Laid-off worker applied to 6,000 jobs, used food pantry, and finally got hired through a former contact
John Huân Vũ, a former PayPal employee of 10 years, was laid off in July 2024. Over the next 16 months, he applied to more than 6,000 jobs across 2,000 companies, tracked in a spreadsheet. His financial situation deteriorated, forcing him and his husband to rely on food pantries, SNAP benefits, and Buy Nothing groups. He revamped his résumé for applicant tracking systems and applied to jobs he felt at least 50% qualified for. After dozens of interviews, he struggled to land an offer. In October 2025, a former work contact from Visa reached out about a senior consultant position. The contact advocated for him, and after a final interview on his 40th birthday, Vũ received the job offer. He credits relationships and community support for his eventual success.
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Laid-off worker applied to 6,000 jobs, used food pantry, and finally got hired through a former contact
John Huân Vũ, a former PayPal employee of 10 years, was laid off in July 2024. Over the next 16 months, he applied to more than 6,000 jobs across 2,000 companies, tracked in a spreadsheet. His financial situation deteriorated, forcing him and his husband to rely on food pantries, SNAP benefits, and Buy Nothing groups. He revamped his résumé for applicant tracking systems and applied to jobs he felt at least 50% qualified for. After dozens of interviews, he struggled to land an offer. In October 2025, a former work contact from Visa reached out about a senior consultant position. The contact advocated for him, and after a final interview on his 40th birthday, Vũ received the job offer. He credits relationships and community support for his eventual success.