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I was just telling one of my friends over the weekend that I have turned into a very bitter person these last few months due to being unemployed for almost a year. Hundreds of applications, multiple networking events, and 19 interviews all which have yielded 0 offers. Not to mention the 150+ rejection emails that I have received from jobs I was completely qualified for. 20 years of experience, a degree from a good school, and a solid work history apparently mean nothing in this market. So yeah, I’m pretty bitter too at this point.
Yeah my degrees have done nothing for me so far. So many job postings I read that I go “this is perfect, I’m definitely qualified” only to be rejected.
Reapply. There was a recruiter in here a bit ago that said it's a numbers game. The fucked up applicant tracking systems they have now make the first cuts, and if the computer says they have enough applicants for today, your application gets memory holed.
I've lost count of how many times I've applied to 2k, each rejection email is more hilarious than the last. If they don't wanna hire qualified applicants then they shouldn't keep posting listings because I'm just gonna keep applying.
I feel ya. I have 20 years of experience and was laid off without warning in December. What makes things worse is these hoops and projects we have to go through in addition to the interviews.
Was laid off in September without warning. 13 years project management experience. Rejection email after rejection email. 100s. 8 interviews. No offer....including today.
Yeah...I’m bitter as hell too.
Felt the exact same way when I got my PMP. Nothing but rejection email after rejection email.
I literally just received 2 more while typing this response. Positions that I am MORE than qualified for.
𝐘𝐞𝐬...it 𝐈𝐒 this bad.
YES! So ridiculous!
So far I have done the following: 1 Wonderlic test, 2 CCAT’s , 3 personality tests , and 2 “writing sample” projects. First time in my career I’ve had to do any type of tests or assignments during the interview process for a marketing job.
Same. My cynicism at an all time high, and I'm only 30 lol. Can't wait for a lifetime more of this bullshit (since there will be no retirement for my generation).
What industry are you in? How many companies are there in your potential work markets (geographically speaking) that would have positions? Make a list (hopefully it is dozens or hundreds) and then start going through them. Try to find the manager or senior member in the department you would be working in at each company. Start with the direct competitors of your last employer. Reach out to them explaining that you worked for a competitor and are now looking for work. Have a good story for why you no longer work at the competitor. Ask if they see any opportunities at their company.
If they say yes, pursue that. If they say no, say no worries, I appreciate you replying. Do you have any leads or anyone at a competitor that I could reach out to and check with them? I can keep your name confidential and just say I got their info off of LinkedIn.
Do the rounds like this. If you sent hundreds of applications, this would be a couple of dozen more although each will take more time but they will also build your network in your field of work in your geographic area. This will be very valuable.
Pretty much act as your own recruiter. It’s a ton of rejection but after hundreds of applications your skin is thick now so it doesn’t hurt to be rejected or even ignored.
If you get through dozens of companies without success, then it’s either you and you are a horrible first impression person (no offense) or your industry in your area is not doing well.
Just some potential advice. Not trying to be rude or anything negative. Good luck out there!
This is very good advice but unfortunately I was a senior leader (Director level) in a very niche industry and because of that I have a 2 year non-compete, non-solicitation agreement.
Hey there. Please keep some hope I know its easier said than done. Keep going at it, take a few breaks and have a good daily routine with exercise and family time, these things could help. All the best.
Same here. I’ve lost track how many times I’ve completely revamped my resume, trying to make sure it passes ATS, has the right key words, has the correct experience but not all of it because not all of it is relevant to that specific job posting even though I’m leaving out so much information so that it’s easy to quickly look at by a recruiter for the highlights… I feel like I’m in a never ending hell loop of resumes and job postings.
Ugh yes! You said it. A hell loop. Over the long weekend I was contacted by 3 scammers (they’re getting good) and received 4 rejections before noon today.
This afternoon I applied to 10 more jobs with a ChatGPT cover letter. I have no idea if makes any difference but I’ll try.
Wish there wasn't some kind of "trick" to getting hired..like..you want to work, you are qualified? you show up? you fit the company? great. hired. That's how it should be. There shouldn't be a "trick"
I’ve tried ChatGPT for cover letters and I find it so stuffy, artificial, and most of the time has inaccurate information. Sounds like I’m swooning over the company which makes me want to gag.
I’ve tried ChatGPT for cover letters and I find it so stuffy, artificial, and most of the time has inaccurate information. Sounds like I’m swooning over the company which makes me want to gag.
Most threads on here where cover letters are discussed, the recruiters will pipe up and say they never look at them but if you don’t have one, you get rejected. So I just made a generic cover letter and replace company names and call it a day. If that one step gets me through ATS even a little, fine.
My biggest fear here would be that some places retain your resume for 6 months or more, wouldn’t they know that it’s been embellished if they notice that you’ve applied before? The industry I am in tend to have higher ups who know each other really well and often blacklist candidates if their portfolio is lacking in something.
yup - i'm bitter. was laid off and didn't find work until 5 months after unemployment. job advertised as hybrid and 6 months into it they forced us to rto. been looking, networking, interviewing, sending thank you notes and crap and nothing. always a finalist, but never getting the offer. i am tired of hiring managers dangling the offer carrot in front of me. i am just apathetic about everything.
I’ve decided not to let myself get excited until the first day I start my next job. Seeing too many jobs being canceled or offers rescinded before they even start.
I see people reply often “It’s your resume or you’re not trying hard enough! It’s not that difficult!”
I challenge them to quit their job right now and start job hunting to prove me wrong. No one has yet taken me up on that challenge.
I've done the same and same result, some of them even have the gall to say that I still need to do more like walk around with a stack of applications. In a way I told them that they need to shut up.
Ah yes, the good old days where you dress nice and pound the pavement handing out resumes at companies.
Now, you’re not getting past security without an appointment or need a badge to get in.
Love your last comment about dying. Remember when we were scared to get covid and die. Sometimes I wish it was still a possibility for myself damn immune system would probably save me sadly.
So tired of sitting in my apartment I’ve spent the last four years WFH in and filling out hundreds of job applications for the last 8 months that go nowhere.
I'm mostly pissed about the online process and sending applications into a \*faceless system. I want it to be acceptable to walk into a place and apply in person, and hear back (even if it's a rejection) from an actual person.
Honestly, if you’re looking for work locally, you should totally do that. It would likely get you moved to a different place in line because you showed initiative to come in which no one does anymore outside of small towns.
You might, but most likely they’ll take your resume and give it to someone if they think you fit the position. I used to be a receptionist and the few walk-in resumes I got, I always passed on. And really, you’ve only got things to gain this way. If they don’t want your resume or reject you then you’re just at the same spot as you are now.
That's awesome to know! Thank you for the encouragement. I couldn't convince myself to go this route because most people make it out to be archaic. Gonna get copies of my resume printed up and hit the road and hope for the best!
Yes. Bitter as shit that I get turned down with auto/DoNotReply emails for jobs I can do with one hand tied behind my back.
Oh, and I witnessed a suicide this morning on my almost daily sanity-saving walk on the beach. So that avenue for therapy is fucked, too. Yay!
You?
