What have you been doing during your time off?

If this question is posed to you during an interview, what are you going to say? "I've been looking for a job..." This approach probably won't work.

If you've been unemployed for more than four weeks, you need to start doing something in addition to looking for a job. I keep a list of all of the networking events I've been to, events at which I've volunteered and clubs I've become an active member of. The fact that I've started a blog is at the top of that list.

If you're doing temp work, I would include that on your resume. Consider doing volunteer work that would help you maintain skills you used at your previous job. Even better, see if you can find a volunteer opportunity or club where you can LEARN additional skills to bring to your next job. Include these experiences on your resume.

People that you meet while networking are also going to be interested in what you've been doing with yourself, so have an answer ready. This answer may be the deciding factor on whether or not they refer you on to someone else. Word-of-mouth marketing is extremely beneficial during your job search!

Believe me, you should never answer, "What have you been doing during your time off?" with "Nothing." In this competitive job market, I guarantee your resume will be shoved to the bottom of the pile with that answer.

Consider Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to network, fill up a jobless day, maintain or learn new job-related skills AND do something amazing for your community! Many of us neglected "giving back" when we were busy with full-time jobs; now there's no excuse!

Drake is looking for volunteers to help at the Des Moines Arts Festival, June 26-28. Call John Brown at 271-3378 or e-mail john.brown@drake.edu.

The Golden Circle Games are on June 17 at the Fairgrounds. http://ypcdsm.rainsongpro.com/index.cfm?fa=programs.view&programID=90 Please contact Ashley Okland, GCG Chair at aokland@ypcdsm.com with questions.

The Hy-Vee Triathlon is on June 28. http://www.hy-veetriathlon.com/index.php?topic=volunteers If you have questions, contact Sheila Laing at 515-267-2825 or slaing@hy-vee.com. They need volunteers for the week leading up to the event AND for race day.

This is a short list of volunteer opportunities coming up, so use Google/Yahoo! Search to find additional ways to get involved.

Des Moines Young Professionals Connection

Immediately after I lost my job, I joined Des Moines' Young Professional Connection (YPC). They're the arm of the Greater Des Moines Partnership dedicated to connecting the young professionals of Des Moines through civic, social, charitable and professional activities. If you fit their demographic of being a 20-30-something, I highly recommend that you join: http://www.ypcdsm.com/

You can get involved by attending an event (their monthly Professional Development Lunch N Learn is this Thursday), joining one of their committees or by volunteering (I'm volunteering at the Golden Circle Games in a couple of weeks). The annual membership is $20 and they have developed relationships with local businesses who have offered special discounts to YPC members http://www.ypcdsm.com/en/member_discounts/.

Why should you join YPC? (from http://www.ypcdsm.com/)
1. The opportunity to network and meet many other young professionals in the Des Moines area.
2. The chance to get involved in your community to advance the initiatives and efforts important to young professionals and to encourage an atmosphere conducive to attracting additional young professionals to the Des Moines area.
3. Access to member-only events and specific member benefits provided by area businesses exclusively to YPC members.
4. Access to business and community leaders via YPC events and our association with the Greater Des Moines Partnership, which includes being a recipient of the GDMP e-newsletter One Voice Weekly.
5. Unique activities showcasing the Greater Des Moines community, with a focus on civic, charitable, professional development, and social efforts.
6. Opportunity to get involved or take a leadership role in any of YPC’s committees.
7. Opportunity to attend Greater Des Moines Partnership activities at a member rate.

If you're still not sure about joining, sign up for their weekly newsletter and go to an event as a non-member to take a test-drive subscribe here.