- A recruiter says volunteering can help job seekers find gratitude and purpose.
- Helping someone else also offers structure and support during difficult job hunts.
If you lose your job, it can feel like the end of the world.
One possible balm: volunteering.
Jennifer Schielke, the CEO of the staffing firm Summit Group Solutions and the author of "Leading for Impact," said that seeing what others might be going through can help the newly jobless size up their own problems.
"If you have time to volunteer, go do it," she told Business Insider, adding, "Go get some encouragement by sitting alongside someone who has it worse than you do."
Volunteering can be one way to find gratitude and help navigate landing a new role, Schielke said.
While volunteering shouldn't replace other must-dos — like building up your skills, turning to your network to help you find a role, and beefing up your résumé — it could offer a respite from some of the stress accompanying a job search. While the overall labor market remains strong, many employers are taking longer to hire, meaning the hunt for what's next could be more protracted than many job seekers might like.
Committing to doing some work for others can also help retain structure in your schedule when work hours disappear, Schielke said.
"Your days still have meaning and purpose," she said, adding, "That's going to keep you upbeat."
Schielke said that beyond the intrinsic benefits, volunteering can give you something to talk about in a job interview when you're asked about the things you've done since your last role.
"This is really a time where you can show yourself as different by showcasing your character," she said.
Turn to your network for help
Outside of seeing how you might help others, there are other steps you can take if you're newly unemployed.
Schielke said it's important to have a sounding board to help you remain accountable, as getting laid off can be a shock. She pointed to the job cuts in the tech industry in recent years.
"I know a lot of people didn't think it would be them," she said. Having people you can talk through the situation with can help.
Schielke said that newly jobless people sometimes need to separate what they want from what they need. Job seekers who are inflexible and insist on remote work or attaining a certain salary might find it harder to get a new gig.
"There's a real reality check and maybe a piece of humble pie that has to be taken in," Schielke said.
She recommended considering how people in your network can help you look for something new, adding that networks are increasingly important as it becomes easier to apply for jobs with a few clicks. Plus, there are other hurdles, such as fake job postings.
"Being able to connect with a person or know someone who knows someone who can get your résumé in front of the right people is so important," Schielke said.
Set up metrics as if it's a job
Schielke said it can be helpful to set up metrics the way you might for a job. That might mean contacting, say, five people in a day to set up a time to meet for coffee. Or it could mean reviewing a certain number of job listings or sending a certain number of inquiries.
"I wouldn't dillydally in a market like this because it can take a long time," she said. "Get into the rhythm that you're used to in the workplace."
But Schielke reiterated the benefit of building in time to focus on others' needs. Giving a few hours, if you can, is an alternative to donating money — which might not be advisable without a paycheck.
"This might be a time where you can pay it forward with that life-on-life connection," Schielke said.