Job Searching Is Hard, So Is Dealing With Depression Heres What to Know If Youre Doing Both

You can use these techniques even if you don’t have a depression diagnosis. Depression is usually treated with therapy, medication, or a combination of both. When you’re looking for a new job, you probably put a lot of care into preparing job applications and getting ready for interviews. But caring for yourself and your mental health is often more important for your long-term well-being—and for a successful career.

First, let me job search depression that I am not a trained psychologist. However, what you are describing sounds like you may be depressed.

Navigating & Coping With Job Search Depression

To combat this, make sure to get out there and stay social with your friends and family. If you run out of things to do in your job search, switch gears and fill your time sharpening your skills or adding new ones to your toolbelt. This will help you stay on top of your job search and follow-ups.

It’s also a good way to combat the isolation that many job seekers face. It may seem like you’re on your own in the job search blues, especially if most people you know appear to be on a great career track. But remember that what you’re experiencing is incredibly common. If you find yourself struggling with anxiety or depression in your post-graduate job search, consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor.

What Happens When You Don’t Take a Break at Work?

People over-eat or under-eat, sleep too much or too little. When depression sets in, conducting a job search and crawling out of unemployment grows even harder. Today’s merciless job searches compound people’s feelings of fear and worthlessness. The lack of feedback job seekers receive from recruiters and employers—despite the efforts they exert—leads them to doubt their value.

Join relevant professional groups on LinkedIn or Facebook. And instead of asking for a job, focus on chatting with others and getting to know them.

Free support for depression

One often-overlooked aspect of job search depression is that many job seekers experience a loss of identity. Maybe your career has helped shape your sense of self for several years, or you’re searching for an entry-level role and unsure how to define yourself now that you’re no longer a student. 53% say they’ve felt like they lost a piece of their identity during the job hunt process. 56% say they’ve experienced more emotional or mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, due to their unemployment.

By seeking solutions to this common phenomenon, you’re actively working on your personal well-being. If it’s been months or even years and you’re still feeling pessimistic about your job search, it could be time to reassess your career goals. Endless job hunting can lead to feelings of exhaustion and burnout. Fear and anxietyaren’t going to help your job hunting prospects. And they’re certainly not going to help your psychological well-being. The job market is always competitive, but the global coronavirus pandemic has made finding jobs even more difficult for some people. We will feel the economic impact of COVID-19 for years to come.