Unemployment: How Do You Stay Positive?

It’s the one thing that school doesn’t prepare you for. I should know, I’ve completed three post-secondary programs and not one has mentioned unemployment and what to do to remedy that. Or maybe they mentioned it while I was on Facebook in class…

To be honest, I’m not completely unemployed. I do have the same retail job that supported me throughout college, but at the same time it feels the same as unemployment. When you’re not doing what you’re meant to be doing, anything else feels soul sucking and depressing.

The hardest thing about my job search is staying positive. It’s almost impossible. It’s almost been a year since I started by job search. I spend hours on the computer looking at job posts and sending out resumes. Sometimes, I just look at the screen and think, “Why bother?” It’s hard not to doubt yourself when you apply and apply, but hear nothing but rejection. However, I think getting an interview and not landing the job is even worse. Maybe it’s because I was halfway there. I got an interview and all I had to do was impress the employer, but somehow failed at doing that. Interviewing for a job and not getting it is like going on a date with your crush, and not getting a call back. My mind starts wondering if my outfit wasn’t good enough, if my breath stank, or if maybe I came off as too desperate. Let’s be honest, it was probably the last one. I am desperate…and a little clingy.

Being unemployed sucks, but I can’t stop applying for jobs. If I give up, then I’ve truly failed. I know that there’s a job out there just waiting for me. I just have to find it…obviously.

I didn’t mean to turn this post into a pity party, (next time I promise to provide chips and dip), but I know that there are others that can relate to what I’m going through. My question to you is: How do you remain positive about the job hunt?

Samantha Musah lives in Toronto, Canada and is a graduate of Seneca College, York University and most recently Humber College’s public relations program. This wannabe entertainment publicist spends her days (and nights) blogging, tweeting and watching YouTube beauty gurus. She is an unapologetic One Direction fan. Deal with it.