5 Ways Of Coping With Job Search Depression

According to WHO, depression is the leading cause of disability and health in the world. Depression can be caused by so many things, but today I am going to focus on depression due to job search.

Landing a job in Kenya or anywhere in the world especially as a fresh graduate is becoming harder and harder each day. The stress only continues when companies all around us continue to downsize, yet there are no new job opportunities being created.

A recent survey conducted by Corporate staffing Services in collaboration with IHRM, revealed that this is a very depressing job market. Most employers said they are not looking to create new positions this year which is bad news for a job seeker who is already struggling to land a job. Most companies are looking to retain or maintain their employees.

That means the chances of a fresh graduate landing a job this year, continues to diminish. Unless you end up in sales, which is one of the industries that employers are looking to hire for this year, there isn’t much hope.

As depressing as this situation may seem, here are guaranteed ways you can cope with depression caused by job search.

Related: 7 Lessons I’ve Learnt About The Kenyan Job Market 

1. Create a routine

So it’s been several months since you graduated but you are yet to land a job and you are feeling like you’ve reached the edge. It becomes easy to sleep late and wake up late, after all, where do you have to go? However, what this behavior leads to is depression and a feeling of self-pity.

Instead, take advantage of this situation and use it to turn things around. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, create a routine where you treat job search like a full time job. Wake up early each day, take a shower and go about dropping applications and networking.

2. Exercise

Unemployment is scary and most of the time you are likely to feel depressed wondering where you are going wrong. Exercise has been shown to reduce stress and boost morale.

Sharon, not her real name, has not been able to find a job one year after graduation. Instead of sitting at home feeling depressed, she has taken to jogging every morning and evening and as she says, this has elevated her motivation levels and she is no longer depressed even when no one seems to be responding to her applications.

3. Keep a job search journal

The most depressing part of job search is not hearing from prospective employers. This leaves you questioning your worth and may make you neglect your job search since you don’t see why you should be sending applications only to be ignored.

Keeping a job search journal as most HR experts advice, will enable you keep a track of all your efforts believing that one day it will pay off, which it always does.

4. Reach out to others

It’s okay to feel your ego pricked a little when you don’t hear from employers. However, depression kicks in when you keep all these feelings to yourself. You may never know where the next job opportunity crops up from, so learn to socialize with people. Networking is one way of creating friendships with people who can help you land a job in future.

5. Don’t lose yourself in the job search

Let’s say you have been job searching for almost a year now and all you have gotten so far is one lousy part time sales job. You go back to the drawing board and start sending CVs to companies you would like to work for. However, a few months later, there is not break through.

Spending all your time sending CVs and moving from one office to another is not only depressing but sad. Take a break. Meet up with friends. Attend that event you have always wanted to attend. The job search will still be there tomorrow. The point is, don’t forget yourself in the name of looking for a job. Who knows, you may meet your potential employer at that event.

They say that health is wealth. As we celebrate World’s Health Day today, take a moment and reflect on your life. If your job search is only bringing you stress, change your approach. Take a break even and enjoy life because you won’t have a job if you are popping peels every other day due to depression.

Related: Top 6 Reasons You Didn’t Get The Job Though You Were Qualified 

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