Hi. I have been looking for job in my city (Houston, TX), other cities, and remote for over 18 months!

22 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 11,2025 at 12:18AM UTC

   I don't think it's you. If you are listening at all to market reports and overall sentiment of u.s. business leaders, no one is hiring. The jobs are simply not there. Just watch the stock markets, they are out of this world because corporate America is hunkering down cost cutting. So their profit margins are up. Not spending on much and certainly not investing in their workforce. Have you been following the heavy layoffs and cutbacks? The good news is that business can't stay like this forever.

   So we are in a wait and see phase. I'm hoping things turn around in the first quarter 2026. In the meantime, I plan to keep applying and keep taking odd jobs to try and stay afloat. I'm actually bartending to pay my rent.
   So the bottom line is, it's not your resume or education. It's more the state of the employment market and business cycle.

   Hang in there.

2. Erica HelmsOctober 12,2025 at 4:52PM UTC

   Thank you so much!

3. AnonymousOctober 11,2025 at 12:39PM UTC

   Agreed with the prior post - Seems our Country & Economy is in a Fog right now, and companies are posting "ghost jobs" to give the appearance that they're still strong & growing, etc...I'd start re-shifting my personal finance priorities & plan for the long haul - Maybe even consider changing my living situation to reduce monthly expenses. Welcome to FGB & Keep your head up!

4. AnonymousOctober 11,2025 at 6:12PM UTC

   Wow. Ghost jobs! I had never heard that before but it makes sense. No one does their diligence anymore and good corporate governance has gone the way of the old pension plans and employee retention. So sad about all these people who have spent so much time and money bin higher education to be sidelined and burdened with outrageous student loans. One thing that is certain, this will create some new entrepreneurial opportunities and those with the big educations that change their mind set may create a new paradigm which is needed. I chose specifically NOT to get an MBA. I worked with lots of people who were in the midst of getting the MBAs or were newly minted MBAs and wasn’t impressed with the cookie cutter styles. They never were able to use the real training in creativity or change management they received which I thought was a waste. So now is the time to put all that to work.

5. Erica HelmsOctober 12,2025 at 4:51PM UTC

   Thank you!

6. AnonymousOctober 11,2025 at 1:27PM UTC

   Here is what I’ve found (and confirmed by a VP in Legal HR at a national, well known company. In this job market, potential tariff/financial uncertainty and the need to decrease cost where possible, candidates with a 6+ figure salary expectation (think MBA or resume with Executive positions) are not likely going to be as sought after as they once were in the workplace. One may think “I’m not expendable - I have experience companies NEED”. True, in a normal workplace climate. As we know, nothing is quite normal these days. The sad reality is that most employees are looked at as expendable, esp. companies that hire 3 Exec. positions - which can easily add over $1mill (plus benefits) to their payroll. I could go on about this generation’s priorities when it comes to hiring. My recommendation? While you’re looking, take online courses from Google’s Online Academy, which provides certification you can add to your LinkedIn profile, or Coursera courses (both are free) diving into the latest trends in your industry. Also, brush up on AI if you haven’t already. Staying current/relevant in tools that are crossing over into most industries gives you a leg up out of the gate. Unfortunately, degrees don’t hold the same value they once did. Also, ask whatever AI tool you use to optimize your LinkedIn page. Recruiters search LinkedIn every day to fill positions, as opposed to listing either ghost positions, or not wanting to deal with the influx of responses coming in. Last bit of advice: of you see a job posting, apply on the company site - not through a job board like Indeed or LinkedIn. Too saturated nowadays. This advice may not pay the rent this month - but trust me, trying these new tactics will get you closer to interviews. Good luck to you!!

7. Erica HelmsOctober 12,2025 at 4:50PM UTC

   Thank you so much. These are great ideas!!!!

8. AnonymousOctober 12,2025 at 10:12PM UTC

   While perushing job postings, perhaps take note of positions / skills employers are looking for. To help pay bills in these fluctuating economic times, one needs to be adaptable to changing climate, keeping an open mind on other possibilities you would not usually noticed. As written above, one may need to learn new skills.

9. AnonymousOctober 11,2025 at 6:20PM UTC

   Hi there. As I said in response to a comment below … get creative. You have a great education, USE it ?. I’ll bet there are a bunch of other underemployed over educated folks like you looking for work. Forget about trying the fake traditional routes. As many folks are finding out these apps aren’t motivated to get us work. They are motivated to get your info and appear to be popular and effective which they are not! See what you can do about gathering with others in your community and start a new business and become the boss. Go for it!

