u/pizzareen

It’s been about 4 weeks since I started seriously applying for jobs. I know that’s not long compared to many people here, but mentally, this process has hit me harder than I expected.

For context: I’ve been freelancing and self-employed since I was 18. Privileged to have autonomy over my schedule, work remotely, travel, and build a lifestyle that was exciting and meaningful to me. But over the past year, especially with the current economy, my clients gradually stopped renewing and by December 2025, I pretty much had to start from zero again. At first, it didn’t stress me out that much. I still had savings, was travelling around Europe, travelled to cities like London, and honestly still felt very alive and hopeful. But after moving back home to Southeast Asia two months ago, I feel more shit than ever. I live in one of the most expensive countries in the world, and for the first time in my life, I’m trying to enter the corporate world properly.

I feel like I don’t even recognise myself anymore. Going from running my own thing, travelling, working from cafes on projects I genuinely cared about… to refreshing LinkedIn every 10 minutes looking for a new listing, drafting up a new resume with Claude, and hearing nothing back. I also feel insecure because I don’t have the “traditional” background most applicants have. I don't have that many internships, no long corporate history, just years of freelancing and building things on my own (which isn't appreciated in my country at all).

The hardest part, honestly, isn’t even the financial stress. It’s the hit to self-esteem and identity. You start questioning your worth, your choices, your future… everything.

I’ve also drifted from a lot of friends after living abroad, so this whole period feels surprisingly lonely. Trying to stay optimistic and remind myself that maybe this season is happening for a reason, but some days are definitely harder than others.

For those who eventually landed a role:

- How long did it take you?

- What helped the most?

- Any advice for someone transitioning from freelancing/self-employment into corporate?

I’ve mainly been applying through LinkedIn, Indeed, and We Work Remotely. Would genuinely appreciate hearing other people’s experiences.

I’m almost a month into job hunting - and I only make it a point to apply for fully remote positions. I got a text back from HR from a promising company, based in my country. The HR asked if I could come to their office F2F for an interview and culture fit test?

What are your thoughts? I would think if it’s a company who allow fully remote work, interviews should be done virtually too. Or is this normal? I’m debating if I should ask HR why they need me on-site or just clarify in general if this is really fully remote.

I’m almost a month into job hunting - and I only make it a point to apply for fully remote positions. I got a text back from HR from a promising company, based in my country. The HR asked if I could come to their office F2F for an interview and culture fit test?

What are your thoughts? I would think if it’s a company who allow fully remote work, interviews should be done virtually too. Or is this normal?

I’d love some support, or advice, or just a place to vent.

I'm turning 24 next week, and I've never had more than a year of formal corporate experience. I used to freelance since I was 18, and with some luck, 6 years ago, before the job market was as unfortunate as it is at the moment, luck was on my side and I managed to freelance and become a digital nomad until Dec 2025. I wouldn't say I made huge amounts like you would in corporate, but it was definitely significant that I could travel 15 countries, move from my country (one of the most expensive countries in the world), and live in Europe for over six months.

With the current economic climate, most of my freelance clients no longer want to continue and I had been giving myself Jan - April to mainly travel and "enjoy my life" without any stress. Now that it's May, I have moved back home and am living with my parents. I've been feeling stressed, and I feel like a failure. The last 2 weeks, I have been applying for jobs but haven't really been as successful. I've done 2 interviews but I'm at the point where I don't even know if I'll get the job. I just feel so out of place, as most of my friends my age are stable in their corporate careers, so for me to just want to start feels like I'm behind. I’m terrified of going through my already very little savings.

The good news is I may have an offer coming up through a referral from a friend who works at the company. It's full-time remote, though only 20h/week, so the salary also reflects this. But I'll just take it for now as I need to survive and build up my savings. I feel really horrible about myself and scared for my future. I know I need employment, but I’m also trying to be a bit more selective and find roles I feel like I’d fit in at - especially that it's my first time being homed in 3 years since I lived abroad.

Some of my friends told me not to NOT go to corporate knowing me, as I'd been freelancing for years and gotten to do a lot of unconventional things with the time/location freedom I had before. But it's not easy to get freelance clients now, so I don't even know if I should just do corporate again if I can, or try my hardest to get new clients because that's the lifestyle I was used to.