Ask Jigsaw: Where to start when unemployed

Fear of the unknown

You mention that you don’t think you’ll ever get a job like your old one again. To an extent, all of our futures are unknown. Concerns about the future are understandable given your situation, but they aren’t always helpful.

Separating out things within and outside of our control can help. For example, you can’t control which jobs are out there and what they are looking for. However you can control how you present yourself in applications or who you connect with. Try focusing on those things you can control.

Skills

While it may feel like starting over again, remember that you gained experience and valuable skills during your last job which not all college graduates will have. You may have left but the skills and qualities you developed haven’t gone away, and will be valuable to future employers. Try making a list of all the things you learned at your last jobs and the skills you developed as a result.

It also worth reminding yourself that you were employable before. Think about the confidence it took to get your job in the first place and hold on to that confidence for this next phase in your career.

Who can help?

Spunout.ie have a great tool which tailors information about employment to your situation, based on a few questions.

It could be helpful to talk through your worries with someone you trust. While they may be able to offer advice, sometimes simply having someone to listen to our worries helps us feel less stuck and more hopeful.

We are living through uncertain times neswilla, and you don’t have to have the future all figured out right now. Be kind to yourself during this difficult time.

Take care,

Sarah

Jigsaw clinician