Unemployment Depression: 6 Expert-Approved Tips on How to Deal with It

Some studies claim that more than 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits in a single week due to the pandemic. People that lost their jobs not only deal with financial issues but also with unemployment depression that usually comes after. Dealing with unemployment is tough for most people, but some ways can help you overcome the difficulties and get over the tough period much faster.

Unemployed and Depressed: What to Do?

No one likes losing their job. Although we prefer vacations and days off over going to work, we still need money to survive. The very thought of losing a job makes us feel stressed and anxious, especially if it’s about long-term unemployment.

Such periods can have quite a negative impact on a person’s state of mind, but the truth is that one can avoid unemployment depression by starting to work on themselves, building self-esteem, and devoting their time to some other things that matter.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the most common unemployment depression symptoms include:

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering things, and making important decisions
• Tiredness and reduced energy
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and pessimism
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Irritability and restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities and hobbies you used to practice
• Appetite loss or overeating
• Headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
• Anxiety and “empty feelings”
• Thoughts of suicide.

Here are some tips that can help you deal with no job depression and encourage you to move on:

1.      Take a Deep Breath and Think

Although a piece of advice that says take a deep breath and think doesn’t sound so helpful, it can improve a no job depression. People often blame themselves for losing the job, making it look like a failure. However, it doesn’t have to be like that.

You should devote the first few days to picking up the inventory and taking some rest. The period right after you’ve lost your job is often the most difficult one, but you shouldn’t let it beat you. Instead, spend your valuable time with your family and friends and do the things you couldn’t do before because you had a lot of work – read, draw, ride a bike, or sleep more.

Still, the entire point of getting rest isn’t drowning in self-pity and doubt. After you’ve recharged your batteries, start investing in productivity. Make a list of all your strengths and weaknesses, skills you’d like to gain or improve, and all the good and bad things about your previous job. That way, you’ll be able to identify your next moves and determine the type of job you’d like to do in the future.

2.      Don’t Get Too Lazy

Unemployment means having more time to watch TV and do nothing. However, if you do nothing for too much time, you’re at risk of losing your motivation and delaying the achievement of your goals for some other time. Note that such an approach can have severe consequences on your future.

Setting up your alarm clock every morning is one of the things you can do to keep up with your routine. Schedule some time for important tasks and activities, and make sure you do something that will help you realize your future goals. Enroll in an online course or start reading some books associated with the job you’d like to get.

3.      Polish Up Your Resume and Cover Letter

One of the best ways to prepare for your future job is by polishing up your resume and creating your cover letter. Make sure you remove all the outdated items from your CV and enhance it with a more modern and more polished template. When your resume and cover letter look professional, your chances of getting a job are much higher.

Make sure you list all the skills you have and are necessary for the job you’re applying for – for example, don’t add entry-level cooking classes if you’re applying for the recruiter position, but highlight your communication abilities and previous experience in the HR industry.

4.      Don’t Isolate from People

Although social distancing is more than recommended these days, it doesn’t mean that you should spend your days without talking to anyone. Unemployment anxiety can be quite an overwhelming experience, but you should let other people help you and cheer you up.

Listen to your friends and family, but if you need third-party assistance, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Licensed counselors may help you cope with job loss depression, and you can go for either individual or group counseling.

5.      Channel the Energy Into Exercise and Healthy Habits

Now is the time to dedicate entirely to yourself and achieving your goals. Instead of spending your time in bed and being desperate, start a new hobby or exercise regimen. You’ll notice improvements in both physical and emotional aspects.

There are many apps you can download for free and do your work out without going to the gym. Besides, you can enjoy the YouTube videos that offer a lot of training programs and diet recommendations you may find useful during this difficult period.

6.      Be & Feel Useful

Unemployment makes us feel useless, which may be the nucleus of depression that comes as a result of it. Therefore, most people who have lost their jobs look for activities that would make them useful again – volunteering, doing household activities, or participating in community events.

Volunteering and helping non-profit organizations is often a great choice since it can enhance your resume and make your future employer sees you as a responsible and compassionate person.

What to Do When Unemployed? Start Looking for the New Opportunities

Being unemployed is depressing but doing nothing is not an option. The technological development has impacted the creation of many telecommuting jobs, which allow you to work from home, avoid in-person contact, and earn some money. The time spent at home allows you to create plans for the future and acquire some skills that will increase your chances of getting a dream job.

The best way of dealing with job loss is by focusing on short-term solutions that can be of significant help during these challenging times. Therefore, consider the following tips that can encourage you to move on and find a job much faster:

Get Creative and Acquire New Skills and Knowledge

Now that coronavirus is at its peak, and people aren’t recommended to leave their homes, many universities and organizations started offering free courses where people can learn a lot of interesting things that might or might not be associated with their career.

People are often afraid of taking a job outside of their field of career path for a little while, but there is nothing wrong with it. If your skills include impeccable communication with clients, intelligence, connections, resourcefulness, and other virtues you can apply to other jobs, you should feel free to explore and dive into diverse opportunities you might’ve missed in the past.

Some of the short-term options you may want to consider include:

• Telecommuting jobs – teaching, writing, consulting, and other careers you think you’d be good at.
• Transforming hobbies into jobs – your hobbies and talents can be easily turned into a short-term business. Painting, graphic design, sewing, or anything else can inspire you to start your business and overcome job loss much faster.

If you plan on starting to work from home, make sure you have these ultimate work from home tools that will allow you to work and communicate more seamlessly.

Prepare for the Virtual Interview

As you may assume, all the job interviews will be virtual. You should be entirely prepared for the process, which means that you should dress as if you were going to the company’s office, even if the interview is held over the phone – that way, you’ll create the environment that will help you focus more on the interview and do it more professionally.

The best ways to prepare for the virtual job interview include:

• A quiet and well-lit environment.
• “Cheat sheets,” if the interview is done over the phone. You can have a copy of a job description, a company’s history, and your resume that will help you concentrate on the qualities and skills you want to emphasize.
• A software update, if you have a video interview via Zoom, Skype, or any other platform. Test your camera, microphone, and audio before the meeting to make sure everything works properly.

Industries that Hire During Coronavirus

Another vital thing to remember when looking for a job is to look for it in the right place. Specific industries have improved workflow during the pandemic, which is why they’re continually looking for employees that will be of help, even on a short-time basis.

Here are some industries and companies you should check if you’re dealing with unemployment depression:

• Shipping and delivery: Companies like Amazon are hiring between 75.000 and 100.000 workers that would complete duties regarding shipping and delivery. You may also consider some courier service companies that seek new employees due to the increased workflow.
• Online schools: Online schools for learning language and other subjects are quite popular, especially now, during the pandemic, when students can’t go to schools or universities.
• (Online) grocery stores: We need grocery stores now more than ever, which is why some of the most popular chains are looking for in-store shelf stockers and delivery staff. Those that have online stores are also hiring, and you should check them out as well.
• Remote communication companies: Some of the most popular communication platforms such as Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft Teams have opened a significant number of working positions for different fields (finance, IT, security, and more).
• Help working families: Most parents are still working, which is why they need proper childcare. If you love being with the kids and you’ve done such jobs before, childcare may be a perfect call for you.