It’s been over three months since losing my job, and I am still looking for full-time work. Because some of the jobs I have been applying for request skills that I have used in previous positions but haven’t been formally trained in, I’ve been filling in gaps in my experience by taking certification courses.

There are many websites and programs available for little cost that help people to gain core skills. Some of my recent skill-building classes have been through free courses available at HubSpot Academy, which is a training platform that supports the marketing and content management software HubSpot offers.

Training Programs in Marketing and Writing

I completed an SEO Certification course and have moved on to the Digital Marketing Certification, which I am about midway through. HubSpot Academy courses are accessible, fun, and comprehensive, touching on important skills necessary to succeed in content marketing and other online marketing endeavors.

Another platform I have been exploring is Udemy, where I just completed The Complete Copywriting Course. I was hesitant to use Udemy at first because I wasn’t familiar with its methods, but it turned out to use quality instruction to accomplish its task of providing good classes. I have also started trainings in UX Writing, Affinity Photo 2, and Photoshop.

I have been considering going back to school to get formal training, either through a technical college or continuing education. The time it is taking me to find full-time work is making this seem like an eventuality.

Maintaining Balance

I continue to seek out balances within my life to accommodate for uncertainty, a feeling I think many people share with me right now. Walks in nature, visiting the Mitchell Park Domes, and taking classes are my go-to relaxation devices.

I just started a class on black & white film photography at the UWM Studio Arts and Crafts Center, which includes traditional dark room and printing instruction. Knowing these skills will be a great money-saver and creativity boost when it comes to developing film photographs. Using creative pursuits for relaxation helps me to maintain my flow state, which is so important for developing ideas, and working with images and words.

I will continue the endeavor to find work, which is dragging on a bit at three months. The job market is fierce right now, oftentimes with a couple hundred applications for jobs that are listed being filled within an hour. I think the time has arrived for more in-person, old-fashioned networking activities and other search methods to compensate for the glut of online activity necessary for finding a job. I am also looking into freelance positions to fill the gap, which would keep me active in the areas I like, provide additional experience, and allow me to explore writing about many topics.