Some ways to deal with job search depression that makes you so discouraged
It is quite normal to face these situations, for example:
– Are you not receiving a response from employers?
– Can’t find the right opportunities?
What we intend today from OUR EDITORIAL STAFF is to show you how to restart your job search and maintain a positive attitude.
In reality, there is nothing more discouraging during your job search than not receiving any communication about submitted applications. Is this what happens to you when you don’t receive a response from the organizations you apply to or meet with? But surely this discouragement occurs when you feel that you are ideal for the positions.
It’s one of the biggest frustrations Kelly Doyle, CEO of Heller Search Associates, hears from well-qualified IT leaders: “It’s disheartening when this happens over and over again.”
Equally discouraging is not finding opportunities that match your experience and capabilities.
“In some cases, he has done nothing wrong; “You can be a victim of an economic crisis,” says Arthur B. Markman, Annabel Irion Worsham Centennial Professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas at Austin and author of Bring Your Brain to Work: Using Cognitive Science to Get a Job, Do it Well, and Advance Your Career”
“Even then, it is worth considering what could be done differently. Perhaps your industrial sector is shrinking. Your job may be one that many companies are outsourcing or automating.”
While the inclination may be to shelve the search, IT leaders seeking employment can do a number of things to reset themselves in such situations and better prepare themselves for finding their next role.
Consider these 11 suggestions:
- Network in new ways
“My advice on this is to not give up and try to think of creative ways to continue networking for a particular role of interest,” Doyle says.
And she also says to ask yourself this question: “Do you know anyone else at that specific company who could make a more personal presentation?” And that’s because progress can be made with the hiring manager or head of talent to get your resume into the right hands. LinkedIn is her friend; Use it to discover untapped raids.
- Reevaluate your skills
If your industry is consolidating or your function is ripe for automation, it’s a good time to rethink your career direction. “You may need to retrain to remain relevant in the economy of the future,” Markman says.
“It may indicate that it is time to consider alternatives and find a degree or certificate program to gain additional skills. Even if you’re mid-career or beyond, you can gain skills that will allow you to change the work you do. In fact, it’s a great way to stay mentally alert.”
- Rethink geography
It may not be the right time to find the perfect position in a specific location. If possible, consider expanding your search nationwide. “Or if you must stay in your local market,” Doyle advises, “then it may help to be a little more open about titles or position level.”
- Develop a routine
If you’re between jobs, it’s important to keep doing things that keep you focused and optimistic. “Searches are slow,” says Markman. “He faces a lot of waiting and his habits when it comes to getting up and going to work have been altered. “It’s easy to lose motivation.”
Instead of focusing on the results, focus your attention on the process.
“Create a routine that is productive but includes enough flexibility to handle phone calls and interviews as they arise,” Markman recommends.
“Check job websites daily for new postings. Develop new work-related skills by taking in-person or online classes and reading.”
- Exit
Be sure to continue your face-to-face networking. Go to that industry event. Meet for coffee. “You never know what conversation will lead to your next opportunity,” Doyle says. “And it’s good for morale to be talking to people.”
- Review the data
“Ultimately, in a situation where you’re deep in a search and not making any progress, the data is telling you something is wrong,” says Michael Solomon, co-founder of 10x Ascend, compensation advisory services for tech talent. “The scientific approach is to evaluate the problem and test one variable at a time.”
Some common culprits include resume issues, interview technique, skills mismatch, title or compensation overreach, or market weakness.
Look for the root causes and address them. “Take a professional look at your resume, be realistic with your expectations, be open to interviews for practice,” advises Gina Curtis, career coach at Employment BOOST and executive recruiting manager at JMJ Phillip Executive Search.
Advice for discouraged job seekers
What to do when you need a job and nothing works. Do you feel tired, discouraged, feeling like you will never find a job? Do you need a job, but nothing you do seems to work? Don’t worry, this is all part of normality and happens to the vast majority of people who are in your same situation.
When the job search drags on for months or even longer, it can be difficult to stay motivated and positive about the experience. That’s especially true if you make it through several rounds of interviews but still don’t land a position.
While it is difficult to persist, doing so is essential if you want to find a job. And not only do you need to keep putting in the effort (researching companies, searching for job openings, and filling out applications), but you also need to do so with self-confidence.
After all, you’ll know how to highlight your skills, abilities, and experience throughout the application process, from cover letters to phone screens to interviews.
