Overcoming the Dangers of Long Term Unemployment

On the website vox.com, in an article called "This is what it feels like to be unemployed for years," writer Danielle Kurtzleben details the experiences of American workers who have lost their jobs and found themselves unemployed or underemployed for extended periods of time.

The writer's focus? A phenomenon called skills erosion where a person's skills, thinking, and identity all start to slip.

This is a very real danger! If you are not careful, long term unemployment can be a truly withering experience, eroding not just skills but self-esteem and confidence too.

While what Kurtzleben describes is absolutely real, it does not have to happen that way.There are well-recognized practices to avoid these dangers. And if you know anyone in this dilemma, please share this article with them.

Here are three of the most recommended ways to stay vital and alive during the crucible of long term unemployment:

Join groups - My friend UK-based consultant Nick Heap wrote to me that "mutual support is essential when facing a crisis." Amen to that.

You've heard the old expression that "There is strength in numbers." For a job seeker or career changer, this means, Don't go it alone. Instead, band together with others and the strengths multiply!

The good news is, Job Search Support Groups abound! Some are community-based like John Fugazzie's Neighbors helping Neighbors. Some are church-based, such as the one I co-founded, the St. Matthias Employment Ministry in Somerset, NJ. There are many more. These faith-based initiatives are practical ministries driven by the desire to help one's fellow man or woman. Though sponsored by faith-based organizations, the resources of these groups are available to all.

Some other job search support groups revolve around an occupational affinity such as ChemPharma for professionals in that industry, FENG (Financial Executives Networking Group) or MENG (Marketing Executives Networking Group). In the spirit of these memorable acronyms, there is YANG (Yet Another Networking Group). For people in the field of Human Resources, there are a number of focused groups for HR professionals who are in transition.

Career coach Alex Freund has done a fine job of maintaining an up-to-date list at his website. of the many and varied groups in NJ, NY, CT, and eastern PA.

Public libraries have also stepped up to the challenge of helping job hunters. Through programs like NJ Works , where librarians have been specially trained and certified to assist job seekers in research, resume writing and other tasks associated with the job search, those who are out of work can now go to a local library for the expert support they may need.

So, if you are looking for work, and you don't live close to any of the above resources, what can you do? You can start your own group! Chances are, there are others near you who are also looking for work. You can get started right away with the help of The Riley Guide. You can also listen to this podcast where host Jeff Altman interviews me about the power of joining groups.

All it takes is for one job seeker to reach out to another one and ask, "When can we meet?" And then "Who else should we invite to meet with us?" You can start at a local library or church meeting room or even a Starbucks. And take it from there.

Volunteer - A very strongly recommended strategy when you are out of work is, Get Out of the House! This is intended to ensure that you get some fresh air and that you move around (rather than sit in front of your computer). Take it a step further, then, and do something with your time that will have added benefits: Volunteer!

When you volunteer, you feel good. This is no small thing. Many people who are struggling with unemployment can get depressed and start to feel worthless. So give back to others and start to feel good again.

When you volunteer, you are doing something to make the world a better place. Even something seemingly small, like filling bags at a food bank for a couple hours per week, can have big effects in the lives of families who are hungry.

And lastly, when you volunteer, you are networking! meeting new people, building new relationships, demonstrating the sort of person you are. You never know what connections can happen via a volunteer experience.

Added Note: Consider "strategic volunteering," a notion coined (I believe) by my friend Raymond "Mr. Hospitality" Helfrich where you select the organization based on your career objectives. For example, volunteer at a hospital where you would like to land a job.

Start a business - This one may be the most fearsome for some people. Are you saying to yourself, "Start a business? Me? You must be kidding!" If so, consider what you are passionate about. What talents do you have? What problems are you very good at solving?

I heard about someone who loved baking who started a custom cupcake business. Someone I know has started a personal computer troubleshooting business for senior communities. A friend of mine who loves old vinyl lp's (long playing records for those of a certain young age) has started selling them online. It pays his bills! Another person I know walks other people's dogs. Another delivers food to shut-ins.

Just ask yourself, What could I do, with the skills I have, to generate a business? On this last point, I love this quote from Seth Godin:

"Today, right now, go start something. Start a business. A tiny one. Train people in social media. Run an eBay selling business. Sell coffee from a truck every morning at the train station. Run spring break tours by bus for other college students. Start a newsstand on campus. Run a birthday cake delivery service. Train executives in public speaking. Start a dog poop shoveling business. Start something. Run it. You’ll probably make more money. You’ll certainly learn more. If you’re good at it, people will offer you a job, and If you’re not, then ask yourself: Why on earth would someone actually hire you? Go get good at it. Have fun. No whining. This is your moment, go make a difference. You can thank me later."

So please don't let a dry-spell of unemployment defeat you or someone you care about. Fight back. Take charge.

Get out of the house! And galvanize into action!

Terrence Seamon has been working with job seekers, career changers and others in transition for many years. He is a coach, trainer, and facilitator. He has over thirty years of business experience in executive coaching, leadership development, management training, team building, and organizational change, in both internal as well as external consulting roles. Terry has a Master’s degree in Education from Rutgers Graduate School of Education, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Human Communication from Rutgers. His main interest areas these days are change and transition, job search coaching, stress and wellness, employee engagement, and leadership development. You can find him on twitter at tseamon and on facebook at Facilitation Solutions.