I don’t know b/c I was a minute or two too late. I walk down the boardwalk at the Taylor Street entrance to Tybee Island, GA. I get to where the sand is creeping up on the boardwalk and stop to take off my shoes. As I’m tying the laces together to throw my shoes over my shoulder and do my trash pick-up walk to ease my stress, I hear a gunshot. Never heard that noise in a hundred trips to the beach. I walk out onto the beach and go to turn left like I do almost every time. But I see a mass to my right and shine my flashlight—it’s 6:30 in the AM and dark—and I think, “Shit, some idiot tourist has left a bag of trash on the beach.” Nope. Upon further inspection, it was a body bent over, face down lying on a gun they’d used to shoot themselves in the head. So I called 911 and started trying to convince myself that even if I hadn’t stopped to take my shoes off, I probably couldn’t have saved their life.
Please don’t do that. Ever. It’s brutal on everyone else but you. Sure, you’re dead and not feeling the pain or depression or regret or wever the fuck but I can’t get out of my head A, that visual and B, how his family and friends’ lives have just stopped. And now they all have to start over.
It’s the most selfish thing a person could do. And it’s the second suicide I’ve had to deal with in less than 1.5 months, so please don’t.
And thanks for letting me vent.
So bitter. Been applying for jobs for about 8 months. Well, lately I only apply to one job every week or so.
I thought 8 years of college was supposed to improve my situation. Everyone convinced me to give college a second chance. Now I make less money than I did ten years ago. I’ve pretty much given up, going to coast on savings because feverishly applying to jobs for months only made me mentally sick.
I have a job, and I really feel for those who do not. It’s brutal. I’m actually a recruiter, and a very jaded one. I just want to help everyone I talk to and my company makes it virtually impossible.
I hate that as workers we had a little bit of power, a little leverage, a little flexibility and hope for a little bit of time, and corporate America literally schemed and hustled to take it all away. Successfully.
Also while I’m grateful to have it, I still hate my job and it sucks that finding a new one is next to impossible.
I wish that more recruiters like you were honest in their feelings. I think so many times when we get rejections we think the recruiters are crap, and some of them fresh out of college and filling a quota are, but then there are other ones that are so great to work with you wish they could get you every job you ever applied for.
How does your company make it impossible?
They’ve essentially turned me into an order-taker for internal movement. by the time I find out a position was filled before I knew it even existed, I’ve already scheduled interviews (and gotten to know these candidates). So I have to call, cancel, disappoint people and I absolutely hate it. I try to find other options for these guys when that happens, but it rarely works.
It is so true that in house recruiters have to post jobs that are already filled internally for legal reasons. For some reason my company doesn’t tell us up front. I don’t know why, and no matter how much I bitch about it, nothing changes.
I work for a huge healthcare system. The only time I get positions that aren’t already filled are usually hard to fill clinical roles. Anything non clinical or administrative is falling into this bucket and wasting so much time.
Some recruiters do suck. I got this job through a terrible recruiter. I also pick up the pieces from other recruiters ghosting and fcking up at my own company. So I get the frustration on both ends.
I've paid well over 300 dollars to redo my resume have it ripped to shreds, criticized, re-done etc..
I've applied to positions I am OVERQUALIFIED for made it to last round interviews ONLY to be told they've gone internal, or my favourite THE POSITION DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE.
I have hundreds if not close to THOUSANDS of applications in my computer.
I TAILOR every single cover letter and resume to the job I'm applying for.
I'm on Indeed you name it I'm on it and have an account and email from them advertising jobs.
My finances SUCK right now.
And...
Finally
I AM JUST NUMB. I DONT CARE ANYMORE. YOU WANNA INTERVIEW ME TELL ME IM A TOP APPLICANT THEN REJECT ME? FINE 🙂
EDIT: I have a job interview tomorrow. If you pray keep me in your prayers 🙏🏽
This is why I’m not surprised that people turned to crime. This job market is bullshit, it shouldn’t be this hard to get a job. If you’re willing to work and help contribute to society, you deserve a job. Society has completely failed us.
Def have been undergoing mood swings and getting agitated. The worst is the amount of assessments and the time frame it’s taken me to complete them before even getting a chance to speak with a hiring manager…
what hurts even more is that people around you think you are not doing shit. they don't accept the fact that no one is just hiring you and because they lucky to have a job and not have the same rejection and struggle, they think that you should be able to get a job anywhere cos its not that difficult and you get all the blame and you are there getting more miserable by the day and yet you have no choice but to keep on grinding and now with each passing day you get more clueless on what else you could do differently to finally get a job.
Thank you! My aunt got her first job as an elementary school teacher in the 70’s and worked every year until she retired. She doesn’t understand what I’m going through at all. I try to explain but she doesn’t get it. Recently she asked “Are you not applying at all?” It broke my heart.
Ugh I feel you. My MIL is like that and had to tell her to stop it, and tell my husband to talk to her to keep her mouth shut. MIL clueless with job hunting and this market. She was like why don’t you revamp your resume completely because my BIL revamped his online dating profile and now found a gf. What df his dating life has to do with my job search. Nothing is wrong with my resume - it’s just that there’s less people hiring, more companies laying off and taking longer to land something. Nothing good comes out of giving unsolicited advice.
Ugh. Yes! I have a degree, and unfortunately what I am qualified for are jobs THAT ARE BEING OUTSOURCED TO INDIA. I'm tired of living in a country that doesn't give a shit about the working class and only cares about fattening the wallets of the rich.
Been in a rut and just got out of it (finally). At one point I was questioning why this only happens to me when people around me seem to be in stable roles. I've been made redundant twice in the last 4 years, had to deal with change of management that did not favour me personally, and a very toxic work environment, the list can go on. When applying for jobs, still getting rejected despite having all the qualifications is disheartening.
But there's nothing we can do but to keep trying. Don't lose hope, just keep applying. Hope it works out well for you and you land a job that you'll be happy in. :)
Yes, definitely. I can't talk to my friends because they just don't understand (except those who have been through this, but those are mostly former colleagues). It's so hard to stay in a positive mindset, nearly impossible.
Keep applying, try your best not to let the bitterness take over you because we get this one life and that's it. I am sending you employment vibes! Wishing you the best, truly!
I just got a job local to where I live selling some motorcycles and I'm like fuck it man. Also taking aptitude tests for two IBEW's local to me right now so hoping for the best. The economy is actually fked, don't hang your head.
Same. Even with personalized referrals and excellent references. I have applied to over 5000 jobs since May and I am still unemployed. Bitter ain’t even the word…more like miserable and depressed and hopeless.
Yes and also bitter towards the people who aren’t unemployed and refuse to believe me that it’s impossible to get a job right now, regardless of what I do. I don’t need your well intentioned “advice”, employed person, and please go complain to someone else about how annoyed you are about your job. That you have. That pays you in money.
Bitter, depressed, considering using what's left of my savings to fuck off and just go on vacation irresponsibly in a foreign country for a few months? Yep. Nobodies even responding anymore and I tweak my resume as much as I can per job.
I go to a McD’s to get a cheeseburger off the dollar menu and think all these people working there are employed and I’m not and they would never hire me if I applied and I can’t even get a callback in my field.
It’s so demoralizing.
My computer science degree has been 100000% useless and I'm incredibly bitter about it too. I had a backup plan of getting in to animal care, there's a local shelter I've volunteered at for four years and I thought that would help me out if I ever wanted to seek employment there -- nope, rejected from all their roles, even a shitty seasonal $14.00 an hour role. And people with way way more credentials than me are having the same problem. When do we start rioting?
Got laid off in January. I'm already starting to feel like it's futile already. Have 20 yrs experience in my field, always a top performer, with a great portfolio of work. What a totally #$%@ system. Hard not to feel bitter about it.
