FORGOTTEN HISTORY: Job market struggle stories - The Untold Story

I lost my job Oct 31st. I just got a job last week for thousands less than I was making previously.

The job market is horrendous. 

I experienced deep depression, breakdowns… And then, unemployment ceased. No extension. No food stamps. No rental assistance. I was a student, and I thought that could make me eligible for emergency extensions, not anymore…

I signed up for my county’s career center classes, learned a trade, no extension, no job (and it was practically promised to us.), I am in debt, my bank balance is literally at 0.04 I can’t afford to do laundry (my place doesn’t have a unit so I hand wash each outfit) my parents pay my rent, my girlfriend has helped me out with food but that isn’t too much since I’m so depressed and I felt so worthless that I just don’t eat.

This entire process was one big reality check, I am so loved. The times when I wasn’t annoying and overly proud to ask for help (except for the laundry stuff idk why…but that being said, my best friend one time took my entire wardrobe and did it for me once.) I was able to see people really care for me. Ensure I had meals, ensure I had entertainment, ensured I laughed…and it if they didn’t make sure my dog had her prescription food and her insulin. I felt like trash these few months, but wow, I am loved.

So, if that doesn’t answer your question:

TL;DR
I am a tradesman, who entered the corporate world after obtaining a degree, who was laid off who then learned a second trade, while obtaining a second degree, and it took me nearly a year to find employment. Any jerk who says “better find a trade” needs to hop off the sack and open their eyes.

And these companies out here ghosting? Or relying on AI to make DECISIONS?! Shame on all of you, karma is real. May not be “mythic” but it’s real, and you’ll know it.

It's made me seriously consider:
1) Living in the woods.
2) Crime to go jail to survive.
3) Leaving the country and trying somewhere else.
4) Simply passing away.

I used someone else's phone to call my own phone to make sure it is actually working, that is how my job search is going.

240 applications send, 210 replies, 15 interviews, 10 gave a reason for rejection, reason being lack of experience and no notes on what I could do better.

So yeah, it's starting to be an active effort to not be bitter.

My spouse (PhD in a STEM field, 10 years work experience post-PhD) got laid off in October 2024. In October 2025 they finally got a part-time job as a security guard for $18.50/hr. They just got an offer for a full-time position relevant to their degree and experience in May 2026, for $35K/year less than they were making before they were laid off.

Edit: Also to add, they only got the security guard position because I personally knew the hiring manager and basically begged him to hire my spouse.

I built a career freelancing in my industry for 10 years. I worked for some of the biggest companies in the sector, but since AI blew up, my job became defunct.

I can't even get an interview for any position related to that work anymore, at any level. I'm at the point of applying to Trader Joe's and fast food places, where I also can't get an interview.

I'm confused how most people have jobs—I can't get seen for any kind of job in any kind of field, and I'm kind of at a loss.

I spent eleven months bouncing between homeless shelters and looking for jobs. Literally any job. I got a few calls and finally landed a brutally hard job carrying around frozen goats and massive boxes of meat in a giant freezer for not remotely enough money to live on. I spend an absurd amount of time just on the bus and walking there. I need it and I'm thankful to have it. Good luck. Don't stop trying.

Went from 65k plus a year to hoping to hear back on a retail cashier job just to pay the bills as unemployment isn't cutting it.

Last year I was making 6 figures as a software engineer with decades of experience.

I'm a bartender now.

My brother in IT , spent the last 20 years bing in high demand, had companys fighting over him all the time. Did everything right has the degree and all the extra training and certs for his specialty. Dude been out of work for 2 years now.

Out a job for a month. Finally got an offer. Butter Production machine operator at Land O’Lakes for $29.50/hour.

USA, Software engineer with degree and big tech on my resume 

6 months and 1500 applications to land a role I had to move cross country for though it's  back to where my family is from

Grateful to have work even if it is a slight paycut.

It's been a year. Lost track of number of applications. Almost never hear back. At this point I'm increasingly falling into learned helplessness because nothing seems to work. I have over a decade of experience, degrees, decently impressive volunteering work, and none of it matters.

Close friend with 25 years of experience took 4 months and dozens of interviews to land a position. Market is horrible, frick the oligarchs.

I worked for 10 years as a proofreader before getting laid off back in November. Companies won't even touch me now that I'm past 6 months of unemployment.

I'm still getting freelance projects from time to time, but it feels like there are a ton of good candidates in the pool and companies are getting to be super picky about who they'll even talk to, especially for the kind of niche work I do that people think can be solved with AI.

It’s like running through a corn field backwards with a broke flip flop.

I just got the offer email 5 mins ago. I was unemployed a little over 2 months.

Edit; I ended up accepting another offer from a different place. 2 minute drive from my house instead of 25, and pays 15k better than the other offer. (30% pay increase from the job I was laid off from).

You legit have to know people. Networking is real and important. Never burn bridges, you never know who you will need in the future.

The worst it’s ever been in my lifetime. I’m 38. I graduated in 2009, after the financial crisis and I had an easier time getting work then than now with 15+ years of experience in my field.

I have a BS in Biology, an MS in secondary science education, three internships, professional science research work...

And I can't find a job. Not teaching. Not subbing. Not science. Not office work. Not even entry-level retail or restaurant work. Can't even get a phone screening.

Basically I've been told that any chances of me having a career (or even making $40K) may be over.

My husband found a job in his field after 11 months of looking.... and it is part time. He had many interviews. (Edited to add, he started last week)

I am currently employed but have been looking to leave, I have been applying for work for over a year and haven't even gotten one interview. Even for ads that I fit 90-100%. Its crazy.