Amid economic and political turbulence, the idea that anyone can see success in the US is being increasingly questioned. Canvas8 polled 1,000 Americans and spoke to thirteen people to find out whether they think the American Dream still exists and whether it’s achievable.

A lot of businesses traffic in American exceptionalism, tapping into national pride as part of their creative comms and brand identity. But while such aspirational messaging used to resonate with Americans – and many people around the world – will COVID-19 make this narrative less appealing?

The pandemic – and the accompanying recession – put over 20.5 million Americans out of work. Faced with a confusing public welfare system, the hardship of unemployment, and a desire to keep their personal finances private, laid-off workers are turning to online communities for anonymized support.

In this digitized world, many people search for jobs using online resources but real-life interactions are just as, if not more, important when looking for a job. Canvas8 sat down with 22 American men and women to find out where they look for jobs, and why.