Job hunting these days? Honestly, it’s just one crazy rollercoaster. Like, if you’re a millennial or Gen Z like me, you already get it. Sending out resumes to what feels like a hundred companies, refreshing emails like a maniac, hoping someone replies, and then, bam, either silence or that “we’ve decided to move forward with other candidates” message. And I swear, that one line hits harder than it should.
And the worst part? Sometimes it looks like everyone else has it together. Like your friend got a job in two weeks, another one’s posting “new beginnings” on LinkedIn, and you’re just there questioning your entire existence with a coffee cup and messy bun. But let’s be honest, it’s not what it looks like. No one’s journey is perfect. Everyone’s going through something, even if they don’t show it. I’ve been talking to a few people lately who are exactly in this messy phase, and I thought, maybe I should share their stories, because seriously, you’re not alone.
Why is job searching such a mental mess?
Okay, so let’s talk about why this whole job thing feels like a never-ending storm.
First, the economy. Everything’s shaky, prices are up, layoffs are happening here and there, and companies are acting all slow to hire. Like, one minute they’re posting openings, and the next, “hiring freeze.”
Then there’s social media. Oh god, social media. You open Instagram or LinkedIn, and it’s all “so grateful to start my new role at xyz” while you’re sitting there scrolling through job boards, feeling like your life’s paused. It makes you feel behind even when you’re trying your best. And then the rejections. Or worse, no replies at all. That silence gets to you. You start doubting yourself. Am I not good enough? Did I pick the wrong career? You start overthinking every small thing. And that’s how the stress creeps in, quietly but powerfully.
Real people. Real stories. Same struggle.
- Ananya’s story: Ananya’s 24, from Hyderabad. she sent hundreds of resumes, literally hundreds, and barely heard back from anyone. she told me there were nights she cried quietly just because it felt like no one even noticed her efforts. she started journaling about her day, tiny things like “applied to 3 companies” or “finished one online course.” that small thing gave her some peace. It reminded her that trying is also progress.
- Raghav’s story: Then there’s Raghav, 27, from Bengaluru. Total coding genius. He made it to the final rounds so many times, but always got rejected at the end. He started questioning himself, like maybe he wasn’t good enough. Eventually, he joined some online support groups where people openly shared their rejections, too. It made him realise, everyone’s in the same storm, just different boats. Those conversations gave him courage and also some good tips for interviews.
- Meera’s story: Meera’s 25, she recently switched from marketing to content creation. Big jump, right? She said it was scary, especially seeing her friends already settled in jobs. She felt like she was running out of time. So she started breaking her goals into small steps. One day she’d write a blog post, the next day she’d learn a new editing tool. She said those small wins saved her from completely losing hope.
How to stay sane when everything feels too much,
okay, real talk. This whole process isn’t easy. I’ve been there too, and here’s what actually helps (no fancy advice, just real stuff):
- Make a routine, but don’t be too hard on yourself: Try to plan your day, like maybe 2 hours of job search, 1 hour of skill learning. But if someday you just binge Netflix or feel lazy, don’t guilt-trip yourself. It’s okay. You’re human.
- Focus on what you can actually control: You can’t force a company to reply or change its plans. But you can make your CV stronger, practice interviews, and keep learning. Focus there. That’s where you have power.
- Take real breaks: Constantly scrolling through job portals makes your mind tired. Go take a walk, listen to music, or just sit in silence for a bit. You’ll come back calmer.
- Breathe: Before interviews or after bad news, just take deep breaths. I know it sounds basic, but it actually works. 2-3 minutes can make a big difference.
- Talk about it: Don’t keep it bottled up. Talk to your friends, or even online communities. Saying it out loud helps more than you think.
- Celebrate tiny wins: Sent one resume? Great. Updated your LinkedIn? Amazing. Learned a new skill? Huge. Celebrate that. Because small steps lead to big things.
Your stress isn’t a weakness; it’s a power.
This part’s important. Taking care of your stress isn’t just about “feeling better.” It actually makes you show up better. When you’re calm and confident, it shows. Interviewers feel it. But if stress builds up too much, it can mess with your performance, your motivation, everything. So take care of your mental health like it’s part of the job, because honestly, it is.
Some numbers, just so you don’t feel alone.
You know what’s wild? According to the Microsoft Work Trend Index 2024, around 74% of Indian workers worry about tech replacing their jobs. But here’s the other side: 51% also say tech’s helping them work better. And 67% of engineers already feel AI is reshaping their jobs, with 85% learning new skills to keep up. So yeah, everyone’s adapting. Everyone’s figuring it out. You’re not late.
You’re not broken. You’re just human.
This whole job-hunting thing? It’s messy, stressful, and sometimes heartbreaking. But if you’re feeling lost or tired, it doesn’t mean you’re failing—it just means you’re human. Look at people like Ananya, Raghav, and Meera. They all hit low points but found small ways to keep going, journaling, support groups, or breaking things down. That’s how you move forward. So hang in there, okay? Breathe. Apply again. Rest when you need to. Your time’s coming. You’re doing better than you think.
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