Unemployed and getting depressed!

Liberal123

Hi Guys
To cut a long story short, I'm a marketing professional with over 12 years experience. My last job was a contract role and it finished a few months ago. Since then I've been on the job hunt but boy is it difficult in making any type of progress. It's 1 thing finding a job, it's another situation than applying and getting an interview.
To say I've applied for lots of jobs is an understatement. It's absolute soul destroying when you don't get a response, or an interview. I just want to hear if anybody else is in a similar situation, what have you been doing in the meantime? How have you found it with applying for jobs? I've actually completed a couple of online courses and received qualifications for them, been helping with the kids home schooling, done the dishes, cleaned the house, do the shopping (hehe) - now I'm going stir crazy from boredom!

moneysavinghero

If you are a marketing professional then think of creative ways in which you can market yourself to potential employers so that your application gets noticed above all the others.

Chopchop55

Im in the same boat got made redundant a few weeks ago feeling so down atm with it esp as there seems to be so many looking for work too its harder than normal times -pre covid! Im trying to stay positive and i am applying for everything i can and want to do atm ive got a month or 2 before money runs out so trying to find something I would like and using my skill set! Have you looked on employers websites ive done some long applications altho it feels like a waste of time i am hoping playing the long application game might deter some people and make it a bit more attainable for me 
.

Here if you need a chat!

bargainbetty

It's rough out there - I got laid off from a senior role last Summer due to restructuring/Covid. There are usually only one or two suitable roles a year for me anyway, so you can imagine the lack of opportunity at the moment. I am overqualified for shop work, and I got past the interview stage with one firm to be told that they were convinced I'd leave as soon as I was offered my old salary elsewhere because I was 'too experienced'. It's so depressing. I went through the NHS counselling course to help focus my thoughts on moving forward, and it was useful. I'm doing online training, reading and also taking time to do fun things where I can - you have to allow yourself to relax too, hard as that is when you feel guilty about not job-hunting all day. When you have applied for what you can, stop. There is no point hunting for what isn't there and you will only feel more dispirited. Take a walk, have a bath, put on music and !!!!!! about singing, whatever makes you feel good.
Workwise, we have to keep on plugging away: speak to recruitment agents, keep your profile/CV up to date and see what transferable skills you might have for other less typical roles too. I'm looking at contract roles for maternity covers and projects as well which would only use limited aspects of my usual role, just to get back to having a job. I'm also signed up to be a volunteer vaccinator with St John's Ambulance, so we can get everyone jabbed and back to normality as soon as possible! 

This will pass and a new normal will get on its feet. Stay focused on looking after your own and your family's mental health first and the rest will have to fall into place as the world gets back to reality. 

Good luck!

ACG

Are you looking for any job or marketing? 
With shops and businesses general closed or working on a reduced scale marketing is at the bottom of everyones list at the minute. 

Can you not try and set up on your own and find a way to bring in some work? 
Aside from that, I am not much use. 

pmduk

It's so easy to get depressed, specially when you're receiving little to no feedback from your applications. But, just keep slogging away, do something every day.  When you situation turns around, it'll all happen so quickly you wont believe it. I've been there several times.  

familyman28

I know how you feel. I don't have a job and it does get very depressing. Everybody is in the same boat though and hopefully demand will pick up after covid. Maybe try and look for volunteering if you are bored. I know my local town still has lots of volunteers needed and at least it gets you out of the house

Liberal123

Chopchop55 said:

Im in the same boat got made redundant a few weeks ago feeling so down atm with it esp as there seems to be so many looking for work too its harder than normal times -pre covid! Im trying to stay positive and i am applying for everything i can and want to do atm ive got a month or 2 before money runs out so trying to find something I would like and using my skill set! Have you looked on employers websites ive done some long applications altho it feels like a waste of time i am hoping playing the long application game might deter some people and make it a bit more attainable for me 
.

Here if you need a chat!

I've been quite prudent with my job hunting, employer websites, specific marketing agencies etc. Quite active on LinkedIn also. I know what you mean by long applications, you put so much time and effort in and you either don't get a response or it's a rejection email. It's quite competitive out there. I hope things pick up for all of us soon.

Liberal123

It's rough out there - I got laid off from a senior role last Summer due to restructuring/Covid. There are usually only one or two suitable roles a year for me anyway, so you can imagine the lack of opportunity at the moment. I am overqualified for shop work, and I got past the interview stage with one firm to be told that they were convinced I'd leave as soon as I was offered my old salary elsewhere because I was 'too experienced'. It's so depressing. I went through the NHS counselling course to help focus my thoughts on moving forward, and it was useful. I'm doing online training, reading and also taking time to do fun things where I can - you have to allow yourself to relax too, hard as that is when you feel guilty about not job-hunting all day. When you have applied for what you can, stop. There is no point hunting for what isn't there and you will only feel more dispirited. Take a walk, have a bath, put on music and !!!!!! about singing, whatever makes you feel good.

Workwise, we have to keep on plugging away: speak to recruitment agents, keep your profile/CV up to date and see what transferable skills you might have for other less typical roles too. I'm looking at contract roles for maternity covers and projects as well which would only use limited aspects of my usual role, just to get back to having a job. I'm also signed up to be a volunteer vaccinator with St John's Ambulance, so we can get everyone jabbed and back to normality as soon as possible! 

This will pass and a new normal will get on its feet. Stay focused on looking after your own and your family's mental health first and the rest will have to fall into place as the world gets back to reality. 

Good luck!

Really good advice, thanks! My problem is to know when to stop, like you say you can be online for hours looking for that job! I know it will pass but it's not nice. Especially when you don't have a regular income coming in but yes - I'm trying to look on the positive side. Volunteering, sounds good - it would also look good on the CV too.
All the best, I hope everything works out for you too.

Liberal123

ACG said:

Are you looking for any job or marketing? 
With shops and businesses general closed or working on a reduced scale marketing is at the bottom of everyones list at the minute. 

Can you not try and set up on your own and find a way to bring in some work? 
Aside from that, I am not much use. 

I'm looking for marketing and general operational roles. There are jobs out there but there are also many people unemployed making the environment very competitive. Starting up myself is something I've thought about but I think that will come later, I have a few things going on in my personal life and right now is not the best time.

Liberal123

pmduk said:

It's so easy to get depressed, specially when you're receiving little to no feedback from your applications. But, just keep slogging away, do something every day.  When you situation turns around, it'll all happen so quickly you wont believe it. I've been there several times.  

I really hope so. I'd love to be back into work, I can't sit around at home - it really depresses me. Sometimes you apply for so many posts but nothing comes of it, not even a rejection email. You lose hope and you think it'll never happen. All the best to you as well.