It's been 9 months since I was laid off from my job.

Anonymous

September 26,2023 at 6:41AM UTC

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It's been 9 months since I was laid off from my job. I had worked for my last employer for about a year (after being unemployed for 2 years due to pandemic layoffs). I don't lack experience, I have about 15 years in my industry. Now I'm back in the unemployment cycle - I've been looking and applying for jobs, had some "networking" chats, and only 2 interviews. To keep busy I've been doing some volunteer work and teaching music part-time, which doesn't pay the bills but gives me some spending money.

At this point, I don't know how much longer my job search will take or what I should do. Applying to jobs in my field has resulted in no responses. Applying to jobs outside my field has resulted in no responses. Applying to jobs above my previous role has resulted in rejection emails that I don't have the experience the employer wants in a candidate. Applying for jobs below my previous role has resulted in no responses. I've spoken with career coaches and people who are working, and I'm told to keep trying. I'm fortunate to have the time now to practice my musicianship as it gives me something to do, but at some point, I need to start earning money again and soon.

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Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 26,2023 at 11:49PM UTC
If you're not getting interviews, typically it's your resume or the positions you're applying to or both.
What have you done so far in your job search?
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 1:42AM UTC
I know your response was probably a way to be helpful but you ask a question that assumes someone in this position hasn't done anything to look for a job. I have rewritten my resume numerous times, tailored my resume to specific roles, have written cover letters specifically for those roles. I don't apply to everything I see, I read through each job post to be sure my skills align or are transferable. I've reached out to the companies to connect to someone in a similar role, made a transition to the role, or might be the person doing the hiring. I've done "introductory interviews" to build my network, and I've asked for help from people who have changed jobs or are leaders in their field for job search advice. I've had meetings with job coaches, job counselors, and consultants. I've taken certification courses and attended networking events. And all this on top of having 15 years of experience in a specialized field that requires advanced training.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 27,2023 at 4:25AM UTC
I'm not sure how asking what you've done so far in your job search turned into "you ask a question that assumes someone in this position hasn't done anything to look for a job."
I wasn't assuming anything. That's literally why I asked what you've done so far. I thought it might be a good idea to find out what you've done already before I offered any advice. I guess I thought wrong.
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 12:28PM UTC
The poster’s response is a good indication why she not yet have found a job. My perception is she may be giving off on air of arrogance or condescension rather than confidence.
AnonymousSeptember 28,2023 at 12:29PM UTC
Not the OP but you are so wrong with this response
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 12:36PM UTC
You may need to look at the volume you’re applying to. You likely need to increase it to get more interviews.
AnonymousSeptember 28,2023 at 2:42PM UTC
@joan
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 12:30PM UTC
There are jobs everywhere. Anonymous may have to adjust its expectations and take a job to at least get a paycheck but can continue its search for a job in its industry.
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 2:08PM UTC
I'm not sure what planet you live on, but there are virtually NO jobs available. What happened to having compassion and encouraging people who are almost at their wits end regarding finding a job. As the OP stated, they have tried to apply to ALL types of jobs to NO avail. You should always put yourself in others people's shoes because you could be in the same situation one day.
I know how the OP feels because I am currently in her shoes now with an MBA and over 10 years of experience. I get rejection after rejection. But I stay positive and know that the right job with the pay I want is coming soon.
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 9:41PM UTC
I lost my job during the start of the COVID pandemic and it took 2 years before I found another job. During that time I applied to I don't know how many retail jobs "just to get a paycheck," only to be told I was way over qualified, and one manager told me straight up that they weren't interested because they knew I would leave once I found a job in my field.
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 1:07PM UTC
Hey, first off: I’m sorry about all the rude and unsympathetic responses that you’ve been getting from some people. A lot of folks still don’t understand why it’s so difficult to find work because they don’t pay attention to the news or immediately assume that a person without a job must be condescending, rude, or some other negative trait. They assume that your resume sucks even though you’ve taken the same generic advice over and over to tailor your resume, focus on metrics, etc. They’re of no help.
The job market right now is just plain awful. A lot of employers are uploading fake jobs online to pacify their overworked employees into believing that new employees will be coming to reduce the workload because their management would rather operate their companies on skeleton crews. Some companies have frozen hiring until this economic uncertainty ends and the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates. The already insane competition for remote work keeps rising as more big companies like Google, Lyft, and Meta force their employees back into the office. There’re tons of factors at play.
There’re Master’s Degree holders with 10 years of experience who complain that they’re not getting hired. In fact, there’re people with even more work experience than you have who can’t find squat, just like the recent college grads who come out of university and keep getting rejected for jobs. It’s not your personality or your behavior that’s keeping you out of a job. It’s also terrible for some people to refer to you as an “It”, as if you’re not even a person. This isn’t a sign of personal failure on your part. There’re bigger factors at play, namely prevailing economic conditions.
