I Have not Had a Full-Time Job Since 2022, however I am Nonetheless Attempting

• Stephanie Moore skilled layoffs in 2021 and 2022.
• She’s utilized to over 200 jobs since her final layoff and hasn’t landed any full-time work.
• Moore continues to community, apply for jobs, and provides her greatest shot to remain constructive.

This as-told-to essay is predicated on a dialog with Stephanie Moore, a 28-year-old advertising skilled from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It has been edited for size and readability.

I bought laid off in June of 2021 when the startup I used to be working at may now not fund my advertising place. I spent the following six months taking up contract advertising jobs earlier than securing one other full-time function in December 2021.

Then, I bought laid off once more — however this time, I by no means discovered one other full-time job.

Since then, my life has been an emotional curler coaster. I’ve utilized to over 200 jobs, been on unemployment and meals stamps, and in October 2024, I needed to transfer again in with my mother and father. The job market has felt completely different, however I am staying resilient and taking it daily.

The present job looking course of can really feel mentally exhausting

After my first layoff, It solely took about six months to seek out and begin my subsequent job. The job market felt mild and the hiring course of at my subsequent place of employment solely took a couple of month and a half.

Since my second layoff in September of 2022. I’ve gone by means of a number of monthslong hiring processes with as much as six rounds of interviews, an task, and a reference verify, only for them to go together with one other candidate.

For instance, I utilized for a advertising job in Atlanta, and I accomplished a telephone screening, a long-form interview, and an task to create and current a method define.

After spending hours making a 40-slide deck, I drove two and a half hours to satisfy the crew in individual at their Atlanta workplace. I actually thought it went effectively, however I bought ghosted. I solely obtained a proper rejection after I adopted up by way of e-mail per week later.

Even my contract alternatives are dwindling

In early 2024, I sometimes had between 100 and 140 hours of contract advertising work month-to-month from two corporations. In a matter of months, my contract for one firm ended, and the opposite dropped from between 50 and 60 hours a month to only six in January.

My supervisor instructed me some purchasers have been leaving, and there wasn’t a lot work to provide. I am nonetheless making use of to contract jobs whereas on the lookout for full-time work however each have been scarce.

I needed to transfer again in with my mother and father

I had lived alone in an condo in Alabama since October 2022 and bought on meals stamps and unemployment shortly thereafter. I did all the things I may to carry onto my condo, however after I obtained a discover on my door in June 2024 that the hire was going up, I needed to make a tough resolution to maneuver residence with my mother and father, who additionally stay in Alabama.

Transferring residence was a tough transition for me as a result of I felt like a failure — like I let myself down. There are nonetheless days when these emotions of self-doubt pop up, however I am making an attempt to provide myself as a lot grace as doable and remind myself that I am doing my greatest by networking, making use of to jobs, and giving it my greatest shot.

Alabama is not the place I need to keep, however it’s arduous to think about beginning a brand new chapter with looming monetary insecurity, debt, and no full-time job in sight.

Some days are darkish, however I am nonetheless making an attempt

There are undoubtedly some days after I really feel unhappy, numb, and apathetic, however there are different days after I discover the momentum to community, apply for jobs, and do all of it. The most important factor that has helped me is studying to be nonetheless and never really feel like I all the time must be productive.

The internalized stress to do extra on a regular basis actually overwhelms me and burns me out. I’ve to remind myself that a lot of the job search course of is out of my management.

I am taking it daily and being affected person with myself in moments I simply need to hand over.

For those who’re experiencing long-term unemployment and want to share your story, please e-mail Manseen Logan at mlogan@businessinsider.com.