Is it just me or is getting a job nowadays virtually impossible?

Question

I'm pretty much done, and frankly I've almost given up.

I've been on the job hunt for a year and a half, sent out countless CVs on multiple platforms. I haven't had a single return. Not even a call to tell my candidature wasn't held.

I'm physically sick and mentally drained.

I don't know what to do. I've had my CV looked at by HRs where my friends work. I even paid a site to help me sort it out.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Hearing stories like this hurts me deeply.

I have a great job and I am offered jobs all the time even while I am very happy where I am.

Getting a job is a matter of skills, education and experience, which I've focused on my entire life, because my parents knew the value of this, going all the way back to my great-grandparents.

Most people drift though high school and even college as if it doesn't mean anything, taking courses and majors that don't prepare them for what they want to do in life, gender studies, art history, sociology, you know the ones).

Then they get out and wonder why they're unemployable beyond the Starbucks/McDonald's and/or cubicle worker level, which pays slightly more than Starbucks/McDonald's but which cannot buy or even rent a house anymore.

If you can't find a job after college, the salvation for the unprepared is, go work at a grocery store (or a Home Depot, or a Macys, or a high-end hotel). In 10 years you can become a store manager (or hotel GM) which makes a decent income (store managers at Publix make almost $150,000 to start), and relies only on your willingness to work hard and use what you learned during your 10 years of experience at that business. It does require a college degree, but you won't really use that degree to do well at the job.

If you're 35 and can't find a job, you need to do a complete reset, which could include going to college for real or doing the 10 year store manager thing. But more practicable and realistic at that age would be to start you own business.

Figure out what your skills and experience actually are, however cobbled together they might be. Then try to match that with your interests, and see if you can come up with a business that would work and that you can do.

When choosing that business, the #1 factor is going to be, in 5 or 10 years, can you turn it into something that doesn't require your presence, so you can sell it to someone else for a multiple of its earnings. If your earnings are $10 million you want to be able to sell your business for $50 million or $60 million or more.

There's a great podcast about this called Built to Sell.

Another good podcast for ideas in general is NPR's How I Built This which tells the stories of the beginnings of businesses such as Audible. com, Burt's Bees (which was bought by Clorox), Gary Vee and Casper mattresses, and hundreds more.

Speaking of Gary Vee, listen to him too. He has a lot of great things to say, including going to garage sales and selling the stuff on eBay for tens of thousands a year, which he still does now, even though his main business made $120 million last year. You can make a career just out of this. Very entertaining too.

Whatever you decide to do, start today, and good luck.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/NB0lBFjBL_I

Oliverlogan263 · Accepted Answer

Man, I feel you bro. Job hunting is brutal these days. Feels like everything is so stacked against us. Even when you to everything you're supposed to - update your CV, learn all the buzzwords, customize it for every application - still nothing. Radio silence back is the worst too.

It fucks with your head after a while, wondering what's wrong with you. I've been there too and it sucks the life out of you. You start doubting everything. But we can't blame ourselves, you know? This job market is broken as hell.

Just stay strong man, even if it's hard. Taking that long ain't your fault, you been putting in work. Maybe see about any temp agencies too - sometimes you gotta take what you can get to get your foot in the door somewhere.

Don't lose hope alright? Your time will come. In the meantime, do what you can to take care of your mental. Hit the gym, game with the boys, find healthy escapes so you don't dwell on it. And if all else fails, maybe think about relocating or going back to school - could open up new paths. But don't give up, you got this bro! We're all fighting the same fight out here.

paledreams · Accepted Answer

I was enjoying reading online a supposedly interesting study that claimed unattractive people lose out when it comes to applying for "low skilled undesirable jobs" - no wonder I have turned my birth-given gifts into employments strengths - though I've been unemployed many times as much as anyone 😔😋

Advisor Smith · Accepted Answer

Feeling overwhelmed during a lengthy job search is understandable. Today's job market can be challenging, but you are not alone in this experience. Here are some strategies that might help:

1. Networking: Often, many jobs are filled through referrals. Attend events, connect on LinkedIn, and engage with professionals in your field.
2. Skill Enhancement: Consider learning new skills or certifications relevant to your industry to strengthen your profile.
3. Tailored Applications: Customize your CV and cover letters for each job application to highlight how your experiences meet job requirements.
4. Self-care: Take breaks, focus on mental health, and seek support from friends or professionals.

Stay persistent; opportunities will arise.

jamesgoldman · Answer

Overpopulation and technology has seen to that

I saw it in 2008 and made a vow to stick with self employment (I was a couple of years deep by then) and I did a year in the restaurant out of wanting culinary skills then made good friends, great contacts, free food/drinks, being in shape, a girlfriend and finally about £3,500

noohair · Answer

First, if your CV is being screened by a computer, you are probably missing the words that the machine is looking for. If I was looking at your information, I really don’t care about grades and courses, I want to know about you as a person. If someone can’t think but has good grades, I see very little value potential. Skills and experience are what is important to me.

NathanDavis · Answer

might be you and some others personally, I wouldn't have an issue... and at least for the region I live in, finding a job has never been an issue in the last 30 years

Redstang88 · Answer

Depends what you’re looking for. The white collar world is definitely flooded with applicants, the skilled trades are desperate for good workers. Nobody is out of work for long in my industry

exitseven · Answer

I do not know what kind of job you are looking for. I know that the IT field is looking for people. i get head hunters emailing me all the time.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

No, it's NOT just you. I haven't had one in 6 years.

LiamJHayden · Answer

It depends upon the field.

robocop666 · Answer

Russia have a labour shortage go there.

Anonymous · Answer

Indeed, it's the same for me.

Is it just me or is getting a job nowadays virtually impossible?

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