10. Erica HelmsOctober 12,2025 at 4:48PM UTC

    Yes, I have thought about this. Have not figured it all out but thank you for the thoughts and well-wishes.

11. AnonymousOctober 12,2025 at 11:23AM UTC

    Contact the college you got the MBA from and ask for help from their career services department, go to networking events such as job fairs to meet people in person, use your network of friends, family, former co-workers, etc. Chances are your resume is already professional and appropriate and you're customizing it for each position you are applying for, but it wouldn't hurt to get a qualified person to review it just in case something is missing, something should be added, it needs different keywords, or the slight chance that there is a typo you are not noticing-- manger instead of manager, for example. If you haven't already, try a temping agency. If you volunteer in the community, you may also meet connections through volunteering. The job market is just ridiculous now; this site is full of posts from people struggling to find work, and these are well-qualified people who are trying. All you can do is keep trying , and consider a "right now" job while you wait for the right one to come along. Is it sad that someone with an MBA might be waiting tables at The Olive Garden? For sure, but if you can't get unemployment pay, some money is better than no money. Here's hoping a suitable position turns up soon!

12. Erica HelmsOctober 12,2025 at 4:44PM UTC

    Thank you! I agree, some is better than none!

13. GirlBossanova934974October 12,2025 at 2:03PM UTC

    You really have not given much to go off here. An MBA from where and in what? Years of experience? Industry? I would stay away from the 'gloomsters and the doomsters" philosophy that the economy is this, that, or something else. If there is one thing I have learned in 40 years in the workforce, it is that Corporate America operates like a pack of kids. No balance. One minute, they're spending money like running water. The next minute? They're counting every pencil and every thumbtack, looking for savings. The truth is that there are plenty of jobs out there if you have connections AND/OR have a specific set of skills or have work experience in an industry. Your resume has to be tied to skillsets and experience in specific industries. It is definitely a job market for people who fit a very round peg into a very round hole. Another thing is that many hiring managers these days are simply UNQUALIFIED to be in the jobs they are in. It is the blind fooling the blind right now......

14. Erica HelmsOctober 12,2025 at 4:42PM UTC

    I truly agree about hiring managers. Its a thankless job, but extremely important. I have an MBA from the University of St. Thomas (Houston, TX), with a concentration in Ethics. I have over 20 years of experince in healthcare, non-profits, and a stint at a law firm. Most of my roles are operations-related, so I have done a variety things. Thank you for your response.

15. GirlBossanova934974October 13,2025 at 4:44PM UTC

    You have two huge positives here. 1) Health care and Legal are hiring. 2) Both verticals for the most part these days are requiring job applicants to have specific PRIOR experience in health care or legal. If it were me, I would be going for the HYBRID roles. HYBRID eliminates more than 75% of the competition in most case vs. Remote. Your chances vastly improve. I would focus on the Operations related roles and make sure I listed every software product That I have used and how I have used them. Put in financial highlights as well. LAST, I would create 2 resumes...........One for management roles and the other for individual roles. Of course, you should only list the last 10-15 years of your roles and NEVER list any graduation dates of degrees if they are more than 15 years old. Your LinkednIn profile should be same. Fully filled out and easily checked by employers There are a TON OF FAKE resumes out there these days. Employers now check LinkedIn to spot fakes. All job dates should match. Again, age related stuff is out.

16. AnonymousOctober 14,2025 at 7:00PM UTC

    Yes, I love my hybrid schedule at my job!!!

17. Tami CannizzaroOctober 15,2025 at 3:42PM UTC

    Yes - and be very specific with your experience, showing your results. If you haven't already done this - each bullet should begin with an action verb: Increased, decreased, saved, etc. Include numbers. Paint the picture of HOW you improved the business or situation for your previous employers. Bullets should not start with "responsible for" - that reads like a job description. Before you submit your resume, make sure your professional statement at the top, and your bullets, include experience and language that aligns with what the company is looking for. Obviously don't lie about your experience, yet sometimes we have the right experience yet we have used slightly different words or have not phrased it in the same manner. Also - make sure your experience on the resume is the same as what's posted on LinkedIn, and complete your LI profile. Hiring managers look at our LI profiles as well as the resume.

