I just want to come on here with some real numbers.

Anonymous

March 8,2024 at 3:03PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

I just want to come on here with some real numbers.

Forbes just posted an article sharing that the average unemployment in the US currently is 21 weeks. Most of us know the market is brutal.

This week, I FINALLY got a job and I'm ELATED. I want to bring my reality to you with numbers in hopes we can normalize this being a very crummy marathon.

I have 10 years of experience in my field personally generating over $1M in cost-savings. I have a related Master's Degree. I was job hunting for 17 weeks.

168 applications

>100 customized cover letters

>40 hours networking online & in-person

34 hours spent on job hunting webinars

27 interviews

19 career coaching calls

7 resume drafts with a specialist

3 offers

1 amazing job

I had an offer just 8 weeks in and passed knowing it wasn't a great fit, culture and salary-wise. It was SO hard to do but I knew something better was coming. I wasn't willing to take a job and bounce a couple months later. I know I was so incredibly fortunate to be able to do that. The job offer I just accepted pays 46k more than the job I passed on.

Hang in there. You can do it!

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

21 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

21 Comments

Join the conversation

Jennifer Danielle McSherryMarch 8,2024 at 3:45PM UTC
Thank you for the inspiration!
Jessica MinterMarch 8,2024 at 3:57PM UTC
Congratulations on landing the best job for you...with more money! ? Data is so important when it comes to understanding the marketplace. This was such an inspirational post. Wishing you well as you settle in to your new role!
AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 5:57PM UTC
Thank uou.....its always good to get a reality check.
Congratulations on you new job!
AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 6:02PM UTC
This is the new norm! Congratulations on getting it done.
AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 2:25PM UTC
I am tired of "hanging in there".
Depleted retirement, more loans, credit cards sky-high with debt (for the first time).
Considering bankruptcy.
-Month 10 (after a layoff due to RIF)-
680 applications
Job hunting 24/7 (even waking in the middle of the night to search on my phone)
A handful of interviews (the two I had been in the running for ended up hiring within)
96% ghosted
No offers
No job
Competing with the other 262,995 IT people laid off last year https://layoffs.fyi/
AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 2:44PM UTC
Yes, it's all consuming. Been there MULTIPLE times.
Something WILL show itself
AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 8:23PM UTC
I'm so sorry. There is truly nothing motivational in the depths of despair. The odds are so unfairly stacked against you. You can do this. You'll come out on the other side.
AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 3:49PM UTC
Did Forbes mention underemployment? I was unemployed during Covid and still am catching up. I was running out of unemployment so got a part time job and a month later Covid hit. I had two positions that were close to making decisions and when businessess sent people home I was ghosted. I ended up living on that part time job and eventually minimal unemploment was partially restarted, taking into account that it was in addition to my part time job. Four years of this mess and also 4 years older is hurting my job prospects.
AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 8:16PM UTC
In this article, they did not but wow, what a journey. I'm so sorry you're enduring that. It needs to to be talked about so much more. Here's that article if you want to see the whole piece: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jameshudson/2024/03/06/how-to-stay-resilient-during-your-job-search/
AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 7:58PM UTC
Or perhaps the people that care enough to tell you to keep persevering and not give up???
AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 8:20PM UTC
Fair. What do you suggest as an alternative statement to convey hope? Certainly don't want to say "enjoy the journey"... that gives me the ick.
AnonymousMarch 10,2024 at 4:27AM UTC
Congratulations to your job! I think you fared well. Thank you for sharing your story and inspire us.
Did you find your work through applications or networking?
AnonymousMarch 10,2024 at 6:59PM UTC
Out of all of those applications with tailored resumes and cover letters, the job I got was a simple Indeed application. I honestly don't even know how. I got lucky. I pay for LinkedIn premium and FlexJobs, I worked with a recruiting/ headhunting company, I have a large network and I used a coaching/resume service for 12 weeks... all to have it be Indeed (I did* write a cover letter). It's for a hybrid role so not 100% remote.
AnonymousMarch 10,2024 at 1:33PM UTC
It’s tough to hang in there, I know your post is coming from a good place.
I found a job really quickly and was shocked but I’ve heard some horror stories. People don’t have 21 weeks. People have financial responsibilities and unemployment is not cutting it. You are worrying about your financial situation and trying to get a job at the same time. I honestly feel for anyone that is currently looking for work.
AnonymousMarch 10,2024 at 6:55PM UTC
I agree. We depleted our savings and for us and our special-needs family, it is terrifying. It's going to take a while to get back on our feet but we're lucky we had enough money for food, housing, etc. I didn't mean to offend anyone by saying "hang in there". I just want to bring transparency to one journey. How isn't it talked about more?? There needs to be a dialog and support but it's largely absent.
AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 12:50PM UTC
I feel this! 5 weeks now unemployed, 60+ rejection letters and 30 applications plus ghosted. I have a special needs 17 year old but thankfully can go 9-5 weekdays without an issue. 6 interviews so far and 1 day of a “cultural fit” interview and silence. I’m terrified as I cannot even get into the unemployment office until the 18th to apply as my account online has an issue and they want to see my SS card. Can’t pay bills when there is nothing to pay from. Only one other time in my 44 years of existence did I ever have to look for work unannounced and I had a job before the week was out and never had to file. I don’t want to fail and will start applying to stores soon but they don’t like knowing I need a schedule where I’m home on weekends. My world is certainly scary right now.
Suzie S.March 11,2024 at 3:54AM UTC
I needed this post! I feel like I have been looking forever and have applied to SO many things and written so many cover letters. Congratulations!
AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 12:52PM UTC
46k MORE???
I dont even make that much im certain due to ageism
Cindy BockMarch 11,2024 at 6:55PM UTC
Thank you for the encouragement. I am an eternal optimist and just passed the 1 year mark of unemployment. what a milestone, I never thought I'd have to endure... Women supporting other women has helped me immensely.
AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 9:30PM UTC
I just took a job from an old employer (at a 20K pay cut) and I used to work for them 20 years ago (leaving on bad terms, I resigned due to the toxicity). They must have known I'm out of a job again and have been reaching out. I was laid off 12/29 and put in hundreds of apps. Had some interviews that went 3 in only to be ghosted. I debated for a month on taking this and going back for many reasons (I now need a cane to walk and am not very mobile and they are super accepting but I was hesitant and this also makes me afraid for holding out that no one else will hire me if I can't get remote), the pay, the fact that after not being in an office 4 years plus I would have to be in one 5 days a week and that I am on a bad cycle (staying up ALL night till 8 or 9 am applying for jobs then sleeping in the day). I looked hard and then I looked hard at the world and the economy (and the lies of this administration) and decided , as the only support for me and my health and insurance and to keep my house, I would take it. I'm sucking up a lot but time goes super fast and I can't risk June getting here and me running out of UE and having 0. Some salary that is higher than UE is better than UE and any salary is better than 0! I am too worried about how things are going to risk holding out for more money and remote. I'm scared and stressed and anxious and it's making me feel like I can't even leave the house But I have to get it together. Fingers crossed!
Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachMarch 12,2024 at 12:10PM UTC
CONGRATS! and thank you for sharing your experience so others can be inspired :)