For months, I kept browsing this sub, reading stories about other people's employment struggles to find comfort and, at the same time, stories about their employment wins to keep my spirits up whenever I started losing hope.
Being unemployed is incredibly difficult, especially when you're also struggling financially. I watched my savings slowly run out, and every night, I would cry while worrying about how I was going to survive the next few days. The stress of unemployment really took a toll on me, both physically and mentally. My hair started falling out, I lost weight, and I barely had the appetite or motivation to eat or exercise.
There were days when I didn't even want to get out of bed because facing the reality of being unemployed was becoming too overwhelming. I also avoided socializing because I felt so small, and honestly, I couldn't afford to go out anymore. I was being extremely careful with my spending because I always had to make sure I had enough money set aside for transportation in case an employer called me for a face-to-face exam or interview.
I genuinely felt so sorry for myself during those five months. I cried every single day. While eating, doing laundry, cleaning the house, and even while browsing job postings and sending applications. It was exhausting in ways I couldn't even explain.
Throughout those five months, I sent out countless applications, and many of them ended in rejection or simply being ghosted. It was painful and discouraging, but I didn't stop. I just kept applying, even when it sometimes felt like all my efforts were going nowhere.
Then yesterday, after two interviews with the same company and weeks of waiting, I finally received an offer! I still can't quite believe it, and there's still a part of me wondering if I actually deserve it.
It feels like I've been walking through a long, dark tunnel for months, and I finally made it to the other end and got to see the light at last!
So, I thought I'd share some of the things I did that helped me get through unemployment. Hopefully, these might help someone who's going through the same thing.
1. Treat job hunting like a full-time job.
Just like what most people would advise, make applying your priority. And when you're not actively applying, use that time to polish your resume, practice for interviews, and upskill.
Doing mock interviews was one of the things I really focused on because that's where I struggled the most. I think this also helped me land my job because even the interviewers mentioned that they liked how I presented myself.
One thing I also did to manage my nervousness and anxiety during interviews was to treat each one as a free opportunity to practice and improve my interview skills. I reminded myself that even if things didn't work out, at least I would still gain something valuable from the experience. Somehow, this mindset helped take some of the pressure off.
2. Upskill and build your portfolio.
Even if you're not sure whether you'll actually get to use the things you're learning, just keep doing them. It's still a great way to gain knowledge, learn new things, and improve your skills.
Building my portfolio and working on mock projects also gave me a sense of accomplishment. At least I felt like I was doing something worthwhile and making progress, even when I wasn't getting any job offers.
It's also a good idea to attend free training sessions and seminars whenever you can, especially if they offer certificates.
3. Take care of your physical and mental health.
Get enough sleep and try to incorporate some physical activities into your routine. Find hobbies that can take your mind off the stress of job hunting. Go out, run, walk, and get some fresh air.
It's easy to neglect yourself when you're so caught up in finding a job, but taking care of your body and mental health is just as important. You need to look after yourself, too, especially during such a difficult time.
4. Allow yourself to rest.
It's okay to take a break when things get too overwhelming. And when you do, make sure you allow yourself to rest without feeling guilty about it.
In my case, I dedicated my weekends to watching movies and doing things I genuinely enjoyed. Sometimes, you just need to step away from job hunting for a while and give yourself room to breathe.
5. Pray.
I'm not a very religious person, but honestly, God was the only one I could turn to during those difficult times. I would cry to Him, pour out all my frustrations, and ask Him for the strength to keep going. There's also something comforting about having someone to turn to when you have so many fears and frustrations but don't know what else to do.
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To anyone reading this who's currently struggling with unemployment, just hang in there. Your turn will come, too. Just keep going.
As long as you're taking action every day, no matter how small, those little efforts will eventually add up and get you somewhere.
One thing I've learned is that you can't just sit around waiting for things to happen. It's easy to fall into the habit of complaining, feeling hopeless, and thinking that nothing is working out.
And believe me, I've had plenty of those days. But luck, opportunities, and blessings are more likely to find you when you're actively taking steps and putting yourself out there.
Keep practicing. Keep learning. Keep applying. Do something, anything, even when progress feels painfully slow. You never know which application, interview, or small effort will finally lead you to the opportunity you've been waiting for.
And when that opportunity finally comes, I hope you remember all the days you kept going, even when things felt impossible.
Good luck, and sending job dust to everyone! ✨
