I have had multiple distinct job searches since finished my MBA 15 years ago, just as the Great Recession was starting. During those 15 years, I have interviewed as a new graduate, as an employed person looking to switch jobs, and as an unemployed person between jobs.
Interviewing in 2008 was a horrible experience. That was the worst experience of them all. I didn't have a lot of experience, I had a weak professional network, and the economy was in the toilet. Additionally, by 2008, almost all of job search was already based on online applications.
Applying for jobs online is similar to trying to arrange first dates on dating websites and swipe apps. The employers are a lot like women on swipe apps. They are often unreasonably fussy.
Going to in-person networking events is a lot like approaching strangers or going to structured singles events.
Mostly every unattached person has dealt with this. The potential invitation to a "singles event" or "singles mixer". It is a chance for unattached people to meet. It's not a general night out at a bar, which has unattached people interspersed with attached people. Everyone here is unattached by...
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There isn't a direct equivalent to approaching strangers in-person in job search. It's essentially impossible to show up to places of employment in person and pitch a hiring manager in white collar work, though it may be possible in certain manual labor/blue collar roles or even McJobs.
Getting a McJob isn't too difficult because a lot of people don't want McJob. The far more difficult jobs to get are white collar ones. Even getting a low level white collar job that doesn't pay well and doesn't have a lot of responsibility is a big effort.
It is possible to send unsolicited emails or DMs on LinkedIn to hiring managers in white collar work, which is the rough equivalent of trying to slide into DMs to arrange first dates/get laid on Instagram.
Having a good professional network is a lot like having a good social circle. Getting networked into job interviews is the same as having a personal life connection that arranges a first date. It's going to be an all-around better experience.
In job interviewing, being a woman ensures preferential treatment too. It's that not that difficult for a woman to get a job stripping or bartending/waiting tables in a breastaurant so long as she isn't fat. In white collar work, a lot of white collar roles like to hire attractive women for B2B sales roles or even B2C sales roles. Women have an easier time getting hired for marketing roles compared to men.
Women are also less likely to get laid off. When white collar layoffs happen, companies do everything they can to prevent women and minorities from getting laid off. If you're a minority and a female, you're doubly protected from layoff.