It really bums me out that I've currently got the motivation and the mindset to be writing about this, but I figured that I can't be the only one in a total job-hunting slum right now so maybe I can help out another poor soul dealing with the woes and throes of rejection.
As I've previously mentioned, I've somewhat-recently moved to another province and while there's a world of new adventure out there waiting for me--and believe me I'm waiting for it, too--the obligatory job-hunt that comes with moving to a new place is never fun, and it always has to come first. Oh how I'd love to explore the new mall and go check out the marketplace downtown, but sadly for me, and my desire to shop, without work I simply can't afford to do what I most enjoy doing--spending.
It came as quite a hit to my ego when I got here and a month into my move, I've still not been able to find work. Every job I've previously applied and interviewed for, I've landed. The last time I moved, I was there a mere two weeks before I got called for an interview, and guess what? I got the job before I left the building.
You can imagine how disheartening and ego-damaging it's been this past month to have applied and interviewed for a number of jobs, all of which I've been massively excited (and confident) about, only to receive the dreaded "we've filled the position" or "we've found someone better suited" email. Yeah? Well I didn't want to work there anyway, I tell myself as I sob over a bowl of generic-brand cereal that I'm eating for dinner because it's all my bank account allows.
For the past two weeks I've been pretty down-in-the-dumps over my situation, and it's hard to break out of this type of funk because normally the things I would do to cheer myself up (shop, go out, treat myself) are things I no longer have the funds to do, and sitting at home moping is a sure-fire way to only feel worse (believe me, it's all I've been doing).
I thought I would share a few ways that I've been dealing with the rejection that's been thrown my way over and over, and some things I've been doing to keep my chin up.
Yeah, it sucks big time when the job you wanted most decided to go with another candidate, but there will always be other awesome jobs and other awesome positions. You're awesome, and they're missing out.
Instead of reading that 'we've decided to hire another person, but thanks for your interest in our company' email over and over again and wondering what you might've done wrong, or could've done differently to land the position, think of all the doors that have opened up in the time you've spent moping. Bum around for a little while if you must, there's no shame in cussing out the employer that bruised your ego and watching Nanny Diaries at 2 in the afternoon because you feel like you relate to the main character, but cut it short. Get back out there and find something else. Something better. The more places you apply, the more likely it is that you'll land another opportunity, so don't sit on your butt.
This one won't help you land a job but it will help you feel better. My best days are the ones where I'm happy to be getting up early, getting ready, and feeling like a million bucks.
When you've faced a really crappy job-less week and you've got nowhere to be in the morning, it can be really, really hard to force yourself to get up and do anything. It's easy to slum it in bed until noon and then just throw your hair up in a bun and get on with whatever's left of the day. It might feel sort of gruelling to be getting up at the crack of dawn and putting your face on when you don't have a need to, but by the time you've done it you will feel better. Hey, it's only 8am and you're ready to tackle the day. I don't know about you but when I look bangin', I am just ready to strut down the street like it's a catwalk. Come at me, world.
Keep yourself occupied and productive.
When you aren't being controlled by a routine or a schedule, it's hard to feel productive at all. Keep up hobbies or give yourself a schedule and force yourself to stick to it.
I was a pretty big lump for about a week when I was bumming over my lack of job. (To be fair, there was a lot more going on, but I'm still not proud of my behaviour). I sat on my couch and played Dragon Age: Origins for a week. Nothing wrong with that, right? Well, I started a new game at the beginning of the week and had beat the game and all of it's DLC by the end of the week. I was a lump. A sad, bored lump.
To make sure you don't fall into a slump, give yourself plenty to do and stretch it out. Don't burn yourself out doing 20 things in one day, you won't have anything left later on! Organize your closet. Design a new layout for a room in your house/apartment and set a day aside to re-arrange it. Take up an artistic hobby, it doesn't cost much to buy a few canvases and some paint. Art can be very therapeutic. Maybe start a blog! Hehe! Focus on something that gets you excited.
Being rejected by various employment opportunities, or even just not hearing back at all once you've applied, feels really humiliating and it knocks you back a few pegs. I'm certainly guilty of wondering if I've been aiming too high with my expectations and my goals.
No. I'm not. Maybe if I was applying to work for NASA I would be (and even then who cares? Shoot for the stars. Ha!! Get it?), but I'm not being unrealistic with my expectations and I'm not going to sell myself short. Don't let a couple of sour feelings get in the way of your goals. Keep applying at the places you'd most like to work and you will get there.
That being said, it can hurt to be picky and one mustn't be too choosy when it comes down to it. You might have to take a temporary job you feel you're too good for, but never stop aiming for what you want regardless.
It really isn't an overreaction to feel quite depressed in this sort of situation, and in a lot of ways it can feel like you've got nothing going for you.
When you've got a lot more to feel sorry for than you do to feel thankful for (or at least that's how it feels), it's difficult to even want to acknowledge the good amidst the bad. I'm kind of a stubborn ass when it comes to this sort of thing, and when I'm bummed out I make sure no one can cheer me up. What do you mean I should smile 'because it's a beautiful day'? Get out of my room! It's gloomy if I say it is! But really, having something to look forward to short-term is a really great way to keep your chin up, at least a little bit. Short-term, I was looking forward to a few things. My new couch was delivered a week ago, so I was excited for that. I've still got a lot of unpacking to do, so I kept looking forward to the various 'little touches' I could do to get my apartment looking better each day. Make a list. Get excited for the things that you have coming up, and if you have nothing coming up then forge your own path. Make plans and look forward to them.
Thanks for reading and I hope I helped someone today with this post. What are some of your methods of coping with a bad week/month? How did you land your job and what was it like before you did?
Until next time, sunshine.
C, xx
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