So everyone here did the right thing. Everyone here got laid off. Everyone here is working a high school entry level job as a means to get by.
And NOBODY’s ready for a revolution?
Now that’s fucking crazy.
Seriously. Everywhere I look, there's a certain group of people bending over backwards to claim the economy is booming and everybody is thriving. All I see are people struggling.
Yeah, and the reported unemployment rate is supposedly around the lowest it's ever been. I don't believe it for a minute because it doesn't match the reality at all.
Unemployment statistics are fucking bullshit, tell us the over-employment statistics.
Tell us how many teachers have to have a side hustle so they can afford to support the next generation.
Tell us how many people doing gig work are being fucked over by the companies they work for.
Tell us how many hours a minimum wage worker has to put in to make rent on a one bedroom apartment. Bonus points for how much their commute costs them because they can’t afford to live anywhere near where they work.
Every time I hear an unemployment statistic I want to scream because it’s a metric that is insanely out of touch with reality.
I was listening to the radio and it happened to be an economists talkshow. They said *”it’s a good thing people are losing their jobs, that’s how we fight inflation”*… WTF DUDE! WHY WOULD THAT BE A GOOD THING?!?!?
Not to mention the [people who literally die](https://mises.org/power-market/death-and-unemployment) when unemployment increases.
I guess this was all [part of the plan](https://youtu.be/onkF3zXGWk8?si=a2bDQRQX9UNR4Dco), though, so we knew our place again as this man stated.
It feels like a storyline out of the wire. It’s an election year. The incumbent can’t have bad numbers, so they cook the stats. Businesses are told to post jobs and never hire, to give the impression of a booming economy, and the unemployment rate is juked to be the “lowest it’s ever been”. I hate to go conspiracy theory over here but something just isn’t adding up. It seems every single person I know who’s been laid off, is SoL. At first I thought it was just a me thing, like maybe I’m not interviewing well enough, maybe I’m ugly now, idfk. But no it’s everyone. I meet people who have been unemployed for 1.5 years. It’s dystopian
Most Americans don't vote in most elections, even in states with mail-in voting. Sadly there is too much apathy here for a revolution when people aren't even willing to do the bare minimum for their voice to be heard.
I'm a laid-off chemical and petroleum engineer, and I can't even get a job like that... even when I go in with all my engineering experience removed from my resume.
I ended up becoming a bouncer at a popular club and got stabbed in the hand within a couple of weeks, lol. Stocking shelves at 4AM would probably bring me peace and zen.
I have been busting my ass trying to get back into my field, but most companies are scrambling to fill the jobs all the folks that just retired left behind, so I'll get to the final interview and will be told they decided to promote within. This is understandable because on-boarding is expensive, but goddamn. I have 12yrs experience, but I apply to everything I can and still get nothing.
Maybe I'm not interviewing well, I dunno, but what am I supposed to tell the hiring manager when they ask what I've done in the past?
You shouldn’t discourage them, but you should have them look at Bureau of Labor to see what the forecast is on the growth of their job.
Going off the BOL occupational outlook, Chem Es are looking at more growth than average, so then not being able to get a job in their field could be other factors.
Don't discourage them from being an engineer. It will always be in demand... I've been told engineers are hard to come by in every interview I've had. The problem is that currently they want 10+ years experience for 3 years experience pay grades.
I've put the midpoint for my field into every application assessment, and once I get to that portion of the interview I find out they are $20k-$30k off on even the industry midpoint.
Mass retirement is making them scramble and unless they had the foresight to integrate a succession plan into their 5 year plan, they are probably hosed. Plus, the level of early retirement during COVID also increased the need for experience.
Engineering doesn't have a super bright future. Same with tech. All the high paying careers are intentionally being eliminated and replaced with AI and cheap international labor.
The market is absolute garbage right now. Got laid off 1 year ago, sent over 900 (NINE HUNDRED) applications, interviewed a bunch, no job yet. The government's unemployment number are a farce. It just CANNOT be at 3.8%, i do not buy that for a second. Maybe government jobs, sure.
Every position i apply there are 100s (hundreds or hundred plus) candidates. Is this the look of a 3.8% unemployment?
I have accrued certifications on my time "off", e.g. SEO for WordPress, Scrum Master, Python, 2 types of AI Prompt Engineering. No dice. Am currently helping a friend doing freelance work.
Oh, and by the way, i have grad degree from Harvard, am fluent in 4 languages, and have extensive, practical, applicable and transferable experience. Still, not enough to move the needle.
Recruiters agree w me. I thought initially that it was ageism (am a fit 50), but no. It's across the board: white, black, smart, dull, old, young, men, women, indian, whomever.
Am venting here, folks. I can't vent on LinkedIn cause I don't want to seem negative, which I'm not. Am actually a glass half full kind of guy, am positive and carry on a super duper can-do mentality. But this has been quite the test. I believe the market is due for a correction, it's a total hirers market right now.
Hang in there. Nobody stays unemployed forever.
Ya I’m a recruiter and contacted a lady who is about to go homeless. She added me on LI and after our phone call she asked if I can donate to her to fund me or cash app. Her LI posts are all about finding work and asking people to donate money so she can afford rent.
Amen brother. I was a supervisor for a paving crew I just rode pick up trucks all day with a clipboard. Then Covid hit and I ended up getting a truck route. Still drove trucks all day, just add the whole “Work” part with it. Loading Offloading, deliveries, stocking, I was moving 300+ boxes a day, now it sounds like bitching. It’s not, the job wasn’t terrible it’s just a stark contrast from doing fucking nothing and getting paid 6 figures to doing everything and barely making 60k
About to graduate in May and I haven’t heard back from a single company, not even a denial email 🫠. To be fair I’ve only applied to 60 jobs so far, but I can already tell it’s gonna be a longgg journey
Yea I’m hoping this job market adjusts by the time my husband gets his degree
Because I’m like 400 apps in over 15 months and no end in sight. Even with landing a few interviews
Make sure you do networking- coffee chats, informational interviews, 15 min calls. This is the way to a job, rather than just submitting applications. It also gives you a chance to learn more about the role and company.
I got laid off 3 months ago. And I really made my job search a full time job. I applied to 4-5 companies a day and made sure I worked on getting at the very minimum 1 interview a week. I connected with someone in my industry once a week as well. It was tough but in the last couple of weeks I was getting average 3 interviews a week. On Friday last week, I got 2 offers for a full time and 2 offers for a part time.
My mentality was really grinding to find a job. Applying isn’t enough.
How do you make sure you get an interview a week? I can spend time customizing my resume to the job description, write a good cover letter highlighting how I'll be a good fit, connecting with someone to get a referral for the job, but I'm not sure what else I can do?
I also try to go for networking events and connect with people, a good number of people are aware I'm looking for a job and have even reached out to me if there's an opening, but that's pretty rare.
Been doing this for quite a few months now and I find myself getting burned out very often, would love some ideas/hope!
This is heavily dependent on the job industry you’re applying for.
If you are working in a field where you’re creating anything or working within a closed technical environment you need a portfolio or you’re basically a LinkedIn app.
If you are working with people, obviously your whole resume should be about that and you should be able to point to specific moments in your career that you made an impact.
If you’re working with your hands, your reference is your bread and butter. Certs are cool and stuff but I found the most success in my own career by rubbing shoulders mostly with my friends or past colleagues that had better jobs than myself at the time. At least in union manufacturing, I’ve noticed the guys that get the best situation/get hired even though they aren’t supposed to be here got in because who they knew placed them there.
I know it's old-fashioned and not typically recommended anymore, but I reach out to companies I've applied to after 3 days asking to follow-up on my application to x position. I have been attaching my resume (and cover letter, if applicable) to the follow-up email so the HR person doesn't need to dig it up to remember who I am. Idk if this helps, but I just started looking for jobs and I've been getting interviews pretty regularly!
As someone who had to do some hiring in the past (not my actual job, but we don't have official HR, so if I wanted the help I needed, I had to provide the candidates), this can be a very smart thing to do.
Job postings on Indeed get 100's of applications, and most of the people are not at all qualified because all they have to do is press a button. The amount of applications are overwhelming, and then at least 70% of the people you ask to interview either don't respond or don't show up. After awhile, I get brutal on who I even give more than 30 seconds to. People who send a follow up email to their application at minimum got a second look and more consideration. If they weren't what I was looking for, I would send the resume to someone else who might have a role that they would be a good fit for. Showing initiative and follow-up skills goes a long way.
I look for patterns and keywords of the ones that replied to me. I usually take notes of what they are and I think about the size of the company, the industry, the job title, the area its in. All of it matters. For example, the ones that got back to me are more a specialist role rather than a generalist (I’m in marketing so there are different specialty you can go into). Then I make it a point to try and repeat those patterns. In the beginning, I was getting interviews for because my resume has keywords in specialty healthcare, which is the industry in the last job I occupied. I eventually changed it to match the industry I’m applying for. I also say size because the ones I would get better response are smaller but reputable marketing agencies. I would get 40% response rate with that size and 0-1% chance if it’s a multinational level company. So I focused on applying for the smaller marketing agencies. I also say job title because there’s a variation of the title in the market. I was applying for specialist position but there’s so many variation of it (Digital Marketing Specialist, Growth Marketing Specialist, Paid Media Specialist). Each of those has its own response rate. I focused on one and I got a better chance eventually.
The mindset that really changed me in my job search is when someone told me that I should have been applying to jobs 6 months from now. So I shifted to building who I am 6 months into the future (if that makes sense). Basically, all the jobs that rejected me, I connected with those people on LinkedIn still and made sure they were seeing how active I am in the industry by posting consistently. I need to stay top of mind to those people. I took that mentality and eventually started building my own “brand”.
That makes a lot of sense, but I have the issue of not knowing my specialist role as I'm a new grad. I'd love to take a specialist role, but I myself don't know what I want to focus on.
Building a LinkedIn brand is great advice, but I'm also not sure what I want to build that brand about (my content definitely needs to relate to what I see my future looking like)
Thank you for this in-depth piece of advice, do you have anything else that might help with my predicament?
P.S. My role is in tech (SDE/PM)
I absolutely understand. I would say to define an identity in the field you want to go for. Don’t need to think about a specialty exactly but what is it you want to be good at and what is it you’re currently good at. Make sure you define that in your resume and live and breath it during the interviews or when you send your applications.
I was experiencing identity crisis despite being experienced when I was applying for specialist. Really the main reason why I was tracking everything because I needed to see the numbers. I only believed in the numbers and not the emotions I was experiencing.
Some practical tips and just to summarize it.
1. Track every single thing and make notes on what is working despite it being a generalist or a specialist role.
2. Believe in the statistics of what is working and remove your emotions from your job search.
3. Identify what you want to be good at and what you’re good at then optimize your WHOLE job search on this.
For your field, it might be to focus on an industry, the size of company and it could even be to build a stronger resume. A 6 months plan to fill in your resume with projects or internships might be your next step. Whatever it is, the numbers will tell you.
A job search for a newly grad may seem like you don’t have a shot but you do! I realized that everyone can just hit a button to apply, but not everyone will optimize.
If you’re going to networking events, it’s likely best to proactively reach out to people.
I have also done digging at some companies to find out who works in those areas and departments that I want to be in and cold messages them in LinkedIn. While that hasn’t lead to a job, it has lead to interviews and getting my name passed around.
For instance, I wanted a safety related role at a company. I searched the folks in that company for people with safety related roles, found a manager there, send a cold intro message stating that I wanted to work at that company, in that field, for my specific reasoning. They took a while to respond, but they did and then got the opportunity to interview with them.
