I recently went through a challenging job search experience that I wanted to share. Last November, I started applying for jobs and finally landed an interview for a role at a company. After about eight interviews, I received an offer and signed the contract in June. However, I soon found out that they do not sponsor visas, which is a significant issue for me due to my visa situation. They ended up rescinding my offer to consider me for a different role at another location since they operate internationally. I had an interview for this new role two days ago, but unfortunately, I was rejected. It's been a long and frustrating journey, and I can't help but feel like I've invested so much time and effort into this process without any success. Is this kind of experience common in job searching?

I had an interview with a General Manager yesterday for a position at a local company, and I was thrilled to receive a job offer on the spot. I was instructed to complete some onboarding paperwork, including W-4 and I-9 forms, on their website. After finishing the forms, I was taken to a screen that locked me out. I'm feeling a bit anxious about whether this is a normal part of the process. I was told that the GM would be notified once I submitted everything, but I didn't receive any additional contact information to follow up. I hope I'm just being paranoid, but I can't help but wonder if everything is okay.

I recently interviewed for a Library Page position at the New York Public Library on August 12th. I was excited about this opportunity because they prioritize school schedules and offer great flexibility. The interview felt great; I was confident in my knowledge about libraries and my previous experience. After the interview, I made sure to shake both interviewers' hands, but now it's been 15 days without any response. They didn't mention any other candidates during the interview, and I suspect there weren't many since it's a small area. This was my first interview, and I’m unsure if I should reach out now or if it’s too late. I regret not following up sooner right after the interview. I have a draft email ready to send to the NYPL Hiring Team to inquire about my application status. I'm still very interested in the position, especially since I was waiting quite a while for a role to open up near me. I hope to hear back soon.

I recently landed my first "big boy job" and am currently going through the onboarding process, which has been quite rigorous. One of the requirements is to provide a phone number for the HR department of a previous employer. The problem is that the company I worked for was very small and didn't have an HR department at all. I’m at a loss because I can’t contact anyone from that company, and all the locations I worked at have closed down since the pandemic. I had previously spoken with someone from the HR team at my new job, who mentioned that I could just submit a pay stub or W-2 as proof of employment. I managed to find an old pay stub, but now they are asking for more information that I simply can’t provide. I even tried submitting a tax record, but they specifically want the HR phone number, a W-2, or a more recent pay stub, none of which I have since it’s been years since I worked there. I’m feeling a bit stuck and unsure of how to proceed.

I'm currently seeking to expand my network in the UX design field. Despite my efforts, I haven't been receiving interview calls lately, and I'm hoping to connect with professionals who can provide guidance or opportunities. If anyone has advice or knows of any openings, I would greatly appreciate your support!

I recently interviewed for a page position at the New York Public Library on August 12th. I felt confident during the interview, as I have a good amount of knowledge about libraries and was able to answer the questions well. The interview seemed to go smoothly, and I made sure to shake hands with both interviewers afterward. However, it's now been 15 days since the interview, and I haven't heard anything back. They didn't mention any other candidates during the interview, which makes me think there might not have been any. This is my first interview, and I'm unsure if I should reach out for an update or if it's too late to do so. I really want this position since it would save me from a long commute, and I've been waiting for an opportunity at the NYPL for a while.

I recently started training for my first job, which I began just a week ago. I’m 23 and had been looking for opportunities after finishing my degree a couple of months back. My dad mentioned this job to me, and I went through a rather informal interview process. The interviewer barely asked me questions and just took my documents, which felt a bit off. She offered me the chance to start training almost immediately, which raised some red flags for me. Now that I’ve been in training for a few days, I’ve realized that there are several issues that make me reconsider this position. Firstly, they don’t handle overtime pay properly, and I’ve been informed that I might have to stay longer than my scheduled hours without proper compensation. Secondly, the commute is a nightmare; it takes me two hours to get there, which is exhausting and impractical, especially if I have to work late. I underestimated how long it would take to travel to that part of the city. Lastly, the job seems to come with a lot of responsibility. While the tasks themselves don’t seem overly complicated, I feel overwhelmed by the amount I would need to manage on my own after training. The person training me doesn’t seem to be compensated for their time, which makes me worry about the expectations if I were to accept the job and then leave. Despite all these concerns, my coworkers are friendly and supportive, which makes this decision even harder. I’m grateful that I have the option to focus on my master’s search instead of feeling pressured to stay. I want to ask some clarifying questions before making any decisions, but I’m worried about how that might come across. Would it be unprofessional to ask questions and still decide to leave? I’m feeling anxious about how to approach this situation, especially since it’s my first experience in the workforce.

