Nothing can be more frustrating than being stuck in the process of searching for a job. The countless resumes, cover letters, and interviews can be exhausting and discouraging. You can eventually find yourself in a depressed slump, thinking you’re not good enough or you’ll never find a job.
It is essential to take care of your mental health, especially when it can drastically change the outcome of your job search. According to a New York Times article, people experience an increased sense of well-being just after losing their jobs. However, that trend reverses if they’re still hunting after 10 to 12 weeks.
Job Search Depression: How to get through it
Ladders.com has a list of symptoms that might indicate if you are falling into the pit of job search depression. They are:
- You’re feeling moody, or crabbier than usual
- You feel down, sad, or hopeless about finding a new job
- You’re so tired you’re having a hard time conjuring the energy to put into another resume
- You’re starting to wonder if you’re even deserving or capable of a better career; your self-esteem has plummeted
- You feel anxiety that interferes with your everyday life
- You’re having more physical aches, pains, and headaches than you’ve had in the past
Whether you have just recently lost your job or have been searching for a few months, these tips can get you through the worst of times in your job search.
1.Time Management: Treat Finding a Job, Like a Job
One of the benefits of unemployment is having more free time! Now is the perfect time to focus on getting yourself organized and ready for your next job. One of the worst feelings is not to have anything to do, which can cause anxiety and depression since you lack a structured schedule. Create achievable tasks for yourself every day/week that contributes to your well-being and job search. Take a class, find a new hobby, or start getting into shape. Having an open schedule every day can make it harder for you even to want to apply for jobs.
2.Capitalize on your opportunity
You can take advantage of your surplus of free time by learning a thing or two. Take an online class that can give you new skills. An article by weforum says, “Some of the most in-demand skills today did not exist as recently as ten years ago.” So the skills you’ve learned either in school or through past employers may be obsolete to your future employers. Taking a class not only beefs up your resume and LinkedIn profile but also shows employers you’re interviewing with that you have the skills they need. You can utilize Lynda.com, an online learning site that hosts over 3,000 virtual courses that are free to users with a Hudson library card.
3. Stay connected
It’s time to take a mental break from work. Spend time with friends and family during your transition phase. Dr. Maidenberg said, “It’s also a good way to combat the isolation that many job seekers face.” A study shows that the long term unemployed spend less time with friends and family because they are often embarrassed about their jobless situation. It is essential to stay true to who you are — remember your
job doesn’t define you. Your friends and family will give you the support you may need. Also, being unemployed is nothing to be ashamed of; the average person changes jobs nearly 12 times in their career. When people ask you about your work, you can tell them you are waiting for your next opportunity, or you are in transition.
Let Us Help!
If you feel that you can benefit from meeting with a Hudson Job Search advisor, please fill out our contact form! Hudson Job Search has helped over 4,500 people find employment since 1982.
Michael McClafferty is an intern with Mulligan Management Group.