What to do when your job search isn’t working
Here are some tips that can help you re-engage in your job search with new enthusiasm or try new approaches that could lead to greater success:
– Expand wherever you look
When you’re having trouble finding work, or even finding jobs to apply for, it’s important to broaden your job search. Don’t just apply to jobs you find posted online.
– Expand your job search
It will help you find unadvertised vacancies and allow you to proactively search for jobs at companies of interest to you.
– Companies may be hiring and not posting job offers
More than internally, on your company website. Sometimes, they may also assemble an ongoing “pool” of applicants who they can approach if they discover they need an employee with particular experience in the future.
– Make a target list of companies
If you don’t already have a target company list (a short list of employers you’d love to work for), it’s worth taking the time to research company information and create a list of companies to target in your search for employment.
All the information you need is available on the web and it is easy to find detailed information about potential employers online.
Once you have a list, the next step is to reach out to company contacts
– Use the LinkedIn companies section as a tool to find company information. – You will be able to see your contacts in the company, new hires, published jobs and company statistics.
– Check the company’s website and search for the company online to find more employer contacts who might be interested in hiring you.
If you are a college graduate
Check with your career services or alumni office to see if you can get a list of alumni to network with
How to use your connections
Start actively working on those contacts to get your foot in the door. Try these strategies:
– Send a message
Send an email (or LinkedIn message) to the person you would potentially be reporting to. The email should be specific to the company, mention the problems they are facing and how your experience can help them. Keep it short: Long emails can be overwhelming.
As an example, if you are a salesperson: “In my previous role as a sales manager, I was able to increase sales at a rate greater than the industry average. I know your company is aggressively trying to outperform the category and, given my experience “I can help you achieve it.”
– To make a phone call
Follow up by phone with companies you’ve already emailed. Call the person you emailed the week before. The follow-up call should state why you are interested in working at that company and how your experience can add value now.
– Take advantage of your network
Make a point to meet up with someone in your network who you haven’t seen in a while. This can be over coffee in your office or at a coffee shop. (If that’s not an option, schedule a virtual coffee date through video software.)
In these types of more intimate, one-on-one settings, people will tell you things they would never say in an email or on the phone. Let them know what you are doing and what you are looking for. It is also important to offer help with something these people may need. This will help you be “most important” to them.
Also, ask them for the name of at least one other person they can introduce you to. This will significantly expand your network.
– Meet like-minded people
Try to connect on social media with people employed in your industry or at companies you want to work for.
Start a conversation and see if it can lead to a deeper connection. Also, try to meet with people who, like you, are out of work and brainstorm what’s working and what’s not working in your job search.
Networking is a powerful tool in your job search; Consider spending as much time connecting with others as you do submitting job applications.
– Have a plan for each day and week
Set reasonable plans for yourself: maybe it’s several requests per week or reaching out to one contact per month. Just make sure your goals are reasonable. Otherwise, you risk becoming discouraged.
– Limit your time so you don’t run out
Spending all day looking for a job can be exhausting and unpleasant. Don’t overdo it! Decide what is a reasonable amount of time to spend looking for a new job and take a break during the day once you’ve reached the limit.
Some people find it helpful to set aside time on their calendar to look for a job.
– Try something new
Volunteering, learning a new skill, or taking up a side hustle will keep you engaged. And these activities could also increase your chances of landing a new position. After all, you could learn skills that are useful in a position or make a connection with someone who knows someone looking to fill a position.
– Seek professional help
Job searching often feels like a solo endeavor. But if you feel like nothing you’re doing is working, it might be time to take a new approach. You can reach out to friends, family, and current or former colleagues to ask them for advice or read their resume or cover letters. Sometimes a job or career counselor can also be helpful.
How not to get discouraged when looking for work
No one is alone and no one ever was. This is one of the most powerful principles of wisdom we have gained in recent years, as mental health awareness advances around the world.
Even if COVID-19 created walls between communities, everyone found ways to stay connected. People did whatever it took to take care of each other and, ultimately, themselves.
One of the biggest issues the global community faced was job loss as many organizations closed due to the pandemic. As people become more open about their mental health issues, there is still some difficulty in maintaining peace of mind, especially during the job search. While your dream career may not yet be within reach, here are some tips for staying positive when searching for a job.
Recognize This First: Job Search Anxiety and Depression Are Real
If you feel anything like worry or fear about not getting a job, you can link these fears to job loss during the pandemic. In October 2021, the US unemployment rate was 4.9%, up from 3.5% in February 2020. Numbers like these stick in people’s minds: that looking for work is a challenge enormous, so feelings of anxiety emerge.
