After 100 Job Applications, Still Unemployed and Seeking Security, Not a Dream Job

It's been 18 months since I lost my position in marketing, and the search for new employment continues. The challenges in the job market today are beyond discouraging, almost to the point of despair.

At the start of 2024, after nearly two years with a self-improvement company, I was let go. The change was anticipated as tasks previously assigned to me were gradually shifted to a new hire by the founder.

Now, I get by with freelance gigs while persistently seeking my next stable role.

My background spans operations and administration, but my expertise in recent years centers around digital marketing. I've cast a wide net, applying to roles like project management and copywriting as well.

Among my over 100 job applications, I have undergone more than 30 interview processes, both remunerated and otherwise. Thankfully, about a third provided me closure by sharing their decisions.

What's frustrating is the unpredictability of interview protocols. Does it involve two stages or four? While extensive rounds may be necessary for large corporations, small businesses exceeding three is excessive.

Meaningful feedback is crucial when you advance beyond the initial resume rejection email. Without it, multiple evaluations waste candidates' time without offering constructive growth.

I’ve tried an array of résumé tools aiming to navigate applicant tracking systems, only to receive automated dismissals quickly afterward. Evaluating candidates strictly through inflexible criteria without recognizing actual capabilities is counterproductive.

While personality assessments aim to assess cultural fit, inquiries such as 'Which animal do you identify with?' hardly reflect my professional competencies.

Quick, unpaid trial assignments are acceptable, but it's unfair when businesses exploit these trials to obtain unpaid work cloaked as evaluations.

Often, project briefs lack clarity, leading me to seek further information, only to be assumed as lacking capability.

In the end, while it's ideal to fully resonate with a company's ethos, practicality dictates that employment primarily satisfies financial obligations as talents should align with job requirements.

Future aspirations in five years are uncertain even for the questioners—a clear answer doesn’t equate to the ideal hire.

I appreciate opportunities to exhibit my skill set given my diverse experiences without formal academic credentials.

As of 2025, companies must disclose salary expectations. I refrain from applying where pay transparency is absent as I am unwilling to earn less than before.

Advice offering universal tips like 'use specific résumé tools' is of little value, as preferences vary widely between companies. A skills-based evaluation approach is essential.

Job searching is draining, prompting periods of rest. After my husband’s surgery, the need to support my family became paramount.

Unfortunately, job-seeking appears to be growing more challenging, underscoring the need for employment primarily for stability over idealism.

With continued freelancing, I attain enough income, though not equivalent to my previous full-time role. My search for a solid new opportunity persists.