I’ve Applied to Nearly 2,200 Jobs and Am Ready to Give up on My Search

I have been spending much less time in entrance of my laptop as of late as a result of I am nearly as much as 2,200 job purposes. With the outcomes that I’ve gotten, my plan at this level is to surrender on the search.

These days, I have been doing quite a lot of Uber driving and Taskrabbit. I am simply grateful they exist as a result of if it wasn’t for these issues, I in all probability would have moved in with a buddy by now or one thing.

I’ve to grind generally 12 hours a day, however I preserve a roof over my child’s head, and she or he’s comfy and a bit of bit protected against the truth of what is going on on. It is vital that she has stability.

With Taskrabbit, I have been hanging issues for individuals, placing collectively Ikea furnishings — no matter they rent me to do.

After I get again house after a job, I drop off my tools after which eat lunch. Often, it is a can of tuna with some mayonnaise — glamorous, I do know. Then I will soar again within the automobile. I will drive from 3 or 4 p.m. till no less than 10 or 11 p.m., however many nights I’ll drive later than that.

I’ve put, gosh, in all probability 20,000 miles on my automobile within the final three or 4 months.

After I get house, I am drained and hungry. By the point I am carried out consuming, it is usually midnight or later. I then wish to eat, lay down on the ground, and stretch out from being in my automobile for therefore lengthy. I have not had an opportunity to get into the health club, and my health is struggling at this level.

‘Do you do that full time?’

Virtually inevitably, once I’m driving somebody, the query comes up, “Do you do that full time?” Then I inform individuals, that is what I used to do — company technique and no matter else. Then I inform them about my schooling. Then individuals say, “Oh, gosh. Why are you driving Uber now?” I inform them it has been nearly two years and greater than 2,000 purposes. Folks cannot imagine it.

I inform individuals, for one, that quite a lot of posted jobs are pretend. I did the mathematics as soon as I began researching how pervasive pretend posts are on job boards, and it seems that primarily based on how lengthy the typical software takes me, I’ve spent a stable 12 and a half days making use of to jobs that by no means existed.

There have been lots of people I’ve pushed in Uber and buddies of mine who mentioned I ought to begin a podcast about this, so that is what I am doing.

I am calling it “We’re Shifting Ahead.” It will probably apply to something — as in self-improvement and turning into higher in several points of life, entrepreneurship, or health. The verbiage comes from the boilerplate rejection letters I all the time get. You already know, “We’re transferring ahead with one other candidate.”

It is taking one thing unfavourable and turning it round and proudly owning it to make it optimistic.

Networking whereas driving for Uber

I’ve continued to attempt to community. What’s shocking is there was some good things that is come from driving for Uber — simply from individuals being in my automobile. In my final full-time job, earlier than I acquired laid off, I labored at a consultancy.

Not too way back, I gave a journey to this man in downtown Portland. It was a couple of five-minute journey, however he mentioned he was on the town for work. I requested him what he did and he mentioned he labored for this large consulting firm. Instantly, I used to be like, “Oh, my God, I’ve in all probability utilized there a dozen occasions within the final yr or two.”

So I advised him what I might carried out in my prior work and gave him my card. He contacted me and mentioned, “When you see any posted positions, let me know, and I will offer you a referral.” I assumed that was superior. I noticed one posting for a job that was a very good match. So I messaged him. He despatched me a referral hyperlink, and I utilized to it. I nonetheless acquired the automated rejection letter inside a day or two.

I’ve additionally made connections at Adidas and FILA whereas driving. I just lately had three individuals in my automobile from one other prime consultancy that I’ve utilized to a handful of occasions. And I had a referral from somebody who works at Amazon. It has been actually bizarre that now these connectors are coming from Uber.

A futile search

Since I have been on this job search, I’ve had my résumé professionally reviewed 9 occasions. It was generally by way of universities I’ve gone to or by recruiters who messaged me on LinkedIn and supplied to assist.

I’ve been performing some consulting work right here and there round enterprise intelligence. That is so I haven’t got a niche in my résumé as a result of it has been nearly two years since I’ve had a full-time job.

Wanting on the spreadsheet I preserve of my job search, I utilized to 254 jobs in January. By Could, it was all the way down to 129. Then, in August, it was all the way down to 41.

It isn’t as a result of I am being extra considerate about it or focusing on particular corporations. It is as a result of it is futile.

It is so irritating to strive to do that when the result is identical each time. I do know that for each software I submit, I’ve a 0.55% likelihood of getting a telephone screener and a 0.28% likelihood of getting an interview for every software that I submit, in line with the database I’ve stored.

Even once I do get a screening name, a few of them aren’t legit. There was one lady who needed 10 years of expertise with a sure software program program, nevertheless it had solely been round for six years.

So, my job search is trending down. I am at 2,181 purposes. I’ve spent a while considering whereas driving round, tried to do some meditation simply to maintain my sanity, and talked with shut buddies. I’ve determined I’ve 19 extra purposes left in me.

After I hit 2,200, I am simply going to cease making use of for jobs. I simply do not have it in me to proceed to do it. It is both God or the universe or supply power or the Nice Pumpkin or no matter telling me that I need not have a job. So, I am simply going to cease making use of.

It isn’t like I am shotgunning my résumé out. They’re jobs I do know I might do. I have been making use of to every little thing from entry-level enterprise analyst roles all the way in which as much as director of enterprise intelligence or market intelligence. I get extra traction on the higher finish and I’ve had a few telephone screeners and interviews for roles like senior supervisor or director degree.

I am going broke

This is not how I anticipated issues would play out. I am cautious with cash and funds. After my divorce was finalized greater than two years in the past, we offered the home. I had a very good amount of cash left over from that. After which I had my investments, my 401(okay). For the primary yr and a half of being out of labor, I used to be simply making use of to jobs nonstop and attempting to hold on to that cash. I assumed I might use it to purchase a home as quickly as I acquired a job.

I did not suppose that after nearly two years, I might nonetheless be wanting. Hire is nearly $3,000 a month right here. Plus, I’ve acquired a child. She desires back-to-school garments and has different wants.

So, a few months in the past, the cash was gone. I used to be fully broke and ranging from scratch at 43 years previous. I had no different choice however to go drive Uber and do Taskrabbit.

However one factor I am wanting ahead to is my podcast. I’ve made the intro and am engaged on different episodes. I’ve had conversations with individuals I’ve met by way of Taskrabbit. And there are a few HR professionals who wish to discuss their facet of issues, too. They’re having a tough time discovering individuals.