The Numbers Don’t Add Up

I have 1,098 connections on LinkedIn, 1,326 Facebook friends, 1.4k followers, and I’m following 2.6k people. By social media math, that should mean opportunity is practically banging down my door. Recruiters should be flooding my inbox, job offers should be rolling in, and I should be struggling to choose between multiple “dream jobs.”

So why the hell can’t I find a good-paying job?

The Social Media Mirage

On paper -or rather, on screen- those numbers look impressive. We’re told that networking is the key to success. “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” right? But here’s the uncomfortable truth: connections, friends, and followers don’t automatically translate into career opportunities. Social media makes it look like we’re plugged into powerful networks, when in reality, most of those people are just scrolling past our posts while double-tapping cat memes.

Networking has become less about genuine relationships and more about collecting digital baseball cards. Having 1,000+ connections doesn’t mean you actually know 1,000 people who will advocate for you, recommend you, or hire you.

The Broken Hiring Game

Then there’s the job market itself, which feels like running an obstacle course built by a sadist. Job postings often read like they want a unicorn who can juggle chainsaws while coding in three languages and then pay them the same as a cashier at Target. And let’s not forget the cruel magic trick of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), where your résumé disappears into a black hole unless you’ve guessed the exact keywords like some twisted round of “Password.”

Even worse? Companies bragging about “we’re hiring” while secretly already having someone internal lined up. Or jobs posted that aren’t really jobs, but lead-gen funnels for career coaches, certifications, or “exclusive training programs.” Translation: Pay us first, and maybe you’ll get a job later.

The Reality Check

Here’s the blunt truth: the modern job hunt is less about merit and more about luck, algorithms, and being at the right place at the right time. It’s demoralizing to realize that years of experience, degrees, certifications, and thousands of digital “connections” don’t guarantee stability- or even an interview.

But here’s the flip side: those connections can matter when they shift from passive numbers into active allies. One person sharing your résumé, one friend making an introduction, or one former colleague vouching for you can be more powerful than 10,000 followers. The hard part is finding the courage (and patience) to keep asking, keep applying, and keep showing up—even when the system feels stacked against you.

The Ask

So here it is, plain and simple: if you hear of a position that fits my background, please let me know. Don’t assume someone else already has. That quick message, that forwarded job post, or that introduction might be the one thing that finally makes the difference.

Final Thought

Yes, I may have the numbers- thousands of connections, friends, and followers—but I’m still searching for that one thing that matters: a stable, good-paying job where my skills, experience, and passion aren’t just recognized but valued.

Until then, I’ll keep applying, keep writing, and keep calling out the absurdity of a system where social media metrics matter more than real human talent.