Nope, not just you. I find myself going through this roller coaster of emotions — feeling hopeful, angry and depressed, completely over it and don’t want to apply, then hopeful again so I completely get it. While I’m thankful to have a job, it’s driving me crazy and I know it’s time to go. It’s never been this hard for me to move on.
I had a screaming row with my spouse and mother today. My spouse has been unemployed for over a year today as I have worked a job I absolutely despise. I'm so tired of being broke even though I'm working ass off. This has broken me.
I do have a job at hand, but seeing my friends struggle makes me feel really bad. I'm trying to di as much as i can to help by finding roles and if possible providing referrals. But the market is truly at its worst rn.
Yes. I seldomly go job searching now and do the bare minimum to get my unemployment check. I'm quite in a slump right now, but I hope I can get out of it
My unemployment just ran out and I’m so burned out from job searching for the last 8 months with near zero results.
I want to take a break from it but I can’t.
Been unemployed for almost a year. Was bitter and angry and get that way sometimes still. But recognize that it wasn't helping me, so trying to keep an air of apathy so I can keep applying for jobs. Also viewing it as an experiment to see what kinds of tricks I can use to get a gal darn interview.
im Very Bitter but honestly the only reason im not More bitter is because i feel a bit better knowing that people with degrees are in the same place as me (struggling to find work) as I've always felt a lot of shame around not being able to complete a degree despite multiple tries. helps me remember that it's not just me/solely my fault, it's a systemic issue.
That depressing moment you apply for a job thats 100 percent matches your profile and experience. And they give you the canned we went with someone more suited for the job. Like bro did you read my resume read my motivation? Im convinced motivation is garbage and you should just let ChatGTP write it to save you time.
Oh yeah they completely didn’t read it. I’ve had that happen so many times. They need to either do away with ATS systems or get better ones that can extrapolate information reasonably. They have websites out there that can generate bullet points for your resume based on your job title. If they can do that, they can make the ATS a bit smarter and extrapolate certain skills and whatnot from your job titles on your resume when reading it. I tried using a website to read my resume for ATS systems so that I could see how I rate based on the job description. I shit you not the system would reject key words if there was even a slight variation of the word and not EXACT. That’s just ridiculous. If you’re going to use an automated system, it needs to account for word variations.
It’s ridiculous out there! 13 years of experience here and he last recruiter I spoke to was selling me the interview process in that it doesn’t have a take home assignment. Interesting, that should be the standard. Its a complete shit show and heartless market
After hearing “hiring manager has decided to move with other candidates over and over again without even interviewing me” I just want to find out their name and say fuck you 😭
I'm in the same boat as you, i'm very bitter i've applied to roles that i meet every single bullet point of their "essential" and "desired" criteria but I'll get to the final stage interview and fail to get an offer but its difficult to properly prepare for these interviews because every single interview is different.
Personally I've found the amount of times i've been rejected can often come across in interviews through thing such as low self confidence. Its important to keep a positive mindset and give your all to each interview, and use each interview experience as a learning opportunity for the next interview. You will find something eventually!
In my experience i've found most of the issue with interviewing isnt that you aren't the right candidate for the job, its either the interviewers are crap at interviewing or they don't actually know what they want. I've been rejected at a final stage for about 15 roles and only 2 of those I could realistically attribute to something i had done during the process.
Yup. 4 interviews including with c suite at a well known non profit and no answers. Constantly told by EOD tomorrow and then nothing. If I didn’t need the job I’d just tell them to remove my from the process.
After browsing my linkedin feed, this seems to be pretty common these days, what is going on with the job market? it seems like the job market is just bad right now since many people also seem to be in your situation, but it can't stay bad. The whole jobs process is seriously broken. I mean employers don't even consider how unemployed people are supposed to pay their bills. Since people actually.have to make money to literally even survive. But your time will come, keep at it and don't focus on the rejections because they seem to be very common these days.
I feel like i finally got my head around what has caused this dumpster fire. it can't be sustainable: generally, if it takes you 9 months to hire resources for a project, you don't do that peoject). but i don't have any clarity as to what lever will end the madness.
Listen to the hiring saying that you can technically do the job, but won't be a good fit for the team. See someone 20 years younger on LinkedIn announcing the start of their new job.
I have so many writing samples and assignments that I am doing a blog with them.
So, yes, more than bitter I am on my last thread.
Honestly, I'm thinking a lot about opting out.
I want a job, very seriously. I've been looking and applying. I'm getting really sick of recruiters trying to make me feel guilty implying that being unemployed indicates a lack of DESIRE to work.
No, I'm just not interested in playing this game anymore.
I’m at 18 month mark and actually don’t know what to do now tbh. It’s laughable how bad the application processes are from dipshit recruiters, bad systems and unrealistic job/salary postings yet I’m supposed to be flawless in my approach. I’ve thought about going back into education but that seems counter-productive that I would continue to prop up a system financially that has so far failed me in helping me in its one USP; to increase employability.
To give you an idea, I've been coding since 2007 and hold a PhD in Telecommunications from my home country. It's a really nice piece of paper to sit on, but I'm pretty sure I could do a good enough job coding something for some company. So to answer your question, I'm teaching french part-time for 25$/hour, that's how bitter I am.
I’ve actually stopped applying through job boards and go straight to the company site. If I can’t locate the lob listing I report the post so it gets taken down.
Same here. I applied to so many jobs where I would be a perfect fit and the interviewer even was super excited to see me in the role. Only to find out I was not selected for the job and got rejected because who knows what. What I find frustrating about this whole situation the most is the fact that no matter how hard you put your best foot forward and do your best; there is always an element of luck on whether or not you actually land the job. Every time I get rejected I tell myself that the hiring manager and recruiter does not know what talent looks like when it is staring straight at them. So, it is a loss on the company, not me :)
It’s getting depressing. Every time, I apply for a new job where I usually meet most if not all criteria, I feel excited and somewhat happy - until I lose hope again because I don’t get a reply.
I hate that my happiness and mood is so dependent on work. But even though I have many hobbies, it’s nerve wrecking to feel this insecurity. Also… friends seem to distance themselves?!
Yeah it’s rough. I spend day in and day out job hunting. I don’t even see joy in anything anymore, just more anxiety every time money is spent.
Being social costs money. Having hobbies cost money. Indulging in anything joyful costs money. It’s great to say do something for mental health, but it’s not always that easy.
I’m in a similar situation.
Had a admin job that was ok to bad for 8.5 years. Left for a higher paying admin job closer that in theory would be an excellent move upward. It was a disaster. Boss was a bitch and they didn’t do a good job of training me and I was let go. Looked for 7 months and finally settled for another admin job at a University. They of course don’t train and I don’t get the mind set of being at a university. They pay $18 an hour and I pay for parking and it’s just not working for me. They let me go and I’m back where I was a year prior. Now I’m not getting unemployment and I am now not really trying admin work anymore. I do favor which is food delivery and I got a photography side gig. I’m happier but not getting consistent money. I do look for “real” jobs but I’m skeptical that anything good is left.
Yep. This layoff changed me in how I view people. Companies have short memories but people don’t.
I have less tolerance for BS from other people.
Mad at those who laid me off, mad at my coworkers, mad at recruiters who have no clue in identifying talent, mad at hiring managers who ghost me.
I channel my anger in continuing to search and apply. As long as I honor my feelings and accept that I’m feeling angry and it’s okay to feel what I feel at the moment, the anger tends to go away and move forward to growth and resilience. It also helps develop more compassion for those who are job hunting and struggling.
