Being jobless or laid off is indeed a stressful moment in life. We often forget that changing a job is not at threat, but a great opportunity. This is a moment to ask ourselves “Am I really good at what am I doing?”, “ Do I really love it?”, “Is this job for me?”, “Do I want to stay in the arts and culture sector, or I could probably feel better in another area where my skills and knowledge can be transferrable?”, “What is my professional dream?’.

If you are laid off, or you quit your job, remember that one close door opens many other opportunities.The fact that your position is cut off in most of the cases have nothing to do with you, so do not take it personally and do not diminish your self-confidence as a result of that.

A small but important tip: do not always look for a position or to be hired. Look also for innovative ideas and projects that can attract supporters and collaborators. Explore your entrepreneurship spirit. Propose ideas and project to others and find out to what extend you could take a risk and start an entrepreneurship activity on your own.

Use the time when you are unemployed to volunteer. Spend some time to help your community and your friends. This will keep you in a good shape and will strenghten your connections with your local neighbourhood and social networks.

When you are jobless, it is important to focus on all things which you currently have and to calm down.  Trust yourself and never give up. Stay optimistic and open. Talk to your network to explore what are the recent trends and opportunities in your field. Find a friend or a mentor who can help you to explore deeper your unique talents. Online job search helps for orientation and information, but your immediate environment can be sometimes much more helpful.

Here are few websites providing useful tips for job seekers:

• Twitter tips: http://www.mbajobs.net/blog/2009/50-terrific-twitter-tips-for-job-seekers/
• Job interviewing resources: http://www.quintcareers.com/intvres.html
• Job seekers online workshop: http://www.jobseekersworkshop.com/

We selected below several well known targeted job search websites in the non-profit sector, in the field of philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, international development, policy, and European affairs. Have a look:

Philanthropy and the non-profit sector:

• Charity Village: jobs  in the non-profit sector: http://www.charityvillage.com/cvnet/career_centre.aspx
• ARNOVA – Association for Research on Non-profit organisations and Voluntary Actions: http://careers.arnova.org/search.cfm
• One World, UK: Jobs and volunteering: http://uk.oneworld.net/section/uk/jobs
• Philanthropy: http://philanthropy.com/section/Jobs/224/
• Work in Nonprofits: http://workinnonprofits.ca/index?sel=fj

Jobs and internships in international development

• ELDIS: jobs in the development and non-profit sector- http://www.eldis.org/go/jobs
• Global Giving: jobs & internships: http://www.globalgiving.org/aboutus/jobs.html#community_manager
• International development jobs: https://www.comminit.com/en/classifieds/
• Ethical jobs: http://www.ethicaljobs.net/
• Policy jobs: http://www.policyjobs.net/

Corporate social responsibility and social entrepreneurship:

• CSR and sustainability jobs – http://www.acre-resources.co.uk/csr-and-sustainability-jobs.php#Ref1748
• CSR Asia jobs: http://csr-asia.com/jobs.php
• Social edge, a program of SCOLL foundation: social entrepreneurship jobs: http://www.socialedge.org/features/job-listings

Websites on jobs related to European affairs:

• The European Affairs Job Site : http://www.eurobrussels.com/
• European consultants’ organisation jobs: http://www.eco3.be/job.asp
• Economic Policy Institute jobs: http://www.epi.org/pages/jobs/
• European Job Mobility Portal: http://ec.europa.eu/eures/main.jsp?lang=en&;acro=job&catId=482&parentCategory=482
• Friends of Europe jobs: http://www.friendsofeurope.org/Aboutus/JobsatiFriendsofEuropei/tabid/534/Default.aspx
• European Voice: http://www.europeanvoice.com/page/european-voice-jobs-education/376.aspx

International organisations:

• International monetary Fund: http://www.imf.org/external/np/adm/rec/job/howtoap.htm
• UNDP jobs: http://jobs.undp.org/
• UN jobs: http://unjobs.org/

Arts, culture and more:

• Culture Jobs International:

http://www.culturejobsinternational.org/jobs/jobprofile.cfm?id=69

• Americans for the arts job bank: http://jobbank.artsusa.org/

• Plurio jobs: http://www.plurio.org/param/89/job-opportunities.html
• Digital Music news: http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/jobs
• Women’s Rights jobs: http://www.awid.org/eng/Jobs

Several general job banks and search engines

• VEE jobs: http://www.veejobs.com/
• FEjobs: http://www.fejobs.com/jobseekers/
• International job opportunities: http://www.rileyguide.com/internat.html
• TipTop jobs: jobs in UK: http://www.tiptopjob.com/search/tiptopresults.asp

For those who are seeking executive positions, here are two useful websites:

• Executive jobs: http://jobs.executivesearchonline.com/
  Executive & professional jobs: http://www.job4executive.blogspot.com/

Read this blog post also on LabforCulture: http://www.labforculture.org/en/moderators/lidia-varbanova/51495/66687