Hired in this Job Market is a miracle

This job market is horrible. I have always thought construction management would always remain strong no matter what but I was wrong.

I interviewed with at least 30 companies from small businesses to large tech, within construction/facilities as well as operations roles. I mean interviews not just screenings.

Before 2025 I was working 50-70 hour weeks but earning a sizeable TC. After being laid off I assumed I would find something within a month or two. Took almost 5 months. I had weeks where I was only looking at my emails and staying home depressed. I had my bank account go down month by month as many others do here.

I had companies ghost me after telling me directly and indirectly an offer was imminent. I've had to pretend to be a different person than myself just to be liked enough by higher management. Referrals didn't help, making my resume more structured didn't help, being myself didn't help, being qualified and able to do the work DEFINITELY DID NOT HELP!

What did work apart from the tips I read on Reddit:

1. Dumb down your resume, noticed I got more calls vs when it was more experienced or technical. Then I remembered Stacy from Psycohology is sifting through resumes.

2. If a corporate recruiter contacts you, be kind of be unavailable they eat that shit up. Whenever I was super flexible for them I got 0 results.

3. I had an external recruiter message me about a role I couldn't find anywhere but for a notable company. I usually say fuck them but they helped me find the role I am starting tomorrow. I hate the shit out of him though, cause he's a sleazy salesman. But the team and company is pretty good.

4. Go outside, get a cheap hobby, go to the gym, learn a new skill. Don't look at your phone or email. My mood and overall health improved doing this as well as my interview acting performances

5. My previous boss said I'm drier than paint. I take a while to open up, especially around corporate people. When I work with tradesmen, I open up so much quicker. Fake it, fake all of it, as far as your personality to fit their "company" culture.

6. If recruiter doesn't answer your reply within 48 hours you are either not a finalist or not proceeding to the next round. If they want to contact you they will.

7. DO NOT STOP APPLYING. DO NOT TRUST ANYTHING RECRUITERS/HIRING MANAGERS/ OR HR says. I've been lied to so many times and asked to extend or reject existing offers and was left holding the bag many times.

I went from a Sr. Manager to a Director level role, where the comp is slightly less than before but the team is great and it's a niche team with skills I would want to learn as I go. Started last week but I'm still going to apply and interview because these days you never know.

Wish everyone the best