I recently graduated from high school and I'm on the hunt for my first job. I really want to become more independent and reduce my reliance on my parents. I thought applying would be straightforward, but it’s been quite the opposite. I've submitted nearly 20 applications, but all I’ve received are automated responses confirming receipt. No interviews or callbacks so far. It’s disheartening, especially since I don’t have any prior work experience, which seems to be a major hurdle. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has advice on how to make my applications stand out and avoid getting discarded right away. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

I've been job hunting for a while now because my current role at the city has a terrible work/life balance, and I really miss spending time with my friends and family. I recently received a verbal offer and have started the background check process for a new position, so I'm hoping to get an official offer soon. Once I do, I plan to put in my notice at my current job. However, I'm conflicted about how much notice to give. I was initially thinking of giving a standard two weeks, but I'm considering a one-week notice instead. The truth is, I dread going to work and have even experienced panic attacks about it. I know that the job I do requires extensive training, and they likely won't be able to find a replacement in just two weeks. While I don't plan to leave until I have the official offer, I really want to be done with my current job as soon as possible. I worry that giving a shorter notice might hurt my chances of returning to the city in the future, but my mental health has to come first.

I’m feeling really defeated right now. I graduated two years ago with top grades and relevant experience, including an internship at a major company that initially wanted to hire me full-time, but they ended up not having the budget. Currently, I’m enrolled in a weekend-only master’s program at an Ivy League school, and despite my efforts, I still can’t land a job. I know I have a strong skillset, but my interview skills are lacking, especially since I struggle with small talk due to being on the spectrum. This month, I had two promising interviews with a company and felt confident going into the final interview with the department director today. However, I’m pretty sure I messed it up, and it’s left me feeling incredibly disappointed and exhausted. I just don’t know how much longer I can keep trying like this.

I recently received an offer for a full-time position as a TV Production Assistant on a well-known show for the History Channel. The job involves driving a box truck to various filming locations across the country and doing a lot of heavy lifting. The pay is $12 per hour, which totals about $210 a day, plus overtime, and they offer benefits and free housing while on the road. However, the catch is that I would be away from home for two weeks each month, followed by two weeks off. I’m feeling uncertain about the offer, especially since I've never driven a box truck before, let alone for long hours across the country. I understand that entry-level PA roles often involve grunt work, but I'm wondering if this position is worth it or if I should continue my job search. Some comments I’ve received suggest that my main concern should be the driving aspect and the pay structure, as it seems inconsistent. They advised me to clarify the shift lengths and ensure that I’m covered under their insurance as a driver. I’m considering if this could be a good short-term opportunity to get my foot in the door, but I’m still on the fence.

I have a decade of experience in retail management, specifically in wireless sales, but I'm currently facing a tough job search at 40 years old. After managing multiple locations, coaching teams, and handling P&L responsibilities, I left my last job for what I thought was a great opportunity in B2B outside sales. Unfortunately, that offer fell through during the pre-employment stage, and since then, I've been applying to various roles including B2B sales, account executive positions, and even some leadership roles in manufacturing. Despite receiving some interview invitations, I keep getting rejected, which is incredibly frustrating. I feel like my extensive experience should count for something, but it seems that potential employers see 'retail' on my resume and dismiss my qualifications. I'm reaching out for advice on how to better position my experience for a successful transition out of retail management. I'm curious to know how others have successfully made this leap, what industries were open to them, and whether I should focus on individual contributor roles instead of management positions. I genuinely want to understand what might be holding me back and how I can improve my chances in this challenging job market.

I am a 22-year-old student pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, set to graduate in December 2026. Despite being Network+ and Security+ certified, I am struggling to find job opportunities in my field. I can only apply for remote positions or local jobs, but there are hardly any local openings. My only professional experience comes from a 4-month internship, and I feel like I'm hitting a wall with my job applications. I apply to numerous positions, particularly analyst roles, which would be my ideal starting point, but I either don’t hear back or receive rejections. This situation is incredibly disheartening and has left me worried about my career prospects.

Job searching feels like a frustrating cycle. When I was looking for an internship, it seemed like every job posting was for full-time roles. Then, when I finally transitioned to seeking a full-time position, all I could find were internships. After settling into my current job, I noticed that my dream companies were hiring, but now that I want to leave because I dislike my current role, it feels like there are no opportunities available. It's like the universe is playing tricks on me!

