After 11 long months of searching, I finally landed a job! I lost my previous position in September 2025 and started my new role in August 2026. During my job search, I sent out over 600 applications, but only went on less than 20 interviews. Most of the time, I felt like I was just tossing my applications into a black hole, as I was ghosted by many employers. My situation was particularly challenging because I have a disability that limits me to jobs where I can sit down. One day, I decided to visit my friend Michal at a craft fair, and while I was there, I met another friend, Jen. During our conversation, I mentioned my struggles with finding work for nearly ten months. Jen then told me that her job was hiring for a work-from-home medical scheduling position and offered to pass my resume along to her supervisor. I was skeptical but sent it over. A week later, I received an email from a supervisor I had never met, saying that someone had recommended me and offered me the job without an interview! It felt surreal, and I initially thought it might be a scam. Thankfully, Jen confirmed it was legitimate. The process wasn't without its stressors, though. I had to go through a background check and employment verification, which made me anxious. For the drug test, I had to sneak in my mom's urine since I use medical marijuana for my disability. In the meantime, my neighbor was kind enough to bring me meals to ensure I was eating during this stressful time. This entire job search experience has been incredibly taxing on my mental health. I truly believe that without Jen's referral, I would still be searching for work. It's disheartening to see how broken the job market is; it shouldn't be this difficult to find employment. If you're struggling to find a job, please know that it's not your fault—many of us are facing the same challenges.