6 answers
Valedict
Student
1
Question
Asked
369 views
who cares?
I've been told by an AI to try and post on a few forums, including this one, about how i feel about job market, as a method of psychological self-help.
I'm a young male, 25 years old. I've had commercial experience and people tell me i got a nice set of skills.
But i couldn't find a job in the last 2 years. I've submitted over 200 applications. Mostly they were responded with silence. I am not even worthy of a "no" answer.
Eventually i've started having debilitating issues, like panic attacks during my next attempts of job search. I was hospitalized and diagnosed with clinical depression, then prescribed sertraline and quetiapine.
I'm not starving, my family supports me. But this feeling of alienation, where unemployment worldwide is rising, but the media doesn't portray it, and all problems attached to it at all, makes me feel unbelievably lonely. And i still feel very bad when i try to look at the available positions, to the point where it physically hurts. I've been hit by knives and hammers in the past, it doesn't hurt half as much. Am i really worth nothing?
Why attempts at job seeking give depression and really detailed thoughts of suicide instead of a job?
I hope somebody who is in the same boat reads this. Maybe it will at least make it a bit less...lonely.
Or maybe no one will read this.
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6 answers
Anthony Perez
Sales
37
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Join the Army, Navy, Coast Guard or Air Force.
Veronica Chen
Marketing
3
Answers
Mountain View, California
Updated
Veronica’s Answer
Hi Valedict,
My heart goes out to you as I read your post. At such a young age, your life should be filled with endless possibilities, but I know right now it feels like you're facing a big challenge. I want to start by offering some words of encouragement. I truly believe that things will fall into place with time, and above all, your wellbeing must come first.
It's easy to fall into the trap of measuring self-worth by what we can achieve or produce, but it’s important to remember that each person is unique and irreplaceable. No one else has the same qualities, experiences, or perspective as you—even your fingerprints are one of a kind. My first piece of advice is to separate your sense of worth from your career or any particular outcome. Finding a job is a season in life, but it doesn’t define who you are at your core.
Next, take a moment to reflect on the skills you already have and the things you truly enjoy. Start working on projects that align with your strengths, even if they are small or personal. Doing work you feel good about will help you stay grounded and can quiet the negative voices that may creep in. Plus, completing projects you enjoy can help you rebuild confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
Lastly, shift your mindset from defensive to offensive. If one door isn’t opening, create your own. Consider volunteering at places like a food bank, city hall, or a local library—wherever you can connect with your community. You never know where these experiences might lead, and they might just bring unexpected opportunities and connections that will help you along the way. Keep trying. If you don't quit, you'll win.
My heart goes out to you as I read your post. At such a young age, your life should be filled with endless possibilities, but I know right now it feels like you're facing a big challenge. I want to start by offering some words of encouragement. I truly believe that things will fall into place with time, and above all, your wellbeing must come first.
It's easy to fall into the trap of measuring self-worth by what we can achieve or produce, but it’s important to remember that each person is unique and irreplaceable. No one else has the same qualities, experiences, or perspective as you—even your fingerprints are one of a kind. My first piece of advice is to separate your sense of worth from your career or any particular outcome. Finding a job is a season in life, but it doesn’t define who you are at your core.
Next, take a moment to reflect on the skills you already have and the things you truly enjoy. Start working on projects that align with your strengths, even if they are small or personal. Doing work you feel good about will help you stay grounded and can quiet the negative voices that may creep in. Plus, completing projects you enjoy can help you rebuild confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
Lastly, shift your mindset from defensive to offensive. If one door isn’t opening, create your own. Consider volunteering at places like a food bank, city hall, or a local library—wherever you can connect with your community. You never know where these experiences might lead, and they might just bring unexpected opportunities and connections that will help you along the way. Keep trying. If you don't quit, you'll win.
Angel S
UI/UX Design Aspirant
452
Answers
India
Updated
Angel’s Answer
First, I want to say: your feelings are valid, and you’re not alone in this. The job market can be crushing, and the silence from applications feels personal even when it’s not. Your frustration, pain, and loneliness are understandable, especially when society often brushes aside these struggles.