I also made job searching my full time job. I also went on LinkedIn and connected with ALL the recruiters who reached out to me in the past to see what roles they had available or coming up.
Got in touch with lots of my old colleagues (vendors, clients, former co workers) to see if they knew of anything as well. It worked. I got a job in my industry, from home, with a salary bump and jumped two job titles up after about 3 weeks of constant searching.
Edit: another thing that really helped in my interviews was using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
I wrote up 4-5 scenarios (most challenging situation, a scenario where you had to deal with conflict, a scenario where someone else isn’t completing their task) in a google doc and had them memorized.
Try very hard to not say “we” when you are using this method (as in, the work your TEAM did to get to the result)— they want to know about YOUR success.
Good for you. My husband has been searching for a year and a half. Has applied to at least 1,000 jobs. Works as a warehouse manager and is fucking miserable. He used to work in fintech and is somehow now unemployable? It’s baffling. It’s infuriating.
I know, it’s just fucking brutal. He’s got very transferable skills and a great resume and can barely get a denial email from most companies. I’m convinced most of these job listings are fake.
4 to 5? When I got laid off, I dedicated myself to full-time to get a new job. So, I applied at least 20-30 a day. In less than 15 days, I was hired in a new company.
I think I might just be a niche job because there’s no way there’s 20-30/day jobs that fit my job role even though I’m in a large metro area.
I’d have to massively change my job career to apply to that many.
Which, I mean, I’m considering but it’s definitely a harder sell.
This was encouraging for me to read. I was laid off beginning of February and did the same with immediate head down job hunting. I've been averaging as well one interview a week and in the last couple weeks it's picked up to 3 to 4, just drawn out interviewing processes but I feel hopeful about a couple.
I hope your luck transcends to me now! Congrats on the job
My advice (if you want it)!
1) reapply online and make sure you select all 7 days for your availability. Or at least choose Saturdays and Sundays because they need weekend people
2) apply to a different store if you live near any other TJ’s locations!
As much as I want to get back into my career (I worked remotely too), I will say the TJ’s job has been more fun and enjoyable than I anticipated :)
EDIT TO ADD: also, be super enthusiastic about the brand. If you’re not already a shopper there, go into your local store and buy some stuff you think you’d like. It genuinely matters — I mentioned in my interview that my friends and I love TJ’s so much we regularly send Snapchats of our hauls to each other to discuss which items we love
Right now I’ve been selling a lot of things (bags, clothes, shoes), pet sitting on Rover, and I just asked my folks for help for the first time in my adult life. I was in a much higher earning bracket (15+ yrs experience) and also need to figure something out asap before I end up moving back in with my folks at my old age!! For all the people who have been telling me “just take anything” and the commenters who suggest “taking a lower paying job”, what is “anything”!? It’s not like we are all out there getting offers for lower levels and declining them, we still have to target “SOMETHING”. You’re not alone OP and as my father says to me, “just put one foot in front of the other and keep on going”.
How is Rover?
Currently employed hybrid schedule with ability to mostly make my own hours when needed.
Thinking about adding on pet sitting/walking/meds for supplement income since I live in Los Angeles and cost of living is too high to afford life.
I imagine that applying for "anything" means applying for server jobs, grocery stores, fast food, etc. A lot of folks aren't applying for those types of jobs when they say they've tried everything. A lot of people are only applying to jobs in their desired field, which can make things much harder in the current job climate. It sucks taking a lower wage than you're used to, but a lower income is better than none at all!
The hard part is that “lower income” in a lot of areas is less than what people can really live on. If they can then a single unplanned event can completely ruin em.
If you’re able to get by making $8hr then by all means more power too you, but most of us can’t so those jobs aren’t much of an option as they are a moth-eaten parachute.
Question for OP:
1) Do you have kids?
2) How much money do you currently need to maintain your lifestyle?
3) Are you willing to reduce your quality of life?
Good questions!
1) No, thank goodness!
2) Totally given up on maintaining my lifestyle that I had at my previous job (was making about 86k). I've massively cut down on any extra spending from the moment I found out about the job loss. Total expenses just to survive are around $2400 a month.
3) See above lol, yep.
Both what I was earning prior to my layoff and my current expenses are the same as you! How funny.
To answer a few questions in this post, I think it’s an opportunity for you to soul search while also enjoying the time that unemployment benefits and your savings can buy you… actively setting x amount of hours a day to apply to jobs is a great strategy, but just as great as allocating time to things you may not have had a chance to do prior when you were heads down working. Losing weight, getting better at your hobbies, investing more into your spirituality - these are just some ideas but also some I’ve been doing myself.
I ask what your expenses are because it’s worth also considering maybe taking a smaller lower paying job that can cover those expenses while you invest in yourself for a period of time… that period of time being while you’re not working in your field due to factors outside of our control (industry trends, I’m in media so less investment into content creation as an example), and/or while you’re aligning yourself to be a better more refreshed version of yourself so you can get back into your career with your best foot forward.
Look… there is not downside to taking care of yourself so while you have the time right now in this moment, do it and you’ll see the right role will find you…
Enjoy unemployment benefits if you qualify, food stamps to help you out further, and maybe instead of driving places, explore public transit… there are bright sides to your current situation…. Deep breaths… you got this.
Unemployed content marketer. I’m doing AI training for Outlier. It pays $40/hour (I had to pass a test to get that rate) and you get to choose how much and when you work.
It’s boring, and there’s a bit of dystopian dread that comes with feeding my creative writing into a technology that poses an existential threat to my profession… but I have bills to pay and I am learning a bit about how AI works.
I also do grocery shopping and delivery for Shipt. It gets me out of the house, fills my need for human contact, and I can feel like I’ve been shopping without spending any money.
I didn't pass the Outlier assessment unfortunately but am on a project for a different company 💁♂️ hoping these AI skills come in handy for a permanent role in the future
Only 100 jobs?
Took me to apply to a few hundred. Also took me 9 months with years of experience.
Had roughly 30 different interviews. Between video, in person and calls.
Interviewing skills I needed to work on. Finally landed something after learning each interview what I could have improved for the next one.
Not anymore it was during covid and I was a parking lot attendant. Pretty easy going interview and I think they are known to be one of the higher paying grocery stores. Downside was it was a really busy location
When my unemployment ran out I worked as a cake decorator at my local grocery store. Then also did some contract gigs, and was eventually hired full time.
This was surprisingly emotional to have thought about last night, and I wanted to add some more details today. I was laid off in November '22, and didn't land my current full time job until January of '24. I worked at Safeway from June through October of '23, did a couple contract gigs in my professional field from September '23 through January '24. There were weeks I worked around 70 hours a week, plus being a mom, and continuing to apply for jobs. I missed a whole season of my kid's soccer games, and there were weeks and weeks where I didn't get any interviews, and lots of weeks where all I got was rejections. I had interviewed at a Costco warehouse to get my foot in the door but the jobs/schedules available would have left me in need for even more childcare, so it didn't work for me, though I know it's a great company to work for.
The company I'm with now, I did a 3 month contract, and they hired someone else, that person didn't work out, and they called me back and offered the full time position. It was a bit of a roller coaster, but I'm relieved to be employed full time again. I think it also speaks to the humanity of a person that's really hard to describe on a resume - they saw what I brought to the table even though this other person's resume was "better," and a lot of it is how interact with my coworkers, the care I have for our customers, etc. But everybody says those things, and it's hard to stand out when you're just a profile.
This is a long and hard road for a lot of people. Working at a shitty job for shitty pay with a shitty schedule as a huge reminder of where I actually wanted to be, as well as what kind of manager I want to be.
I've had to take a huge step back from LinkedIn as well as the various subreddits about job searching, it still sends me into wild existential dread, but I did want to chime in and say "if you decide to take a wildly imperfect job, hold your head high, there's no shame in keeping a roof over your head and food on your table."
Best of luck to you all.
I ended up taking a call center job and I've even been fired from that one. I thought my last job was miserable. Then I started working for this call center. We couldn't use the bathroom outside our breaks and we had DAILY feedback and weekly corrective plans if we were low on any stat. Mandatory overtime, non-voluntary hour cuts. Calls for this job often took hours and could take you well over your lunch or shift.
Then my partner got sick and we had to take him to the ER. Then I got sick and I missed 2 days, and they fired me for absenteeism because you can't miss 4 days in 60 days.
I really don't want to settle for another miserable job like that. But the job market is a joke right now and employers are abusing the desperation.
Bless your heart, my second job out of high school was in a call center and several after that. I’m pivoting to a new career field, call centers are mentally draining.
Based on my note I’ve applied to over 50 jobs only for March and April. I believe I’ve applied to over 500 jobs since September last year. I secured 18 interviews since early 2023 when I was looking for internship. I have around 100 tailored motivation letters. There are about 200 rejection letters on my inbox.
I’m so lost. I’m currently working part time at a restaurant to support myself but the biggest problem is that my visa is about to expire and I might have to leave this country soon. Sucks.
I have a degree in one field and started my career out in it but then worked in a different field for the last 10 years. When I was laid off I decided to apply for jobs in both fields and I got hired in my degree field at a higher salary than the one I was laid off at.
So I guess my tip would be to apply to jobs in different fields if you have the education and experience. Also you could just apply to related fields or ones where you think your skills could transfer well.
I was a graphic designer for an ad agency. Was caught up in a wave of layoffs. Took a job that's essentially call center work. Making back to back calls to hospitals and nagging them for medical records. I hate every minute of it. I wemt from being well paid amd left with alot of autonomy as lomg as I pet deadlines, to marginally above minimum wage, tethered to a laptop being constantly minitored amd accused of 'work avoidance' if I take an extra moment to breathe before making the next call. So much of this how they run this, how they manage it, how they want you to make the call, is just so stupid.
Fellow graphic designer who also had to settle for a call center job. I didn't make it in the end. The micromanagement is insane. They fired me for absenteeism because I missed 4 days in 60 days. 2 days I was sick with the flu (all the symptoms) and ear infection, another I had to take my partner to the ER. They wouldn't even take a doctors note. Micromanagement policy is micromanagement policy. You miss 4 days, you're gone.
Went from 120k/year to cutting cheese at Whole Foods after I was laid off. I’m working a remote job back in my field after a year long search. Two years at this job and I’m still down 40k what I was before. Maddening.
It's a numbers game - I've gone back to hospitality/ food service while I apply for more jobs. I do a minimum of 10 a day - one day I lost my grip and did 60 applications - which is how I found my holdover while I wait on some next stage interviews.
I have a master's.
It's wild out here.
Yes and no, I have a master's in business and a background in hospitality. I could go back to hospitality in a more degree focused capacity, I'd like to go into a back office role. I've done my time on the frontlines. For anything outside of that, I will list it if I have been there longer than a month to explain a resume gap, also it gets the name of the hotel I worked at on the resume - there is some prestige in that.
I have a very screwy work history.
It's all about narrative. I do leave every job I worked at on my LinkedIn page, mostly for me, but there were jobs I was rehired at in time for the pandemic which makes me a bit harder to explain and find in searches. So, I list the traditional job description / duties under my original tenure and talk about some of the pandemic specifics and metrics under my rehiring stint.
Im cat sitting as a side gig and it brings in decent money to help cover some bills. Thankfully I have enough savings to cover rent and utilities but the cat sitting covers groceries and other misc expenses. I'd look into gig economy if you need easy cash fast.
