Unemployed....

I had an argument with my boss and had to quit my job so now I'm unemployed and looking for work where there is very little available. It's done wonders for my confidence (NOT!!!!) but so far my mood has been ok.
I'm trying to keep busy and stay positive but I don't know how long I can keep it up for.

(((((BlackPup))))) really sorry about the job!
Try to keep it slow, one step at a time ...
Maybe volunteer somewhere to build up resume
while job hunting?

I've done that ... helped my spirits & my resume.

Ditto what roadie said .... sounds like solid advice .

Im so sorry your going thru this ...(((( Hugs ))))

More job searching today.... don't expect to get any responses.... too many better qualified people out there.
Trying not to get down...

I know it's hard to do, but you gotta be positive. Think you will get that call back and you know what, it just might happen. Picture yourself getting whatever jobs you are applying for, picture yourself there and working. Again, I know it's easier said than done, but you will get one of these jobs. It just might take some time, but it WILL happen.

It takes time to find a new job. Just keep applying and WHEN you are contacted, go to the interviews and give it your best.

I've now been through unemployment twice in the last two years and it can totally beat you into the ground. I think I'm getting some traction right now and I think that's because I started looking into different, more specific job posting websites and trying for a lot of different things I didn't consider the first time. And that is actually kind of exciting, entertaining the idea of a different kind of life.

What is helping me maintain sanity (which didn't happen the first time around) is I am limiting the amount of time I spend applying to things, it's compartmentalized, and it's a lot less. It may be unrelated but I have been getting a lot more responses than I did last time.

Also the thing you don't have when you don't have a job is time off. You would think that all your time is time off but it really isn't because you are so geared towards, and stressed about, getting a job. So designate "off-time" and if you are like me, once you get a job you will so regret wasting all the free-time you had being so worried. Try to enjoy it while you can. I was a wreck a year and a half ago when I was unemployed. I'm unemployed now and kicking myself for not getting a certain vacation in. I'm taking steps but I'm also taking care of myself and that is a job.

Job searching is no fun. I'm employed but, spending lots of time trying to find something else.

Oh yes. Looking stresses me bigtime too. Looking at ads would be damn depressing. Not qualified. Not near-enough specialized or even relevant experience. In something I pray to never have to do again (read: restaurants, for starters...) I do NOT like dealing with people, which is limiting to say the least, being a wildly abundant feature of jobs actually qualified for, and one that usually has to give. Woohoo. Soooo, yeah. Merely looking sent me into panic attacks, not to mention pretty serious self-esteem attacks. Ok. Onto hopefully helpful thoughts!

I agree with Eloise42 and would only look for relatively short bursts. Sometimes several times a day, but it was easier to face short lists than take the pummeling of long ones. Short lists I could say, "well, nothing there, but it's only a short list". Longs lists just put in my face over and over again in a seemingly relentless wave how very many things I couldn't do. Or could do, if only given a chance to learn. Ugh, who needs that when the same items can be looked at with far less negative impact?! Excellent bonus: Short bursts a few times in a day also lets one catch and respond to new stuff right away. Which looks good! Eager and on top of it, right? (LOL, but it looks that way! )

I am far from thrilled at the impersonal-ness of the online way of doing things that has come to be. Though doing that out of necessity, I will also physically go by potential places despite no advertised openings (one never knows). Yes, with the help of xanax, but the reality is that on paper? Not so hot. In person? Can manage congeniality, and give them a chance to realize here is no slouch, but someone who is smart, isn't (just ) firing things out there scattershot and cares enough to actually get out of her computer chair and meet them. Yes, sometimes they are kind of dismissive or slightly annoyed --"We do everything online!", said as if it were obviously the only way to approach anything. The poor things are limited in their thinking, so take no mind -- but usually they don't mind talking, even if only a short introduction. Usually it's a little better than that. And that bit of chat has sometimes led to leads on other related possibilities or outright grapevine info. Maybe something their local sales rep mentioned he heard. Score. And oh yeah, the supply company! Hadn't even thought of looking there. You know what else? YOU get to size THEM up a bit. If their vibe totally screams "jerk!", you can focus your efforts elsewhere. (That can be hard to pick up on online. Though some really do just put it out there, don't they?! I read those just for laughs. "Good luck with that, buddy!" )

Though it might sound impossible, try not to think about how many responses. It might only take ONE! You never know.

And agreed on availing yourself of the time off. Though I've often personally found the conundrum of: "Money (ha!)/No Time or Time/No money", there are ways to make beneficial and enjoyable use of the time. --Visiting a park or garden you've always meant to, giving yourself "spa" time actually using products that are probably already sitting in a drawer from a hypomanic episode, watching dvds from the library of movies you've always meant to watch, organizing a closet, picking up on a craft project, perhaps, you know, a UFO "unfinished object" etc. These kinds of things are perfectly legitimate uses of your time. Without balance, job-searching can feel monolithic. Who needs that?! Don't give it that power. You are FAR more than any job, so feed your other aspects too. (Not to be bossy. )

It took me six months from a layoff to a job offer.

Thanks for all your responses. I am Job hunting in moderation! I do a couple of applications a day. This means that there are always more jobs to go for so I don't run out! Keeping myself busy with fun stuff too. Getting to spend time doing things with people from my church which has been fun.

not very motivated to apply for jobs at the moment.... keep on procrastinating and finding other things to do.

me thinks - go with the flow