The unemployment blues.

LegacyUser

Hi, I have been trying to find work now for the past few months and like many many people just can not catch a break. I am in my mid 20's and broke while trying to make repayments on my student loans. My state of mind has gone from very positive to very negative over the past few weeks and I am beginning to believe I will never find anything in the near future. I would move abroad tomorrow (which is my plan anyway) only I need to repay my debts first. I can't take them with me as I want to start off fresh and I need to save money through work to afford moving away.

Lately I have started to get very angry at things and extremely frustrated. The process of applying for jobs over and over again only to hear nothing back is killing me. I can't think of anything else only my money problems and I am struggling to pass the time not working. Lately I don't even want to be around my friends much because I am so stressed out and just cannot enjoy myself. As bad as this sounds, my favorite thing to do these days is sleep and when I wake up in the morning I usually feel like I don't even want to start the day. I am in my mid 20's and supposed to be in my prime years so it angers me hugely that I have these feelings. I feel like I am jinxed and that I never can get a break. I know these are bad thoughts to have and I shouldn't take it personal but I can't help it. I have also lost confidence in myself and despite my experience and education, I feel like I just cannot cut it in this highly uncompetitive economic climate.

Herodotus

You're not alone in your frustration, anger and pain.

I, myself, am essentially in the same situation with the same array of strong emotions.

One way I managed, in part, is by undertaking 'internships' or to speak correctly, work for free.

I won't say that it doesn't bring its own frustrations, particularly the deep sense of unfair exploitation at times, but it does improve your CV, your learn new skills (mostly) and, most importantly, you keep busy and engaged in a daily working routine.

At the end of the day, it's the lesser of two evils, so I would suggest that if it is possible for you to undertake an internship, I would advise you to consider it.

Wagon

Yeah i feel your pain mate. I moved to the UK 6 weeks ago.

i got a new number sorted out for here. Stuck in on CVs and application forms and handed out to bars and shops and office jobs to begin with. Then the phone broke, had to wait for money to come through to get a new one and was forced to get a new number we well. That was about 60 potential jobs gone at the drop of a hat cos nobody could contact me. Had to start all over again and already missed a few positions because of it

But you have to pick yourself up and keep trying. My own confidence is shot to **** at this stage but there are some things you can do to help. Do a bit of volunteer work to get you out and busy anyway. Learn some new skills or things you are interested in. Anything you can manage to just fill your time. There's only so many jobs you can apply for in a day and when you do, you gotta have something else at least to keep yourself positive.

Not much help i know, but at least you aren't the only one going through this.