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‘Wake up, apply, search, get rejected, feel heartbroken, sleep, repeat’. This may sound familiar to you if you've at any point in your life, struggled with Job Search Depression
For any Millenial or Gen Z currently out of work and searching, it can be a struggle job-hunting and a prolonged unemployment period can negatively affect one’s mental health and self-confidence. The truth is, Job Search Depression is real and sometimes worse than relationship breakfast.
I mean, 'Na who get money dey chop breakfast" [Wink!]
Not only is the process itself draining, but activities at home can also add to the dissatisfaction. Imagine becoming the house fixture. You know the one who remains at home while everyone leaves for work?
The one who is expected to be available always because, what else can you be doing? The errand boy/ girl; The person everyone banks on to receive home deliveries on workdays, and many other interesting experiences.
If this sounds familiar, you’re probably going through, or have been through a stressful job-hunting period. Honestly, It's totally okay if you are struggling with job search depression. Job search depression as the term implies is an onset of feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, and discouragement that have a causal link with prolonged periods of unemployment and active job searching.
It might be more common than you think, especially amongst Millenials in Nigeria where a high unemployment rate is prevalent. Here are some things that helped me ride the tide and finally overcome job search depression even before getting a job.
Finding an anchor: Not everyone reading this may be religious, but I am, and this was genuinely the beginning of healing from my depression.
I had not realized it, but focusing all that energy, hope and intellectual fortitude in one direction had drained me of joy in every other aspect of life so much so that I had forgotten the joy in what I had because my focus was on the one thing that I didn’t have.
If you are Christian and you know Nathaniel Bassey the music minister, you may know he holds a periodical praise and prayer session called hallelujah challenge. Joining that challenge and being faithful in attending all sessions helped me to have joy again and break out of job search depression.
I was able to be grateful and give thanks for all that I had (which was a lot when I stopped to consider it for myself). God was my anchor in this depressing season. I encourage you to find who or what keeps you grounded.
Finding joy in the little things of life: After the challenge, I learned to focus on the things that made me happy; family, friends, learning new recipes, allowing my friend to introduce me to K-pop, (LOL) and so much more.
I learned that my time WAS valuable whether I was working in an office, baking a cake at home, or learning basic accounting skills. You alone determine the value of what you do with your time. Invest your time in tasks that you find valuable.
Speaking to someone: Sharing your problems with trusted friends/ family or professionals will firstly; help you get the weight off your shoulders and secondly; open you up to receiving help. Job search depression is real and is a legitimate mental health problem.
You are not an anomaly because you got depressed from the constant rejections or unanswered applications, you are human!
No one has life figured out and contrary to popular belief, no one is “living the perfect life”, even the ones that are employed/ have businesses.
Sharing your struggles with friends or family will release you from the burden of carrying all that baggage alone and the advice you receive can help you in improving your search tactics and your state of mind.
Furthermore, I highly advise that you seek mental health help from a professional.
Learning professional / industry-related skills: Weird, I know, but let me explain. Upskilling is something that is advised for everyone, whether on the job search or happily employed.
Learn new skills that are relevant to your target job industry and target role. These skills will improve your chances of landing your desired job. The best time to learn something is when you have nothing that competes for your time with your courses. You’re more focused and grasp more information.
It also does well for your self-esteem to know that you are learning and improving yourself intentionally.
Delegating job search days, application days, and application review days: Doing something that has the potential to cause anxiety or depression, monotonously and repeatedly can cause you to have even more anxiety, and make you even more depressed. Assigning days to rest from the process will help you recuperate and regroup. You may realize that the position you considered applying for was not a good fit anyway.
Visit The Career Buddy Website to get the right support with your job search process
Finally, remember that there is no “ideal time” a person should get employed and it does not make you any less intelligent or capable than your colleagues who were able to get jobs.
If you know someone who is currently job searching, please be kind with your words, don’t be crass, but be encouraging and helpful.