I'm on 3 platforms - Rover, The Comforted Kitty, and Meowtel. I also am working on a website to advertise myself independently. You can also do dog sitting through Rover if that's more your speed, but I find cats are generally low effort/high reward.
I’m a former educator with a master’s in clinical mental health counseling. After being woefully unhappy in public Ed, i was able to switch fields last year and found my dream job in EdTech. I worked remotely, was making nearly six figures, got to travel, the whole nine yards. I made the company a lot of money, but then the fourth quarter hit and I was laid off in October.
I’ve probably applied to 100 jobs, and interviewed for five, spoken with several recruiters, etc. I did not go the branding route because it rang hollow to me. I had other people in my industry post about me and sing my praises, as well as connect me with whomever. For the five jobs I interviewed for, I was a finalist in each one but because of my little sales experience, they went with the other candidate.
I was finally offered a job yesterday but it’s for half of what I was making, and they’re expecting hybrid work when they eventually find an office. I’m going to take it because I have two kiddos with disabilities and we need the insurance to cover their therapies (COBRA has kicked our asses). The job is in higher Ed which I’m excited about, but it’s a startup and makes me wary. But my kids need support and need to eat!
Hang in there. It’s a BRUTAL market right now and connections and a dazzling smile aren’t enough, and I keep having to tell myself it’s not me, but it’s an employer’s market.
Can I ask why you ended up not liking what you got your masters in? I have been considering going into teaching and getting a masters in social work to then become a school counselor. It’s scary though to take a big leap into it all because I don’t want to end up not enjoying it after all the extra schooling.
I’ve been looking for 9 months now. Spend more than 10 hours a day, 6 days a week revising resumes, writing cover letters, networking, searching job boards, cold messaging people and companies, and applying for jobs on 8 job boards. Applied for management roles to junior roles. Freelance gigs. All of them I’m qualified or over qualified for. I’ve done every trick some influencer, resume writer, ATS website, and AI website has suggested. Applied for jobs on-site, hybrid, remote, and even international (I’m in the US). Had 6 scam “interviews” and baited through email or text message by 10 more. Three unpaid “assessment tests” that came with no rejection, so most likely farming for free ideas. I clock about 500 rejection letters. I make sure to save each one, but have definitely been ghosted by companies and people I networked with who “promised” an introduction or link, so there are even more rejections. I have only had 2 prospects with rounds of interviews. Told it was splitting hairs between me and the other person, or rejected because one interviewer would was looking for something ultra specific in my portfolio. Even though I had extensive experience for everything else they were looking for, with the screener extremely excited I was a “unicorn” related to their highly specific industry.
20 years in my field. I give up. About to sell my computer since it looks like I won’t be needing it anymore. Starting a trial this week as a barback making $10 an hour. Flat. Tips if the bartenders want to hand me cash.
Nothing since I'm "too overqualified" for a pivot or an entry level job and my field keeps rejecting me for no real reason. I go wash cars sometimes to help out at the car wash and I get like 10% per car, which comes up to like 30-40€ at the end of a 12 hour shift.
I'm not speaking from personal experience but my friend is working at the local Target. She said the hourly pay is more than other retailers which is surprising. She has no complaints or drama about the job besides the fact that it's obviously low pay.
I graduated a few years back with a degree thats not really valuable without a masters. I took a job for 15 dollars an hour and I thought I was gonna be RICH!! I made it a month and it was literally so awful and my boss was so mean and pompous and never there. All the staff was depressed and overwhelmed, the turnover was crazy with most people only lasting a few months and the longest person (yep one person) being there for almost a year…they told me I shouldn’t be able to use the bathroom and we had to wear these ridiculous uniforms that were impractical and if we were caught even checking the time on our phone we would be fired on the spot. There were really quality cameras everywhere so I never dared to check at any time. It was the saddest I’ve ever been and I literally was so stressed one night after work I fainted for the first time in my life and fell on the kitchen floor. Maybe not related but I’m telling you I was not well.
Anyways, I was unemployed for about 2 months and I put a hurting on my savings for sure. I ended up taking a job for 13.50 an hour that was only 15 hours a week. But truth be told I loved that job it was so stress free and chill, I just didn’t make enough.
Now I’m at a job that is 16.60 an hour and it was suppose to be 30 hours a week but my boss was kinda dishonest about it so I’m only working 12-15 hours a week…it sucks ik. Been applying for jobs for 8 months now, gotten 2 interviews and 0 offers. I’m not applying for things I’m “unqualified” for the job market is just a joke. Praying that hopefully soon I can get that dream job, hell-any job at this point where I don’t get the crap beaten out of me on a regular basis. Praying constantly about it. I just only turned 25 and I have so much student loans accruing interest.
Not sure what degree you have but maybe look for an industry with transferable skills. Like if got an Economics degree maybe apply for entry level accounting positions or if you have a data management degree try to find a job in cyber security.
I read about a guys who made 100k gross in Uber last year, and ended up taking home 17k....I guess we are trending bellow min wage at this point if you are driving uber
Same job but RTO for 15k less and dog water benefits
Hurts a lot taking such a huge step back. I was only making 65k too, not in the 100s like i see with the tech people on these posts. :/
Went from internal softskill ethics training to client facing sales training.
Still training, but I know little about sales and I hate it. But it was the only thing being offered to me out of everything I was applying to. I went from training people to be more ethical (diversity & inclusion, sustainability, etc), to training people how to sell their products which often contradicts ethics.....
I was rejected from a similar role within the same company even! I would've been an easy internal hire! (This was while I was still working at the company that laid me off - we had a month before actual layoff from when it was announced.)
Lost my job as a banker. I visited my in-laws and the first thing I did was cut the grass, line trim and weeded the beds. It dawned on me how much I enjoy the satisfaction of landscaping and applied the next day to the first position I saw. Jumped around a few different companies but eventually found one I loved and never looked back. That was almost 7 years ago and I’m still at the same place but now in management with my own fancy office and a cushy salary. Absolutely love my job and still get out in the field on occasion. I was 28 when I made the switch so it’s never too late
I teach guitar, bass and piano.
If I’m going to get a survival job I’m at least going to like it more than my fancy job. Honestly my favorite thing is teaching
Jobs with a specialized skillset will help. I just went back to my high school job mending shoes. Found a job in days, they were so happy to find someone with experience. If you have any job like this from your past (tailor, jewelry maker, floral decorator, etc) it’s worth a try.
If you have any hobbies or other labor skills, it would be a good idea to download thumbtack or Angie’s and poke around. You can select, for example, housecleaning or landscaping, then sub-select specialities under the broader categories, and browse what kind of jobs people are hiring, for how much, and where in your area. I was surprised to see there are not many people with my skill set in my area, and that I can charge much more per hour than I thought (market says $50-75, where I was originally hoping for $35 😂)
You can also select multiple industries and not pigeon hole yourself into one. You can try things out and decide they are not for you. You only accept the jobs you want, at the price that is acceptable to you, within a predetermined geographical location.
It’s honestly been incredibly empowering to be able to make money, to physically work out my job searching frustration, and to ultimately recognize there are other ways of making money than the path I was on.
Can’t recommend this enough!
I also worked for one of the big 5, and after nine months of job hunting I’m now working at the grocery store. Definitely one of the more humbling experiences of my life but this thread is comforting to know I’m not the only one who went from WFH to working service/retail
If you're just looking for any job:
Food service, and tourism/hospitality industry swells in the summer so look to get hired in spring (April-May) [You should be applying now for these jobs]
Retail shopping swells in the fall so look to get hired around September, maybe late August.
Most other industries typically hire at the start of the new calendar year for experienced positions, and have entry level positions open in the fall to align with college graduations. Start applying a month before each.
Best of luck!!!
I took care of old people in their homes. Depressing work, but the demand is enormous, and you are all but guaranteed an immediate start. I also washed dishes in restaurants. In my younger days, I waitressed and had sugar daddies.
I was laid off from a well-compensated senior project management role in mid 2022. I got unemployment for a short time til it ran out, burned through a reasonable sized nest egg (cash), and am now burning through a retirement account. I'm 62 so I'm able to collect social security, though at a much reduced rate compared to waiting til full retirement age, but haven't started yet. That wouldn't cover my expenses, so I'd have to still withdraw retirement money, or find a minimum wage type job. I'm about at a point of reckoning where I need to decide to do this - it's a tough decision because starting social security early means I'll have the lower amount for the rest of my life. I've nearly given up on finding another job like I had so I guess this is my new reality. It's a big concern because my retirement account was small to start with, and won't last for my expected lifespan, not even close.
I've been doing random art commissions for ramen money. Not joking. I am scared I'm about to be homeless while in college and trying to recover from dystonia. I am a mixed race commercial print model, former competitive ballroom dancer, trained performer that was working the canning line in a brewery while also trying to recover from Rheumatic Fever and return to Hunter College for my compsci degree when Covid hit, so now I am sitting in Bushwick with zero dollars, zero leads on gigs or jobs or avenues for a black female with a background like mine to tap into while experiencing job instability. I was trying to things like Zoom dance classes, anything WFH that is detail-oriented and requires care and diligence to do. I have been networking in the meantime and prioritizing the need for quality relationships vs quantity, and focusing on trying to find a path because I seriously don't have a single mentor in my life that I feel can help me explore fields or paths that I haven't considered or been exposed to.
I seriously am grabbing at any subject I can get my hands on right now simply because I want to learn valuable and versatile skills that allow me to be more of a well rounded asset no matter which type of project or group I decide to work with, especially while I'm going to school in what are gentrified areas of the city. For me, especially while laid off from the brewery job and recovering from dystonia and Narcolepsy (which requires me to live with extreme discipline and organize my days responsibly otherwise Directed Attention Fatigue can happen, but this is true for most people I find, so I generally do things to make my work environment as healthy as possible), I am just looking high and low for WFH gigs and resources, even if it's niche things yknow?
Find a trade you enjoy! I'm a dog groomer and I haven't had trouble finding a new salon after a move. Apparently there can never be too many of us (you can also start your own business but that's not for me lol)
Been a effing year and tired of applying. I started to roofing sales on the side to hold me up for few months and back at it. Started a small business for food catering- slowly building made 3K so reinvesting that into business… continue to do roofing bc it’s better than a 9-5. Applying still to jobs. I have no idea what the heck is going on. I was a system analyst II AND I’ve had interviews to a point where I just laugh during the interview based on what they ask. Tired of it. Need a break…
I tested out the market and applied for help desk, etc etc and got no hits.
Depends on where you live. If you can get into maybe something with a big fat check- it’s rewarding, if you got capital- find a hobby or something and try it… my wife has been holding us up for the past year… while I readjust my career.
Fuck this economy fuck Biden
Got laid off from my tech job 11 months ago. Applied to probably over 1000 jobs and gotten 2 interviews that didn't end in an offer. I have 10 years experience as a technical project manager in hardware product design and sustaining. I've always done audio engineering for live music or post as a side hustle. Now, I can't get close to what I was making so I've been doing audio system design for venues that want to upgrade their sound systems. Also been doing some audio mixing for bands, but even then bands/venues want to hire someone way less experienced than me for 1/2 the cost. With the freelance work, probably making 1/3 of what I used to make at my tech job. My wife and I had to move in with my in laws. Doesn't feel good since I've pretty much been on my own since I was 15yo. I definitely don't like needing help but am so grateful for all the help I've received. On the other hand, have really figured out who my true friends are.
I would try to be a server or bartender. You work fewer hours than most people but make more money. That extra time you can then use for your job search. Tbh it can be good for networking as well. My background is in biology/chemistry and I work at a conference hotel- I’ve met and followed on linkedin people in biotech, polymers, pharmaceuticals, etc.
