Simply Irene

I wanted to take some time to explain why I started vlogging/blogging during my period of unemployment—and to share my job search numbers from September so you can see what the process has really looked like so far.

The Shame Around Unemployment—and Why It Doesn’t Belong to Us

For many people, unemployment is deeply tied to shame. This is especially true for those of us who’ve worked our entire lives—particularly older professionals—who suddenly find ourselves without a job while still needing to pay bills, support families, or carry significant responsibilities.

That combination can feel isolating, embarrassing, and overwhelming.

For me, though, I am neither ashamed nor embarrassed that I’m unemployed. I didn’t lose my job because of something I did wrong. It was simply a company change. And while that’s true for many people, the shame often still creeps in.

So let me say this clearly: you did not cause this. And you have nothing to be embarrassed about. If anyone ever suggests otherwise, they can kick rocks—they don’t know your story, and it’s none of their business anyway.

Why I Chose to Share My Journey Publicly

I started vlogging/blogging because I wanted to share the process—not just the outcome.

I also wanted to show that job searching does not need to consume your entire life. Yes, I share my job search routine: the sites I check, how often I apply, and what my daily process looks like. But I also intentionally share everything outside of that.

Job searching is not a 40-hour-a-week activity—and it shouldn’t be. There simply aren’t enough quality roles to justify spending eight hours a day refreshing job boards. Doing that only leads to burnout and destroys your mental health.

So I prioritize balance.

I take care of my home. I clean regularly. I cook for myself (a lot—if you’ve seen the vlogs, you know). I do self-care. I play video games, watch TV, go for walks, run errands, and live my life the same way I would if I were working.

Because you can find a job while still living your life.

Showing the Reality of the Job Search

Another reason I vlog is to show how much effort goes into landing a role:
the number of resumes sent, the thank-you emails, the interviews, the follow-ups—and the silence.

Everyone’s experience will be different. I’m an executive assistant (with hopes of becoming a chief of staff one day) living in New York City, where there are a lot of opportunities in my field. My results will not look the same as someone in HR, tech, or another industry—or in a different market.

I know people who’ve been searching for five, seven, even ten months. So while my process may be useful, the results will always vary based on industry, location, and timing.

Accountability Matters

Vlogging also holds me accountable. If I’m not looking for jobs regularly, I’m not doing what I need to do.

There have been a few days I didn’t apply at all—sometimes because I had interviews, sometimes because other life things came up. And that’s okay. Right now, I actually have a temporary job offer that I accepted, so my search slowed slightly—but it’s not over. A temp role still means I need to find something permanent.

My September Job Search Numbers

I started slowly in September while getting myself grounded. Over the month, I sent out 66 resumes.

Here’s how that broke down:

• 14 immediate rejections
• 52 applications with no immediate response
• 5 interview requests
• From those interviews:
  • I declined 2
  • 2 ghosted me
  • The rest did not progress further

That leaves 47 applications from September that I never heard back from at all—which, unfortunately, is very common.

October, however, looks completely different. Once I refined my process and really leaned in during the last two weeks of September and early October, the volume and responses increased significantly. I’ll be sharing those numbers separately.

What I Want You to Take Away From This

If you’re unemployed—or ever become unemployed—track your efforts.

Set measurable goals. Know your ratios. Understand where your interviews are coming from. Is it LinkedIn? Indeed? ZipRecruiter? Corporate websites? Networking?

This likely won’t be the only time you’re unemployed in your life. Tracking your data helps you refine your approach and move forward with clarity instead of frustration.

And yes—my October numbers are unusual. Even people on LinkedIn have told me my response rates are exceptionally high. That doesn’t mean you should compare your results to mine. This is about process, not competition.

Even with the right process, outcomes will vary.

Take Care of Yourself

Most importantly, I want people to know they are not alone.

Give yourself time. Take care of your mental health. Enjoy the life you’re living right now. Care for your home, your family, and yourself. You do not need to destroy yourself trying to find a job.

Celebrate the small wins—your first interview, your first callback—because those small moments add up. You never know which conversation will turn into something bigger.

Final Thoughts

If you’re unemployed:

• Are you documenting your journey?
• Are you watching or creating vlogs/blogs?
• What’s been your biggest takeaway so far?

And if you’re watching my content—what would you like to see more of?

There is nothing wrong with sharing your journey. There is nothing embarrassing about building community, networking, or being open about where you are in life. Every single person will experience unemployment at some point.

What matters is how you move through it.

I’m not embarrassed—because why would I be?

Thanks for being here. I’ll be back on Sunday with my weekly blog.

Catch you next time. ✌

️-Irene