Unemployed, sad, what are my options

LegacyUser

I've been unemployed for about two years now. I'm qualified in an area which isn't too troubled at the moment in Ireland, so i shouldn't really have much of a problem getting employment, but various things feel like they're conspiring against me. The main thing being a 2 year gap on my cv, second one being that my skills have aged a little in those 2 years, third being that interviews that went bad are sapping my will to keep trying.

Those should be easy things to fix, i know how i could fix them if i really wanted to, but at this stage, i don't know why but i just don't feel like i want to, and the strong motivation that i had when i was younger is completely gone. I've gone to two GP's about the possibility of being depressed - it seems like alot of the symptoms ring true, and despite being persistent, i was fobbed off by both. One eventually suggested some sort of counseling while at the same time telling me that i probably wouldn't be able to afford it privately, and the public waiting lists would be too long to bother.

So what i'm asking is, what are my options, with regard to getting on the employment track while bearing in mind my strange lack of motivation? Just to be clear, i'm not asking for medical advice, and if possible please don't say go see a GP because i've almost never had a satisfactory experience with the many that i've gone to - with legitimate problems even.

I don't know how it works in Ireland, but from my internet reading and based on other people's experiences, i'm thinking that the following might be applicable: councilor, therapist, psychiatrist, life coach, maybe certain recruitment agencies (at a long shot). I'd add 'emigration' to the list, but honestly that shouldn't be necessary in my case, and i feel that if i'm not motivated enough to get employed here it probably wouldn't happen elsewhere. I have 'life coach' in there because i feel as if motivation could come back given the right circumstance, but i only have a vague knowledge of how good life coaches can be.

So could anyone give me an idea of which ones of these options are accessible in Ireland, how a person goes about choosing one (without GP referral), what they could offer and how they might help, and i'd love to hear any anecdotes about how people turned things around in similar situations, whether just in terms of employment of lack of motivation or whatever.

Thanks.

LegacyUser

Could you say that you had decided to work for yourself for a while and to try to start a business?

It just didn't work out but you learned a lot by doing it.

LegacyUser

That's basically what i did say in a few interviews, which isn't a complete untruth, but my bigger problem now is motivation

mikemac

Well the employers are seeing the gap on the CV and still inviting you for interviews so that's a good sign.
If the gap scared them off you wouldn't even get an interview

As for motivation, all I can say is use this time unemployed to get in the shape of your life.
Maybe even train twice a day, you won't get an opportunity like this again


You can start a fitness log on boards and ask for advice too

I don't know anything about drugs or therapy but I think this could help you,

It's pretty easy to get in a rut and drink cheap beer and watch Jeremy Kyle and other trash on TV, not saying that you're doing this
Getting out and about will help you.
And while some will say go for a walk I think you should kick it up a gear and start a log with a goal on boards

There is a motivation and personal development forum on boards also, you won't get medical advice but you can bounce around a few ideas. Good crew in there

kjl

Employers don't care about gaps, especially in times like these.

The worst thing you can do is lie on your CV to try and fill these gaps, if you say you set up your own business they will check with your accountant and look form registration documents.

If you say jobs are not sparse I can only assume you are in the IT sector, which I am also in. I think your best bet is to just keep applying, it will work out in the end.

LegacyUser

You should try doing some voluntary work. If not for your CV then for your sanity!
I was unemployed for a year and always kept busy, even doing an internship. It also helps you network and hones your social skills (or so I found!)