I was laid off in November and, 7 months later, I'm still searching. As a Technical Writer/Documentation Specialist, it used to take 45–60 days to land a role. Today, it feels like winning the lottery. One job posting attracts thousands of applicants, often from around the world. I've applied to over 400 positions and received only four responses — and all were rejection emails. The job market is unlike anything I've seen before.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

So sorry. It's extremely rough out there. I've just re-entered the market once again myself, it's brutal. Hoping the best for all of us. 🙏🏻

like

The job market is a huge mess as we all know. It took me 7 months to land a new job and 600+ applications. The norm these days is 7-10 months. Keep going and try to have a system that works for you, your opportunity is coming. Best of luck!

like

Congratulations on your employment. Yes, it's brutal out there.

like

400+ apps with 4 replies is brutal, and honestly that usually means something is getting filtered long before a human sees it. I’d start by checking one of your recent resumes against 2-3 job descriptions line by line, because technical writing roles are weirdly picky about exact phrases like documentation systems, content management, API docs, stakeholder comms, and versioning.

If you’ve got a two-column layout, icons, text boxes, or a fancy header/footer, strip that out first. ATS parsing can mangle a clean looking resume into nonsense, and that alone can kill callbacks even when the experience is solid.

I went through a stretch like this after a layoff too and the biggest change came from tailoring one core resume into a few tight versions instead of blasting the same file everywhere. I’d use something like ResumeJudge to spot missing keywords and formatting issues fast, but even doing it manually for your top 10 targets is worth it. Are the 4 responses from smaller companies or ones with actual in-house doc teams?

like

The Internet and globalization and remote work has all had pretty severe consequences on the job market. The competition is impossible.

I agree. I’ve been searching for jobs in tech now for over a year and no luck. I’ve studied UX design and IT support and with a ISOM degree I’ve had no responses in my favor or any second round interviews. Not sure what to do but going to keep applying.

Have you tried AI roles? Ive seen many companies looking for technical writers to train AI. Some of the jobs are very high paying. Up to $100 per hour (or so they say). Linkedin always advertise these openings. Some companies are:Mercor. Handshake, Data Annotation, Telus (sp?). just to name a few. Good luck, and let me know if I can help

I need help cuz my linkedin account is banned and I need that remote job 😔

like

Related Posts

What’s the best way to get in contact with the hiring team if I want to follow up on an application, if no contact info is on the application site?

like

Hi , is there someone who can refer me for an open position?

like

Is there any opening in python development in Walmart? . If yes please DM me

like

I got a call from the Google recruiter about my L7 em interview Google She said I did overwhelmingly good on all interviews except one had mixed feedback on a system design. No surprise because it was not a good interview. The recruiter said i had a choice to go to hiring committee, give referrals they could call about my system design or take another system design interview. I’m not confident about the system design because of the bad experience I had with the previous interviewer. What should I do?

like

Hi guys and gals.
What do you put to get noticed or an interview when they ask you to leave a message to the hiring. Aka
"Let the company know about your interest working there"

Thanks all

like

What are Key questions asked for Program manager role at Amazon by HR?

like

Transitioning from law firm life after 6 years to corporate counsel in house position. Any good book recommendations to read before transitioning over?

like

Has anyone had experience pivoting w/ a nontechnical background to a big tech company? Currently at a biotech startup, BA in bio from a top 3 Uni, but worried since my degree isn’t in finance or business or CS that they won’t give me a chance. Trying to pivot to a role in BizOps, Project Management, Enablement, etc.

Considering a Product Owner role. Any best practices of what questions to ask during an interview? First phase deals with a virtual Teams interview with the recruiter and her manager on Tuesday. Excited since this is a hop from a Product Analyst role and entails an offer of over $30,000 from what I'm getting now! This would be a permanent full-time compared to my current contractor role that ends in March.

like

Hey fellow Fishes,

I am about to embark a new role remotely. It is also a fully remote role as well, love to hear personal success stories of how their onboarding and learning has been in a remote role and any tips/best practices

like

How much severance package Credit Suisse is giving on layoffs?

