I’m in my late 20s and feeling the pressure from my parents to find a job that pays a living wage. Right now, I’m working part-time in retail, averaging about 15-20 hours a week, which barely covers my groceries. I had a full-time job in robotics earlier this year, making $60k, but the company downsized and let go of a significant portion of the staff, including me. My parents are understandably concerned about my financial stability, especially since I’m helping them with their retirement planning and doctor visits. I have minimal debt, mostly student loans, but the job hunt has been tough lately. I used to land jobs quickly with just a few applications, but now it feels like I’m spending more time searching for jobs than I would in a regular 8-hour shift. They think I’m just playing video games when I’m actually trying to find opportunities. I appreciate their concern, but the job market is nothing like it was in the early 2020s, and I’m struggling to get even a response to my applications. I’m trying to apply to as many jobs as I can, but it’s disheartening to see how much harder it is now.