Contents
When we lose a job, we don’t just lose a source of income. A long period of unemployment can seriously damage self-esteem, disturb the feeling of comfort and security. Let’s figure out how to help yourself in this difficult situation.
“Losing a job is a serious trauma, comparable to the death of a close family member, divorce or a car accident. My unemployed patients often feel crushed and demoralized. They experience a sense of loss, their own uselessness and an elementary fear of uncertainty, ”says psychoanalyst and career coach Stuart Schneiderman.
Lack of response from employers and recruiters leads job seekers to question their worth in the job market.
“When a recruitment intern ignores your emails, you involuntarily start to think: was I really a good programmer? Was I capable of anything? All of my achievements were suddenly in question, ”admits Jason Alba, the creator of the JIbberJobber job search application, who himself lost his job four years ago.
The emotions we experience in situations of uncertainty and rejection can cause depression, eating disorders, and sleep problems. There are some easy ways to help yourself get through the tough job hunting season.
1. Set up a daily routine
With the loss of a job, lifestyle often changes. Now you can sleep late and browse headhunter sites at night. “This is one of the most dangerous behavioral traps,” Schneiderman warns. Extra hours spent in bed only increase the feeling of guilt and the desire to complain about life.
Instead of being lazy, imagine that finding a new job is your new job. Give him eight hours a day, five days a week. Be sure to shower and get dressed as soon as you wake up.
2. Go in for sports
Unemployment is a source of stress and fear. Regular physical activity reduces stress levels. And the release of endorphins during exercise improves mood.
Information security manager George Moraetes has been looking for a job for two years. All this time he took long walks or ran in the park. “Physical activity is the best antidepressant,” he says.
3. Keep a Search Diary
When employers don’t respond, we feel like we’re standing still and no longer in control of our lives. Sending resumes to new vacancies is becoming more and more difficult, motivation is falling.
Keep a diary: write down who and when you called, where you sent your resume, who you met. This will help maintain a sense of control over the situation: even if you have not received a result yet, you are doing everything that depends on you. The diary is sometimes worth showing to family members who may underestimate your efforts.
4. Don’t withdraw into yourself
The desire to hide in your shell after losing your job is natural. But it’s in your best interest to make sure that as many people as possible find out about your status as unemployed. It is possible that acquaintances or relatives are just looking for a valuable specialist like you.
5. Try to distract yourself: volunteer or start a blog
If the fruitless search is getting on your nerves, take a break. Arun Manansingh, a former CIO and founder of his own business, started blogging during a 17-month career hiatus. “The silence of the employers drove me into a frenzy. A professionally oriented blog helped me distract myself and make new useful contacts, which helped me to open my business in the future,” says Manangsingh.
Jason Alba recommends volunteering – and not necessarily in a non-profit organization. By cooperating with reputable organizations for free, you improve your own skills and increase the number of contacts you need.