Whether you have watched someone go through this or you yourself have gone through this personally. Unemployment is, in my opinion, one of the most excruciating processes a person can go through.
To put it simply: it sucks.
Constantly searching for positions that are applicable to your specific degree. Which for some of us depending on the degree is similar to finding a needle in a haystack or walking through a mine field.
As you search these jobs you start to think about the salary that comes with it, the benefits, the retirement plan, etc. which adds a whole other level of stress. Can I live off of this? What if I can't, but nobody else is knocking on the door at this point? What if I accept this position and then someone else offers me a better one? After all that stressing you finally get those offers to interview! Yay, someone actually potentially wants me! Then comes the interview process.
This process should be called whose time can I waste today or the prostitution portion of the job search. Who can sell themselves the best with these ridiculous questions I'm going to ask. Even before that takes place the outfit choice is always an over thinking affair. Should I wear a jacket because this top does cover my shoulders and looks professional right? Do I wear a skirt or pants? Do I wear high heels or flats? I read an article somewhere that said most employers hire people that wear blue because it sends a message or something? Should I wear my hair up or down? Wasn't there an article about up looking more professional? On and on goes ring around the question rosy.
On the way to the interview you're answering potential interview questions perfecting your answers and looking like a crazy person talking to yourself in a moving vehicle while you're chewing on gum like a horse to calm your nerves. Then you get to interview which could be a one on one or with multiple parties. Don't we love that surprise. Sometimes the questions you get make sense. Other times you are like what does that have to do with me being qualified for this position? All the while you are throwing out word vomit, all that preparation out the window, because now your nerves have taken over. Then in a flash it ends, you are shaking hands and out the door, all the while thinking what just happened?
Next comes the waiting game. During this waiting game you may or may not have other interviews going on, but saying that to employers feels wrong when you call to inquire about whether they filled the position or not. Then come to find out they have with someone who had better connections or had more experience. In comes the crushing feeling of rejection and doubt that you will ever find something. Then the vicious cycle continues.
After that comes the questions from everyone and their mother about how the job search is going. I beg of you. Unless you have a job offer for us unemployed people don't bring it up because our answer will always be the same and it tends to make us feel even more like shit. It's depressing feeling like you are virtually unemployable and expressing that to your loved ones.
It's one of those experiences I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. But, it does make you put things in perspective. I am thankful that it's only me going through this process alone and that I don't have kids or a significant other to endure or suffer this burden as well. I will find something even if it isn't the job of my dreams, but others may not. It's a lot of anxiety and stress to take on, and I can see how people acquire disorders from it. I'm happy that there are programs in place for people like me who are trying their hardest to get back on their feet and aren't abusing the system. I'm happy to say I have the support of loved ones who are doing everything in their power to help me and I cannot express what that means to me.
While the process of unemployment is not enjoyable it does humble you.
