Today, I had a really stressful meeting with my manager at the software company where I've been working for the past four months. He was furious because of a one-star review on Glassdoor that he thinks I wrote. The review criticizes the management style as "toxic micromanagement" and mentions the outdated tech stack we use. My manager slammed the printout of the review on his desk and accused me of being the author because I'm the newest member of the dev team. Despite my repeated denials and explaining that I don't even have a Glassdoor account, he wouldn't listen and insisted that I have until tomorrow morning to 'fix my mistake' or risk being fired for not fitting the company culture. I feel completely panicked because I need this job to pay my rent, but I also can't stay in a place where I'm treated like this. I'm considering going to HR first thing in the morning, but I'm worried they won't take my side since my manager is close with the CEO. I feel like I'm in a nightmare where I could be fired for something I didn't do. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I could really use some advice on how to handle this situation.

I'm 25 years old and currently looking for a job in the SF Bay area. I had to take a semester off from college, and now I'm eager to find work as soon as possible. If anyone has any leads or suggestions for opportunities, I would greatly appreciate it!

I’ve been working in accounting for a couple of years now, but I’m finding it nearly impossible to land a part-time job in the food industry. Despite having relevant experience from a few years back, it seems like employers are only interested in candidates who have been actively working in that field recently. I’m really trying to secure some side income because the current economy is tough, but my applications are going unanswered. It’s frustrating to see others struggling too, as some of my friends are only able to find part-time or temp work while hoping for something full-time. It feels like companies are looking for candidates who are desperate for work, and if they think you might not be reliable or could leave easily, they just overlook you.

About a year ago, I faced some trouble at my previous job, which I thought was a minor issue, but it escalated to the point where my manager and HR got involved. It left me feeling disheartened, especially when they made it clear that my career aspirations were off the table. Frustrated, I started looking for new opportunities. After 6-9 months of applying to hundreds of jobs and going through numerous interviews, I finally accepted a role at a large tech company, attracted by the significant pay increase and the promise of more ownership in my work. I felt relieved and optimistic, believing it was a good move despite it not being my dream job. However, after just two months in the new position, I am regretting my decision. Each day has been filled with misery due to a lack of direction, projects that are falling apart, and a toxic environment where communication is almost nonexistent. I’ve tried to approach my boss about my concerns, but given my past experiences, I’m hesitant to be too open. I can sense that this is not a place where I will thrive. Recognizing that I need to make a change, I began job hunting again after just a week in this role. Over the past two months, I've had three interviews but no job offers yet. My niche role in the corporate training industry makes it challenging, and every rejection feels heavier than before. I’m anxious about the current job market and feel guilty for being unhappy in a position that many would consider a great opportunity. I just can’t see myself lasting here much longer.

I am currently in my last week of work at an IT company in Quebec, Canada, where I've been employed for 8 years. I gave my two weeks' notice the Friday before last week and took PTO last week, which I had reserved back in February. Now, as I prepare to return for my final week, I'm feeling really anxious and unmotivated. The reason for my departure was the toxic management in my department, which is notorious for not rehiring former employees and not providing references. I know that many of my colleagues are also looking for new jobs, and I feel fortunate to have been able to leave first. However, I still need this week's pay, so I can't just not show up, but I feel conflicted about clocking in and doing the work. I'm seeking advice from anyone who has gone through a similar situation. Thank you.

I recently went through a tough job search experience. I applied for a position that I really wanted and went through five rounds of interviews, even taking a half day off work for the final panel. After waiting 11 days, I received the disappointing email that I didn't get the job. Six weeks later, I found the person who did get hired on LinkedIn. We had similar backgrounds and experiences, but the difference was that they had worked at a company I recognized. It hit me hard because I had convinced myself for those six weeks that I just wasn't good enough. But now I realize it wasn't about my qualifications; it was just one line on a CV that made the difference. The job search can really mess with your self-esteem, making you feel like the issue is with you when often it's not. Has anyone else felt this way?

