Nervous Breakdown

[roz]

Welcome to Pennsylvania! As you experienced, it is easier to find a job when you have one. So I would caution you against quitting. I don't know what kind of job you have and what you are seeking, but your best bet is to set a plan of action. In that way you won't feel so helpless. Don't just apply to any job. You are setting yourself up for more failure. You need to be deliberate about this search. And remember, we are in a recession--the reason people may not respond is not due to your shortcomings; rather they have 150 applications in the first hour.

Think hard about what it is that is making you unhappy. What does make you happy? Look at job postings on Careerbuilder and Moster. Select ones that you might like and rewrite your resume and cover letter to reflect the skills and knowledge called for in the postings. The job sites also have tips on writing effective resumes and cover letters. Interviewing is also important. Prepare a list of questions you want to ask because you are interviewing them as well.

Don't forget about other sources--Craigslist, Linkedin, company websites' career sections for direct applications and networking. How do you network if you just moved there? Volunteer for an organization, join a group that is of interest (often the neighbors section of the newspaper has group meeting listings, volunteer opportunities, etc. Library bulletin boards also have those kinds of postings.

If you would like help with your resume, let me know. Also, if you would like sample interview questions so that you can prepare, let me know.

Keep your chin up!

[spotty4]

roz, Kristie, and katbuad are so wise. Given the economic down turn (ahem, recession) now is not the time to be jumping ship ... unless there's some other ship or dock you can reach. I know several of us JGs do not love our job, but we're thankful to have one at all. There are tough waters ahead and I'm glad to have a life preserver.

So do what roz and katbuad suggest and make a plan!! Execute it. Rock it! You go woman!! (then ... jump ship!)

[AnnaRose]

I'm sorry about your job situation. You sound pretty upset. I have had jobs where I hated being there and jobs that were great. It makes all the difference when you don't hate going to work. I think you should definitely leave this job ASAP. However, do not leave until you have something, anything, lined up because if you think your miserable now, think about having a whole bunch of financial stress. Its one of the worst kinds of stress.

What kinds of jobs do you like? Do you have a degree? Maybe we can help you find job listings in your area or give you some ideas . Stay strong a little longer, but I think you should get out of this job as soon as you get another lined up.

[Regina]

I am so sorry that you are so stressed right now. I am going to take another outlook on the situation: yes, the people that you work with can make it miserable for you, BUT, you are there to work, not make friends. I am not sure what you dislike about them and not sure how many of them there are...but can they all be horrible? Maybe there is someone that feels just like you...? Could it be that you are depressed (not just from work) and aren't seeing things with 100% clarity (I ask because my perception is fogged when I am depressed).??? Is there a way to make friends outside of work (by joining a gym, social group, sport, taking a cooking class,etc) that may help you take your mind off work? I know you said this is causing stress with your S.o., but a lot of relationships are ruined because of the stress of money too. If you quit without having a job, I can almost gurantee you will just be trading in one stressor for another. I agree with the other posters about finding a different job, but I am not sure of your financial situation, and mall-type jobs probably won't pay as well or offer benefits. What about insurance?

I have been in similar situations, and I know how a job can make you stressed. I also know that the right job can make you want to go to work. In my opinion, these are options I would consider: going back to school to further your career (apply for financial aid or school loan), joining a fitness club (To keep your mind off work), keeping an eye out for a similar job in your field while hanging on to the one you have, changing the color of your glasses to a rosey one (remember, your own attitude might convey how others are acting or treating you), and come to terms with the fact that a job is there for you to work and not necessarily a place to hang out with friends.

I do hope things get better for you, no matter what you decide. This was just to give you a different perspective to the other advice that was given.

[Londoner]

Hi,

I just wanted to express some solidarity with you. Although I'd lucky enough to have lots of friends at work, my job - more specifically frustration about lack of promotion prospects - is getting me down hugely at the moment. I've been crying a lot and just generally feel despondent. It is incredible, isn't it, how your work bleeds into all other areas of your life and makes you feel truly nasty.

