[tripcode]

I think this is the root cause of most of the mental anguish I have right now. I have no money, so now I'm no longer in school, so I'm not furthering my education or career and not interacting with the people I normally have social interaction with (I live about 30 miles from my campus).
Nobody seems to want to hire me. I honestly wonder if there's something coming up in background checks or whatnot that I don't know about, because I've applied to so many places and they've all turned me down. I feel like there's only so much more I can give before giving up. As cliché as it sounds, my life would be a lot easier if I just had more money. But I can't earn money without a job.
My next stop is to apply to places like Walmart and McDonald's. It's not that I'm above working there, I just figured that having the level of education and experience I have, I would be able to get a job in the healthcare field, which is what I'm pursuing a degree in, but at this point, I would take any employment. I just feel like the time and money I spent on my education shouldn't all just go to waste...
This is just all very depressing, and I'm having difficulty keeping my hopes up.

[optimize990h]

Hello, tripcode.



A job provides a lot more than just money. It can provide meaning and structure to one's life. A person's self of worth or self esteem may be heightened if a suitable job is a good fit for anyone. Thus, I can understand how being unemployed is depressing. If you have any questions, you can post them in the appropriate forum for responses from PC members.

[atomicc]

It took me a very long time to get a job so I know how you feel. I even applied to the mcdonalds, subway places and even THEY didn't call me. It can be very frustrating :/ I hope you can find something soon.

[likewater]

Yeah, my lowest point was when the Waffle House wouldn't hire me. I mean come on people , i wasn't aiming for the stars. On an episode of Dog the Bounty Hunter they caught a criminal at this 24 hr diner off the hwy. Almost everyone working there was all tatted up, but alas i wasn't Waffle House mateeial. I cried. Then my sister got turned down for the King Sooper's Bakery and she is a Biochemist. Her muffins and cakes are also much better than the ones at King Soopers. Don't worry. Job hunting is rough. Especially right now. Find out if there is a place in your town that can help you prepare for interviews etc. I did that and i got the job the next day.

likewater, there is such a thing as being overqualified for something and being turned down on that basis. I suspect this is why the Waffle House turned you down. I wouldn't get upset on the basis that you apparently weren't even good enough for the Waffle House, because I don't think that's the reason you were turned down.

[redbandit]

Looking for a job is not fun! I went 10 months without one turns out my former employer lied, so I think that's why. You might want to double check your references and all, just a suggestion, maybe that's not an issue, you never know.
I have a bachelors Degree, and got turned down for a job at a movie rental place, and a pet store.
Keep on trying, you will find something! I know how hard it is, though.

[StrongerMan]

Being unemployed is depressing even if you have some money due to the worry of having to watch your savings deplete all the while. I tried to volunteer for organizations I am interested in, but even they don't want someone who isn't working. I guess they are getting a lot of people who want to volunteer and have become more picky. Now that is depressing... Wanting to work for free and still hearing crickets. Maybe I have to offer to pay them.

[tokiwartooth]

I went 4 years without finding one in my field (I know not the same thing as unemployed), and I bounced from job to job because I was so miserable and I blamed the jobs for me leaving, but it was actually me. In those in between job times it was a horrible feeling not to have a job. When we moved back up here to NC, I was without one for 4 months before Lowe's hired me, and then finally, 7 months after that, I was hired in my field. I think it's also that the economy is still struggling and there are a glut of people looking for work. And trust me, I know about being over-qualified. I know that's the reason that a lot of places wouldn't hire me. And while the economy was at its worst, I know the people in my field wouldn't hire me for an entry level position because there were so many experienced people looking for work and willing to take entry level jobs. Something will come along, it just might take some time.

[Rznsun]

I can totally relate!! I just feel like I would totally be able to overcome everything if I just had money because the stress of not having money just causes depression to be 10x's worse. I am looking for jobs also in the retail field even though I hold a Master's degree and am frustrated by the phrase 'overqualified', I mean I have the same bills in my mailbox that everyone else does. Just keep thinking of places to apply to and keep driving around, that's all I'm doing also.

[bernie1967]

I'm in the same boat. Unemployed for 8 months now. Honestly, if it weren't for my daughter, my pets, and 12-step meetings, I think I'd probably wind up committing suicide. I just had my unemployment extended but it was also cut by almost $200 per month, and at 46 years old I am also receiving $500/month in financial support from my mother. Just writing about all of this depresses me, so I'm going to stop now!

[tripcode]

I'm glad I posted this, it's nice to see I'm not the only one who's encountered this problem!
I just can't believe how long it's taking. I've been unemployed since December It also hurts, a lot, that I applied for a very good, high-paying job that I was almost certain I had, they even brought me back for a second interview, and I brought my boyfriend at the time with me so he could apply too...he ended up getting that job (when he already still works at the last place I was employed at, until I lost that job because my grades slipped), and I didn't get hired. For some reason, that hurt A LOT.
And, as it so happens, that particular boyfriend and I split up...4 hours ago. :/ Life just kinda sucks right now.
But thanks for the support, you guys, it makes me feel a lot better.

