Laid-off employee attends 55 interviews in seven months but receives no job offers; Netizens explain why taking a 50% pay cut makes sense

Finding a new job after being laid off can be a long and exhausting process, particularly when repeated interviews fail to translate into an offer. For one jobseeker, the search has continued for nearly six-and-a-half months, unemployment benefits have run out, and 175 applications have resulted in 55 interviews but not a single job offer. The individual recently shared their experience on Reddit, describing how repeated rejections, rising living costs and an increasingly competitive employment market have taken a toll. Despite making it to the final interview round 25 times, they are still waiting for an employer to give them a chance.

The post struck a chord with other users, who shared their own experiences of job hunting, interview rejections and the growing importance of professional referrals. The discussion also brought attention to how some candidates are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make their job searches more organised and targeted.

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175 job applications, 55 interviews and 25 final rounds, but no offer

In the post, the jobseeker revealed that they had applied for 175 positions and attended 55 interviews. Of these, 25 progressed to the final round, but none resulted in a job offer.

The individual said they had learnt through professional contacts that several opportunities had gone to candidates considered more specialised or uniquely suited to the roles.

Expressing frustration over the situation, they described the employment market as brutal. The financial pressure has also become difficult to manage, particularly after their unemployment benefits ran out.

The jobseeker shared another example of how rising prices were affecting everyday spending. A case of protein drinks that they previously purchased for around $25 now reportedly costs $64. They said they could no longer afford to buy it.

Despite the setbacks, the individual said they were continuing to apply for contract positions and jobs offering around $20,000 less than their previous salary.

Jobseeker creates AI agent to find suitable jobs

After sending out hundreds of applications, the individual has also started using artificial intelligence to make the search more efficient.

They revealed that they had created an AI agent to scan the internet for vacancies matching their CV, professional experience and skills. Instead of applying randomly, the tool identifies opportunities that are reportedly at least 95% aligned with their profile.

The AI agent also helps manage several aspects of the recruitment process, including:

• Maintaining a spreadsheet to track job applications and interviews.
• Customising resumes according to individual job descriptions.
• Preparing cover letters for different positions.
• Researching companies before interviews.
• Looking up interviewers on LinkedIn to identify possible professional connections.
• Searching Glassdoor for commonly asked interview questions.

The jobseeker said the AI agent had helped them manage the process and avoid feeling overwhelmed by the number of applications.

'I still talk too much and ramble': Candidate shares interview preparation strategy

The individual, who is looking for programme or project management positions, said they typically apply for six to seven jobs a week.

Their interview preparation reportedly includes creating detailed study documents, sometimes running into 17 pages, to help them understand companies and prepare for questions.

They also send thank-you emails after interviews, record some interview sessions to review their performance and are studying for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

However, the candidate acknowledged that there were still areas they needed to improve.

"I still talk too much and ramble. Working on that," they wrote, explaining that they were trying to make their answers more concise.

Their job search has also expanded beyond their current city. They are now considering remote, hybrid and office-based opportunities.

The prolonged process has affected their daily routine, too. The individual admitted to spending more time in bed and said they were trying to make an effort to exercise and spend time outdoors.

They also shared an unusual pre-interview confidence ritual: listening to music to get energised and striking a Wonder Woman-style power pose before entering an interview.

Reddit users share advice after jobseeker's post

The post prompted several users to offer encouragement and share their own experiences of dealing with repeated interview rejections.

One commenter said that reaching 25 final interview rounds should not automatically be considered 25 failures. They pointed out that repeatedly making it to the final stage suggests the candidate's CV and interview skills are working, while the final decision can depend on factors such as an internal candidate or a very specific experience requirement.

The commenter also suggested reviewing questions that come up repeatedly during interviews and identifying areas where answers could be improved. Rather than overhauling the entire preparation strategy after every rejection, they advised making smaller, targeted changes.

They further suggested considering short-term contract or temporary positions as a way to secure an income and gain a current professional reference while continuing to look for a suitable full-time role.

'I was told I wasn't prepared enough': Another candidate shares rejection experience

Another Reddit user shared an experience involving a take-home assignment for a job interview.

The candidate said they had been asked to prepare a PowerPoint presentation for a kick-off meeting. They submitted a detailed 13-page presentation and answered all the questions, but were subsequently told that they had not prepared sufficiently.

The user added that they had also received a referral for the position, making the rejection particularly disappointing.

Following the experience, they said they were reaching out to friends and professional contacts for more referrals.

Another commenter, who was also searching for programme or project management roles, spoke about the importance of networking in the hiring process.

They said they had found that professional connections could make a difference, but even having an internal referral did not guarantee selection.

AI helps with job applications, but the search remains challenging

The Reddit post also shows how jobseekers are turning to AI tools to make the application process easier. From customising resumes and tracking vacancies to researching companies and preparing for interviews, these tools can take some of the repetitive work off their hands.

But the jobseeker's experience also points to a frustrating reality: even after months of preparation, relevant experience and several final-round interviews, getting a job offer is far from guaranteed.

After nearly seven months of searching, the individual is now considering lower-paying jobs, contract roles and opportunities outside their city. With unemployment benefits also exhausted, the pressure to find work has become even greater.

The discussion has struck a chord with others who are going through similar experiences, bringing up how financially and emotionally draining a prolonged job search can be, especially when repeated interviews still do not lead to an offer.