By now, you will understand how unemployment can significantly affect mental health. So if your client’s self-esteem and confidence have spiraled downward, then unemployment counseling may be able to benefit them.
The following steps will prove beneficial when considering the structure of unemployment counseling for your clients.
1. Charging a fee
Consider charging a smaller fee or even allowing for some concessions. Most clients will not be in a financially secure position and may have little or no access to financial resources. Clients will not wish to attend more than the first session if your fees are too high.
2. Increasing self-esteem and confidence
Unemployment brings with it poor self-esteem and self-confidence. This often contributes to poor social skills (Mental Health Foundation, 2021). A study that examined factors that promoted and hindered success in finding a job found a predominant barrier to be weak social skills (Borgen & Maglio, 2007).
Encourage your clients to maximize their interaction opportunities with others by taking on voluntary work or taking part in free sporting activities. These will encourage the development and maintenance of good social skills.
3. Assessing employability skills
It is essential to assess your client’s marketable job skills, as many clients will feel stuck at this point.
Ask your client to look at their hard skills (certifications, languages, computer literacy, driver’s license) and soft skills (analytical thinking, verbal and written communication, and leadership). Request them to hone in and give you concrete examples of these skills and what they have mastered precisely.
Next, ask how they have applied the skills in their previous work, resolved conflict with other workers, and adapted to unexpected changes. They may be asked to give examples of these activities in forthcoming job interviews, so it is a good idea to go through this exercise.
Administering an aptitude or personality test to focus on their cognitive abilities, personality traits, working style, and skill set can be useful. This will help them match their strengths to the right job.
Support your clients in creating a dynamic resume for them. They may not have put one together for years. Assist them with basic structure, grammar, and spelling, and refer to online resources for writing and coaching. Show them how to stand out from the crowd, highlight their skills, and customize their resume for each job they apply to.
Modern technology has taken the standard resume to another level with some companies requesting video resumes. Online sources offer tips on video production (Jencius & Rainey, 2009). You may wish to work through presentation skills with your clients, such as their facial expressions, pace, pitch and volume of speech, and general content.
4. Promoting active problem-solving skills
Excellent problem-solving skills (analyzing situations, researching, decision-making, creativity) can be valuable in seeking and obtaining employment (Dench, Perryman, & Giles, 1998).
The following are examples of active problem-solving with a constructive aim, and you should encourage your clients to do these.
- Actively searching for work
- Researching plans for a new business
- Commencing a new course or class to learn new skills
- Structuring daily life to imitate the working day
- Networking with others to help find work
5. Seeking social support
Encourage your clients to seek social support networks. These may include friends, family, neighbors, past coworkers, and anyone else who can provide mutual comfort and assistance.
Social support for people who are unemployed is beneficial, as it makes them feel less isolated. It can also motivate them to seek work, as support networks can encourage and provide a good source of ideas and information about vacancies.
6. Promoting multiple job search behavior strategies
Make your clients aware of the different job search strategies. Job sources can be formal or informal (Saks, 2006).
Formal sources include job postings in newspapers or magazines, online job sites, employment agencies, career placement centers, job fairs, and formal networking events. Informal sources include family, relatives, friends, networks, and previous colleagues who provide leads (Saks, 2006).
The internet is convenient and accessible for worldwide opportunities. Unfortunately, many jobseekers assume that posting their resumes, completing online applications, and waiting for a response is all that is required of them (Mariani, 2003). They may be disheartened if they only work this way, for they are likely to get few responses back. Using multiple job search strategies fully maximizes the effectiveness of a search (Mariani, 2003).
Social networking sites like LinkedIn are proactive rather than passive. Clients can create a professional identity; convey education, experience, and professional goals; and promote and market themselves. So direct them along this avenue as well.
7. Recognizing your clients’ job search stages
Unemployment counselors need to recognize that several stages occur throughout the jobseeking process. Recognizing these stages will allow you to support your clients throughout the jobseeking process each step of the way.
Enthusiasm
At this point, your client starts the job search with enthusiasm. This stage is marked by optimism in finding a challenging and interesting job.
Stagnation
The initial enthusiasm wanes due to a lack of progress. After submitting numerous applications, the jobseeker does not get any feedback. Anxiety and concerns begin to creep in.
Frustration
Your client becomes frustrated, and the job search slows down considerably.
Apathy
Hopelessness and depression set in. Individuals may completely disengage from the jobseeking process.