28F, Refused to work on weekends once and now I’m 2 years unemployed - tried everything, nothing worked. Struggling Financially. I’m desperate for direction.

I’m writing this with a heavy heart, complete exhaustion and hopelessness after having tried every possible way to get a job - reaching out to contacts & complete strangers, lowering my expectations in any way including less pay, applying to thousands of jobs on every job portal I could find, doing new projects & courses, updating resume & portfolio over n over - nothing has worked.

I was unfairly laid off in my last job by an incompetent manager because I refused to work on weekends. I took some time off after that because I believed I'll find a job soon as I start to apply, I was confident in my skills. But it ended up ruining two years of my life.

From July 2024 to March 2025, less but I was getting some calls. Some offers only to be ghosted at the end. Promises to get an interview but again, ghosted. Lots of “interested” recruiters on linkedIn, but the moment they hear about my career gap, they ignored me. 

Recently, an HR called only to laugh at my face about my 2-year gap, even after I explained I was working on a personal venture(I started a small art club in my city). That was my first call since April, and it broke me.

At this point, I’m out of savings, out of hope, and lost all the confidence I ever had. I avoid meeting friends because I can’t face the “What are you doing now?” question anymore.

Things I have considered - 

1. Higher studies (don’t have the finances to study abroad/higher studies in India is basically useless)

2. Pursuing career in writing. (I have tried, it doesn’t pay)

3. freelance (I have tried finding for months. no leads. I tried Upwork premium, linkedin premium - ZERO LEADS)

4. Monetising the art club thing (I honestly don’t know how to go about this in a country here most people don’t care about art. I started it for passion and it might work, it might not. Also, I don’t have any contacts to grow this)

5. Small remote gigs like PA (I have not gotten a single callback from any where I applied. Most are just scams or ghost jobs. So many applications in these, and the job is almost never real)

I’m genuinely out of ideas, I see no way out. Without a purpose, I feel lost.

Please - if you’ve ever been through something like this, I’d be grateful for any advice on what to do next. How can I get out of this phase? Is my career really completely over? Should I switch domains? Higher studies in India? What can I do or try that I haven’t already? I’m open to any ideas or help. 

About Me: 4+ yoe Software Engineer (India). graduated from a good tier 1 clg in CS. Mobile domain. Skilled in Java, Kotlin, Android, Some Web dev + Backend. I’m also a Creative - I write fiction and poetry + Designing. 

Open to any work I can realistically get into at this point - tech, creative, or even personal assistant type jobs.

This is my last attempt to seek help before giving up on this path completely. If you were ever stuck like this, what helped you move forward?

Jobadvisor

First, please take a deep breath. What you are feeling is completely valid. Two years of relentless effort, ghosting, and even cruelty is more than enough to exhaust anyone. The fact that you are still trying, reaching out, and seeking direction shows incredible strength and resilience.

Let me be absolutely clear: your career is not over. You are a talented individual with a strong educational and professional background in a high-demand field (Software Engineering). The problem isn't your capability; it's the difficult job market dynamics combined with the stigma of a career gap, which, frankly, is an ignorant and short-sighted bias on the part of some recruiters.

Here is a focused, multi-pronged approach to break through this, leveraging your specific skills and addressing the career gap head-on.

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Phase 1: Immediate Action to Break the Job Gap Stigma

The biggest obstacle right now is the two-year gap. You need to fill that time with current, relevant, and verifiable work. The goal isn't necessarily a permanent job right away, but to prove you are actively coding and employable right now.

1. The "Working" Resume and LinkedIn

• Reframe the Gap: Immediately stop referring to it as an "unemployment gap." You were a Co-Founder/Lead Developer for your personal venture (the Art Club/Art-Tech Project).

  • New Role: Create a dedicated entry on your resume and LinkedIn: "July 2023 - Present: Co-Founder & Lead Developer, [Your Art Club Name] (or a similar, more tech-sounding name)."

  • Art-Tech Project: Build a simple mobile app or web platform for your art club. It doesn't need to be complex—it could be a member registration system, a gallery showcase, or an event calendar. This is your current job.

  • Focus on SE Skills: Under this "role," list your contributions using Software Engineering keywords: "Developed a cross-platform event management tool using Kotlin and Android SDK," "Managed backend data with [mention a database/service]," "Implemented a user-facing design system," etc.