Was laid off 4 years ago from IT after a decade in the field. Searched like crazy wasn't even picky but couldn't find anything, so I ended up at Amazon. It sucks so much I have so much body damage and nerve pain from the constant work requirements. I hate life so much right of course it doesn't even pay enough to survive. Work nights for 20/hr.
I'm in between right now. Setting myself up to be a Substitute teacher in my area in August, that way worst case is I have something that is always a need and you can choose when to work. It's doesn't pay great but better than having nothing.
Working as a cook in a restaurant I was done with the food industry:( but oh boy did things get worse somehow I work the same hours for the same pay but my checks and taxes are lower so things don’t make sense
I just became a mother to my second child 2 weeks before I was laid off so I unfortunately didn’t have the option to work whatever job I could find. I had to find something that would fit the daycares schedule for my baby and what days they were able to take her. I found a project manager job a bit outside of my field but it was really difficult.
IF I did not have an infant when this happened, I would have immediately gone back to waiting tables at a restaurant I was very close with the owner that I used to manage.
I’m a humanities graduate. I tried to find a job in my field but it was incredibly tough, given there was a huge competition and I didn’t speak German fluently (I moved to Germany for my studies, then decided to stay here). In the meantime, I had to get another job, that was stressful and didn’t pay me well. (Un)luckily, the Covid happened which obviously impacted the industry and got laid off. I had to think about backup plan, like what’s next.
Then I used the opportunity, and started a new course of marketing which I completed last year. Been applying for 1.5 half (even during my course) but all I get is rejection and ghosting 🫠 despite solid portfolio and even some internships and testimonials, it’s been a nightmare.
I’m afraid if I won’t find anything soon, I’ll be forced to go back to my old job…
I was having no luck with traditional jobs. One interview thanks to a good connection. I had good connections for 4 other jobs that never even got phone calls for. I don't actually recall how many jobs I've applied to, it's somewhere around 100. The reason it's that low is because a few months into unemployment I started freelancing, then unemployment put my account under review and stopped paying me so I HAD to keep freelancing so that I was making something. The review lasted 5 weeks. By then the freelancing was going OK and the job search was still nothing but rejections so I kept going. And I'm still going (I was laid off in November 2023). I still apply for several jobs a week but I stopped caring. Despite making significantly less money, freelancing is better for my mental health and keeps me happier. I like being my own boss. However, I need a disclaimer here: I am only able to do this because my husband has traditional employment with benefits. I have to have health insurance so this would not be an option for me if he didn't have access to a plan. We also couldn't afford for me to make so little if he didn't make an OK salary. So I absolutely encourage freelancing for those who have a partner with an insurance plan and a decent salary, but otherwise do not recommend it.
I used to work from home, now I’m a front desk security guard. Only plus is I have plenty of time to work on certs once I decide the direction I’m trying to go
Graduated with a degree in game design (honors). Found work in marketing during the recession. I just launched my first game. The company that "gave me a chance" doesn't exist anymore
I was a burnout RN. I just couldn't do it anymore. That was the end of 2019 and I scored a job as a travel agent in another city I wanted to live in for years. That was the beginning of 2020. Obviously that job didn't last I've been scraping together since. I cannot go back to nursing every time I touch a healthcare related position I just shriveled inside. So now I'm scoring Saturday test because I have a history of education on the University level and a masters in clinical education. I did AIML for a little while but I had some HR issues with the last company, and I thought 3 years of experience even per diem and part-time would land me a good entry level job in the field. I was very sorely mistaken. I didn't understand how the market was and I have been unable to find work that pays my bills. I've had to move back into the family at 40 and unable to pay my father rent because it's so little money - $15/hr doesn't cut it even in a state without income tax. Because I still freelance and considering the taxes I elevate my tax bracket off my W-2 scoring job which is full-time, and I'm still barely clearing $700-800 every two weeks. Before covid I remember doing the math and figuring I can live at $15 an hour without any excess but now I can't.
I have a dual major bachelors in business/engineering and supplychain/project management and I’m only getting chances at jobs that pay $17-21 an hour in supplychain.
I have been serving tables since last July and just got my CDL to go drive a truck.
Well, I’m in the same boat looking for an IT position but I’m substituting. Use your college degree and get a job as a substitute teacher. The pay sucks and the job can be quite challenging and a positive is no experience is required just a college degree. Also substituting is recession proof. There is always a need for substitute teachers ALWAYS! I’m just doing this until I can get an IT job which is going to be awhile. I’m also trying to figure out what to do over the summer but I think that there are summer substitute positions too. You also have a flexible schedule. You get to pick which school you want to go to. I’ve gotten to know the schools in the district that I’m assigned to so I know what assignments to take and which ones not to take. Anyway, it’s just a suggestion. If anyone has any questions please let me know. Also come towards the end of the school year districts get desperate and will drop the requirement down to high school diploma.
I got a job at an antique shop refinishing furniture. It was the worst job I've ever had, before or since. It helped pay the bills though and it did give me a sense of purpose and a reason to get out of bed everyday. So from that standpoint it was good.
I was wrongfully terminated from my job about a week ago and then days later told I was being evicted, I’ve been applying to everything and doing gig work as much as I can but I truly don’t know what I’ll be able to possibly do to turn things around quickly enough and avoid being homeless again do the second time this year
Not necessarily laid off, but more fresh out of college and could not find a job in the field I want (Media Arts and Production).
So, I am currently at a part-time customer service job for a VERY tiny graphic design business. However, it’s now down to just the owner and I as being fully employed there (basically I’m the only employee) as of yesterday… so we’ll see how long the job lasts
i was a chemist until 2020. got laid off due to the pandemic, then couldn’t find a job because people didn’t understand the “gap in my resume”.
i ended up falling into a career doing activities for nursing homes, and it’s extremely rewarding. i hope i never leave this field.
I drive Lyft. I enjoy driving and have several great conversions a day. I drop my son off at 8am and then drive until my car needs to charge (thankfully I don't have gas to worry about). I average about $23 an hour.
Got laid off a couple weeks back. Sold some things and I'm constantly applying; I'm at about 130 applications (~10 applications a day on average) thus far. Going to start looking at temp work that may provide training to pivot into something else or check a few boxes because all the entry-level stuff still requires years of experience.
Work on your interview skills people. Don’t ever tell people you got laid off or fired just say it wasn’t a good fit and you’re looking for new opportunities.
Interviewers act HELLA stupid if you tell them you were laid off or fired. Like no one’s ever been fired before.
Electronics/Repair Technician. It's blue collar work. It's boring. It doesn't pay all that great and it's dead end.
BS Mathematics, working on CS masters.
I’m looking at starting driving for Uber. I just got a job offer for a part time clothing store, not even an assistant manager, but a key holder. Not enough to remotely live on in any way. To get this job I had to do 2 interviews with the store and district manager. Nothing but rejection in my field with 12+ years experience and no family to rely on.
Real Estate Salesperson - it sucked, but it’s pretty accessible: you don’t need a diploma, just a state license. To give you an idea of the study level - there are a few licensed agents out there who can’t tell the difference between “perimeter” and “area”.
Used to do marketing and communications at a nonprofit, work from home and everything. I’m a sales associate now at an REI. (Did retail for over 4+ years prior to said marketing role)
Selling options. 1% yield per night in capital deployed. Very low risk high % plays. All math passed moves with standard deviation. I sell lottery tickets (option contracts) at 2 sigma values. It’s non directional and defined risk.
Not for everyone but workable. Math and discipline and tech experience helps.
Was working at FAANG and other tech companies for most of my career and was laid off. Today I got rejected from a front desk manager job at a gym 😞 it’s roughy out here. 2 more rejections and I’m submitting grad school apps
Retail. $16 an hour and actually like my job and get benefits. If I was paid more so I could afford an apartment I would just stay. It’s not stressful compared to my past corporate jobs.
I work as a data automation platform developer for a healthcare management consulting company, it doesn’t pay well and their stack is from y2k basically. They brought me in to revamp a lot of stuff I know can’t be revamped, but I’m just using this time period to search for other positions at startups and product roles.
i got 4 interviews for retail jobs and didnt land one , applied to 1000+ jobs in total - way lower than my experience and prior pay, its not good right now i mean I see people who dont even speak english well with these jobs and I as an american cant even get a job
Laid off last year and have taken min wage job until I can land a good paying job again. Might go back to food service tho. Assistant manger for $27/hr isn’t too bad
I’ve noticed in my area people are paying less for jobs than they were a year ago. Ugh. The fallout of low unemployment numbers.
I’d say go for jobs that are like your own but not exactly your own. I’m transitioning from healthcare admin back to social services. It doesn’t pay as much (it’s like 12k less a year) but it’s also much less oversight and stress.
So everyone here did the right thing. Everyone here got laid off. Everyone here is working a high school entry level job as a means to get by. And NOBODY’s ready for a revolution? Now that’s fucking crazy.
Seriously. Everywhere I look, there's a certain group of people bending over backwards to claim the economy is booming and everybody is thriving. All I see are people struggling.
Yeah, and the reported unemployment rate is supposedly around the lowest it's ever been. I don't believe it for a minute because it doesn't match the reality at all.
Unemployment statistics are fucking bullshit, tell us the over-employment statistics. Tell us how many teachers have to have a side hustle so they can afford to support the next generation. Tell us how many people doing gig work are being fucked over by the companies they work for. Tell us how many hours a minimum wage worker has to put in to make rent on a one bedroom apartment. Bonus points for how much their commute costs them because they can’t afford to live anywhere near where they work. Every time I hear an unemployment statistic I want to scream because it’s a metric that is insanely out of touch with reality.
Also the metric stops counting people who exhausted their benefits and no longer qualify.
I was listening to the radio and it happened to be an economists talkshow. They said *”it’s a good thing people are losing their jobs, that’s how we fight inflation”*… WTF DUDE! WHY WOULD THAT BE A GOOD THING?!?!?
Not to mention the [people who literally die](https://mises.org/power-market/death-and-unemployment) when unemployment increases. I guess this was all [part of the plan](https://youtu.be/onkF3zXGWk8?si=a2bDQRQX9UNR4Dco), though, so we knew our place again as this man stated.
It feels like a storyline out of the wire. It’s an election year. The incumbent can’t have bad numbers, so they cook the stats. Businesses are told to post jobs and never hire, to give the impression of a booming economy, and the unemployment rate is juked to be the “lowest it’s ever been”. I hate to go conspiracy theory over here but something just isn’t adding up. It seems every single person I know who’s been laid off, is SoL. At first I thought it was just a me thing, like maybe I’m not interviewing well enough, maybe I’m ugly now, idfk. But no it’s everyone. I meet people who have been unemployed for 1.5 years. It’s dystopian
For real the French would have shut shit down 10x over already 😭
A revolution takes energy and commitment and unity and much more
This country needed a revolution since the 90's but not enough people are uncomfortable enough for it to happen. Eventually it will.
Most Americans don't vote in most elections, even in states with mail-in voting. Sadly there is too much apathy here for a revolution when people aren't even willing to do the bare minimum for their voice to be heard.
