Dr Hugh Koch on unemployment

FOR THOSE who have lost a job, or made the difficult decision to leave a job, a period of helplessness and hopelessness often follows. We can feel sad at the 'loss' of our normal everyday activity of getting up early, getting to work, mixing with colleagues and bringing home the pay-cheque.

In answer to two specific problems presented below, there are several steps that can make your job search a hopeful, optimistic and ultimately rewarding and successful experience.

I was made redundant in 2008 and have been looking for another job ever since. I feel I'm losing direction and becoming demotivated with looking and with life in general. What can I do?

I'm not surprised your energy is on the wane but keep believing you will get there. There are a number of practical steps you can take to keep a positive outlook.

1 Remember: there is a job out there for you. Tell yourself this frequently. It may not be what you expect, but it's there. Its important to be optimistic as this is more likely to result in success.

2 Get up at your usual work time. This will help you stay in a working routine. Job-seeking is a full time 'job', so set your clock for this.

3 Keep yourself busy and active. Another aspect of maintaining your healthy lifestyle is to keep yourself busy: do jobs in and around the house; meet friends; take regular exercise and tell your friends what you are doing.

4 Look after yourself. Job searching is tiring and you need to feel fit and healthy. Make sure your diet, hydration and food intake is healthy.

5 Socialise and stay in contact. You may not feel like socialising but keeping up with friends and family is important. This will help you to feel less isolated.

6 Consider other work. We all have more than one 'career' in us; many people have changed to a very different job. This may turn out to be the best decision you have ever made. Also, consider voluntary work.

DEEP IMPACT

I've been actively looking for work for six months and send out up to ten applications a week. I very rarely get asked for an interview (about four times in six months) and, in those four, I don't feel the interviews went well. Judging by my lack of success, neither did they. What's going wrong?

It's not easy to keep going day after day. Your perseverance will, I'm sure, bear fruit eventually. However, I wonder if your applications and interview skills could be letting you down? Here are some practical ideas:

1 Be clear, concise and relevant. Whether applying online or by post you'll be preparing documentation. Make it clear, concise and relevant. Tell a future employer what you can do and have done. Remember they see hundreds of forms - make yours the easiest to read.

2 Be enthusiastic.

Without being over- confident, let others know you have a positive personality and skills which they could use - tell them what you have enjoyed doing and your thoughts for your next job.

3 Wear your best clothes. What does the employer expect you to look like? Wear the clothes that best fit this expectation and that make you feel reasonably comfortable.

4 Be positive on the telephone. Sometimes a job is offered following a "good phone call" where an employer likes the sound of voice, and enthusiastic vocal manner of the applicant. Don't be afraid to ring someone up to discuss the job opportunity.

Dr Hugh Koch is a practising psychologist. His most recent book is Active Steps To Reducing Stress (www.reducingstress.co.uk)

This article was first published in Scotland on Sunday, 22 August, 2010b