By Dorothy | UnapologeticallyDorothy.com
A Year and a Half Later
It’s been about a year and a half since I last worked, March 2024 to be exact. Somehow, through all the ups, downs, and miracles, my family and I have made it. Not easily, but by the grace of God, we survived.
During that time, I chased multiple business ideas. Some flopped, some showed promise, but running a business under financial pressure is no joke. Transformation takes energy, clarity, and capital. And when you are constantly stressed about bills, it’s hard to stay in that visionary, creative space.
So here I am, making the tough but necessary decision to return to the workforce.
Why Going Back Wasn’t Easy
If I’m being honest, I loved being home. I loved taking care of my kids, being present for every pickup, every school event, every little moment that working moms often miss. But the truth is, the cost of living has skyrocketed.
Groceries that used to be $400 a month are now closer to $700, and our July power bill hit $491. When you really look at the numbers, it’s just not realistic for most families to live on one income anymore.
My husband has done an incredible job holding things down, but we have both been stretched thin. I had to face the truth. Going back to work isn’t failure. It’s wisdom. It’s a move to rebuild, to breathe again, and to pull our family back to stability.
The Job Search Shock
Applying for jobs in 2025 has been a wake-up call.
First, I had to rebuild my LinkedIn from scratch because I deleted my old one when I left corporate. That meant reconnecting, rebuilding credibility, and optimizing my profile just to be seen as a real candidate again.
Then came the resume marathon. You can’t just upload a general resume anymore. Every single job requires a perfectly tailored version filled with the right keywords to get past the AI filters.
Each application takes about thirty minutes, and half the time you never hear back. Some jobs have over a hundred applicants within an hour of being posted. And those “Easy Apply” buttons on LinkedIn? Let’s be real, they should probably say “Easy to Ignore.”
It’s exhausting. It’s discouraging. And it’s honestly a full-time job just to look for a job.
And then there’s the emotional side of it. Getting that rejection email at two in the morning — knowing no one’s working at 2 a.m. to review your application — it hits differently. You realize a computer probably decided your worth in a fraction of a second.
You spend time crafting personalized follow-up emails, thanking recruiters for their time after interviews, trying to show gratitude and professionalism — and then it’s silence. Crickets. Not even a “thanks for following up.”
It’s not just rejection. It’s disconnection.
The Interview Madness
Here’s where it gets even more unbelievable.
After all that effort, you finally get an email from a recruiter. You’re excited, hopeful. But instead of a casual conversation about your background, the recruiter immediately dives into STAR-method questions.
“Tell me about a time you managed conflict.”
“What tools did you use?”
“What was the measurable outcome?”
And that’s just the first interview.
Then you find out there are four or five more rounds to go — for a role that isn’t even a director or executive position.
I’m applying for analyst and project manager roles, not CEO. And yet the process feels like running a corporate marathon with no finish line. Each interview lasts thirty minutes to an hour, sometimes spread over several weeks.
I honestly can’t imagine how someone working full-time could keep up with that kind of schedule. It’s no wonder so many people are burned out before they even get hired.
My Honest Take
I’ve only been back in the job market for two weeks, but wow, things have changed.
The entire process feels impersonal and robotic. Everything is about algorithms, automation, and checking boxes. The human connection is gone.
It feels like people are trying to impress AI systems instead of actual humans. And everyone’s jumping through hoops just to prove they deserve to be seen.
But through it all, I still believe in divine timing. I still believe the right door will open when it’s meant to.
Even though I’m frustrated, I also know this season is preparation. Every application, every interview, every “no” is shaping me for the “yes” that’s meant for me.
So if you’re out here applying too, tired and wondering if it’s just you, I see you. Keep going. Your moment is coming.
Closing Reflection
Maybe this season isn’t just about landing a job. Maybe it’s about rediscovering who we are after life humbles us, tests us, and teaches us to trust again.
We might be tired, but we’re not defeated.
We’re just becoming.
Let’s Talk
Have you noticed how much harder job searching has become lately? What’s been your biggest challenge in the process? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Let’s start a real conversation about what’s happening out there.
