Anxiety about job searching

mybestnightmare wrote:I am also dealing with about $113,000 in student loans, not including interest. I recently graduated law school, and I'll be taking the Bar in February 2016.

My goal is to be independent, but this long state of non-productivity has left me shell-shocked and doubting myself. What steps should I take to get to where I want to be?

Recently graduating from law school does not sound like a "long state of non-productivity". I guess it depends on what you consider long. Your parents are disappointed you are going to be a lawyer? Maybe you are being a bit too hard on yourself.

Get yourself on LinkedIn, start networking, participate in groups. It doesn't take long to build connections.

mybestnightmare wrote:I The problem is, I have no connections in the legal community, no money, no decent clothes, no experience, and not a very impressive school record. I feel that I might be in over my head.

First and most important thing.. you have got to get yourself out of this negativity because if you keep thinking this way, it'll crush you.
You have no connections.. make some. Find out where people from your desired field hang out and go to those places. Do they go to, let's say, gym? Start to network. Find out who is who in your desired line of work. Talk to people. Tell everyone you know what kind of job you're looking for. And so on.
No decent clothes...all you need is one suit and a couple of shirts, ties, a pair shoes... to get you through the job interviews and your first week at work. After that you can invest in more 'decent clothes'.
No experience... everyone starts off with no experience. Learn to sell yourself. List all positive things about yourself.
Not a very impressive school record... any more excuses?

mybestnightmare wrote:My goal is to be independent, but this long state of non-productivity has left me shell-shocked and doubting myself. What steps should I take to get to where I want to be?

Start by looking at reasons why you can instead of why you cannot. You have to do everything to get onto the positive spiral if you are serious about achieving your goal.

I agree you're only being hard on yourself.

You're taking the bar exam soon--that's really great!

This is the perfect time to get yourself together. Feb 2016 is just around the corner. Focus on two things: the bar exam, and your employment. Those will definitely keep you busy.

Don't get yourself into thinking too much until you pass the bar exam. You have to let it go. If you don't, it may only hinder you from getting what you want. You have to focus.

I don't think you're in a bad place. Be proud of yourself.

Good luck!

It takes time to build up your self confidence. Before you have it, fake it. Behave like a confident person, actively search for jobs, impress the potential employers by showing how good you are. Fake it until you have it.

If you were incompetent, incapable of work, you wouldn't be able to get to the law school. Trust yourself. Remind yourself of the past achievements you have. Don't let failures take away your confidence.

Just try your best. Don't be result oriented. Enjoy the process! Good luck!