I’m feeling completely overwhelmed and desperate for a new job. Currently, I’m working as a barista at a small chain cafe, and it’s been a struggle. I make only $5 an hour and rely heavily on tips, which barely brings my average pay to around $11 or $12 an hour if I’m lucky. I’ve been at this job since November 2025, and honestly, I can’t take it anymore. The company is terrible. I work over 35 hours a week, yet my paychecks are still small. I’m constantly asked to do more than what’s in my job description, and when I report issues to my manager, nothing gets done. For instance, we’ve had multiple fridges break down for months without repairs. To make matters worse, we’ve been dealing with a serious ant problem since summer started. Instead of addressing it, my manager told us to kill the ants with bleach, which only made things worse. I ended up inhaling a lot of bleach, triggering multiple asthma flare-ups. Recently, the AC in the store broke down, and living in Texas, it was unbearable. The temperature inside reached the high 80s, and it took three weeks for them to fix it after a customer complained. Just last week, the AC broke again, and it got up to 99 degrees inside. My manager refused to let us close the store early, and after an 8-hour shift in that heat, I felt sick and exhausted. I’m 19 and starting college soon, and I need money for classes, but I can't continue working in these conditions. I have some savings, but I’m unsure how long it’ll take to find another job. I haven’t quit yet, but I’m seriously considering it because I don’t think I can handle another shift.

I recently left my job a couple of months ago, and I had two coworkers agree to be my references. However, when I started getting job offers, one of them completely ignored my requests, while the other was very reluctant to even give me his email address. It took him 7 hours to respond, which felt very telling about his enthusiasm for my success. This experience made me realize that if someone isn't excited to support me when I have a potential job offer, I can't trust them as a reference. So, I ended up reaching out to old coworkers from jobs I had up to 7 years ago, and they were more than happy to help me out. I’ve learned to be very selective about who I choose to use as references.

I got laid off from my role in sales and talent acquisition in November 2025 due to company cost-cutting measures. After taking two months off to recover and disconnect, I jumped back into the job market. Initially, I followed the typical route—applying to jobs, tailoring my applications, and facing rejection after rejection. It was disheartening, especially since I have 15 years of experience in sales and talent acquisition, have worked remotely and internationally, and have a bilingual background, yet I couldn't even get a conversation started with potential employers. Realizing that my approach wasn't working, I decided to change my strategy. I began treating my job search like a sales process, focusing on research, referrals, and persistence. Here’s what I did: 1. I compiled a list of job boards and ATS sources to find relevant job postings consistently. 2. I checked this list daily for new opportunities. 3. I created a list of companies I admired and used AI to discover competitors I hadn't considered before. 4. I explored their career pages for roles that fit my profile and checked historical openings to gauge their hiring patterns. 5. I evaluated whether the roles were worth pursuing based on geography, compensation, and experience requirements. 6. I leveraged LinkedIn to see if anyone in my network worked at these companies. 7. If I found a connection, I reached out, even if I had only a loose acquaintance with them. 8. I initiated conversations based on shared experiences or interests before asking for a referral. 9. Once rapport was established, I inquired about their employee referral program, emphasizing the potential benefits for them. 10. I asked if they would be comfortable referring me, ensuring I framed it as a request based on my background rather than a demand. 11. If I lacked direct connections, I sought introductions through my wider network. 12. I also asked friends in sales for help in reaching out to potential contacts using their data enrichment tools. 13. I expanded my outreach methods beyond LinkedIn, utilizing email, phone, and even text to connect with multiple people at once. 14. For companies without referrals, I stepped out of my comfort zone by sending LinkedIn voice messages and quick personalized video introductions, which helped me stand out. This proactive and multifaceted approach led me to secure one full-time job and two fractional roles. It was a challenging journey, but adapting my strategy made all the difference.

I’m feeling really exhausted from my job search. Over the past five months, I've sent out 312 resumes, and it's been incredibly disheartening. Out of those applications, I’ve faced rejection or been ghosted 304 times. I managed to secure 8 interviews, but only progressed to the second round for 2 of them. One of those companies ghosted me, and the other one rejected me. This whole process feels so broken. It’s frustrating that even with a decade of experience, I’m struggling to land a job. The job market seems worse than it was during the 2008/9 crisis, and I honestly can’t see how things will improve. There are so many people looking for work, yet the opportunities feel scarce, and layoffs are happening all around. It’s hard to stay hopeful when the system seems to be failing both entry-level candidates and seasoned professionals alike.

