THE FIRST 10 WEEKS OF UNEMPLOYMENT
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE OUT OF WORK IN 2023?
Unemployment is daunting, but most of us will face it willingly or unwillingly at some point. For me, it was unwilling as I loved my job. I was a good employee, hardworking and a popular team member. However, those qualities didn’t save me any more than if I’d spent my 12-month contract being feckless and lazy.
I’ve been unemployed before. I have had two long-term permanent roles and did temporary office work before deciding to go to university. So, it is not unfamiliar territory, yet the past eight weeks have been an eye-opening experience.
Over the past few years, I’ve tried to turn over a new leaf and be more positive. I try to see problems as puzzles to be solved. So here are the main things that have happened.
1. No Safety Net
I applied for Job Seekers Allowance online via the Gov website. After three weeks, which exceeds their deadline of informing claimants within 14 days. Then, I received a P45. I was confused as to what this was. I rang up and spoke to someone who told me I hadn’t earned enough credits to get JSA. I graduated from uni in 2020 but didn’t work for a year due to the pandemic. Even though I had claimed my National Insurance credits, I still didn’t make enough to qualify. In 2016, I was unemployed, and JSA was only a paltry £81 a week, which I would receive for six months. Regardless, I would only receive the benefit for six months if I worked for two or twenty years. Now, in 2023, JSA is a whopping £84 a week. I asked if I could claim my national insurance credits and was informed I would receive a form. The DWP sent three identical letters in three separate envelopes on the same day, saying I wasn’t entitled to anything and did not mention how to claim credits. So I looked on the government website, and it said to contact the local job centre. I rang the local job centre, and the automated message told me to go to the website. I’ve tried three times, including hanging on for an hour and didn’t get through to anyone. I know that many civil service workers have left or taken redundancy, leading to staff shortages, but it’s not helping me.
2. The Job Market In 2023
Since the pandemic, there seem to be fewer opportunities. Many companies are instigating a recruitment freeze due to the cost of living impact, Brexit and the uncertainty of the future with AI. I began applying for roles before my contract ended. Since then, I’ve applied for a wide range of roles that my skills would suit. However, I’ve not managed to secure anything so far.
I’m not a big believer in getting any job and getting a better one later. I’ve seen many people in positions they dislike for years as they get into a routine and are comfortable with a regular paycheck. I want to commit to a permanent role in an industry I want to work in. Otherwise, just taking any permanent job would make me a lousy employee, unmotivated to work hard and I wouldn’t put in 100% because money has never been my main drive. I recognised this after years of challenging yet miserable work. I want to dedicate myself to a role I will enjoy.
However, I’m happy to do temporary work. It pays enough to live on, but as a temp, you’re still an outsider. People accept you have career ambitions outside the office. I’ve always enjoyed temping, every role has been interesting. I’ve seen how different organisations and industries work, meeting new people each time. Yet even temping has been quiet. Gone are the days when companies would employ a temp to cover holiday leave or staff sickness. Instead, most companies deal with staff shortages by spreadling the workload among the existing staff. My hopes of picking up temporary work have been unsuccessful.
However, I’ve been resilient and resourceful. I’ve begun to look into other side gigs and creative ways to make ends meet without relying on government assistance. This period of financial uncertainty has reinforced my determination to work on my creative projects.
3. Freedom To Be Creative
One of the most rewarding aspects of my unemployment has been the opportunity to channel my creativity.
First, I edited a music video I had struggled to edit for over a year. It has been great to develop my editing skills, which will help me on future personal projects and employment. In addition, my band’s new album, Meddling With The Forces, will be out on Halloween. Therefore, I have the free time to work on making adverts, reels, YouTube shorts and TikTok videos to promote the new CD. I previously struggled to between work, life admin and general keeping on top of domestic chores to fit everything in before. I now have time to research music promotion and regularly post about my band’s up and coming new releases on social media.
I’ve also been working on other projects, such as a script and learning the piano. The extra time to do these things has been enjoyable.
4. A Cleaning Frenzy
A silver lining of unemployment has been the chance to tackle neglected household chores. I’ve cleaned my house from top to bottom and even embarked on the tedious task of washing all the curtains, cushions and tidying everything up. It isn’t exciting, but there’s a profound sense of accomplishment in transforming my living space into a cleaner, more organised sanctuary.
In addition, I have been able to do home maintenance and DIY projects I was unwilling to waste annual leave on as they were not urgent.
5. Working Out
As I’ve not been as active in my daily life since losing my job, I’ve committed to boosting my fitness levels. My last role was very active and physically demanding, preparing film equipment for productions. The equipment often weighed and was bigger than me, but it kept me fit. I’ve established a consistent workout routine, exercising most weekdays. This newfound dedication to my physical well-being has improved my overall health, flexibility and mobility. It has served as a valuable stress reliever during these uncertain times.
5. Exploring New Job Prospects
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of these eight weeks has been my pursuit of creative job opportunities I wouldn’t have considered before. Unemployment has allowed me to reevaluate my career goals and explore unconventional paths. I’ve sent out applications for positions that intrigue me, stretching the boundaries of my comfort zone and embracing new challenges.’
In conclusion, while the first eight weeks of unemployment have posed their share of financial and emotional challenges, I’ve tried to view it as a temporary blip. I have had a few wobbles, worrying I will never work again. Still, hopefully, with the run-up to Christmas, I will get paid employment. If I have not secured a permanent role, then certainly something temporary.
Once I have a new job, I will not have time for anything I’ve accomplished during my employment break. So, in the meantime, I will enjoy the free time and focus on the positive. Will I be as positive in the next two months if I’m still unemployed? Follow me to find out if I get a new job.
If you wish to support me during these challenging times, please follow (I will follow back) and visit www.zeitgeistzero.com or listen to Zeitgeist Zero on your preferred streaming platform.
