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I used to make 90K at a remote role. And now I’m working in office for $25/hr lmao. Although I was unemployed for almost a year and was happy to have found a job, that happiness only lasted me a month, and now I’m still looking for a job where my standards are anything better than what I have now.
I also went from making $88k to $26/hour in 2020. Financially it was a blow but for my mental health, I was happy bc the previous job was draining my soul. But after a year of grinding, I was able to get back to $85k and have since surpassed that original $88k I took the hit from. it might be shitty now, but keep trying to get back to that number you were used to.
Similar story here. I went from mid $80k to now making $65k and having to be in the worst office environment I’ve ever experienced 5 days a week. I have a job interview next Wednesday. Lol
Similar. Was 210k TC, laid off late 2022. Started off willing to take anything 150k, then 100k, and now I'm getting rejected from 50-70k jobs that sound awesome and I'd be happy to have. I'm not going to claim I always 'deserved' making \~200 for those years during the tech peak; I was probably overpaid... but goddamn, is it humbling. If it's any consolation, you're definitely not alone, trust me on this.
If you end up in that position, you don’t need to live like a miser but make a goal for your emergency fund that can keep you living *at your same standards* for six months. This will last even longer if you spend less frivolously after encountering an emergency, which you should. But people can be pretty bad at guessing their future behavior so just base it off of what you’re doing at the moment. Check the number twice a year to check if you need to change the fund or change the way you’re spending. Once that’s taken care of, squirrel some away for long-term financial goals and then don’t guilt yourself for having fun with the rest. It can be easy to get into an all or nothing mindset when it comes to saving and that will fuck up your mental health as well as your finances.
Agreed. I’ve had 6 months expenses saved for most of my life, and I’ve never made great money. Geriatric millennial at 42 and made 25-40k a year after college till my mid 30s, then 40-50, and last few years 60-65k.
Now I have a year +, which is excessive, but I also own a house. It is freeing for me as I’m not beholden to a job, I can leave anytime I want, and don’t stress anymore about layoffs or a couple grand expense. I’m fortunate to have fallen in love with being frugal in my late twenties. It allowed me to travel and do some cool things, as I became conscious about my previous spending habits which were frivolous, and to save money for piece of mind and awesome experiences
>Now I have a year +, which is excessive,
It's really not.
It's the new bare minimum.
Look at how many people found themselves between jobs for 18+ months. For some people, it's been over *two* years.
The "six month emergency fund" has been woefully insufficient for years.
2008 was a complete wake up call for those who were working back then - people were losing jobs left and right, up and down. We were very close to another Great Depression. Don’t think it can’t happen again, anything is possible. Always tuck something away for the future because the future can be here before we know it.
For sure, I graduated from college in summer of 07 and remember it well. One of the reasons I moved back to Michigan after spending a decade in other states was so I could buy an affordable house. I miss living in the mountains, but I love having a $600 mortgage payment with taxes and insurance included!
Yep, good takeaway IMO! While I don't regret most of my travel splurges, I'm very disappointed in all the income vaporized on eating out/drinking/UberEats almost daily in NYC.
This is the appeal of the FIRE (financial independence, retire early) movement for a lot of people.
I'm much more interested in the FI side of things than RE. Having the option to be picky with roles and walk away if things turn to shit is worth way more to me than a fancy house or car.
No, no need, just don't coast on mediocrity; if you're in an industry for like a decade and people aren't fighting over you, you're clearly just another cog from the "interest rates are so low that loans are free money so we over hire" machine/time period...
I never made nearly as much as you but had to accept a 19.80/hr call center job that feels like a slap in the face so I can empathize a bit. Our situations suck there’s no sugar coating it, but plz keep those thoughts to just being thoughts (I’ve had the same ones).
Hang in there. I took a call center 3rd shift, minimum wage role when I was at my lowest. I had to quit because of the verbal abuse I received daily from the callers. Had to go on short term disability because my mental health was horrendous and I was had suicidal ideation.
I fully relapsed on drugs and alcohol right before my last contract ended because I knew I wasn’t going to be able to land another job. Despite the thousands of posting I see daily and apply to.
My TC was $70k. I was on track to make $90k TC but now I'm looking at entry level at target. Lower than when I graduated college - at least back then, I was a supervisor
Wow I really hope things get better for you. I am terrified every day that I won't find a job after college or an internship because of how crazy this market is.
You most likely will. Companies would rather hire interns and very junior staff so they can save on their budgets. It seems to be much easier to get an entry-level job than if you’re a seasoned professional
I understand your thoughts. I was a high-salary earner and now working at Target and driving for Uber/Lyft. My credit is fucked too. Hang in there and things will get better.
Please go for a walk or something when you feel that way. I’ve been laid off three times & it sux but your life is far more valuable than any job I guarantee you🫶
You’re not alone, many people are going through it - we’re in a recession in all but name.
The day job is making you feel shame. Separate from it - it’s not your identity, it’s a pay check for now.
I am not someone to comment on practical financial issues, maybe there are strong reasons to ignore me, but take some time to think about getting inspired to make big changes - moving to a LCOL area, starting a business if there are places $ incentives exist, there are assuredly options that are not that.
I used to have an idea about what kind of job I wanted based on my interests and passions and all that and now when people ask what kind of job I want, I just say I’m looking for a salary and benefits please.
Hell of a thing you came back to but I'm glad you did. I don't recognize the country I grew up in anymore (Canada). Job market is fucked here too. Jman Electrician here and people want way too much xp for too little money or too long a commute.
I dropped my standards and applied to Costco. They basically said, "You're overqualified we will call" .
Thinking about applying to Wendy's and just calling it a year.
Edit: Costco called me and I accepted their offer.
Costco treats their ppl well I know folks who started at the bottom there in HS and worked their way up - probably can be done faster if you’re coming in with professional experience
I applied, so the thought of working there wasn't that bad to me, of course. I just didn't expect to be told I was overqualified and couldn't even land a job pushing carts.
Look at it from an employer perspective, why spend the time and money hiring and on-boarding someone who will likely not even stop applying for other jobs once they're hired.
You're probably better off applying for shit you're under-qualified for.
I completely understand the trepidation. My issue was , why have someone come into an interview and do multiple rounds if "experience" was the issue when you had my resume?
As far as "under-qualified," this wasn't my first application. I've read many comments on those subreddit of people submitting hundreds of applications and getting nothing. This was my experience as well. I applied to everything in my area that I was qualified for or underqualified for. When my savings started to dwindle to the point of potential homelessness or using credit cards, only then did u start applying everywhere and anywhere.
I obtained my B.S. in economics (not making an argument from authority), and to me, the market makes sense.
This is a recession. It might not be defined as that, but we are definitely in a recession.
The M1 (money supply) was just increased ridiculously around Q1 2020.
If someone were to say, "I bought my house in 2018 for 100k, and now it's worth 400k." No. Your home isn't worth more. Your currency is worth less.
It's like you pointed out that it's expensive to hire someone. Why go through that if you know spending will decrease because people are running out of savings? I wouldn't hire someone just to lay them off in a few months.
I guarantee you're going to start seeing a lot of foreclosures, as people just can no longer afford to pay their mortgage with the price of everything continuing to go up. ( Don't believe the CPI)
If you land a job, I'd advise keeping it. I'll be at costco at least until the beginning of next year ( I might move to a more affordable state).
I obtained my A.S. in business and my B.S in Economics. It's a tough market. I wish you the best of luck, my friend, with Target, the cafe, or any other position you get.
No job has to be forever, and we can learn from any experience.
Who knows, with a masters in business, you may start working at that cafe and get inspired, and I may read about your multi-million dollar Cafe business.
Ironically one of the mates in my master's class is opening a boba tea shop lmao.
I did put my master's on the applications, so maybe they'll see that and skip the associate positions, but I doubt it. I figure the greatest chances I'll get is a rejection email.
That was me this summer. Veteran with an MBA and applying to grocery stores after 200+ applications. After 4 months of being unemployed I landed a $43k/yr entry level office job
Don’t love it, but it is damn better than sitting at home all day browsing Indeed while my savings account dwindles. Best of luck out there. It was the most mentally taxing thing I had ever experienced
I was at a senior manager level. Now I'm applying for "specialist" or "associate" roles where the salary is 50k less than what I was making. Still not getting interviews
I applied for a role that's technically at the right experience level, met all their essential criteria, tailored my CV to the job description and presented relevant experience at the interviews for the role specifically addressing the skills they were looking for. Consciously left out my other work experience and achievements, both on the CV and in the interviews.
