Raul Quiroz - Research Paper Business Communications

Memo

To: Dr. Carolyn Edwards, Professor at Business School.

From: Raul Quiroz, Master in Accounting Candidate

Date: October 22, 2014

Subject: Job Search Stress Impacts on our Physical and Mental Health and Suggestion for Stress Reduction

The purpose of this Action Memorandum is to provide the conclusions related to the research of the impact that the stress of job search has in physical and mental health, and to suggest action plans to reduce stress related to job search. Several thousand people around the globe lost their jobs due to economic conditions. In this research I will provide suggestions as of how to learn to reduce stress and to cope with anxiety.

Losing a job is a profoundly distressing experience negatively impacting our physical and mental health. Following the 2008 economic crisis, the suicide rate increase globally, this is an extreme situation, however, the economic crisis had a big impact in people’s physical and mental health.

Physical Health: It will be measure by people’s weight. When we are under stress, our bodies experience several changes like release of hormones; burst of energy; as well as shifts in the metabolism and blood flow (Scott, 2014). These changes cause to start gaining weight.

Mental Health: While examining the impacts of they pink slip to mental health, Ryan and Wanberg (2005) & Kinicki (2009) took “Metal-Analytical findings which suggests that the experience of unemployment is associated with low mental health, headaches and stomachaches related to high stress levels” (Wanberg, Zhu, Kanfer & Zhang, 2012, p. 261).

My suggestion to reduce stress related to the job search is based on Bianchi study of 8 personality traits and Wanberg, Zhu, Kanfer and Zhang paper showing the effect of different traits effect on mental health (Wanberg, et al. 2012, 261).

The research will focus on the impact stress related to job search on our physical and mental health, benefiting a broad audience currently looking for a job.

I am available to discuss further or answer any other questions. I can be reached at 212-559-2121 or [email protected]

IMPACT OF JOB SEARCH STRESS ON PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

Impact of Job Search Stress on Physical and Mental Health

Raul Quiroz

Kaplan University

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Table of ContentsExecutive Summary 4

Introduction 4

Impact of Job Search Stress on Physical and Mental Health 5

Research on Job Search Intensity, Mental Health and Job Search Success: 7

Job Search Stress and Healthy Eating (Fodor, 2014) 9

Suggested Actions People Can Take During Job Search to Reduce Stress 11

Conclusions 14

References 16

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Executive Summary

The year of 2008 marked the beginning of a critical change in the job market globally, mainly in the Financial Industry. There was massive number of laid offs. Even 6 years after the beginning of the crisis, there are still people who have not been able to find employment, others are working as waiters.

The impact of not having a job on physical and mental health is one of the major illness people go through, there are some extreme cases where people take their own lives.

This research targets those people who are currently unemployed of with fear of losing their jobs in the short-term. I have been unemployed for the last year and have lived the stress and frustration of job search. There are times were one feels hopeless and worthless.

Introduction

For most people, losing their job has high negative effects in their lives; not having a job translates into loss of stable income, and daily social contact (Hanisch, 1999). If this situation is extended for a couple o months, it might negatively impact both the physical and mental health.

There has been plenty of research studies trying to measure the impact of stress related to job search has in people’s physical and mental health. Two main papers After the Pink Slip: Applying Dynamic Motivation Frameworks to the Job Search Experience and Healthy Eating at Different Risk Levels for Job Stress: Testing a Moderated Mediation, were found have the most significance related to the analysis of the impact of job stress.

In late 2008, most of the industrialized countries entered into recession, causing significant job loss around the world. In the United States of America jobs loss increased at a record pace, bringing 2008 total job losses to 2.6 million. The unemployment rate rose to 7.2% in December 2008 from 6.7% in November. The severe drop in jobs loss in 2008 denoted the highest job-loss since 1945 – the end of World War II (Goldman, 2009).

According to Kochan, the US economy had 3.6 million less jobs after the crisis than before the depression began, and 18 million new jobs will be needed by the end of the decade to compensate for the difference and to absorb the growth in the labor force (Kochan, 2013).

