Financial downfall happens to more people than those facing it can imagine. It comes with a lot of other issues such as depression, anxiety, and a loss of self-esteem. It is a devastating phase through life that isn't for the faint of heart; and often times it drives you to feeling incompetent, even to the extent of giving up. But I urge you to be resilient and understand that this does not define your worth because quite frankly the economy sucks. It's almost as though every job board that posts hundreds of job openings are doing it for show, because you are probably on your 200th application and not a single phone call. It's one thing to face this very normal (although stressful) period as an adult who is only in charge of self; it's another ball game when you have dependents. I have fallen into this downward spiral of finances, myself - with dependents, and some days life seemed like it would never get better. But it did for me and I realized my mindset, environment, and loved ones had a crucial role to play.
1. Your Worth: Stay far away from "loved ones" who only seek to put you down
You already know how much your situation sucks and you're trying your best to move forward. The last thing you need is a pessimist in your ear, singing a dreadful song about how little you are worth because you are in financial despair. Especially if this person is a significant other. At this low point in your life, what anyone needs is patience and encouragement. You got two job interviews but none of them hired you? If they put down your professional worth by making remarks about your resume, instead of acknowledging that an interview at all is a good sign, they are not the kind of people you need to be around at this point in your life.
2. Your Mindset: Understand that you're not the only one
Whether you hold a GED or a Masters Degree, you can fall into financial misfortune. Unfortunately, the economy isn't particularly picky about who it screws over, so get in line with the rest of those on the unemployment line. But don't let it discourage you, something will always turn up and your confidence matters greatly to this outcome. Understand that your lack of employment does not reflect your worth, and for your sake do not attribute the two. Your level of education isn't always directly affected by your ability to be employed; people with PhDs face joblessness just as much as people with no degrees. Society has instilled this idea into us that graduating from college means we are entitled to a job in our educational field. Wrong.
3. Your Sanity: Don't give all your time to job hunting
In my financial despair, I began counting applications. I kid you not, I filled out over 300 applications from a combination of all the job board Google search could produce; Indeed, Monster, Craigslist, SnagAJob - you name it, I was on it. I updated and changed my resume's settings more than a normal person should and that still didn't help. I went through the no shower, pajama phase; even found myself forgetting to eat. All because I was consumed with finding employment. If I had a minute to breath, that minute could be used to find a job. It was exhausting because at the end of the day I still didn't have a job - and worse, I had gotten nothing else done around the house, which made me feel like an even bigger failure. What I did was make job hunting a job with strict hours and lunch breaks. When my job hunt shift was over, I forced myself to attend to other parts of my life that needed attention... like the laundry that is on it's 4th wash cycle because I keep forgetting to put it in the dryer.
4. Your Connections: Talk about it with peers and loved ones
There's a certain stigma and feeling of embarrassment that comes with being an unemployed adult; especially if you live with friends or relatives while hunting for an income opportunity. But refer back to #2 on this list... understand that you are not alone. You aren't a failure, neither do you lack qualification; the economy really just sucks. So talk about it (not just because talking makes you feel better) but because you never know who is listening and what ideas (or opportunities) they may have under their belt. You don't have to sing your misery and frustration, but a simple conversation about your employment struggles despite your qualification (and/or education) is okay. You just never know.
5. Your Environment: Go where the jobs are
Easier said than done, when you live in the middle of nowhere and have a degree in Business Administration. Or perhaps you're a big city guru who dreads the country but your preferred career is easier found in the country. It's even worse when you have no one to secure a start while you continue your search. But for those who can, I urge you to do so ASAP. Sure you love your small town where everyone knows and love each other; but your goals are more favorable in a city (and vice versa).
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