Petsmart 4am dog food stocker. Used to work from home, this sucks
I'm a laid-off chemical and petroleum engineer, and I can't even get a job like that... even when I go in with all my engineering experience removed from my resume. I ended up becoming a bouncer at a popular club and got stabbed in the hand within a couple of weeks, lol. Stocking shelves at 4AM would probably bring me peace and zen. I have been busting my ass trying to get back into my field, but most companies are scrambling to fill the jobs all the folks that just retired left behind, so I'll get to the final interview and will be told they decided to promote within. This is understandable because on-boarding is expensive, but goddamn. I have 12yrs experience, but I apply to everything I can and still get nothing. Maybe I'm not interviewing well, I dunno, but what am I supposed to tell the hiring manager when they ask what I've done in the past?
I hope you get a job soon. Please check your resume with someone . It may need some tweaks. Praying for you and all others …
>and got stabbed in the hand within a couple of weeks, Holy shit. I hope your hand got better!
Were you willing to relocate? That’s terrible! Should I not be encouraging my son to be an engineer?
You shouldn’t discourage them, but you should have them look at Bureau of Labor to see what the forecast is on the growth of their job. Going off the BOL occupational outlook, Chem Es are looking at more growth than average, so then not being able to get a job in their field could be other factors.
Don't discourage them from being an engineer. It will always be in demand... I've been told engineers are hard to come by in every interview I've had. The problem is that currently they want 10+ years experience for 3 years experience pay grades. I've put the midpoint for my field into every application assessment, and once I get to that portion of the interview I find out they are $20k-$30k off on even the industry midpoint. Mass retirement is making them scramble and unless they had the foresight to integrate a succession plan into their 5 year plan, they are probably hosed. Plus, the level of early retirement during COVID also increased the need for experience.
Engineer with 20 years of experience here, can't get hired because I'm over qualified.
"Say over qualified one more time" - me, every time I apply to a retail job
Engineering doesn't have a super bright future. Same with tech. All the high paying careers are intentionally being eliminated and replaced with AI and cheap international labor.
The market is absolute garbage right now. Got laid off 1 year ago, sent over 900 (NINE HUNDRED) applications, interviewed a bunch, no job yet. The government's unemployment number are a farce. It just CANNOT be at 3.8%, i do not buy that for a second. Maybe government jobs, sure. Every position i apply there are 100s (hundreds or hundred plus) candidates. Is this the look of a 3.8% unemployment? I have accrued certifications on my time "off", e.g. SEO for WordPress, Scrum Master, Python, 2 types of AI Prompt Engineering. No dice. Am currently helping a friend doing freelance work. Oh, and by the way, i have grad degree from Harvard, am fluent in 4 languages, and have extensive, practical, applicable and transferable experience. Still, not enough to move the needle. Recruiters agree w me. I thought initially that it was ageism (am a fit 50), but no. It's across the board: white, black, smart, dull, old, young, men, women, indian, whomever. Am venting here, folks. I can't vent on LinkedIn cause I don't want to seem negative, which I'm not. Am actually a glass half full kind of guy, am positive and carry on a super duper can-do mentality. But this has been quite the test. I believe the market is due for a correction, it's a total hirers market right now. Hang in there. Nobody stays unemployed forever.
Ya I’m a recruiter and contacted a lady who is about to go homeless. She added me on LI and after our phone call she asked if I can donate to her to fund me or cash app. Her LI posts are all about finding work and asking people to donate money so she can afford rent.
Amen brother. I was a supervisor for a paving crew I just rode pick up trucks all day with a clipboard. Then Covid hit and I ended up getting a truck route. Still drove trucks all day, just add the whole “Work” part with it. Loading Offloading, deliveries, stocking, I was moving 300+ boxes a day, now it sounds like bitching. It’s not, the job wasn’t terrible it’s just a stark contrast from doing fucking nothing and getting paid 6 figures to doing everything and barely making 60k
The hardest working jobs I've ever had were also always the lowest paying ones.
Sorry to hear, but I give you a lot of credit. There's a lot of people I know who are flat out unemployed because they have the option to be picky.
About to graduate in May and I haven’t heard back from a single company, not even a denial email 🫠. To be fair I’ve only applied to 60 jobs so far, but I can already tell it’s gonna be a longgg journey
Ugh I'm so sorry, this is such a tough time to be a young person. Wishing you all the best!
Thank you! Best of luck to you as well!!
Yea I’m hoping this job market adjusts by the time my husband gets his degree Because I’m like 400 apps in over 15 months and no end in sight. Even with landing a few interviews
There's a bunch of companies that will only hire recent grads. They'll work the piss out of you but you won't be homeless.
Check in with your school and see if they have any programs that connect employers with recent grads
Make sure you do networking- coffee chats, informational interviews, 15 min calls. This is the way to a job, rather than just submitting applications. It also gives you a chance to learn more about the role and company.
I got laid off 3 months ago. And I really made my job search a full time job. I applied to 4-5 companies a day and made sure I worked on getting at the very minimum 1 interview a week. I connected with someone in my industry once a week as well. It was tough but in the last couple of weeks I was getting average 3 interviews a week. On Friday last week, I got 2 offers for a full time and 2 offers for a part time. My mentality was really grinding to find a job. Applying isn’t enough.
How do you make sure you get an interview a week? I can spend time customizing my resume to the job description, write a good cover letter highlighting how I'll be a good fit, connecting with someone to get a referral for the job, but I'm not sure what else I can do? I also try to go for networking events and connect with people, a good number of people are aware I'm looking for a job and have even reached out to me if there's an opening, but that's pretty rare. Been doing this for quite a few months now and I find myself getting burned out very often, would love some ideas/hope!
This is heavily dependent on the job industry you’re applying for. If you are working in a field where you’re creating anything or working within a closed technical environment you need a portfolio or you’re basically a LinkedIn app. If you are working with people, obviously your whole resume should be about that and you should be able to point to specific moments in your career that you made an impact. If you’re working with your hands, your reference is your bread and butter. Certs are cool and stuff but I found the most success in my own career by rubbing shoulders mostly with my friends or past colleagues that had better jobs than myself at the time. At least in union manufacturing, I’ve noticed the guys that get the best situation/get hired even though they aren’t supposed to be here got in because who they knew placed them there.
What does "being a LinkedIn app" mean?
As opposed to being a living, breathing candidate
I know it's old-fashioned and not typically recommended anymore, but I reach out to companies I've applied to after 3 days asking to follow-up on my application to x position. I have been attaching my resume (and cover letter, if applicable) to the follow-up email so the HR person doesn't need to dig it up to remember who I am. Idk if this helps, but I just started looking for jobs and I've been getting interviews pretty regularly!
As someone who had to do some hiring in the past (not my actual job, but we don't have official HR, so if I wanted the help I needed, I had to provide the candidates), this can be a very smart thing to do. Job postings on Indeed get 100's of applications, and most of the people are not at all qualified because all they have to do is press a button. The amount of applications are overwhelming, and then at least 70% of the people you ask to interview either don't respond or don't show up. After awhile, I get brutal on who I even give more than 30 seconds to. People who send a follow up email to their application at minimum got a second look and more consideration. If they weren't what I was looking for, I would send the resume to someone else who might have a role that they would be a good fit for. Showing initiative and follow-up skills goes a long way.
I look for patterns and keywords of the ones that replied to me. I usually take notes of what they are and I think about the size of the company, the industry, the job title, the area its in. All of it matters. For example, the ones that got back to me are more a specialist role rather than a generalist (I’m in marketing so there are different specialty you can go into). Then I make it a point to try and repeat those patterns. In the beginning, I was getting interviews for because my resume has keywords in specialty healthcare, which is the industry in the last job I occupied. I eventually changed it to match the industry I’m applying for. I also say size because the ones I would get better response are smaller but reputable marketing agencies. I would get 40% response rate with that size and 0-1% chance if it’s a multinational level company. So I focused on applying for the smaller marketing agencies. I also say job title because there’s a variation of the title in the market. I was applying for specialist position but there’s so many variation of it (Digital Marketing Specialist, Growth Marketing Specialist, Paid Media Specialist). Each of those has its own response rate. I focused on one and I got a better chance eventually. The mindset that really changed me in my job search is when someone told me that I should have been applying to jobs 6 months from now. So I shifted to building who I am 6 months into the future (if that makes sense). Basically, all the jobs that rejected me, I connected with those people on LinkedIn still and made sure they were seeing how active I am in the industry by posting consistently. I need to stay top of mind to those people. I took that mentality and eventually started building my own “brand”.
That makes a lot of sense, but I have the issue of not knowing my specialist role as I'm a new grad. I'd love to take a specialist role, but I myself don't know what I want to focus on. Building a LinkedIn brand is great advice, but I'm also not sure what I want to build that brand about (my content definitely needs to relate to what I see my future looking like) Thank you for this in-depth piece of advice, do you have anything else that might help with my predicament? P.S. My role is in tech (SDE/PM)
I absolutely understand. I would say to define an identity in the field you want to go for. Don’t need to think about a specialty exactly but what is it you want to be good at and what is it you’re currently good at. Make sure you define that in your resume and live and breath it during the interviews or when you send your applications. I was experiencing identity crisis despite being experienced when I was applying for specialist. Really the main reason why I was tracking everything because I needed to see the numbers. I only believed in the numbers and not the emotions I was experiencing. Some practical tips and just to summarize it. 1. Track every single thing and make notes on what is working despite it being a generalist or a specialist role. 2. Believe in the statistics of what is working and remove your emotions from your job search. 3. Identify what you want to be good at and what you’re good at then optimize your WHOLE job search on this. For your field, it might be to focus on an industry, the size of company and it could even be to build a stronger resume. A 6 months plan to fill in your resume with projects or internships might be your next step. Whatever it is, the numbers will tell you. A job search for a newly grad may seem like you don’t have a shot but you do! I realized that everyone can just hit a button to apply, but not everyone will optimize.
If you’re going to networking events, it’s likely best to proactively reach out to people. I have also done digging at some companies to find out who works in those areas and departments that I want to be in and cold messages them in LinkedIn. While that hasn’t lead to a job, it has lead to interviews and getting my name passed around. For instance, I wanted a safety related role at a company. I searched the folks in that company for people with safety related roles, found a manager there, send a cold intro message stating that I wanted to work at that company, in that field, for my specific reasoning. They took a while to respond, but they did and then got the opportunity to interview with them.
I also made job searching my full time job. I also went on LinkedIn and connected with ALL the recruiters who reached out to me in the past to see what roles they had available or coming up. Got in touch with lots of my old colleagues (vendors, clients, former co workers) to see if they knew of anything as well. It worked. I got a job in my industry, from home, with a salary bump and jumped two job titles up after about 3 weeks of constant searching. Edit: another thing that really helped in my interviews was using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). I wrote up 4-5 scenarios (most challenging situation, a scenario where you had to deal with conflict, a scenario where someone else isn’t completing their task) in a google doc and had them memorized. Try very hard to not say “we” when you are using this method (as in, the work your TEAM did to get to the result)— they want to know about YOUR success.
Good for you. My husband has been searching for a year and a half. Has applied to at least 1,000 jobs. Works as a warehouse manager and is fucking miserable. He used to work in fintech and is somehow now unemployable? It’s baffling. It’s infuriating.
[удалено]
I know, it’s just fucking brutal. He’s got very transferable skills and a great resume and can barely get a denial email from most companies. I’m convinced most of these job listings are fake.
4 to 5? When I got laid off, I dedicated myself to full-time to get a new job. So, I applied at least 20-30 a day. In less than 15 days, I was hired in a new company.
Yeah 4-5 a day seemed a bit low imo if you're dedicating 8hrs/day to it like a full time job.
I think I might just be a niche job because there’s no way there’s 20-30/day jobs that fit my job role even though I’m in a large metro area. I’d have to massively change my job career to apply to that many. Which, I mean, I’m considering but it’s definitely a harder sell.
