Am Not Coping

Good evening @Zoe7@TAB@Shaz51@Snowie@MDT

I know you’ve “logged off” now @Snowie but just wanted to introduce myself as I don’t think we’ve “met”. I love your “picture”!

@MDT I’ve been thinking of you. The whole job search & establishing yourself is hard work I reckon. Some people seem to do it all easily but I guess those people probably wouldn’t use a forum like this! I’m not sure of your background (apart from you doing a B. Arts with major in Business & International Relations & that like pretty much everyone you have some regrets). I can identify with that as sometimes I’m really disappointed in myself & focus on my perceived deficits (in life & as well as employment). Lacking confidence is a significant factor which I suspect we share. It’s good that you took your CV for an independent opinion & I get that you don’t want to give them money to improve it. I do however wonder whether you got the impression it was only minor changes or not. Does formatting make much of a difference or do you think they would have changed the language/text. I reckon the cover letter is important (eg. you’d no doubt be aware that companies do a word search on it for the words/phrases from their position description). I know quite a few graduates who have not been able to get work in their field of study. On a practical note, are there any general employment leads possible through family & friends or maybe friends of friends even though it might not be your preferred field? I guess you’re on LinkedIn to make professional contacts. Are there other social media networking options (eg. Twitter, Fb)? It does sound really difficult for your age group so you’re obviously not alone! In particular, this experienced but underconfident & soon-to-be unemployed forumite is alongside you. You may be called upon to find ways to prop me up for my 2 interviews this Friday, one of whom is with my potential manager who has been out of uni 3 years compared with my 29 years & 2 degrees. How on earth can I match her upbeat enthusiasm (as per her LinkedIn profile)??!!!

By the way @MDT and @Zoe7 and others, any comments on my Year 12 child who is indecisive & is considering secondary teaching or a science/physics degree? He’s talking about a gap year which I know I should probably support but I think he’d still be undecided at the end of it! He’s an over thinker who is sensitive & fairly capable (straight A’s in year 11 ...sorry that was probably an uncalled for mother boast). Anyway I just wonder about how employable science graduates are because he lacks confidence & I wouldn’t want to see that exacerbated by a career choice. I reckon make secondary teachers are likely to be employable but teaching is a tough gig unless you absolutely love it (his father, grandfather & grandmother were teachers & I was a lecturer so maybe that’s genetics at play!).

Science teachers are few and far between @Sam3 so if he is passionate about doing it then he should go for it. If he isn't that passionate then a gap year may be beneficial for him also. I suppose it depends also on what he intends to do for that gap year.

Thanks @Zoe7. My kids go back next Tuesday- is that the start of Term 1 where you are? Can’t help wondering if your current feeling “flat” is not related to your medication change (to which you may adjust over time). Personally when I’m tired it’s easy to confuse it with depression

We go back the week after @Sam3. The med decrease is certainly affecting my sleep - I generally am waking up during the night and having unwanted dreams as well. I am quite flat with low energy and very unmotivated and that wasn't the case before we lowered the night dose. The downside to the previous dose was I was very tired in the mornings even after a full night's sleep but once I got moving I seemed to overcome that. I am thinking that is preferable to how I am currently feeling though.

It is great that you have interviews lined up - fingers crossed for you Hon that you get one of these jobs

Whoops Typo @Zoe7 i meant mood IS maybe related to your medication reduction (rather than is not)....sorry.

Im sure you’ll work it out in time with returning to work. As I type this I’m eating an ice cream cake (bedtime snack?!?)

How are you tonight @Former-Member?

I better head off and get away from the screen before I head to bed and try to sleep @Sam3 Hope you have a good day tomorrow. Goodnight Hon

Hi @Sam3. I'm happy tonight because my T20 cricket team beat the top of the ladder Hurricanes! Other than that ... Ummm, yeah. I see my psych tomorrow afternoon, probably a good thing. I would agree with @Zoe7 advice re your son. 🎓

Sherry 🌸🍀🌺

Good night @Zoe7

Sherry 😴

Yes you know what is best for you @Zoe7 & ultimately it’s your choice. Medication seems to often be such a conundrum entailing the lesser of two evils or working out the greater good (eg. Your morning tiredness). I presume you’ve considered taking the higher dose earlier in the evening to avoid the morning drowsiness? I’m not happy about 2 of my current medications but I think I just need to accept it especially whilst sorting out employment & avoiding further changes when unemployed. Strangely last night I saw an ad for Coordinator Consumer Participation- inclusive services team (mental health). I’d be interested & well qualified (actually over-qualified) for that govt job but I don’t seem to even get shortlisted for them probably due to this region being sought after & other factors that remain a confounding mystery to me. The 2 interviews this Friday are aged care which I’m not enamoured about but thanks for your good wishes @Zoe7. For a job I really do want as a Health Trainer with high schoolers & adults, I spoke to the manager then submitted an application but he just emailed me back this Monday saying “thanks for sending this through”. I reckon I’ll ring him back in a couple of weeks as there was no cut-off date & he may just be waiting for more people to apply or do you think that’s counterproductive? Hey @MDT & @TAB job seeking is a bit of a mine field I think so let’s hope none of us lose a limb!

@Shaz51 is Mr Shaz feeling any different ie better?