Unemployment: The Dark Abyss of Job Rejection

To Whom It May Concern, 

December 11th will be my one year anniversary of unemployment. A whole year will pass before I find a job, a career.

I have done everything that I could. I graduated top of my class with a Bachelor's degree. I've network on every job board website and social media. I've changed and adapted my resumé and cover letter with the help of resume builders and even tried my hand at AI-generated CVs. 

My family has never had the connections needed to help. No nepotism here. 

The job market has changed so much since my parents and my siblings entered into the workforce that their tips and tricks are outdated. 

I've created online portfolios and enter into writing competitions to gain experience but still no dice in the employment department. I have read the newsletters and books on how to get a job but I'm still unemployed.

It just seems that I'm falling behind at 22 years old. After years of being validated by my academics, I have nothing else to offer except the As in my report card. Even though, I have experienced in my preferred field with internships and ambassadorships, I'm constantly being rejected. 

The markers of success are getting further and further out of my reach. My siblings are successful by being employed, with Master's degrees, and families of their own in houses they bought and new cars in the driveway. While I'm 22 and living with my parents with no car because it had a blown motor and I'm single. 

I want to work. I will keep applying for jobs and I'll keep hoping that I'm offered a position. But — I'm running out of money and I already feel like a burden.  

Thankfully, I don't have to pay rent but I also not bringing money home to help out with expenses. I currently living off my limited savings and I have helped with bills and home maintenance but I could be doing more — if I had a job. 

Unemployment is not good for anything — especially not my mental health. 

I keep thinking about getting my Master's but my student loans are already a burden. With over 30,000 dollars in debt, I don't want anymore if it doesn't guarantee employment... college is a ponzi scheme.

I have look into taking career advancement courses  to get ahead of my five-year plan — at least 2,500 dollars out of pocket will be needed. 

I don't know what to do anymore. I know I should apply for anything at this point but I keep having this feeling that I would have failed if I concede working retail. I know that working retail shouldn't be down upon but it isn't what I envision for myself and my life. 

Necessity has begun to outweigh want. I want to work but I need a job and at this point anything work is good work. It's unfortunate I don't have the confidence to be a stripper lol.

Sincerely,

Painfully Unemployed 

P.S. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. 

I really resonate with Phoebe Halliwell from Charmed because she was also a college grad that despite dealing with her own struggles with employment, she ended the series very successful by working as a columnist for a newspaper, The Bay Mirror. She also dealt with feeling inadequate in comparison to her siblings that either had a successful career and/or family of their own. I can only hope that my year of unemployment will come to an end and I will officially become gainfully employed.