In an era swept by an employment downturn, 32-year-old Lin Xia dives headfirst into the turbulent job market after being laid off from her internet company. From job fairs at prestigious firms packed with graduates from top universities, to interviews at startups rife with workplace gaslighting; from outsourced positions disguised as high-paying traps, to HR conversations concealing discrimination based on education, she draws on the resilience life has forged in her. With each setback, she deciphers workplace jargon and searches through the fog of misinformation for a way forward.
This work of reportage traces Lin Xia's 67-day job search diary, documenting the hardships and breakthroughs of workers today. The author closely examines industry jargon, interview power plays, salary negotiations, and other key steps, exposing the hidden truths behind the recruitment process. As ideals collide with reality, and anxiety about age clashes with professional dignity, Lin Xia's hard-won experience shows that a job search isn't a one-way pursuit, but a two-sided battle that demands wisdom and courage.