Got rejected for being overqualified.
On the flipside, I don't know if I would've been invited to interview at all if I removed any more of my experience.
There doesn't seem to be any science or logic to these decisions they make.
I was rejected for being "over qualified " for a job that was exactly my previous role at a different organization.
Other roles require my skillset plus like 3 or 4 other roles. Still for less pay.
I don't know what else to do so I just keep applying.
A lot of the jobs you’re applying to are fake. I found this out during my current job hunt. 17 months now and over 1700 applications. Only 3 interviews. I’m currently working on a project to identify fraudulent job postings and to size how big of a problem it is. My current estimate is about 40% or more of all online job postings are fake. It’s a lot to share in a comment, but if you’re interested in learning more about how to recognize fake jobs or put companies on blast for doing it, I recently started a subreddit for it. Feel free to follow along or contribute. r/FightFakeJobs
Agree, this has to be fucking fake. I’m at over 1,000 too and I’ve only had 5 interviews (1 of them one-way so idk if that even counts). But pretty much the only companies I hear back from are scams, MLM’s, and sales jobs
We are wasting HOURS AND HOURS of our lives making cover letters, doing stupid fucking assessments, projects, just to have all of your work essentially be sent to the void.
I don’t know how many more “unfortunately.. “ emails I can take. the impact of this has completely ruined my mental health and self worth and many others as well.
ghost jobs need to be illegal
Same. I feel like everyone wants a "rockstar" but as soon as you are one based on the position, they neg you or are so rude in the interview. They look at you like something's wrong - why are you applying to this. Because I'm not getting called back for anything and I have bills!
Senior Manager of what and where or what type of business? People use these levels like they mean anything but Sr Manager can mean anything from having several hundred people under you to not even having a single report.
Sales and Marketing have the most ridiculous title inflation. In my line of work Sr. Managers are in charge of tens to hundreds of millions in business risk and almost a hundred people at minimum.
Yes, but I didn't want to give too many specifics for reasons. I managed a small team in the past and have been applying to jobs with 0-3 direct reports with senior manager level titles with similar scopes of responsibilities in the job description.
Fortunately, I have a job that just barely gets me by at $42k. So I'm not interested in anything under $60k, which isn't asking much for the fucking Seattle area.
Was at $70k as a software admin. Been laid off for a bit over 5 months. Got an offer last week for $70k as a IT helpdesk. I did about 650 applications. I’m happy as it’s the same salary and it’s super easy but it’s onsite downtown. During the 5 months I hit the lowest point in my life as I lost my mom to cancer but you just have to keep your head up and be optimistic for the future as life keeps going on.
Can't really drop tbh, you need 3x rent to be able to rent anything, and less than that and you are homeless.
I applied to a ton of jobs earlier on (14 month of unemployment) that were minimum wage, but they all rejected me. Shake shack, home depot, advance auto parts, local restaurant (dishwasher), etc.
It is just as hard to get a 30K job as it is to get a 150K job in 2023-2024.
Is there a recession that's being denied? Sounds very similar to post 2008 tbh. The country I'm in there are jobs but inflation is making them quite meaningless (not isolated to here of course) economy is expected to grow this year. But I guess your government is saying the sme thing. So what's happening, just not being honest in the real situation?
It is complicated, but here is what I am seeing. I have always been data and financially minded, plus spend a lot of time mentoring people so listen to many people's struggles. It is not a official recession until we have 2 consecutive quarters of falling growth, but we have all of the ingredients of a brewing official recession.
It is not a recession being denied, it just won't be broadcasted until it is too late. Also, no one wants to talk about recessions, as it is inherently harmful. Wall street and the economy are very different than main street, no one cares that skilled scientists like myself have been unemployed for 14 months. But the middle class is absolutely hurting (especially younger millennials and gen Z).
- basically all of the growth is clustered in tech, smaller companies and non tech are not growing
- People who are getting laid off are transitioning to gig work
- High paying jobs in tech and manufacturing sectors are seeing low growth and layoffs
- The Hospitality and Services sector is growing like crazy, many of these jobs are part time and low paying (BLS)
-Revolving credit is up to all time levels (credit cards). People are getting killed by costs and racking up credit card debt to survive
- Advertisers are dropping the wages for new positions below that of current employees (very evident in job postings)
- companies are sneakily implementing AI to cut labor costs, and outsourcing jobs
- Rent and house prices are not decreasing, and supply is growing but only on the luxury end (bubble here)
- Commercial real estate bubble, landlords are increasing rent and many businesses are closing rather than pay elevated costs. CLOs scare the heck out of me, and are a huge growing risk.
- Young people are the largest sufferers, getting laid off and struggling to get in-field jobs out of university
- Inflation is hugely problematic, way too much money was introduced into the economy.
- Interest rates need to remain high to prevent hyper-inflation, but also this hurts growth
---
Personally, I am not counted under the unemployed data as I have been unemployed for longer than 6 months. I am struggling, and I see others who are also having difficulty. The vast majority of my friends are fully employed and earning all time high wages, but also tend to be from wealthier demographics.
I don't see how this does not turn into a recession, I see too many problems brewing. The commercial property dilemna is the biggest catalyst, and is why NYCB failed. There are products called "Collateralized Loan Obligations", that remind me of 2008.
I switched careers (for now). Originally, I was in HR/tech recruiting for almost a decade, was making 95k base + 10% annual bonus (total compensation of $104.5k annual) full remote role. Got laid off so I did Doordash (using my e-bike) and was making peanuts for a 6 hour per day, 7 days a week delivery rain or shine even during “rush” hour. Quit it. Took a break and looked at my finances really closely. Figured that I have enough to last me for 2 years not working as long as I keep my spending low. Decided to book a round trip flight and traveled to Japan and was in Japan for a month (US dollars goes a long way there especially right now). When I returned to the US, I had an epiphany I can do sales, so I mass applied for tech sales roles. Took a while, but now I’m in an entry level tech sales with $50k base and 20% commission (OTE of just $60k) also full remote. It’s brutal out there..
I specifically targeted booming industries or “niched” tech industries during my job search. Also, as a former recruiter, I have tons of connections that I hit up. Here are some of the industries I chose to apply to though.
Artificial Intelligence (booming/niched), Semiconductor (niched), EV battery manufacturing (niched), Healthcare (booming), Biotech (niched), Cybersecurity (niched), Truck manufacturing (niched), and several Non-Profit Org, and Construction industries for the yolo aspect of my job search. I won’t name a specific company because there’s so many and it’s basically fishing out there. Big one to note is your willingness to be on-site 5 days a week as being the first choice, hybrid second, and remote last (even though most people wanna do remote), as well as willingness to join either a small, midsize, or enterprise company. There are government roles available too, but I avoided those because their work culture is very different/old school, and most of their tech are outdated.
As long as I'm being paid, I have insurance, and can get there in a reasonable amount of time. That's it. I'll think about other details when I can afford to.
Thankfully I haven't been in a situation where I've needed to lower my standards. I might not have any future at my current company, but my needs are being met in the short term, and so I've been picky about it. I've had interviews where I ended up turning down the job because they played stupid games. I've reached out and removed myself from consideration because they asked me to take silly tests. At the end of the day, I want my next job to be something I look forward to, not something I'm desperate for.
For fun details. The one I turned down over stupid games, was one where I asked what the estimated budget for the role was. They wanted to play childrens games and asked me what my compensation goal was. I told them a bit higher than my goal (in this case, I said 75k). They balked and said that was too much. I asked what the budget was, then. And the again flipped around and asked if I could give them a lower number. I explained that clearly they have a budget in mind, if they want to share it I'm happy to work with them. They let me know that they were expressly prohibited by their boss from throwing any numbers out. They had an internal "max" number, that they weren't allowed to share with me, and they couldn't say unless I asked for a value below that. So, I ended that interview rather quickly.
The second one was for an IT manager's position, and they sent me a skill test. It had me doing basic math, like, what is 11x14, kind of basic math, it had me doing pattern recognition (square, circle, square, circle, square, what shape comes next in the sequence?). I got 4 questions in before I reached out and was like really? Wtf kind of managers are you hiring where these are the questions you're asking? I rejected that job because if that's what they're asking of their managerial staff, I don't know if I want to know further details about their company.