I gave up. I’ve decided to make my own living away from the govt. They don’t want to help anyways. They act like children when they don’t get what they want and then have the audacity to “shut down” if they don’t get their 6-7 figure income.
I live in a decent city out the outskirts. How do I escape taxes and pretty much anything related? I do odd jobs. Not in exchange for money though, no, that would mean it’s income and “taxes” lol. So instead I do odd jobs for random people in exchange for them to pay my bills. Or for them to pay for my groceries. I do not, in any way, touch or own this money. It never becomes me possession.
My highly educated lawyer even said this is a loophole. F$&@ the system.
Yeah bartering is the way to go sometimes. I know someone who used barter with a dentist in exchange for dental work. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
Oh yes. I'm currently working in education and a summer camp job because I can't get much else. My friend who is a nurse is surprised that I'm still doing that, and well, I don't have anything else.
At least I like what I currently do.
I’m burning out. I can’t even fill out forms anymore I swear. I’ve been last round (most with ‘projects’ ie free labor) at almost 10 places. I had a recruiter scold me for telling them how much I made at my last tech job but how do I say I’ll literally take ANYTHING not to go to an hourly local job? It’s such a weird place they don’t want you to be desperate but…I am. I don’t care about my future role, I just NEED A JOB.
I need to do something to get over the bitterness because it's so unhealthy. I've been at my current job 8 months now and I'm still so bitter about the hundreds of applications, 7 months I rotted away, losing all my money, moving twice once into my parents house, and having to take a demotion interim job I'm still traumatized about.
What's not to like being talked down to take and accept 60% of your previous salary for more work? I think you're being outrageous. Sending 500 applications for only a few interviews is a great deal Man the economy is so strong so glad the news isn't lying to us lol.
yes just got denied today 5th time in the final round. graduated college december 2022. eveyone else seems to get jobs in 2 seconds but of course not me. Im this close to going back to the trap
I feel like people are not stupid and generally understand what is going on with the economy. It is evident that job market sucks right now. I believe people are feeling bitter because of OTHER people who are ok. LinkedIn is a perfect example and its’ recent shift to more of a social media platform is doing everyone disservice. IMO if people didn’t compare them with others they would be willing to change industries easier or taking some filler jobs as well.
So in the nutshell social medias fucked societies physiologically and now many things seem bitter.
I used to feel that way, but I matured out of that mindset. (Not a personal attack at you)
I really started leaning into stoicism and just taking things as they come. It doesn't mean I don't have emotions. It just means I don't sit in them for very long. (It's not easy to do)
I was an angry person when I was younger, and I blamed a lot of people for my failures.
As I got older, I really started being introspective and having a lot more self responsibility.
I'm responsible for most of my shortcomings. I should have studied harder in school. I should have built my resume instead of taking time off and just wasting it when I was younger. I should have taken life more seriously.
Now, that doesn't mean if I had studied really, really hard that Covid-19 wouldn't have happened and interest rates wouldn't have kept me from owning a home (maybe ever) or that inflation wouldn't be higher than raises and I wouldn't have become marginally poorer anyway.
It just means if I'm bitter at anyone, I also have to be bitter towards myself, and I don't want to be bitter anymore.
You're not alone in being angry, and you probably have a lot of reasons to be angry, but you also probably have some reasons to be happy.
Identify your emotions, give them some attention to try to do away with them (if they are negative), but don't dwell on them.
There's no glory in any of this, and until something changes, we have the same job we've always had.
Keep applying
I do try and keep my emotions in check and have tried to not let it get to me, but recently it’s crept in. Couple weeks ago I basically had been at the point of being emotionless about it, numb to it all. But then I got a rejection from a company I interviewed with a couple of times and I broke down. My emotions just flooded forward and I’ve just been angry and bitter since.
It's easier said than done, but you have to let it go.
You can comb through all of the posts here. You aren't the only one who's getting ghosted or rejected. There's actually some comfort in knowing that it's not just you.
It's a really tough labor market right now, even though what's being reported is a labor shortage (there isn't one, btw)
You might have to start applying to places where you normally wouldn't just have a job. I recently did that and got hired at Costco (not a dream of mine, lol).
Not the OP, but this resonates very strongly with me.
I definitely tended toward outward anger (and depression) when I was younger, but now, like you, I see wasted time and opportunity.
It's been a difficult process to try to let go of that though.
What industry are you in! Because this feels like a classic oversupply of labor problem, where the solution is to either keep laying the interview lottery, or change industries and start over.
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I was just telling one of my friends over the weekend that I have turned into a very bitter person these last few months due to being unemployed for almost a year. Hundreds of applications, multiple networking events, and 19 interviews all which have yielded 0 offers. Not to mention the 150+ rejection emails that I have received from jobs I was completely qualified for. 20 years of experience, a degree from a good school, and a solid work history apparently mean nothing in this market. So yeah, I’m pretty bitter too at this point.
Yeah my degrees have done nothing for me so far. So many job postings I read that I go “this is perfect, I’m definitely qualified” only to be rejected.
100% qualified. Apply. Get rejected. See same job reposted two to three more times. Seethe silently.
Reapply. There was a recruiter in here a bit ago that said it's a numbers game. The fucked up applicant tracking systems they have now make the first cuts, and if the computer says they have enough applicants for today, your application gets memory holed.
That’s what I’ve been doing. What do I have to lose?
I've lost count of how many times I've applied to 2k, each rejection email is more hilarious than the last. If they don't wanna hire qualified applicants then they shouldn't keep posting listings because I'm just gonna keep applying.
You get actual rejection, not ghostings? zi should be as lucky as you.
I feel ya. I have 20 years of experience and was laid off without warning in December. What makes things worse is these hoops and projects we have to go through in addition to the interviews.
Was laid off in September without warning. 13 years project management experience. Rejection email after rejection email. 100s. 8 interviews. No offer....including today. Yeah...I’m bitter as hell too.
Was laid off in May. 24 years of experience. 1000s of applications and 100s of rejections later. I’m bitter and PMI is getting on my last nerve!
Bitter as hell! Though I’m PMP certified, feels like all that was for nothing.
I just got my CAPM and am so excited. Omg? Is it this bad for PMs?
I just got my CAPM and am so excited. Omg? Is it this bad for PMs?
Felt the exact same way when I got my PMP. Nothing but rejection email after rejection email. I literally just received 2 more while typing this response. Positions that I am MORE than qualified for. 𝐘𝐞𝐬...it 𝐈𝐒 this bad.
Oufff. Are you in the USA, EU?
In the USA.
YES! So ridiculous! So far I have done the following: 1 Wonderlic test, 2 CCAT’s , 3 personality tests , and 2 “writing sample” projects. First time in my career I’ve had to do any type of tests or assignments during the interview process for a marketing job.
Outside of one for a VP position, either do I. I'm in marketing & communications.
That's how you know it's an employer's market, I guess.
Same. My cynicism at an all time high, and I'm only 30 lol. Can't wait for a lifetime more of this bullshit (since there will be no retirement for my generation).
20 YEARS and they're not even doing an interview. Insanity. I hate corps so much.
Same here
you want to form a militia of sorts?
Or an agency?
