How to make the most of being unemployed?

185329 · Feb 22, 2024 at 03:38 AM

I recently applied for a job position, but I am pretty sure I am not even going to be invited for an interview. I have applied to work for them a few times in the past. The first time I applied to work there, I was the one who turned them down. In retrospect, I can see how failing to have the gumption to act has merely added onto the predicament I am in today.

I would like to work for Walgreens, and I think it could be life changing if I did. It would be a good learning experience as well as a good life experience in general. The position I applied for was "Customer Service Associate - Temporary". I would be surprised if I did not get invited for an interview, seeing how it would be a temporary position.

It is what it is, I guess.

TheGal · Feb 25, 2024 at 11:07 AM

You could look into the skillsets needed for the position and brushup on any you feel might help you get the position.

Just reading the book Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg and would recommend it.

Good luck !!

Tart Cherry Jam · Mar 01, 2024 at 10:28 PM

I second the above and also recommend getting the Tiny Habits book as an audiobook narrated by the author himself. The author was mute as a teen, overcame it, and then won the contract to read his own book. From being a mute to such a success, through training and practice and belief in oneself. And of course by taking tiny steps first. A very inspiring story.

mote.of.soul · Mar 01, 2024 at 11:23 PM

Yup there's a ton of things to potentially do when unemployed. Anything that will benefit you, learning etc, focusing on work things yes. Be interesting to know if s/he got the job. Did you get the position 185329?? The interwebs would like to know

185329 · Mar 01, 2024 at 11:40 PM

Thanks for the replies, TheGal, Tart Cherry Jam, and mote.of.soul.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mote.of.soul

Yup there's a ton of things to potentially do when unemployed. Anything that will benefit you, learning etc, focusing on work things yes. Be interesting to know if s/he got the job. Did you get the position 185329?? The interwebs would like to know

I actually did not get the job; I wasn't even invited in for an interview. I figure it's because, in the past, I applied for the same job and then when the hiring manager gave me a call, I told them I was no longer interested in being employed by them. I am still kicking myself this day because of it.

mote.of.soul · Mar 01, 2024 at 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 185329

Thanks for the replies, TheGal, Tart Cherry Jam, and mote.of.soul.

I actually did not get the job; I wasn't even invited in for an interview. I figure it's because, in the past, I applied for the same job and then when the hiring manager gave me a call, I told them I was no longer interested in being employed by them. I am still kicking myself this day because of it.

Oh ok. Thanks for your reply 185329. At least you tried. Yeah, having to back out of accepting a job, I've done that or resigned early on in the piece. The gift of poor mental health at play, I would suggest. Keep pluggin' away!

mote.of.soul · Mar 01, 2024 at 11:55 PM

Are you managing, utilising your time unemployed satisfactorily @185329?? One thing I know is boredom can be a killer.

King Momo · Mar 02, 2024 at 12:27 AM

Don’t beg for work at places that you might thing you will be unsuccessful. I am retired as well, looked around and find out not many want to employ an old ‘bugger’. Joined Uber and Didi drive only on clear days and once I make $200 go home and invest the money in to home improving items. Keeps me busy and happy go lucky.

185329 · Mar 02, 2024 at 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mote.of.soul

Are you managing, utilising your time unemployed satisfactorily @185329?? One thing I know is boredom can be a killer.

Yes, boredom truly can drive me crazy. I find I have not been being as productive as I would like to be. That is, learning things about different subjects more often, having more interests and hobbies, etc.

And yet, despite this boredom, I have been managing pretty well for the most part. That is, I am pretty stable. I credit this to psychotropic medications. It seems to be getting better and better over time.

I wish I were more mentally productive, even though lately I seem to be more prolific than usual. And just because I have been feeling this way "lately", does not necessarily mean it will sustain. I am hoping it does, however.

Tart Cherry Jam · Mar 02, 2024 at 02:11 AM

You say you want to be more mentally productive, but may I ask in which particular way? Say, if you sign up as a volunteer literacy tutor and teach someone to read, would it count as mental or do you need something more highly intellectual than that?

