Unemployment Diaries: The Struggle of Job Hunting in Your 20s

Hey y’all, and welcome back to a new post from Not Quite Grown!

First, I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who read my very first blog post last week, left a comment, or gave me a like/follow on my site. Speaking of my website, I gave it a little refresh this weekend to make it more homey and cute! I love the overall vibe it’s giving, and I think it perfectly captures the casual, cozy feeling of this blog. Feel free to check it out when you’re done reading! Your support means so much, and I’m grateful you’ve decided to stick around for whatever I have to say.

The Struggle: Job Hunting in 2025

This week’s blog is dedicated to… you guessed it! JOB HUNTING.

It’s been a long 40 days since I last had a job, though honestly, it feels like way longer. I’ve been keeping myself busy with volunteer work, reading a book a week, applying for jobs, exercising, embroidering - you name it. But there are only so many hours those activities fill.

What really shocked me is realizing how much of my life was wrapped around work: commuting, stressing about it, living for the weekends: and then suddenly… nothing. In some ways, leaving that job was a blessing in disguise (I dreaded it every single day). Lately, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on what I *actually* want to do for the rest of my life. After some deep thinking, a lot of conversations with my therapist, and a bit of research, I’m realizing a career change might be in my future. More on that soon — but just know it’s something I’m excited about.

Why Job Searching Feels So Crappy Right Now

If you’ve been online recently, you already know: looking for a job in 2025 is rough.

With the experience I’ve got in marketing, I feel stuck in this weird in-between place - too qualified for entry-level roles, but somehow *not* qualified enough for mid-level jobs. And every posting seems to want a unicorn with ten years of experience for a $40,000 salary??

And don’t get me started on applicant tracking systems. Sometimes the endless rejection feels like my resume never even gets in front of a real person, and it gets to point where I have to slam my laptop shut before I scream at the top of my lungs. Add in fake job listings (seriously, why do companies do this?), and the whole job hunt can feel like one long exercise in frustration and learning to be patient. But guess what? I've never been a patient person. EVER.

My Advice (From One Twenty-Something to Another)

If you’re in the same boat, here’s my unsolicited advice: skip most of those “Easy Apply” postings on LinkedIn or Indeed. In my experience, they don't lead anywhere. Instead: Go straight to company career pages and apply there. If you don't find a current opening that interests you, find the hiring manager or team members on LinkedIn (probably the one feature that’s actually useful!) and send a quick, genuine message about your interest in the company and the specific role you're looking for. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, even if it feels awkward.

If there's one thing I’ve learned in my previous job, it's that people respect those who take initiative. And if you’re an introvert with high-functioning anxiety like me, I get that reaching out can feel terrifying (though, shoutout to therapy - it’s not *as* scary as it used to be). But the truth is: if you’re not willing to take chances on yourself, no one else is going to take them for you. You are your biggest advocate.

Holding on to Hope

Fun fact about me: I’m a big believer that the universe knows the path we’re meant to take. Even when I hated my last job, I trusted I was there for a reason.

That doesn’t mean we just sit back, though. We still have to put in the work. But your 20s are the perfect time to take big swings, because the choices you make now can shape the rest of your life. So be bold. Be yourself. Be unapologetic about what makes you, you.

Right now, I’m reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (I'm only 40 pages in and I'm hooked. How did it take me this long to pick it up??) and I came across a line that really hit me: “So do yourself a favor and learn how to grab life by the balls, dear.” And honestly? That’s the energy I’m taking into this job hunt.

Wrapping It Up

Well friends, that’s it for this week’s blog post! My hope is that if you felt even just a tiny bit better after reading this, then I know I did something amazing for someone else and that makes me happy! And i

f you’re job hunting too, I’m sending you so much encouragement. I’m manifesting an interview (and a fantastic offer) coming your way soon.Thank you SO much for reading, and remember to grab life by the balls!! 😉

Love,

Grace