When will I get a break?
August 24, 2011 1:07 PM   Subscribe

How should I deal with job search depression?

The last year has been extremely tough on me. I am gainfully employed but I am in a position with an extremely bad environment, not enough resources and despite getting some interviews (mostly early in the year), I have not been able to find a job despite looking for almost a year. This is more of my situation:

1) Promised a raise/promotion last year and neither was given.
2) I have had three different managers in the last 6 months. (because of issues with the organization/layoffs not with me). The most current manager sources me out to literally everyone in the company and I am given pretty mundane tasks such as copy and paste 90 different spreadsheets (even though my official title is BA/PM).
3) Every other month someone leaves the department and while I am happy for them it leaves me with less resources and a grim reminder that I am also looking for jobs yet I cant find out.
4) The last three months I have made mistakes on some of my projects despite the fact that I thoroughly check my work it seems that I just cannot bother dealing with small details......this compounds the issue as I now start to fear I am going to get fired as well.
5) I have been in this position for the last four years and there is no signs whatsoever of growth (the opposite seems more like it)....started thinking i should leave during the second year and didnt take advantage of the opportunities I had then.

In addition to the issues above I also started a very demanding part-time MBA program at NYU and had my girlfriend moved into my apartment. It feels a bit overwhelming dealing with all that has been mentioned above plus a fruitless job search.

Have any of you being in the middle of a long job search? and How did you avoid succumbing to depression?
posted by anonymous to Work & Money (5 answers total) 9 users marked this as a favorite
 
Can you switch to a full time MBA and just get out, thereby putting the job search on hold until you get another degree that may make you a more attractive candidate?
posted by Admiral Haddock at 1:12 PM on August 24, 2011


Life could be worse.

Seriously. I've been in your shoes - group run by someone who managed by fear, bad market conditions, seeing other people seemingly find jobs 'easily.'

I've also been out of work for 6 months, with a family to support and no one calling back.

I did the part time MBA at Stern, while going through 2 job changes and the birth of two of my kids. Settle back, make a plan and take stock.

Positives - you've started an MBA. Your girlfriend moved in. You're still gainfully employed.

So, network with people at school, try and get to some industry conferences/working groups, get in touch with people who left and see if their companies are looking for people. Look for other opportunities outside your current group if you're in a larger company.

Looking at things from a grass is greener over there perspective will only keep you banging your head.
posted by rich at 1:25 PM on August 24, 2011


I am not in the middle of a job search, but I have worked a long time at soul-destroying jobs like the one you describe -- in fact, I've just given notice so that I can spend a year studying and writing. I don't think it's uncommon for a bad job to sap your energy and confidence so that you have trouble searching effectively for another. The inability to focus on detail that you mention is also a common symptom of stress and depression, IME.

Since I didn't feel able to control my career, I focused on something I could control, namely my finances. For a long time I lived as frugally as possible and saved every penny I could, until I had enough saved up to quit without short- (or medium-)term money worries. When a situation is sucking the life out of you, sometimes you have to get out before you can see what your options truly are.

I don't know what your financial situation is, but if you are enjoying your course and you can afford it, then I think Admiral Haddock's suggestion of studying full-time is a good one. It would get you out of your bad environment without leaving a gap in your CV, and you would end up being qualified for a better position than before. You mention that your girlfriend's just moved in - could the two of you work together to make this happen?

I hope this is some help.
posted by Perodicticus potto at 1:30 PM on August 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


It might be annoying to have others tell you, Hey, you have a job and a paycheck in the Bigass Recession, which is the worst economy since The Great Depression. But tell yourself that, because it's really true. Your work is annoying, boring, maybe disrespectful of your intelligence and capability, but there's a long line of people to whom it looks fantastic. You got into an MBA program - Way to Go! She moved in - w00t!

Therapy might be useful, and I recommend anti-depressant medication. It's okay to be dissatisfied with work, overwhelmed a bit, etc. Anti-depressants are great for dealing with that on a short-term basis. Talk to your doctor.

And remind yourself often that you're doing great. You'll get the MBA, the economy will improve, and it will be better, and you can congratulate yourself some more for hanging in there.
posted by theora55 at 2:32 PM on August 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


A bit of advice about job hunting: have you checked your own references? Once when I had a hard time finding a new job, I discovered that my previous employer had been telling people I had never worked there. (When confronted, they blamed it on a new HR software program that they had somehow neglected to enter my info into. Yeah, whatever.)
posted by MexicanYenta at 5:23 PM on August 24, 2011


« Older Can has physical coordination?   |   Installation of combination light switch outlet Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.