Navigating Job Search Depression: Unseen Challenges and Sustainable Strategies

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this even more, with many people losing their jobs and struggling mentally as a result. Job search depression is emotional distress stemming from prolonged job hunting and rejection. The experience can take a toll on mental health and include feelings of frustration and self-doubt. Yielding to job hunting depression has several adverse mental and physical effects. By seeking solutions to this common phenomenon, you’re actively working on your personal well-being.

Take a long walk with your dogs and follow it up with a warm bath and a good book. Worrying about providing for your loved ones can be a serious stressor. School fees, mortgages, and car loans still need to be paid regardless of the state of your employment. Just as you consider the position’s hours, workload, wages, employee benefits, location, and so on, they have certain qualities they’re looking for.

We spoke to a psychotherapist who gave his tips for anyone who is job hunting and struggling with mood or motivation

Those recruiters request a call/meeting with me and we chat for upwards of an hour about how impressed with me they are, can we stay in contact and connect via LinkedIn (they initiate). Instead of feeling guilty that you’re taking time away from applying to jobs, remember that prioritizing your well-being will help you feel recharged when you get back to it. It’s also important to take the time to give yourself a refresh. Can you improve or develop skills that are relevant to your target industry? Doing so can make you feel much more pro-active (and less helpless), to say nothing of the difference it can make when in competition for a job.

• The first step is recognizing why job search depression happens.
• Add every new name to your plan and make sure that over time you keep reminding them that you are here.
• Having someone to talk to during your job search gives you much-needed emotional support.
• According to a Pew Research Center poll, over half of US individuals who are looking for work reported a pessimistic perspective about their future job prospects.
• They are your shoulder to lean on, but also your distraction from the overwhelming parts of this process.
• “I use a Pomodoro app on my phone to focus for 25 minutes then have a break for five minutes.

Look for local volunteering opportunities—it is a great way to engage in some feel-good activity while scoring brownie points on your resume. You could even brush up on your reading and broaden your perspective. The key is to keep learning and adding to your experience; both personal and professional. Michelle, who wanted to remain anonymous, lost her job as a receptionist last summer.

Clinical Trials Spotlight: Psilocybin’s Potential for Depression, and Burnout

The constant rejection and roller coaster ride of ups and downs wreak havoc on your mental health and emotional well-being. Countless days of scouring job boards, submitting résumés and not hearing back can make you feel drained, discouraged https://remotemode.net/ and despondent. Beyond the interview process, maintaining a positive mindset makes you a better candidate for recruiters. Research has found that optimistic employees are 103% more inspired to give their best effort at work.

Besides pressure from those around you, the pressure you put on yourself can cause you to have unrealistic expectations. And when you don’t meet them, you’ll only harbor more mental and physical stress, as well as burnout and physical exhaustion. A lack of self-compassion and being depression and job search critical of your flaws prevents others from seeing your positive attributes. It convinces you that you have no skills, no discernable talents, and no worthwhile contributions to make to the world. Of course those feelings would have the ability to hinder your job search.

Looking for a new job? Here are 6 things to consider

People who remain unemployed for long periods tend to spend less time with their friends and family, according to a 2014 Gallup survey. This pressure from your family and friends can cause strained relationships and housing stress. A job search can be a long and grueling process, and taking care of yourself throughout it is key—whatever that looks like for you.