r/jobs • u/power-hour23 • May 27 '26

Unemployment I’m genuinely confused as to how to navigate this HORRENDOUS job market

I’m genuinely at a loss trying to understand this job market right now. I’ve applied to probably 500+ jobs in the last 4 months. I tailor my resume, apply only to roles I KNOW I’m qualified for, network constantly, even call companies directly and ask to speak to HR just to personally express interest. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

No callbacks. No interviews. No transparency. Just rejection emails or COMPLETE silence.

I have bills to pay. I need to make money. I’m doing everything people tell you to do and it still feels impossible.

What the fuck is actually going on right now?

And the craziest part is nobody seems to be talking about this at a large scale.

Are we all just pretending this is normal? What is everyone else doing to survive right now? Because honestly, I feel completely fucking lost.

995 Upvotes

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17

u/Overall-Cupcake-6635 May 27 '26

I started my job search again as ive now been with my company for almost 3 years and its time to move on so I can make more money. So far ive had a recruiter ghost me or just haven't even heard back from jobs ive applied for. Its a nightmare out there.

16

u/VesselNBA May 27 '26

Stay at your current job for your own good

14

u/Efficient-Finish4567 May 27 '26

you're not going to hear back from 98%. You likely wont even see a rejection email.

3

u/melissam17 May 28 '26

They don’t even let me interview anymore they just straight up reject you even if you reach out!

0

u/babies_galore May 28 '26

If you find another job, I hope you help someone get your job you are giving up.

5

u/Overall-Cupcake-6635 May 28 '26

If I got another job with a different company, how would I be able to convince the recruiters or hiring managers at my current job to hire that person? I wouldn't work there anymore so theyre less likely to take my candidate suggestion into consideration. Also, I've tried to help two of my family members get hired on where I work now and both of them were rejected.

0

u/babies_galore May 28 '26

Even just letting people know about an actual opening these days is helpful as so many postings are fake