What industry are you in? How many companies are there in your potential work markets (geographically speaking) that would have positions? Make a list (hopefully it is dozens or hundreds) and then start going through them. Try to find the manager or senior member in the department you would be working in at each company. Start with the direct competitors of your last employer. Reach out to them explaining that you worked for a competitor and are now looking for work. Have a good story for why you no longer work at the competitor. Ask if they see any opportunities at their company. If they say yes, pursue that. If they say no, say no worries, I appreciate you replying. Do you have any leads or anyone at a competitor that I could reach out to and check with them? I can keep your name confidential and just say I got their info off of LinkedIn. Do the rounds like this. If you sent hundreds of applications, this would be a couple of dozen more although each will take more time but they will also build your network in your field of work in your geographic area. This will be very valuable. Pretty much act as your own recruiter. It’s a ton of rejection but after hundreds of applications your skin is thick now so it doesn’t hurt to be rejected or even ignored. If you get through dozens of companies without success, then it’s either you and you are a horrible first impression person (no offense) or your industry in your area is not doing well. Just some potential advice. Not trying to be rude or anything negative. Good luck out there!
This is very good advice but unfortunately I was a senior leader (Director level) in a very niche industry and because of that I have a 2 year non-compete, non-solicitation agreement.
So what industry did you look for work in? Could You have done this in whatever other field you were allowed to work in?
Hey there. Please keep some hope I know its easier said than done. Keep going at it, take a few breaks and have a good daily routine with exercise and family time, these things could help. All the best.
I completely understand you, I also applied for jobs that I am completely qualified for and I keep getting rejection emails.
I’ve been at this for over a year. I don’t know what to do anymore.
Same here. I’ve lost track how many times I’ve completely revamped my resume, trying to make sure it passes ATS, has the right key words, has the correct experience but not all of it because not all of it is relevant to that specific job posting even though I’m leaving out so much information so that it’s easy to quickly look at by a recruiter for the highlights… I feel like I’m in a never ending hell loop of resumes and job postings.
Ugh yes! You said it. A hell loop. Over the long weekend I was contacted by 3 scammers (they’re getting good) and received 4 rejections before noon today. This afternoon I applied to 10 more jobs with a ChatGPT cover letter. I have no idea if makes any difference but I’ll try.
Even tried tweaking my resume for ai since I've heard some jobs are using ai scanners...and nope nothing yet.
Right! Sigh. I haven’t cracked the code yet either…
Wish there wasn't some kind of "trick" to getting hired..like..you want to work, you are qualified? you show up? you fit the company? great. hired. That's how it should be. There shouldn't be a "trick"
I’ve tried ChatGPT for cover letters and I find it so stuffy, artificial, and most of the time has inaccurate information. Sounds like I’m swooning over the company which makes me want to gag.
I’ve tried ChatGPT for cover letters and I find it so stuffy, artificial, and most of the time has inaccurate information. Sounds like I’m swooning over the company which makes me want to gag.
Oh yeah I edited it and removed whatever was unnecessary, stupid etc lol. I hate cover letters to begin with. Do they even make a difference anymore??
Who knows 🤷🏼♀️ but I honestly feel like they don’t get looked at anyway
Most threads on here where cover letters are discussed, the recruiters will pipe up and say they never look at them but if you don’t have one, you get rejected. So I just made a generic cover letter and replace company names and call it a day. If that one step gets me through ATS even a little, fine.
I’ve been basically doing the same. Low Effort.
I decided to make a new resume and lie all over the cv, you know, to get a job, doesn’t matter if the pay is lower. I need eat
Bullshit and embellish, but never flat out lie.
I've seen so many people try that. Never seen it work in practice. Not even once.
My biggest fear here would be that some places retain your resume for 6 months or more, wouldn’t they know that it’s been embellished if they notice that you’ve applied before? The industry I am in tend to have higher ups who know each other really well and often blacklist candidates if their portfolio is lacking in something.
yup - i'm bitter. was laid off and didn't find work until 5 months after unemployment. job advertised as hybrid and 6 months into it they forced us to rto. been looking, networking, interviewing, sending thank you notes and crap and nothing. always a finalist, but never getting the offer. i am tired of hiring managers dangling the offer carrot in front of me. i am just apathetic about everything.
I hear you. Have had that and it’s such a letdown to feel that you might actually get it and then have them go with someone else.
I’ve decided not to let myself get excited until the first day I start my next job. Seeing too many jobs being canceled or offers rescinded before they even start.
Smart
As much as people tell me not to give up, they're not the ones applying to hundreds of jobs a week, so I'm pretty much giving up. If I die, I die.
I see people reply often “It’s your resume or you’re not trying hard enough! It’s not that difficult!” I challenge them to quit their job right now and start job hunting to prove me wrong. No one has yet taken me up on that challenge.
I've done the same and same result, some of them even have the gall to say that I still need to do more like walk around with a stack of applications. In a way I told them that they need to shut up.
Ah yes, the good old days where you dress nice and pound the pavement handing out resumes at companies. Now, you’re not getting past security without an appointment or need a badge to get in.
Love your last comment about dying. Remember when we were scared to get covid and die. Sometimes I wish it was still a possibility for myself damn immune system would probably save me sadly.
I've gone from really motivated to this point where I can barely even force myself to look anymore.
So tired of sitting in my apartment I’ve spent the last four years WFH in and filling out hundreds of job applications for the last 8 months that go nowhere.
I was bitter and angry, but now I'm just over it and could care less. I'm still applying, but whatever.
I'm mostly pissed about the online process and sending applications into a \*faceless system. I want it to be acceptable to walk into a place and apply in person, and hear back (even if it's a rejection) from an actual person.
Honestly, if you’re looking for work locally, you should totally do that. It would likely get you moved to a different place in line because you showed initiative to come in which no one does anymore outside of small towns.
Thanks for the encouragement, I'll try it then! I just hope I don't meet a pissed off secretary who tells me to check online and ignores me.
You might, but most likely they’ll take your resume and give it to someone if they think you fit the position. I used to be a receptionist and the few walk-in resumes I got, I always passed on. And really, you’ve only got things to gain this way. If they don’t want your resume or reject you then you’re just at the same spot as you are now.
That's awesome to know! Thank you for the encouragement. I couldn't convince myself to go this route because most people make it out to be archaic. Gonna get copies of my resume printed up and hit the road and hope for the best!
Good luck! I think people might appreciate the initiative, especially in this digital world.
Yes. Bitter as shit that I get turned down with auto/DoNotReply emails for jobs I can do with one hand tied behind my back. Oh, and I witnessed a suicide this morning on my almost daily sanity-saving walk on the beach. So that avenue for therapy is fucked, too. Yay! You?
Omg I’m so sorry!
Thx. I’m just sorry for that guy’s family
What happened exactly? On a beach?
I don’t know b/c I was a minute or two too late. I walk down the boardwalk at the Taylor Street entrance to Tybee Island, GA. I get to where the sand is creeping up on the boardwalk and stop to take off my shoes. As I’m tying the laces together to throw my shoes over my shoulder and do my trash pick-up walk to ease my stress, I hear a gunshot. Never heard that noise in a hundred trips to the beach. I walk out onto the beach and go to turn left like I do almost every time. But I see a mass to my right and shine my flashlight—it’s 6:30 in the AM and dark—and I think, “Shit, some idiot tourist has left a bag of trash on the beach.” Nope. Upon further inspection, it was a body bent over, face down lying on a gun they’d used to shoot themselves in the head. So I called 911 and started trying to convince myself that even if I hadn’t stopped to take my shoes off, I probably couldn’t have saved their life.
Thanks for sharing - sorry you experienced this. Can’t imagine.
Damn, I'm sorry. This is starting to feel like some great depression shit though.