In 1Q10, the US economy started a slow recovery. In September 2014, the unemployment rate dropped 0.2 percentage points to 5.9 percent. The number of unemployed people was 9.3 million. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014).

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Impact of Job Search Stress on Physical and Mental Health

The 2008 financial industry instability initiated the decline in the stock market,

bankruptcies, real estate depression, and increased in unemployment. The International Labor

Organization assessed that the number of people around the world without jobs reached about

212 million in 2009, a growth of 34 million compared with 2007 (International Labor

Organization (ILO), 2009). There were several concerns about the impact of the economic crisis

had on health (Financial Crisis and Global Health: Report of a High Level Consultation, 2009).

1Q044Q04

3Q052Q06

1Q074Q07

3Q082Q09

1Q104Q10

3Q112Q12

1Q134Q13

3Q144.0%

5.0%

6.0%

7.0%

8.0%

9.0%

10.0%

US Unemployment Rate

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

As seen in the above chart, unemployment rate in the US from 1Q04 to 1Q07 has been

decreasing in a steady pace. Beginning 2Q07, the unemployment rate started to slowly increase.

After 2Q08, the rate spiked impacted by the Financial Crisis; on December 2008 total job loses

was 2.6 million – the highest level in more than a decade.

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The unemployment rate continued to increase until 1Q10, where it hits its highest point at

9.9 percent, the US economy is recovering slowly, by 3Q14, the unemployment rate was 6.1

percent – levels seen in 2004.

Economic recessions and increase in unemployment result in rises in suicide (Swinscow,

2009). Chang, S., Stuckler, D., Yip, P., & Gunnel, D. calculated the suicide rate for 54 countries

(Chang, 2013). See chart below:

Suicide is the extreme impact related to job search or unemployment. There are however,

other symptoms that if not treated properly, they can cause permanent effect on physical and

mental health.

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http://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/347/bmj.f5239/F2.large.jpg?width=800&height=600


Research on Job Search Intensity, Mental Health and Job Search Success:

The impact of stress of job search on mental health is based in the Wanberg’s research

paper: After the Pink Slip: Applying Dynamic Motivation Frameworks to the Job Search

Experience. The author examines a self-regulatory framework focus on understanding the

dynamics of job search intensity and mental health over several months of unemployment

(Wanberg, 2012). Their methodology was to use a repeated-measures design, surveying newly

unemployed (three weeks or less) individuals weekly for 20 weeks; participants should be

between 25 and 50 years old and have had no unemployment insurance claim in the last four

years; bachelor’s degree would be the minimum level of education. Participants were classified

in two types:

1) Approach-Oriented : People in this category are promotion focus, and learning

orientation. They strive for personal goal and developing competencies.

2) Avoidance-Oriented : People in this category are preventions focus, performance

orientation, and anxiety related goal orientation. They try to avoid failure.

Conclusions:

Approach Oriented Avoidance OrientedStart

UnemploymentDuring

UnemploymentStart

UnemploymentDuring

UnemploymentJob Intensity High High No Evidence No Evidence

Mental Health High High Low Low

Approach Oriented Avoidance OrientedRelationship Motivation

ControlSelf Defeating Motivation

ControlSelf Defeating

Positive No Conclusive ConclusiveNegative No Conclusive Conclusive

Motivation Control

Self Defeating Reemployment Speed

Job Intensity Positive No Conclusive Positive

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Mental Health Positive No Conclusive No Evidence

Job Search Stress and Healthy Eating (Fodor, 2014)

Consumption of adequate amount of fruits and vegetables is an important component for

a healthy diet; it minimizes the risk of developing health problems related to been overweight

(Fruits, Vegetables and NCD Disease Prevention, 2003).

Stress contributes to weight gain in different ways:

1. When people are under a lot of pressure, the body responds by producing cortisol (a

stress hormone). It generates a rush of energy change the metabolism and blood flown

(Scott, 2014). If people continue in this state for long time, their health become at risk.

2. People under high levels of stress crave more oily, salty and sugar foods. The increase

of consumption of theses foods leads to increase in weight gain.

