Job seeking from a hunters perspective Blog

Depression in job hunting October 4, 2009

The last couple of days has brought further bad news about the unemployment scene. They do not see the employment picture getting any better until 2017. The economy isn’t due to hit bottom until 2014 and maybe that will inch out further.

This type of information does not help the job seeker. With growing competition and few openings it is hard to get motivated to get up in the morning and face the day. I talk with fellow job seekers all the time and there is a lot of depression building out there.

Depression is bad because it shows and it will show when you get that elusive interview. Depression is also self defeating. It makes us question our worth and ask ourselves are we really any good at what we do?

When people ask me what I do to get motivated in the morning I joke around, I say that, “I lift the sheets up and look for a toe tag and if there isn’t one I get up and get going”.

I then tell myself that there is a career out there for me and that I have to find it. I know that finding it is hard work. I also know that when I do not get a reply from a company not to be discouraged. I know that companies have cut what the view as overhead staff i.e. HR, accounting,  finance etc. I know that HR is very busy sifting through resumes and cover letters trying to find the best of the best as well as perform their other duties. I know that somethings have to be put aside and unfortunately we are it.  Recruiters do not work for us and we do not yet work for the company so we are viewed as insignificant and therefore we do not get the respect that is due to us as professionals. This just adds to the depression.

I myself try to stay open minded and understanding. That does not make it any better it just makes it a little less painful.

I try to stay positive and understanding what my fellow job seekers are going through I try to help them as well. I guess it is therapeutic for me.

I find that networking helps me to control the depression, as well as, telling myself that I am the best at what I do, that I am unique at what I do, that I am valuable to a company and I just have to figure out how to get them to realize it.

For all my fellow depressed job seeker friends out there, you are somebody and do not let this economy destroy you. Stay open minded and learn what HR and recruiters are going through. Learn the newest job search techniques. We will prevail in the end. We are talented and worthy.