Keeping your job at the moment is incredibly difficult. The economy is in a mess, and we can't all blame the Greeks or Europe generally, but if the worst were to happen what would you do if you lost your job?
I was dragged along about 2 years ago to see the movie "Up in the Air" by my wife. It was an Ok film, no great shakes, but one part of the film really got me thinking. It was the part where Clooney was making Bob redundant. Bob was portrayed by JK Simmons by the way, one of my favourite actors from Law & Order. Anyway, it transpired that Bob didn't actually like his job very much. In actual fact, he hated it and only did it to provide an income for his family. What he really wanted to be was a chef, so he left his meeting with a spring in his step, as he had devised a plan do to something which he enjoyed.
A lot of folks are losing their jobs at the moment, and the main worry is that you think to yourself that you must get another job immediately. Well, that's all well and good, but the main dilemma is that there aren't many jobs, and would an employer want to make a work offer to someone who had already just left another job? What do they have to give, except from most likely quite a lot of trepidation if they will succeed in their new role, and the question will always be asked (although not directly to you) "Why did their last business let them go? Are they not very good?"
If you have any savings, or can borrow some cash from good friends or family, being made redundant may give you the opportunity that if gave Bob from the movie; do something you've always wanted to do. He wanted to be a chef, but you may not have ambitions in that area. You may want to go and trek the Inca Trail, tour though Vietnam, see Australia, or all three, or even more! This is what you've been holding out for. Take time out, do some volunteering work; take a GAP year.
You just have to put a plan together and think about what you're good at. Can you organise things well (or more importantly people?), are you handy with work tools, can you cook? If any of these things are in your life locker then you can become a volunteer. There are hundreds of volunteer organizations out there who need help. You don't earn much money, but you should get your expenses. Or, just go out and travel the world. See the Taj Mahal, go to Antarctica, scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef? All you need is a good travel agent, and make sure you get some quality Gap Year Travel Insurance.
After you've finished your year away, you'll have accomplished one of the most important achievements of your life. You've given something back, you've experienced other cultures, drank their wine and sang their songs. And then, when you're ready to get a new job, when the Human Resources person interviews you and asks why you haven't had a full time job in the past year, you can answer "Work was getting predictable and slow, and the company was having problems. So I took the chance to take a year away and achieve all the things I ever wanted to do, and now I'm back, charged up and ready to commit to this new job".
If you were the Human Resources interviewer, would you be impressed by that?
I was dragged along about 2 years ago to see the movie "Up in the Air" by my wife. It was an Ok film, no great shakes, but one part of the film really got me thinking. It was the part where Clooney was making Bob redundant. Bob was portrayed by JK Simmons by the way, one of my favourite actors from Law & Order. Anyway, it transpired that Bob didn't actually like his job very much. In actual fact, he hated it and only did it to provide an income for his family. What he really wanted to be was a chef, so he left his meeting with a spring in his step, as he had devised a plan do to something which he enjoyed.
A lot of folks are losing their jobs at the moment, and the main worry is that you think to yourself that you must get another job immediately. Well, that's all well and good, but the main dilemma is that there aren't many jobs, and would an employer want to make a work offer to someone who had already just left another job? What do they have to give, except from most likely quite a lot of trepidation if they will succeed in their new role, and the question will always be asked (although not directly to you) "Why did their last business let them go? Are they not very good?"
If you have any savings, or can borrow some cash from good friends or family, being made redundant may give you the opportunity that if gave Bob from the movie; do something you've always wanted to do. He wanted to be a chef, but you may not have ambitions in that area. You may want to go and trek the Inca Trail, tour though Vietnam, see Australia, or all three, or even more! This is what you've been holding out for. Take time out, do some volunteering work; take a GAP year.
You just have to put a plan together and think about what you're good at. Can you organise things well (or more importantly people?), are you handy with work tools, can you cook? If any of these things are in your life locker then you can become a volunteer. There are hundreds of volunteer organizations out there who need help. You don't earn much money, but you should get your expenses. Or, just go out and travel the world. See the Taj Mahal, go to Antarctica, scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef? All you need is a good travel agent, and make sure you get some quality Gap Year Travel Insurance.
After you've finished your year away, you'll have accomplished one of the most important achievements of your life. You've given something back, you've experienced other cultures, drank their wine and sang their songs. And then, when you're ready to get a new job, when the Human Resources person interviews you and asks why you haven't had a full time job in the past year, you can answer "Work was getting predictable and slow, and the company was having problems. So I took the chance to take a year away and achieve all the things I ever wanted to do, and now I'm back, charged up and ready to commit to this new job".
If you were the Human Resources interviewer, would you be impressed by that?
About the Author:
Looking to find the best deal on GAP Year Insurance, then visit www.adventuretravelinsurance.co.uk to find the best advice on insurance for you.