I recently started my job search in Ontario, Canada, as I prepare for college classes starting on September 8. I just got my SIN and have been feeling really anxious since I’ve never had a job before. I began applying for positions two days ago, focusing on part-time work since I’m only available on weekends and Friday afternoons. I visited 10 different company chains, including grocery stores and fast food places, and applied online to about 40 companies through platforms like Indeed and MyWorkDay. My anxiety is through the roof because I have no work experience, and I’m worried about how long it will take for companies to contact me for interviews. I’m curious if it’s typical for hiring managers to process applications over the weekend and how long it usually takes for them to reach out. I know there’s no set timeline, but I’d love to hear about others' experiences. I’m also questioning if I’m being too hasty in my applications, especially since I feel like every passing day adds to my stress about finances with college approaching. Lastly, I’m wondering if sending out 30-40 applications is considered low for part-time retail and fast food jobs. I just want to gain some experience, even if it means starting at minimum wage.

I recently interviewed for a senior-level position at an arts nonprofit earlier this summer, and I need to vent about the experience. They initially advertised a salary range in the six figures, which caught my attention. However, when they made me an offer, they downgraded the position significantly and presented me with a salary that felt downright insulting. I declined the first offer, and they came back with an additional $20,000, but it still fell short of the six-figure mark. For context, my last salary was $157,000, so accepting this offer would feel like a step backward. While the role is fully remote and I've been out of work for a year (which I took for personal reasons), I'm torn about whether to accept this offer or hold out for something better. They didn't provide any real explanation for the downgrade, which adds to my frustration. I'm weighing the pros and cons: should I take this job to get back into the workforce or continue searching for a role that aligns more closely with my experience and salary expectations? It's a tough decision, and I could really use some advice.

After 12 years in various Admin and Sales entry-level roles, I've reached a point where I really want to transition away from customer-facing positions. At 35 years old, I feel desperate to climb the pay ladder and move into more substantial internal roles. My background includes positions like Sales Admin, Customer Service, Account Manager, and Sales Coordinator. While I'm open to taking a customer-facing role if it's a solid internal opportunity, my main goal is to break free from these lower-tier positions. I'm currently seeking guidance on how to pivot my career effectively. I've been exploring options and AI suggestions point towards Coordinator roles, such as Operations Coordinator, or even leaning into Data roles like Business Intelligence Coordinator. I also have some experience with coding and SQL, which I hope to leverage in this transition.

I reached out to the Service Manager regarding a job listing I found online, but he informed me that they aren't hiring at the moment. It's frustrating to see these ghost job listings, and I wonder why they exist in the first place. I suspect this might be a case of outdated postings from a third-party site, as I've heard that these platforms can often have old job listings that mislead job seekers. Some commenters suggested that it might not be a ghost job but rather a simple oversight in a small business. I also received some feedback questioning my decision to text him, which I hadn't considered could be seen as unprofessional.

I’m currently working as an Embedded Software Test Engineer with about 2.5 years of experience, primarily in the automotive sector. My expertise includes HIL/SIL testing for CAN protocols using tools like CANalyzer and CANape, along with OTA update validation and some Python-based test automation. I also have experience with testing Android-based infotainment systems. I’m aiming to transition into a similar role at a Bay Area automotive or AV company by February 2027. The challenge I’m facing is that I’m getting interviews, and the initial recruiter screens and technical discussions seem to go well, yet I’m not receiving any offers. It’s frustrating because my qualifications align with the job requirements on paper, but I feel like I’m missing something during the interview process. I’m reaching out to those in the automotive embedded QA or systems/software test fields for insights. I’d like to know: - What distinguishes a “good” candidate from one that gets hired in these interviews? - Are there specific technical questions or topics that tend to trip candidates up, like coding challenges or protocol knowledge? Where can I practice for these? - From your experience, what are common reasons strong candidates don’t receive offers? Any advice, personal experiences, or surprising moments from your own interviews would be incredibly helpful as I prepare for my next round. Thank you!