About half of American adults have a negative disposition when looking for a job.
Among those surveyed, 53% shared that they felt like they had lost a part of themselves, while 56% admitted to having feelings of anxiety or depression during this period of unemployment. One can only imagine the agony caused by repetitive rejections and long wait times.
That said, a good start to managing anxiety and depression in the job search is to monitor your feelings.
Identify them, even stay with them and try to work with these feelings instead of rejecting them. You will find that “cooperating” with the movements of your mind and body works best to clear your disposition towards the job search.
Treat the job search as if it were your real job
One way to stay sane while searching for a job is to structure the process. Picture this: You start searching for job openings in the morning, use a defined period in the day to polish your resume, submit applications or check on pending ones, and at the end, focus on resting for tomorrow’s job search.
A better way to put these steps into perspective is to approach your job search as if this is what you do for a living.
Just as there are identified times for work and meal breaks in an office, why not use the same structure in your job search? Think about it: By placing your job search tasks within a specific period of the day, you are practicing the following:
Maintain focus and concentration
A regular 9 to 5 work schedule requires employees to focus on work-related tasks within office hours. When you finally get that job, you will have mastered that kind of concentration that is required on your part.
Complete routine work
It’s tempting to do whatever you want while you’re not yet in a professional environment. But continuing with your routine tasks will help you gain discipline right away, rather than having to develop it once you’re already employed.
Actually, give enough time to the job search. Passing on that resume “when available” or when it’s finally online are passive efforts to get hired. The problem with people who procrastinate is that they end up having less or no time for their responsibilities. By making active efforts to schedule your job search, you will find that you have all the time you need.
Consider how much time you spend on your morning routine (waking up, eating breakfast, exercising, etc.) and start your dedicated job search hours later. Commit to yourself that within these hours your focus will be searching for jobs, sending resumes, checking existing applications, etc.
This doesn’t have to be for a whole day. Especially for those looking for a new job while employed, you may only have time at night.
And after your assigned hours, also commit to not thinking about looking for work until the next day.
Manage your mental space in this period of job search anxiety
By allocating a specific time of day to address your requests, you indirectly remind yourself not to think about your unemployment situation all the time.
However, sometimes you can’t help it. Your fears will continue to take over and worsen your job search frustrations. Let go of those thoughts and work on taking care of yourself. Why not do both at the same time?
Exercise, a balanced diet and good sleep are already non-negotiable aspects when it comes to taking care of yourself. Additionally, people with poor mental health are at risk of chronic physical illnesses and vice versa. A healthy body will not be strong enough to contain a disturbed mind, so strive for balance by taking steps to improve your mental health during your job search.
Here are small but powerful actions to stay positive when you’re unemployed:
Immediately leave the jobs you didn’t get behind you
The feeling of failure persists, but it is not necessary to persist in it. If there are points for improvement in the recent job application, take them immediately and apply them to the next one.
Reward yourself for small victories
Did you make it to the second interview? Way to go! A good pint of ice cream will make you feel good as you move on to another job application. Celebrating mini-milestones helps you recognize your progress.
Another way to celebrate small victories is by setting short goals.
By the end of the week, you should have contacted at least 10 organizations. Or you should have created three versions of your resume depending on the organization you will be submitting it to. While getting a job is the ultimate goal, you are still a winner with your small victories.
Focus on what you can control
No amount of follow-up emails can get an unresponsive hiring manager to update you on the progress of your application.
That’s why you should focus your efforts on tasks over which you have control. You cannot predict what the interview questions will be, but you can choose your interview attire or the time you will arrive at the interview location. This is also a wonderful way to remember that you still have control over the results of your applications, even the slightest.
Stay connected with your immediate circle
Your family and friends will always want the best for you, so don’t hesitate to reach out to them during these difficult times.
You’ll be happy to know how much they appreciate you reaching out to them for help, or even just to vent during your job search.
It also won’t hurt to go to your contacts to ask them for clues about job offers within their own circles.
Chances are they will even recommend you. An advantage of using your own contacts to apply for jobs is that they know you well enough if you are a good fit for their own organisations. After all, networking has always been used to advance in the professional world.
But beyond helping you get a job, your loved ones’ genuine concern for you will help you get ahead, especially when doubts and fears begin to appear.
A cup of coffee with a close friend or a nice dinner with some old colleagues will help you, as you have to let things happen and spend quality time with people who will support you. Once you are filled with their words of kindness and support, you will feel reinvigorated to finally get that job offer.
