A Gen Xer can't find a job after 1,000 applications despite years of six-figure roles: 'It's like playing the lottery'

• Sean Tetpon, 55, has applied for over 1,000 jobs in the past year without success.

• Tetpon, a former communications manager, was laid off in 2019 and again in 2023.

• He suspects ageism and intense competition in his industry are factors.

Sean Tetpon, 55, held six-figure positions for years as a communications manager for major companies. But, after applying for over 1,000 jobs over the last 12 months, he and his wife have had to cut every expense possible — and are considering bankruptcy.

Tetpon was financially stable for most of his adult life, working at various large companies, though he was laid off in 2019. In between job applications, he drove for Lyft and landed a job in 2021. However, he was laid off last September and hasn't landed anything since.

"When the job reports come out, and they paint this rosy picture, it's not reflecting what's happening in the white-collar job market over the past year," Tetpon said. "There continue to be layoffs in corporate America, and as a result, I'm seeing, for the roles that I apply for, many highly qualified candidates out there all competing for a finite number of jobs."

We want to hear from you. Are you struggling to get a job? Have you previously struggled but have a job now? Please fill out this quick form.

Tetpon suspects his age and his industry's intense competition have impacted his ability to land a job. Still, he hasn't given up hope and is staying positive in his job search.

"At first, it was disheartening because, like everyone else, I need employment to take care of my family and to pay my bills, but to run into over 1,000 people applying for the same job, I get nervous when there are 100 applicants for the same job," Tetpon said. "But I applied for them anyway because you never know. It's like playing the lottery."

Enduring layoffs

Tetpon was the first in his family to get a four-year degree, graduating from the University of Idaho with a bachelor's in public communications.

While in college, he got an internship at IBM, which he parlayed into a full-time role and an over 15-year career. He became a global communications manager, which paid him six figures. He then bounced to a few other companies in similar positions.

Despite a high salary, he said he struggled financially for a few years, as one of his five children had a major heart defect, leading to "steep medical bills."

Tetpon first experienced unemployment from 2019 to 2021, with his first layoff coming shortly before many companies paused hiring during the pandemic. To keep money coming in, he worked as an Uber and Lyft driver and freelanced for corporate clients between "cumbersome" applications.