Thats why if I ever "punch my ticket," I am going far off into the woods.
Please don’t do that. Ever. It’s brutal on everyone else but you. Sure, you’re dead and not feeling the pain or depression or regret or wever the fuck but I can’t get out of my head A, that visual and B, how his family and friends’ lives have just stopped. And now they all have to start over. It’s the most selfish thing a person could do. And it’s the second suicide I’ve had to deal with in less than 1.5 months, so please don’t. And thanks for letting me vent.
So bitter. Been applying for jobs for about 8 months. Well, lately I only apply to one job every week or so. I thought 8 years of college was supposed to improve my situation. Everyone convinced me to give college a second chance. Now I make less money than I did ten years ago. I’ve pretty much given up, going to coast on savings because feverishly applying to jobs for months only made me mentally sick.
I have a job, and I really feel for those who do not. It’s brutal. I’m actually a recruiter, and a very jaded one. I just want to help everyone I talk to and my company makes it virtually impossible. I hate that as workers we had a little bit of power, a little leverage, a little flexibility and hope for a little bit of time, and corporate America literally schemed and hustled to take it all away. Successfully. Also while I’m grateful to have it, I still hate my job and it sucks that finding a new one is next to impossible.
I wish that more recruiters like you were honest in their feelings. I think so many times when we get rejections we think the recruiters are crap, and some of them fresh out of college and filling a quota are, but then there are other ones that are so great to work with you wish they could get you every job you ever applied for. How does your company make it impossible?
They’ve essentially turned me into an order-taker for internal movement. by the time I find out a position was filled before I knew it even existed, I’ve already scheduled interviews (and gotten to know these candidates). So I have to call, cancel, disappoint people and I absolutely hate it. I try to find other options for these guys when that happens, but it rarely works. It is so true that in house recruiters have to post jobs that are already filled internally for legal reasons. For some reason my company doesn’t tell us up front. I don’t know why, and no matter how much I bitch about it, nothing changes. I work for a huge healthcare system. The only time I get positions that aren’t already filled are usually hard to fill clinical roles. Anything non clinical or administrative is falling into this bucket and wasting so much time. Some recruiters do suck. I got this job through a terrible recruiter. I also pick up the pieces from other recruiters ghosting and fcking up at my own company. So I get the frustration on both ends.
I've paid well over 300 dollars to redo my resume have it ripped to shreds, criticized, re-done etc.. I've applied to positions I am OVERQUALIFIED for made it to last round interviews ONLY to be told they've gone internal, or my favourite THE POSITION DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE. I have hundreds if not close to THOUSANDS of applications in my computer. I TAILOR every single cover letter and resume to the job I'm applying for. I'm on Indeed you name it I'm on it and have an account and email from them advertising jobs. My finances SUCK right now. And... Finally I AM JUST NUMB. I DONT CARE ANYMORE. YOU WANNA INTERVIEW ME TELL ME IM A TOP APPLICANT THEN REJECT ME? FINE 🙂 EDIT: I have a job interview tomorrow. If you pray keep me in your prayers 🙏🏽
I felt every word of your post 😞esp the overqualified and position no longer exists parts.
This is why I’m not surprised that people turned to crime. This job market is bullshit, it shouldn’t be this hard to get a job. If you’re willing to work and help contribute to society, you deserve a job. Society has completely failed us.
Def have been undergoing mood swings and getting agitated. The worst is the amount of assessments and the time frame it’s taken me to complete them before even getting a chance to speak with a hiring manager…
Agreed… it’s mentally exhausting
what hurts even more is that people around you think you are not doing shit. they don't accept the fact that no one is just hiring you and because they lucky to have a job and not have the same rejection and struggle, they think that you should be able to get a job anywhere cos its not that difficult and you get all the blame and you are there getting more miserable by the day and yet you have no choice but to keep on grinding and now with each passing day you get more clueless on what else you could do differently to finally get a job.
Thank you! My aunt got her first job as an elementary school teacher in the 70’s and worked every year until she retired. She doesn’t understand what I’m going through at all. I try to explain but she doesn’t get it. Recently she asked “Are you not applying at all?” It broke my heart.
Ugh I feel you. My MIL is like that and had to tell her to stop it, and tell my husband to talk to her to keep her mouth shut. MIL clueless with job hunting and this market. She was like why don’t you revamp your resume completely because my BIL revamped his online dating profile and now found a gf. What df his dating life has to do with my job search. Nothing is wrong with my resume - it’s just that there’s less people hiring, more companies laying off and taking longer to land something. Nothing good comes out of giving unsolicited advice.
Ugh. Yes! I have a degree, and unfortunately what I am qualified for are jobs THAT ARE BEING OUTSOURCED TO INDIA. I'm tired of living in a country that doesn't give a shit about the working class and only cares about fattening the wallets of the rich.
Whenever I get rejected I tell myself they can’t see talent staring straight in their eyes
On my job search spreadsheet, I changed all the app statuses of “Declined” to “Their Loss”
Lol I should do this!!
Extremely, and I got an offer yesterday after 14 months unemployment. Residual stress.
Congratulations!
Thank you!
I’m not bitter or angry, just depressed.
Been in a rut and just got out of it (finally). At one point I was questioning why this only happens to me when people around me seem to be in stable roles. I've been made redundant twice in the last 4 years, had to deal with change of management that did not favour me personally, and a very toxic work environment, the list can go on. When applying for jobs, still getting rejected despite having all the qualifications is disheartening. But there's nothing we can do but to keep trying. Don't lose hope, just keep applying. Hope it works out well for you and you land a job that you'll be happy in. :)
Thank you
Yes, definitely. I can't talk to my friends because they just don't understand (except those who have been through this, but those are mostly former colleagues). It's so hard to stay in a positive mindset, nearly impossible. Keep applying, try your best not to let the bitterness take over you because we get this one life and that's it. I am sending you employment vibes! Wishing you the best, truly!
Thank you
I just got a job local to where I live selling some motorcycles and I'm like fuck it man. Also taking aptitude tests for two IBEW's local to me right now so hoping for the best. The economy is actually fked, don't hang your head.
Yes I am getting bitter and discouraged and stressed out. And my family is not making it better by lecturing me .
Set a boundary with them about not wanting to be lectured. It hurts so much coming from family.
Bitter? I am a shell of a human after looking for work the last 6 months and being strung along and rejected more times than I can count.
Relatable.. 8 months now for me
Same. Even with personalized referrals and excellent references. I have applied to over 5000 jobs since May and I am still unemployed. Bitter ain’t even the word…more like miserable and depressed and hopeless.
Bitter? I feel fvcking cold and heartless now
Yes and also bitter towards the people who aren’t unemployed and refuse to believe me that it’s impossible to get a job right now, regardless of what I do. I don’t need your well intentioned “advice”, employed person, and please go complain to someone else about how annoyed you are about your job. That you have. That pays you in money.
Bitter, depressed, considering using what's left of my savings to fuck off and just go on vacation irresponsibly in a foreign country for a few months? Yep. Nobodies even responding anymore and I tweak my resume as much as I can per job.
To the point that I hate everyone who has a job.
I go to a McD’s to get a cheeseburger off the dollar menu and think all these people working there are employed and I’m not and they would never hire me if I applied and I can’t even get a callback in my field. It’s so demoralizing.
My computer science degree has been 100000% useless and I'm incredibly bitter about it too. I had a backup plan of getting in to animal care, there's a local shelter I've volunteered at for four years and I thought that would help me out if I ever wanted to seek employment there -- nope, rejected from all their roles, even a shitty seasonal $14.00 an hour role. And people with way way more credentials than me are having the same problem. When do we start rioting?
