Job search depression

Yes. You are not alone. Job seeking is a full time job in itself. It takes me so long to write up a job application and then when I don't even hear back, it's frustrating. @Ruby26 

Your feelings are valid. 

@Oaktree , not sure if you want to start a Jobseeker's thread which might be helpful for people?

I think one of the common mistakes is that people apply, then they wait until they hear back - often they don't hear at all which prolongs the process. So what I've told people is to apply for whatever job they are interested in and if they respond, goood, but if they don't, it's also okay.

Another thing that has helped is to know that during the application process, recruiters sift out those who may not be a 'good fit' for the org. It doesn't mean the person is not good, but it may mean their experiences don't match what the org is looking for. 

I've been on many interview panels, and sometimes, you just know when someone wont' fit into the team that is currently there. It may because they have different values. And once again, it's not because having different values is wrong, it's just that it may not fit the current team. 

Hope this helps a little - just to know that what you are feeling is quite common.

@tyme thank you, that is helpful. 

For me the process has been prolonged because I went to a job interview and I was seen as a good fit from the interview and then asked to keep checking my emails frequently because they were going to get back to me in a couple of days. Then, I was required to do a 'pre-employment health screening' and this pressured me to disclose a bunch of sensitive information about my mental health history. Then they 'froze' my application for weeks, asked for referee details and then 'froze' the application again and asked me to re-share my medical history before they could consider me for the role- exact same questions I was asked the first time. That is what really dragged it out. I was really uncomfortable with being required to explain why I was in a psychiatric in-patient unit and why I take anti-psychotics. 

I'm sorry to hear you had to go through that @Ruby26 

I guess, if it is part of the role. Would you say that taking anti psychotics impacts your role?

@tyme, thank you. No, I don't think it was relevant. And they wanted details about mental health issues from 20 years ago too and I'm sure that shouldn't be considered relevant. They were literally demanding anything that has occurred throughout my entire lifetime. I didn't need any changes made to the role because of my mental health issues and it wouldn't have impacted on my performance. I sometimes have to take sick leave when I have a psychotic episode, but I don't see why that has to be treated as any different from taking sick leave for the flu. 

That was like when I wanted to join the defence force. I was rejected on medical grounds because I'd been in hospital before @Ruby26 ...

So sorry you had to go through all that. So now, does it mean you have the job or not?

@tyme thank you, I'm sorry to hear that you got rejected from the defence force. No, I don't have the job. 

Erghh... after all that and you still don't have the job yet. Bit harsh.. @Ruby26 

No wonder it is so depressing. I don't even know if it's legal to do that if your MH doesn't impact your work.

@Ruby26 keep the documentation from that job, which you didn't get on medical grounds

If you ever need to apply for DSP or NDIS, documentation like that spells things out in black and white

(I don't recommend disability pension. It's soul crushing, among other issues)

I'm on Jobseeker Payment and everytime I have a meeting with my Service Provider's Job Coach/ Consultant I have a Panic Attack straight afterwards. It's a cycle that never ends! I feel like I'm responsible for not having a job when it's a Mental Health reason that made me quit my Dream Job. I feel guilty sometimes for being unemployed. I really hope I can get a job this year.

Hey @FearofUnknown ,

Sorry to hear that you have a panic attack after each session. 

Do you have a therapist you can work with on this so it will make it a little easier to 'face' the next meeting? It sounds like a lot on you in that sometimes you feel responsible for not being able to work.

Looking to hear from you.