I have 18 years of experience in PR. My job applications still go unanswered.

• Candice N. Mackel is the founder of Charlotte-based firm Candice Nicole Public Relations.
• She has almost 20 years of experience in her field.
• She's applied for hundreds of jobs since the beginning of the year.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Candice N. Mackel of Candice Nicole Public Relations. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I've been a PR entrepreneur for 18 years, operating it full-time for 10 years. I've worked with other entrepreneurs, musicians, nonprofits, and in beauty, fashion, tech, cannabis, and more industries.

But recently, something changed. I used to be very busy, and then I wasn't.

I feel like a bubble popped two years ago. It wasn't just me as a PR professional; my hairstylist and nail tech, for example, felt this shift too.

That's when I started considering returning to a corporate job because things have slowed down. I was also tired of chasing money owed to me.

It's been hard to find a full time job

It's only been two months of my job search, but I've sent out hundreds of applications. I'm currently using LinkedIn, Indeed, and Idealist, which I've found are best for nonprofit jobs, which is what I'm looking for.

I feel like my 18 years of experience and the fact that I'm an entrepreneur are working against me in this search. I've had a hard time getting companies to notice me, despite my extensive experience. There have been no responses to the majority of applications I submit. I'd say I've gotten 5% responses, all rejections.

It's frustrating. I am ready to bring my value in-house somewhere. I'm ready to align with a company that has a mission and can make an impact. I'm ready to work with a team again.

I try not to take the lack of responses personally, but my mom's background is in HR, so I know how it used to be. Growing up and watching her, if she posted a position and 150 people applied, it meant she reviewed 150 résumés. She would always send a note saying it was great to speak with them, and letting them know the status. That doesn't happen anymore.

The entire process has changed so much

I think I am doing the right things, such as customizing my cover letters, or emailing my résumé to an individual's email rather than into a black hole. But applications are also asking a lot of candidates. It's a lot of work just to get auto-rejected. It's maddening that you can't just say, "Here is my résumé" anymore. Now, it all feels like a game. It really depends on the hiring manager or recruiter's preference — if your résumé even gets that far.

I don't think I've experienced ageism directly, but my experience seems to work against me. People have told me to change my title, but I'm a full-time entrepreneur. I created this. Why shouldn't I be proud of it? I started it from the ground up. It means I have a lot of determination and resilience.

I need a remote job, which makes it even harder

People have asked me why I want to go back to a 9-to-5. My life has changed. I'm married now, and I have a 16-month-old. I need more stability. When you work for a company, you have benefits and know you're going to get paid every two weeks.

My son is home with me now. I enjoy doing things like making him breakfast. If I were to get a full-time job, I'd find childcare. But I can't even get to that point in the conversation.

I check job sites every day, sometimes twice a day. I'm also still applying for RFPs that come my way for my PR company. I've considered attaching a capabilities deck I made to applications to help people understand more about my experience. I might also include press releases and case studies.

I try not to listen to advice from others; they're not paying my bills. They don't know my goals. I do know that I have to get rid of pride and tell myself to let go of my ego. So I've been trying to share my experience more online.

I'm going to keep thinking outside the box.