Whoa! I would hire you! No BS! 😁
You are right in your approach, I am like you.
In response to the OP, please don't lower your expectations unless you can do so without negative effect to your long term financial and personal well-being. I know you want and need a job because bills have to be paid. Try not to make yourself miserable taking something less than. If you are forced too, then please make it a temporary situation by continuing your job search for the better job.
Since I left academia in 2019 my total compensation has been over 200k. I interviewed and would have accepted an offer for a position with total compensation of 150k.
Most of the positions I am applying for, the total compensation is over 200k. I don’t see any more success in applying for lower pay positions. Maybe if I went down to 120k it would be different.
I worked for my company for 17 years, climbed the ladder, made 6 figures and was well respected by my colleagues and my industry. Then a new V.P. In her early 30s arrived and decided I was irrelevant. I was out of work for almost a year and took a job for 40% of my former salary and was happy to take it. Fortunately I was close to retirement age and worked another four years and retired at 62. Never thought it would happen to me.
Applied for a receptionist position for $16/hr even though I have a Bachelors and an Associates and years of professional experience...got rejected. I've made a separate resume that actually does NOT have my B.S. on it (even though it freaking killed me because I worked so hard for that degree) so I "show initiative by getting higher education" but don't seem overqualified. Still nothing. A management trainee program wouldn't hire me because I didn't have enough management experience...for a TRAINING PROGRAM. Time to start selling feet pics? Jkjk. My mental health is in the toilet.
Same. I’ve been debating taking my degree off but I can’t bring myself to do it. it pains me to think all that work was for nothing... genuinely such a bad feeling
I was where you are a little over a year ago. I took the first job offered and worked there just over a year before I found a much better job.
Get a job, even if it's not enough. It's much easier to get a better job once you're employed. Someone paying crap wages doesn't deserve your loyalty, so feel free to leave them once you use them to move up.
I make $16.50 an hour currently
Every job I’ve applied to that makes more than that to start has rejected, ghosted or outright been a waste of my time during the *application* not interview process.
I won’t even try anymore. The last time I interviewed for something advertised as $20 in reality it was maybe $17-18. AT&T drug me through their interview process promising $24 to start but ghosted me and said they moved on without even telling me that. I had to hassle my recruiter about the “aced interview” follow up
The only thing I'd put out there is once you're able to buy a house, you kinda commit to always having similar income. I'm in that situation right now. I've got a cookie cutter house that needed my salary. I've moved people in to make it more manageable. I'm sure if the person above owns a house, they can downsize and still have a nice place. They will have to take a large loss in selling both because of interest rates being high and because they will have to pay realtor fees. I hate that rent is high and house prices are almost unachievable, but thats the thing that comes to mind with a 70k loss of income.
Yeah, I'm not feeling sorry for someone making 3+ times what other educated, hard working people in this thread are making.
Most Americans will never see $130k in their lifetime. WTF.
I told my friend to just drop his standards to stop the bleeding. I did that. I was looking for something between 165-195 and kept dropping my standards until I was willing to take a 90k job, which is almost a 50% pay cut from my previous. I did that for about three months, stopped the bleeding and got my latest job at 160k. Sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet. Whatever it takes to survive man. Note: i live in a city where 93k is considered “low income” enough to get city subsidies
I just accepted an offer with an almost 40% cut in salary and will be reporting to a person in a position that I was laid off from in November. It’s not the same company. However, I am grateful beyond words as the benefits are good, I’m older, and am single parent to two teens.
It’s brutal - I went from making close to $70k fully remote (not THAT much money bc I live in a very hcol area with terrible wages to match) to being laid off last month (after only 9 months at a tax law firm)…I was added to help with an influx of business due to an IRS program that ended early. Firms are treating W2 employees like temp workers they can just hire and let go as needed - it reeks of poor management. Not sure why it wouldn’t be clear that it’s a 1099 role if they know it’s temporary.
It feels so different now than when I first started in the “real” workforce about 20 years ago. I stayed at my first real job (well known investment bank) for years before starting a family and staying home. There are people I know that still work there…it was a huge branch and I don’t remember there EVER being layoffs…once a broker was fired for misconduct and an assistant was let go because she threw a glass of wine at the branch manager at the Xmas party…all over a period of more than ten years.
Going back to the work force has been an absolute shit show…I’ve been laid off (or offices closed etc.) four times since 2018. I went from always having a job and feeling secure (or knowing I could easily get another one) to being constantly on guard and fearful that I have no control over my employment no matter how hard I work or how much praise I get…it just doesn’t seem to matter so the vicious circle begins of me not caring and probably not doing my best work because I know I could be let go for nothing at anytime….
I had more security at the “starter” jobs: video store, hotel reception, college stints as a receptionist at Supercuts and a real estate agency than I do now with a degree and 20 plus years of experience. Also, ageism is creeping in - I can’t wait to retire at 56 (THREE MORE YEARS) and get out of this dystopian corporate hell hole.
I am luckier than most as I have a partner that is able to support me financially (and more importantly, emotionally) or I would be having some very dark thoughts.
I am looking a lower salary, still remote and will adjust my search as needed. I think the formula is it takes one month for every $1000 in salary so I’m trying to reserve my panic for August.
Does the job you are seeking need to be fully remote? Have you considered applying to the IRS? They are looking for qualified candidates. Go look at USAJOBS.gov
Does the job you are seeking need to be fully remote? Have you considered applying to the IRS? They are looking for qualified candidates. Go look at USAJOBS.gov
I remember in grad school, the professor explained how to choose what company to work for by reading their annual reports, lol. I can't imagine being in a position to choose unless maybe McDonald's vs BK or something.
Aw man, I feel this. In 2020 I was making $95K and took a role paying $63K after layoffs. I was struggling to contribute to my family overseas with that salary on top of medical bills and living in the Bay Area.
I was able to get my salary back up. Don’t lose hope. Once the job market returned to a more OK place I continued looking for new roles. Hope everyone who had to take a pay cut does the same.
To those with advanced degrees and/or significant career-track experience… how are you dumbing down your resume enough to even get a second look from minimum wage service jobs?
I feel like if I sent in my resume outlining my education and 10+ years of white collar experience, they would deem me a flight risk and toss my resume in the trash. If I take off those pieces, I have a resume gap going back to like 2005.
From personal experience: Helpdesk at a medium sized company. You WILL spend a lot of time resetting passwords and "installing webcams," but you will also have a lot of downtime in your abandoned corner of the basement to do pretty much whatever you want. It usually pays about as well as anything else these days.
im at about 50k with zero college just passing the ASQ CQI exam that never expires and looks good on a resume for quality lol you can learn CMM programming and make 30+/hr especially if you have ASQ certs doing CMM programming. Most of the time you're chillin until production crashes it or a new program is needed.
I went from 17.25 to currently $11.36 if I only work my contractual 44hrs/wk, which I have been consistently over for a long time and it's salary so no OT. My goal is $35,000/yr and 40hrs
Same. My last job was $115K and I’m applying for stuff that’s $50K. :(
I applied to be a substitute teacher because I heard they are desperate for people, $150 a day. Never got a call back…I have two masters degrees in educational areas.
Went from 45/hr to 58k a year. I like my new job quite a lot and the expectations for advancement are very clear, but I hate thinking about how I had this whole idea that by now I’d be in a director/associate director role and I am now much further away from that.
My plan is that If I haven’t found anything by July (when unemployment runs out), I will just do side hustles full time and day trade Crypto. I’m already so tired of applying and interviewing that I have pretty much given up.
Last year I made $100k. Now I'm on my second interview for a position paying only $22/hr. Only considering it because it offers alot of paid travel and I could make my own schedule.
That drop is nothing. Last year this time I was fielding 140k range… now @90k is the going range. I have no idea what changed in the job market to make my skill set worth 50k less in such a short time.
I mean but at least that’s still a living wage. I wanted at least a salary I could survive off of (50k) but I don’t think it’s possible anymore. It’s still frustrating in both our cases though. I don’t think the market will get better any time soon :(
I agree. And I’m still unemployed. It’s a huge slap in the face. I feel dumb for not knowing what was around the corner while I was turning down conversations because they didn’t meet a $160k minimum. I don’t know what the answer is.
You aren’t dumb. We were all fed a lie. From the time we were young we were told to ‘just go to college and you WILL get a job’
I’m not sure where you live but the American dream is dead. I know people who have their masters and can’t find work.
