Post-College Blues: 10 Tips To Cope With Unemployment and Depression

Louisa Eunice

Depressed young woman

There's nothing more discouraging than going to school to complete courses you enjoy, only to end up unemployed after college. You may have tried everything it takes to secure a job and have finally given up. Before you wave the white flag, there's still a chance for redemption. Here are great tips that will help you go back to the drawing board and cope with unemployment and depression, according to a popular online platform:

1. Keep Yourself Busy

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“The job market is in the abyss and getting worse daily. However, try and find something just to keep yourself busy and not feel like you're going crazy all the time. It helped me before when I was in your situation,” said a site member. Keeping yourself busy occupies your mind in a good way and keeps you off the edge when you're going through a tough time.

2. Look Online

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The world is a technology hub, and these days, you can find everything online, including temporary and full-time jobs. Don't despair and give into depression. A second online user advised, “Continue to apply online and be open to full-time and contract roles. Take some time to also skill up on your off hours. I suggest picking up Excel or other popular skills in marketing.”

3. Ask Family and Friends

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Finding a job alone is complex, and seeking referrals from family and friends may be the way to go. They know you, trust you, and may recommend you to people they know who may be willing to offer employment opportunities. My first job out of college was as a sales representative for my uncle's friend's company. I quit five months down the line but still got the experience needed.

4. Reach Out Through LinkedIn

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LinkedIn is the holy grail of employment. With thousands of founders, recruiters, managers, and professionals on the platform, you must maximize your efforts to get noticed. Another site member said, “Paid or not paid, LinkedIn will help fill that resume gap, get your professional career going, and help you explore things that are not just marketing.”

5. Develop New Skills

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Someone else added, “Often, even though it might not seem like it, skills you learn such as SQL or any data related will benefit you. These courses are free out there. You can try them out through CodeAcademy or LinkedIn learning.” Fortify your old skills with a few new ones, and you'll stand a better chance of landing a job.

6. Keep On Applying

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Disappointment may make you veer off the path. Granted, a few rejection letters may discourage you, but don't give in. A site member commented, “Most importantly, continue to apply for jobs. Apply to not just marketing but roles like business analyst and other entry-level roles.” There are many opportunities to discover, and you need a mind-over-matter mentality to get through your applications.

7. Ask For Guidance

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“If you happen to have access to anyone who has worked in marketing professionally (former professors, a friend's parent, a family member, anyone), you could reach out to them and ask them for guidance on brainstorming a few projects that demonstrate your skills in a marketing context,” said a long term marketer. This strategy doesn't apply to marketing alone. In any career of your choosing, ask for guidance from experts, and they'll help you make steps ahead.

8. Put Together a Portfolio

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“Get in touch with some small organization that could use the help, send your portfolio over, and ask for 20 minutes of their time to discuss how you could meet each other's needs. You aim to get bona fide experience using those five skills on your resume and a few references who will validate your skill set when HR departments call during background checks. If you do this well, you'll have a few additions to your professional network who may be useful,” implied a final user.

9. Consider Short-Term Positions

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We all want long-term employment, the kind that will guarantee income many years down the line. But don't fret if you can't get there immediately. If you've been looking for employment for a long time, you may need to build up your experience in short-term positions before you get to your goal.

10. Don't Lose Hope

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Even though times are hard, and you're not yet employed and feel very low, as if you're down in the dumps, don't despair. Although it's easier said than done, find the strength to keep on. With effort and perseverance, you'll come across a work opportunity.

10 Strategic “Weaknesses” to Share With Confidence in a Job Interview

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I once attended a job interview where the boss threw me a curveball for the first question. He asked me, “Why shouldn't I hire you?” Admittedly, I was stumped for a moment before losing any chance I had with the legendarily bad “Because I will make you look bad with my heroic work ethic.” Spoiler alert: I didn't get called back. A recent online discussion shares much better advice for those job candidates expecting a similar scenario.

10 Strategic “Weaknesses” to Share With Confidence in a Job Interview

12 Degrees That Will Make It Hard to Find a Job (Even With a Good GPA)

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Choosing the right college degree can be a tricky task. After all, you want to study something you enjoy and have good job prospects. While some degrees open up opportunities, others have less demand. In this blog post, we'll discuss 12 college degrees that currently have limited demand in the job market. It's not to discourage you but to help you make an informed decision about your future. So, let's dive in and explore these degrees!

12 Degrees That Will Make It Hard to Find a Job (Even With a Good GPA)

10 Common Job Posting Red Flags That Scream “STAY AWAY!”

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Finding a job is more complicated than ever, especially with companies listing job postings that they never follow up on, endless scammers, and dead ends. It’s essential to be careful with where you apply and who you give your information, especially regarding job scams. During an online discussion, people talked about what to look out for, whether you’re worried about being tricked by a fake job or taken advantage of by a real one.

10 Common Job Posting Red Flags That Scream “STAY AWAY!”

These 10 Red Flags Mean It’s Time to Quit Your Job

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Are you dreading Monday mornings more than usual? Do you find yourself clock-watching every single day? If so, it might be time to consider if your current job is right for you. In this blog post, we'll walk you through 10 red flags that suggest it might be time to update your resume and start job hunting.

These 10 Red Flags Mean It’s Time to Quit Your Job

These 12 Jobs Are So Soul-Crushing, You’ll Want to Run Away

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Are you searching for a new job or considering a career change? It's important to know which jobs to steer clear of. Some jobs might look appealing initially, but they can come with hidden drawbacks such as low pay, high stress, or poor job security. In this blog post, we'll share 12 jobs you should avoid at all costs. By knowing which jobs to avoid, you can save yourself time and energy and focus on finding a fulfilling career that suits you.

These 12 Jobs Are So Soul-Crushing, You’ll Want to Run Away

Source: Reddit.

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