I’ve been on the job hunt for about six months now, and it’s been really tough. I’m 21 and just starting college, but I’ve had a hard time finding a job since I quit my last position as a line cook after nine months. The experience was so stressful and damaging to my mental health that I never want to work in a restaurant again. I struggled with the job, made a lot of mistakes, and faced harassment that really affected my performance. Now, it’s been two years since I’ve had a steady job, and I’m unsure how to explain my employment gap. I usually just say I had health issues that are now resolved, but I worry that might not be the best approach. I updated my resume to include some volunteer work from high school, and I always send a cover letter, but I’m not confident in my writing skills and wonder if that’s hurting my chances. I’d prefer part-time work to balance with my college schedule, but I’ve been so desperate that I’ve told employers I could do full-time. I live about 20 miles from a World Cup stadium, which I hope will create more job opportunities, but commuting is a challenge. I can take public transport, but it’s unreliable and stressful. I’ve considered applying for jobs at the nearby mall since it’s busy right now, and that might be a good option. I’m feeling pretty hopeless and would appreciate any advice or encouragement. It’s hard to stay motivated when it feels like I’m not making any progress.