Anyway, have you tried looking at a site called Rat Race Rebellion? They have jobs there that’ll hire anyone with a pulse, and they’re remote work jobs. Some of the jobs on Rat Race Rebellion don’t pay that well, but they can help you pay your bills for now.
You could also try USAJOBS.gov. I find that the federal government is more desperate to hire than private employers are right now. I received a job offer from a government agency, and I didn’t even do an interview with them. You’ll have to write 3-5 page resumes full of achievements you made at past jobs, but it’s well worth it.
Good luck!
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 1:30PM UTC
thank you for your post and pointing out that until you walk a mile inanother man shoes, you shouldn’t be judging or being rude or condescending. This is not the place for anything other than positive support.
Amy HawmanSeptember 27,2023 at 2:08PM UTC
I want to also second the commenter about all the unsympathetic responses that have popped up here. For what it's worth, I do not perceive your post as coming off as arrogant or condescending. In fact, you sound confident in your abilities and the experience you've gained in your industry the last 15 years.
I'm in product management with 8 years of experience. I too have been laid off and unemployed going on 7 months now. I've been job seeking every day since. Like you, I have been tailoring my resume, researching companies, talking to career coaches, even using a resumer writer to make my resume stand out. I keep a spreadsheet of my job applications. Currently, I'm at 563 submitted apps, 201 rejections, 22 interviews with no offers. There have definitely been job postings I've applied to where the job responsibilities are verbatim what I have done and I know I can confidently do. Yet, still rejections. I share this because, to reiterate another commenter, this job market is awful. It's not you and you're not alone.
What I've been hearing and seeing from other job seekers who are in the same boat is that this market is a numbers game. Of course, networking and keeping in touch with past colleagues that you enjoyed working with or had a good relationship with is always important, and continue to do that. This market is going to require persistence in numbers and keeping yourself on the radar of your network. It can get exhausting and lead to burn out. I say this from experience, so please take care of yourself.
Another thing that I want to share about this job market, and all of us laid off and unemployed, is that the news isn't reporting any of this. If anything, this past year, the news has been reporting that "job growth is great and unemployment is down". Don't let that think what's happening to you isn't real. The problem is is that most mainstream news doesn't serve the masses and has corporate slants. There's also the issue of labor numbers being delayed in reporting. For example, unemployment happening this year due to mass layoffs will not be accounted for in reports until next year. There's another issue of ghost jobs being posted to make it look like companies are growing and hiring, but they actually are not hiring at the moment. These ghost jobs still get counted towards the job growth even though the intentions of these companies isn't to hire anyone.
I have friends and colleagues who had personally and professionally experienced the dotcom bust and recession period then. They compare this market to the dotcom bust, if not worse in some regards. Again, I want you to know, this isn't you. This is the market, this is greed, this is corporations taking over our country, this is the system failing us as workers.
However, I know any of this doesn't bring solace to the fact of finding and landing a job so we can pay our bills and keep a roof over our heads. I'm living it every day too. I'm thinking of finding contract work that's in my field so to keep my skills sharp and to make some amount of money. I'm looking at Upwork for short term or project-based work. It's not going to be consistent, but it'll be something. Maybe you can find something there that will be up your alley in expertise.
My apologies for the long comment. Us workers and job seekers really need to support each other as we're going through this terrible time and market. I'm open to connecting if you'd like to continue our conversation.
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 2:19PM UTC
Well said!
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 2:29PM UTC
I always recommend looking at contract roles. I know many people are afraid of the temporary nature of contract jobs but they typically pay well. Many have good benefits and from my personal experience last longer than permanent roles. I have been a contractor and hired contractors. I am currently working as an individual contributor making significantly more than my last 2 management roles. I have been at my current client for 2.5 years and the work is ongoing until 2030. I have full benefits including medical, 401k, paid holidays and PTO, and am fully remote. If you have experience in a finance, accounting, or cost role, look into contract project controls/cost control roles also advertised as cost analyst or cost engineer. We can’t find enough people at my current contract company.
Julie ESeptember 27,2023 at 3:57PM UTC
You’re lucky. That was not my experience with contract roles. I had the options to purchase benefits but they were way too expensive. No PTO, no holiday pay and we were treated like second class employees. Plus the company had a time limit of 3 years tansy you could work for them as a contractor.
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 4:01PM UTC
Great advice. Where do you find these contractor roles and are there specific firms that you recommend?
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 11:45PM UTC
When I search on Careerbuilder, Monster, Ziprecruiter, etc I make sure to include contract or temporary jobs in the results. At this point I’ve been in my industry for a while so I don’t typically have to look, previous coworkers or recruiters contact me. I’m currently with Planet Forward. They are part of The Planet Group which has a number of companies in different industries. I’ve been happy with the company and the benefits.
