As Covid-19 impacted lives, families and jobs, Toughlove Benoni facilitator Chantal Grotto speaks on the topic of job search depression, especially during the festive season.
“How does one deal with such depression when one is used to hearing that your CV and application for a certain position has been declined?” Grotto asked.
“It can be painstaking let alone long-winded to spend hours and hours searching for a job while having to ensure that all CV particulars are up to date with correct contact details and relevant to suit the new manner in which CV’s are now presented.”
Dealing emotionally with this sort of adversity is a skill few have been taught, and it requires building new habits in our personal lives.
She shared some insights to remember:
• You are more than your career: Recognise that your personality is made up of a diverse range of experiences, interests and values — not just your employment status — and “have other areas in your life that you can lean on as a source of joy and confidence”. This is pivotal to coping with job loss.
• Treat job hunting like a job: Create a structure for yourself, both inside the job hunt and out. Setting strict office hours can help keep the search from bleeding into every area of your life, with deadlines pushing you to work more efficiently.
• Learn new skills: Look at the time in a way as a gift; perhaps consider volunteering or taking free online classes. The point is to try and be productive with the time you now have.
• Stay social: One of the best ways to take a mental break from the job search and to reaffirm the parts of your identity that don’t have anything to do with your career is to spend time with family and friends. It’s also a good way to combat the isolation that many job seekers face.
If you’re having a hard time prioritizing your health during your job search, go one step further and ask a loved one to act as your accountability partner.
“If people ask what you do for a living, it’s fine to say – I’m looking for my next opportunity. The average person changes jobs nearly 12 times in their career and not all of those changes are voluntary,” she explained.
“Don’t feel bad that you’re unemployed, even if it’s your fault. It can happen to the best of us. You are not alone.
”Should you, however, feel that you need more support and guidance in managing the emotions that come with having lost a job or trying to secure employment,
Benoni Toughlove Support group offers two groups:
• Benoni Farrarmere every Wednesday at 18:00 at 12 Chaucer Street Connexions Church
• Benoni Central Methodist Church every second Friday at 13:00 at 26 Bunyan Street entrance on Cranbourne Avenue.
To find out more about the support groups contact Chantal Grotto on 082 372 3039 or email toughlovebenoni@gmail.com.
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