7 Causes of Job Search Depression and How to Prevent It

Fewer adults said they turn to negative or potentially harmful coping mechanisms during the holiday season. Those who celebrate traditionally Jewish or other non-Christian religious holidays reported additional sources of stress during these months. While stress appears to be common at this time of year, 43% said that the stress of the holidays interferes with their ability to enjoy them and 36% said the holidays feel like a competition. “The environment plays a huge role in our mental health … we are living in a very difficult time.”

• It’s devastating when you think you did exceptionally well in an interview and haven’t heard back after several weeks.
• There are reasons why the job search takes a psychological toll.
• One often-overlooked aspect of job search depression is that many job seekers experience a loss of identity.

There are various free online resources you can use to learn about this. Of course, seeking a therapist is the best option there is, and luckily, many therapists are offering their services for free or reduced prices. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to seek professional help if you need it. Sometimes a change in assignment or location within an office or organization can help reduce symptoms. Additionally, excessive long shifts of 10 to 12 hours or more or shifts during odd hours of the day that disrupt routines and sleep patterns are also risk factors. “Individuals may feel like there is nothing to look forward to, or they may struggle, as they no longer have an outlet to normalize their feelings of burnout with fellow employees,” she added.

Job search depression: 11 ways to cope when you’re discouraged

Break down your job search objectives into manageable actions, such as updating your resume or researching firms. This realistic method promotes consistent improvement and a sense of achievement. Dealing with any form of depression can be challenging on your own. Seeking help from a professional specializing in workplace depression can be a game-changer. Learning to cope with symptoms of depression at work can be daunting, but it is possible.

An experienced career coach can also help normalize what you are experiencing. If you don’t get that dream job you applied for, have a plan ready to pick yourself up. Focus on what you can learn from the experience rather than feeling rejected. And when you don’t meet them, you’ll only harbor more https://remotemode.net/ mental and physical stress, as well as burnout and physical exhaustion. In this instance, it’s hard not to feel hopeless about your job search. About 60 to 70 per cent of people using light therapy get relief from their depression symptoms, with most noticing within a week or two, he said.

Why can job hunting cause depression?

If you are in a life threatening situation – don’t use this site. Focusing on building your sense of self can give you the confidence to leave a job that’s not emotionally satisfying or fulfilling. Like dealing with social pressure, online therapy can help you let go of guilt so you can do what’s best for you. While the inclination may be to shelve the search, job-hunting IT leaders can do a number of things to reboot in such situations and better set themselves up to find their next position. And if dealing with depression is new to you and you haven’t quite figured out what your best tools are, start by visiting a therapist and working on building up your toolbox together.

You spend hours polishing your resume, writing cover letters, and filling out applications, only to face multiple rejections. For job seekers experiencing job search depression, it’s even more important than usual for you to lean on your support systems. Talking to a close depression and job search friend about your frustrations, or pursuing therapy if that’s available to you, can give you another perspective that may change the way you look at the job hunt. Chatting about non-work-related topics with friends and family will give your mind a necessary break as well.

How do I Recover from Job Search Burnout?

But if you apply for a job you’re not qualified for, you’re probably not going to get it. Another 41% say they’ve had more conflicts or arguments than usual with family and friends. A survey by the Pew Research Center found that about half of US adults who are looking for a job are pessimistic about their prospects for future employment.