Rant Entry: The Job Market Is Dogshit and I’m Tired
AliasRZ here.
Sorry for not writing in a while. I’ve been dealing with the unholy combo of writer’s block and general laziness (lol). Nothing exciting has happened lately… unless you count the slow burn of rejection letters and employment rage.
This post isn’t really about HU stuff directly, but honestly? It falls under “Complaints about the Harrisburg Area” so I’m throwing it on the blog.
💼 The Job Hunt from Hell
Let me start by asking a serious question:
Why is the job market so dogshit?
Last year, I applied to jobs using all the “right” platforms—Handshake, LinkedIn, and Indeed. Most of them either:
- Ghosted me
- Or hit me with the “You’re not qualified” line for jobs that required… like, basic human function?
Also, sidenote: I was almost tricked into joining Primerica because I’m a little dumb and didn’t realize it was an MLM until I got hit with the pitch. That’s a story for another time.
Back then, I told myself that maybe it was just my resume, or maybe my availability looked bad, or maybe I needed more experience.
But then summer came. I went back home. I had better availability. I was still broke, but I was still willing to work.
So what happened?
Same exact bull.
I applied to GameStop, Walmart, and even a literal dishwasher job—and still got ignored or rejected. Like… what qualifications are required to scrub plates and scan Funko Pops?
Summer break at HU runs from late April to late August. So imagine going four months with no money, no experience gained.
🛒 And Now? My Breaking Point.
Recently, I’ve been applying to even more jobs here in Harrisburg. Two of them were for “Personal Shopper” roles—at Sam’s Club and Giant.
These are not complex jobs, by the way. You walk around, grab groceries, scan them, and bag them. That’s literally it.
Sam’s Club:
- I got a response.
- I set up the interview.
- Showed up early. Dressed properly. Didn’t smell weird.
- They showed me the ropes, and it went well.
Days later? Rejected.
Why? “Not qualified.” 😐
Bonus pain: I paid for an Uber out of pocket because I’m broke, but still wanted to show I was serious. That was money I didn’t really have.
Giant:
- Got a phone interview.
- I was told that if it went well, I’d be invited for an in-person interview.
- A day later? Rejected.
There are no red flags, schedule issues, or disabilities that might complicate the job. It is just me, my availability, and a willingness to work.
But apparently that’s not enough anymore. Even for picking groceries off a shelf.
Final Thoughts (AKA: Let Me Work??)
I’m not expecting to be handed a job on a silver platter. But I don’t think it’s unreasonable to be frustrated when:
- The jobs are labeled “entry-level”
- You follow all the instructions
- And you still get nothing but rejection
If companies are gonna be this picky about $15/hr jobs, then what hope is there for students who just want to afford a sandwich without selling plasma?
Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. I’m still trying, still applying, and still broke. But hey, at least I didn’t join Primerica.
Feel free to share your own job-hunting disasters in the comments or r/RoomZero.
— AliasRZ
✒️ Room Zero Journal