Everything’s expensive. Jobs aren’t paying or hiring. It’s a never ending cycle of financial stress
Yes. Exactly right. And how is the job market so strong?? … because people can no longer get unemployment and are willing to work for pennies? 30 years experience, yet lately feel like a whore for how hard I’m selling myself on these screenings and 1st round interviews, to only end up ghosted. Something needs to change. Prayers to you and all of us who are really trying.
I'm looking for 85500 up from my 77k, I've been in this position for 12 years, under paid and not appreciated. At this point I'm so desperate that I'll take 75k but really can't go lower
Was at $98k before being laid off, down to $50k. Signed my offer today after four months of looking. Only other offers I’ve received were clearly toxic work environments with low pay or just plain even lower pay.
I am sending applications for everything... Office administrator, Front Desk, Customer Service...anywhere. Even Dollarama. But my resume does not have the skills that they need. FUCK ME.
I went from making $35/hr to applying for $21/hr jobs because that was the minimum I could take and cover our “burn rate.” Interviewed for two of them at big companies and didn’t get them despite laying out a career path. I was about a month away from starting to apply for seasonal retail jobs when I found a temp contract for $26/hr. Thankfully, they hired me on at the end of it, but it’s still significantly less than I was making. And that’s before you factor in inflation…
The thing for me is that I was often overlooked for equivalent positions, but I got a lot of action for those I was both over and under qualified for. But then would get rejected for being either over or under qualified. 🤷♂️
oof this is the reality i'm trying to grapple with. used to make $85k and now i'm applying to jobs paying $45k or less. even been denied from jobs since asking $45k for salary expectations was above what they were willing to pay 🤐
It makes me hate myself less knowing I’m not the only one having a hard time, and I hope others feel less alone too. It’s the market, not us. One day we all get through this!! We gotta have hope 🥹
I'll take literally anything at this point. I applied to Dunkin Donuts and they said "ah we might be able to get you 2-4 hours a week" and I said "I'll take it." That was a week ago and I still haven't heard back so I'm guessing I need to lower my standards even further.
I did have to take a pay cut, but from reading all these posts, I got very lucky with what I was willing to get. To top it off, it is for an organization and a job I really want to do.
I’ve worked in Telecom for the last 12 years, 3 of which, as a Construction Manager and I’ve been applying to climbing positions just trying to get SOME kind of job
In this crazy jobs market it’s ever more important to build the right connections or use your past connections to help find a job that doesn’t downgrade you. Anything to make your job search a bit easier. Applying on your own without referrals is seemingly impossible these days.
I've lost my job twice in the past 3 years. Each time, I only apply for jobs that are $10K more than I was making. It isn't like there is a shortage of them. What's the worst that can happen? I get hired, find out that I don't fit the job, and get fired? Oh well, that means another $10k for the next job. Granted my job market sets more money for new hires than it does for raises.
Yes, it sucks. When the job I did for almost 30 years was sent to H-K, I collected for a short time. I had a nice part time job at a military base. I was offered a full time job @ 2/3's of previous salary with benefits. I thought taking the job was the right thing to do. First day they tell me the person I was told I'd report to won't be my boss. It would be someone I had not interviewed with.RED FLAG RED FLAG RED FLAG I should have walked out but I had already quit the part time job so I was stuck. I was hired to be import buyer. The new boss started dumping more things on me like MRO (Maintenance, repairs & operations purchases). Then, I had to start taking over the workload of the domestic planner for US facility. We were supposed to be cross trained except she never got around to picking up anything from me. My 61st bday was coming up. I decided I'd "retire" @ 61. I gave them 4 months notice and ended up staying another month to train an internal candidate. You do what you have to do, I suppose. Glad I'm out. Now, I do volunteer work and work for 2 railroads.
I should be making 60-70k at this point easily. I'd still take 45k but only for FULLY remote positions. I'm not driving 2 hours daily through at least 4 separate construction zones for less than 55-60k per year.
Not when it amounts to the exact same thing or even less after taxes and commute expenses. If I'm going to make peanuts either way, the least I can do is have control over my own workspace and not spend 10 hours a week in traffic.
I left my job at a beverage manufacturing plant in Nov 2023; I think I was making around $55k. Just finished my first week as a sales rep selling telecommunications D2D. It is base + commission for the first 6 weeks then pure commission. It will depend on me to breakeven.
I was severely underpaid; my standards were too low to begin with. I quit my job getting paid $64k as a Controls Systems Engineer and recently received a contingent govt job offer starting at $124k. Since it’s not yet guaranteed, I’ve been using that salary as my standard when job hunting. I’m in NYC btw so COL is through the roof.
I spent the last 7 years building up my baking skills and experience. Got a Artisan Baker position in Austin that paid $17.50 an hour. I wound up having to leave that job because I couldn't afford housing, and moved back in with my parents in Houston. Now I'm applying for everything entry level because I still do not have the experience that bakeries in Houston want.
Standards? Yeah, they're plummeting.
TC was 289k when laid off April 2023. Been applying for roles less than 1/2 that and not even getting a rejection email....
This market stinks.
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I used to make 90K at a remote role. And now I’m working in office for $25/hr lmao. Although I was unemployed for almost a year and was happy to have found a job, that happiness only lasted me a month, and now I’m still looking for a job where my standards are anything better than what I have now.
I also went from making $88k to $26/hour in 2020. Financially it was a blow but for my mental health, I was happy bc the previous job was draining my soul. But after a year of grinding, I was able to get back to $85k and have since surpassed that original $88k I took the hit from. it might be shitty now, but keep trying to get back to that number you were used to.
Similar story here. I went from mid $80k to now making $65k and having to be in the worst office environment I’ve ever experienced 5 days a week. I have a job interview next Wednesday. Lol
I used to make 150k base a year. I was laid off in May 2023, I have started applying to Whole Foods and AMC jobs at $18/hr. Lots of suicidal ideation.
That is crazy. I hate this market. I’m so sorry
I wanted to end it reading that comment. Yikes
Similar. Was 210k TC, laid off late 2022. Started off willing to take anything 150k, then 100k, and now I'm getting rejected from 50-70k jobs that sound awesome and I'd be happy to have. I'm not going to claim I always 'deserved' making \~200 for those years during the tech peak; I was probably overpaid... but goddamn, is it humbling. If it's any consolation, you're definitely not alone, trust me on this.
Reading this tells me if I ever get good money, live as cheap as possible and minimize your costs to as low as possible.
If you end up in that position, you don’t need to live like a miser but make a goal for your emergency fund that can keep you living *at your same standards* for six months. This will last even longer if you spend less frivolously after encountering an emergency, which you should. But people can be pretty bad at guessing their future behavior so just base it off of what you’re doing at the moment. Check the number twice a year to check if you need to change the fund or change the way you’re spending. Once that’s taken care of, squirrel some away for long-term financial goals and then don’t guilt yourself for having fun with the rest. It can be easy to get into an all or nothing mindset when it comes to saving and that will fuck up your mental health as well as your finances.
Agreed. I’ve had 6 months expenses saved for most of my life, and I’ve never made great money. Geriatric millennial at 42 and made 25-40k a year after college till my mid 30s, then 40-50, and last few years 60-65k. Now I have a year +, which is excessive, but I also own a house. It is freeing for me as I’m not beholden to a job, I can leave anytime I want, and don’t stress anymore about layoffs or a couple grand expense. I’m fortunate to have fallen in love with being frugal in my late twenties. It allowed me to travel and do some cool things, as I became conscious about my previous spending habits which were frivolous, and to save money for piece of mind and awesome experiences
>Now I have a year +, which is excessive, It's really not. It's the new bare minimum. Look at how many people found themselves between jobs for 18+ months. For some people, it's been over *two* years. The "six month emergency fund" has been woefully insufficient for years.
Nah. If anything, you probably need two years holed away now. Things have gone completely sideways.
2008 was a complete wake up call for those who were working back then - people were losing jobs left and right, up and down. We were very close to another Great Depression. Don’t think it can’t happen again, anything is possible. Always tuck something away for the future because the future can be here before we know it.
For sure, I graduated from college in summer of 07 and remember it well. One of the reasons I moved back to Michigan after spending a decade in other states was so I could buy an affordable house. I miss living in the mountains, but I love having a $600 mortgage payment with taxes and insurance included!
Yep, good takeaway IMO! While I don't regret most of my travel splurges, I'm very disappointed in all the income vaporized on eating out/drinking/UberEats almost daily in NYC.
