[aliciainwonderland]

I have depression, okay with medication, but divorced female raising a son without help from the dad. I moved a year ago to be near family, but the job I found caused major anxiety and depression so I quit. I have been applying for jobs again since May. Being near family was a good decision for me and my son, though.

Dilemma is: I got a call for an interview about 250 miles away - no known friends or family. To move away again is causing me angst. But I know what my family would say if asked: take any job you can. They would be very critical of me refusing to go to an interview of any kind for any reason. They put economic above all else. I did that a year ago and almost had a breakdown. To me, the family emotional support is more important than the economic issue.

So, I feel guilty to cancel the interview, but at the same time everything inside me is screaming - NO!

Not that I would be hired even if I spent the time and money to go... haven't been hired yet by anyone so feeling rather a failure in general.

Advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[lynn P.]

If this is an excellent job where you feel its worth the move etc....then go for the interview. Maybe they have a Skype interview? If you can't imagine you would be happy with this move, then decline the interview. When you're job searching and applying, you can narrow your search to your area only. You can also register online with job sites and you can put which city you're interested in. You also don't have to tell your family about all your interviews

[Perna]

I don't see that you have the money to move again and establish yourself elsewhere? I would not look for/take a job more than 50 miles/an hour's commute (if you have a car) or so from where I want to live.

It does not sound like you are getting the type of "support" from your family you need. I would find a group in your area to go to so you could meet people either divorced mothers or people looking for jobs, etc.

I would go to job interviews I was invited to just for the practice and to see what's what. You don't have to take the job even were you offered it if it does not meet your needs. Keep your thinking two way; you don't want any old job and you won't let any old job you don't want work so don't take that kind! Figure out what you want and stick to that, just because someone wants to hire you, if they are not right for you, it cannot work.

[angustios101]

I'd go for the interview. You never know what you could negotiate if they end up offering the job to you; you might be able to work from home or split weeks one week there one week with your son and family. Also, I agree with the practice. Practice makes perfect! Good luck, I know how hard job searching and interviewing is with deptression and anxiety to boot, I'm going through that myself right now.