18. AnonymousOctober 14,2025 at 6:54PM UTC

    Are you a boomer? Only boomers would think like this

19. Aaliyah Serianna OlsonOctober 15,2025 at 1:18AM UTC

    Im in San Antonio. Nice to meet you! I had been looking for over a year for a job. Finally ended up having to dumb down my resume and got a customer service job at Wells Fargo. Sucks but it's a job!

20. Diane Frances Lesley-NeumanOctober 15,2025 at 4:01PM UTC

    Start your own business.

21. AnonymousOctober 17,2025 at 1:39PM UTC

    Good morning! I am so sorry you're going through this.But just know that you are absolutely not alone. I'm sure you've done all the usual things.Like update your resume and update your profile on linkedin. Don't just assume because you have a master's degree that you are immediately employable. I really hate to say this because I have a masters and postmasters, But there are millions of people who are walking around with MBAs , PHds etc And Cannot find work. Years ago, That degree was a key to success but no more. It is entirely possible that you are looking for a high end position and will have to lower your personal standards in order to get a paycheck going again. Have you considered becoming a substitute teacher at the local high school? How about teaching business courses at the local community college? You truly might have to sink lower than you anticipated in order to be hired somewhere. I would.

    Encourage you to think outside the box. I see a lot of.
    People telling you to call your university and connect with them... That is only relevant advice if you are Less than five years out of the program and even then, Won't be able to wave a magic wand and get you a job because you'll be competing against many others. It used to be that having an advanced degree made us unique and special.But this is no longer the case. Make sure you're also spending time doing some kind of volunteer work. It's important during a season of unemployment to get out of your head and meet new people, Do good in the world and it will refresh your mind. Network all over the place and keep a humble attitude.And I believe something will pop up for you.

22. AnonymousOctober 17,2025 at 9:42PM UTC

    I did not read the whole string. But this I would do: everything that you eat which has a seed in It (avocado, guava, lemon, orange, cucumber, etc.) plant those seeds now. Keep them moist until they sprout.

    sell them at farmers market or on Etsy.com. Ask where the farmers markets are from the texas university agricultural extension. Do this right now. Email the people in agriculture: where and how to be a vender at farmers markets, flea markets, etc. ask the local high school ag teacher for leads.

    Get food stamps/ebt so you can eat better right now. Ask the school guidance counselor if you do not know how to do this. Yes, it is humiliating, but it KEEPS YOU ALIVE.

    Drink a lot of water. This makes you urinate a lot, but it keeps you healthy. You need your health no matter what.

    Bathe every day. use a little soap. A little soap goes a long way. Brush your teeth every day. These are things people fail to do when under stress. Do these simple things for your future.

    Ask at every chirch where the food banks are, when they are and GO GET FOOD. This makes the food stamps last through the month.

    Make a good resume. Send it to each and every job you think you can do.

    Ask at church for an excellent local financial advisor. Do what they say to do.

    Get on prayer lists.

    Talk to God, in Jesus’s name about all of this. Do what he tells you to do. He is the only One who knows EVERYTHING and who loves you still/anyway.

    Be extremely practical. Don’t buy anything. You need to pay utilities, housing/shelter, food and water, transportation.

    Keep one good interview outfit clean and ready to go at all times. Maybe even keep it in your car.

    tThere is precious little financial help for women with bachelors or higher degrees. Go directly to the source. Here say is only good to help you find the next food bank.

    Do not make friends with alcoholics, drug addicts or people who want to borrow your car. This is not the time for that.

    Go to social security. Ask what you will get from three at age 62 and then at your full retirement age. This should be your monthly budget from now until retirement.

    Make a budget with all your NEEDS only. Every year you live, you will need approximately 5 percent more to meet your needs.

    if you have a retirement account from your last job and if you are age 55 you can use the irs rule of 55 to avoid tax penalties for early retirement withdrawal.

    This just happened to me AGAIN because of DOGE. I was 5 months away from full retirement called “MRA plus 10”. (I was so ANGRY!) It is hard to stay happy because of the stress. Your world gets very small.

    if you have 25 times your needed annual salary in retirement accounts, you have enough to retire and cover your needs.

    I have told you everything I know. I hope some of it helps. Tell your friends. Tell all of Texas about these budget guidelines for early and unexpected retirement, if you can just tell people so they know, so they have another tool to help themselves financially survive.

    look at the company NEW in Washington DC. They have a webpage to help older people apply for jobs daylighting out or finishing off projects for other people. Maybe you qualify for something.

    What a world. What a mess. I hope you have true success.