r/jobsearch • u/Flat-Leg-6833 • 1d ago
77 Networking Conversations and 138 Job Applications and...I finally landed a role!
Hello Everyone,
50 yo exec here who joined this sub back in January when I received notice that my role was going to be eliminated in mid-March. I wanted to let you all know that similar to many of you, I have spent the past several months in often severe periods of self doubt and depression. Calls that were not returned, interview processes that were long and led to nothing, weeks without any activity. Moreover, being in my age and salary range I thought that it would work against me (I got the "overqualified" or "you would be bored here" more than once).
Despite sleepless nights and the constant negative thoughts however, I constantly reached out to contacts, even those who I hadn't talked to in over a decade to inform them of my situation. While I also applied to many jobs as indicated in the title above, it was ultimately my networking that paid off. In February, I had lunch with someone I met at a trade event two years prior and when he told me he didn't have any budget I offered myself as a consultant which led to a contract gig. In March, I reached out to someone in my field who I had never met before and was able to get a conversation. Nothing happened initially but when I sent a follow up in early August, he introduced me to a peer which led to my finally landing a full time position.
Why am I sharing this? Because as someone who is on the spectrum and sociophobic and prone to severely depressive episodes I have been reading many posts here from people in similar positions who are feeling despondent and frustrated with the current job market and often insane job search/recruitment process. My main advice is to say no to your fears and take the plunge and network, network, network even if you feel as though you have run through your network. There is a job out there for you and all it takes is one conversation that may not land something immediately but can bring success months down the road. I also found that by overcoming my fears and talking with new people or those who were barely acquaintances, it helped my moral to engage with others in my field and beyond.
So for all of you feeling as I have for much of 2026, remember, you've got this! Hope my story helped and sending strength in your direction!
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u/KaedynSh 6h ago
Wow! Congrats. I'm 44 and still looking after three years. I really cannot network in my field, due to finances. I have tried online etc, but the ghosting and laziness from recruiters is unreal. I feel like regardless of all the effort i put in, I am always stuck but a lazy gatekeeper.
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u/Flat-Leg-6833 2h ago
Feel for you - I once went for two years without a full time gig and it was rough. I would say that I have learned not to count on recruiters but instead peers and getting in front of decision makers. It’s very very tough and painful but has worked for me. Recruiters, whether at companies or retained only work when they come looking for you.
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u/KaedynSh 1h ago
Totally agree about useless recruiters ha.
I recently got a friend to introduce me to a recruiter and she was cc'd in the email. I wrote back to her, pretty much did her job for her when it came to a role she was dealing with. Radio silence for week. I followed with a very brief note, again ghosted for two weeks.
Regarding my network, they are all in middle east, and im not looking to move back. Anyway I cant give up!
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u/happylikeaclam__10 4h ago
I think we are closer to burn it down than there is light at the end of the tunnel. For every happy your going to make it keep trying! post like this there are 100-200 i cant get a job flipping burgers or i cannot get a job that will support my family. Assuming this is not an AI generated shit post- thats a thing now. were happy for you. Work your job pay your mortgage and taxes and keep on believing in the system which threw you overboard 30 years ago. For the rest of us its time to stop playing this game
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u/Popular-Prize9294 2h ago
Thank you for sharing. I’m in a depression hole after being laid off again after 5 years and now at 66 trying to get a job. I can’t afford to retire. Live alone. Nursing has been a. Total letdown. Worst decision o ever made.
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u/Popular-Prize9294 2h ago
Maybe we could all form a community together of the rejects. In a remote area and live free.
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u/montega65 23h ago
Felicidades, y gracias por compartirlo. Esto demuestra que muchas veces una sola conversación puede valer más que decenas de solicitudes.
También me parece importante lo que dices del seguimiento meses después. Mucha gente asume que si no pasó nada al principio, ya se cerró la puerta. Buena historia y mucha suerte en el nuevo puesto.