u/AfterUmpire3091

So far, the only jobs I've actually gotten warm leads from are ones where I speak directly with the ones I'd be working with. Recruiters just seem to screen, maybe interview, then ghost and ignore. I never make it to the team. I'm about at my wit's end dealing with them, and every time I see one at a networking event, I just about want to tell them to fuck off.

It's been two years. What's wrong with me?

I'm just about done with dealing with recruiters and online job applications and thinking about turning my job search into just networking.

I'm still early in my career, but my last few jobs were in Marketing. My degree, however, was in Journalism.

The last few networking events I went to generated some really good leads, better than just applying, including a pending business partnership that may or may not go somewhere. Trying to press on like that offer doesn't exist until I have a written agreement.

I've already gone to AMA Triangle and Honeygin Meet & Mingle. Plan on going to more of those, but I'd love to hear about others.

Two years ago, I was laid off from an entry level marketing position of two years due to a massive downsizing and restructuring of the company. My role was completely removed. Since then, I haven't gone a day, nay, a week without applying or networking. Some periods get higher volumes of interviews than others, but the gap is approaching two years. I filled my time caregiving, doing freelance work, updating and acquiring new certifications, volunteering for non-profits, and using my skills to help my mom grow her own company, which is at the top of my resume and gets asked about the most.

But no full time roles.

Yesterday, I explained the gap to a recruiter and she said even though I was working part time, freelance, and doing caregiving on top of it, she was still hesitant about my ability to work full time. Absolutely crushed. I am wondering if I should give up, if my career is over before it even started, what I should even do now. I feel like if I keep this any longer, it will be time wasted.

I've been putting extra effort on the job hunting grind while managing my current caregiving job to pay the bills. This week alone has been filled with networking events and interviews this week, but my Vocational Rehab Counselor told me to go to this event a few weeks ago. It's tomorrow morning, and I'm debating whether or not I should go. It's been weeks since I had a day to recharge and if I go to this event it might be another few weeks before I have another chance. I'm trying not to burn myself out, but I don't want to miss out on any good leads. I've gotten this many opportunities already because I've been working this hard, but I'm also feeling the burnout creeping up on me and last time I got this burnt out it took me months to recover.

What are everyone's experience with local job fairs? For more context, I'm seeking a position in marketing.