Hi everyone,  as I say in the title, how are you supposed to get a job when you suffer depression and anxiety, have low self esteem and are 42 years old!  for the last 6 years I have done house cleaning, but I find that because I am on my own so much and stuck in my head in that job, that it doesn't help with my mental state, so I quit all my cleaning jobs and now stuck with nothing.  I tried to do some study last year to be a counsellor but I ended up being triggered and depressed. I have applied for several jobs, but I don't even hear back from any of them, I don't even get to interview stage!!!  It's hard to feel good about yourself with no job and depression and anxiety.  I do have a hubby who works full time, but with 2 teen age kids the extra money is needed and I am hoping a decent job will help with my self esteem as I hate being a cleaner!  Life just feels hard all the time.  I am trying so hard to feel good and be a positive rolemodel for my kids.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Dear Turtle

Welcome to Beyond Blue and thank you for your story.  Finding a job at all is difficult at the moment I imagine. To some extent it depends on the market in your area.

Being depressed and anxious certainly does not help. I'm not sure of your circumstances or work experience so I can only give you some general thoughts.

1. Can you get someone to help you write your resume? This is what gets you in the door so it needs to be attractive to the prospective employer.  You need to be upfront and confident with your skills and avoid telling the employer what you cannot do.

2. Consider further training. Get your local CentreLink office to send you for training or refer you to an employment agency. Or go to an employment agency yourself.

3. Consider doing voluntary work. While this does not bring in any money it may give you further marketable skills. Sometimes voluntary work can lead to paid employment. See what you state volunteer organisation can offer you.

Are you getting any professional help with your depression? e.g seeing your GP, getting medication, getting counselling? This is an important factor in your management and recovery from depression. If you are trying to manage on your own please see your GP ASAP and get some help. This will not only benefit your job seeking but also your lifestyle.

Unless asked directly, do not volunteer information about your depression. You should not be asked about depression or any mental health problem anyway as this can be construed as discrimination.  Officially an employer cannot discriminate against you for this but it certainly does not help.

I hope this will help you. Please reply if you have any other queries.

Regards

Mary

Hi Turtle1,

Your topic title immediately grabbed my attention today as I am going through the same thing and can totally empathise with you!  What I would like to tell you is don't take it personally.  I am about to turn 45,  I gave up a job I really enjoyed just before Christmas because the boss was a self-absorbed bully and I couldn't work with him anymore (small business - his -  so there was nowhere to hide).

This is how I stay sane through the process:-

1. Whatever way you look at it, it is an employer's market. This is the reality. Employers get to pick and choose because so many people are looking for jobs. This is not your fault. I had an experience last year where the employer asked me to 3 separate interviews in the same week & checked my references (which were all good) when I was down to being 1 of 2 candidates left. I didn't get the job and ended up feeling exhausted.

2. It's a numbers game.  The more applications you get out there, the greater the chance is that one day, you will catch someone's  interest and they will call you in for interview.   

3. The best way you can be a role model for your children is to stay positive, persevere and do not give up the fight.  Show them how resilient you are ! (I have a teenage daughter and I sometimes worry about being a good role model for her too. )

4. Look after yourself.  I know money is probably tight but try to do little things that make you feel good about yourself, like getting a new haircut, a manicure or buying a new outfit for when you do get that interview.

5.Keep tailoring your application to each job.  When you have to apply for so many jobs it's easy to just rely on a standard letter, but I think it's important to try to personalise each application and keep on trying to improve your cover letters & resume. Don't forget to boast about your personal characteristics (ie. honesty, quick learner, enthusiastic enthusiastic etc). Employers are often look for a 'personality or cultural  fit' these days over lots of skills/experience. Get their attention with some descriptive words.

Mary's suggestions are great too.  Look at doing some short TAFE courses and/or volunteering. Don't give any indication of your depression/anxiety to employers. I have made this mistake.  There is no way to tell if people will have sympathy or be put off. But having these issues does not make you any less human.  Some of the world's biggest achievers have had these issues too! 

 

Good luck!

 

Juls.

Thank you for your post. My 1st visit here & feel that I will be in need of a change in career @ 53! PTSD is catching up with me so your post has helped by the answers you have received. I wish you all the best. They say no one can make you feel anything, feelings come from within but gee whiz can be hard to see the glass half full sometimes! Blossom 

Hi Turtle & others who are interested:

Just thought I would share my interview experience with you today.  So, I turn up 15 mins early and by the time 12.30 came around there was 4 of us sitting in the waiting room of a small allied health clinic for our 'Receptionist'  interview.  There had been no mention at all of it being a 'group interview' so we were all quite surprised to see each other. After 25 years (on & off) in the workforce, this was my first experience ever of a group interview. One by one, in front of the other candidates and 4 staff members, we were asked to stand out the front and answer questions on a sheet given to us.  Then the 4 candidates were told to go to the cafe next door while they had a discussion about whether they wanted to speak with any of us further (we had already had a phone interview and an internet 'test' of sorts.) So, 30 mins later, we returned and sat down again. Only to be told, "thanks for coming in, we won't be asking any of you to stay for further interviewing."  Evidently we were the 3rd group through in this manner.  The whole process took about 1 hr & 20 mins.  I really don't know what they could have possibly gained out of this method, over traditional, individual interviews of say 15-20 mins. 

Now I am fairly experienced at interviews - from small businesses, to government depts to multi-national organisations.  But this was just plain weird!!

So the moral of my story - 'don't take it personally'.  Who knows what employers look for. I don't think they know themselves sometimes!  They are just waiting for the 'click'. I have lots of experience in administration, from small businesses right through to Parliament House.  Out of 30+ applications submitted in the past 6 weeks I have gained 2 interviews.  When I lived in another state 8 years ago, I used to turn jobs down because I had so many to chose from.  So if you are returning to work after a break, or you don't feel you have many skills to offer - don't think of it that way.  Obviously you have to be able to tick some of the boxes but really, I think a lot of it comes down to:  'numbers' - get lots of applications out there to increase your chances of actually gaining an interview; 'sell yourself' - promote yourself and your attributes & skills; and just 'be yourself' - they will either like you or not, regardless of what you do. You can try to be as 'likeable' as possible but ultimately, the ball's in their court.  You just try your best.

Cheers, Juls.

Thanks everyone, you have all been encouraging and helpful.  I am applying for about 2 jobs everyday and I adapt my cover letter and resume for every job that I apply for as I am applying for various roles.  I have also been told that many many people apply for jobs at the beginning of the year.  I will keep persisting and keep positive.  I go walking every day so definitely helps with my mood and I keep busy around the house too.

Wow Juls, what an interesting interview.  I think after an interview like that I wouldn't want to work there! 

Magichope, I feel ptsd creeps up on me too sometimes too as does depression and anxiety, but just as I explained to my son who was reading over my shoulder! I learn to manage all my symptoms, like walking (I walked 5 kms today), drawing, having Reiki and going out for hot chocolates.  though of course some days are better then other.

Thanks again everyone xxxxxxx

 

Hi Turtle,

While looking for work using gumtree, I discovered there are some agencies that specialise in helping to find work for people with mental health issues.  I think there are other agencies, but the one I used was Ostara.

I almost took a job, but then had to decline it as we made the decision to move interstate and that would not be fair on the business.

Good luck.

Snoman