I'm employed, but have been in the job market for over a year.

Right now, any job opening is like fighting for a seat on the last helicopter out of Saigon. Whenever I do get an interview - I'm one of over a dozen applicants interviewing for the same position. Everyone is desperate, hiring managers have extreme power, and the bar is constantly being raised on how much you need to be willing to do be considered.

The irony is everyone wants to see a portfolio of AI work, but if you use AI for any part of the hiring process it's a demerit against you.