You’re not worthless. The fact that you’re seeking help, trying to share your experience, and pushing forward despite immense difficulty shows resilience and strength. Many people feel alienated because the media tends to glorify success stories while ignoring the growing systemic issues like unemployment, underemployment, and lack of support for job seekers.
Depression and suicidal thoughts in the face of relentless rejection aren’t uncommon, but they require care and support. Therapy, connecting with others who understand (like in forums or support groups), and focusing on small, manageable steps can help. It's also worth revisiting how you approach the job search—taking breaks when needed, adjusting strategies, or exploring less traditional roles.
Lastly, posting this was brave. You may never know who reads it and feels less alone because of your words. You’re reaching out, and that matters. Keep reaching out—help is closer than it seems.
You’re not worthless. The fact that you’re seeking help, trying to share your experience, and pushing forward despite immense difficulty shows resilience and strength. Many people feel alienated because the media tends to glorify success stories while ignoring the growing systemic issues like unemployment, underemployment, and lack of support for job seekers.
Depression and suicidal thoughts in the face of relentless rejection aren’t uncommon, but they require care and support. Therapy, connecting with others who understand (like in forums or support groups), and focusing on small, manageable steps can help. It's also worth revisiting how you approach the job search—taking breaks when needed, adjusting strategies, or exploring less traditional roles.
Lastly, posting this was brave. You may never know who reads it and feels less alone because of your words. You’re reaching out, and that matters. Keep reaching out—help is closer than it seems.
Laura Skorupa
11
Answers
Updated
Laura’s Answer
Hello Valedict,
I hear you, you are not alone.
It's tough out there. During a 2-year period, I applied for over 900 jobs. Very few employers responded to me, it was like shouting into a well.
I can only say this: don't give up. Keep going. Search for jobs every day, but not all day.
Invest in yourself: look after your mental and physical health. Eat healthily, exercise, drink water, get enough sleep, limit your screen time. Expand your mind: read good books, explore your interests, be open to trying new things and keep learning.
Nurture your relationships, broaden your social circle, talk to people, but listen more. Who do you admire? Ask them for guidance. Spend time with people who are positive and supportive.
Be proactive: is your resume as good as it can be? Don't just respond to job advertisements, research organisations that interest you and contact employers directly. Ask about work experience schemes. Explore apprenticeships and training courses.
I was depressed in my twenties. I hated my job, my life, myself. What saved me wasn't therapy or medication, but volunteering.
Find a cause you believe in and get involved. You'll learn new skills, meet people and help make the world a better place.
Through volunteering I discovered what inspired me and what I was good at. I found my niche, my calling. It gave my life meaning and purpose. It increased my confidence. And, eventually, it led to a new career.
In a nutshell, it changed my life.
It's tough out there. Keep going.
Good luck!
Laura
I hear you, you are not alone.
It's tough out there. During a 2-year period, I applied for over 900 jobs. Very few employers responded to me, it was like shouting into a well.
I can only say this: don't give up. Keep going. Search for jobs every day, but not all day.
Invest in yourself: look after your mental and physical health. Eat healthily, exercise, drink water, get enough sleep, limit your screen time. Expand your mind: read good books, explore your interests, be open to trying new things and keep learning.
Nurture your relationships, broaden your social circle, talk to people, but listen more. Who do you admire? Ask them for guidance. Spend time with people who are positive and supportive.
Be proactive: is your resume as good as it can be? Don't just respond to job advertisements, research organisations that interest you and contact employers directly. Ask about work experience schemes. Explore apprenticeships and training courses.
I was depressed in my twenties. I hated my job, my life, myself. What saved me wasn't therapy or medication, but volunteering.
Find a cause you believe in and get involved. You'll learn new skills, meet people and help make the world a better place.
Through volunteering I discovered what inspired me and what I was good at. I found my niche, my calling. It gave my life meaning and purpose. It increased my confidence. And, eventually, it led to a new career.