I recently graduated about three months ago and have just started taking my CV and job search seriously. I created my first CV on August 29th, so I'm still getting the hang of it. I live in Riyadh, which is known for being an expat hub, and I've heard some pretty alarming stories about the job market here. Some people have applied to hundreds of jobs without even receiving a rejection email, which is quite daunting. I've already received a few rejection emails myself, and oddly enough, I'm somewhat relieved by that because it means I was acknowledged at least! Most of the roles I applied for were senior positions requiring five years of experience, so I understand why I didn't get them. I graduated with a degree in Physics, but I'm also exploring job opportunities outside of my field, including data-related roles and some positions in computer science. My sister suggested that I create two separate CVs: one tailored for Physics-related jobs and another for roles outside that field. Currently, my CV is a mix of both, with about 50% focused on Physics and the other 50% on my other skills. I'm wondering if it's a good idea to have two distinct CVs or if I should just stick with one. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated!

I've been actively job searching for the past six weeks and I've noticed a perplexing pattern in my applications. Despite applying for positions where I meet nearly all the requirements, I've faced mostly instant rejections or silence. These roles are in the same industry, using the same software, and involve the exact type of work I've done before. It's frustrating because I feel like my background aligns perfectly with what they're looking for. On the other hand, I've received interviews for jobs where I only meet about 70% of the qualifications. For instance, one position required experience with a specific system that I’ve never used, and another preferred a certification that I don’t have. I almost didn’t apply for these roles, thinking I wouldn’t stand a chance, but both companies reached out to me for interviews. This has led me to wonder if I’ve been wasting my time trying to be the 'perfect' candidate. Is it possible that hiring managers are more intrigued by candidates who don’t meet every single requirement? Or am I just experiencing a coincidence in a limited sample size? I’m curious to hear if others have had similar experiences.

I’m currently unemployed and feeling quite lost about my next steps. A while back, I left my full-time admin job to take on an Operations Coordinator/HR position, despite being upfront about my lack of experience. I was promised training, but I ended up having to teach myself everything. Unfortunately, I was let go after just five weeks. I received some great advice from others, including the suggestion to start a GoFundMe to help me get back on my feet. I did that, but it hasn’t gained much traction. Now, I’m still job hunting and honestly feeling pretty discouraged. I hold a Social Service Worker diploma and have several years of administrative experience. I’ve been applying for various roles like admin, social services, scheduling, reception, and coordinator positions. I’ve even started looking beyond my usual fields because I just need to find a job. However, I do face a couple of limitations. I no longer have a vehicle, and many community positions require access to one, which cuts down my options significantly. Additionally, I have endometriosis and chronic pain, so I can’t handle physically demanding jobs or those that require being on my feet all day. I’m capable of working, but I need something that is primarily sedentary or light duty. I’m not looking for sympathy or financial help; I’m genuinely seeking ideas. If you had an SSW diploma, administrative experience, and needed a job that wasn’t physically demanding while also lacking access to a vehicle, what job titles would you be considering? I’m open to pivoting away from my previous fields and just need some direction, as applying for the same types of jobs isn’t yielding results.

After applying to over 70 positions and interviewing with more than 25 companies, I finally received an offer! The job search has been a challenging journey, but I'm excited to see my efforts pay off. I learned a lot from each interview and refined my approach along the way. Looking forward to starting this new chapter!

I recently graduated with a degree in Information Systems and have been going through the interview process for an entry-level position. Here's a timeline of my experience so far: - On July 23, I reached out to the hiring manager after seeing a post about the team, and I was encouraged to apply. - I had my first interview with the hiring manager on July 31, which went well, and I was invited to the final interview round shortly after. - The final round consisted of three interviews, and I completed two of them on August 13. - I faced some scheduling issues; I requested an alternate time for one of the interviews on August 6, but it led to confusion. The interview disappeared from the recruiter's calendar, and I had to follow up multiple times. - After some back and forth, I finally got the link to schedule my last interview on August 24, which I completed on August 27. The interviewer said I did a good job, which was encouraging. - I followed up with the recruiter on September 3 to thank her and express my continued interest in the position. Now, I'm just waiting for a decision. I'm feeling a bit anxious about the delays and the lack of communication from the recruiter. Should I be worried about this, or am I just overthinking it?