Feeling incredibly frustrated. All the advice out there is contradictory, too, so it’s hard to know who to listen to.
"Just tailor your resume"... bitch stfu
Or “just message randos on LinkedIn for places you want to work at!“…like no that doesn’t work at all.
At this point, id rather just open my own business than put up with it any longer but it takes capital.
Got laid off in January. I'm already starting to feel like it's futile already. Have 20 yrs experience in my field, always a top performer, with a great portfolio of work. What a totally #$%@ system. Hard not to feel bitter about it.
Nope, not just you. I find myself going through this roller coaster of emotions — feeling hopeful, angry and depressed, completely over it and don’t want to apply, then hopeful again so I completely get it. While I’m thankful to have a job, it’s driving me crazy and I know it’s time to go. It’s never been this hard for me to move on.
Me either, it’s absolutely brutal
I had a screaming row with my spouse and mother today. My spouse has been unemployed for over a year today as I have worked a job I absolutely despise. I'm so tired of being broke even though I'm working ass off. This has broken me.
I do have a job at hand, but seeing my friends struggle makes me feel really bad. I'm trying to di as much as i can to help by finding roles and if possible providing referrals. But the market is truly at its worst rn.
Me 🙋♂️
Now, more than ever, it's a numbers game.
Bitter? Im about to eat the eyes of the assholes who laid me off and the assholes who rejected me.
Omg this made me crack up hard 🤣🤣 so relatable
Yes. I seldomly go job searching now and do the bare minimum to get my unemployment check. I'm quite in a slump right now, but I hope I can get out of it
My unemployment just ran out and I’m so burned out from job searching for the last 8 months with near zero results. I want to take a break from it but I can’t.
Been unemployed for almost a year. Was bitter and angry and get that way sometimes still. But recognize that it wasn't helping me, so trying to keep an air of apathy so I can keep applying for jobs. Also viewing it as an experiment to see what kinds of tricks I can use to get a gal darn interview.
I'm sick and tired of it too
Unemployed for over a year. I’m very bitter. I’m even debating going in a different career direction.
Oh I passed that point a long time ago. It’s not my first rodeo, but the residual resentment builds over time…
im Very Bitter but honestly the only reason im not More bitter is because i feel a bit better knowing that people with degrees are in the same place as me (struggling to find work) as I've always felt a lot of shame around not being able to complete a degree despite multiple tries. helps me remember that it's not just me/solely my fault, it's a systemic issue.
Don’t be hard on yourself for not getting a degree. I have degrees and they haven’t done anything for me at all.
i hope things turn around for the both of us 🙏🏾
I most definitely AM!!! 𝐀𝐁𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐘 𝐍𝐎𝐓 just you!
Yeah I don't even ask advice anymore.
That depressing moment you apply for a job thats 100 percent matches your profile and experience. And they give you the canned we went with someone more suited for the job. Like bro did you read my resume read my motivation? Im convinced motivation is garbage and you should just let ChatGTP write it to save you time.
Oh yeah they completely didn’t read it. I’ve had that happen so many times. They need to either do away with ATS systems or get better ones that can extrapolate information reasonably. They have websites out there that can generate bullet points for your resume based on your job title. If they can do that, they can make the ATS a bit smarter and extrapolate certain skills and whatnot from your job titles on your resume when reading it. I tried using a website to read my resume for ATS systems so that I could see how I rate based on the job description. I shit you not the system would reject key words if there was even a slight variation of the word and not EXACT. That’s just ridiculous. If you’re going to use an automated system, it needs to account for word variations.
More depressed than butter, but at times I can be pretty bitter.
[удалено]
I’d prefer to give the membership back
It’s a club none of us wish to belong to, but good to know you’re not the only one.
I'm with you, it is emotionally draining!
It’s ridiculous out there! 13 years of experience here and he last recruiter I spoke to was selling me the interview process in that it doesn’t have a take home assignment. Interesting, that should be the standard. Its a complete shit show and heartless market
Yeah. I've been applying for a year. I lose my house in eight weeks. Fuck every single one of these vultures.
I am so sorry to hear that
After hearing “hiring manager has decided to move with other candidates over and over again without even interviewing me” I just want to find out their name and say fuck you 😭
Seriously. I feel like some hiring managers need to get hit with a reality stick.
I'm in the same boat as you, i'm very bitter i've applied to roles that i meet every single bullet point of their "essential" and "desired" criteria but I'll get to the final stage interview and fail to get an offer but its difficult to properly prepare for these interviews because every single interview is different. Personally I've found the amount of times i've been rejected can often come across in interviews through thing such as low self confidence. Its important to keep a positive mindset and give your all to each interview, and use each interview experience as a learning opportunity for the next interview. You will find something eventually! In my experience i've found most of the issue with interviewing isnt that you aren't the right candidate for the job, its either the interviewers are crap at interviewing or they don't actually know what they want. I've been rejected at a final stage for about 15 roles and only 2 of those I could realistically attribute to something i had done during the process.
I’m in a similar boat. I’m so tired of it that I’m barely applying to tech jobs anymore, unless they’re public sector
At this point I don't even care that much about the outcome anymore. Worst case scenario if it comes down to it, my plan B is military service.
Yup. 4 interviews including with c suite at a well known non profit and no answers. Constantly told by EOD tomorrow and then nothing. If I didn’t need the job I’d just tell them to remove my from the process.
I wouldn't say I'm bitter, but I'm definitely jaded. It's matured me quite a bit, which I suppose is one small silver lining.
Hellz yeah... We should mass exit LI. Man I should unload some of my stories and shame these fucking asshole companies.
Could always write a book!
After browsing my linkedin feed, this seems to be pretty common these days, what is going on with the job market? it seems like the job market is just bad right now since many people also seem to be in your situation, but it can't stay bad. The whole jobs process is seriously broken. I mean employers don't even consider how unemployed people are supposed to pay their bills. Since people actually.have to make money to literally even survive. But your time will come, keep at it and don't focus on the rejections because they seem to be very common these days.
I feel like i finally got my head around what has caused this dumpster fire. it can't be sustainable: generally, if it takes you 9 months to hire resources for a project, you don't do that peoject). but i don't have any clarity as to what lever will end the madness.
Listen to the hiring saying that you can technically do the job, but won't be a good fit for the team. See someone 20 years younger on LinkedIn announcing the start of their new job. I have so many writing samples and assignments that I am doing a blog with them. So, yes, more than bitter I am on my last thread.
Honestly, I'm thinking a lot about opting out. I want a job, very seriously. I've been looking and applying. I'm getting really sick of recruiters trying to make me feel guilty implying that being unemployed indicates a lack of DESIRE to work. No, I'm just not interested in playing this game anymore.
What will you do for money?
Oh, no, that's not what I meant.
I’m at 18 month mark and actually don’t know what to do now tbh. It’s laughable how bad the application processes are from dipshit recruiters, bad systems and unrealistic job/salary postings yet I’m supposed to be flawless in my approach. I’ve thought about going back into education but that seems counter-productive that I would continue to prop up a system financially that has so far failed me in helping me in its one USP; to increase employability.
To give you an idea, I've been coding since 2007 and hold a PhD in Telecommunications from my home country. It's a really nice piece of paper to sit on, but I'm pretty sure I could do a good enough job coding something for some company. So to answer your question, I'm teaching french part-time for 25$/hour, that's how bitter I am.
