an opportunity for a fresh start. Unemployment can be an opportunity to learn, grow and find a new direction in life.

“Unemployment is not an end, it is an opportunity for a new beginning”, summarised one respondent.

At the YTK, we want above all to help our members in their job search, and to emphasise that periods of unemployment are also relevant lines on a CV. Read more about our Unemployment is hard work campaign and find out about the tools we offer our members to help them find a new job.