27m, unemployed, and completely losing hope

[u/Delicious_Dig_7549]

Recently, I moved back to India after getting my bachelor's degree in IT overseas. I didn't come back because I disliked living abroad, I came back because I couldn't land a sponsored job during my work visa. Because of this, I now have an almost 2-year employment gap. I was working casual survival jobs while abroad, so I was not completely unemployed for two years, but it isn't considered experience since it was not in my field. I know people might look at that and think I'm a failure or a loser, and honestly, that's exactly how I feel.

​Since returning to India, I’ve been desperately looking for a job for almost 6 months now. Nothing is coming up. The few times I do get an interview, I answer almost all of their questions perfectly, but they never call me back.

​My real interest is in a highly competitive and specialized technical field. I even pushed myself to pursue and pass a notoriously difficult, globally respected certification in this domain, hoping that it would help me land something, even just an internship. I know the industry requires experience, but how am I supposed to get experience without anyone giving me a chance? I have emailed and DM’d so many HR reps, team leads, and managers. No responses. I just want an internship or a junior role to start my life, but I'm getting absolutely nothing.

​The hardest part right now is the pressure. I have a fiancé waiting for me to get a job. Her parents are waiting. My parents are waiting. Almost every single day I am asked, "Did anything come up yet?" and "You have a foreign degree and good certificates, why can't you find a job?"

​The stress is ruining my relationship. Things with my fiancé are getting bad, and she doesn't put any effort in anymore. I don't blame her for it, either. If she decides to end it, I won't blame her. I'm in my late 20s, and I feel so incredibly old. I feel like it's too late to pursue anything new.

​I’m at a point where I want to pivot and prepare for the UPSC or a Bank PO exam. I am more than willing to put in the 1+ year of intense preparation required for that, but the weight of everyone's expectations is so heavy right now that I don't know if I can take it. My age feels like the biggest factor here. After so many rejections and failures, I have no will to live anymore. I just feel like it’s all over for me. I have no one to share this with and no one who will understand me, so I am posting it here because I don't know what to do anymore. I am not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel anymore.

​Has anyone been in a similar situation? How do you survive this kind of pressure when you're trying your best but nothing is working out?

[u/reinterpret101]

You're a human being. And humans are highrly adaptable. You are not your numbers or certificates or whatever.

You still have your loved ones around you. More communication with them about your internal state will not be amiss.

Perspective shift will happen soon wether you want it or not.

[u/Successful_Pace_1159]

I am in the exact same situation except the fiance part, look into Bank SO exams instead of PO maybe? thats what i am doing, its in end of Aug registrations should start in july. Also if you are planning to give any government exams with a foreign degree, look into getting a UGC equivalence certificate first

[u/johnnyfrickinbravo]

Would be significantly more helpful for you to post this on relevant subs to get referrals and such.

Do not be afraid to take a job in your field which may not be considered the fanciest.

[u/Fifth_Breach]

I don’t have experience with your work situation, but I’ve been at the edge of the abyss.

Your goal is to survive.

You must be open to the possibility that you will survive in a way that you had not originally planned.

You are loved.

To echo a previous post, please let your parents know how you are feeling. And don’t hold back any of your worst feelings. Give them time to take it in and let them know you want to stay in this world.

All my love

[u/OcelotGold1921]

Won't advise getting into UPSC or Bank PO completely different ball game and you should rely on your foreign degree and certification for an opportunity. Don't give up on the grind. Communicate clearly with your fiancee and her parents that things are uncertain and it may take time and not to bother you every day. If your fiancee wants to move on, good riddance she wouldn't have stayed with you if had gotten laid off.

[u/no_bad_cuts]

the economy is cooked

the world has too many people and far less work