The unemployment rate is improving. For a lot of experienced workers, it doesn't feel that way

This story includes reporting that was first featured on WPLN.

If you look at the unemployment rate in the U.S., it seems like things are ticking along pretty well, with unemployment holding at 4.3%. But you don’t have to look too hard to find folks who are frustrated by their job prospects, especially in certain fields like human resources. People with all the education they need and plenty of experience still find themselves without a role.

After six months without a job, you’re officially considered “long-term” unemployed. The number of Americans in that boat is up more than 300,000 over the last year. Among them is Brett Kling, an HR and technology analyst with a long resume and a master’s degree in organizational psychology. He’s regularly dealing with rejection.

“It gets a little rough sometimes,” he said, after receiving an automated text. “It’s alright. You gotta keep going. Rejections, ‘nos,’ are kind of par for the course.”

Kling stays motivated by going to as many mixers and meetups as possible. In an age of AI, he said it feels like human connection is his only hope. “Anytime there’s an open event, where you can have some facetime with people, I try to do that,” he said.

Kling attends a career transitions support group as part of the Middle Tennessee chapter of the Society of Human Resources Management. Facilitator Lauren Kiproff-Downer said participants represent a wide array of industries.

“We’ve had automotive, tech, a whole lot of health care. The interesting thing is these are people who previously would never have been having to wait this long to find their right role,” Kiproff-Downer said.

Just a few years ago, when unemployment was well below 4% and there were twice as many jobs as job seekers, recruiters were offering signing bonuses to lure the same people to a new role.

“Both the openings and separations side of the job market seem to be just in a holding pattern,” said labor economist Celeste Carruthers at the University of Tennessee.

People aren’t moving around like they were. It’s like a big game of musical chairs was going on after the COVID pandemic. Employees were job-hopping and chasing higher pay and better benefits. But those who ended up without a seat have had a really tough time finding a place to fit in.

Lynise Harris had difficulty landing a role that fit her executive experience in HR, so she ended up pivoting. She’s now a lead career coach with a nonprofit.

“I’m back to work now, and I love my work. But my salary certainly looks different, and my role looks different than it did,” she said.

Her lived experience looking for roles does give her some cred in her new line of work. Tip one: Don’t let the job hunt dominate every minute of your life.

“Maybe two hours of your day, every day, you’re focused on those next steps,” Harris said, adding that you have to leave space for taking care of yourself and avoid burning out before you even start a new job.

Do set aside time for work that pays the bills, Harris said. And even if it’s gig work like driving for rideshare or delivery apps, don’t hide all that hustling in your interviews. “That shows a potential employer your flexibility, your adaptability, your resilience, and employers really love those type of skills,” she said.

The hardest part is remembering you are not defined by what you do, Harris added.

Steve Jones was marketing director for a global sewing machine company and was laid off about a year ago in a corporate restructuring. Being in his mid-50s, he feels his experience level works against him with recruiters, even if he would accept a pay cut from his last position.

“You ultimately have to realize that you don’t have control over it,” he said.

So, Jones is considering a pivot to get him through to retirement age. But he’s also making the most of the moment and finally trying his hand at writing a book.

“It sounds like such a cliché, but I’d always felt I had a novel — at least one — in me,” he said. “It may not go anywhere, it may not do anything, but at least I can say I finally did what I always talked about doing for probably 25 years.”

More on navigating a tricky job market

• From April 6: Navigating the AI disruption when you’re mid-career

• From March 27: Even with a master's degree, it's a gig economy

• From March 26: If continuing unemployment claims are down, why is it so hard to find a job?

• From Feb. 23: Switching jobs for a significantly higher salary is so 2022. Welcome to the Great Stay

• From Jan. 15: Surviving job hunting hell