I’m a recent college graduate who’s struggling to land a job. I’m using my unplanned unemployment to help my aging grandparents.

I think Indeed may be trying to break me.

I recently found a job listing on the site. I sent in my application, but, because I have been through this before, I called the company after a day just to make sure that I didn’t waste another hour. I spoke to a real person over the phone and asked if they received my résumé.

“No, sir. We don’t have any openings here.”

This isn’t the first time I’ve applied to a ghost listing. It’s been my new normal ever since I graduated from college less than a year ago.

I’ve been forced to move home and live with my parents as I continue looking for a job, which has its pros and cons. Although the job search is grueling, I’m glad I get to use this time to help out my loved ones.

This isn’t how I expected my postgrad life to turn out

I was nervous once my academic career ended. I was so focused on my studies that I didn’t really focus on lining up a full-time job. I knew I had a place to stay at my parents’ house and that I had a pretty good résumé. I thought finding a job would be quick and easy, but it didn’t work out like that.

Out of the hundred jobs I have applied to, most of the companies haven’t responded. When I do get responses, they’re all rejections. There’s no feedback and no interviews.

To make some money, I worked as a poll worker, briefly returned to my hometown job, worked in retail during the holidays, and am doing some odd jobs for cash.

However, the long period of time without consistency has not been great mentally. I now have a lot of time on my hands as I figure out my next steps.

Thankfully, I’m using this time to help my grandparents

There are still some positives to this run of bad luck. While being back home, I have been able to help my parents, grandparents, and friends. I pick up prescriptions, make deliveries, pick up the occasional grocery order, shuttle people around, keep our house clean, and take care of yard work. It feels good to be helpful and to be putting my extra time to use.

One of the biggest ways I’ve been able to contribute during this unplanned unemployment is helping my paternal grandparents, who recently moved into an assisted living facility 15 minutes away.

I visit with them more and keep them company. When my 91-year-old grandfather had a fall and needed to go to the ER, I was able to help my 90-year-old grandmother, who recently had a stroke and was dealing with mobility limitations. The same grandfather has had a recent set of surgeries and appointments, and I was able to help by driving him to some of these.

I’m not giving up

While I’ve been able to find the positives of this experience, the feeling of frustration is overwhelming. I feel so angry for not being able to even come close to my potential after all the work I put in. It’s incredibly disheartening

I’m glad I get to spend this time with the people I love and to help them out, but this is not what I wanted my postgrad life to look like.

Thankfully, I recently landed a part-time job at Target, but I’m still looking for full-time work.

While my future is still unclear, I’m not giving up. The job I want is out there, and I’m excited to land it.

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