I am officially jobless.
Since the start of the year, I have been reading countless articles, threads and discussions about the job market. I have personally applied for over 1,000 job applications. My resume has been fine-tuned multiple times and reviewed by third party. I have also tried reaching out to contacts and expanding my network wherever possible.
The Job Market Reality
The current job market feels more competitive than ever. It’s not just about job seekers anymore — it’s about multiple groups competing for the same limited opportunities:
- Existing employees “job-hugging” (holding onto current roles longer due to uncertainty)
- Existing employees actively looking for opportunities
- Individuals who have recently been retrenched or laid off
- Fresh graduates entering the workforce
With job hugging, retrenchments, fresh graduates and a limited openings, the question becomes simple:
Where are the jobs?
Applications
One thing I’ve noticed during this job search is how much the hiring process seems to have changed compared to a few years ago.
Many companies now appear to use AI-powered screening systems or Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before a human recruiter ever sees a resume.
The challenge is that it can feel difficult to reach an actual HR representative or hiring manager. Sometimes applications are submitted into what feels like a black box, followed by an automated rejection email days or weeks later.
Interviews and Rejections
I have applied to relevant positions that I was genuinely qualified for and interested in. Some of them felt promising, even encouraging at first.
But in the end, still resulted in rejection.
The Experience Loop
There’s a strange irony in today’s job market:
- You need experience to get the job
- But you need a job to gain experience
It becomes a loop that is hard to break.
And eventually, the question shifts from “How do I get a job?” to:
“Where do I get experience if no one gives a chance?”
What I’m Doing Besides Job Applications
While continuing to apply for jobs daily, I am considering
1. Part-time work
To maintain some income while continuing the job search.
2. Travel
Exploring local for now and hopefully expanding to other countries when finances allow.
It’s an odd balance:
When you have work, you have income but no time.
When you have no work, you have time but no income.
Final Thought
Right now, I’m still figuring things out.
But this blog is part of that process — documenting the future uncertainties and journey that comes with it.