The job hunt is overwhelming and taxing both on the mind and body. Why not break up the time with some hobbies that not only will take your mind off of your worries, but actively help you improve your credentials, life skills, and overall mental health.
The first of our recommended hobbies is one that has a multitude of benefits and while requiring some amount of dedication, will pay off big time in multiple areas. Learning a new language, any new language, first and foremost a way to keep your mind sharp and break up the monotony of sending out resumes and checking your email constantly. There are a variety of free and paid programs that allow someone to learn a language on their own time, with the app Duolingo coming to mind. You don’t have to take more classes. Another great aspect of hobbies like this one is that they actually serve to increase the strength of your resume. In the globalized world we live in, knowing multiple languages is a trait that many companies actively look for. Not only does it broaden your communication ability, but it shows a favorable work ethic to potential employers.
The next of our hobbies is a particularly important one, being a key part of mental and physical wellbeing. Just get up and exercise. Working out at a gym, working out at home, taking martial arts lessons, going swimming, biking, or just going on jogs around the neighborhood are all equally valid ways to get fit. You don’t need to become a religiously muscular protein junkie gymbro, just go on a run or something every now and then. Exercise is as much a part of mental health as it is physical health, and is a solid way to help you deal with frustrating setbacks that you’ll inevitably face during your job hunt. There are a lot of ways to exercise and many of them are free, or at the very least affordable. Check out hiking trails in your area, go on a run around the block, ride your bike if you have one. You can also use exercise as a form of mindfulness, using the time spent away from your job search as a way to center yourself and clear your head if feeling frustrated. Even going on a walk is enough, and studies show that exercising regularly has a positive effect on mental health.
Next up on our list of hobbies, Cooking. As tempting as the frozen-meal, takeout, and canned soup diet can be for some college grads, you will absolutely need to learn how to cook for yourself. There are many easy and cheap recipes for delicious and simple meals to be found online, and cooking is a skill that really everyone should have. In fact cooking your own food can be cheaper in the long term than constantly ordering takeout or buying only packaged food. Cooking can be a relaxing experience that can give you tangible gratification for doing it well. Out of all of the hobbies on this list, cooking is one that goes beyond merely something you do for fun and becomes an essential skill or passion. You don’t need to become a masterful chef or anything, but if cooking does become a passion of yours, go wild. Being able to cook basic meals is a skill that will save you money and something that can actually be pretty relaxing and even fun. There’s really no excuse not to at least give it a try.
Number 4 on our list of hobbies is learning how to fix things. You may not be able to fix the problems of society by yourself, but you’re probably smart enough to fix a leaky dishwasher. Learning how to fix various appliances, furniture, and plumbing issues is a great way to occupy your time and develop skills that may save you time and money down the line. If you’ve wanted to build or refurbish furniture, there are plenty of tutorials and guides you can access for free. Being able to repair your own stuff can save you repair money, and a set of tools only costs like $30. Being able to work with tools is a good skill to have, and the sense of accomplishment you have when you successfully build or fix something is really satisfying. There are also certain jobs that require at least basic skill with tools and repair so you can technically use them as a way to pad your resume. Just make sure the place where you live doesn’t have any problems with your improvement plans. So get out there and learn to fix some stuff.
Finally on our list of hobbies, we have an unconventional one, volunteering. One of the plusses of getting involved in local volunteering opportunities is that volunteer work looks great on any resume. Employers like the people they hire to have experience, and volunteer experience is a good place to start. Not only are you helping out the community by volunteering, you are actively improving your chances of getting a job. Another great thing about volunteering is that it enables you to make social connections, establish friendships, and maybe get your foot in the door for certain jobs down the line. You can volunteer for as much or as little time as you want, allowing you to put in volunteer hours without them getting in the way of your other activities and job searching. Another aspect that is helpful is the knowledge that you’re doing something positive and worthwhile by volunteering, a feeling that can help cancel out any feelings of being stuck with regards to your job search. Volunteering builds your resume, social circle, confidence, and community all at once, and who knows, maybe your volunteer position will become a paid position if you really impress the staff.
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