5 Methods to Avoid Unemployment Depression

In addition to the overall frustration of not landing a job, financial stress, feelings of inadequacy, anger, anxiety, and uncertainty are also often. After weeks of dealing with these feelings, the telltale sign of depression will likely sneak in–hopelessness. If they start showing concern about your behavior, such as drug and alcohol abuse, it may be appropriate to seek professional help. There are online, licensed counselors who can provide treatment options and help you get past unemployment depression. Breakthrough–now MDLIVE– and Talkspace are two popular organizations offering online support groups and individual counseling. Rediscover the world as it is when you aren’t wearing stress blinders.

A therapist can help you develop a treatment plan, such as weekly talk therapy or medicine. But even looking for someone to see can be a tough first depression and job search step when depression at work already has you in its grips. In that instance, participating in your company’s EAP, if there is one, can help.

Job Seeking When Struggling with Depression and Anxiety

Disturbingly, the research seems to suggest that it can. One of the most frustrating aspects of today’s job searches is the lack of feedback from employers and recruiters, say unemployed IT executives.

This larger pool of candidates looking for work also means intensified competition for roles – and so more and more people are tasting disappointment when trying to find work. So plan a night out with a friend to vent and reduce some of your stress. Order takeout and binge your favorite show to help you relax and unwind. Take a long walk with your dogs and follow it up with a warm bath and a good book. You’ll connect with the best remote companies in the world and broaden your search outside of your zip code. But that won’t happen if you only stick to the same job boards and the same old method of applying where the masses do.

Fighting Job Search Depression, the Avengers Way!

If you suffer from low self-worth, it can be difficult to get out of the rut of job search hopelessness. Feeling hopeless about your job search can stem from applying for jobs that aren’t right for you.

They may be able to give you some pointers and tips on how to improve it. Again, keep in mind that you are in no way obligated to share this information. But if the opportunity arises, and if you feel comfortable, know there are occasions when being open may actually help you land a job you’ll thrive in. “You’d be surprised at what honesty and an optimistic view toward the future will get you,” Heath says. If you’ve been dealing with depression for a while, you likely know by now what helps you to get through your hardest episodes. But what is important is that you find ways to move forward and learn something new from every rejection you have faced. If you feel such a mistake has been made, then you could try reaching out to the recruiter or the hiring manager to check on the progress of your application.

You’re not alone

So it’s not a great leap to be concerned about the mental health toll the pandemic and unemployment rates are taking on us all. That said, there may be times when you choose to disclose your condition—or when you at least shouldn’t be afraid of hiring managers finding out. This is especially true if you are interviewing with startups and progressive-minded organizations, according to Heath. Being out of work—or stuck in a job that makes you miserable—would be difficult for anyone.

This unemployment status can quickly cause a rise in depression rates. Because depression can come and go in waves for some people, it’s possible you’ll convince yourself you’re past this most recent bout of symptoms in light of the excitement you feel. In the beginning, committing yourself to finding a job may actually help to ease some of your depressive symptoms.

If your conversation with your boss does not yield any results, you can then turn to HR. I’m looking to hire for a role or project on behalf of a company. Resources such as Udemy offer a free resume-writing workshop, while TopResume offers a free resume critique, for you to consider as you update your resume. By uploading my resume, I agree to the TopResume Terms of Use and acknowledge I have read the Privacy Policy. Stay fit like Black Widow, so you can conserve energy to face challenges. Imitate Dr. Strange and try to see the many outcomes of your success.

When you have a job interview or a job prospect at another employer, he adds, you can ask the people where you’re volunteering if they know anyone at the company where you’re applying. When you lose your job, you lose a lot of structure in your life. It’s easy to sleep late every morning and to put off your job search, but those are some of the most unconstructive behaviors you can indulge in. The extra time in bed can lead to self-pity and self-punishment, says Schneiderman. Contact us today to learn how BetterUp’s career coaching servicecan help you accelerate positive change professionally and personally. Remember that no matter the outcome of your job searching and the number of rejections you’ve received, your current situation doesn’t define you. A key tip for how to deal with job depression is to maintain perspective.