LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — This Labor Day weekend, while some people enjoyed the time off from work, others in Florida spent the long weekend as they have in the days, weeks, and months before — searching for jobs.

While many employers are now incorporating more hiring incentives for prospective employees, many who remain unemployed are just trying to make ends meet.

Marty Fuchs lost his job in February 2020, and says he fears if something doesn’t pan out soon, he’ll lose nearly everything.

“Between Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, Glassdoor, Career Builder, Simply Hired, uh, Zip Recruiter, or Hire Wire, or Link Up, the search I’ve been using for the last 10 or 12 months,” he said.

Like he does most days, Fuchs spent his entire day Monday looking for jobs.

“Ugh, it’s just so upsetting,” he said.

Fuchs said his lengthy search has been filled with constant disappointment, and he is struggling with the stress of being a former manager living off unemployment.

“Every week we’re required to submit five work searches," he said. "I have an Excel spreadsheet I update every week. I only put five of them because it’s what we’re required, but I probably submit 50 or 60 applications during the week.”

The project manager said he has applied for everything — from hourly jobs, to jobs way outside his comfort zone — grasping at any straw that may fall into line.

“If I had to relocate, it wouldn’t be my preference, but it’s something I’d be willing to do," Fuchs said. "My kids are older now and it’s more important for me to find full time employment.

“It’s been a real struggle, real challenge to prioritize what bills get paid each month. Scheduling myself on the calendar to get to a food pantry to make sure I get groceries in the house.”

The most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Florida’s unemployment rate is sitting at 5.1%, which is slightly lower than the national rate of 5.4%.​