How Do You Cope With Unemployment?

Truegho

How do you cope with long term unemployment?

Do you ever feel as if you are getting nowhere, as the days of fruitless job hunting turn into weeks, and the weeks turn into months?

I often feel so bad about my unemployment that I can barely bring myself to even smile!

janninew

Poor you! Reading your post made me sad. I think most people have been in your shoes at some point in their life, and it does always get better. You need to keep busy and keep your mind active. I know its demoralising to keep getting rejection letters, but each one brings you closer to your new job (thats how i use to look at it anyway!) Is there anything you can do to brush up on your skills? When i was unemployed i went to my local college to do some IT course (they were free!) Might be worth contacting your local collage and seeing whats available.

Keep your chin up and good luck! x

Truegho

Hi there

Many thanks for your reply to my post re. my unemployment misery. It was really encouraging and such a comfort to get a reply from somebody who fully understands what I am going through.

I hate to have to say this, but in the past there have been one or two certain individuals on these boards who have been really nasty with their comments, displaying no sensitivity at all to the plight of an unemployed person and - quite unfairly - accusing me of "moaning" too much about my problem. Why do they have to be so nasty? All I am doing is voicing an opinion, like a lot of other poor unemployed people on these boards are doing!

Generally, though, I am glad to say that most people on these boards have been very nice and helpful, including yourself, of course. I thank you again for your kind comments and well wishes.

janninew wrote: »

Poor you! Reading your post made me sad. I think most people have been in your shoes at some point in their life, and it does always get better. You need to keep busy and keep your mind active. I know its demoralising to keep getting rejection letters, but each one brings you closer to your new job (thats how i use to look at it anyway!) Is there anything you can do to brush up on your skills? When i was unemployed i went to my local college to do some IT course (they were free!) Might be worth contacting your local collage and seeing whats available.

Keep your chin up and good luck! x

janninew

I know just what you mean about unhelpful people on here! Most of the posters are lovely, but your do always get the few who seem to enjoy posting unhelpful and rude comments which serve no purpose at all! If you find that it is the same few people you can click the ignore option, i think you need to click on their profile and there should be an option to do this. Good luck in your search!

Truegho

Hi. Thanks for your kind word re. those rude people. They were much appreciated, and I am glad to know that there is actually an IGNORE option here. I shall certainly be availing myself of THAT, especially in regard to one particular individual, who has been really nasty to me with his totally uncalled for comments.

Thanks again.

shiningdove

The worst thing you can do is be negative.
I know its hard (trust me), but you have too, the more positive you are the more likley you'll be able to get a job.

Keep going, keep looking out there, make sure your applying for anything you can do.

If your not getting interviews - it might be time to change your CV.
If your getting interviews and not jobs - it might be time to change the style you have when in an interview. Theres plenty of websites out there to help you do these things.

I was searching for about 6 months (i'm not sure if thats particuly long or not), but i did my best to stay postivie through it (of course i got down and annoyed but i had family support telling me to chin up, and of course my faithful dog who will always be there for me when i need a cuddle) - I realised i'm probably not having as many interviews as i could so i changed my CV, really worked hard on it for days, also i noticed that i probably didn't have enough experience in my field, so went and found some unpaid work experience for a month, which really added to my CV, then changed my interview techniques and worked hard searching online for the best interview tips i could get - now i pretty much have my dream job - and its not paid to badly either.

Happy_Girl_2

I've been unemployed for 8 months now, and although I too get negative days, what I've done is to convince myself it is my choice to be out of work!

If you are unemployed, you will get heavily subsidised or free learning opportunities. I have taken 3 part time OU courses (fully funded), and have also just been accepted to study another part time course at College in the new term (heavily subsidised)

If you convince yourself you have chosen to take a study break, and use this time to brush up on, or learn new skills, your mindset will be that you are achiving rather than unachieving!

All of my courses are part time, so they will not get in the way when I do eventually get a job, but they will keep your mind active, and show future employers you have been proactive with your time out of work

Good luck!

AlwaysWorking

Truegho wrote: »

How do you cope with long term unemployment?

Do you ever feel as if you are getting nowhere, as the days of fruitless job hunting turn into weeks, and the weeks turn into months?

I often feel so bad about my unemployment that I can barely bring myself to even smile!

I know what you mean. I was made redundant in January and the more time that passes the harder I am finding it. Some days I don't even want to get out of bed and face another day of searching online for a job and filing in application forms for jobs that I'll probably never hear from again. I try to stay positive but I'm scared of losing my house and all that I've worked for..I'm not in a position to treat it as break from work to study...I've bills I need to pay.

Chin up, we'll get there!!

Bunnie1982

Check out this thread: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1787727

It is a thread that tries to be positive and proactive about jobseeking and during unemployment, I think it might help your outlook a little.

TigersEye

I too have been unemployed a long time, it does get you down, I do voluntary work in a school, that does help, plus I get a reference.:j
My doggy helps in the fact that she needs walking so I'm not sat in the house all day.:j
Plus I try and make different meals for tea (had some mega disasters) for me and my mum, so keeps my mind active.:beer:
Just wish I was as successful at keeping to my diet

And also whenever you go into the Jobcentre, smile at the advisers, try not to get angry or upset whatever they tell you

Keep your pecker up

chuckley

i couldnt cope at all. after a week i was down as hell. had stuff to pay and agency didnt have anything, so i went to bar work after a month.

im an always on the go person and for that to stop was damaging to my health. i tried everything from voluntry to basic admin, but i was 'over qualified', so no choice but bar work for me.