"This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Michele Wilke, a 63-year-old job seeker in Chicago. It has been edited for length and clarity. Over the past eight months, I applied to dozens of jobs and landed some interviews, but I struggled to find work. To stay afloat, I relied on loans from well-off friends and launched a GoFundMe to help me pay my rent."
"When I began my job search, I applied to jobs in four areas I knew well - HR, restaurant management, event and catering sales, and admin work. But as the months dragged on, I expanded my search to include dog walking, house cleaning, florist shops, house manager roles, and delivery driving. I even went door-to-door in my neighborhood, handing out résumés at cafés and restaurants."
"I have less than $2,000 in my bank account, I've been struggling to pay the roughly $1,000 rent for my studio apartment, and I've worried about being evicted. I recently received a job offer for a catering sales manager role that I'm hoping doesn't fall through. But even with a job, it'll take a lot to climb out of my financial hole."
A 63-year-old Chicago job seeker experienced eight months of near-constant job searching and financial strain after her most recent role ended in December 2024. She applied to positions in HR, restaurant management, event and catering sales, and administrative work, then broadened searches to dog walking, house cleaning, florist shops, house manager roles, and delivery driving. She handed out résumés door-to-door at cafés and restaurants. She has less than $2,000 in her bank account, owes roughly $1,000 monthly rent, and feared eviction. She relied on loans from friends and a GoFundMe to cover expenses. She recently received a catering sales manager offer but faces a deep financial hole and hiring headwinds for white-collar workers.
Read at Business Insider
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