Amidst a volatile job market, mass layoffs, and hiring freezes, the burnout phenomenon is not limited to employed individuals. According to BBC, unemployed workers actively searching for jobs are also feeling the emotional strain. The relentless cycle of submitting applications, networking, crafting CVs and cover letters, interviewing, and following up, only to face rejection or silence from employers, takes a toll on their well-being.
Frustration and Rejection: The Cycle of Unemployment and Job Seeking
LinkedIn's Workforce Confidence Index conducted a survey of over 30,000 US professionals, measuring their confidence in job prospects on a scale ranging from +100 (most confident) to -100 (least confident). For job seekers, the overall response in January 2023 was +36, but it dropped to +27 by May.
Irina Gonzalez, 37, knows firsthand the challenges of the job search. She found herself out of work in January after being part of a wave of layoffs at a digital media company where she served as an editor. Although she secured a new role immediately, it didn't work out, leaving her unemployed once again.
Unemployment brought not only financial instability for Gonzalez but also bitter feelings and distress. Despite needing to restart her job search, she found herself too burned out to dive back in. "I got to a place where I was saving dozens of job postings on LinkedIn every day and just could not fathom applying. I kept trying to get out of bed and do something, but nothing was working. Nothing was making me get up. It was awful."
When she mustered the strength to continue, Gonzalez would force herself to write tailored cover letters. Spending an hour on letters for jobs she "liked" and up to three hours for jobs she "loved," she put in extensive effort. However, even with the belief that she was an excellent fit for many positions, she often faced employer ghosting despite landing interviews, sending follow-up emails, and completing skills tests.
John Dooney, HR knowledge advisor at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), indicates that in 2023, the average time to find a job will be five months, though it will vary depending on demand for specific skill sets. Some industries may require an even longer process due to lower demand.
Basant Shenouda, 26, from Dublin, experienced an emotionally draining three-year job search. As an international student in Germany, she began searching during her final year of university. Despite facing a year of rejections from major tech companies in 2018, Shenouda took on an internship post-graduation to gain experience. Although she secured a job offer just before the pandemic in 2020, it was postponed for eight months, with the risk of being revoked due to layoffs.
Personal Stories: Surviving the Job Search Burnout
Shenouda's job search eventually led to a "dream job" in 2021, but the journey was filled with significant effort and adversity. Visa sponsorship rejections, lack of experience rejections, and the pandemic made the process incredibly frustrating and stressful. As a short-term visa holder in Germany, she faced the risk of deportation during the pandemic and even experienced eviction due to unemployment. The high stakes and uncertainty took a toll on her mental health, leading to depression and weight loss from the pressure.
Vicki Salemi, a careers expert at Monster, suggests that workers may need to adjust their career paths due to challenging labor market conditions. She advises considering part-time or hourly jobs to stay engaged, earn some money, and keep skills sharp alongside the primary job search. Creating a daily routine and allocating specific times for job alerts, applications, and networking can help alleviate burnout, ensuring that the job search doesn't consume one's entire day.
For Gonzalez, who currently runs the Substack newsletter Raising Gen Alpha, the burnout recovery process takes time. While she hasn't secured a full-time position yet and has had to pivot to freelance work, the stress continues to weigh heavily on her. Shenouda also reflects on the need for self-care during her prolonged job search, acknowledging the importance of processing emotions, journaling, and meditation.
Dooney remains optimistic, stating that despite ongoing workforce re-evaluations and restructuring after the hiring sprees of 2021 and 2022, employers continue to create job opportunities in many countries. However, the job market remains uncertain for many workers.
In this challenging landscape, workers are encouraged to prioritize their well-being and exercise patience. It is crucial to protect mental and emotional health while understanding that recruiters are currently inundated with applications. The road to securing a role may be long, but preserving one's health is paramount in navigating the job search journey.
