How to Not Get Depressed During a Job Search

“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”   Winston Churchill

One of the most disheartening and unpleasant experiences in life is looking for a new job, whether it’s after being fired from your old job or after you’ve just finished your education. In both cases, you have to be prepared to have many doors slammed in front of your face and many of your job applications swept under the rug. However, that’s not an issue. The real issue is how it affects us and our self-esteem, after being rejected so many times.

Having found myself in a situation like this, I kept trying, and then, instead of maintaining or doubling my attempts to find a job, as common sense would dictate, I did the exact opposite. My efforts dwindled, I became more nervous, I couldn’t sleep well, I overate, and my self-esteem was at an all-time low. When you reach such level of desperation, you are ready to take on any job that will help you pay the bills and put food on the table, regardless of it paying a meager wage, or you being ridiculously overqualified.

In order to help you avoid starving and working a dead-end job, take a look at this practical advice.

Do the Things that Will Help You Restore Your Self-Esteem

Although you may feel pretty bad about your abilities at the moment, you have to realize that this situation is only a mere snapshot of who you are. But, the tricky thing about this kind of rejection is that it doesn’t allow us to take a realistic look at ourselves. Instead, we get this distorted image which we consider our true reflection. Believe me when I tell you, the mirror is lying. How do you deal with this then? Find the things that you love to do, and which you’re good at, and go out and do them.

Better yet, pick up a skill or a hobby while looking for a job. That sense of accomplishment when you master a certain skill will help you rediscover who you really are. For instance, I decided to join a band and sing, which is something I’ve always wanted to do. Turns out, I was quite good at it, despite never having done it before. And let me tell you, once you break through the fear of performing in front of a crowd, your self-confidence shoots through the roof, and that’s where it should stay until you find a job.

Have Clear Expectations

One of the reasons you’re not able to get a job is because you don’t have a good idea about what you want to do. I’m not just talking about having unrealistic expectations, I’m talking about having a fully developed idea of what it is that you’re after when looking for work. Sometimes you will be too quick to discard a job, just because it may not seem like the right fit for you, when, in fact, it might be just what you’re looking for. In a situation like that, it really helps to sit down and make up a list of all the things we want our future job to be like.

Consider multiple factors, such as your desired salary, the hours, the opportunity to advance, or location. Sometimes it pays to take on a job that pays a little bit less, but which allows you to climb the ranks quickly and get a raise, instead of just looking at the figure on your paycheck. Also, if you’re going to apply for a job that will require you to work long hours, consider if it’s worth it from a financial point of view. Also consider how your current skills and experience can apply to other types of jobs / categories. Or consider going back to school to get qualifications for jobs that are in demand, such as software engineer jobs.

There Is More to Life than Looking for a Job

When you’re looking for a job, it becomes the center of your existence, as if there is nothing else. This is only aided by the fact that everyone you know is constantly asking you about your job search. Now, of course, finding a job should be your top priority, but that’s not all there is in your life. It’s is just a tiny fraction of it, which will end at some point, so don’t let it get you down.

Just because you are unemployed at the moment is no reason for you to stop living. By all means, dedicate as much time as you need to your job search, but there are 24 hours in a day, which means there is plenty of time for everything else. In fact, you need to use that remaining time in a productive way. Indulge in your hobbies, spend time with your friends and family, exercise, read, and just about anything else you would do if you had a job.

If you are struggling, it is imperative that you don’t settle for a low-paying, dead-end job, no matter what. You may look at it as a temporary solution, but most people who accept such a position go on to work on something they hate, and which pays less. You deserve to have that dream job, because you’ve worked your whole life towards it, and you’re not going to have enough time and energy to look for it if you are stuck with another job that is ten times worse.

The solution would be to find a part-time job, so you can make ends meet, or to look for a job online as freelancer. That way, you get access to a global market. For some people, freelancing is a great fit, and they go on to work online full-time. You might be one of those people, you never know.

Even though it’s hard now, you need to hang in there and fight. Fight for your dream job and fight to keep up your self-esteem, because once the depression of not being able to find a job starts to eat at you, it becomes even harder. Don’t fall into that trap. You are already a winner. Make sure it stays that way.

About the Author

Micheal is a Content Manager at resume writing service Resumesplanet. He’s psyched about marketing, business, blogging and SMM. In his parallel life, he loves hiking and can’t wait to see the Himalayas one of these days. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook