Job Search Depression – it’s a real thing, and it sucks. You feel rejected and defeated by all the ghosting or just flat-out “NOs.” If you have a family or roommates depending on you, you may even feel like you’re letting down those who are important to you. Many are getting discouraged, especially during the pandemic, by what seems to be a fruitless job search. But all that effort will help you find your next ideal position. Until then, however, how do you deal with the job search blues?
Remember, Job Searching is a Job
Job search depression can often come from feeling a loss of identity. For those who identify themselves by their job title and the work they do, take comfort in the fact that job searching is a full-time job. You’re still contributing, you’re still working hard – you’re just doing things a little differently. Finding the perfect fit for you and standing out from the competition in the running for a job takes a lot of effort and perseverance to succeed, much like any job. Take comfort in the simple fact that while looking for a job, you have a full-time job.
Set Reasonable Goals
The goal “find new job” is a large and daunting item. It takes the pressure off to break that big goal into smaller, achievable goals. Note the word “achievable.” Set yourself up for success and set reasonable goals that you know you can accomplish each week. For example, set the goal “I will send out five resumes and cover letters today” or “I will follow up with 3-5 prospects today.” Setting goals and crossing them off gives us all a sense of accomplishment and uplifts us, lifting us away from the pit of job-search depression.
Keep Busy
Depression can hit when we’re too stuck in our heads and putting all our energy into the job search. Finding the right fit for you is a long game, it’ll take time. Try to schedule your days with moments of relaxation and fun in between applications, resumes, and cover letters. Staying busy not only breaks up your day, but will also help ease those days or weeks when you’re waiting on an offer after the interview. Take an online course to learn a new skill, consider a new hobby to do with a friend, workout with a spouse or by yourself. Whatever you do, keep yourself busy.
Their Loss, Not Yours: A New Mindset
Do you wonder how some people face job search rejection day after day and somehow keep going with a positive attitude? Yeah, we hate those people too. But we can learn from them! They find the energy to keep going and not give up because they have the right mindset. Getting rejected several times a day, nearly every day per week can be difficult and it’s understandable to feel depressed and discouraged. But what if you turned that thinking around? The next time you’re ghosted or turned down for a position, think “oh well, their loss” as opposed to “they didn’t want me, I must not be as great as I thought.” You have true value to add to your future employer, remember that. It’s their loss.
Focus on What You Can Control
Depression can stem from loss of control. When we don’t have control, we feel helpless. So, combat job-search depression by keeping the focus on things you can control. You may not be able to control whether or not your competing candidates have more experience or presented themselves better in an interview, but you can control how many follow up emails you send each week. You can’t control whether or not the interviewer will click with you, but you can control the level of preparation you put in before the interview. Put your focus on what you can control.
Allow Yourself Breaks
Working hard and pushing yourself only to end up with more “NOs” every day is discouraging, so allow yourself a break to enjoy time with family and friends (preferably on weekends when hiring managers aren’t in their office looking at resumes). Without pausing to relax and change up your job-hunt strategy, you’ll burnout and that feeling can cause or exacerbate depression. Give yourself a break every now and then.
Get Support
Don’t go it alone. While you may have to write your own resume and go on interviews by yourself, you can still get support during your job search. Connect with your friends and family during interview prep and talk it out after every rejection. No one can lift you up quite like those closest to you. Support from loved ones eases any depression, especially job search depression.
Good luck with your next round of interviews! For more tips to help you in your job search and maintaining positive mental health for your career, follow our blog.
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