I had recently divorced so now I have myself to look up to.
I have been applying for jobs everywhere but nothing.
I am a qualified ticketing agent.
I have sent my cv to so many places.
I love Allah tala and I trust He will open up for me one day,
but most of the time I lose hope
and start saying things like "the non muslims have everything "
or "am I asking for too much?"
I don't want to say all these things but anxiety overcomes me.
I get scared because I don't have anyone else to support me financially.
I am losing hope.
I am worried about my future.
What am I doing so terribly wrong?
Answer
In this counseling answer:
Networking is a highly recommended method for getting a job.
Go to the employment agencies in your area.
Think outside of the box.
Take care of yourself, daily.
Be an active part of your local Muslim community.
As-Salamu ‘Alaykum sister,
Thank you for writing to us.
I am sorry to hear about your divorce,
it surely is a difficult and painful time I am sure.
When a divorce occurs, there is always a rearrangement in life
as you are experiencing.
May Allah bless you and grant you ease.
Sister, as your divorce is recent and your financial needs are immediate
I am sure you are panicking.
This is normal.
Getting it together
You are not doing anything wrong, dear sister.
You are just trying to put your life back together which is not always easy.
Insha’Allah, I am confident that you will do it.
We all have basic needs that cause our survival mode to click on. Of these are food, water, shelter.
All of these usually take money in order to obtain and sustain your basic needs are at risk due to the divorce.
It is only natural, sister, that you are feeling a lot of anxiety.
Sister, do you have any family where you are?
If not, is it possible to go stay with family until you find a job?
Can you stay with friends?
I am not sure if you are from the country you are living in now,
but I would hope that you do have some connections there so you can network for jobs,
opportunities and get assistance in other areas should you need it.
If you do know a few people there, possibly at your Masjid, let them know Insha’Allah you are looking for a job.
Networking is a highly recommended method for getting a job.
Also, check your local listings to see if there are any free classes to upgrade your skills.
Look for meet up groups which focus on job seekers.
These groups can be very supportive as well as teach you skills for job hunting, interviewing and landing a job.
I would also kindly recommend that you have an employment specialist or career center go over your resume to make sure it is a powerful resume.
They can also check it for a format, impression as well as typos.
It takes the average recruiter about 6 seconds to look at your resume and decide if they will toss it or look at it further.
Therefore, make sure your resume is top notch.
I would also kindly suggest that you go to the employment agencies in your area.
When you sign up with the agencies they are usually successful at finding you work.
Check out this counseling video:
You may also want to consider looking for jobs that are not specifically for a qualified ticketing agent but look in other areas where you may have skills.
Customer service, office assistant, telemarketing, etc.
Make a list of the things you can do as well as make a list of your skill set.
Think outside the box
Include everything you can think of!
For instance, do you enjoy gardening?
Do you have a green thumb?
Write that down for possible jobs in floral shops or gardening centers.
Have a knack for researching things of educational interest?
Post ads up at the local colleges or universities for assisting students with their research papers.
The main thing is, is to get creative, look “out of the box”,
and use your other skills,
experience, and interests to find new markets in which to apply.
While you need a job right now,
in the meantime until you get a job,
volunteer a few hours a week at an agency, hospital, college or community center.
Often times people who volunteer get hired at the places in which they do volunteer service.
Check Craigslist for people seeking to hire and make sure you go through as many categories as pertain to you.
Again, think outside the box.
I would also suggest that you bring a stack of resumes and visit places of interest.
Ask if they are hiring and if so, ask to speak to the hiring director.
If they are not available, ask to leave your resume.
If they are not hiring, leave your resume anyway and ask them to please keep it on file should a position arise.
When applying for jobs, sister, please do always follow up with an inquiry about your application.
Include the date you sent it,
a few things about the company that you like that initiated you’re sending your resume and briefly highlight your points of benefit for the position.
That shows you’re interested and serious about their company-organization as well as your seriousness about working there.
If you do get an interview, make sure to follow up with a thank you note (email).
Sister, it does take some time to get a job.
In the meantime, if possible take spot jobs.
I don’t know your situation but in the US, they have Uber, Lyft, Doordash, and other service jobs that are easy to get.
If you have anything in your area like this,
please do Insha’Allah look into these types of jobs for a weekly paycheck
until you land the job that you want.
I needed a second job to make ends meet when I moved across the country years ago.
I looked at my skill set and interests and realized I did like cleaning my home and being that I was kind of OCD with cleaning,
I was good at it.
I posted ads for cleaning (with a catchy phrase, years of experience, etc.)
on various platforms and ended up with 4 cleaning jobs a week netting $575 a week.
So again, re-evaluate your skill set,
tasks you are already doing or have done and apply it to your search.
Insha’Allah, you have three things to focus on, sister.
The first is taking care of you, daily.
This is a very stressful time.
Insha’Allah spending a half hour or so exercising, doing dhzikr,
doing progressive muscle relaxation, going for a walk, practicing deep breathing
all will help you insha’Allah decrease your anxiety, fears, and feelings of hopelessness.
The second important factor is setting up some support networks.
Whether it is seeing if you can stay with family, friends if need be, reach out.
Go to your Masjid and take part in the Islamic activities that are provided there as well as go for prayer.
Strengthening your relationship with Allah is most important as there are many blessings in it as you know.
Allah is most merciful and Allah does love you.
Also, connect with your sisters at the Masjid for support and encouragement.
You are not alone, sister.
It just feels that way sometimes.
When we do feel alone, it is usually because we are not reaching out to arms that are already open for us.
Fear kind of does that to us.
So please, insha’Allah step out and start building friendships and support networks.
As women, we need this.
As women, we are good at that.
Supporting and encouraging each other as sisters in this religion is a blessing, indeed.
Lastly, check out any government programs that can help you financially until you find a job.
I am not sure how it is set up in your country, but here it is called social services.
It provides a basis monetary amount each month as well as food until you get stabilized.
The third is getting a job that can sustain you,
which entails making sure your resume is on point,
creatively thinking outside the box,
utilizing your skills or things you already do or have done outside of your profession,
linking up with groups and employment agencies for assistance and leads,
going to various places and speaking with HR to see if they are hiring and leave your resume and networking.
While I put getting a job as third,
it really is your number one concern, I realize.
Allah tests those He loves
However, if you are anxious, depressed and fearful, it will be counter-productive to your job search.
If you don’t have a support system in place and encouraging friends, you will have difficulty finding resources and help should you need it.
If your relationship with Allah is suffering because you think He has left you,
or that He does not hear your prayers,
you will feel the emptiness of that loss and it will compound your problems.
As Allah tests us, sister,
He never tests us beyond what we can handle.
Our tests serve to make us stronger individuals, more resourceful and most importantly-bring us closer to Allah.
Please do make du’aa’ to Allah for a job and for the blessing of good Muslim sisters as friends.
Allah is our rope which we hang on to, and our sisters are part of the blessings from Allah.
We just have to take the first step sometimes and reach out.
I am confident that Insha’Allah you will find a job, sister.
Things can change so quickly in our lives from one day to the next.
Please know you are not alone.
A lot of us have been through this at one time or another and we have made it through, just like you will Insha’Allah.
salam.
***
Disclaimer: The conceptualization and recommendations stated in this response are very general and purely based on the limited information provided in the question. In no event shall AboutIslam, its counselors or employees be held liable for any damages that may arise from your decision in the use of our services.
Read more:
https://aboutislam.net/family-life/youth-4-the-future/top-tips-to-find-your-career-path/
https://aboutislam.net/family-life/gender-society/10-answers-to-why-should-muslim-women-work/