• Contribute to Open Source: Spend a few hours a week finding a few small, manageable bugs or features to contribute to an open-source Android/Kotlin project on GitHub. Even one accepted pull request a month is gold. This shows current, real-world collaboration and coding skills.

• New Portfolio Project: Create one new, polished mobile app (even a simple utility) or a substantial feature for your existing art club project. This gives you fresh code and a relevant discussion point in interviews.

Why this works: It changes the narrative from "unemployed" to "entrepreneur/project lead," making the gap a story of initiative and skill application, not a lack of opportunities.

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Phase 2: Targeted Job Search Strategy

Applying to "thousands" of jobs is a volume game that often leads to burnout and a low-quality application-to-interview ratio. You need a quality-over-quantity approach.

1. Focus on Startups and Smaller Companies

• Avoid Giants Initially: Large tech companies often have rigid HR systems that automatically filter out large career gaps.

• Target Growth-Stage Startups (Series A/B): These companies are scaling fast, need immediate impact, and are often more flexible on traditional credentials if you can prove your skill and passion. Use job boards like AngelList (Wellfound), which are startup-centric.

2. Networking Strategy - The Informational Interview

• Stop asking for a job. Start asking for advice.

  • New Message: "I see you're a Senior Android Engineer at [Company]. I'm a Mobile Developer with 4 years of experience and recently finished leading a personal tech-art venture. I'm actively seeking roles and would be grateful for 15 minutes of your time to get your advice on what skills I should prioritize next, given the current market."

• Target: People in your field (Software/Mobile Engineers) or Engineering Managers, not HR/Recruiters.

• Outcome: If the conversation goes well, they will often offer to look at your resume or refer you without you even having to ask. This is how you bypass the automated HR filters.

3. Remote International Gigs (Freelance/Contract)

You mentioned struggling with freelance on Upwork/LinkedIn, which is understandable—it's saturated. You need a different angle.

• Look for Contract/Part-Time Mobile Roles: Search for international jobs with the keywords "Contract Android Developer," "Part-Time Kotlin," or "Freelance Mobile Developer."

  • Focus on US/European time zones that might offer higher rates for fewer hours. Even a $20-30/hour contract for 10-15 hours a week can immediately ease your financial strain and fill the "working now" requirement.

  • Look at platforms like Toptal, RemoteOK, or WeWorkRemotely for these high-quality, international contract roles.

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Phase 3: Leveraging Your Creative Side

Your creative skills (writing, poetry, design) are a major asset, not a distraction. They show unique problem-solving and communication skills.

1. Combine Creative & Tech (Technical Writing)

• Goal: A paid role that bridges both worlds.

• Technical Writer / Developer Advocate: Companies need people who can explain complex code simply. Your writing and tech background make you a perfect candidate.

• Action: Write a few high-quality blog posts about an Android/Kotlin topic (e.g., "A Beginner's Guide to Kotlin Coroutines" or "Designing a Better UI in Android"). Post them on Medium or your own portfolio site. This demonstrates your communication skills and tech knowledge simultaneously.

2. Monetize Your Art Club (Small Scale)

• Stop thinking BOLD, think TINY and SUSTAINABLE. The goal here is small, immediate income, not a massive business.

  • Workshops: Offer small, paid beginner workshops (e.g., "Introduction to Sketching," "Creative Writing for Beginners"). Use the club's network. Charge a low fee ( per person) for a 2-3 hour session. Even 5 people in one workshop is immediate money.

  • Commission Tech Work: Since you're the tech lead, offer small, paid services to local artists/clubs: "I will design and deploy a simple landing page for your art portfolio" for a small, one-time fee.

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Answering Your Questions

• Is my career really completely over? ABSOLUTELY NOT. The industry is cyclical. You have valuable, in-demand skills. You just need a strong narrative to bypass the outdated HR filters.

• Should I switch domains? Not yet. Mobile Development is a great domain. Focus on leveraging your existing 4+ YOE first. You can transition slowly (e.g., into Technical Writing or Full-Stack) once you're employed again.

• Higher Studies in India? Only consider this if you can get into a top-tier program (IIT/IISc/BITS). Otherwise, it's an expensive way to postpone the job search. The immediate need is income and relevant experience, not another degree.

What helped people move forward: The single biggest factor is reframing the gap and focusing energy on quality networking/referrals over endless applications.

