Anxiety of not getting a job

[SilvaLady]

Hello,

I know that there a couple of threads on anxiety and work. I have unemployed close to 5 weeks, but have been looking for jobs in the aged care sector. I have joined couple of agencies, being told that I would get shifts. So far I haven't been getting shifts. I have applied for close to 10 aged care places, but only 2 have replied that I wasn't successful. A friend told me that they would put in a word in for me, but so far I haven't heard a thing.

My anxiety levels go through the roof at times, and my mouth feels dry most of the day (although I drink plenty of water).

I like to work, as it makes me feel like that contributing to the community.

I don't know how much longer I can cope with this. I stay in regular touch with some friends, but sometimes I feel like a burden as they jobs and family.

Thanks for reading,

SilvaLady

[Soberlicious96]

Dear Silvalady,

I am sorry to hear of your struggle to find work. It's frustrating when you want to work and it's just not happening. Idle time can be so hard on your anxiety levels.

I'd like to suggest that you perhaps you could use this time that you have to get a bit of exercise each day, yeah? Like a brisk walk around the block, for example. The reason I suggest that is because it will give you some more of those 'happy hormones' that exercise helps to release, and might also help to 'dilute' your anxiety a little, yeah?

Also, have you thought about maybe doing some volunteer work for a local aged care facility? I've often heard it said that sometimes, when it comes to looking for work, that it's almost as much about who you know, as it is about what you know. Volunteer work could well be the key to finding paid work. And will help to fill in some of that spare time, and help to create networks in the field, and give you some more experience in the area.

Anyway, they are just suggestions. In the meantime, I hope you find some work soon. Take care, I'll be thinking of you. xo

[Here_I_am]

Hi SilvaLady,

I can appreciate the stress of not being able to find work - especially when people may be counting on us to support and house and feed them! Every passing day without sustainable employment feels like a failure and with every rejection comes a sense of feeling as though you've somehow become unemployable.

I want to suggest that it's normal to feel some anxiety around this kind of stuff, so as far as possible give yourself a break and take a breath in for a minute. The situation is the situation, and how you might be feeling about it is completely malleable. Is their a sense of urgency and size to the situation that might be overstated? I know I experienced this when my role was made redundant - literally within hours I was consumed by the reality that I was unemployed, and even though I'd already done a fortnights' worth of work and had a healthy payout, I was convinced that just being out of work somehow made me very vulnerable. Very unhealthy thinking, as the reality was that I was quite okay.

Take each day as it comes, and manage each opportunity on its merits. Follow the 'what if?' conversations through to completion. Don't - as far as is possible - feed the anxiety.

[SilvaLady]

Hello Soberlicious,

first of all thank you replying. I know walking is good for me, as I have been told the same thing by my chiropractor. It's just bit difficult at the moment, because of the smoke haze at. I don't feel comfortable walking with that hanging around. I often sit outside of my unit (I live on ground floor) and have a good view towards the street. It has some grass and quite a few flowering trees, and there are quite a few assorted birds visiting. I enjoy watching them.

As for aged care, I have 20 years experience. I just can't (or unable to) understand why it is taking me longer to find a job, as most of my previous colleagues have found jobs already. It just makes me feel useless (and frustrated) that it takes me longer.

Thanks again

SilvaLady

[SilvaLady]

Hi Here I Am,

thanks for your kind words ( thanks to you Soberlicious for your kind words).

I live alone (although I have pet bird, who is good company and I at times talk to him), so I just have to worry about myself.

I had a good payout, when the facility I worked at closed. I just find it frustrating that I apply for jobs nearly every day, and only 2 places so far email me back to let me know that I wasn't successful and the others didn't even bother with that. What I don't understand (and find frustrating) that most of my former colleagues have found work already. I suppose it goes back to the fact they all started long before I did, but I don't want to put the blame on that either.

Last time I was in this position, it took me three months before I found work. This time I don't want to wait that long.

I take each day as it comes, anyway. I usually try and see some positives on any giving day and count my blessings. Other times the day can be frustrating as well.

Thanks again.

Have a nice day.

SilvaLady

[SilvaLady]

Good evening,

I wanted to thank Soberlicious and Here I am for your support and kind words. It helped in so many ways.

I had an interview on Thursday, and this morning I received a call that I got the job (only as a casual with 8 hrs a week). I was relieved, knowing I could pick up more work/shifts in the process. At least I know that I have a job, and who knows where it will go from there. I have been in this position before, where I usually get more work than I can handle. At this stage I am looking forward to that.

Many thanks

SilvaLady

[Soberlicious96]

Congratulations on getting another job! Hope it all is on the up and up from here on in. Well done!

[RicardoD]

Hey SilvaLady

Congrats on your job! That must be a huge relief and I hope it works out for you! Interviews like most things are just practice - how is your interview technique and you do you practice beforehand? For any permanent position they will generally ask you the same type of questions of why you want to the job, what you want to do over time, how you work in groups or individually, etc Or think back of all the interviews you had and the questions asked. It's a case of going about it systematically, wondering what the question is really about, then telling them what they want to hear ha ha You must have done something right to get the current job so maybe it was just a case of patience, but if you want another hand on this let me know and will see what we can do.

I'd spent a long time not getting jobs, applying for many and then once I started to get really into it - review every job advert, look for common themes, find gaps on my CV and then just tinker the CV accordingly. Many companies these days just use keyword searches for CVs as they get so may applicants, so they automatically knock out 90% of the candidates before they even look at experience etc

Let me know if I can help anyway but well done on your new job! 🙂

[LesDave]

it's really painful being unemployed. You doubt yourself, worry if it will ever happen. You lose confidence.

I am going through something similar again. I have work, but it is casual and and I really have a lot of external issues preventing people employing me.

Just try to stay focused on what matters. Sitting at home makes it worse. If you can get outside and go for long walks it does help.

[SilvaLady]

Hi RicardoD,

thanks for your reply. The interview went well, the questions she asked I knew the answers to them. I even wasn't nervous, the place had a "good" feel about it and I was even comfortable in the interview. Even before I left my previous job, I had updated and changed few things with my CV. A friend told me that if you apply online, that I should include a cover letter, as most nursing homes won't even look at a CV if it hasn't got a cover letter.

Thanks for the offer of help, for time being I seem to have to interview process down pat, as the questions are mostly the same.

I hope you will have nice day.

SilvaLady