I am unemployed and depressed, how can I stop depression from affecting my job search?

This is something I'm dealing with too. I try to keep depression from affecting by job search by making small achievable goals for myself. For example, I make sure I eat breakfast and put on a fresh set of clothes. Then I'm more likely to let the momentum take me toward bigger tasks, like searching/applying for jobs. I try to feel as normal as possible using all the coping mechanisms I have, then go at the job search during that relief stage. Being unemployed is stressful, especially with depression. Remember you're doing the best you can and I'm proud of you.

This, is a wild, unprecedented time for everyone. Depression has become a topic of conversation nearly everywhere, while still maintaining it's inability to be properly understood. This is a tough spot to be in, because in order to shake some of those depression symptoms, it would be best to have a routine (a job) and in order to get a job, you have to shake those symptoms. Life is cruel in this way. However, listen to your body, and your gut. Set yourself up with a short list of tasks to do each morning. It doesn't matter how small that task may be. Promise yourself, that once you finish that task, you can go back to your favorite chair, or your bed. Don't get frustrated with yourself, know that there will be days where you just can't quite finish that list. You can't quite make it to the second or third task. Forgive yourself for that. Over time, you'll find that you'll become more and more comfortable with this list, and the tasks, some of that cemented depression symptoms are kind of just rolling off on their own. Add more to your list. Begin again. Patience with yourself is key. Once those lists are able to be tackled, start applying for jobs, ones that you REALLY want in industries you REALLY want to work for. This might not prove to be lucrative right away. You may not get those jobs...but it will motivate you to edit your resume. It'll get your mental juices flowing about what you want to do from here on out. You'll start having conversations with yourself or you friends about what you want to do, or what you plan on doing. It'll be exciting. It can be a slow process, it can be a quick process. But the process is yours none the less. There's power in that. -Shep

Try to set smaller goals to motivate yourself. Write down a list of quests (I think having a quest list is more appealing than a to-do list personally) ie "print resumes" "apply to four jobs" etc. For me, doing little things to keep myself occupied and feeling like I'm making progress helps me ward off depression. Celebrate all your victories, even if you haven't found a job yet, setting yourself up for potential options is still a victory.

Remain diligent in your search for a job, and understand that once you attain it, it'll be another distraction from your depression.

Just relax you will get your dream job no matter how long it takes. Not all good things come easily and try be patient not to handle what is waiting for you inappropriate.

You can try setting yourself daily goals to apply for x number of jobs a day. even if its just 1 or two a day as you have to adjust your cv/covering letter accordingly. Keep persisting as the job market is slowly improving.

Ever heard of the term fake it til you make it? Well thats kind of how I go about it. It can be really difficult to muster up the motivation to actively seek out employment when you're depressed, because well ya know it's difficult to do anything. When you're unemployed, make job searching a full time job. Set goals for yourself, such as a number of resumes/applications to send out per day. Increase the goal with each day, and the sense of accomplishment from meeting your goal may help to curb some of the lackluster drab of feeling depressed. Talk to other unemployed people, hold them accountable to meet their goal and have them do the same for you.

How do you make yourself depressed? Stand up and work on being happy. Happiness is an attitude. Get a new mindset and have fun in LIFE.

Clean yourself up a little bit and associate yourself with people more often. Learn to not care so much about depressing situations. Do what you love. Set hourly "ticks" for modivation, such as "In one hour I'll eat lunch. I like lunch" Start looking for things to look foward to. Finally when you think you are ready try to get a job, see if your friends or family can help you get a job. Most people are willing to help other people out if they know them. Hope this helps, SM

Start finding new job opportunities, create a new resume and write down all the latest details to increase the chances of getting job. Start thinking about your interview and your depression will decrease, start thinking that you are giving the best interview of your life in your dream company and you are good to go. Hope this helps.