By Jennifer Mdluli

In South Africa, the pursuit of a job can feel like a never-ending race—a race that many do not even realize they are losing. The stigma surrounding job seekers here is thick, with labels like ‘lazy,’ ‘incompetent,’ or worse, ‘privileged’ being slapped on those who are still waiting for the opportunity to land their first break. But behind the closed doors of every job application, there is a hidden toll on mental health that no one talks about. For many, the pressure to constantly prove themselves can feel like a silent battle. It is time to reframe the conversation—because being unemployed does not mean you are not working hard enough. It means the system is failing to see the full picture.

As a job seeker, you are the only one who suffers from sleepless nights, searching through countless websites and persistently registering on “ALL” job sites and companies with openings, repeatedly entering the same information, which ultimately causes some anxiety, not to mention the majority of the anxiety when you receive this notorious email.

“We appreciate your interest in our company and the time you invested to undergo the application process. We regret to inform you, however, that we have completed all the needed screening, and the position has been filled.”                                                                        OR

“Thank you for the time invested in applying, after careful consideration of a competitive candidate pool, we have decided not to move forward with your candidacy. Though this position is currently closed, our company is growing every day. We hope you consider applying to future opportunities as they become available”. 

After receiving such emails, most people honestly believe that everything is fine. For a moment, your anxiety levels rise, and you feel positive because you are relieved that at least they responded, unlike other companies that remain silent. There are a lot of them, and you attend work readiness workshops where they advise you to customize your resume for each application.

 “Miss, I apply for 30 jobs at once because I don’t think one’s brain can do that well without jeopardizing oneself, and as a job seeker”, Therefore, “if I just apply for administrative positions, is it important to customize? Please let us understand the skills and characteristics that make someone an excellent job seeker and help us land that job” – uttered one of the applicants.

These are some of the utterances from some job seekers I came across  in many job readiness programs and the answers are always vague, leaving one hopeless with no clear path forward and feeling despondent. The South African job market has left many feeling despondent and discouraged. Listed below are some of the symptoms facing job seekers today.

Stress and Anxiety

The pressure to find a job fast and uncertainty about the future cause a lot of stress during the job search process. Both mental and physical symptoms of this anxiety can appear, including difficulties focusing, anger, and insomnia. An ongoing state of worry can be brought on by the dread of not finding employment, particularly in a competitive setting. Increased stress and worry brought on by the need to find a job in a competitive market can have an adverse effect on one’s general health and mental well-being.

Depression

Prolonged periods of unemployment can affect motivation and self-esteem by causing feelings of hopelessness and despair or recurrent rejection. Clinical depression can be exacerbated by a negative self-image that is fostered by repeated rejections and the inability to obtain interviews. This mental illness can be crippling, making it hard to go about everyday tasks or keep up relationships.

Imposter Syndrome

Job seekers may have doubts about their abilities and credentials, feeling inferior or undeserving in comparison to other applicants. Those who are rejected may also suffer from imposter syndrome, which involves questioning their achievements and worrying about being exposed as a “fraud.” Their chances of finding work may be further hampered by this self-doubt, which may keep them from confidently highlighting their credentials during networking events or interviews.

Isolation

The process of looking for a job can be isolated, especially for people who find it difficult to connect with mentors or peers. Looking for a job can be a solitary endeavor. People may avoid social situations because they feel ashamed or embarrassed about their joblessness. A vicious cycle may result from this isolation, which can worsen mental health conditions and increase feelings of loneliness.

Frustration and Disappointment

It can be challenging to keep a positive attitude due to the drawn-out application procedures and repeated setbacks, which can cause irritation and despair. The lengthy and tiresome job application procedure frequently necessitates several submissions and interviews. Frustration can result from the regular disappointments of not getting favorable answers. Every rejection could erode one’s sense of self, making it harder to stay inspired and optimistic.

Loss of Identity

A lot of people associate their identity with their work. A loss of identity and purpose brought on by unemployment can impact one’s self-worth and social interactions. Many people consider their work to be an important aspect of who they are. People who are unemployed may have a deep feeling of loss since they find it difficult to define themselves outside of their work duties. Their social interactions may suffer as a result, and existential concerns regarding life’s meaning and purpose may arise. Additionally, there is a family aspect in South Africa that solely values individuals who are employed in their families; the unemployed may be viewed as worthless, which has a negative impact on identity and self-worth.

Financial Stress

Finding a job can be costly, including printing and scanning resumes, creating copies of qualifications and identification documents so you can certify them (the stamp expires in three to six months), and requiring new copies to be submitted or scanned and uploaded to job boards like the Department of Labor or the South African government system GPG whenever new posts arise. Because financial instability adds another level of stress and anxiety and impairs one’s capacity to meet fundamental necessities, economic difficulties brought on by unemployment might worsen mental health conditions. Stress can also have an adverse effect on mental health by causing worry about the future, financial distress, and difficulty paying expenses. A persistent state of anxiety brought on by financial insecurity might exacerbate other mental health conditions.

Coping Mechanisms

Job seekers’ mental health may be further impacted by their adoption of unhealthy coping strategies, such as substance abuse or social disengagement. Reentering the workforce might be made more difficult by these practices, which can worsen mental health conditions and cause further challenges.

Cultural and Societal Pressures

Social expectations around work can be an additional source of stress in South Africa. Cultural norms may place a premium on success and employment security, which can make people feel inadequate if they cannot live up to these standards. People may become even more isolated and experience mental health issues due to the stigma associated with unemployment.

It is imperative to address these mental health issues, and services like community resources and counseling can be extremely helpful in assisting job searchers in better navigating their experiences.

Overall, given the circumstances, job searching in South Africa might have significant and intricate psychological impacts. To overcome these obstacles, job seekers must look for assistance from peer networks, community resources, and therapy. Maintaining mental health during this trying time can also be aided by cultivating resilience and learning constructive coping mechanisms.

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About the author:

Jennifer Mdluli is a passionate radio broadcaster, gymnastics coach and facilitator dedicated to youth and community development. A member of the writer’s hub, a 2019 Activator and inspires positive change through creativity and engagement.