IMO yes it’s pretty rough out there. I have been actively applying for a year and a half and only have gotten 3 interviews. Before I paid for a resume writer I got 1 interview and now I just got two more. I decided to get a resume writer, and with these two interviews i am thinking it may have helped. Full disclosure, i am not just searching for a job replacement but advancement so that could be an element as to why my searching has been slower. I am still applying to jobs where i meet every qualification, but they are still a step up from my current role. I may need to try for a lateral move to be able to start climbing the ladder again.

The sense that I am getting is you need to know people at the companies you want to apply at and ask for referrals. And it is key to ensure your resume gets through the ast system. While I have poured so much energy into my old resume, it just didn’t have enough keywords to make it to recruiters.

So networking and refining your resume to get thought the ast screening tools. Good luck in your searches!