3. Prolonged stress has also a negative effect in the blood sugar levels. People experience

mood swings, weakness, and to hyperglycemia.

4. Avoidance of going to the gym or do any type of exercise during the period of

unemployment. This could be for two reasons, one in the lack of energy caused by the

bad health related to the stress, and the second might be related to reduction of

expenses.

Research, Healthy Eating at Different Risk Levels for Job Stress: Testing a Moderated

Mediation, done by Fodor is used to illustrate the impacts job stress has in people’s physical

health (Fodor, 2014).

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In his research, Fodor investigates the effect of job search stress on changes in health-

behavior. Fodor assumes that Job Stress is impacted by high “job demand” – emotional demands,

job search and home conflict – and low “job resources” – autonomy, social support, network.

Fodor proposes that healthy eating is negatively impacted by unfavorable job situations.

Healthy eating is defined based on World Health Organization (WHO) as fruits and vegetable

consumption (FVC).

Fodor main assumptions are related to action planning and coping planning that:

1) Support intention of healthy eating.

2) Might be potential mediators of the relationship between intentions and FVC.

Fodor concluded that both job demands and job resources were significantly associated with

action planning and coping planning. To adopt a healthy eating, individuals must have a specific

plan of action.

During unemployment, people feel frustrated and sometimes hopeless, under a lot of time

pressure, and instable conditions. Under such conditions, people tend to incline to eat comforting

food, such as fast food instead of healthy choices, like fruits and vegetables.

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Suggested Actions People Can Take During Job Search to Reduce Stress

Following the 8 steps analyses by Bianchinni in her paper 8 Personality Traits of People

Who don't Let Job Hunting Crush Their Souls (Bianchinni, 2014), may be helpful to reduce

stress, therefore reducing the negative impact stress has in people’s physical and mental health.

There is no monetary cost to implement the eight steps technique.

1. To accentuate the positive : In the current job crisis, the demand is higher than the supply.

Therefore, job seekers apply to as many as opening they see they fit their profile. However,

since the pool for unemployed is big, people get a lot of rejection letters. The more they get,

the more frustrated they feel, having negating thinking about themselves. To help reduce this

negativity, people can follow three steps:

1.1. Reflect if what you are feeling represents reality – are you really not good for any job?

Does feeling this way helps you to continue your job search? You should believe that the

answers to both should be no.

1.2. Keep strong and understand the current situation, talk to friends, coworkers that are in

the same situation. Analyze your past experience and see how far you have gone. There

is a place for everyone, do not get discourage.

1.3. Do what is best for you to build back your confidence. A suggestion for this is to know

yourself, who are you? What have you done? What drives you?

2. To identify your uncertainties : Stress, procrastination, confusion, and fear increase the

uncertainties during unemployment. To deal with uncertainty is to learn and get as much

information as possible to be ready for any unexpected outcome.

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3. To have passion and purpose : Take this as an opportunity to understand what you enjoy

doing. Most of the people do not enjoy what they currently do in their jobs, they are not

happy. They work because they have needs not because they like what they do. Think outside

the box and go for what you have passion for. If you think that your will pursue the new job

that will make you happy, it may help you to increase your motivation.

4. To “pressure-proof” yourself : Job-hunting as anything else is a task where people will

make mistakes. I am currently unemployed, and have made some mistakes, during the

interview process or in past jobs, that might have caused me not to get the job; yes, I felt

frustrated and depressed. I had to force myself to get out of that mood and convince myself

that I had/have/will make mistake, and instead of letting them drag me down, will learn from

them. Unemployed must be patient, persistent and, most important, resilient.

5. To Network, Network, Network : Most of the people when they are employed, forget about

keeping their outside and inside network alive. After getting laid off is when they realize that

networking is extremely important. In my case, for example, I was the treasurer and co-chair

for several organizations in NY; I knew a lot of people. I moved to Brazil, where I spent 8

years, and did not keep in touch with those contacts. After I got laid off, I wanted to get back

in touch, and found out, the hard way, that if you do not keep in touch, that network

disappears. For employed people, keep your network alive; for those already unemployed,

build it as fast as you can.