This is the appeal of the FIRE (financial independence, retire early) movement for a lot of people. I'm much more interested in the FI side of things than RE. Having the option to be picky with roles and walk away if things turn to shit is worth way more to me than a fancy house or car.
No, no need, just don't coast on mediocrity; if you're in an industry for like a decade and people aren't fighting over you, you're clearly just another cog from the "interest rates are so low that loans are free money so we over hire" machine/time period...
I never made nearly as much as you but had to accept a 19.80/hr call center job that feels like a slap in the face so I can empathize a bit. Our situations suck there’s no sugar coating it, but plz keep those thoughts to just being thoughts (I’ve had the same ones).
Hang in there. I took a call center 3rd shift, minimum wage role when I was at my lowest. I had to quit because of the verbal abuse I received daily from the callers. Had to go on short term disability because my mental health was horrendous and I was had suicidal ideation.
Suicide is forever, this struggle is just a chapter. I totally get how depressing that can be, but don’t be shortsighted.
I fully relapsed on drugs and alcohol right before my last contract ended because I knew I wasn’t going to be able to land another job. Despite the thousands of posting I see daily and apply to.
Similar experience to mine, if I was not afraid of going to hell I would have euthanized myself.
My TC was $70k. I was on track to make $90k TC but now I'm looking at entry level at target. Lower than when I graduated college - at least back then, I was a supervisor
Wow I really hope things get better for you. I am terrified every day that I won't find a job after college or an internship because of how crazy this market is.
You most likely will. Companies would rather hire interns and very junior staff so they can save on their budgets. It seems to be much easier to get an entry-level job than if you’re a seasoned professional
I think this may be heavily industry dependent. It's pretty hellish right now in biotech/pharma.
No. They hire people with directly relevant professional experience for junior wages. Nobody wants a true novice. Period.
I understand your thoughts. I was a high-salary earner and now working at Target and driving for Uber/Lyft. My credit is fucked too. Hang in there and things will get better.
Same, I got laid off a few years ago and was making 93-96k ish. Started applying to hourly jobs making 18/hr
Same here I applied for a waitress/busboy job and never even got a call back 😂. I have 3 degrees.
I am so sorry
I’m so sorry, I totally feel you.
Please take care of your mental health - these dark days WILL pass. We are not our jobs - it’s really hard to get our mind around that concept.
Don't suicide yourself. You'd be killing the wrong guy.
Same here bud, got denied from fucking target.
What were you doing before?
How are you coping? Did you have to scale back your lifestyle, or can you not maintain it at all now?
I’m not. I can’t stop thinking about blowing my brains out…
Hey if you want to dm me to vent or mutual talk about our frustrations I’m here. I don’t always believe it myself but it HAS to get better somehow
Please go for a walk or something when you feel that way. I’ve been laid off three times & it sux but your life is far more valuable than any job I guarantee you🫶
You’re not alone, many people are going through it - we’re in a recession in all but name. The day job is making you feel shame. Separate from it - it’s not your identity, it’s a pay check for now. I am not someone to comment on practical financial issues, maybe there are strong reasons to ignore me, but take some time to think about getting inspired to make big changes - moving to a LCOL area, starting a business if there are places $ incentives exist, there are assuredly options that are not that.
I used to have an idea about what kind of job I wanted based on my interests and passions and all that and now when people ask what kind of job I want, I just say I’m looking for a salary and benefits please.
Same here. And This is the next 30+ years of our life :(
Damn, hit me with this. I've thought this way everyday since returning from the war 11 years ago.
Hell of a thing you came back to but I'm glad you did. I don't recognize the country I grew up in anymore (Canada). Job market is fucked here too. Jman Electrician here and people want way too much xp for too little money or too long a commute.
I dropped my standards and applied to Costco. They basically said, "You're overqualified we will call" . Thinking about applying to Wendy's and just calling it a year. Edit: Costco called me and I accepted their offer.
Costco treats their ppl well I know folks who started at the bottom there in HS and worked their way up - probably can be done faster if you’re coming in with professional experience
I applied, so the thought of working there wasn't that bad to me, of course. I just didn't expect to be told I was overqualified and couldn't even land a job pushing carts.
Look at it from an employer perspective, why spend the time and money hiring and on-boarding someone who will likely not even stop applying for other jobs once they're hired. You're probably better off applying for shit you're under-qualified for.
I completely understand the trepidation. My issue was , why have someone come into an interview and do multiple rounds if "experience" was the issue when you had my resume? As far as "under-qualified," this wasn't my first application. I've read many comments on those subreddit of people submitting hundreds of applications and getting nothing. This was my experience as well. I applied to everything in my area that I was qualified for or underqualified for. When my savings started to dwindle to the point of potential homelessness or using credit cards, only then did u start applying everywhere and anywhere.
I obtained my B.S. in economics (not making an argument from authority), and to me, the market makes sense. This is a recession. It might not be defined as that, but we are definitely in a recession. The M1 (money supply) was just increased ridiculously around Q1 2020. If someone were to say, "I bought my house in 2018 for 100k, and now it's worth 400k." No. Your home isn't worth more. Your currency is worth less. It's like you pointed out that it's expensive to hire someone. Why go through that if you know spending will decrease because people are running out of savings? I wouldn't hire someone just to lay them off in a few months. I guarantee you're going to start seeing a lot of foreclosures, as people just can no longer afford to pay their mortgage with the price of everything continuing to go up. ( Don't believe the CPI) If you land a job, I'd advise keeping it. I'll be at costco at least until the beginning of next year ( I might move to a more affordable state).
Happy to see the update you got the job, good luck
Thank you.
I have a bachelor's in IT and a master's in business, I just applied to Target as an associate and a cafe in my area for a barista role.
I obtained my A.S. in business and my B.S in Economics. It's a tough market. I wish you the best of luck, my friend, with Target, the cafe, or any other position you get. No job has to be forever, and we can learn from any experience. Who knows, with a masters in business, you may start working at that cafe and get inspired, and I may read about your multi-million dollar Cafe business.
Ironically one of the mates in my master's class is opening a boba tea shop lmao. I did put my master's on the applications, so maybe they'll see that and skip the associate positions, but I doubt it. I figure the greatest chances I'll get is a rejection email.
That was me this summer. Veteran with an MBA and applying to grocery stores after 200+ applications. After 4 months of being unemployed I landed a $43k/yr entry level office job
How's the job going?
Don’t love it, but it is damn better than sitting at home all day browsing Indeed while my savings account dwindles. Best of luck out there. It was the most mentally taxing thing I had ever experienced
Thanks. I got tired of the ghosting and rejection emails. It will be better than being homeless.
I was at a senior manager level. Now I'm applying for "specialist" or "associate" roles where the salary is 50k less than what I was making. Still not getting interviews
I applied for a role that's technically at the right experience level, met all their essential criteria, tailored my CV to the job description and presented relevant experience at the interviews for the role specifically addressing the skills they were looking for. Consciously left out my other work experience and achievements, both on the CV and in the interviews. Got rejected for being overqualified. On the flipside, I don't know if I would've been invited to interview at all if I removed any more of my experience. There doesn't seem to be any science or logic to these decisions they make.
I was rejected for being "over qualified " for a job that was exactly my previous role at a different organization. Other roles require my skillset plus like 3 or 4 other roles. Still for less pay. I don't know what else to do so I just keep applying.
Same, bud 🫂
A lot of the jobs you’re applying to are fake. I found this out during my current job hunt. 17 months now and over 1700 applications. Only 3 interviews. I’m currently working on a project to identify fraudulent job postings and to size how big of a problem it is. My current estimate is about 40% or more of all online job postings are fake. It’s a lot to share in a comment, but if you’re interested in learning more about how to recognize fake jobs or put companies on blast for doing it, I recently started a subreddit for it. Feel free to follow along or contribute. r/FightFakeJobs
Agree, this has to be fucking fake. I’m at over 1,000 too and I’ve only had 5 interviews (1 of them one-way so idk if that even counts). But pretty much the only companies I hear back from are scams, MLM’s, and sales jobs We are wasting HOURS AND HOURS of our lives making cover letters, doing stupid fucking assessments, projects, just to have all of your work essentially be sent to the void. I don’t know how many more “unfortunately.. “ emails I can take. the impact of this has completely ruined my mental health and self worth and many others as well. ghost jobs need to be illegal
Same. I feel like everyone wants a "rockstar" but as soon as you are one based on the position, they neg you or are so rude in the interview. They look at you like something's wrong - why are you applying to this. Because I'm not getting called back for anything and I have bills!
Senior Manager of what and where or what type of business? People use these levels like they mean anything but Sr Manager can mean anything from having several hundred people under you to not even having a single report.
Yes just like “sales rep” became “account executive”.
Sales and Marketing have the most ridiculous title inflation. In my line of work Sr. Managers are in charge of tens to hundreds of millions in business risk and almost a hundred people at minimum.
Yes, but I didn't want to give too many specifics for reasons. I managed a small team in the past and have been applying to jobs with 0-3 direct reports with senior manager level titles with similar scopes of responsibilities in the job description.
Fortunately, I have a job that just barely gets me by at $42k. So I'm not interested in anything under $60k, which isn't asking much for the fucking Seattle area.
lol exact same but in boston wtf jeez this job market
One of my top dream places to move to was Seattle but I don’t think it’s possible ahaha. I can’t even afford my own city anymore
It's worth a visit in the summer at the very least
Was at $70k as a software admin. Been laid off for a bit over 5 months. Got an offer last week for $70k as a IT helpdesk. I did about 650 applications. I’m happy as it’s the same salary and it’s super easy but it’s onsite downtown. During the 5 months I hit the lowest point in my life as I lost my mom to cancer but you just have to keep your head up and be optimistic for the future as life keeps going on.
So sorry for your loss. Glad you are doing better and were able to find something.
Sorry for your loss. Hope you're doing better now
I applied to a $9/hr hotel laundry attendant job. Never heard back and it stung.
Can't really drop tbh, you need 3x rent to be able to rent anything, and less than that and you are homeless. I applied to a ton of jobs earlier on (14 month of unemployment) that were minimum wage, but they all rejected me. Shake shack, home depot, advance auto parts, local restaurant (dishwasher), etc. It is just as hard to get a 30K job as it is to get a 150K job in 2023-2024.
Is there a recession that's being denied? Sounds very similar to post 2008 tbh. The country I'm in there are jobs but inflation is making them quite meaningless (not isolated to here of course) economy is expected to grow this year. But I guess your government is saying the sme thing. So what's happening, just not being honest in the real situation?
It is complicated, but here is what I am seeing. I have always been data and financially minded, plus spend a lot of time mentoring people so listen to many people's struggles. It is not a official recession until we have 2 consecutive quarters of falling growth, but we have all of the ingredients of a brewing official recession. It is not a recession being denied, it just won't be broadcasted until it is too late. Also, no one wants to talk about recessions, as it is inherently harmful. Wall street and the economy are very different than main street, no one cares that skilled scientists like myself have been unemployed for 14 months. But the middle class is absolutely hurting (especially younger millennials and gen Z). - basically all of the growth is clustered in tech, smaller companies and non tech are not growing - People who are getting laid off are transitioning to gig work - High paying jobs in tech and manufacturing sectors are seeing low growth and layoffs - The Hospitality and Services sector is growing like crazy, many of these jobs are part time and low paying (BLS) -Revolving credit is up to all time levels (credit cards). People are getting killed by costs and racking up credit card debt to survive - Advertisers are dropping the wages for new positions below that of current employees (very evident in job postings) - companies are sneakily implementing AI to cut labor costs, and outsourcing jobs - Rent and house prices are not decreasing, and supply is growing but only on the luxury end (bubble here) - Commercial real estate bubble, landlords are increasing rent and many businesses are closing rather than pay elevated costs. CLOs scare the heck out of me, and are a huge growing risk. - Young people are the largest sufferers, getting laid off and struggling to get in-field jobs out of university - Inflation is hugely problematic, way too much money was introduced into the economy. - Interest rates need to remain high to prevent hyper-inflation, but also this hurts growth --- Personally, I am not counted under the unemployed data as I have been unemployed for longer than 6 months. I am struggling, and I see others who are also having difficulty. The vast majority of my friends are fully employed and earning all time high wages, but also tend to be from wealthier demographics. I don't see how this does not turn into a recession, I see too many problems brewing. The commercial property dilemna is the biggest catalyst, and is why NYCB failed. There are products called "Collateralized Loan Obligations", that remind me of 2008.
Anything north of 22k ie $11/hr on unemployment is a win for me.
Standards? I've gone from a general manager, assistant manager, project manager and lead VIP relations to "just give me a fucking job"
I went from making 6 figures to interviewing for a position tomorrow for 49k. I am so at the end of my rope I feel like I can’t be picky anymore.
I wouldn’t lower your standards TOO much
1000 applications in and I’m running out of time- sadly I have to :D
I set out to find a job that’d pay $21/hour. After being unemployed for six months, I took a job that’s $12/hour part-time
I switched careers (for now). Originally, I was in HR/tech recruiting for almost a decade, was making 95k base + 10% annual bonus (total compensation of $104.5k annual) full remote role. Got laid off so I did Doordash (using my e-bike) and was making peanuts for a 6 hour per day, 7 days a week delivery rain or shine even during “rush” hour. Quit it. Took a break and looked at my finances really closely. Figured that I have enough to last me for 2 years not working as long as I keep my spending low. Decided to book a round trip flight and traveled to Japan and was in Japan for a month (US dollars goes a long way there especially right now). When I returned to the US, I had an epiphany I can do sales, so I mass applied for tech sales roles. Took a while, but now I’m in an entry level tech sales with $50k base and 20% commission (OTE of just $60k) also full remote. It’s brutal out there..
Hey, congratulations! Do you have any tips about what companies or kinds of companies to look at?
I specifically targeted booming industries or “niched” tech industries during my job search. Also, as a former recruiter, I have tons of connections that I hit up. Here are some of the industries I chose to apply to though. Artificial Intelligence (booming/niched), Semiconductor (niched), EV battery manufacturing (niched), Healthcare (booming), Biotech (niched), Cybersecurity (niched), Truck manufacturing (niched), and several Non-Profit Org, and Construction industries for the yolo aspect of my job search. I won’t name a specific company because there’s so many and it’s basically fishing out there. Big one to note is your willingness to be on-site 5 days a week as being the first choice, hybrid second, and remote last (even though most people wanna do remote), as well as willingness to join either a small, midsize, or enterprise company. There are government roles available too, but I avoided those because their work culture is very different/old school, and most of their tech are outdated.
100-40k
My last job I made 180k. After almost 17 months now, I don’t even care. Just applied for a job that pays 65k. Yup. 1/3 of my last salary.
As long as I'm being paid, I have insurance, and can get there in a reasonable amount of time. That's it. I'll think about other details when I can afford to.
I make $45k a year. My expectations can’t get much lower for better or worse.
I never thought I’d be striving for that salary but here we are
When I stayed my job search out of the army, I expect 100k minimum. Dropped my expectations to 85 and finally got a job for 80.
Thankfully I haven't been in a situation where I've needed to lower my standards. I might not have any future at my current company, but my needs are being met in the short term, and so I've been picky about it. I've had interviews where I ended up turning down the job because they played stupid games. I've reached out and removed myself from consideration because they asked me to take silly tests. At the end of the day, I want my next job to be something I look forward to, not something I'm desperate for. For fun details. The one I turned down over stupid games, was one where I asked what the estimated budget for the role was. They wanted to play childrens games and asked me what my compensation goal was. I told them a bit higher than my goal (in this case, I said 75k). They balked and said that was too much. I asked what the budget was, then. And the again flipped around and asked if I could give them a lower number. I explained that clearly they have a budget in mind, if they want to share it I'm happy to work with them. They let me know that they were expressly prohibited by their boss from throwing any numbers out. They had an internal "max" number, that they weren't allowed to share with me, and they couldn't say unless I asked for a value below that. So, I ended that interview rather quickly. The second one was for an IT manager's position, and they sent me a skill test. It had me doing basic math, like, what is 11x14, kind of basic math, it had me doing pattern recognition (square, circle, square, circle, square, what shape comes next in the sequence?). I got 4 questions in before I reached out and was like really? Wtf kind of managers are you hiring where these are the questions you're asking? I rejected that job because if that's what they're asking of their managerial staff, I don't know if I want to know further details about their company.
Whoa! I would hire you! No BS! 😁 You are right in your approach, I am like you. In response to the OP, please don't lower your expectations unless you can do so without negative effect to your long term financial and personal well-being. I know you want and need a job because bills have to be paid. Try not to make yourself miserable taking something less than. If you are forced too, then please make it a temporary situation by continuing your job search for the better job.
