Where to start the job search?
While the overall situation in the world and the job market is not particularly bright, it is important to remember that this is a long game and the one who holds on will win. Therefore, we all need to have patience and foremost make sure that we are okay. Just like in the instructions for an airplane in case of an emergency - first help yourself, then help others. This means that first and foremost you need to make sure that you are safe and that you can take cover from any threats at any time, that you have Plan A, B, C, and D and that you are ready to execute them. Therefore, if you have not yet worried about your physical safety, it is time to do so.
Secondly, make sure that you are able to function, you can continue your studies, you can continue working on your job search, and most importantly that you can work once you find a job. Because if you are barely surviving and your nervous system is already exhausted in your job search, how do you plan to put twice as much effort into the job? Understand that if you can afford to study unfamiliar topics at your own pace, look for answers to questions, etc., then during work there will often be a strict deadline, usually measured in hours, not days. So if you understand that you are on the verge and can no longer cope, it is time to take a break, perhaps not stop completely but reduce your workload to a minimum in order to regain your strength, take care of your mental health and make sure that you are able to move forward.
How do you understand that your energy is running out?
If you do not understand that you are about to "run out" soon, here are a few simple "red flags" that you can use to check your condition:
The most important thing is your mood and well-being. If you feel terrible, if you are constantly depressed and have no strength or desire to do anything more than 80% of the time, you are in the red zone. Yes, now is a difficult time, and many people are struggling, but if you do not balance your state and are not "in resource" for your affairs at least 50% of your waking hours, you will hardly cope. Therefore, I recommend, if you are not sure, to keep a "mood diary" and track your mood every 2-4 hours. There are a lot of mobile apps to make this process easier. But after a week or two, if your indicators are not satisfactory, I recommend promptly addressing the situation.
Also, if you sleep for 4 hours a day and the rest of the 20 hours you may be 50/50 okay and not okay, it may seem that everything is normal. But the truth is that we all know how much a person should sleep and if your sleep is not consistent, you sleep for 2-3 hours several times a day, you can't fall asleep for a long time or go to bed after 12, this is another big red flag. Because you can't fool your body. You can tell yourself as much as you want that everything is okay until your nervous system is exhausted and you will simply lie like a vegetable on the couch. Therefore, the second huge red flag is healthy sleep, or rather its absence. If you have problems with sleep - solve this problem as soon as possible.
Alcohol, drugs, and other stimulants. I don't think it's necessary to explain why this is bad. Of course, we all love to have a cup of coffee in the morning, but if you drink 10 cups a day, it's not good. Of course, you can have a beer on Friday evening, but if you drink every evening, you probably won't feel good. As for drugs, I hope you are smart enough not to engage in such activities. If not, I recommend seeking help from professionals, starting with a psychologist who may be able to help or at least refer you to the right specialist.
Chronic procrastination is not a critical issue, but it is still an important red flag. If you can afford to procrastinate most of your free time, which should be at least 8 hours without constant work (because you will not be able to work a full workday if you have less than 8 hours a day), then you should think about why this is happening and what you are doing wrong. If you don't want to do anything and have no mood, go back to point 1. If, on the other hand, you are determined in the morning, but after a couple of hours of work, you feel overwhelmed and don't know what to do, then you need to work on self-organization and time management. Otherwise, even if you are in perfect condition all the time, but you spend most of your time in vain, your chances of success will decrease proportionally to the time you miss.
I hope I was able to convince you that your well-being and state of mind are important aspects without which the job search process can take forever. Not to mention that even if you manage to get a job, you will have to work even harder! You will have to work even more and if you can't handle it once, it will already be a big problem, because the next employer is unlikely to prefer someone who has already failed to fit into the work and show themselves. Therefore, take your condition seriously and try to do everything to be able to effectively perform your tasks.
A few tips
I would also like to recommend a few simple practices and a couple of resources for help:
Take breaks: It is important to give yourself time to rest and recover, especially when we feel overwhelmed or stressed. Try the "tomato" technique - it helps me regulate the load and stay focused throughout the day.
Practice self-care: taking care of yourself physically and emotionally is crucial for maintaining good mental health. Be sure to get enough sleep, do regular physical exercise, eat a healthy diet, take vitamins, and do activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
Seek support: it is normal to ask for help when we are struggling with our mental health. Talk to a friend or family member, seek support from a mental health professional, or join a support group.
Set boundaries: it is important to set limits on your workload and make sure you are not taking on more than you can handle. This can help you avoid feelings of overload and burnout. Remember that you should work for a maximum of 8 hours a day, and no more than 12. But after 8 hours of sleep and 12 hours of work, you will have only 4 hours left which should not be spent on work. Time for personal matters and rest is just as important as time for work!
Practice stress and anxiety management techniques. It may seem like you don't need these, but it's hard to find someone who doesn't experience stress and anxiety at some point. Therefore, I recommend the following 3 books for self-help:
"The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook" by Martha Davis, Elizabeth Robbins Eshelman, and Matthew McKay
"The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" by Edmund J. Bourne
"Mindfulness for Beginners: Reclaiming the Present Moment and Your Life" by Jon Kabat-Zinn
You can find a huge amount of material on stress and anxiety management online and start trying different practices and techniques. The most important thing is that they help you.