Knowing how to stay calm during your job search already does wonders for your mood and disposition.
But with the help of a dedicated staffing company that wants you to succeed, your job search will seem a breeze.
In the case of the consulting firm ACS Professional Staffing, it provides that trust, as it is a full-service direct staffing company based on the fundamental values of quality, service and integrity. It expressly warns in this way: “we want you to do well in your job search and we have the right tools to help you. With our years of experience and the relationships we have built with employers and job seekers, we will honor your efforts in the difficult task of searching for employment.”
Is your job search taking longer than expected? Ways to Overcome Job Search Fatigue
Common questions that float in the air from those people who are looking for a job and who have not found it the first time:
– Is the job search taking longer than expected?
– Are you feeling discouraged because you’re not getting the kind of offers or feedback you want or need?
Job search fatigue is real, and when you’re in the middle of an intense job search, the stress of the routine of connect, apply, interview, eat, sleep, repeat can begin to wear down even the most confident and secure. of themselves, which has the consequence that job seekers decrease in number at that specific moment in which searches coincide without results, although when they are resumed, the counterpart also occurs (a new avalanche of applications that reach the recruiters)
But the key here is to not let this discourage you to the point that you feel hopeless or begin to doubt yourself, both of which negative vibes can reach a potential employer and discourage you from your candidacy.
Or, even worse, you could end up taking a job you don’t really want simply to put yourself off the market. Either way, don’t get caught in a vicious, self-defeating cycle of self-doubt that can arise from being in the job market for months.
Instead, Find Healthy Ways to Cope with Your Frustrations
Not only will these strategies boost your morale and leave you with more energy to continue your job search, but several of them can also have immediate and direct positive effects on your candidacy and even increase your chances of landing the right job… and do everything possible. that the hard work and wait were worth it:
If you’re feeling fatigued from a long job search, you might consider attending some networking events
There’s no better way to reinvigorate yourself in your field or industry than to attend a professional event, learn what’s new, and network with like-minded colleagues.
If you’re feeling down about your search or your field, try attending a professional conference or talk, attending a networking event or cocktail party, or attending any type of professional meeting where you can lead. Meet people in your field and listen to an interesting or inspiring exchange of ideas.
Renew the contents of your application
If you have been on the job market for several months, you should take some time to update the contents of your job application. First of all, you probably have new things to add to your resume, but also now that you’re a little removed from the last time you worked on these documents, you can look at them with fresh eyes and may even have more ideas to add, based on some of the discussions you’ve had or comments you’ve received in your job interviews.
Talk to a mentor
If you don’t already have a professional mentor, now is the time to start looking for one and cultivate this important professional relationship.
A mentor can give you much-needed perspective on any adjustments you may need to make to be more successful in your job search, and they can also provide you with the kind of meaningful encouragement you need to keep your spirits up.
You’re also more likely to value their input and encouragement (as opposed to, say, a family member or friend who simply tells you “you’re doing great! Keep up the good work!”), because they know your field and do their part. support and more authoritative contributions.
Reevaluating your approach
In many cases, a prolonged job search cannot be attributed to anything you are doing “wrong.” However, in some cases, you may need to take a different approach.
Questions that will come to mind:
– Perhaps the market is currently flooded with professionals who have the same qualifications?
– Are you looking for work in a “low season”?
– Can you expand your search to different areas or types of organizations that have more opportunities for someone with your profile?
– Research your industry and field to see if you are ignoring potential opportunities and need to broaden your search to land the job you want.
Taking a break
Even if it’s just for a few days or a week, taking a literal and mental/emotional break from job searching for a short time can do wonders for your morale.
Sometimes we just need to get away from something a little to come back to it refreshed and ready to continue.
Consider this just a brief “break” in your search and really take advantage of the break by forcing yourself to stop any and all job search-related activities during that time.
Learning a new skill
If you’re learning something new or working on your own professional development, you’ll not only feel like you’re accomplishing something (and this, in turn, will give you a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that will help boost your level of confidence in the job market). , but adding a new skill to your arsenal will also make you a stronger job candidate in the process. It’s a win-win!
Get organized
Seeing your job search mapped out on a spreadsheet or timeline gives you a more concrete and organized idea of what you’ve accomplished so far and where you’re going.
It simply makes all processes more strategic and, frankly, easier to manage.
Prolonged job searches that last many weeks or months can quickly get out of control (think different versions of your resume/cover letter, application dates, timelines, deadlines, to-do lists, follow-ups, etc.).