[lilja123]

I went on this forum today to ask about job hunting, and just realized how many other people are in the same boat as me... or even worse off (at least for now I have my parents' help and all the guilt that comes along with that). Lately the only way I have been able to get myself to job hunt has been to wake up and spend hours making myself unhappy, then allowing myself to feel happy only when I've applied for one job. Then reading a book or something and preparing to do it all again the next day.

This morning, it was beautiful and sunny, and I just decided I'm not going to keep doing that and I'm going to find another way. It was strangely empowering, even though I have no idea how else to do it.

I applied for a volunteer position last week (and allowed myself to feel happy all week, but didn't get any job hunting done) and will know by the end of this week whether or not I made it to the next round of interviews.

[demarco]

First of all, sorry about your breakup. I hope it gets better quickly for you.

I'm 23 and I've been unemployed twice in my life. It can be truly awful. I went from being young and happy in college to depressed and alone in a really fast time. Everything seemed to hit me at once-- I lost my college social life, spent my time alone in my house applying to jobs I wasn't getting, watching life pass me by. The feeling of going nowhere gave me incredible anxiety.

If it makes you feel any better, a job will come out of nowhere for you at some point. I'm pretty lucky that I just happened to apply to this one job, and just happened to have a good interview at one point. Everything changes so quickly in the job market.

The way I would suggest you cope now is to keep yourself busy, make goals for yourself, and do your best to stay positive. Try to find how you enjoy spending your time, and schedule it. Unemployment can be looked at as a huge opportunity, to find yourself in life. Once you get a job, your opportunity to grow and find yourself as a person becomes smaller, in my opinion.

Hope you make the best of it. Feel free to message if you feel like you need to talk with someone.

[tripcode]

Originally Posted by demarco

I'm 23 and I've been unemployed twice in my life. It can be truly awful. I went from being young and happy in college to depressed and alone in a really fast time. Everything seemed to hit me at once-- I lost my college social life, spent my time alone in my house applying to jobs I wasn't getting, watching life pass me by. The feeling of going nowhere gave me incredible anxiety.

Your situation feels remarkably similar to mine. I'm also 23, this is the second time I've been unemployed, I've lost my college social life, and it does feel like life is passing me by. I think that's the most depressing part, actually - I spend all day alone in my house applying to jobs I don't get, I rarely get contact with other human beings, only when my college friends feel like hanging out every couple of weeks. I just hope I have the same happy ending that you do and find a job soon!

[anneo59]

Hello all, for some reasons, at this time, my thanks and hugs are not showing up here. But I am wishing all the best! Have been in this situation, and I know it's really tough. Hang in there, dont give up!!!!

[ungumuda]

Hei there, I'm 23 as well, and unfortunately unemployed too. Job market now is tough place.
Hope everything would going better for you *hugs*

[ladytiger]

Originally Posted by StrongerMan

Being unemployed is depressing even if you have some money due to the worry of having to watch your savings deplete all the while. I tried to volunteer for organizations I am interested in, but even they don't want someone who isn't working. I guess they are getting a lot of people who want to volunteer and have become more picky. Now that is depressing... Wanting to work for free and still hearing crickets. Maybe I have to offer to pay them.

I agree. I have been saying that for a long time that these nonprofits have become picky themselves and every job article I read overemphasize on volunteering that it's the pathway to get a job. If you get one, then take it. Other people I am hearing are not being hired by them even if they are doing a good job.

I volunteer at a library and a couple months ago, they had a manager's position open. I didn't qualify, never wanted to be a manager, so I suggested it to my boyfriend. He didn't get it but another volunteer who is old enough to be my dad, been there for 9 mos got the job and he was out of work for a while.

I wanted a page position but don't think that's going to be open any time soon at all. I want to volunteer with income makes sense if i am gonna use my car or bus to get there even though it is 15 minutes from me driving wise. i am still looking for a job but with such a huge gap (long story) it isn't easy for me at all.

[CastlesInTheAir]

Job hunting these days is like being a new actor in Hollywood auditioning for a spot. Employers take advantage of the market by taking thier hiring more seriously . You want the best resume , best cover letter, and best interviewing skills ....I pretty much ran for six months straight everyday ethier looking , making calls, etc and I did short assignments for a temp agency. Get up crazy early, check job listings everyday!

And you'll get really excited when you land an interview, then you'll feel a crash afterwards its kinda weird....I had a friend that was in the same position as me and on more than one occasion we enjoyed cocktails after interviews because the ups and downs were sooo nerve racking. But my interview skills got fine tuned in the process.

Don't give up!!

[avlady]

I also am unemployed because i'm on disabillity for a mental condition. I am trying to get students to teach piano beginners of classical music and am soo scared it won't work. I hope i can handle it. I am basically secluded on a dead end street literally, and wish i lived in the city but have been here over 15 years,in a country setting almost. Please pray everything goes ok, i guess if it doesn't work out it wouldn't be so bad as i'm teaching from home and will be able to see people again, besides my husband and son.

[SadGingyPandy]

I am going through this exact thing currently. My husband would like for me to start school again, but the money issue is overwhelming with us both being laid off. I don't know how much more I can take.