As I renew my job hunt after getting my Bachelor’s in Business Administration IT Management, I’m beginning to question the value of a college degree in today’s job market. I’ve gotten more rejection emails this week than I’ve gotten in the last 30 days and quicker. I completely revamped my resume and LinkedIn and it’s starting to feel like a waste of time.

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving! Although I’ve responded to a few posts, this is my first original contribution. I want to update you on my 8-month journey to find my next opportunity. After working with a career service offered during my layoff, I felt confident in my search. I utilized career and resume coaches, took online classes, attended seminars, and participated in multiple practice interview sessions, as well as, videotaped sessions. With a new resume and these newly polished skills, I felt I was in a good position and was on the right track. Yet, this summer was unexpectedly quiet. I've recently participated in several interviews—phone screens, Teams interviews, and even in-person meetings. While it’s promising to be noticed, it doesn’t pay the bills. I've faced ghosting after rounds of interviews and after receiving positive feedback about my fit. Networking has been extensive—connecting with past colleagues and hiring managers—but responses remain low. Despite a strong resume, I seem to be missing the mark on essential qualifications like aseptic processing to get noticed by the area biotech companies. I've attended career fairs and received encouraging feedback but little follow-up since then. It’s frustrating when companies look for 'unicorns' and offer roles without benefits. I get feedback from multiple sources that my resume is great and really captures what I’ve done throughout my 25 + year career in the pharma industry. Then when others review it, often someone non-scientific, they say it’s $#!T and I need more STAR or CAR stories. I’m sorry but I can’t put metrics on everything. I’ve applied for positions that I could have done 15 years ago. Lastly, recruiters can be equally baffling. Even well-intentioned outreach often leads to silence, leaving me feeling adrift. I’m trying to stay positive, but it’s increasingly tough. I welcome any thoughts or advice you may have, and I sincerely appreciate your time in reading this.

- What’s one win from this week? - Any challenges or questions? - What’s your focus for next week? Reply here or send me a direct message!

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