I agree with Regina - your situation is probably making you depressed, which is turn is making your judgement clouded. I always feel more able to handle everything when I've had a good night's sleep - which is great of course if you can get to sleep! The jobs of depression (I think that's an oxymoron).

x

[the_woman_99]

I just lost everything I just typed...it was a novel!!! Damnit.
Thank you everyone for your support and thoughts. It means a lot.
I have done some thinking and decided that I am going to quite. Knowing that and feeling that I just feel like so much weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I am just looking everywhere right now so to get out of a job that I hate.
I don't hate the people so much as I just feel no satisfaction whatsoever. That is hard for me because I love to work. I love feeling like I accomplished something at the end of the day and with the job I currently have there is none of that. I feel like I am wasting away. I don't believe in the company because I don't agree with a lot of what they do. I mean people love it there and that is fine with them but I feel like if I stay there I will just waste away un-noticed and lose me. I dont want that to happen at all which is why I need to get out of there. I feel like when I am there I just can't breath. I am doing everything I can to get out of there. I wish that I could quite tomorrow and never go back but I think that I would be just to stressed worrying about where I would get money to pay my bills. I mean I know that my SO would help out but I don't want him to have to do that because I am more then willing to work I just really want to enjoy what I do. I don't think that is too much to ask at all. With as much time as you spend there it should be fun and make you feel like you are doing something.
I have been in banking for the last 6 years so I am confortable with that. But right now I work in a call center for a bank and I can't stand it at all. I mean people call in and yell at you and you are just suppost to take it and apoligize and stuff like that. I am just not that kind of person to sit there and take that and not let it bother me so I don't think that this is the job for me at all. I mean people there are happy doing what they do but I just need more. I need more satisfaction. I need to feel like I am doing more for people. I just wish that I had a network so to speak of people out here so I had an 'in' or what not to have someone take a chance on me or what not. I guess we will see what happens. I have applied for a couplel of head teller positions or what not so we will see what happens. I just want to feel accomplished at the end of the day and feel proud of the work I do. That is probably what it most important to me...I want to be proud of where I work and with what I do and I don't feel that way at all. That is what I want and am looking for.
Wish me luck and let me know if any of you know of something out there
Thanks again for listening to me and sharing your thoughts.

[BAC]

Oh wow, you're one of those people that I call when I'm having money problems!! I've delt on the phone so many times with people handling my credit card, bank account, ect and I always feel for them because I know that job is probably incredibly difficult and they probably have to deal with people a lot meaner than me.

You'll be alright, girl. At least you've discovered that you absolutely cannot do a job like this and you can avoid them in the future. Just keep applying... I'm sure you'll be able to find a teller position at least, banks are always looking for them. Until you do, feel free to come here and bitch all you want, I don't mind! Good luck!!

[Kristie]

check out linkedin for networking prospects. I remember Roz mentioning that to me before and i know quite a few JC people who have had success with it.

[the_woman_99]

Thanks Kristie. I will check that out ASAP.

Hopefully something come up soon

[Amanda]

Originally Posted by the_woman_99

I don't believe in the company because I don't agree with a lot of what they do.

That is HUGE- you need to believe in what the company does!
I've had my ups and downs with the company I work for (if you've been on the board awhile you've read my posts!). However no matter what, I LOVE the company. I love what we do and how we do it. It is an ethical company and no matter where I work in the future, I will always keep my money with this one!

As for the actual job, it has taken me 8.5 years to be in the position I'm in now. It is a challenging position to manage a phone team in an access center, but I am pretty happy. There were probably 5 times at this company that I was going to quit, but I just couldn't do it. I guess being without a job was just too risky for me.

I know this isn't my dream job, but it pays the bills and keeps me busy. If you were closer to me I would tell you to apply to my company but you would have quite a commute! I wish you the best of luck finding a job that makes you happy!