Dude I can't even get hired at a grocery store. I apply and apply and apply to all sorts of shit and nobody ever responds. I've filled out over 100 applications, and all I got out of that was 3 interviews and no offers.
It was easier to find work when I first entered the job market in 2008, right after the economy crashed. The last time I had to look for job was right before COVID, and it was easy as hell. Literally applied to 3 jobs and was hired within 2 weeks. What the hell changed in recent years?
You are too old/skilled/educated/mobile/employable for non premium works, so the non-premium works take a pass on you.
Dumb down your resume or work for a temp agency for a bit. Pretend you have addiction issues. Be a little emotionally volatile. People will hire you on the basis of, they can potentially exploit you.
The economy didn't respond they way "it should have" by tightening... so corporates had to just resort to good old fashioned collusion to teach the workforce they can't ask for things like hybrid and payraises.
Unemployment is a misleading statistic since it only counts people who are or actively looking as members of the workforce. Those who have given up or who just aren't getting any responses at all are considered not to be part of the work force which artificially inflates the employment rate.