I am unemployed and depressed, how can I stop depression from affecting my job search?
185 Answers
Last Updated: 05/14/2022 at 8:25pm
Moderated by
Tanyia Hughes, Adv Dip Psy
Psychotherapist
I have been through a lot in life too, which helps me to be able to empathize with situations, thoughts and feelings that we have. Sometimes, it's not easy just being human.
Top Rated Answers
Get someone you can trust, and ask them to talk to you. Talking may not be easy, but it helped me through my struggles.
I would personally suggest really getting into the reasoning behind the depression. Really talk to someone professional who can better understand and help you really figure it out. The way I think about it is this; there's a road leading to this amazingly happy/healthy place (the job), but there's a HUGE wall blocking your path (depression). You thus would need to find the tools and materials to break down the wall, which will help you reach the end. Those tools to break down the wall are things to help you break the depression. Talking to a professional, really looking within yourself to find out where this depression has risen from, really sharing and talking about your problems with peers and family can help as well, and there are so many more!
things work as you want and allow the to happen. If you say "I´m searching for a job" then you will keep and keep searching with no guarantee of finding it. If you focus your attention and effort on "finding the job" you will have a better understanding of what you have to do and the circumstances will appear by themselves.
Just don't give up and ask around to other people about different ways to find a job. Or you can create your own.
Get out there and talk to people about how your feeling about the situation. Trust me, we've all been a victim of the job application black hole and know how it feels so there will always been someone available to give you a helping hand that really can relate to the struggle.
Hi! I am so sorry to hear about your struggle. Depression can make even the most simple of tasks feel overwhelming, but a job search is a stressful stressful task in itself! Can you elaborate on what may be causing your depression?
Anonymous
May 22nd, 2018 11:15pm
Have you tried going to the doctors? Speaking to family and friends? Always try to replace a negative emotion with a positive one.
Make some time each day to complete this, Choose a time where you know you do not feel as bad during the day, get a cup of tea and sit down and spend half hour focusing, I would also recommend seeing a doctor in regards to this
Try to apply to at least 2-3 places a day. Call and follow up.
Make it your goal.
Keep a log of the places you’re following up on. Etc.
This keeps you motivated and shows you orogresss and can help you out of the slum.
Don’t forget what you are worth.
Well you need to step up, see life is all about making mistakes. Don’t worry you will find a way.
First clear your mind and then think for a skill of yours which is worth developing for. You have ample time to start.
when preparation meets opportunity success becomes mandatory. So Be happy
Only thing you have to do is keep yourself in the game and try not to get distracted.
Whatever a human mind has conceived, it has achieved.
Good luck !!
I'd think about your goals and dreams, and think about how finding a job will ease your depression and allow you to feel a purpose again.
Sometimes the worst part is the getting up and doing it. Make time for yourself try exercise as a means to elevate depression. Exercise in the morning can really help to make you feel more energised throughout the day
Anonymous
February 9th, 2018 5:26pm
It can be very difficult to find another job. The market is very competitive, and the opportunities are few. Even more so is it difficult when mental health comes into play. However, that does not mean it is impossible. A great way to begin is to seek out help. Perhaps a good friend or a family member can put in a good word for you at their workplace, or with colleagues in their field. Be alert and updated; perhaps your dream workplace has an open field. There are also job centres, who have skilled people to help out with employment. When you begin to see the opportunities, they are endless! Good luck!
Mantain focus on what's most important for you: your goals and your dreams, not bad moments. You can do it.
You have to push through. Even though you feel like a weight is attached to your ankle, you can still make it. Pick up the weight, and keep going.
I know how you feel. I think it can help to focus on the positives, remember what you're good at. What are your skills and talents? What would you like to do? Just try to live one day at a time and know that the right job will come along in the end. If you're unwell it's perfextly fine to take some time to get better and look after yourself
Many people find that small successes breed larger ones. It's easy to get down on yourself when things aren't going well, so finding SOMETHING (even small) to succeed at (maybe some small housework item) can start the ball rolling. TED Talks are also helpful for a quick "pick me up".
