It has been nearly a year of constant applying and interviewing and I have absolutely nothing to show for it. I have done dozens of interviews and sent out way more applications than I can count, and I still cannot figure out why nothing is sticking. I want out of here so badly but I am starting to wonder if I am doing something fundamentally wrong or if the market is just that broken right now. Either way, I am exhausted and I do not know how much longer I can keep this up.
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How do you even post internally. Feels like your direct manager could prevent you from getting it
I have been looking since 2/19. After 1500 or so applications and only a handful of interviews (only one went to a final interview), I still have no job. I cannot go on like this and lose all of what I have worked my back side off at Cigna to get just to lose it all and go homeless once again (I had a short bout of homelessness when I was was first at Cigna as a contractor). I will end myself before I lose everything that I've worked hard for. I do not know what it will take to wake people to the jobless problem that is driving everyone into the homelessness that is all around me. Everyone high and low are losing their jobs. That seems to be a part of some ultimate end game.
@eg have you considered taking that to an attorney? Seems like one of the more cut and dry age discrimination cases yet. I generally am in the don't bother with lawyers camp for most employment issues, but you have written proof of discrimination.
I’m going to legally change my name to priya Gupta. I bet my chances of being hired still skyrocket
Sorry to hear that and you are definitely not alone in that boat.. Job market is not good and with growing AI foot print, there could be more sufferings.. Please upskill to use AI (Rag, multi agents, MCP etc..) along with cloud knowledge. With AI, future jobs could consolidate towards Pyramid top, so target as high as possible.. All the best!!
I had an interview from ofcourse an Indian and in the job description shared with me, it had mentioned if DOB is before 1985, don't consider the applicant.
You are not losing your mind, in interview if any hiring manager or applicant is Indian, you are out of consideration. They are 25% of the world population so the chance of being eliminated is very high. I hope whoever after Trumps comes, takes this mass immigration crisis from India, seriously. Hang in there, there are many in the same boat as you.
@OP If you are over 55, start cutting your expenses because it could take you a long time to get hired, if ever again. I don’t know anyone over 55 (including myself) who has been able to find another job after layoff. Maybe since you are still working, it will be easier for you.
Good luck!
@OP First of all, take a deep breath and take a step back. Your family and friends are what's most important in life. They need you.
My story was prior to joining Cigna 15-20 years ago I had lost my long time job. I must have sent out over 500+ resumes. No lead or job was off the table. I eventually landed at Cigna.
Don't give up. Network, talk to a recruiter, look at linkedIn - Beware of scams. And AI cannot replace human interaction and skillset no matter how great they say it is. Get a certificate or accreditation while you're searching for a job. I got very good at answering the interview questions because I had a lot of experience! I could tell near the end of my job search how well I would fit in to an organization. I even turned down a couple of job offers that did not seem like a good fit.
Good luck and hang in there - you are not alone!
Keep us posted
@a9 Preach!! These as*hole politicians who be-doverfor tech billionaires and support uncontrolled growth of AI and huge, water-wasting data centers have got to go!
If you think the job market is bad now just wait until this cr*p really takes off.
You are just a cog in the machine and the huge AI push will only make it much worse. The billionaire class is happy to use you for biofuel or food. Vote in a way that will regulate this coming nightmare.
Hint: if your candidates are pro-AI or pro-massively investment in data centers, they are NOT on your side.
You are exactly where senior leadership wants you to be. Congratulations!