Many job seekers are dealing with a silent epidemic that is eating away
at their self-esteem and general mental health – long-term unemployment. In a country that is accustomed to a
job market that can quickly absorb the newly laid off, long-term employment
that can stretch for six months or longer is a hard pill to swallow. Being a contributing member is society has
been and continues to be defined in large part by our ability to find and keep
gainful employment. So how can we
effectively grapple with the negative effects that long-term unemployment has
on our self-esteem and mental health?
Below are a few tips for coping:
1. Accept the
reality that you’re facing. Yes,
there is a chance that you will be able to find a new job in a few months, but
the probability is a lot smaller than it was 2 years ago. The reality is that the average job
seeker can expect to wait 6 months, 12 months and in some cases 2 years before
they are able to find gainful employment in their field. Accepting that reality
let’s you know that it is not personal and that you are just facing a new
reality just like every other job seeker.
2. Prepare for the
new reality in the job market. If
you know that it could take at least 6 months or as long as 2 years to find a
new job, that means you need to mentally and financially prepare yourself for
the long-haul. By preparing for
the possibility of a long-term job search you will relieve unnecessary
financial and emotional stress.
3. Get support and
get it early. This last piece of
advice will seem a bit unconventional, especially giving the independent nature
of most Americans. But any job
seeker who is facing a job search that could stretch 6 months or more is going
to need help. That help could be
in the form of working with a recruiter for job search assistance or turning to
family and friends for financial assistance. Recent law school graduates can be especially vulnerable to
the instability long-term unemployment can bring. Because of this, it might be wise to consider getting a
roommate, reducing or eliminating extraneous expenses or even moving back in
with parents while you conduct your search.