The 3 Most Effective Ways to Say Goodbye Forever to Unemployment

Even when job numbers are looking better nationally, some people seem to fall through the cracks. It might be because there aren’t enough new jobs where they’re looking or it might be because they’ve gotten stuck in a rut. When you lost your job, there weren’t any more jobs in your field, so weeks, months or even years passed by with you working piecemeal jobs or living entirely off savings and unemployment. Now that things are looking up in the job market, you’re competing against applicants who don’t have that blank space or less-than-impressive spot on their resumes. Through no fault of your own, you became a less attractive job candidate because you didn’t have a job or the "right" job – and now you can’t get a job. It seems like your life is doomed to include unemployment forever.

It’s never hopeless. There are good-paying jobs with unbeatable benefits looking for workers from every walk of life. You may have to switch gears and try a new career, but you will be able to get a stable job. To get out of your unemployment rut, take advantage of the resources available to you, particularly the ones that have a system in place for getting you a job after you complete training.

Go Into Skilled Trade

Construction workers, carpenters, electricians, pipefitters, iron workers – these are just some of the jobs that are always seeking qualified applicants. With the proper training in your selected field, the time you spend without a job or working minimum wage jobs will prove irrelevant. Skilled trade jobs allow you to work with your hands and keep your brain active as you repair and construct the very buildings in which we live, work and go about our daily lives. Other skilled trades you might consider going into include:

• Brick masonry
• Carpet installation
• Concrete finishing
• Heavy equipment mechanic or operator
• Sheet metal worker
• Wind technician
• Welder

These are just a few of the types of positions that state-led contractors' associations are actively looking to fill. These jobs tend to offer job security and a chance to stay physically active throughout the day.

Pursue Certifications

To get a job in any field, but particularly in a skilled trade, you need a certification or you simply won’t make it past the application stage. Depending on the type of career you pursue, you could earn a degree or certification in a year, two years or four years. By contacting a contractors’ association for more information, you’ll be paired with the educational institution that’s going to get you the right certification in the most efficient amount of time.

Apply for Apprenticeships

There are other trades that put more emphasis on on-the-job training, but you won’t be hired for the full profession without that initial training. In these cases, applying for apprenticeships is the way to go. Employers aren’t hiring you permanently yet, so there’s no reason for them to look too closely at the years in which you didn’t work or only worked part-time. They get a feel for your abilities and your commitment to the line of work, making them more eager to hire you after the apprenticeship is over.

A number of states are actively seeking workers for skilled trade fields. With apprenticeships and certification programs available, you could be earning an impressive salary in for a skilled trade in a year or two – or in even less time. Women and men alike are taking control of their lives by going into skilled trade work.

About the Author: Calvin Arnold is a career counselor from Montana. He encourages everyone interested in construction industry careers to take advantage of the training and resources available.

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