Six ways to turn a job rejection to your advantage

Rather than blasting out as many resumes as you can handle, or only looking once a day, you should take a more targeted approach. You may even fear being forced to take a job you don’t enjoy simply for the paycheck. Understanding and accepting that this totally normal experience happens to everyone at some point in their careers. Mom guilt can prevent you from connecting with your kids, whether you’re a working mom or stay-at-home mom. A survey by the Pew Research Center found that about half of US adults who are looking for a job are pessimisticabout their prospects for future employment.

• It’s important to know the difference between the frustration and nerves that happen during any job search and the anxiety that can impact your mental health.
• This pressure from your family and friends can cause strained relationships and housing stress.
• A better approach is to block out specific hours in your day to dedicate to different job-hunting tasks.
• If you don’t get that dream job you applied for, have a plan ready to pick yourself up.

Which leads to more frustration like everything keeps coming back to hurt me. On the outside I look so amazing and happy but deep down inside me, am so frustrated and disappointed with myself which resulted into depression. So many things was happening around me at the same time, couldn’t pay my bills, no jobs etc, I was so demoralized.

Final Thoughts on Beating Job Hunting Depression

To avoid depression and anxiety during your job search, you also have to tend to your emotional health. Practice meditation techniques to improve your patience while waiting for the right job to find you and help you better cope with the inevitable rejections or non-responses. Spend time with positive people who will build you up, not negative Nellies who want to knock you down. Understand that you’re not alone in having to endure a prolonged job search. It’s a process that can take time, and you don’t want to settle for just any position.

And when you don’t meet them, you’ll only harbor more mental and physical stress, as well as burnoutand physical exhaustion. Try not to take it personally if you’re not the right fit. Just as you consider the position’s hours, workload, wages, employee benefits, location, and so on, they have certain qualities they’re looking for. An organization needs to make sure you have the right behavior and attitude for their company culture. The longer you’re unemployed, the more disheartened you may become about your prospects for finding a job that you’re both excited about and know you will enjoy.

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Speaking on the experience, Adrian says, “There were two things that would get to me every time. First, it was the number of applications that were rejected before I even scored an interview. For job seekers experiencing job search depression, it’s even more important than usual for you to lean on your support systems. Talking to a close friend about your frustrations, or pursuing therapy if that’s available to you, can give you another perspective that may change the way you look at the job hunt. Chatting about non-work-related topics with friends and family will give your mind a necessary break as well.

Some helplines support with specific issues, such as suicide, depression, anxiety, and abuse. Others support with specific demographics, such as the LGBTQ+ community, veterans or young people. So if you’re looking for tailored support, you might be able to find a hotline specific to your problem. There are also helplines that support with any problem that’s causing you distress – no matter how small or big it seems to you. If you are struggling with your mental health or concerned about a loved one, consider contacting a helpline for quick and free support.

Leave past rejections where they belong- in the past!

The key is to not let your frustration overshadow your career goals and to turn every challenge into an opportunity. I didn’t have enough experience, or other candidates possessed more relevant skills, or the company decided to go in a different direction. Each industry interview I had, I studied and practiced as if I was preparing for my thesis defense. Sometimes, I never heard back from the employer or even knew if they had seen my application. Each tailored industry resume I wrote kept me glued to the computer for hours. People are often hesitant to share their job search-related anxieties for fear of seeming unconfident.

Eating a overcoming job search depressiony dietand getting plenty of sleep, and practicing good sleep hygieneare key to managing your stress. Instead of getting wrapped up in “what if” thoughts, harness the power of positive self-talk. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings in the present. Breaking down the job search into smaller, more manageable tasks will make the process less daunting and put you in control. This pressure from your family and friends can cause strained relationships and housing stress.