The current job market across in India and abroad across sectors is fiercely competitive. Especially in 2022, the start-up space is witnessing a massive layoff spree from primarily tech and ed-tech companies. The legal industry, however, is considered to be more stable from the perspective of job security. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of having to go through either a premeditated or unprecedented employment gap. Contrary to popular perception, employment gaps are not always bad for your career. In fact, a lot of young professionals nowadays tend to opt for voluntary employment gaps in order to focus on other aspects of their lives.
In this article, Team YLCC brings you the 10 things to do if as a legal professional you are going through an employment gap. Read on!
- TAKE THE BREAK YOU NEED
At the point in time where you have resigned from a previous job and are just commencing your employment gap, it is important to give yourself the break you need. One may resign from a job owing to a number of reasons, but more often than not it leads to stress, anxiety, exhaustion and tension. It is important to take a complete break to relax your mind and body before you venture into anything else.
Taking a break will also give you newfound energy and motivation, as well the clarity on what to do next and how to go about it.
- TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
No matter the situation you are in, your mental health should always be a priority. Irrespective the circumstance of your unemployment, it is important to deal with emotions especially negative ones such as anger, disappointment or resentment. Try connecting with your close ones and connecting with them to discuss how you are feel. Having a support system can truly be a blessing during this time. If you feel mere talking is not going to cut, please consider consulting with a mental health professional who will offer your detailed guidance on how to deal with your emotions.
- FOCUS ON UPSKILLING
The best way to take advantage of your employment gap is by learning new things that are related to your area of work. For example, if you are a criminal law attorney who has always been interested in learning about intellectual property law, you can use this time to pick up a book, learn the basics, write an article, watch videos on the subject and even pen down detailed notes for better retention. Similarly, you can opt for a distance course on another legal subject which will help you expand your practice areas and knowledge base.
Upskilling should be a constant part of a legal professional’s life and doing this during an employment gap only means more time and better commitment. It also means that you will be better prepared the next time you apply for a job.
- BUILD A MEANINGFUL NETWORK
In order to stay relevant, networking has now become a crucial aspect of the lives of professionals and freelancers across sectors. The legal industry is no exception, especially in India where a massive chunk of legal work is conducted on the basis of networking and word-of-mouth referrals. Surprisingly, the term ‘networking’ has evolved over the years to the extent that employed professionals engage in networking as aggressively as unemployed individuals are expected to. This is has become a necessity in competitive markets like the one in India where there is a constant cycle of job switching, layoffs and recruitment drives. Investing your time in quality and consistent networking means that you are securing your future in one way or the other.
- PURSUE FREELANCING OR TEMPORARY PROJECTS
If you are not a big fan of having an employment gap on your resume, you can simply make it disappear by adding temporary projects or becoming a freelancer to your work record. It’s a great way to make money while unemployed, which can go a long way toward making you feel better. When looking at temporary opportunities while unemployed, choose something that makes good use of your existing professional skills. You will find yourself more in demand, as hiring managers want to minimize the learning curve on short-term assignments. The projects that are a good fit for your skill set will also make logical sense on your career timeline.
- UNDERSTAND YOUR FINANCES
An employment gap is a great time to sit down and evaluate your finances to understand exactly where you stand in terms of your career trajectory. This information can come in handy when you are ready to plan your next step and help you decide where you want to work and at what compensation. Having an up-to-date idea about your finances also means that you will be in a position to make decisions on your lifestyle choices and make sure you have enough for a rainy day.
- CULMINATE THE HABIT OF READING
Given the extremely busy lives that lawyers usually lead, it is understandable if you did not find any time outside of work to read. Reading outside of work, even if it law, or perhaps fiction- is a great habit to stick with. If you have fallen out of the habit of reading, you can consider using your free time during this gap to kickstart the habit back into shape. Always a remember- time spent reading is always a great investment.
- FOLLOW A SCHEDULE
So, what if you are employed? Your life should still have a proper routine and structure. In fact, not having to go to work is no excuse for letting of discipline and normalcy. Chalk up a schedule and make sure you are accounting for a healthy amount of sleep, meals and some kind of work that you would like to during the day. This way, it won’t end up being a massive transition when you actually do land another job and have to start going to work again.
- CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering is a great way to fill a missing gap on your CV. It is highly admired by employers as it shows you like to keep busy. Although volunteering isn’t paid, you will learn some beneficial and transferable skills for your next paid job. It can be a real mood booster too. Knowing you’re helping a community can be a highly rewarding and fulfilling experience, and can make you feel positive during your job hunt.
- GET READY TO LAND YOUR NEXT JOB
As mentioned above, being unemployed is not an excuse to get comfortable. In fact, now is the time you should be working twice as hard to get back into the normal fold of things. Set up job alerts on Linkedin so you can be the first to know when a job opportunity that suits your preferences arises. This will make your job search a lot easier, as it will save you trawling through job sites.
From the above, it becomes clear that the duration of an employment gap, if used wisely, can have a substantial contribution to your personal as well as professional growth. Moreover, many employers nowadays are adopting a more liberal approach towards candidates with employment gaps on their resumes. It is therefore upto you to stay productive during the gap and make the best out of this time.
YLCC would like to thank its Content Team for their valuable insights in this article.
