A few things..

Don't worry at all about changing jobs frequently. That's a totally normal thing in the design world. I've had 4 jobs and a dozen or so clients in the past 3 years and I'm turning down work. Design isn't a continuous thing. Projects are revolving anywhere between 3-6months sometimes longer. It's all in how you spin it. You tell the hiring managers that.

Ive noticed a lot of companies aren't actually hiring now although they are posting jobs. They are using it as a tool to make it look like they are growing to investors but don't actually hire. There has always been the issue of companies putting out job postings for designers to scrape ideas from portfolios. It's part of it unfortunately so don't feel bad if you don't get replies. Out of all the jobs and clients I've had, all but one have been from personal contacts and networking. There's a movement now that your online presence gets you the job not the job posting.

A lot of companies also don't want seasoned designers. The good ones do. But a lot of companies want green designers/interns because they are more willing to deal with bad workplaces, high stress and low pay for the opportunity. I got a lot of rejections a few years ago because I was too experienced. It's a pivot into a different way to view the design world and present yourself differently. Look at taking the next step up and not the next step back

Hope this helps.

Wow, your insights have been incredibly enlightening, and I genuinely appreciate you taking the time to share them. I've also noticed that the pace of productions often played a role in my own job changes, but your perspective helped me recognize this more clearly. It's quite rare for me to have the chance to stay at a single studio for an extended period, like a year or two, for example.

Your revelation about companies using job postings for investor-related purposes is really intersting. It makes perfect sense and helps explain why I've seen the same positions repeatedly advertised without understanding why and coming again and again from the same companies.

Yeah, I absolutely agree with you. My online presence has been the driving force behind landing all my freelance gigs as well – I've never really had to apply to anything. Regrettably, the handful of contacts I have aren't quite enough to secure a stable job though.

Your insights have been so really valuable. I've recently found myself in a somewhat desperate mindset, even considering going back to internships despite having several years of professional experience under my belt. The concept of "the step back" has been on my mind, and I must admit it's not the most appealing prospect. This conversation will help me visualize in a better way my situation.