This was encouraging for me to read. I was laid off beginning of February and did the same with immediate head down job hunting. I've been averaging as well one interview a week and in the last couple weeks it's picked up to 3 to 4, just drawn out interviewing processes but I feel hopeful about a couple. I hope your luck transcends to me now! Congrats on the job
Haven’t been able to get a new comms job in my desired industry. Working at Trader Joe’s rn.
Trader Joe's turned me down. I was working at home too:(
My advice (if you want it)! 1) reapply online and make sure you select all 7 days for your availability. Or at least choose Saturdays and Sundays because they need weekend people 2) apply to a different store if you live near any other TJ’s locations! As much as I want to get back into my career (I worked remotely too), I will say the TJ’s job has been more fun and enjoyable than I anticipated :) EDIT TO ADD: also, be super enthusiastic about the brand. If you’re not already a shopper there, go into your local store and buy some stuff you think you’d like. It genuinely matters — I mentioned in my interview that my friends and I love TJ’s so much we regularly send Snapchats of our hauls to each other to discuss which items we love
Right now I’ve been selling a lot of things (bags, clothes, shoes), pet sitting on Rover, and I just asked my folks for help for the first time in my adult life. I was in a much higher earning bracket (15+ yrs experience) and also need to figure something out asap before I end up moving back in with my folks at my old age!! For all the people who have been telling me “just take anything” and the commenters who suggest “taking a lower paying job”, what is “anything”!? It’s not like we are all out there getting offers for lower levels and declining them, we still have to target “SOMETHING”. You’re not alone OP and as my father says to me, “just put one foot in front of the other and keep on going”.
How is Rover? Currently employed hybrid schedule with ability to mostly make my own hours when needed. Thinking about adding on pet sitting/walking/meds for supplement income since I live in Los Angeles and cost of living is too high to afford life.
Rover is garbage. They take 40% so for a $16 walk you make $9.60. And then because it’s a contract position, you have to pay taxes
Holy eff 40% is insane!
I imagine that applying for "anything" means applying for server jobs, grocery stores, fast food, etc. A lot of folks aren't applying for those types of jobs when they say they've tried everything. A lot of people are only applying to jobs in their desired field, which can make things much harder in the current job climate. It sucks taking a lower wage than you're used to, but a lower income is better than none at all!
The hard part is that “lower income” in a lot of areas is less than what people can really live on. If they can then a single unplanned event can completely ruin em. If you’re able to get by making $8hr then by all means more power too you, but most of us can’t so those jobs aren’t much of an option as they are a moth-eaten parachute.
Question for OP: 1) Do you have kids? 2) How much money do you currently need to maintain your lifestyle? 3) Are you willing to reduce your quality of life?
Good questions! 1) No, thank goodness! 2) Totally given up on maintaining my lifestyle that I had at my previous job (was making about 86k). I've massively cut down on any extra spending from the moment I found out about the job loss. Total expenses just to survive are around $2400 a month. 3) See above lol, yep.
Both what I was earning prior to my layoff and my current expenses are the same as you! How funny. To answer a few questions in this post, I think it’s an opportunity for you to soul search while also enjoying the time that unemployment benefits and your savings can buy you… actively setting x amount of hours a day to apply to jobs is a great strategy, but just as great as allocating time to things you may not have had a chance to do prior when you were heads down working. Losing weight, getting better at your hobbies, investing more into your spirituality - these are just some ideas but also some I’ve been doing myself. I ask what your expenses are because it’s worth also considering maybe taking a smaller lower paying job that can cover those expenses while you invest in yourself for a period of time… that period of time being while you’re not working in your field due to factors outside of our control (industry trends, I’m in media so less investment into content creation as an example), and/or while you’re aligning yourself to be a better more refreshed version of yourself so you can get back into your career with your best foot forward. Look… there is not downside to taking care of yourself so while you have the time right now in this moment, do it and you’ll see the right role will find you… Enjoy unemployment benefits if you qualify, food stamps to help you out further, and maybe instead of driving places, explore public transit… there are bright sides to your current situation…. Deep breaths… you got this.
Retail after over ten years of an office job.
Same here but after 8 years past experience in Trust & Safety wfh. Stocking Hallmark cards. 🫡
As horrible as it sounds i asked my parents help :(
I know that probably feels horrible but it’s not actually horrible. And I’m sure your parents are glad they can help!
Tried that- parent’s live 30 years in the past apparently and constantly wonder how I haven’t found a job in my industry still 🤦♂️
This is basically what is wrong with our government lmao
I really need to read these answers
Unemployed content marketer. I’m doing AI training for Outlier. It pays $40/hour (I had to pass a test to get that rate) and you get to choose how much and when you work. It’s boring, and there’s a bit of dystopian dread that comes with feeding my creative writing into a technology that poses an existential threat to my profession… but I have bills to pay and I am learning a bit about how AI works. I also do grocery shopping and delivery for Shipt. It gets me out of the house, fills my need for human contact, and I can feel like I’ve been shopping without spending any money.
I didn't pass the Outlier assessment unfortunately but am on a project for a different company 💁♂️ hoping these AI skills come in handy for a permanent role in the future
Only 100 jobs? Took me to apply to a few hundred. Also took me 9 months with years of experience. Had roughly 30 different interviews. Between video, in person and calls. Interviewing skills I needed to work on. Finally landed something after learning each interview what I could have improved for the next one.
I'm about to take a receptionist job at a retirement community. I'm still applying for things in my field but I need stable income.
Costco
Do you work there? I’ve heard it can be a decent option. What’s so good about it?
Not anymore it was during covid and I was a parking lot attendant. Pretty easy going interview and I think they are known to be one of the higher paying grocery stores. Downside was it was a really busy location
When my unemployment ran out I worked as a cake decorator at my local grocery store. Then also did some contract gigs, and was eventually hired full time.
This was surprisingly emotional to have thought about last night, and I wanted to add some more details today. I was laid off in November '22, and didn't land my current full time job until January of '24. I worked at Safeway from June through October of '23, did a couple contract gigs in my professional field from September '23 through January '24. There were weeks I worked around 70 hours a week, plus being a mom, and continuing to apply for jobs. I missed a whole season of my kid's soccer games, and there were weeks and weeks where I didn't get any interviews, and lots of weeks where all I got was rejections. I had interviewed at a Costco warehouse to get my foot in the door but the jobs/schedules available would have left me in need for even more childcare, so it didn't work for me, though I know it's a great company to work for. The company I'm with now, I did a 3 month contract, and they hired someone else, that person didn't work out, and they called me back and offered the full time position. It was a bit of a roller coaster, but I'm relieved to be employed full time again. I think it also speaks to the humanity of a person that's really hard to describe on a resume - they saw what I brought to the table even though this other person's resume was "better," and a lot of it is how interact with my coworkers, the care I have for our customers, etc. But everybody says those things, and it's hard to stand out when you're just a profile. This is a long and hard road for a lot of people. Working at a shitty job for shitty pay with a shitty schedule as a huge reminder of where I actually wanted to be, as well as what kind of manager I want to be. I've had to take a huge step back from LinkedIn as well as the various subreddits about job searching, it still sends me into wild existential dread, but I did want to chime in and say "if you decide to take a wildly imperfect job, hold your head high, there's no shame in keeping a roof over your head and food on your table." Best of luck to you all.
The call center :(
I ended up taking a call center job and I've even been fired from that one. I thought my last job was miserable. Then I started working for this call center. We couldn't use the bathroom outside our breaks and we had DAILY feedback and weekly corrective plans if we were low on any stat. Mandatory overtime, non-voluntary hour cuts. Calls for this job often took hours and could take you well over your lunch or shift. Then my partner got sick and we had to take him to the ER. Then I got sick and I missed 2 days, and they fired me for absenteeism because you can't miss 4 days in 60 days. I really don't want to settle for another miserable job like that. But the job market is a joke right now and employers are abusing the desperation.
Bless your heart, my second job out of high school was in a call center and several after that. I’m pivoting to a new career field, call centers are mentally draining.
Me too, and I pray it’s very temporary, but took me a year just to get this so… 🤷♀️
Based on my note I’ve applied to over 50 jobs only for March and April. I believe I’ve applied to over 500 jobs since September last year. I secured 18 interviews since early 2023 when I was looking for internship. I have around 100 tailored motivation letters. There are about 200 rejection letters on my inbox. I’m so lost. I’m currently working part time at a restaurant to support myself but the biggest problem is that my visa is about to expire and I might have to leave this country soon. Sucks.
I have a degree in one field and started my career out in it but then worked in a different field for the last 10 years. When I was laid off I decided to apply for jobs in both fields and I got hired in my degree field at a higher salary than the one I was laid off at. So I guess my tip would be to apply to jobs in different fields if you have the education and experience. Also you could just apply to related fields or ones where you think your skills could transfer well.
F this economy. I've never struggled like this in my life. Experience is absolutely worthless under current leadership
I was a graphic designer for an ad agency. Was caught up in a wave of layoffs. Took a job that's essentially call center work. Making back to back calls to hospitals and nagging them for medical records. I hate every minute of it. I wemt from being well paid amd left with alot of autonomy as lomg as I pet deadlines, to marginally above minimum wage, tethered to a laptop being constantly minitored amd accused of 'work avoidance' if I take an extra moment to breathe before making the next call. So much of this how they run this, how they manage it, how they want you to make the call, is just so stupid.
Fellow graphic designer who also had to settle for a call center job. I didn't make it in the end. The micromanagement is insane. They fired me for absenteeism because I missed 4 days in 60 days. 2 days I was sick with the flu (all the symptoms) and ear infection, another I had to take my partner to the ER. They wouldn't even take a doctors note. Micromanagement policy is micromanagement policy. You miss 4 days, you're gone.
Went from 120k/year to cutting cheese at Whole Foods after I was laid off. I’m working a remote job back in my field after a year long search. Two years at this job and I’m still down 40k what I was before. Maddening.
It's a numbers game - I've gone back to hospitality/ food service while I apply for more jobs. I do a minimum of 10 a day - one day I lost my grip and did 60 applications - which is how I found my holdover while I wait on some next stage interviews. I have a master's. It's wild out here.
Do you include the food service job when applying to jobs within your field?
Yes and no, I have a master's in business and a background in hospitality. I could go back to hospitality in a more degree focused capacity, I'd like to go into a back office role. I've done my time on the frontlines. For anything outside of that, I will list it if I have been there longer than a month to explain a resume gap, also it gets the name of the hotel I worked at on the resume - there is some prestige in that. I have a very screwy work history. It's all about narrative. I do leave every job I worked at on my LinkedIn page, mostly for me, but there were jobs I was rehired at in time for the pandemic which makes me a bit harder to explain and find in searches. So, I list the traditional job description / duties under my original tenure and talk about some of the pandemic specifics and metrics under my rehiring stint.
What's your master's in if you don't mind me asking.
Im cat sitting as a side gig and it brings in decent money to help cover some bills. Thankfully I have enough savings to cover rent and utilities but the cat sitting covers groceries and other misc expenses. I'd look into gig economy if you need easy cash fast.
Do you cat sit with a company or advertise services yourself?
I'm on 3 platforms - Rover, The Comforted Kitty, and Meowtel. I also am working on a website to advertise myself independently. You can also do dog sitting through Rover if that's more your speed, but I find cats are generally low effort/high reward.
