As the economy has slowed, the labour market has grown more competitive with many now encountering problems finding work. Not only can this be extremely disheartening, but a post-redundancy lull of this type poses another problem: the longer you’re out of work, the bigger the hole in your CV becomes, putting off employers and further jeopardising your chances of finding a new career.

However, there are steps jobseekers can follow in order to keep their CV looking fresh and attractive to employers. By avoiding state of redundancy-induced torpor, you can demonstrate initiative and get-up-and-go to any prospective employers.

Go Back to School: You can significantly improve your chances of finding a new job and your skills by registering for a course at an FE college or teaching yourself. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune – there are plenty of cheap or even free online study courses. Or take an evening class and get a qualification at the end of it.

Raise money for charity: Fundraising is a great way to demonstrate your organisational and event-planning skills. Think of a charitable or local cause you believe in and then find out how you could help. If you’re stuck for ideas, many charities have starter packs for would-be fundraisers.

Volunteer: There’s more to volunteering than helping out in your local charity shop. Save The Children, for example, trains up Speakers to raise awareness and Oxfam hires people as stewards at music festivals. Find a role relevant to your career or choose something that could be a real talking point in an interview.

Start blogging: Free to set up and easy to use, a well-written blog will showcase your communication skills and help you reach a new audience – all without leaving the house. Visit www.blogger.com for tips on how to start.

Small World Phenomenon: Whether it’s traditional face-to-face networking or taking advantage of specialist groups on LinkedIn, there are plenty of ways to keep in touch when looking for work. Networking will help you meet new people and prove to prospective employers that you are still a motivated member of their industry.

Stay sharp: Train for a marathon, take up an extreme sport or learn a new language. Pushing the boundaries will prove that you have commitment and determination – both to yourself and a prospective boss.

Be positive and stay alert: Instead of letting redundancy become an excuse for idleness or apathy, use it as a spur to action. Stay active and take the initiative by helping out on your child's school trip or getting involved with the local council.

Perhaps most importantly, ensure that your efforts to improve your CV are rewarding and enjoyable, and that you can justify them to employers. Despite the obvious difficulties associated with redundancy, it can, on occasion, be an opportunity to try something new and it could even lead directly to a career change. And anything that proves how talented, hardworking and committed you are will go a long way when searching for a new job.

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