Broken and low

LegacyUser

Hi guys,

I was hoping that by sharing my thoughts and feelings I may get some practical advice on what to do next.

I am 24 and in a serious quadmire. After many years of college (degree & masters) I now find myself unable to find work...anywhere. For 3 months now my daily routine involves job application after job application. Some in my area of expertise and qualification, some just random low-paid temp/office jobs. Despite writing brilliant cover letters and having an impressive CV all I get are rejection letters.

At this point I am becoming seriously depressed. I am over 7 grand in debt from my research masters and I can only claim a certain amount of social welfare as it is means-tested on my parents income as I am now living at home. I feel like my life has done a 360 turn and I am back where I never dreamed I would be starting out in college. While I have lowered my expectations, is it that unreasonable to expect a job after 6 years of college education? I am sick of each day having nothing to do except search for jobs that either don't exist or won't hire me. I am seriously considering ending it all. It may sound drastic, but I am living in a house for other reasons which I would rather not have to be here. I have no money, all my friends are travelling and no relationship. I am at a seriously low ebb and I am looking for practical advice on what to do next?

Thanks for reading.

Xiney

You are very seriously depressed if you are suicidal.

Please visit your GP.


I was in a very similar position to you very recently. Graduated May 2007, moved to Ireland and couldn't get a look in. Finally admitted I was depressed about 3 months ago, visited my GP, taking a low dose of anti-depressants now. They've started to kick in and I'm starting to feel like myself again.

Applying for job after job after job and hearing nothing back most times and rejections 1/10th of the time and no interviews at all is extremely disheartening. But the important thing to remember is it really isn't a reflection on you - when companies advertise a job these days, they get 500 applicants. I bet they don't even look at half of them properly. Things will improve when the economy improves.

Until then, get well. Then look into volunteering, doing a cheap course that interests you, maybe starting your own business. But only when you're able.

thebiggestjim

Been there aswell with regards to the job hunting, it is painful and annoying. I was living at home aswell. What I did to keep me ticking over was took a part time bar job and play some sports. Its very important to keep active and you never know who you will meet.
On a different occasion but the same situation I was working in a bar while looking for work. One guy who worked in the bar, his father was high up in a company I wanted to work for. I gave him my CV and I had an interview the next week. There was no work at the time either, dot com bubble time frame. Any professional job I every got was from someone handing my CV to the correct person, never in the hundreds of CVs I sent out (im not saying it wont happen like that)

final though:
Start busying yourself and talk to people, bars, sports clubs, friends etc etc. Stay positive it will happen.

Good luck buddy.

Jim

Agent J

Can't do much else except repeat what Xiney has already said.

However i would chuck in
http://www.aware.ie/

They have regular support meetings in different part of the country.

The most important thing is to keep moving. Keep active. Do something with your day.

You are not alone. There are lots of people in a similar position. There is nothing werid or unusual about your situation and you should not feel ashamed of it.

LegacyUser

Hey there,

Please try to remain positive. I was in a similar position when I finished my 4 yr degree in Business.

I was unemployed for 8 months until I reluctantly accepted my 1st job offer in as a trainee accountant on 13k per yr.

During those 8 months I kept applying for jobs even jobs like cleaning and would you believe I went for a 2nd interview for a cleaning job on xmas eve and i didn't even get the job. That was a low point for me.

Try to keep busy by doing things like exercise, exercise is really good for the mind.

Anyway 4 yrs later I now work as an accountant in the public sector so there is hope for you yet.


Keep applying and u will get something eventually

LegacyUser

OP, its not just you. theres scores out there now who cant get work

its just a **** time to be looking for work, masters or not

and i mean it wont improve anyime soon, have you looked for work overseas as I seriously doubt there are any jobs in Ireland sometimes...

I have a degree [a few degrees] out of work since april last year. cant get a job, might be looking up soon with a job but its 25k of a role and a huge step down but such is life.