You have the skills, the degree, and the drive. You are taking the right steps to seek help. Now, focus your energy on the actions in Phase 1 to change that resume and narrative immediately.

Which of these actions feels like the most realistic first step for you to take this week?

I saw my job posting on indeed, am I screwed?

I’m Scared.

There is only 2 people in the position and that’s me and another lady but there’s no sign that indicated that she quit.

I got a write up last week over things that I wasn’t adequately trained on. My boss has been condescending towards me since the day I started the job. I’ve only been there two months. Since I have busted my behind trying to make sure I’m doing my job thoroughly.

I’m worried that they’re going to fire me so I’ve been frantically applying for a new job. I was looking for a new one anyway but this ramped up my stress by 1000%.

I have debts that need paid along with my bills and rent, and I child I have to raise. I don’t know how I’m going to survive if I get let go. I’m so scared.

Jobadvisor

Please, take a moment and breathe. It's completely understandable that seeing your job posted online would send your anxiety through the roof, especially with a write-up and a difficult boss. **What you are feeling is valid, but don't panic.**

A job posting **does not guarantee** that you're about to be fired. There are a few reasons a company might post a job:

1.  **They are looking to expand the team.** You mentioned there are only two people in the position. They might be looking to hire a third to lighten the load, not replace either of you.

2.  **They are proactively building a pipeline.** Companies often post roles continuously to gather a pool of candidates so they can hire quickly when the need genuinely arises.

3.  **The other person is leaving.** She may have given notice that you are not aware of yet.

However, given the write-up and your boss's behavior, it's wise to be proactive and prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.

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## **Action Plan: Prepare, Protect, and Pivot**

Your priority right now is securing your finances and protecting your mental energy while you continue your job search.

### **1. Protect Yourself at Work**

You have a child and financial obligations, so you need to create a paper trail to protect your employment and unemployment eligibility.

* **Document Everything (Discreetly):** Start a private log (not on a company computer or phone). For every interaction with your boss, note the **date, time, attendees,** and the **specific content** of the conversation.

    * **The Write-Up:** Write down your rebuttal. You mentioned you weren't adequately trained. For future incidents, if you get a negative instruction, politely ask for it in an email, or send a confirming email: "Following up on our conversation just now, I understand you'd like me to focus on $[Task\ X]$ this way. Please let me know if I've misunderstood." This creates proof of the training issue.

    * **The Condescension:** Note the specific condescending phrases or incidents. If the behavior escalates, this documentation will be crucial.

* **Do Not Quit:** **DO NOT RESIGN.** If you are fired, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. If you quit, you most likely forfeit them. Stay until they make the final decision.

* **Focus on the Job, Not the Boss:** Continue to do your best work and meet your performance standards. By having a good paper trail, you make it difficult for them to claim "misconduct" if they decide to terminate you.

---

### **2. Ramp Up the Job Search**

Your fear is a powerful motivator—use it to fuel a focused search, not a frantic one.

* **Targeted Applications:** Since you've only been there two months, you can often **omit this job** entirely from your resume and simply list your previous employment. This avoids awkward questions about short tenure during interviews.

* **Leverage Your Network:** Instead of just firing off applications online, reach out directly to former colleagues and managers. Use simple messages: "I'm exploring new opportunities in [Your Field] and would appreciate any leads or advice you might have." **Referrals are your fastest path to a new role.**

* **Focus on the Core Needs:** With your debt and child-rearing needs, prioritize companies that offer stability and good benefits. Don't waste time on roles that are a huge pay cut or risky startups right now.

---

### **3. Immediate Financial Contingency**

While you are actively looking for a new job, make a rapid plan to deal with a potential job loss.

* **Emergency Budget:** Take an hour tonight and create a **bare-bones budget**. List the absolute minimum you need for rent, bills, and food. Cut all non-essential spending **right now**.

* **Know Your Resources:**

    * **Unemployment:** Start researching your region's requirements for unemployment benefits. Know what documents you'd need to file *the day after* a potential firing.

    * **Debt Management:** If you are let go, immediately call your creditors (credit card companies, lenders) and explain your situation. Many offer **hardship plans** that temporarily reduce or suspend payments without damaging your credit. **Communication is key.**

You are a parent and a provider. That shows you are resilient and capable of handling tough situations. This is just a temporary hurdle. **You are not screwed.** You are taking the right steps now to get ahead of the problem. Focus on the immediate action plan, and you will navigate this.