I’ve been on the job search for a while now, and it’s definitely taking longer than I expected. I’ve read that the average job search currently lasts between 3 to 6 months, with many sources citing around 5 months as the norm. It’s crazy to think this is the longest it’s been in a decade. I’ve noticed that while the median time is shorter, around 9-12 weeks, the average is skewed by those who are searching for over a year. I can relate to that—I've been applying for jobs in tech, and I’ve heard that searches in this field can take 9-10 months. It feels like I’m sending out a ton of applications, with estimates saying I might need to send out 80-150 before landing an offer. The ATS systems don’t make it easier either; if my resume isn’t tailored with the right keywords, it might not even get seen by a recruiter. Even after interviews, I’ve been told it can take around 3 weeks just to hear back about an offer. I’m trying to treat my search like a job, keeping track of what I’m sending out and adjusting based on what gets me callbacks. It’s tough not to take the slow progress personally, but I’m reminding myself that it’s just the current job market.