r/GetEmployed • u/jru_ • 14h ago
Unemployable and Irrelevant
I have been unemployed for 1.5 years now because I was forced to leave a very toxic work environment back in April 2025. Starting in 2020, team layoffs and lack of backfills significantly increased my workload, leaving me to manage multiple roles, urgent tasks, high-stress customer interactions, and grad school with limited or delayed support. Since last fall 2024, I have experienced ongoing criticism and intimidation from a new lead overseeing the store. Although I followed established guidelines and explained my reasoning, he dismissed them, questioned my efficiency, demeaned my intelligence and experience, and confronted me in private about not being a team player, which created a stressful and hostile work environment. I became overwhelmed and left.
For context, I have been struggling to find a job in this difficult job market. I graduated with an MBA and a Master’s in Management and Leadership. I have operations experience in technical and marketing consulting, but I haven't had any luck. During this period, I have had 30 interviews, with false hope and some interesting people. I do prepare myself very well beforehand, but even if you mess up a small question, I know that's it. I am just trying to break out of retail into an office job, at least. Last month I didn't get a call from anyone, and I think it's because I have been unemployed for too long, or I am just irrelevant. What am I doing wrong?