Finding value in yourself is important when you’re jobless. The monster of doubt on your shoulder can often feel overwhelming but know that ‘being jobless’ is temporary. I constantly have to remind myself of that as the days tick on. It’s hard to pull yourself from the muck of depression when job hunting. You apply for jobs. Sometimes you hear back. Sometimes you’re ghosted. You craft a focused resume for each position to, hopefully, increase your chances. You write cover letters hoping someone will read them. Rinse, repeat; over and over again. After weeks, perhaps months, you start to feel lost. Like nothing matters, no matter how hard you work towards getting a job. It’s frustrating. Defeating. And, honestly, an awful experience when all that energy could have gone towards projects or activities you enjoy. Unfortunately, the cycle is part of the process, for better or worse.
This is my first real job hunt experience; an odd thing to say at 35 years old. In previous blogs I mentioned how lucky I was in the past, that luck hasn’t appeared this time around. While I’m only a month unemployed, and job hunting since April, this is the first time I’ve received no requests for interviews. Not a one. This is/has been the most discouraging aspect of my time job hunting experience. And, of course, I fall into the loop of, what am I doing wrong? How can I make myself more appealing to the algorithm that filters me away from recruiters? I try to avoid the loop, but it happens. I know most of the why’s, how’s, and what’s are out my hand, but gosh do they linger in the back of my mind.
I’m thankful the places I’m interested in haven’t ghosted me (not yet at least). Though, I would love not to get rejections on weekends and late at night, both cause a bit of dismay when I’m trying to relax and enjoy myself. I don’t need to feel hopeless on weekends too.
Despite the hopelessness I’m feeling, I’m doing my best to keep my head above water with my writing projects. The more I write, the more I realize I do have value. I know in my heart someone will eventually see that value. With each word that fills the screen, I’m forging tales that encourage me to keep going. Hopefully, when I finally have the courage to share beyond this space, folks will feel encouraged by those words too.
So, find projects, activities, or develop skills in the moment of time where you’re waiting to hear from potential employers. It can be anything, so long as it keeps you grounded and moving forward. Don’t let the monster of doubt win. Keep pushing on.
Jesús M. Rivera 