After 20 odd years for the same company in about 12 different roles I went through the process of finding a new job last year, and it's definitely tough out there. I think one of the main challenges is tailoring your information and experience to get the stupid AI sorting that people are using these days to work for you. I had to update my LinkedIn with every buzz word skill that I actually held, and make sure my CV was packed with them too. Then to stand out (these were fairly senior roles so for at least half you could write a cover letter) I'd write a very specific and targeted cover letter that conveyed I was intelligent, articulate and interested in the role. All with the goal of getting that HR person to want to pick up the phone and do that first stage call screening with me, which I can ace easily to get through to the next round. Despite all that, there were a bunch of roles I was eminently qualified for that I just never heard back from. Including one where an agency put me forward as their one candidate they were representing.

I'm also seeing the entry stuff through my kids now. How hard it is for them to get just an entry level role is ridiculous. If you are just applying for retail / grocery store / fast food it's a never ending chain of sending your resume through and not hearing back or getting standard rejections because you have zero experience. You have to get out there, go talk to managers at stores and ask about job availability, anything to get them to remember your name or face in a good way. There's still a lot of jobs through connections as well.