Been out of work for 7 months so I decided to...

[JohnnyBoots]

Start volunteering for Habitat for Humanity where I live. It's been a week straight and it's been great. Gets me out of the house working with new people and learning things I didn't know before. I recommend any endeavcour of this type to lift your spirit if you've been stuck in rut due to external influences. Plus you get to help out some people in need. I'll keep looking for work, but hopefully this builds some 'good karma capital' and gets me working again...even if it doesn't still a great experience.

[Kali]

1. enthusiastic rec!

good for you, hope you find something paying soon, it has been rough

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Good for you, JohnnyBoots!

You are being proactive, and that is always good.

I hope someone spots you working, and decides to hire you!

:hi:

[iscooterliberally]

3. Hopefully this will hook you up with a high paying job.

You never know who you might meet doing this. Good luck to you! :hi:

[rox63]

4. Who knows, perhaps one of the other volunteers will know of someone who's hiring

Networking happens in all sorts of ways.

[RT Atlanta]

5. Great way to give back

And you're adding to your experience and sense of "community" for sure. I hope that in the process of learning new things, you will also discover some new leads for paying jobs too.

All the best wishes!

[PETRUS]

6. Thanks for contributing this way, and good luck to you.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

7. It's also a good way to network.

Good luck!

[SheilaT]

8. Even if you're not working because

you're comfortably retired, it's a good idea to get out of the house and do something.

[JohnnyBoots]

9. Thanks all! NT

[LuckyLib]

10. Heard a job counsellor on NPR talking about how "work is work" -- an employer

wants to see initiative and experience and volunteer work counts as both. Hope that good karma comes around for you -- be sure to include the experience on your resume!

[JohnnyBoots]

11. Too funny. Talked with a job counselour today and he

said the same thing! Thanks for the good thoughts.

[kudzu22]

12. Good for you!

I help do fundraisers for my local Habitat chapter and wish I had the time to help on the construction. Who knows, maybe your initiative will lead to a paid gig!

[TBF]

13. I can relate - I'm a SAHM by choice (and feel very fortunate for that)

but now that my kids are getting older I've started volunteering - mostly at their schools so far. Much better than sitting at home all the time.

[Grateful for Hope]

14. A very big thumbs up!

:thumbsup:

[whistler162]

15. Oddly I was laid off July 1st and started the process to

volunteer at a local hospital, a few weeks of medical checks TB and the like. By the time I was accepted and started volunteering I was close to being offered my current job. Still volunteering on one of my days off. Doing the samething I do during the week and for a former boss(26 years before), didn't know they had volunteers in IT or that my former boss was the department head. Nice guy now that I am not working for him.

Volunteering is a good way to spend your time and keep your mind active.

Good luck with the hunt.