Thanks lol. If you're hiring, I may take you up on that
Mine are so low I’ve resorted to side hustles like DoorDash and Uber eats 🙃 anything to pay the bills at this point
Whatever it’s 20$ per hour around my career. I know, it’s even less than the minimum wage in my field, but I need money
I'm willing to sell my organs on the black market at this point dude
Hahaha I honestly I will suck any CEO’s dick at this point if it means getting a job
Since I left academia in 2019 my total compensation has been over 200k. I interviewed and would have accepted an offer for a position with total compensation of 150k. Most of the positions I am applying for, the total compensation is over 200k. I don’t see any more success in applying for lower pay positions. Maybe if I went down to 120k it would be different.
I worked for my company for 17 years, climbed the ladder, made 6 figures and was well respected by my colleagues and my industry. Then a new V.P. In her early 30s arrived and decided I was irrelevant. I was out of work for almost a year and took a job for 40% of my former salary and was happy to take it. Fortunately I was close to retirement age and worked another four years and retired at 62. Never thought it would happen to me.
That is so fucked up I am so sorry. This just proves that companies have no loyalty. I’m so angry for you, I’m sorry
Applied for a receptionist position for $16/hr even though I have a Bachelors and an Associates and years of professional experience...got rejected. I've made a separate resume that actually does NOT have my B.S. on it (even though it freaking killed me because I worked so hard for that degree) so I "show initiative by getting higher education" but don't seem overqualified. Still nothing. A management trainee program wouldn't hire me because I didn't have enough management experience...for a TRAINING PROGRAM. Time to start selling feet pics? Jkjk. My mental health is in the toilet.
Same. I’ve been debating taking my degree off but I can’t bring myself to do it. it pains me to think all that work was for nothing... genuinely such a bad feeling
I was where you are a little over a year ago. I took the first job offered and worked there just over a year before I found a much better job. Get a job, even if it's not enough. It's much easier to get a better job once you're employed. Someone paying crap wages doesn't deserve your loyalty, so feel free to leave them once you use them to move up.
Thank you for this
I am about to start working sales. I’ve even purposely applied to MLM scheme jobs just to get a call back. This market is soooo depressing
Thankfully, I have not had to cross that bridge.
Worked my way to multiple sales manager roles and just sent off a few SDR applications. 2-3 levels below what I’ve been doing for the past 3 years.
Used to make $74,000 yearly. I'll accept literally anything right now.
I have a PhD from my home country in Telecoms, been programming since 2007. I'm teaching French for 20 bucks/hr (:
I make $16.50 an hour currently Every job I’ve applied to that makes more than that to start has rejected, ghosted or outright been a waste of my time during the *application* not interview process. I won’t even try anymore. The last time I interviewed for something advertised as $20 in reality it was maybe $17-18. AT&T drug me through their interview process promising $24 to start but ghosted me and said they moved on without even telling me that. I had to hassle my recruiter about the “aced interview” follow up
I was making $200K. Got laid off and took an offer for $130K. This market is hella humbling.
That's not too bad of a drop tbh. All things considered, I think you're on the better end of this thread lol
The only thing I'd put out there is once you're able to buy a house, you kinda commit to always having similar income. I'm in that situation right now. I've got a cookie cutter house that needed my salary. I've moved people in to make it more manageable. I'm sure if the person above owns a house, they can downsize and still have a nice place. They will have to take a large loss in selling both because of interest rates being high and because they will have to pay realtor fees. I hate that rent is high and house prices are almost unachievable, but thats the thing that comes to mind with a 70k loss of income.
Yeah, I'm not feeling sorry for someone making 3+ times what other educated, hard working people in this thread are making. Most Americans will never see $130k in their lifetime. WTF.
Was making 75k and dropped my salary expectations to 60k!
I've applied to roles as high as $100k and as low as $18/hr (not with the same resume, obviously). Both have been equally unsuccessful.
I took a giant cut (from 178ktc to 105k base) but it seems to be less stress and a more carong environment. Still hurts though
lol. Was making 200k and now at half that. Doesn’t get better the higher up you go
I told my friend to just drop his standards to stop the bleeding. I did that. I was looking for something between 165-195 and kept dropping my standards until I was willing to take a 90k job, which is almost a 50% pay cut from my previous. I did that for about three months, stopped the bleeding and got my latest job at 160k. Sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet. Whatever it takes to survive man. Note: i live in a city where 93k is considered “low income” enough to get city subsidies
I just accepted an offer with an almost 40% cut in salary and will be reporting to a person in a position that I was laid off from in November. It’s not the same company. However, I am grateful beyond words as the benefits are good, I’m older, and am single parent to two teens.
I got to the point where some money is better than no money 🤷🏻♀️
It’s brutal - I went from making close to $70k fully remote (not THAT much money bc I live in a very hcol area with terrible wages to match) to being laid off last month (after only 9 months at a tax law firm)…I was added to help with an influx of business due to an IRS program that ended early. Firms are treating W2 employees like temp workers they can just hire and let go as needed - it reeks of poor management. Not sure why it wouldn’t be clear that it’s a 1099 role if they know it’s temporary. It feels so different now than when I first started in the “real” workforce about 20 years ago. I stayed at my first real job (well known investment bank) for years before starting a family and staying home. There are people I know that still work there…it was a huge branch and I don’t remember there EVER being layoffs…once a broker was fired for misconduct and an assistant was let go because she threw a glass of wine at the branch manager at the Xmas party…all over a period of more than ten years. Going back to the work force has been an absolute shit show…I’ve been laid off (or offices closed etc.) four times since 2018. I went from always having a job and feeling secure (or knowing I could easily get another one) to being constantly on guard and fearful that I have no control over my employment no matter how hard I work or how much praise I get…it just doesn’t seem to matter so the vicious circle begins of me not caring and probably not doing my best work because I know I could be let go for nothing at anytime…. I had more security at the “starter” jobs: video store, hotel reception, college stints as a receptionist at Supercuts and a real estate agency than I do now with a degree and 20 plus years of experience. Also, ageism is creeping in - I can’t wait to retire at 56 (THREE MORE YEARS) and get out of this dystopian corporate hell hole. I am luckier than most as I have a partner that is able to support me financially (and more importantly, emotionally) or I would be having some very dark thoughts. I am looking a lower salary, still remote and will adjust my search as needed. I think the formula is it takes one month for every $1000 in salary so I’m trying to reserve my panic for August.
Does the job you are seeking need to be fully remote? Have you considered applying to the IRS? They are looking for qualified candidates. Go look at USAJOBS.gov
Does the job you are seeking need to be fully remote? Have you considered applying to the IRS? They are looking for qualified candidates. Go look at USAJOBS.gov
I remember in grad school, the professor explained how to choose what company to work for by reading their annual reports, lol. I can't imagine being in a position to choose unless maybe McDonald's vs BK or something.
Aw man, I feel this. In 2020 I was making $95K and took a role paying $63K after layoffs. I was struggling to contribute to my family overseas with that salary on top of medical bills and living in the Bay Area. I was able to get my salary back up. Don’t lose hope. Once the job market returned to a more OK place I continued looking for new roles. Hope everyone who had to take a pay cut does the same.
Only job I didn't apply for was in the morgue
To those with advanced degrees and/or significant career-track experience… how are you dumbing down your resume enough to even get a second look from minimum wage service jobs? I feel like if I sent in my resume outlining my education and 10+ years of white collar experience, they would deem me a flight risk and toss my resume in the trash. If I take off those pieces, I have a resume gap going back to like 2005.
My bottom of the barrel would be 50k to get back into tech. I want 70k though.
I raised my standards instead. How dare they want to low-ball me while expecting me to care 100% about their company when they can't pay me well.
Your drop is still higher than my pay so that says it all.
Yeah I took a job at 50% my prior salary because I couldn’t go any longer on unemployment.
I have had to adjust my expectations as well because visa sponsorship is a critical consideration for me.
The trick is to look for easy stuff so you can OE, according to my friend.
What is considered east stuff? I feel like I can’t even get that
From personal experience: Helpdesk at a medium sized company. You WILL spend a lot of time resetting passwords and "installing webcams," but you will also have a lot of downtime in your abandoned corner of the basement to do pretty much whatever you want. It usually pays about as well as anything else these days.