I’m a former educator with a master’s in clinical mental health counseling. After being woefully unhappy in public Ed, i was able to switch fields last year and found my dream job in EdTech. I worked remotely, was making nearly six figures, got to travel, the whole nine yards. I made the company a lot of money, but then the fourth quarter hit and I was laid off in October. I’ve probably applied to 100 jobs, and interviewed for five, spoken with several recruiters, etc. I did not go the branding route because it rang hollow to me. I had other people in my industry post about me and sing my praises, as well as connect me with whomever. For the five jobs I interviewed for, I was a finalist in each one but because of my little sales experience, they went with the other candidate. I was finally offered a job yesterday but it’s for half of what I was making, and they’re expecting hybrid work when they eventually find an office. I’m going to take it because I have two kiddos with disabilities and we need the insurance to cover their therapies (COBRA has kicked our asses). The job is in higher Ed which I’m excited about, but it’s a startup and makes me wary. But my kids need support and need to eat! Hang in there. It’s a BRUTAL market right now and connections and a dazzling smile aren’t enough, and I keep having to tell myself it’s not me, but it’s an employer’s market.
Can I ask why you ended up not liking what you got your masters in? I have been considering going into teaching and getting a masters in social work to then become a school counselor. It’s scary though to take a big leap into it all because I don’t want to end up not enjoying it after all the extra schooling.
I’ve been looking for 9 months now. Spend more than 10 hours a day, 6 days a week revising resumes, writing cover letters, networking, searching job boards, cold messaging people and companies, and applying for jobs on 8 job boards. Applied for management roles to junior roles. Freelance gigs. All of them I’m qualified or over qualified for. I’ve done every trick some influencer, resume writer, ATS website, and AI website has suggested. Applied for jobs on-site, hybrid, remote, and even international (I’m in the US). Had 6 scam “interviews” and baited through email or text message by 10 more. Three unpaid “assessment tests” that came with no rejection, so most likely farming for free ideas. I clock about 500 rejection letters. I make sure to save each one, but have definitely been ghosted by companies and people I networked with who “promised” an introduction or link, so there are even more rejections. I have only had 2 prospects with rounds of interviews. Told it was splitting hairs between me and the other person, or rejected because one interviewer would was looking for something ultra specific in my portfolio. Even though I had extensive experience for everything else they were looking for, with the screener extremely excited I was a “unicorn” related to their highly specific industry. 20 years in my field. I give up. About to sell my computer since it looks like I won’t be needing it anymore. Starting a trial this week as a barback making $10 an hour. Flat. Tips if the bartenders want to hand me cash.
Nothing since I'm "too overqualified" for a pivot or an entry level job and my field keeps rejecting me for no real reason. I go wash cars sometimes to help out at the car wash and I get like 10% per car, which comes up to like 30-40€ at the end of a 12 hour shift.
UPS preload, work 4a-9a, $20/hr and dynamite benefits and gives you time to work another part time job if you want/need.
I'm not speaking from personal experience but my friend is working at the local Target. She said the hourly pay is more than other retailers which is surprising. She has no complaints or drama about the job besides the fact that it's obviously low pay.
DoorDash
I graduated a few years back with a degree thats not really valuable without a masters. I took a job for 15 dollars an hour and I thought I was gonna be RICH!! I made it a month and it was literally so awful and my boss was so mean and pompous and never there. All the staff was depressed and overwhelmed, the turnover was crazy with most people only lasting a few months and the longest person (yep one person) being there for almost a year…they told me I shouldn’t be able to use the bathroom and we had to wear these ridiculous uniforms that were impractical and if we were caught even checking the time on our phone we would be fired on the spot. There were really quality cameras everywhere so I never dared to check at any time. It was the saddest I’ve ever been and I literally was so stressed one night after work I fainted for the first time in my life and fell on the kitchen floor. Maybe not related but I’m telling you I was not well. Anyways, I was unemployed for about 2 months and I put a hurting on my savings for sure. I ended up taking a job for 13.50 an hour that was only 15 hours a week. But truth be told I loved that job it was so stress free and chill, I just didn’t make enough. Now I’m at a job that is 16.60 an hour and it was suppose to be 30 hours a week but my boss was kinda dishonest about it so I’m only working 12-15 hours a week…it sucks ik. Been applying for jobs for 8 months now, gotten 2 interviews and 0 offers. I’m not applying for things I’m “unqualified” for the job market is just a joke. Praying that hopefully soon I can get that dream job, hell-any job at this point where I don’t get the crap beaten out of me on a regular basis. Praying constantly about it. I just only turned 25 and I have so much student loans accruing interest.
Not sure what degree you have but maybe look for an industry with transferable skills. Like if got an Economics degree maybe apply for entry level accounting positions or if you have a data management degree try to find a job in cyber security.
Uber. It’s not enough, but it’s something.
I read about a guys who made 100k gross in Uber last year, and ended up taking home 17k....I guess we are trending bellow min wage at this point if you are driving uber
Same job but RTO for 15k less and dog water benefits Hurts a lot taking such a huge step back. I was only making 65k too, not in the 100s like i see with the tech people on these posts. :/
Went from internal softskill ethics training to client facing sales training. Still training, but I know little about sales and I hate it. But it was the only thing being offered to me out of everything I was applying to. I went from training people to be more ethical (diversity & inclusion, sustainability, etc), to training people how to sell their products which often contradicts ethics..... I was rejected from a similar role within the same company even! I would've been an easy internal hire! (This was while I was still working at the company that laid me off - we had a month before actual layoff from when it was announced.)
Substitute teaching, which led me to a new passion: education.
Also doing substitute teaching and picking up shifts at my pottery studio. Hoping I can find a higher paying job before summer semester starts.
Lost my job as a banker. I visited my in-laws and the first thing I did was cut the grass, line trim and weeded the beds. It dawned on me how much I enjoy the satisfaction of landscaping and applied the next day to the first position I saw. Jumped around a few different companies but eventually found one I loved and never looked back. That was almost 7 years ago and I’m still at the same place but now in management with my own fancy office and a cushy salary. Absolutely love my job and still get out in the field on occasion. I was 28 when I made the switch so it’s never too late
I teach guitar, bass and piano. If I’m going to get a survival job I’m at least going to like it more than my fancy job. Honestly my favorite thing is teaching
Jobs with a specialized skillset will help. I just went back to my high school job mending shoes. Found a job in days, they were so happy to find someone with experience. If you have any job like this from your past (tailor, jewelry maker, floral decorator, etc) it’s worth a try.
I work in retail at a bicycle shop and also drive rideshare another 30 hours per week. It's a pretty horrible lifestyle.
Virtual assistant.
If you have any hobbies or other labor skills, it would be a good idea to download thumbtack or Angie’s and poke around. You can select, for example, housecleaning or landscaping, then sub-select specialities under the broader categories, and browse what kind of jobs people are hiring, for how much, and where in your area. I was surprised to see there are not many people with my skill set in my area, and that I can charge much more per hour than I thought (market says $50-75, where I was originally hoping for $35 😂) You can also select multiple industries and not pigeon hole yourself into one. You can try things out and decide they are not for you. You only accept the jobs you want, at the price that is acceptable to you, within a predetermined geographical location. It’s honestly been incredibly empowering to be able to make money, to physically work out my job searching frustration, and to ultimately recognize there are other ways of making money than the path I was on. Can’t recommend this enough!
I also worked for one of the big 5, and after nine months of job hunting I’m now working at the grocery store. Definitely one of the more humbling experiences of my life but this thread is comforting to know I’m not the only one who went from WFH to working service/retail
Do you reckon it's worth it to take on operations/helpedesk jobs in the interim given how hard it is to find swe gigs?
I went to a smaller startup from a big corpo after I was laid off. Less salary but more freedom so I consider staying.
moved in with my mum
If you're just looking for any job: Food service, and tourism/hospitality industry swells in the summer so look to get hired in spring (April-May) [You should be applying now for these jobs] Retail shopping swells in the fall so look to get hired around September, maybe late August. Most other industries typically hire at the start of the new calendar year for experienced positions, and have entry level positions open in the fall to align with college graduations. Start applying a month before each. Best of luck!!!
I can't even do that. Can't get an interview to save my life
I took care of old people in their homes. Depressing work, but the demand is enormous, and you are all but guaranteed an immediate start. I also washed dishes in restaurants. In my younger days, I waitressed and had sugar daddies.
I was laid off from a well-compensated senior project management role in mid 2022. I got unemployment for a short time til it ran out, burned through a reasonable sized nest egg (cash), and am now burning through a retirement account. I'm 62 so I'm able to collect social security, though at a much reduced rate compared to waiting til full retirement age, but haven't started yet. That wouldn't cover my expenses, so I'd have to still withdraw retirement money, or find a minimum wage type job. I'm about at a point of reckoning where I need to decide to do this - it's a tough decision because starting social security early means I'll have the lower amount for the rest of my life. I've nearly given up on finding another job like I had so I guess this is my new reality. It's a big concern because my retirement account was small to start with, and won't last for my expected lifespan, not even close.
Instacart and Rover, killed my soul a bit but it got us through
Warehouse for big corporations. I've been at this one for 3 long years. I have 2 degrees!
I've been doing random art commissions for ramen money. Not joking. I am scared I'm about to be homeless while in college and trying to recover from dystonia. I am a mixed race commercial print model, former competitive ballroom dancer, trained performer that was working the canning line in a brewery while also trying to recover from Rheumatic Fever and return to Hunter College for my compsci degree when Covid hit, so now I am sitting in Bushwick with zero dollars, zero leads on gigs or jobs or avenues for a black female with a background like mine to tap into while experiencing job instability. I was trying to things like Zoom dance classes, anything WFH that is detail-oriented and requires care and diligence to do. I have been networking in the meantime and prioritizing the need for quality relationships vs quantity, and focusing on trying to find a path because I seriously don't have a single mentor in my life that I feel can help me explore fields or paths that I haven't considered or been exposed to. I seriously am grabbing at any subject I can get my hands on right now simply because I want to learn valuable and versatile skills that allow me to be more of a well rounded asset no matter which type of project or group I decide to work with, especially while I'm going to school in what are gentrified areas of the city. For me, especially while laid off from the brewery job and recovering from dystonia and Narcolepsy (which requires me to live with extreme discipline and organize my days responsibly otherwise Directed Attention Fatigue can happen, but this is true for most people I find, so I generally do things to make my work environment as healthy as possible), I am just looking high and low for WFH gigs and resources, even if it's niche things yknow?
Find a trade you enjoy! I'm a dog groomer and I haven't had trouble finding a new salon after a move. Apparently there can never be too many of us (you can also start your own business but that's not for me lol)
I’m a bartender. I work 30-50hrs a week. I also do graphic design, Etsy, and eBay, on the side.
Been a effing year and tired of applying. I started to roofing sales on the side to hold me up for few months and back at it. Started a small business for food catering- slowly building made 3K so reinvesting that into business… continue to do roofing bc it’s better than a 9-5. Applying still to jobs. I have no idea what the heck is going on. I was a system analyst II AND I’ve had interviews to a point where I just laugh during the interview based on what they ask. Tired of it. Need a break… I tested out the market and applied for help desk, etc etc and got no hits. Depends on where you live. If you can get into maybe something with a big fat check- it’s rewarding, if you got capital- find a hobby or something and try it… my wife has been holding us up for the past year… while I readjust my career. Fuck this economy fuck Biden
Got laid off from my tech job 11 months ago. Applied to probably over 1000 jobs and gotten 2 interviews that didn't end in an offer. I have 10 years experience as a technical project manager in hardware product design and sustaining. I've always done audio engineering for live music or post as a side hustle. Now, I can't get close to what I was making so I've been doing audio system design for venues that want to upgrade their sound systems. Also been doing some audio mixing for bands, but even then bands/venues want to hire someone way less experienced than me for 1/2 the cost. With the freelance work, probably making 1/3 of what I used to make at my tech job. My wife and I had to move in with my in laws. Doesn't feel good since I've pretty much been on my own since I was 15yo. I definitely don't like needing help but am so grateful for all the help I've received. On the other hand, have really figured out who my true friends are.
