A strange divide is currently occurring in the U.S. labor market. While the unemployment rate in the United States remains low, workers around the world are finding it impossible to find a new job.
I just applied to be an FBI agent and I’m seriously feeling like crap at this point.
— Blizzy (@blizzy_mcguire) October 15, 2024
Over and over again on social media, we see stories of job seekers applying to hundreds of jobs and getting no response. It can last for months, or even a year in this person’s case.
I was terminated on June 1, 2023. I created a spreadsheet to track all the roles I applied for. After 1 year, we have submitted 463 applications 🙃🥲
— Gripper (@Tr3_GK) June 4, 2024
In response to the above tweet, someone suggested that in the current market, applicants should apply to 10 jobs per day. This was clearly met with a flurry of reactions, with many calling the idea completely unrealistic and low-key ridiculous.
I understand that “what has to be done must be done,” but applying for 50+ jobs a week is completely ridiculous and shows what a terrible time we live in. Having to create an account for each application is ridiculous. Having to go through more than 4 interviews is ridiculous. …
— Cindy Noir✨ (@thecindynoir) June 5, 2024
They are not wrong to feel this way. Although the labor market saw an increase in new jobs in September, overall job openings in the U.S. fell to levels not seen since the beginning of 2021.
So, while the job market remains volatile and many people are contemplating their career path, for those who have managed to pivot their careers later in life, how do you and Why did you do that? What is your life like now?
Maybe you worked at the same company for 20 years, got fired at age 45, and were devastated. I felt disposable, but it gave me an opportunity to think about what I wanted to do with the rest of my career. You find yourself stuck in a job that you don’t actually enjoy and that you intended to endure until retirement. It wasn’t easy, but you went back to school and became a child therapist. It was a dream that never seemed possible. Now you feel a renewed sense of purpose and excitement every day.
Aqua Arts Studio/Getty Images
Maybe after 30 years as an accountant you were starting to feel stuck. Now that you’re 55 years old, your kids are grown, and you’re a little more financially free, you’ve decided to take the “risky” step and pursue your passion for cooking. It seemed like a lot to “start over,” but you took a cooking class one night after work. After cooking locally for friends and family, word of mouth got him enough work to start catering. Something led you to open a small farm-to-table restaurant. Becoming a business owner is a whole new game, but I feel like there’s much less risk involved than if I were to continue working as an accountant.
Xavier Now/Getty Images
Perhaps after 10 years in corporate sales, you’ve felt exhausted by the constant grind of chasing unrealistic quotas. You’ve always had a creative side, but that took a backseat as you climbed the corporate ladder. You realize you’re chasing a worthless goal and decide to pursue a hobby you’ve always loved: graphic design. I took online courses, built a portfolio, and transitioned into full-time freelance work within a year. This change was difficult, but it gave me the freedom and purpose I was missing.
Jaco Brand/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Whether you changed careers to pursue a lifelong passion, gain more freedom, make more money, or something else, tell us all in the comments or in this anonymous form. Your answer may be featured in a future BuzzFeed Community post.
