An unemployed person really wanting to work

Yes I am currently considering moving out of my State because for the first time in my life I have been unemployed for 17 months. I have a Masters degree in Business Administration for which I have worked in the Medical Field for a very long time. Currently no jobs are opening in my field here and anything beneath my skills I am told I am way over qualified for. I am not sure about overseas but I am seriously thinking that perhaps moving to another State and getting a fresh new start might lead me to just any job and or maybe back into my field. "How can an unemployed person avoid getting depressed?" Not an easy one friend as it is a constant daily battle. I have to push and force myself daily to motivate myself to face the day. The thought of wanting to work is what keeps me going somewhat daily. At this point I am seriously considering anything that pays. I have been off of work way too long and in order to live I must do what I have to do, withing reason of course.

The recession hit us too. In my last job, a lot of people were made redundant were let go. I was the lucky one who stayed with the company. I eventually left, because I found a better job. I think if a person found himself unemployed, they should explore going to business for themselves. They don't have to start big, so they don't need a big capital. Working for one's self would motivate one, and not make him/her depressed.

Hi maximax! It is really hard to find good jobs nowadays especially in a third world country like ours. I'm sure it would be really depressing to be able not to find a job especially nowadays when prices of everything seems to be hiking up everyday. I have a job but even though I am single, I am affected, too with price hikes and it's difficult with my meager salary to cope up with these inflation. I would be really depressed if I lose my job now and if I won't be able to find a good job suitable for me, I think I would take any job as long as I can earn money (of course, as long as it's not an illegal job or something). And to avoid depression, I would hurry up and find a job just to be able not to feel useless. I would cut my communication with my friends from the previous work for a while to avoid getting depressed. I would work online when I'm not finding a job. And I would play with my little niece and nephew during my free time to avoid thinking.

Yes, more and more people are finding themselves without a job and that creates many problems that end up leaving people going around around in a circle and not knowing what to do. It is also creating new trends. For example, it used to be that one person would start working and stay at that same job or company forever, or at least within the same field. A person that had been at the same job for long was thought of as someone dependable and loyal. Now we don't find many people that have been in the same job for that long. People have to move from job to job and position to position. And because it's happening so much we had to create a positive idea for it, so now the same people that were thought not to be very dependable because they moved from job to job so fast, are the trend setters, it "shows" determination and a will to get ahead in life. - Personally I still think that that is BS, and just a way to justify the need for change, but that's another story :)- I confess I was never that long without a job. But then again if I need work, I will apply and do anything. I am a teacher, but there have been times in my life where I worked as a sales person, a costumer service representative, a factory worker and a cleaning lady. If I don't have a job and really need one, I am ready to do any work be it related to what my profession is or not, and then once I have that, I take some time to look for what I really want to do, but at least I don't have to worry that I have no income while I do so. That's what I have done all my life and I have no reason to complain. I guess it also helps that I learn fast and adapt easily. I have noticed that once we're working- even at something we don't really like much - job opportunities seem to appear. And when we're desperate looking for a job, nothing happens. Hubby's cousin on the other hand used to be for ages looking for the specific work he wanted. He was getting depressed and desperate, but wouldn't even dream of applying for something else. To each its own, I always say, but for me it makes more sense to apply and accept anything even if it has nothing to do with what we want or are used to do. That way we have an income even if it's small and are not dependent on help from anyone be it family , friends or even the government. There are always those jobs that nobody else wants to do, well, I'll do them if I have nothing else. I can clean toilets, or deal with complaints from costumers, or anything that people really prefer not to do,as long as I don't have to be dependent on anything or anyone.

I cleaned and helped elderly people. There are always things that need cleaning and people who would rather hire someone to clean or who doesn't feel well enough to clean. Sometimes there are programs here to help you to pay for someone to clean it you're not well. Sometimes families need someone to watch an elderly person while they're at work. Those are the biggest job openings in my area because so many people left, but tre elderly did not. Reading free books at the library helped me to not get depressed. Reading joke books and commic books. Watching funny movies or listening to music, dancing to music, singing, calling and talking to people who know of some job openings, gardening so I have food. Someone did hire me once to weed their garden because it had gotten away from them. I read some great books and magazines on how to live on less money. I did more with less money and it was great. Making things out of recycled stuff or stuff I found outdoors also made me happier.

what are your qualifications ???i can understand that losing job could be very depressing especially when you have a family to feed ....dont lose the courage just try applying for new jobs

Let me start by congratulating you for your determination. I am also glad to know you had some money to enable you to make your journey and glad to know your journey was rewarding (though I wonder why you had not invested that money in something in your own country). Maximax, fact is: When people are out of work and cannot find work, it can be more stressful than working in an unpleasant environment. And as you already know, a little support from someone can make all the difference. Most people do not have the support that you had, and without finances can become stalled even though determined to find work and fend for themselves. My view on this matter is: I wish people would remain in their homelands where relatives can easily become their supporting cast in times of financial mishaps (if they are industrious) and where their financial troubles would not be that magnified.

Voluntary work, as you suggest, is a good way to get a foot in the door. However, it's not encouraged when you're claiming IS or JSA. It's yet another reason to overhaul the UK benefits system.

Being made redundant can make any person feel depressed. I think I would most likely bounce back very easily and try and pursue a career in the field that I have experience. I'm not sure about moving to another country unless I have work waiting for me as I think you need to learn more about the culture, business working style etc and that can take a while. If things were really bad then I would apply for just about any job that I can do to support myself.

Working overseas is a good solution, if there's nothing to tie you down to home. I try to get a few side jobs every now and then; not too much, my current employer knows about my freelancing activities and I don't breach any company policies, it's just a (very fragile) safety net, in case I lose my job. Volunteering is a good way to keep in touch with people, otherwise one goes mad staying indoors all day with nothing to do. I think learning a new skill may also prove useful to avoid depression - there's lots of stuff you can learn online for free these days, and may prove an asset on a job application later on. Assuming I don't have any other source of income, I'd apply to anything. Work is work, I can use a broom and I can wash dishes if I have to; there's no point in trying to stay proud when you're starving.

Hello maximax, I live in INDIA and due to huge population here we have great competition in every field here too we have to fight a lot for getting jobs. At least there are 25 candidates for a single position every where you go for an interview.I remember how much i struggled when i left my first job and started searching for another one it took me around 3 months to get another and approximately 25 interviews i gave before i got another one. And those 3 months were like a hell though i was unmarried that time and responsibilities were minimal.