Depressed from being unemployed. Feeling stuck.

[mchops]

I’ve been feeling really stuck in my job search and honestly pretty low about where I’m at.

I was fired just over a month ago for being a “cultural misfit.”  Since then, I’ve been applying nonstop and getting interviews for marketing roles (I’ve got 3.5 years’ experience), but after my last job  where I did the work of two or three people I’m completely burnt out and don’t want to go back to that industry. I’ve got over two years of admin experience too, but not much luck there either.

It’s frustrating that most roles, whether marketing or admin, pay around $70k but expect so much. Some interviews go nowhere, and others I’ve turned down due to toxic culture. I feel like I’ve done everything right. I got my degree, worked hard and still ended up with burnout, instability, and it’s challenging my mental health. 

I don’t even like waking up early anymore because I don’t want to face reality. I stay up late because it doesn’t really matter to me what happens tomorrow. I’m tired all the time and can’t seem to break out of this cycle.

I don’t have huge expenses and JobSeeker covers my rent, but I just want something stable - something where I don’t feel exploited. I want to give up and isolate myself. I’m also so tired of people asking how the job search is going.

I’m not really sure what to do anymore. Any advice would mean a lot. and thank you if you’ve read this far. 

[Croix]

Dear Mchops~

I remeber your description of a job you had in a small firm and the singularly poor manager you had. In listing all the problems that person created there is no way anyone can exist under those and keep on going. I doubt very much sticking up for yourself would have helped and you cannot change the issues, only the manager could have done that

Some have completely unrealistic expectations and take it out on employees when results fall short.

So now you are on the job seeking treadmill, a most unpleasant way of life, and one that can make you doubt yourself and your abilities, feel a great lack of motivation and generally have a miserable life.

EOI after EOI submitted, half the time no response at all, and interviews where your judgment (which is is important one) sees the firm unfavorably.

All this can take over your whole life and lead to everything you have described.

May I suggest you take steps to ensure it does not take over all your life. I have found that spending a regular part of each day -say mornings - and use that time for all job related matters. 

Then, even if difficult stop and spend the rest of the day on completely unrelated matters, hopefully things that distract you, or you enjoy. It is a carrot in front of you to get you though the morning and can turn your life around so you have enjoyment and hope. As an aside this more cheerful attitude may benefit you in interviews.

I agree it is difficult to start doing, and the temptation to answer that 'last important letter' is great, however without barriers your own health and welfare will only get worse.

What do you think - is it worth a go?

Croix

[mchops]

Hi Croix,

Thank you for your reply. I have had another role since the toxic one. This second place is super corporate. I struggled under the ridiculous workload (no amount of over time could’ve finished the work) and they complained when I was blunt with some employee (I was under so burnt out by this point, I wasn’t being myself), then I got very sick and took a week off then was fired the following Monday I got back.

I will give your advice a go by keeping the job search to the mornings and enjoying the rest of my day so it doesn’t feel like my whole life purpose is just job stuff. Thank you!

[Croix]

Dear Mchops~

Loading someone with so much work htere is no end is simply a way of cynically using  people as  replaceable units, so no wonder you burnt out.

You have had a couple of very poor work environments now. I'd suggest if you get to the  interview stage it is a two way thing. Most people are so anxious to get the job they simply try to please the interviewers. In fact it is your opportunity to judge the  organisation you are interviewing for. You may end up walking way and saying "no thanks".

I'm very glad you are going to try to put a barrier between employment matters and the  rest of your life. It makes a huge difference not to be thinking of it all the time, life can  then become enjoyable and even branch out in unexpected ways.

If you would like to say how you get on that would be welcomed

Croix