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6. To know the target company : When you have an interview set up; gather all the important

and most current information about the potential employer. Make sure that you understand

their business and the main problems facing by both the company and the industry. Be ready

with relevant questions, to convey how you can add value to the company, and what sets you

apart from the competition.

7. To convey confidence, no arrogance : Your approach can mean all the difference between

coming across as likable or not hirable.

8. To learn from each letdown : If you were not selected for the position you felt confident

about; do not get discourage. Think back and analyze what could have been the reason and

work on that.

Following this eight steps will keep you focus to get your goal – getting a job without letting

stress making you sick or becoming overweight.

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Conclusions

In late 2008, most of the industrialized countries entered into recession, causing

significant job loss around the world. In the United States of America jobs loss increased at a

record pace, bringing 2008 total job losses to 2.6 million. The unemployment rate rose to 7.2% in

December 2008 from 6.7% in November. The severe drop in jobs loss in 2008 denoted the

highest job-loss since 1945 – the end of World War II (Goldman, 2009).

It has been proved that unemployment has a big impact in people’s physical and mental

health, through the sudden changes people need to make to adapt to the new situations. The

impact on people’s health depends on the type of personality and how they cope with the new

scenario.

It is typically for a newly unemployed to feel angry and powerless. As time passes, they

accept their unemployment situation. There is an increase in energy, high hopes, and sometimes-

unrealistic expectations that can lift mood. However, at certain point, people start to feel

frustrated as they confront recurrent rejections.

Higher initial levels of job search intensity and mental health at the beginning of the job

loss experience greater success in obtaining job interviews. Individuals who maintain high level

of job search intensity over the duration of the job search had more interviews and found jobs

more quickly.

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There are eight steps that might help some people to reduce their stress levels and

potentially maintain or increase both their physical and mental health. People should:

1. Accentuate the positives;

2. Identify their hang-ups and fix them;

3. Have passion and purpose for their new job;

4. Be patient, persistent, and resilient;

5. Never stop networking,

6. Do their homework and be ready;

7. Be confident and never arrogant;

8. Never feel let down and always learn from each letdown.

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References

Bianchinni, J. (2014). 8 Personality Traits of People Who don't Let Job Hunting Crush Their

Souls: Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/3029886/work-smart/8-personality-

traits-of-people-who-dont-let-job-hunting-crush-their-souls

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2014, October). Retrieved October 3, 2014, from

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

Chang, S. S. (2013). Impact of 2008 Global Economic Crisis on Suicide: Time Trend Srudy in

54 Countries. BMJ .

Financial Crisis and Global Health: Report of a High Level Consultation. (2009). Retrieved 10

10, 2014, from www.who.gov

Fodor, D. P. (2014). Healthy Eating at Different Risk Levels for Job Stress: Testing a Moderated

Mediation. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology , 19 (2), 259-267.

(2003). Fruits, Vegetables and NCD Disease Prevention. World Health Organization.

Goldman, D. (2009, January 9). CNNMoney.com. Retrieved October 8, 2014, from

http://money.cnn.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fnews%2Feconomy%2Fjobs_december%2F

Hanisch, K. (1999). Job Loss and Unemployment Research from 1994 to 1998: A Review and

Recommendation fro Research and Intervention. Journal of Vocational Behavior , 55, 188-

220.

International Labor Organization (ILO). (2009). Retrieved 10 10, 2014, from

www.ilo.org/manila/info/public/pr/WCMS_124768/langen/index.htm

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Kochan, T. A. (2013, April). The American Job Crisis and its implications for the Future of

Employment Policy: A Call for a New Job Compact. ILRReview , 66 (2), pp. 291-315.

Scott, E. (2014). How Stress Can Affect Your Weight. Retrieved from

http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/weightgain.htm

Swinscow, D. (2009). Some Suicide Statistics. BMJ , 1951 (1), 1417-23.

Wanberg, C. R. (2012). After the Pink Slip: Applying Dynamic Motivation Frameworks to the

Job Search Experience. Academy of Management Journal , 55 (2), 261-284.

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Raul Quiroz - Research Paper Business Communications

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