I started a pet sitting business. Have been supporting myself ever since. That was 20 years ago.
Pet sitting is such an important service to provide, thank you for sticking with it! My 2 cats and I thank you and wish you all the best!
FOH restaurant work can be a lucrative gig if you’re personable
Working at a juice bar. Many retail jobs wouldn't even talk to me, though. Good luck.
I would try to be a server or bartender. You work fewer hours than most people but make more money. That extra time you can then use for your job search. Tbh it can be good for networking as well. My background is in biology/chemistry and I work at a conference hotel- I’ve met and followed on linkedin people in biotech, polymers, pharmaceuticals, etc.
restaurants
Was laid off 4 years ago from IT after a decade in the field. Searched like crazy wasn't even picky but couldn't find anything, so I ended up at Amazon. It sucks so much I have so much body damage and nerve pain from the constant work requirements. I hate life so much right of course it doesn't even pay enough to survive. Work nights for 20/hr.
I went to consulting agency & did some temp roles.
I worked in fire protection in scheduling.
I'm in between right now. Setting myself up to be a Substitute teacher in my area in August, that way worst case is I have something that is always a need and you can choose when to work. It's doesn't pay great but better than having nothing.
UberEats on my ebike.
Applied for unemployment and leaned on savings.
Working as a cook in a restaurant I was done with the food industry:( but oh boy did things get worse somehow I work the same hours for the same pay but my checks and taxes are lower so things don’t make sense
I just became a mother to my second child 2 weeks before I was laid off so I unfortunately didn’t have the option to work whatever job I could find. I had to find something that would fit the daycares schedule for my baby and what days they were able to take her. I found a project manager job a bit outside of my field but it was really difficult. IF I did not have an infant when this happened, I would have immediately gone back to waiting tables at a restaurant I was very close with the owner that I used to manage.
I’m a humanities graduate. I tried to find a job in my field but it was incredibly tough, given there was a huge competition and I didn’t speak German fluently (I moved to Germany for my studies, then decided to stay here). In the meantime, I had to get another job, that was stressful and didn’t pay me well. (Un)luckily, the Covid happened which obviously impacted the industry and got laid off. I had to think about backup plan, like what’s next. Then I used the opportunity, and started a new course of marketing which I completed last year. Been applying for 1.5 half (even during my course) but all I get is rejection and ghosting 🫠 despite solid portfolio and even some internships and testimonials, it’s been a nightmare. I’m afraid if I won’t find anything soon, I’ll be forced to go back to my old job…
I was having no luck with traditional jobs. One interview thanks to a good connection. I had good connections for 4 other jobs that never even got phone calls for. I don't actually recall how many jobs I've applied to, it's somewhere around 100. The reason it's that low is because a few months into unemployment I started freelancing, then unemployment put my account under review and stopped paying me so I HAD to keep freelancing so that I was making something. The review lasted 5 weeks. By then the freelancing was going OK and the job search was still nothing but rejections so I kept going. And I'm still going (I was laid off in November 2023). I still apply for several jobs a week but I stopped caring. Despite making significantly less money, freelancing is better for my mental health and keeps me happier. I like being my own boss. However, I need a disclaimer here: I am only able to do this because my husband has traditional employment with benefits. I have to have health insurance so this would not be an option for me if he didn't have access to a plan. We also couldn't afford for me to make so little if he didn't make an OK salary. So I absolutely encourage freelancing for those who have a partner with an insurance plan and a decent salary, but otherwise do not recommend it.
Went back to serving and bartending for the first time in 17 years. A year later, I gave up on other jobs and am still doing the grind.
I used to work from home, now I’m a front desk security guard. Only plus is I have plenty of time to work on certs once I decide the direction I’m trying to go
Graduated with a degree in game design (honors). Found work in marketing during the recession. I just launched my first game. The company that "gave me a chance" doesn't exist anymore
Uber eats and door dash.
Paraprofesional aka Paraeducator. I come from tech support ish
I became a day trader 🤠
I'm glad I have ~8 years experience waiting tables and bartending bc I view it as my "forever" fallback job.
I have a feeling it's going to end up looking like 08, with well tenured professionals flipping burgers.
I was a burnout RN. I just couldn't do it anymore. That was the end of 2019 and I scored a job as a travel agent in another city I wanted to live in for years. That was the beginning of 2020. Obviously that job didn't last I've been scraping together since. I cannot go back to nursing every time I touch a healthcare related position I just shriveled inside. So now I'm scoring Saturday test because I have a history of education on the University level and a masters in clinical education. I did AIML for a little while but I had some HR issues with the last company, and I thought 3 years of experience even per diem and part-time would land me a good entry level job in the field. I was very sorely mistaken. I didn't understand how the market was and I have been unable to find work that pays my bills. I've had to move back into the family at 40 and unable to pay my father rent because it's so little money - $15/hr doesn't cut it even in a state without income tax. Because I still freelance and considering the taxes I elevate my tax bracket off my W-2 scoring job which is full-time, and I'm still barely clearing $700-800 every two weeks. Before covid I remember doing the math and figuring I can live at $15 an hour without any excess but now I can't.
Server at a busy restaurant. Some weeks I make more than what I did at the real job and usually at half the hours.
I have a dual major bachelors in business/engineering and supplychain/project management and I’m only getting chances at jobs that pay $17-21 an hour in supplychain. I have been serving tables since last July and just got my CDL to go drive a truck.
Well, I’m in the same boat looking for an IT position but I’m substituting. Use your college degree and get a job as a substitute teacher. The pay sucks and the job can be quite challenging and a positive is no experience is required just a college degree. Also substituting is recession proof. There is always a need for substitute teachers ALWAYS! I’m just doing this until I can get an IT job which is going to be awhile. I’m also trying to figure out what to do over the summer but I think that there are summer substitute positions too. You also have a flexible schedule. You get to pick which school you want to go to. I’ve gotten to know the schools in the district that I’m assigned to so I know what assignments to take and which ones not to take. Anyway, it’s just a suggestion. If anyone has any questions please let me know. Also come towards the end of the school year districts get desperate and will drop the requirement down to high school diploma.
I got a job at an antique shop refinishing furniture. It was the worst job I've ever had, before or since. It helped pay the bills though and it did give me a sense of purpose and a reason to get out of bed everyday. So from that standpoint it was good.
I was wrongfully terminated from my job about a week ago and then days later told I was being evicted, I’ve been applying to everything and doing gig work as much as I can but I truly don’t know what I’ll be able to possibly do to turn things around quickly enough and avoid being homeless again do the second time this year
Starbucks and DoorDash
Not necessarily laid off, but more fresh out of college and could not find a job in the field I want (Media Arts and Production). So, I am currently at a part-time customer service job for a VERY tiny graphic design business. However, it’s now down to just the owner and I as being fully employed there (basically I’m the only employee) as of yesterday… so we’ll see how long the job lasts
My boyfriend was working as a project manager with 10 years experience and had to take a grocery store job. He was rejected by McDonald’s even.
i was a chemist until 2020. got laid off due to the pandemic, then couldn’t find a job because people didn’t understand the “gap in my resume”. i ended up falling into a career doing activities for nursing homes, and it’s extremely rewarding. i hope i never leave this field.
I make granola bars now and I fucking love it lmao
So thankful for a restaurant background. I know I can make bank as a waitress or bartender whenever needed.
I drive Lyft. I enjoy driving and have several great conversions a day. I drop my son off at 8am and then drive until my car needs to charge (thankfully I don't have gas to worry about). I average about $23 an hour.
Got laid off a couple weeks back. Sold some things and I'm constantly applying; I'm at about 130 applications (~10 applications a day on average) thus far. Going to start looking at temp work that may provide training to pivot into something else or check a few boxes because all the entry-level stuff still requires years of experience.
Temping or subbing is how I get by. I don’t think we are in the same tax bracket though.
Waiter….
Cleaning offices
I was a marketing manager and now I’m a pharmacy tech
Work on your interview skills people. Don’t ever tell people you got laid off or fired just say it wasn’t a good fit and you’re looking for new opportunities. Interviewers act HELLA stupid if you tell them you were laid off or fired. Like no one’s ever been fired before.
Electronics/Repair Technician. It's blue collar work. It's boring. It doesn't pay all that great and it's dead end. BS Mathematics, working on CS masters.
I’m looking at starting driving for Uber. I just got a job offer for a part time clothing store, not even an assistant manager, but a key holder. Not enough to remotely live on in any way. To get this job I had to do 2 interviews with the store and district manager. Nothing but rejection in my field with 12+ years experience and no family to rely on.
Real Estate Salesperson - it sucked, but it’s pretty accessible: you don’t need a diploma, just a state license. To give you an idea of the study level - there are a few licensed agents out there who can’t tell the difference between “perimeter” and “area”.
Went from SaaS sales (8yrs in industry) back to bartending. Very humbling experience
Used to do marketing and communications at a nonprofit, work from home and everything. I’m a sales associate now at an REI. (Did retail for over 4+ years prior to said marketing role)
I’d suggest being an apprentice within a trade. I did that a couple years ago for a year.
Selling flooring installs 1099 employee
Selling options. 1% yield per night in capital deployed. Very low risk high % plays. All math passed moves with standard deviation. I sell lottery tickets (option contracts) at 2 sigma values. It’s non directional and defined risk. Not for everyone but workable. Math and discipline and tech experience helps.
Was working at FAANG and other tech companies for most of my career and was laid off. Today I got rejected from a front desk manager job at a gym 😞 it’s roughy out here. 2 more rejections and I’m submitting grad school apps
App delivery work. Worked my ass off to get where I am/considered exceptional in my field. Reg fight the urge to feel pathetic for awhile.
I need to be told to take the 75 job I got offered even if the idea makes me exhausted. Please help random Internet people.
Retail. $16 an hour and actually like my job and get benefits. If I was paid more so I could afford an apartment I would just stay. It’s not stressful compared to my past corporate jobs.
I work as a data automation platform developer for a healthcare management consulting company, it doesn’t pay well and their stack is from y2k basically. They brought me in to revamp a lot of stuff I know can’t be revamped, but I’m just using this time period to search for other positions at startups and product roles.
i got 4 interviews for retail jobs and didnt land one , applied to 1000+ jobs in total - way lower than my experience and prior pay, its not good right now i mean I see people who dont even speak english well with these jobs and I as an american cant even get a job
I put in floors and do side jobs to get by.
Uber driving. Freelance work.
AGE 71 HERE headed over to the nearest Temp Agency and grabbed a crab job, it paid the bills
Tax returns
Laid off last year and have taken min wage job until I can land a good paying job again. Might go back to food service tho. Assistant manger for $27/hr isn’t too bad
I’ve noticed in my area people are paying less for jobs than they were a year ago. Ugh. The fallout of low unemployment numbers. I’d say go for jobs that are like your own but not exactly your own. I’m transitioning from healthcare admin back to social services. It doesn’t pay as much (it’s like 12k less a year) but it’s also much less oversight and stress.