Need Motivation

I’m in the southern US, where COVID has leveled off somewhat but not to the point where I feel comfortable going out at will. At the same time, I need a job to fix my unemployment that I’ve faced for a year now. But I’m also trapped.

I’ve applied for a few jobs already, and most of them have turned me down even when employers have said that I’m highly qualified. I’m not the one to bounce back from setbacks easily, so I quickly get frazzled, thinking that superficial employers will turn me away at the slightest weakness. But to compound on this tendency of mine I also live with a couple of parents who usually initiate conversations about applying for jobs. I don’t think they understand how competitive the work force is now and sometimes I think they expect me to be absolutely stoic with every setback.

And this morning when we discussed a city job I haven’t heard back from, it quickly devolved into an exhausting interaction with them. I told them I didn’t want to discuss the job anymore but I didn’t pass that message on perfectly so they got even more annoying, as the conversation turned back toward themselves.

I want to open horizons to applying and interview tips with a job counselor, but again I’m a big time germaphobe. Since my parents just retired I don’t know if they would pester me about spending money on a counselor or not.

But like I said, even though my parents are largely supportive, they sure seem to pressure me at a time when the job world doesn’t even give me a chance.

Is there anyway I can regain motivation for job searching again without having to go through my family?

I don't have a good suggestion as far as regaining motivation to search for a job, but I sure do believe that seeing a counselor would be helpful.

I agree with you about the possibility that your parents might not be aware of today's job market. My children are in their early 30's and what they have to go through to apply and secure jobs is astounding to me. The job market is a different world than it was even 10 years ago - and a different universe than it was decades ago.

I'm 57, my husband is 73. There are times when he absolutely doesn't understand certain realities about the contemporary world. He can't help but think in terms of "I want to write that company a letter and complain about..." (emailing the company would be a better idea). He's out of touch with the cost of just about everything, and that we are such a throw-away society. He cannot understand why someone would buy a new TV, rather than "repairing the old TV."

Sometimes when he forgets that we're in the year 2020 I want to scream, yell, and argue with him. But that has never helped either of us. So what I've taught myself to do is either gently point out that "nowadays, if people want to communicate with a company they email." Or I just say, "Yeah, uh-huh...sounds like a good idea." And change the subject. It's usually hard to drop my need to be right, but it sure is less stressful than an argument that goes nowhere.

It sounds like your parents are invested in proving to you that they know better and that their way is the right way? Okay, fine...give them the respect of letting them know that their opinions and experience are valid, take what you need from their ideas, and do what you know you need to do to stay on track.

Just some thoughts.

I hope someone replies to your thread that has some more specific ideas about job hunting.

One job that I applied for but had to turn down was peer counseling. There is a need for them in some states. I don't know about Texas, but may be you can look into it. I turned it down because I can't drive and lived in a state where there is no good public transportation. A peer counselor needs to have had experience with mental illness as a prerequisite. If this is not worth pursuing how about teaching online? This is what I do but I live in East Asia. I am sure you don't have to move anywhere but teaching online is a great way to earn money while pursuing other avenues. If all else fails, you can be a tutor, for example, in math or English etc for children. There are ways to earn money but you have to be creative about it. And, finally, if you need to boost your resume, why not volunteer? You can volunteer practically many places these days. I hope this helps! And, hopefully, others will have ideas too!

The greatest motivation to have a job is needing money to pay bills and basically money to eat. Even when people love their jobs, main reason for working is to get paid. At times when people can’t get a job they want, they have to get any job so they can pay bills (also needing health insurance in US). If you have to eat, you will take any job.

I’d say it’s a luxury not to work (unless on disability due to inability to work but then that’s your income).

At some point your unemployment will run out and you’ll have no money coming in. Will your parents fully support you? They’d do you huge favor if they start charging rent and expect you to pay your own way. That would be the best motivation

I am not trying to be harsh but just saying how it is. Pretty much almost everyone I know would consider “money” as a motivation to get a job.