I have hired contractors from or worked for the following contract companies: Bartech, Aerotek, Spear Group, Spencer Ogden, BHI, ESGI, Ranstad, and Renuke. Most of my experience is in the energy/utility sector hiring Engineers, Project Managers, Cost Analysts and Primavera Schedulers. There are contract companies more geared to IT, healthcare, and other industries.
I personally don’t like 1099 because I want the benefit package but there are many options out there. If a company contacts me and isn’t offering what I want in pay or benefits I will contact one of the companies that I’ve worked with before and see if they are recruiting for the same position.
Insurance does cost more in a contract role than a permanent corporate role but the pay as a contractor is also much better.
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 8:20PM UTC
Awesome advice and my experience as well. I have actually dictated my work schedule and nice 3-4 week breaks so I can travel.
I have strung together multiple contracting jobs so I can drastically increase my revenue. I insist on being a 1099 contractor so I, again, control all aspects of my work life.
AnonymousSeptember 28,2023 at 1:18PM UTC
Can you share your company name? I would be interested in applying as I do have a finance/accounting background. I have been searching for just under 3 months and I'm already experiencing these same feelings...
AnonymousSeptember 28,2023 at 6:20PM UTC
I’m with Planet Forward.
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 6:33PM UTC
I also want to share that unless you have been in a long-term job search, it is hard to understand the emotional toll it takes. This should be a supportive safe space.
If you have not joined a job search work team and or accountability group I would suggest finding one, preferably ones that don’t charge or nominally charge. These groups offer support for job seekers to stay in a good mental state, be productive, and share networking contacts or other tips. Good luck and keep up the hard work!
AnonymousSeptember 28,2023 at 1:41PM UTC
Agree with all ^ Does FGB offer accountability groups for women job seekers?
AnonymousSeptember 27,2023 at 9:51PM UTC
I could have written this post almost verbatim last year, as my job was a COVID casualty and it took me months to find another job. People don't realize how your self-worth takes a major hit from all the rejection. I have nothing to offer except I know your frustration all too well. Just try to take things one day at a time, and do the best you can. That is a victory in itself.
As for the other less sympathetic posters, please show some grace. We should be supporting each other.
AnonymousSeptember 28,2023 at 1:40PM UTC
100% - this is the worst job market I've ever seen/lived through - never has it been this bad.
AnonymousSeptember 28,2023 at 12:31PM UTC
What's your field? I know it's always been rough out there for the unemployed, but depending on what you're looking for it can be downright brutal.
PRSeptember 28,2023 at 2:53PM UTC
I wish I could help, but I am just sharing my experience right now.
I am in the same boat. My experience is much less than yours (~6 years), and I am on an immigrant visa. I took some short-term contract gigs to keep the money flowing, but it's been tough. I am okay financially, but I don't know how long this will take.
ChelsSeptember 28,2023 at 10:47PM UTC
American income life is hiring, you just need an insurance license.
ChelsSeptember 28,2023 at 10:50PM UTC
Also LiveOps is hiring you just have t pass a background check. https://liveops.com/
Hassan FarooqSeptember 29,2023 at 7:55PM UTC
It sounds like you're in a tough spot, and it's understandable that you're feeling frustrated and discouraged. It's also important to remember that you're not alone. Many people are struggling to find jobs right now, and it can take a long time, even for qualified candidates.
Here are a few things you can do to keep your job search on track and increase your chances of success:
Continue to apply for jobs, even if they're not exactly what you're looking for. You never know when you might get a call for an interview.
Target your job applications. Tailor your resume and cover letter to each job you apply for, and highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position.
Network with people in your field. Attend industry events, connect with people on LinkedIn, and reach out to former colleagues and classmates. Let them know that you're looking for a job and ask if they have any leads.
Consider working with a recruiter. Recruiters can help you find jobs that match your skills and experience, and they can also provide you with guidance on your job search.
Be patient and persistent. The job search can be tough, but it's important to stay positive and keep trying.
Here are some additional tips that may be helpful:
Update your resume and cover letter regularly. Make sure to include your most recent skills and experience, and be sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to each job you apply for.
Practice your interviewing skills. Ask a friend, family member, or colleague to help you practice answering common interview questions.
Follow up after interviews. Send a thank-you note to the interviewer within 24 hours of the interview.
Don't be afraid to negotiate. If you're offered a job, don't be afraid to negotiate the salary and benefits.
It's also important to take care of yourself during your job search. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. It's also important to spend time with loved ones and do things that you enjoy.
I know it's hard to stay positive when you're unemployed and your job search is going slowly. But it's important to remember that you're not alone, and there are things you can do to increase your chances of success. Keep trying, and don't give up.
Andre JonesSeptember 15,2025 at 3:17PM UTC
Hey, what's good! That whole endless cycle of applying for jobs and hearing nothing back is a special kind of soul-crusher, for real. The grind is exhausting, and it's wild how people who aren't in it just tell you to "keep going" like it's that simple. Your music hustle is a solid move, though; having something productive to pour that energy into is clutch for staying sane. I got into a similar headspace a while back and needed a different kind of distraction, something to just switch my brain off from the resume-refreshing marathon. I ended up diving into some online gaming, and the glory casino pakistan scene was a surprising find. Hitting a nice little win on Glory Casino actually gave me some much-needed breathing room and, honestly, a little morale boost. It’s no nine-to-five, but it took the edge off and made the job hunt feel a little less desperate. Hang in there, man.