Anonymous
November 1st, 2017 5:30am
Try creating a daily checklist and rewarding yourself for completing it. For example, get up and dressed, apply for 2 jobs per day, make your bed. Forcing yourself to complete "simple" daily tasks and adding your job search into them may create a pattern that you can ease into to help keep your motivation up. Remember, if you feel like you can't get up to apply for jobs, you can always look for online applications, ask people you know if they know of any openings, or update your resume/cover letters.
In my search for jobs, I was turned down many times. I was on sick leave for a year due to anxiety and depression, and yet I still felt this need to go get my life back. Do you recognise this need? We all have a power within us; a force, if you will, that keeps us going. Hold onto your passions, remember what you love doing and believe in yourself, so that your job searches will reel in positive results. Hang in there and remember your passion!
Join a professional course, even if it is a small one. That will add to your CV and make you feel like you need to get out of bed and be in a setting where you interact with others. That will make you feel better and the depression will be at bay for a while.
Another good thing could be to set a pattern for yourself. Wake up a certain time, eat meals on time and go to the gym. This will feel like a work pattern and make you more energised for the job search.
Good luck and wish you well.
Anonymous
August 4th, 2017 9:32pm
Set small goals every day to take steps toward your larger goal, finding a job. It can be overwhelming to try to change everything at once, so by working at one small goal every day, you can overcome your symptoms and find that dream job.
Understand that you are not alone, everyone has been unemployed at some point of time and searching for a job is definitely not an easy task, it is a combination of effort and coincidence.
Anonymous
January 18th, 2017 5:25am
Set a goal for yourself like for example looking for a job and getting the job would be a goal for you, Keep trying to achieve that goal, and giving your best to find a job. Once you have that job, Your depression might be helped even a little because not only did you achieve a goal but you now have a job and can be occupied so that you don't let yourself sink farther into the depression your in.
Anonymous
December 26th, 2015 6:02am
In the past, I have seriously had this issue. I've learned to start looking at the more positive things in life, which has really seemed to work out for me!
If you have any money, it might be good to put a portion you can afford towards seeing a mental health doctor. Even one session could give you techniques to deal with your depression. Depression hits you in your weak spot. Some may feel like they can't do anything, not even wake up on time. Search for help in your family or maybe your friends are able to help you out a bit, help you with your household or help you apply for a job, if you want/can work. Do your best. Accept your limits, don't beat yourself up over past failures. Try to take one step after another.
Statistically, maybe 1 in 10 workers are clinically depressed, so you are not alone. I would suggest visiting a healthcare professional for a medical diagnosis. If anti-depressant drugs are prescribed then to take all medications. Be honest with your manager or supervisor, so they are aware of the situation. They are likely trained or prepared to deal with depression in the workplace.
You should see a therapist, trying to cope with it on your own won't help a lot. Depression is usually quite serious problem, even if it feels that it's not
Anonymous
December 27th, 2015 12:40pm
Joining and participating to local volunteering communites to help others and meet new people to decrease both being unemployed and being depressed.
Anonymous
October 5th, 2019 2:41pm
hey, take a quick break. just relax, don't make it to quick. go out with your friends, enjoy life like meditation. talk to somebody who was expert with job search and the most important take a breath. the best way to stop the stress was be relax. the job will come to our by itself (but don't stop searching) if we stress to much, the job that will come to ours either we like it or not we will accept it. so make a wise decision before jump to the job. If we can relax a bit and not stress it to much it won't affect the job search
It's not easy getting employed in these times and it makes it much harder for those of us with depression to keep a positive outlook while searching for jobs. I am not here to give advice but to limit how much depression affects your job search try to paint a picture of what you want your life to look like in a year or two, see the benefits to being employed and what that means to you. Build upon that desire for success daily with positive affirmations and mantras, strive for that picture you are working towards and focus on the goals!
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