For several professionals, layoffs are no longer rare career disruptions they’re becoming defining times.
A recent Reddit post from the r/Layoffs community spots this reality with painful clarity, emphasizing not just the battle to find work, but the emotional pressure it can place on marriages and mental health. At the core of the discussion is a worker who feels trapped between an unforgiving career market and a well-meaning spouse who doesn’t completely understand how broken the hiring has become.
From Six Figures to Survival Mode
The Reddit user stated out his situation candidly, explaining a dramatic professional and financial fall after losing a high-paying position:“So I got laid off mid-2024 from my job of $140k as a Customer Experience Project Manager with a Fortune 500 company. I was unemployed for 7 months until I took a job as a Customer Service Associate with the local water department for $40k. That wasn't working out so I landed a job with the state government (TX) as a Project Manager/Field Service Supervisor for $60k. Before these jobs, I was working in software startup-to-software startup changing jobs every 1-2 years. Been working with the state since May of last year, hoping to get a raise after 6 months in November...didn't happen. So was left to start looking come mid-December, early-January whenever the Q4 freeze starting thawing out.”
The change from a $140,000 salary to a $60,000 government position wasn’t part of a long-term plan, it was a necessity. Like several laid-off employees, he took what he could to remain afloat, even as it meant getting far backward financially and professionally.
“You Have a Good Resume” — The Disconnect at Home
While the job hunt itself has been exhausting, the user described that the difficult part hasn’t been rejection emails, it’s the lack of understanding from his wife.“Been trying to get a better paying job ever since and my wife thinks that I can just apply anywhere, follow up and it's going to happen. ‘You have a good resume’ ‘You have a degree’ ‘You have experience’ ‘It shouldn't be that hard to get a job’.”
From her viewpoint, strong credentials should naturally result in opportunities. From this, the reality seems to be very different.
“Have told her multiple times that that process isn't that easy, you apply to 5-10 jobs a week and mainly get ghosted or rejection email after rejection email. I approach it with apathy and ‘it is what it is’ and she thinks that there's not enough fire underneath me and I'm lazy.”
At the time of posting, the statistics spoke volumes:
“So far, we're about 45 applications in, have gotten 2 interviews.”
For several readers, it felt painfully familiar.
Reactions From Reddit Users
The user’s frustration ignited a flood of responses, several people reinforcing the concept that the hiring system itself is intensely flawed.conservative hiring practices, cautious employers, prolonged freezes, and oversaturated applicant pools have made even experienced professionals feel invisible.One commenter shared a surprising success story that came from doing something old-fashioned:
“My 86 year old mother suggested a local job fair when I was searching a couple of years ago. I scoffed, but went. Literally got my only job offer from it. I’m almost 60 so any job was a blessing. It’s a pay cut, but it’s honest work and great benefits. Good luck to you.”
Several commenters indicated that the best way to bridge the knowing gap between spouses is direct involvement.
“Give her your résumé, ask her to help you apply. Let her manage it for an hour a day.”
One reply explained on this concept with a real-world example:
“Absolutely this, I did it, for my husband, I even completed whatever he needed to finish online to follow up with requirements, I submitted his credentials, paperwork, references, scheduled interviews, drug tests, etc. while he was at work. We desperately needed something better, he did the interview, negotiated the pay and landed the position. He was forever grateful. His former job was demoting him due to realignments, messing around with his paycheck and treating him like trash, they were getting ready to terminate him.”
Others zoomed out to describe why the search feels so slow mainly for higher-salary positions.
“High paying jobs are hard to come by, and they take longer to get because it’s a major investment by the company to vet, interview, and train.”
That same commenter stated broader economic uncertainty as a significant factor:
“It’s hard for everyone because the business environment is very risk averse because policy is extremely erratic. No company wants to be the first to dive head first in an extremely uncertain and risky business environment.
Based on your language, I’m guessing that she hasn’t really interviewed for or held high paying jobs before?
I get that she’s being supportive but there’s a million variables that are beyond her and anyone’s control in you getting a job independent of competence, experience, etc. I would tell her, and I truly mean this in the most respectful way possible, STFU.
If she can’t give practical guidance, then she’s basically just a life cheerleader. Nobody in the real world cares about what her opinion is in the real world, it’s up to the recruiter and hiring manager.”
Some reactions urged a softer interpretation of the wife’s comments, indicating that they might come from a place of support rather than judgment.
Another commenter further said:
When did she last search for a job? Things have been getting bad for awhile but the decline has REALLY accelerated the last 2 years, if she hasn't searched for a job herself recently, she may be underestimating just how bad things are right now.
I also agree with the other commenter that, her comments mostly sound like she's trying to cheer you on and keep you optimistic. I would certainly choose to interpret her comments in a positive light until proven otherwise
FAQs:
Q1. Why is the job market so difficult right now?Hiring has become more cautious because of economic uncertainty and company risk aversion. Several roles receive hundreds or thousands of applicants.
Q2. Do strong résumés still guarantee interviews?
No, automated screening systems frequently reject candidates before a human reviews them. Experience alone no longer ensures visibility.