I just received a verbal offer for a newly created position at my current nonprofit healthcare organization. Initially, I applied for a clinical role, but after the interview process, they decided to elevate the title and responsibilities specifically for me based on my qualifications. The original position had a salary band starting about $2,000 above my current salary and maxing out around $19,000 more. However, the new role doesn't have a posted salary range, and they know my current pay. I'm transitioning from a clinical to a nonclinical role, and the hiring manager indicated to the recruiter that I would be accepting the offer pending salary and start date. I'm debating whether I should negotiate the salary. I want to approach this carefully since they tailored this role for me, and I don't want to come off as ungrateful. I plan to research what similar roles are paying and use that information to guide my negotiation. If the numbers support my case, I think I should present my findings and suggest a salary that reflects my experience and the new responsibilities. I'm also considering the long-term potential of this position, as it could lead to higher roles in the future. Overall, it's a delicate situation.

I'm currently working in a factory job, and I'm feeling overwhelmed by the toxic environment and the physical demands of the work. My body is really struggling with the labor, and I'm eager to transition to an office or work-from-home position. I've been searching for roles like coordinator or data entry jobs, but I'm worried about taking a significant pay cut. I've tried tailoring my resume to fit these positions, but so far, I've received no responses. I'm looking for advice on how to make this switch effectively, including which job search websites to use and any tips for improving my chances of landing an office job.

I was laid off a few days ago after spending over five years in in-house communications at a tech company in Germany. The past year and a half had been particularly tough, as new leadership came in and my role diminished significantly. I stayed out of a desire for stability, even though I felt increasingly sidelined. Now, as I begin my job search for the first time in years, I'm facing the daunting reality of a challenging job market. The hardest part for me isn't the rejections; it's the lingering feeling of invisibility that has eroded my confidence. I find myself questioning my worth and abilities, wondering how I managed to stay in a role where I felt so overlooked for so long. Each rejection feels like a validation of those doubts instead of just a simple 'no.' I'm reaching out for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation—laid off or feeling small in their role—and had to rebuild their self-belief while job searching. What strategies helped you regain your confidence and shift your mindset? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I'm currently in a tough spot with my job situation. I work Monday to Thursday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, then I return to finish from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, totaling 30 hours a week. I have Fridays off, which is a blessing since I also have a weekend job from 5 AM to 12 PM. However, I'm really unhappy at my current job. The daily stress is taking a toll on me, and I often leave for an hour due to school transportation issues. While my employer has been accommodating and supportive, I feel like I'm losing my motivation and drive due to the overall decline in morale and management at my workplace. Recently, I've been considering a new opportunity at a different firm where I would be doing the same job, but the hours would be Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM, also 30 hours a week. The catch is that it would be hourly, with no benefits, and I would take a pay cut. I'd also be juggling both jobs seven days a week, which feels overwhelming. My current employer covers my healthcare 100%, and I would lose that security if I switch. I know I need to think this through carefully. The new job could offer a better schedule that aligns with my kids' needs, but what if I end up hating it? I'm worried that I'm making an emotional decision based on my current unhappiness. I also fear that if I stay too long in my current position, I might miss the chance to transition to a new role that could potentially be better for me. It's a lot to weigh, and I'm trying to figure out the best path forward.

I currently work as a server at a small mom and pop restaurant, and I'm really feeling the strain lately. We've entered our slow season, and it's hit harder than I expected. My income has become inconsistent, and with bills piling up, it's becoming unsustainable. This is my only job, and I had planned a trip to New York soon, but when the schedule came out, I noticed I wasn't on it for the days I requested off. I've been trying to stick it out because I know the job market isn't great, but I feel like it's time to move on. The best part of this job has been the customers—they're really nice—and my coworkers are laid-back. However, the management changes have been frustrating. It seems like only one manager does their job properly, while the others are either micromanaging or on a power trip. I've started applying for jobs in neighboring cities, but I'm torn about whether I should confront my schedule manager about not being scheduled. I feel like it might be worth it, but I'm also exhausted from the lack of respect and feeling overworked and underpaid. I just want to know if it's a good idea to bring this up or if I should just focus on finding a new job.

I started my design and sales job in mid-July, and after a week of training, I was excited to dive into my role. I've done this type of work before, so I was eager to start taking appointments and making an impact. However, things have taken a turn for the worse. Over the past two weeks, I've only been given three appointments, which is far from the full-time workload I expected. It feels like I'm being quietly fired, and it's really disheartening because I genuinely enjoy the role, the clients, and the product. I've already begun searching for a new position, but it's a bummer to leave something I was looking forward to. It seems like the company is struggling to get organized, and I'm left feeling frustrated and uncertain about my future here.