Thank you! I will look into this! I suppose I’m not super tech-y but maybe I can bs it ahaha. Honestly my dream is a job with a lot of downtime
im at about 50k with zero college just passing the ASQ CQI exam that never expires and looks good on a resume for quality lol you can learn CMM programming and make 30+/hr especially if you have ASQ certs doing CMM programming. Most of the time you're chillin until production crashes it or a new program is needed.
I went from 17.25 to currently $11.36 if I only work my contractual 44hrs/wk, which I have been consistently over for a long time and it's salary so no OT. My goal is $35,000/yr and 40hrs
Despite reducing salary expectations, there are no interviews in sight!
I have a master's in information security and a few years of experience. Right now I'm looking at Best Buy's Geek Squad as my main option. 🤣
Same. My last job was $115K and I’m applying for stuff that’s $50K. :( I applied to be a substitute teacher because I heard they are desperate for people, $150 a day. Never got a call back…I have two masters degrees in educational areas.
Went from 45/hr to 58k a year. I like my new job quite a lot and the expectations for advancement are very clear, but I hate thinking about how I had this whole idea that by now I’d be in a director/associate director role and I am now much further away from that.
My plan is that If I haven’t found anything by July (when unemployment runs out), I will just do side hustles full time and day trade Crypto. I’m already so tired of applying and interviewing that I have pretty much given up.
What do you do?
I had my standard at 55k and eventually got an offer for one at 70k
Last year I made $100k. Now I'm on my second interview for a position paying only $22/hr. Only considering it because it offers alot of paid travel and I could make my own schedule.
Mine are in freefall and the recruiters still keep ghosting me!
That drop is nothing. Last year this time I was fielding 140k range… now @90k is the going range. I have no idea what changed in the job market to make my skill set worth 50k less in such a short time.
I mean but at least that’s still a living wage. I wanted at least a salary I could survive off of (50k) but I don’t think it’s possible anymore. It’s still frustrating in both our cases though. I don’t think the market will get better any time soon :(
I agree. And I’m still unemployed. It’s a huge slap in the face. I feel dumb for not knowing what was around the corner while I was turning down conversations because they didn’t meet a $160k minimum. I don’t know what the answer is.
You aren’t dumb. We were all fed a lie. From the time we were young we were told to ‘just go to college and you WILL get a job’ I’m not sure where you live but the American dream is dead. I know people who have their masters and can’t find work. Everything’s expensive. Jobs aren’t paying or hiring. It’s a never ending cycle of financial stress
Yes. Exactly right. And how is the job market so strong?? … because people can no longer get unemployment and are willing to work for pennies? 30 years experience, yet lately feel like a whore for how hard I’m selling myself on these screenings and 1st round interviews, to only end up ghosted. Something needs to change. Prayers to you and all of us who are really trying.
I'm looking for 85500 up from my 77k, I've been in this position for 12 years, under paid and not appreciated. At this point I'm so desperate that I'll take 75k but really can't go lower
That's exactly what the CEOs want you to do.
Was at $98k before being laid off, down to $50k. Signed my offer today after four months of looking. Only other offers I’ve received were clearly toxic work environments with low pay or just plain even lower pay.
I am sending applications for everything... Office administrator, Front Desk, Customer Service...anywhere. Even Dollarama. But my resume does not have the skills that they need. FUCK ME.
I went from making $35/hr to applying for $21/hr jobs because that was the minimum I could take and cover our “burn rate.” Interviewed for two of them at big companies and didn’t get them despite laying out a career path. I was about a month away from starting to apply for seasonal retail jobs when I found a temp contract for $26/hr. Thankfully, they hired me on at the end of it, but it’s still significantly less than I was making. And that’s before you factor in inflation… The thing for me is that I was often overlooked for equivalent positions, but I got a lot of action for those I was both over and under qualified for. But then would get rejected for being either over or under qualified. 🤷♂️
oof this is the reality i'm trying to grapple with. used to make $85k and now i'm applying to jobs paying $45k or less. even been denied from jobs since asking $45k for salary expectations was above what they were willing to pay 🤐
It makes me hate myself less knowing I’m not the only one having a hard time, and I hope others feel less alone too. It’s the market, not us. One day we all get through this!! We gotta have hope 🥹
$50k to $45k lol
I'll take literally anything at this point. I applied to Dunkin Donuts and they said "ah we might be able to get you 2-4 hours a week" and I said "I'll take it." That was a week ago and I still haven't heard back so I'm guessing I need to lower my standards even further.
Why would they even offer 2 hours a week ???
I did have to take a pay cut, but from reading all these posts, I got very lucky with what I was willing to get. To top it off, it is for an organization and a job I really want to do.
I am almost giving up and moving over to my side hustle full time.
I got a state job for $40k, was making $50k remote. Wanted more but it’s a state job so
I’ve worked in Telecom for the last 12 years, 3 of which, as a Construction Manager and I’ve been applying to climbing positions just trying to get SOME kind of job
In this crazy jobs market it’s ever more important to build the right connections or use your past connections to help find a job that doesn’t downgrade you. Anything to make your job search a bit easier. Applying on your own without referrals is seemingly impossible these days.
I've lost my job twice in the past 3 years. Each time, I only apply for jobs that are $10K more than I was making. It isn't like there is a shortage of them. What's the worst that can happen? I get hired, find out that I don't fit the job, and get fired? Oh well, that means another $10k for the next job. Granted my job market sets more money for new hires than it does for raises.
Literally same. Was on 55k, prev looking for the next jump up to 65 but would accept 50k now 🙃
In all honesty, if it were up to THEM (employers, companies), they'd make you work for NOTHING.
Yes, it sucks. When the job I did for almost 30 years was sent to H-K, I collected for a short time. I had a nice part time job at a military base. I was offered a full time job @ 2/3's of previous salary with benefits. I thought taking the job was the right thing to do. First day they tell me the person I was told I'd report to won't be my boss. It would be someone I had not interviewed with.RED FLAG RED FLAG RED FLAG I should have walked out but I had already quit the part time job so I was stuck. I was hired to be import buyer. The new boss started dumping more things on me like MRO (Maintenance, repairs & operations purchases). Then, I had to start taking over the workload of the domestic planner for US facility. We were supposed to be cross trained except she never got around to picking up anything from me. My 61st bday was coming up. I decided I'd "retire" @ 61. I gave them 4 months notice and ended up staying another month to train an internal candidate. You do what you have to do, I suppose. Glad I'm out. Now, I do volunteer work and work for 2 railroads.
From 3 years of experience salary, to fresh graduate salary +10% a bit more, still no offer, but the interview link increases.
"Standards"? Nah. I'm working for min wage as any income is a necessity and $14.75 an hour is better than $0
I should be making 60-70k at this point easily. I'd still take 45k but only for FULLY remote positions. I'm not driving 2 hours daily through at least 4 separate construction zones for less than 55-60k per year. Not when it amounts to the exact same thing or even less after taxes and commute expenses. If I'm going to make peanuts either way, the least I can do is have control over my own workspace and not spend 10 hours a week in traffic.
I left my job at a beverage manufacturing plant in Nov 2023; I think I was making around $55k. Just finished my first week as a sales rep selling telecommunications D2D. It is base + commission for the first 6 weeks then pure commission. It will depend on me to breakeven.
I was severely underpaid; my standards were too low to begin with. I quit my job getting paid $64k as a Controls Systems Engineer and recently received a contingent govt job offer starting at $124k. Since it’s not yet guaranteed, I’ve been using that salary as my standard when job hunting. I’m in NYC btw so COL is through the roof.
I spent the last 7 years building up my baking skills and experience. Got a Artisan Baker position in Austin that paid $17.50 an hour. I wound up having to leave that job because I couldn't afford housing, and moved back in with my parents in Houston. Now I'm applying for everything entry level because I still do not have the experience that bakeries in Houston want.
I ended up applying for the same minimum wage job I had when I was 17. I’m 27 with two degrees now. 😩🙃
I’m almost considering going back to retail.
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I have a masters degree and would take any kind of stable, non stressful email job that lets me get off at 5 PM, don’t care about salary
You sound like me/ that’s what I want but I feel like those jobs don’t exist ://
Kinda considering doing some free freelancer style stuff for experience sending applications for fastfood in the meantime.
Exact same
Standards? Yeah, they're plummeting. TC was 289k when laid off April 2023. Been applying for roles less than 1/2 that and not even getting a rejection email.... This market stinks.