When the Job Search Starts to Question Your Worth

I’m a fresher from the 2025 batch, and honestly, the current job market feels completely dead.

It’s not just about being unemployed. It’s waking up every day with a plan, applying to roles that clearly say entry level, and still feeling like you’re asking for something unreasonable just because you don’t already have experience. You keep hearing that you’re almost there, but nothing ever actually happens.

Most entry level roles ask for two to five years of experience. Jobs that are labeled fresher friendly attract hundreds or even thousands of applicants. Referrals feel like the only real way in, but not everyone has access to the right connections. On top of that, many companies are either on hiring freezes or offering extremely low pay.

I’ve done everything we are told to do. I’ve worked on projects, completed internships, earned certifications, practiced DSA, optimized my resume, networked on LinkedIn, and sent cold emails. Still, most applications either get rejected automatically or disappear without any response. No calls, no feedback, nothing.

What makes it more frustrating is hearing seniors say things like just upskill or the market is not that bad, when something is clearly wrong. If companies are not willing to train freshers, how are we supposed to magically gain experience in the first place?

Life does not pause during all this. Family expectations keep growing. Friends start moving ahead. Social media becomes a highlight reel that you learn to scroll past quickly. Over time, you stop questioning your skills and start questioning your worth. The constant rejection is mentally exhausting. It stops being only about money and turns into a battle with confidence, self respect, and the anxiety of being left behind while time keeps moving.

To other freshers, are you experiencing the same situation? Are any industries actually hiring entry level candidates right now? How are you managing to stay motivated through this phase?

I would really appreciate honest experiences rather than generic advice. I am just trying to figure out whether this is a personal failure or if the market itself is genuinely broken.