Recently we asked a dozen or so Job Seekers to tell us what causes them stress while they are out of work and looking for a new job. It was an interesting conversation with most agreeing to many different issues causing stress. They shared issues including:

• Lack of income
• Depleting their savings, IRA or retirement
• Being removed from the working folks
• Lack of good routine
• Uncertainty of change
• Frustration of the process
• No Social or professional stimulation
• Rejection after rejection
• Having to learn new technology
• Dealing with building the right resume
• Having to meet and talk with new people, especially if they are not used to doing this
• Not getting anything worthwhile accomplished
• Pressure from family and friends
• People thinking they are less of a person because they are unemployed
• Not knowing the best steps to find a new job

What adds to your stress being unemployed?

We then asked this same group for ideas toward dealing with these stresses. They said:

• Don’t go shopping or buy items that they can do without
• Spend time with their family
• Prayer
• Get involved in various support groups (see Triad Job Search Network)
• Don’t be alone
• Get involved in public groups
• Meet someone new every day
• Join a Gym or at least go for a walk every day
• Volunteer anywhere you can
• Stive to be positive (read good attitude books or blogs)
• Plan to achieve your goals
• Set Goals that can move you along on your journey of finding a job

What do you do to reduce your unemployment stress?

Someone in the conversation pointed out that letting stress get to you reduces your desire to do anything and this in turn reduces your productivity.

Another member of the discussion shared that recruiters, HR Managers, networking contacts and potent employers can see stress on you if you don’t manage it properly. Put your troubles in the trunk of the car when you go to talk with someone about that next job or opportunity.  Put on a smile and “buck up”.  Once you are done with the conversation open the trunk and get your troubles back out and handle them appropriately.

Finally, find a good book that can help you deal with the stress of being unemployed.  Dale Carnegie’s book, “How to stop worrying and start living” is a great book to read.