In a nutshell, it changed my life.
It's tough out there. Keep going.
Good luck!
Laura
Brenna Jue, CPTD
Senior Manager of Instructional Design
7
Answers
Spokane, Washington
Updated
Brenna’s Answer
Hello Valedict,
You are courageous for reaching out and sharing your situations and what you are feeling. You are not alone, and yes people care about you. And for anyone else reading this -- you are cared for too!
What you are going through is a stepping stone in your journey. You'll walk through what feels like valleys of despair, but valleys lead to peaks. When you reach those peaks -- and believe me, you will -- you'll look back and be proud of what you've overcome.
I too have gone through those periods of applying and getting rejected, or getting nothing at all. This is not an indication of failure, but encouragement to try a different approach or outlook. Recruiters get hundreds upon hundreds of applications and for you to float to the top of their pile, you've got to consider these things:
- Have you clearly conveyed what makes you unique?
In other words, if you and an another candidate appear "equal" then you need to spotlight something as your key differentiator.
- Have you shared an example of your past success with data behind it?
For example, if you did something great in a past project, find a way to state who it helped and how.
- Did you list simply what you did and what your roles were, or did you tell micro-stories about your capabilities and ambitions?
The bots may scan your application and resume for key words to put you through the next gate to a recruiter, but it's the human at that next gate who wants to understand what you're truly capable of.
- Are you connecting with people through every day opportunities?
Not just job-related connections, but anything! I found that I had so many unexpected doors open for me just by meeting people. After I joined a few social groups, the dots started to connect organically.
Job searching and interviewing can be stressful -- or exhilarating -- based on your vision and approach. What helped me with any anxiety was to go in with the mindset that "they" need "me" and not the other way around. Try going into your next application with the thought that YOU have the power to decide where to go. If you don't feel at the mercy of others, you'll feel more empowered about yourself and the success that you want to build.
You can do this!
Dream big, value the journey, and go far.
Wishing you all the best,
- Brenna
You are courageous for reaching out and sharing your situations and what you are feeling. You are not alone, and yes people care about you. And for anyone else reading this -- you are cared for too!
What you are going through is a stepping stone in your journey. You'll walk through what feels like valleys of despair, but valleys lead to peaks. When you reach those peaks -- and believe me, you will -- you'll look back and be proud of what you've overcome.
I too have gone through those periods of applying and getting rejected, or getting nothing at all. This is not an indication of failure, but encouragement to try a different approach or outlook. Recruiters get hundreds upon hundreds of applications and for you to float to the top of their pile, you've got to consider these things:
- Have you clearly conveyed what makes you unique?
In other words, if you and an another candidate appear "equal" then you need to spotlight something as your key differentiator.
- Have you shared an example of your past success with data behind it?
For example, if you did something great in a past project, find a way to state who it helped and how.
- Did you list simply what you did and what your roles were, or did you tell micro-stories about your capabilities and ambitions?
The bots may scan your application and resume for key words to put you through the next gate to a recruiter, but it's the human at that next gate who wants to understand what you're truly capable of.
- Are you connecting with people through every day opportunities?
Not just job-related connections, but anything! I found that I had so many unexpected doors open for me just by meeting people. After I joined a few social groups, the dots started to connect organically.
Job searching and interviewing can be stressful -- or exhilarating -- based on your vision and approach. What helped me with any anxiety was to go in with the mindset that "they" need "me" and not the other way around. Try going into your next application with the thought that YOU have the power to decide where to go. If you don't feel at the mercy of others, you'll feel more empowered about yourself and the success that you want to build.
You can do this!
Dream big, value the journey, and go far.
Wishing you all the best,
- Brenna
Mark W Stanley, PMP
Experience Designer
6
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Mark W’s Answer
Hi Valedict,
For what it's worth, your experience in the job market is pretty much the norm these days. Companies have turned over the recruiting process to AI to do the bulk sifting and only deliver a handful of applicants to real people. Nearly everyone will get no response, or the standard "we are pursuing other options, but thanks for your interest."
