![\"Natalie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/f89ff550-1375-11f1-b7ff-2f9e59ecdc24.png\")
Natalie Vellozzi has worked in banking for the last five years and has been finding it tough to find a job. (Source: Instagram\/@natvellozzi) <\/p>\n Natalie Vellozzi has worked in banking for the last five years and has been finding it tough to find a job. (Source: Instagram\/@natvellozzi) <\/p>\n
An Aussie woman has opened up about just how tough the job market<\/a> is for applicants right now. Natalie Vellozzi has two university degrees<\/a> and five years of experience under her belt, but hasn\u2019t been able to land a single interview in months.<\/p>\n The 30-year-old Sydney woman estimates she has applied for up to 300 roles<\/a> since she started her job hunt in November, but has been met with \u201ccountless rejections\u201d. Vellozzi studied Law and Commerce at university and has been working<\/a> in the banking industry for the last five years.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’ll get rejected for things that you know you’re qualified for. I’m not just applying for anything and everything<\/a>, but I’m applying for roles that I’m pretty much qualified for and then it’s just no response at all or instant rejection,\u201d she told Yahoo Finance.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a bit demoralising. It\u2019s a hit to the confidence, especially because I spent so long at uni as well.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED<\/p>\n Vellozzi was most recently employed as an anti-money laundering compliance specialist by one of the Big Four banks, but decided to take a career break<\/a> mid-last year.<\/p>\n She travelled throughout Southeast Asia and Europe for a few months on the understanding that her role would be rehired and there wouldn\u2019t be a job for her when she returned.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s never going to be the right time or the perfect time. I think you\u2019ve got to take risks,\u201d Vellozzi said.<\/p>\n \u201cLeaving that job, I knew the risk that I was taking, but I said to myself, if I don\u2019t do this now and I don\u2019t take time for myself, then when am I going to do it?\u201d<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share? Contact tamika.seeto@yahooinc.com<\/a><\/p>\n Vellozzi admitted she\u2019s been surprised by just how difficult the job market is<\/a>. She\u2019s had a few recruiters contact her who have assured her that her CV is good, but it\u2019s simply just a tough time for job seekers.<\/p>\n But that doesn\u2019t mean the fruitless job search hasn\u2019t taken a toll.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople underestimate the psychological effects of being unemployed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re kind of analysing yourself every day as well. Like, why am I not good enough? Why have I not gotten any interviews yet? You start to pick at yourself a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s true that Australian job seekers are facing an extremely tough market<\/a> right now as hiring slows.<\/p>\n Story Continues <\/p>\n Australia\u2019s unemployment rate<\/a> remained at 4.1 per cent in January, which was the same as in December.<\/p>\n SEEK\u2019s latest Employment Report found job ads were up 1.1 per cent year on year in December, while applications per job ad fell 1.8 per cent month on month, but levels still remain elevated.<\/p>\n “We know that it is a tough market for candidates, and it has been for some time. Applications per job ad were at record levels for most of 2025, and while they have come down slightly in recent months, they remain extremely elevated,\u201d a SEEK spokesperson told Yahoo Finance. <\/p>\n \u201cAt the same time demand for workers appears to be stabilising at a subdued level across the board, after nearly two years of steady decline since 2022. The result is extremely tough competition for the jobs on offer.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether this modest momentum can be sustained will depend on business confidence, consumer spending, and the trajectory of interest rates in the months ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n Vellozzi recently posted about her job search experience on social media and was flooded with comments from other people who were also struggling to find work, despite having qualifications and experience<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cPreach!!! 2 degrees, internships, mentorships, 14 years experience, huge professional network…+75 interviews in the past 16 months, +110 applications…not even landing ‘unders’ jobs below pay\/experience grade,\u201d one Aussie wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the same boat as you, feel your pain. We\u2019ll get through this!!\u201d another said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt happened to me last year, hang in there, it will all work out for you,\u201d another said.<\/p>\n Gartner\u2019s latest Global Talent Monitor found just 55.7 per cent of Aussie employees felt positive about the job market, the lowest level recorded since 2022.<\/p>\n It found the lack of confidence was creating a market \u201cfreeze\u201d, with employees feeling stuck in their current role and hesitant to leave and uncertain what the market can offer.<\/p>\n \u201cWith fewer opportunities and heightened competition for open roles, Australian employees are becoming more cautious about making career moves,\u201d Neal Woolrich, Director, Advisory in the Gartner HR practice, said.<\/p>\n Vellozzi has been doing temp work here and there while she continues to apply for banking jobs.<\/p>\n She acknowledges she is still only a few months into her job search, so is hopeful she\u2019ll find something that\u2019s right eventually.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t give up. I\u2019ve got to stay hopeful that I will get something,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Get the latest Yahoo Finance news – follow us on Facebook<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Vellozzi decided to take a career break mid last year and has been searching for a new job since November. (Source: Instagram\/@natvellozzi) <\/p>\n