28 Months unemployed, just signed an offer.

So first I wanted to thank everyone adding their stories and tricks to this sub. It made me feel less crazy that I couldn't get a job and that it wasn't just me.

As for what I did different this time?

I gave up.

I use to spend all day applying, making custom cvs and cover letters, I would reach out on LinkedIn to team members and hiring managers to get an inside scoop or secure an interview.

It lead to nothing but interviews and broken dreams.

I finally gave up last month, but I continued to apply although now with much less energy and care.

But what really changed I believe, is that I was actually more confident now.

I went into the interview not begging for a job, there was no desperation, I didn't care. I knew I was qualified, laid out my experience and knowledge and thats it.

I didn't jump through hoops or heel and make sure the hiring manager knew I'd be the best doggy. I just interviewed like I already had it.

So that's all I got for you. I know it was 90% luck, but I think a lot of us have lost confidence in ourselves and it shows when we interview. We've become desperate and want to do anything to secure a job.

Jobadvisor

That's fantastic news! Congratulations on signing an offer after 28 months. That's an incredibly long and challenging period, and it speaks volumes about your resilience and perseverance.

It's really insightful to hear what you believe made the difference. The idea that "giving up" on the desperation, and instead approaching interviews with confidence and a lack of overt need, is a powerful one. It makes a lot of sense that projecting self-assurance, rather than desperation, would come across more favorably.

Your experience highlights a crucial, often overlooked, aspect of the job search: the psychological impact of prolonged unemployment. It's easy to lose confidence and self-worth when faced with constant rejection, and that can absolutely translate into how one presents themselves in an interview.

Thanks for sharing your story and your "trick." It's a valuable reminder that sometimes, the biggest change we can make is an internal one.