So, what can you do? The first thing to know is that any decent job will get more applicants than you can possibly imagine - it can literally be in the hundreds. No one is going to read all of the applications; there just isn't time. Their first goal is to find things that make it easy to filter out applicants such as educational achievement, years of experience, physical location. and certifications. Some of this may be disclosed in the job posting, so pay close attention to that. If you see "5+ years of experience in this field" as a requirement and you don't have that, you can be certain you won't make it past the first cut. Your primary goal early on is to tailor your resume/application exactly to the job posting, providing enough information to show you qualify but not too much to get de-selected. Invest the time crafting your story on LinkedIn and in your resume. Don't just list things like awards, tell a story. What is your unique perspective that the world needs? You have one, tell us about it. Pay attention to key words that search engines use to find your unique skills.
Next, where are you looking for jobs? Remember that many of the job posting websites are only listing those openings to show they did in fact make a public post; they have no intention of hiring anyone that responds there. Don't take it personally when you don't get a response. Many real opportunities come from who you know. Now, if you think, "gee, I don't know anyone," then you have to do two things: reframe your list of connections and make new ones. You know people now, but maybe never thought of them as a conduit to a job. If you go to sites like LinkedIn and friend every person you know, it will be a start. If you have a good profile first, you can then change your settings to show you are "open to hire" so that recruiters will know you are available. Activities like Toastmasters will help you build confidence and give you an opportunity to meet people in a professional setting. Volunteering at places like Chamber of Commerce events, food banks, and animal shelters will put you in direct contact with people who can help you grow your professional network.
Finally, remember that people are drawn to those who display positive, friendly confidence. It requires some acting, but the interesting thing is that after you learn how to act that way you will begin to internalize the behavior and it will actually improve your own feelings about yourself.
I hope this helps!
Best,
Mark
For what it's worth, your experience in the job market is pretty much the norm these days. Companies have turned over the recruiting process to AI to do the bulk sifting and only deliver a handful of applicants to real people. Nearly everyone will get no response, or the standard "we are pursuing other options, but thanks for your interest."
So, what can you do? The first thing to know is that any decent job will get more applicants than you can possibly imagine - it can literally be in the hundreds. No one is going to read all of the applications; there just isn't time. Their first goal is to find things that make it easy to filter out applicants such as educational achievement, years of experience, physical location. and certifications. Some of this may be disclosed in the job posting, so pay close attention to that. If you see "5+ years of experience in this field" as a requirement and you don't have that, you can be certain you won't make it past the first cut. Your primary goal early on is to tailor your resume/application exactly to the job posting, providing enough information to show you qualify but not too much to get de-selected. Invest the time crafting your story on LinkedIn and in your resume. Don't just list things like awards, tell a story. What is your unique perspective that the world needs? You have one, tell us about it. Pay attention to key words that search engines use to find your unique skills.
Next, where are you looking for jobs? Remember that many of the job posting websites are only listing those openings to show they did in fact make a public post; they have no intention of hiring anyone that responds there. Don't take it personally when you don't get a response. Many real opportunities come from who you know. Now, if you think, "gee, I don't know anyone," then you have to do two things: reframe your list of connections and make new ones. You know people now, but maybe never thought of them as a conduit to a job. If you go to sites like LinkedIn and friend every person you know, it will be a start. If you have a good profile first, you can then change your settings to show you are "open to hire" so that recruiters will know you are available. Activities like Toastmasters will help you build confidence and give you an opportunity to meet people in a professional setting. Volunteering at places like Chamber of Commerce events, food banks, and animal shelters will put you in direct contact with people who can help you grow your professional network.
Finally, remember that people are drawn to those who display positive, friendly confidence. It requires some acting, but the interesting thing is that after you learn how to act that way you will begin to internalize the behavior and it will actually improve your own feelings about yourself.
I hope this helps!
Best,
Mark