Every day is like Sunday...

Being unemployed sucks. Believe me, I know. I was unemployed for a year after leaving university. I had no idea what I wanted to do, or how to go about working it out. In the end I got a job more by luck than by judgement. But the things that I learnt during the year I had no idea of what to do with the rest of my life have resulted in me getting the jobs I have had since. So it wasn't totally wasted time by any means.

You might know what you want to do you might not but here are some things to remember when every day seems like Sunday.

You are not the only person in the world that this has happened to
It sounds so unlikely - but it's true. Just because all of your friends have got jobs or your mum says you should be like little Nicky down the road who has a fantastically well paid job the City, you aren't a freak or a loser. You may be trying to get into a very competitive industry, you may not know what you want to do or your applications may keep just not getting to that 2nd stage. Whatever the reason there are others out there just like you - you aren't alone!

It will end
This time eight years ago I had no job and no clue. Now I have a job and have had for the last seven years ( I still have no clue but we can't have everything!). And I'm not the only person this has happened to. It will happen for you, I just can't guarantee when!

This is not wasted time
Don't put your life on hold because you haven't sorted out your career just yet.

• Did you always want to go travelling? Go now. The careers will still be here when you go back, in fact it might even be better to go now and take advantage of the fact the things are slightly slower at the moment, particularly if you are interested in new media.
• Is there some voluntary work you can do? Why not write to a museum, local hospital radio, charity organisation or sports club and offer your services for free. While you have the time make it work for you and do something that might help in the career you want to follow. If you need inspiration check out www.thesite.org or www.timebank.co.uk.
• Get some work experience. Go on, send off your cv to everyone you can think of outlining the fact that you really want to work in that industry/company and that you are keen to learn more by doing work experience. It will work in your favour when making job applications and help you practice interviews etc. Get more ideas from the Work Experience section of Get a Career.
• Research. Find out about careers or more about your chosen career. Go to your local university or local authority careers office. They will have courses, books, tests, videos and other resources that can help you make a choice or build up your knowledge of the industry.
• You can do all the things you never had time for before - Join a band - who cares if you leave them next week when you get a cracking job in Edinburgh? At least you will have done it. Look on www.loot.com for band opportunities, amongst other stuff!
• Courses. There are lots of courses available and some of them are even free to people who have been unemployed. Check out your local paper, The Guardian website (http://www.workthing.com) or www.oncourse.com for courses in your local area.
  

Keep making the applications
Every application you make, every interview you don't get, is one step closer to that final interview and job. Yes, it sounds cheesy, but you will learn a little bit more and become a little more confident with each interview/application you make. And after all you can't get jobs if you don't send out applications now can you? For tips on applications and searching for jobs check out our Tool Kit section.

Don't get desperate
Don't apply for things that you know you won't get. For instance jobs that require you to have 5 years management experience if you have none at all, or jobs that demand an Economics degree when you have an English degree, even if you do have five years management experience! That said…

Be adventurous
…you'll know when you can take chances. Don't pass something up just because you're too scared to take the plunge. Look at it this way - what you have you got to lose? It could be a course, a completely different career direction or just the opportunity to go on a trip or visit.

Make the most of morning TV
Believe me there will be a time when you miss it like hell!

by Katie Streten