Its been a while

[scoobydoo123]

Its been a while since I posted and I have been finding life a bit of a challenge again. Meds seemed fine, finished up seeing my counsellor and even managed to go back to work. I am on holiday till the end of this month and then I am being made redundant. All was well until i started looking for a job. A few applications made, agencies contacted and no progress. Been turned down already for quite and few jobs and I can feel my confidence crumbling. I feel like a failure as all my other colleagues got new jobs (except one). Any ideas what I can do to help myself?

[Gambit62]

First try not to listen to the voice that is telling you that you are a failure. And don't compare yourself to your colleagues. its very easy to jump for the first thing that is on offer when faced with redundancy and it isn't necessarily the right thing.

Is your work providing you with any support related to the redundancy? - sometimes they will/can put you in contact with people who can help you look at your cv to ensure that it really is selling the best of you in the best way, and help you with focusing in what you need to say in covering letters. The agencies may also be able to help you.

You are probably completing against a lot of others and it is a bit of a lottery, on both sides.

It is very sapping.

It might be a good time to reflect on what you really want to do next and chase it in a different way - eg through volunteering for a while ... though at the end of the day I know that isn't always possible because you will have financial commitments - but it may be worth looking at.

[gardengnome]

It's not long since the redundancy notice, Please don't label yourself a failure already.

I know when I start comparing myself to other people my self esteem goes up the spout, so please, please don't do the same.

Each application is a fresh chance. The employers have their own reasons for saying no, it won't be because of a major fault in you.. I am amazed how our school regularally holds interviews with half a dozen candidates, and still decides not to recruit any of them! And one of the best teaching assistants there today was turned down 3 times on account of her youth..

Be patient with yourself.

[scoobydoo123]

thanks to you both. you are both right. I need to stop being so hard on myself. Self esteem has been missing in me for quite some time and is something I am gradually working on. I have not got much support from work but do have someone reviewing my CV and re writing it for me. I am sure once I have a new job I will feel loads better.

[Suzie40]

When I first graduated, I was the only one out of my crowd at uni who didn't get a teaching post straight away. I was devastated. I ended up taking a job that was completely unrelated to the profession and I hated it. I was doing it for a month or so when out of the blue came an offer for a teaching job. I've been there for twelve years now and I love every minute of it. Sometimes you need to take a step back and see what fate has in store for you x

[scoobydoo123]

thanks lucy x im going to take it easy and find the right job for me x