Gadjah Mada Journal of Professional Psychology, Volume 7, Number 2, 2021: (page 164-173) E-ISSN 2407-7801 https://jurnal.ugm.ac.id/gamajpp DOI: 10.22146/gamajpp.68476 1 Address for correspondence: dannysanjaya@staf.unair.ac.id 164 Overcoming Insecurity in Competing for Jobs in the Pandemic Era Danny Sanjaya Arfensia 1 , Atika Dian Ariana 2 , Danu Aji Nugroho 3 , Ichwan Cahyono 4 , Nadhira Inastiti Raharjo 5 , Khoirunnisa 6 , Riris Ristiana 7 , Nono Hery Yoenanto 8 , Rudi Cahyono 9 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Airlangga Submitted 17 August 2021 Accepted 7 October 2021 Published 30 October 2021 Abstract. Limited job opportunities amidst high competition in job-seeking during the pandemic can create a sense of insecurity in competing for jobs. This study aimed to help individual overcome feelings of insecurity and increase confidence in competing for jobs in the pandemic era. The study used a psychoeducation program to improve Optimism and Confidence with Appreciative Inquiry approach. The intervention was held in virtual space, through a webinar that was attended by 33 participants. The data collection technique used a sampling technique. Data analysis was carried out using paired sample t-test. The result showed that there was a significant difference in the Optimistic dimension (t=2.528; p=0.020) and there was a significant trend in the Confidence variable (t=1.930; p=0.068). Psychoeducation with the application of the online learning model and Appreciative Inquiry approach can increase individual confidence, especially in the aspect of optimism. Keywords: appreciative inquiry; graduates; insecure; job seekers; psychoeducation In Indonesia, human resources are one of the important company assets, of which companies require quality human resources to compete and develop rapidly. The demand for the quality of the workforce continues to increase from year to year, so the competition for jobs for job seekers is also getting tougher. Even though job seekers have met these criteria, with many people seeking a job and limited employment opportunities, inequality has occurred which has increased the number of unemployed. Data from the Acting Head of the Manpower Service (Disnaker) Achmad Zaini (in Ginanjar, 2020) revealed that of the many unemployed are college and vocational school graduates. These groups are often referred to as “ready to work”. Data from the Surabaya City Manpower Office shows that since 2019, 2,591 people are unemployed (Wijayanto, 2020). This number is increasing due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. From April to May 2020, which was included in the initial period of the Covid-19, 497 people were laid off and 1,594 people were laid off by the company where they worked previously. This situation has put many unemployed college and vocational high school graduates, coupled with the uncertain pandemic situation and worsening the financial conditions of each company, a phenomenon of anxiety arise in the last year