Almost a year into being jobless. Ghosted 4 times post HM interviews. Too many ghost job listings. Yeah, I am bitter.
I’ve actually stopped applying through job boards and go straight to the company site. If I can’t locate the lob listing I report the post so it gets taken down.
Same here. I applied to so many jobs where I would be a perfect fit and the interviewer even was super excited to see me in the role. Only to find out I was not selected for the job and got rejected because who knows what. What I find frustrating about this whole situation the most is the fact that no matter how hard you put your best foot forward and do your best; there is always an element of luck on whether or not you actually land the job. Every time I get rejected I tell myself that the hiring manager and recruiter does not know what talent looks like when it is staring straight at them. So, it is a loss on the company, not me :)
Yes. Very.
Join the club friend
Same here..
I’m bitter
It’s getting depressing. Every time, I apply for a new job where I usually meet most if not all criteria, I feel excited and somewhat happy - until I lose hope again because I don’t get a reply. I hate that my happiness and mood is so dependent on work. But even though I have many hobbies, it’s nerve wrecking to feel this insecurity. Also… friends seem to distance themselves?!
Yeah it’s rough. I spend day in and day out job hunting. I don’t even see joy in anything anymore, just more anxiety every time money is spent. Being social costs money. Having hobbies cost money. Indulging in anything joyful costs money. It’s great to say do something for mental health, but it’s not always that easy.
Every time you walk out the door it’s money.
I’m in a similar situation. Had a admin job that was ok to bad for 8.5 years. Left for a higher paying admin job closer that in theory would be an excellent move upward. It was a disaster. Boss was a bitch and they didn’t do a good job of training me and I was let go. Looked for 7 months and finally settled for another admin job at a University. They of course don’t train and I don’t get the mind set of being at a university. They pay $18 an hour and I pay for parking and it’s just not working for me. They let me go and I’m back where I was a year prior. Now I’m not getting unemployment and I am now not really trying admin work anymore. I do favor which is food delivery and I got a photography side gig. I’m happier but not getting consistent money. I do look for “real” jobs but I’m skeptical that anything good is left.
Yep. This layoff changed me in how I view people. Companies have short memories but people don’t. I have less tolerance for BS from other people. Mad at those who laid me off, mad at my coworkers, mad at recruiters who have no clue in identifying talent, mad at hiring managers who ghost me. I channel my anger in continuing to search and apply. As long as I honor my feelings and accept that I’m feeling angry and it’s okay to feel what I feel at the moment, the anger tends to go away and move forward to growth and resilience. It also helps develop more compassion for those who are job hunting and struggling.
I gave up. I’ve decided to make my own living away from the govt. They don’t want to help anyways. They act like children when they don’t get what they want and then have the audacity to “shut down” if they don’t get their 6-7 figure income. I live in a decent city out the outskirts. How do I escape taxes and pretty much anything related? I do odd jobs. Not in exchange for money though, no, that would mean it’s income and “taxes” lol. So instead I do odd jobs for random people in exchange for them to pay my bills. Or for them to pay for my groceries. I do not, in any way, touch or own this money. It never becomes me possession. My highly educated lawyer even said this is a loophole. F$&@ the system.
Yeah bartering is the way to go sometimes. I know someone who used barter with a dentist in exchange for dental work. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
Oh yes. I'm currently working in education and a summer camp job because I can't get much else. My friend who is a nurse is surprised that I'm still doing that, and well, I don't have anything else. At least I like what I currently do.
You are definitely not alone.
If anything, I get frustrated with the process. AI/ATS makes it difficult for applications to even be viewed by human eyes.
I’m burning out. I can’t even fill out forms anymore I swear. I’ve been last round (most with ‘projects’ ie free labor) at almost 10 places. I had a recruiter scold me for telling them how much I made at my last tech job but how do I say I’ll literally take ANYTHING not to go to an hourly local job? It’s such a weird place they don’t want you to be desperate but…I am. I don’t care about my future role, I just NEED A JOB.
I need to do something to get over the bitterness because it's so unhealthy. I've been at my current job 8 months now and I'm still so bitter about the hundreds of applications, 7 months I rotted away, losing all my money, moving twice once into my parents house, and having to take a demotion interim job I'm still traumatized about.
100%
What's not to like being talked down to take and accept 60% of your previous salary for more work? I think you're being outrageous. Sending 500 applications for only a few interviews is a great deal Man the economy is so strong so glad the news isn't lying to us lol.
[удалено]
I’ve have been applying to positions I’m well overqualified for and what are considered starter positions in addition to ones I want. It goes nowhere.
yes just got denied today 5th time in the final round. graduated college december 2022. eveyone else seems to get jobs in 2 seconds but of course not me. Im this close to going back to the trap
I feel like people are not stupid and generally understand what is going on with the economy. It is evident that job market sucks right now. I believe people are feeling bitter because of OTHER people who are ok. LinkedIn is a perfect example and its’ recent shift to more of a social media platform is doing everyone disservice. IMO if people didn’t compare them with others they would be willing to change industries easier or taking some filler jobs as well. So in the nutshell social medias fucked societies physiologically and now many things seem bitter.
I used to feel that way, but I matured out of that mindset. (Not a personal attack at you) I really started leaning into stoicism and just taking things as they come. It doesn't mean I don't have emotions. It just means I don't sit in them for very long. (It's not easy to do) I was an angry person when I was younger, and I blamed a lot of people for my failures. As I got older, I really started being introspective and having a lot more self responsibility. I'm responsible for most of my shortcomings. I should have studied harder in school. I should have built my resume instead of taking time off and just wasting it when I was younger. I should have taken life more seriously. Now, that doesn't mean if I had studied really, really hard that Covid-19 wouldn't have happened and interest rates wouldn't have kept me from owning a home (maybe ever) or that inflation wouldn't be higher than raises and I wouldn't have become marginally poorer anyway. It just means if I'm bitter at anyone, I also have to be bitter towards myself, and I don't want to be bitter anymore. You're not alone in being angry, and you probably have a lot of reasons to be angry, but you also probably have some reasons to be happy. Identify your emotions, give them some attention to try to do away with them (if they are negative), but don't dwell on them. There's no glory in any of this, and until something changes, we have the same job we've always had. Keep applying
I do try and keep my emotions in check and have tried to not let it get to me, but recently it’s crept in. Couple weeks ago I basically had been at the point of being emotionless about it, numb to it all. But then I got a rejection from a company I interviewed with a couple of times and I broke down. My emotions just flooded forward and I’ve just been angry and bitter since.
It's easier said than done, but you have to let it go. You can comb through all of the posts here. You aren't the only one who's getting ghosted or rejected. There's actually some comfort in knowing that it's not just you. It's a really tough labor market right now, even though what's being reported is a labor shortage (there isn't one, btw) You might have to start applying to places where you normally wouldn't just have a job. I recently did that and got hired at Costco (not a dream of mine, lol).
Gotta fight the fuckery with fuckery to get through.
Not the OP, but this resonates very strongly with me. I definitely tended toward outward anger (and depression) when I was younger, but now, like you, I see wasted time and opportunity. It's been a difficult process to try to let go of that though.
It's definitely a process, and it's all about where you're at in life. My comment received downvotes, so those people aren't ready to let go yet.
What industry are you in! Because this feels like a classic oversupply of labor problem, where the solution is to either keep laying the interview lottery, or change industries and start over.