Take the time to “declutter” your job search, which will, in turn, help you become more focused in your approach (and more successful as a result!).
While all you really need is a simple Excel spreadsheet or Google document, online job search organizational tools like JibberJobber can also be a great resource.
Running a race
Well, you literally don’t have to run a race (unless, of course, that’s your thing), but the idea here is to engage in some sort of activity that is somewhat challenging but also gives you a real sense of accomplishment once to complete it. This could be related to a hobby or even some type of physical or professional achievement. It matters less what the actual activity is and more that you can get a sense of accomplishment from it.
Taking a vacation
If you can coordinate a vacation (even a three-day long weekend) with your break from job searching, even better.
The goal is to have fun, plain and simple, and take your mind off a stressful job search.
If you’re refreshed, happy, and relaxed (all results of a few well-timed vacation days), you’re much more likely to make a good impression at the job interview.
Sometimes taking a break from work is actually the best career step you can take.
Why a little pessimism can help you look for a job
Persevering when things get tough “isn’t about always being optimistic,” says author Doug Hensch. Good to know.
Let’s say you’ve been looking for a job for a while. His partner is getting impatient, his bank account seems anemic, and he’s feeling pretty sad.
That’s normal, according to career coach Doug Hensch, author of “Positively Resilient: 5 ½ Secrets to Beat Stress, Overcome Obstacles, and Defeat Anxiety.” , especially because “in our society, a job is more than a salary. “Much of our identity is tied to our careers.”
If a job search that goes on and on is getting you down, here’s some advice: Don’t waste a lot of energy trying to cheer yourself up.
“One of the many myths about resilience is that it requires ‘positive’ feelings,” Hensch says. “In fact, even saying ‘positive’ versus ‘negative’ emotions implies that one is good and the other is bad, and that is simply not true. To get through tough times, you need a balance of both.”
Specialist consulting company “Monster” recently spoke to Hensch about how to turn “negativity” into a strength and other ways to be more resilient.
Monster: He mentions in the book that he is a pessimist by nature and explains why that is not always a bad thing. Can that be applied to a job search?
Hensch: Yes, you can. Much has been said and written about visualizing great results in advance, as a step toward making them a reality. For example, think about a job interview that went very well and how great it would be to receive that job offer. That can boost your confidence, and that’s okay.
But it’s equally important to imagine what obstacles you might face and plan how to overcome them. Create an “If…then…” scenario in your mind: “If that comes up, then I will respond this way.” Inject some negativity into what you are imagining.”
This works because preparing for problems, even if they never occur, makes people more resilient. It makes them more adaptable.
You are more likely to change something that isn’t working, rather than persisting with a mistake. A little pessimism is good.
Monster: What would you advise a job seeker who is feeling discouraged?
Hensch: Something that has been shown to be effective in combating stress is very basic: getting a good night’s sleep. Making eight hours of quality sleep each night a priority helps control your mood, so you don’t react with fatigue.
Beyond that, the best way to generate hope is through success. So you need to set goals where you do one thing every day to move forward. It may be something small.
For example, starting my own practice years ago was much more difficult than I expected. I started with zero clients and zero income. It was terrifying.
So I decided to schedule a new networking appointment every day: one for tomorrow, one in five days, and so on. Doing just one thing each day and tracking your progress can help you keep going long enough to reach your goal.
By the way, connecting with as many people as possible really helps keep spirits up and how you structure informal get-togethers is important.
Don’t bring your resume! Instead, be prepared to ask a lot of questions. People love to talk about themselves. It’s a safe bet that sooner or later they’ll ask about you, which can lead to opportunities you may not expect.
Monster: You write that resilience is much more than what we usually call “bouncing back.” Why is that?
Hensch: The phrase “bounce back,” whether from unemployment or some other problem, implies that we return to our original form. That is, we are supposed to be the same as before. But the 40 years of resilience research I studied, and my own experience with resilient people, show that they are never the same after effectively managing their way through adversity. Because they grow and learn so much from experience, they can turn difficulties into a challenge, or even a game.
Improve your game
It’s natural to feel depressed about your job search, but pessimism can act as fuel if you do it wisely. Do you need more help searching for a job?
In order to help people who have gone through these types of experiences, this Monster agency says:
“Join Monster for free today. As a member, you can upload up to five versions of your resume, each tailored to the types of jobs you’re interested in. Recruiters search Monster every day to fill top positions with qualified candidates, like you.”
The advantage it offers is that you can also receive job alerts directly in your inbox to reduce the time spent looking at ads.