Are they laying off new joiners too? Where is more impact EON 1 or EON 2 in Pune office?

Credit Suisse

likesmart

How is the work life balance for Data science role in CFR at Amex?

like

Hi ME 🐠s! Would like to know a bit regarding Business Analyst roles in MBB, T2 / B4 firms in UAE. I come from a target school in India (say MBB / T2 hires from my college every year) with ~1 YOE in consulting - based in Dubai. Would the stated firms consider me for a BA role (lateral hire as an experienced BA)?

like

What is being a contractor at Google like vs full time? And what does a freelance rate look like for a senior designer position?

like

Any thoughts on leaving M&A tax Senior Associate / manager position for a tax attorney position at the IRS Office of Associate Chief Counsel? Considering the person would have to take a pay cut to join the IRS, is it worth it for professional growth and learning?

like

Hello Fishes,

I have been thinking a lot lately about job change. Afraid of layoffs and recession hitting soon. Should be worried about these layoffs and recession that is across the corner.? My exp is 5yrs java fullstack with devops tech stack. Pls do let me know your thoughts. Appreciate any suggestions.

like

I am considering moving within teams at EY. I saw a capital markets senior position available but I would like to know how it is as a senior capital markets analyst at EY and how long the process for moving within teams at EY takes? I currently work as a structured finance analyst at EY but I want a change.

like

Hi There....Citi-zens.... Can someone help with referral in anti money laundering, Finance crime,KYC roles in SME & TL roles? I don't have the exact job codes

like

Fisher Investments employees, I'm currently interviewing for an IC role. What should I expect? How much should I ask for? What are the best and worst parts of the job?

like

More Posts

For those that left Big 4 after 1 year for a smaller public accounting firm, do you regret your decision or you’re glad that you left?

like

I am yet to join servicenow as backend developer senior software engineer. Will there be too many expectations from SSE role in company?? Please guide

like

Any IP lit laterals getting bonuses over the last year? Curious about Juniors in the 2-4 year range but all data points helpful

like

“What do you guys see...a mouse or a blue screen”

Big day in 2020, leaving the house for groceries with the GMT.

Post Photo
likefunny

Which of the following companies rank the best in terms of job security and decent work life balance?
Standard chartered
Wells fargo
Citi
Barclays

like

Hi I got salary annexure from Optum HR and the joining date was mentioned as March 30.

HR said offer letter will be released once back ground check is completed.

How many days it will take for the offer letter to get released?
Optum

What programming languages do y'all know? What's the most relevant one to learn to be more relevant when looking into exit ops?

like

What is the salary range for L62 Software Engineer in India?

like

So fed up with my practice and not looking to stick around for typical below-market compensation in October.

Which big 4 firms or MM have the best FDD comp. so far? Excl. A&M (I know their comp., over half our practice has quit to go there lol)

like

How much time did hsbc will take to release offer letter after 2 rounds of technical discussion?

like

senior sales executive at atp

like

What about using 3 one-word sentences as a slogan? I feel like it’s super played out, but I get suggestions for it all the time. Can’t we do better than mashing together words from the crestive brief?

like

1st year business law (solicitor) wanting to transition to comm lit. Tips?

like

When an agency is about to hire you as a creative lead but without seeing your book to find out what you had done in your career, is that a red flag to you as a creative?

like

Anyone work for Arcesium? Curious about the culture of their New York office. Reviews on Glassdoor seem to be split equally between “great work life balance” to “working late hours is standard”. Arcesium

like

How's work culture at workfusion and salary range for Frontend engineer there?

Hey Fishes,
Looking for a change,
Any reference will help to make a first jump successful.

