10 Ways To Beat The Job-Search Blues
Deborah L. Jacobs
Personal Finance I cover personal finance for baby boomers.
A recent survey of jobless Americans confirms what any unemployed person already knows: being out of work is depressing -- very depressing. More than half of the 445 people surveyed between Oct. 19 and 25 in The New York Times/ CBS News poll "said that they had experienced emotional or mental health problems like anxiety or depression because of their lack of work, and nearly half said that they had felt embarrassed or ashamed not to have jobs," The New York Times reports. Duh.
The only surprise is that the numbers aren't higher. Unemployment stands stubbornly at 9.1%. Nearly 45% of the unemployed have been out of work for six months or longer. The average period of unemployment is 40.5 weeks -- the highest it has been since 1948, when the U.S. started tracking these numbers. That means you may need to live with unemployment for an extended period.
Being down in the dumps can lead to a vicious cycle for job-hunters. Potential employers look for energy and enthusiasm, just as you find them in short supply. So the worse you feel, the more it hurts your chances of promptly finding something new.
At times like this, you need every available resource and coping mechanism. Based on interviews with career coaches and recent e-mails -- both from experts and job-hunters -- I've compiled the following list. Some are reminders of what's always been good advice. Others are more creative. Add yours in the comment space below this story, or send them to me by e-mail at djacobs@forbes.com.
1. Join a support group. Don't assume you'd be mingling with a bunch of out-of-work losers. Many job hunters have found these groups a valuable source of contacts, encouragement and new ideas. One says she polished her public speaking skills by participating in her group's program and networking committee.
Ann Wright, a career coach in Stamford, Conn. who has led these groups for outplacement firms, starts each meeting by going around the room and asking everyone to share some good news. It encourages people in their own efforts, and gets them to applaud the successes of others. It can also lead to spontaneous networking, she says.
If your severance package includes outplacement help, you may have access to a professionally-led group. Otherwise, check for groups that have formed within your community — for example at the public library, local YMCA or at a house of worship.
2. Volunteer for a non-profit. Working for nothing when you're accustomed to a salary may seem demeaning, but volunteering has benefits you can't quantify. Apart from the good feeling you get by helping an organization that you believe then, it's a chance to network, keep your skills active, and build a reputation that can lead to your next job. Rather than helping out from home, find work that forces you to get out of the house and be with others.
3. Project optimism (even if you have to fake it). It's natural for people to shy away from those who are chronically downbeat. So while you're out of work, convey a sense of optimism and energy -- it will reflect back at you from the people you talk with, says Wright. For example, when you tell contacts what you've been doing, you could say, "I've had a few networking meetings, and meanwhile I've been volunteering. I'm really enjoying using my skills in helping an organization whose mission I respect."
4. Take stock of your professional achievements. You don't lose your human capital when you lose your job. Suppose you had an hour to catch up with a colleague who you hadn't seen in 10 or 20 years. What highlights would you share? You may be surprised at how much you have accomplished, in terms of acquiring new skills, building a portfolio or boosting your company's bottom line.
When we are caught up in a daily work routine, we don't have time for this kind of reflection. And losing a job can be so demoralizing that past achievements fade into the background. Thinking about all you've done will not only boost your spirits – it will also give you new material to include as you update your resume.
5. Check how many people have viewed your profile on LinkedIn. Rochelle Levin, who was laid off from her job as corporate librarian at Alcatel-Lucent in June, writes: "I found having my profile viewed has been a great morale booster. I see how many people proactively viewed my profile--several of whom I do not know, says Levin, who is now working part-time as a librarian at a public library in Butler, N.J.
6. Make a list of the things you are thankful for. I'm talking about personal stuff here. Work isn't everything. Unfortunately, we tend to take the constants for granted -- whether it's good health, a stable marriage, happy kids or dear old friends.
7. Curb bad habits. If you're prone to binge eating, smoking, excess alcohol consumption or substance abuse, the stress of being unemployed puts you at risk of a relapse.
Many entrepreneurs build such a team of advisers -- depending on the type of company, it might consist of experts in their line of work, a lawyer and an accountant. You can benefit from the same process during a career transition, says Kaycee W. Krysty, president emerita of the wealth advisory firm Laird Norton Tyee in Seattle. Your team might include: a former boss; a colleague whom you trust, or an old friend who understands your strengths and weaknesses.
9. Schedule personal time. Job hunters are often told to stick to a routine and manage their time as if they were still working -- with time spent networking, using social media and prowling job-search sites, for example. Make sure the agenda includes taking care of yourself (perhaps by exercising, preparing healthy foods or going to the doctor), recreating with family and friends and doing activities that you enjoy, Wright advises. Being out of work can be an out-of-control sensation. Choosing to do certain things (rather than being required to do them) combats that feeling of powerlessness.
10. Create a safety net. While you are projecting an upbeat professional persona, you also need people who you can relax with so you are not always "on." Immediate family members are the likeliest candidates. If you don't have any or they are not able to help, look for friends who can play this role. But do keep in mind that even the people who love you most may tire of persistent hopelessness. So be selective when you recount your current events. It's best to lean on them during the darkest moments, rather than sharing every up and down.