If tutoring is up your alley, then your local public library, adult education school, senior center, teen center might have volunteer opportunities posted on their websites.

Note that LinkedIn allows now to add your volunteering to your profile. So volunteering can even benefit your chances of future employment by enriching your LinkedIn profile.

185329 · Mar 02, 2024 at 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tart Cherry Jam

You say you want to be more mentally productive, but may I ask in which particular way? Say, if you sign up as a volunteer literacy tutor and teach someone to read, would it count as mental or do you need something more highly intellectual than that?

If tutoring is up your alley, then your local public library, adult education school, senior center, teen center might have volunteer opportunities posted on their websites.

Note that LinkedIn allows now to add your volunteering to your profile. So volunteering can even benefit your chances of future employment by enriching your LinkedIn profile.

Just reading and learning more about anything, whether it be language, mathematics, nutrition, history, culinary arts, etc. I just want to broaden my horizons and delve more deeply into various subjects in general.

mote.of.soul · Mar 02, 2024 at 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 185329

Yes, boredom truly can drive me crazy. I find I have not been being as productive as I would like to be. That is, learning things about different subjects more often, having more interests and hobbies, etc.

And yet, despite this boredom, I have been managing pretty well for the most part. That is, I am pretty stable. I credit this to psychotropic medications. It seems to be getting better and better over time.

I wish I were more mentally productive, even though lately I seem to be more prolific than usual. And just because I have been feeling this way "lately", does not necessarily mean it will sustain. I am hoping it does, however.

Yup, I get your drift. Sounds promising really. Periods of good stability I'd take as a positive sign for future good stability, in my own experience anyway, if you continue to play your cards right. It seems you don't even need things to do and you're still going well! heh

Tart Cherry Jam · Mar 02, 2024 at 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 185329

Just reading and learning more about anything, whether it be language, mathematics, nutrition, history, culinary arts, etc. I just want to broaden my horizons and delve more deeply into various subjects in general.

I ordered this book thinking it would be a short read. It is a huge volume! I do not have time to delve into it. But from the title and book cover, it seems so enticing. Maybe it is one for you?

Mathematics: From the Birth of Numbers
by Jan Gullberg

It has a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Amazon.

splitimage · Mar 03, 2024 at 10:26 AM

I'm a big fan of volunteering. It helps add structure to your week, can create a sense of accomplishment, provide a current reference, and shows potential employers that you're able to consistently do something. It can also be a way to gain new skills or keep skills current. When I'd been out of work for years and wanted to get back into it, I started out by volunteering and it really helped me to get a job.

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TheGal Poohbah Member Since Aug 2022 Location: The House Posts: 1,200 2 819 hugs given	Feb 25, 2024 at 11:07 AM #2 You could look into the skillsets needed for the position and brushup on any you feel might help you get the position. Just reading the book Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg and would recommend it. Good luck !!
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mote.of.soul Wood Ape Member Since Jan 2018 Location: New Zealand Posts: 13,591 (SuperPoster!) 6 22.3k hugs given	Mar 01, 2024 at 11:23 PM #4 Yup there's a ton of things to potentially do when unemployed. Anything that will benefit you, learning etc, focusing on work things yes. Be interesting to know if s/he got the job. Did you get the position 185329?? The interwebs would like to know __________________ "A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it."- Dōgen
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mote.of.soul Wood Ape Member Since Jan 2018 Location: New Zealand Posts: 13,591 (SuperPoster!) 6 22.3k hugs given	Mar 01, 2024 at 11:55 PM #7 Are you managing, utilising your time unemployed satisfactorily @185329?? One thing I know is boredom can be a killer. __________________ "A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it."- Dōgen
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King Momo New Member Member Since Feb 2024 Location: wa Posts: 7	Mar 02, 2024 at 12:27 AM #8 Don’t beg for work at places that you might thing you will be unsuccessful. I am retired as well, looked around and find out not many want to employ an old ‘bugger’. Joined Uber and Didi drive only on clear days and once I make $200 go home and invest the money in to home improving items. Keeps me busy and happy go lucky.
	Reply With Quote