YOE: 2.9
Technology Stack: NodeJs , MySQL/Mongodb, JavaScript jQuery.
Secondary Stack :- Angular, VueJs, Kafka, Docker and Kubernetes using ISTIO.

like

Hi there, I have 3.5 YOE working for NHS Finance. I applied to Deloitte Risk Advisory, Public Sector (London, UK) and was successful. Waiting to hear back with package offer but it’s been over 2 weeks - was told they may offer M2 grade, any ideas what this is?
I’m also interviewing for Senior consultant role also at Deloitte. How much would this typically pay?
Torn whether to stay within NHS as I will be getting an internal promotion or move to Deloitte.
What’s the WLB like? Good job security?

like

Additional Posts in Job Hunting in Tech

Currently working in Healthcare tech. Would appreciate a referral for a great organization ideally in Big Tech. Looking forward to connecting and thanks in advance.

like

How does contract to hire work? If I’m offered $37/hr on w2 for 3 months and then possibly a permanent position, how much can I expect to get annually as a full time company employee as a BI data analyst II? I have a M.S. and certificates in DA but this will be my first job as DA.
I prefer working for what is offered on contract without negotiating, and then negotiate when I transition into the company itself so I have a better chance of getting the contract position and show my skills.

like

Anyone have any experience with DoorDash s&o final round cases? Have a “problem solving” interview, “operational excellence” interview and a “critical thinking” case. Any tips?

like

Guys I am from Texas, USA. The last time I appeared for an interview was 10-11 years ago. I work in Java and related tech. I am also AWS certified (architect associate) but don't have much experience with it. I create small stuff on AWS for my personal learning. I am looking to switch jobs in the next 6 months so I want to use this time to prepare but not sure where to start? Any guidance on what to prepare etc? Like What skills are must have,
What skills are good to have, etc

What can I except a product manager role interview questions to be?

like

Hello! I am an admin professional here with no tech background currently, seeking a position in tech! I am focusing on hr or project/program management for now until I can build up my skill set. Is there anyone who would be willing to offer some suggestions on where to apply/get an interview? I am a woc as well so places that value diversity is important, and I’m really looking to get even just a pinky in the door. Thank you!

like

Please, I need your opinion on this. I have 6 years of experience as a software developer and just finished my masters degree in data science. Now I am looking for a job here in the US. I went through the hiring process with this company and finally got an offer. They offered 88k/year and I responded opening a negotiation. They emailed me back saying that I am no longer in this process anymore with no further explanation and in Thanksgiving day. Is that normal?that email really got me very upset

like
like

Does anyone at Atlassian (or who knows someone at Atlassian) have news on the hiring slowdown? Any updates on which business units / orgs / positions the company will continue hiring for? Or if it is actually going to be a hiring *freeze*? I did a final round interview with Atlassian that went well and I'm hoping to hear back soon...

likesmart

Hi is someone here at Google willing to refer me for a job there?

like

I am in a tech IC position. One of friends switched to FAANG by converting the profile to consultant profile. The friend who might have less tech knowledge than me is now in FAANG and earning more. If the end goal would be that the friend might one day be a product manager and me an engineering manager taking instructions from the same friend, isn't consultant profile an easier path to growth. I had been practising DSA for years and the competition is only ever growing.

Got a job offer for Google $62,000 / year as a Data Center Technician. Thoughts?

likeupliftingfunny

Hey ,I applied 3 weeks ago to Bank of America with a decent resume and referral. But still did not heard back.Need a human eye who is willing to check my application and help me moving to the next step?@BankofAmerica

like

Career advice?

I'm a relatively junior data engineer (2yoe), the only other engineer (senior) that trained me left about a 6 months ago and I negotiated a nice raise for the extra responsibilities.

My performance reviews have been stellar, but my manager is starting to look to hire a senior to help me deliver projects as we do lack capacity right now.

I feel like I might be missing an opportunity to ask for a promotion and hire a junior instead.

Any opinions/tips?

Considering pivoting into tech. Currently considering Project Management or Presales tech. I understand the general roles of each. Presales seem to make more than PM, so I am leaning towards presales. Curious if any PMs considered presales and why you decided to do Project management instead

like

I landed my first job in tech as an IT Analyst. I want to be a Project Manager, do you think it’ll be hard to make a transition to Project Management.

like

Hi! I have been seriously applying for weeks upon weeks for a scrum master position/agile coach. But it’s hard getting an offer 😢

Any roles in Data Protection or GDPR (EU or UK) Compliance opening January 2023, London or Southern England? Current role ending December due to project funding end

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal