Applied to a Job

Today, I reflected on my job search journey after graduating high school. I've been tirelessly applying for minimum wage positions across various franchises in my city. In the past month, I've submitted over 300 applications, but I've only managed to secure four interviews, all of which ended in silence—no follow-up, no rejection emails, just complete ghosting. What’s been weighing heavily on me is how to explain this situation to my immigrant parents. They don’t seem to understand the challenges I’m facing in today’s job market. They keep insisting that I apply in person, but when I do, I often encounter dismissive attitudes, like when I saw my application tossed aside right in front of me. It’s frustrating because they don’t show any sympathy or understanding of how tough it is right now. I wish I could communicate to them that the job landscape has changed drastically since they were looking for work. I’m considering asking their friends for support, hoping that hearing it from someone with more experience might help them grasp the reality of my situation.

I applied for a service advisor position at an independent auto repair shop on April 27. Yesterday at 6 PM, I received a message on Indeed from the owner inviting me for an interview. Since it was after business hours, I decided to wait until this morning to call back. Unfortunately, when I did, he was busy, so I left my name and number. Two hours later, he called to inform me that they had already hired someone that morning. I can't believe how quickly this happened. I've been unemployed for a year and a half, and this is just another example of the frustrating job search process I've been experiencing. I've either received no responses, been ghosted, or faced situations like this. It's really disheartening, and I'm starting to feel like giving up.

I recently had an interesting experience while applying for a job that I really wanted. Instead of following the usual route and submitting my application online, I decided to take a more proactive approach and introduced myself directly to the hiring manager. I thought this would demonstrate my initiative and seriousness about the position, and I wanted to put a face to my CV. When I met her, she was polite and we ended up chatting for about 20 minutes. However, during our conversation, she made a point to mention how people often come in or call to showcase their experience, which she finds unfair. It became clear that she was referring to my situation, and I felt a bit embarrassed standing there, nodding along as she described exactly what I had just done. Now, I'm left wondering how to salvage this awkward situation. Should I just apply normally and hope she remembers the conversation but not the awkwardness? I’ve read that sometimes these moments stick in an employer's mind for the wrong reasons, but maybe she appreciated that I took the feedback without getting defensive. I’m considering applying online as most employers seem to prefer that method these days. Any advice on how to move forward?

I was laid off three weeks ago from my full-time job where I worked for 3.5 years, and now I'm struggling to find a part-time position before I go back to school in September. My parents are pressuring me, saying I'm not working hard enough, but I'm sending out tons of applications every day, even for jobs I'm overqualified for, just to appease them. They don't seem to understand how tough the job market is right now and think I'm being lazy when I explain that the application process has changed. I've tried going in person to hand out resumes, but I've been turned away and told to apply online instead. It's frustrating because I haven't asked them for any financial help since my bills are covered, and I feel like I'm doing everything I can to find work. I'm at a loss for how to prove to them that I'm actively trying to find a job. Has anyone else experienced this kind of pressure from family while job hunting?

I've been job searching for corporate operations and investor relations roles for a while now, and I recently noticed a strategy that has really helped me get more traction. After weeks of applying through job portals with mostly silence, I started reaching out directly to the person who posted the job or a relevant contact at the company on LinkedIn. I would send a short message expressing my genuine interest in the role, including a specific line about why it caught my attention. While not every message got a response, the ones that did led to much quicker interactions compared to my portal applications. It seems obvious now, but I realize I hadn't been doing this consistently before. I'm curious if anyone else has had similar experiences or if I'm just getting lucky.

I recently graduated with a BA in Psychology and I'm feeling really stuck in my job search. I'm 29 years old and despite having around 7 years of retail experience, finding a job in my field or even a minimum wage position has been incredibly challenging. Since February, I've applied to over 700 jobs—about 250 in professional settings and 450 minimum wage roles—but I've only landed one interview. I've tried applying to a wide range of positions including at the post office, retail stores, dishwashing jobs, grocery stores, and even Americorps, but I keep getting rejected without even getting an interview. I've put a lot of effort into improving my applications by revising my resume, writing tailored cover letters, and even going in person to hand out printed resumes. I’ve also reached out to the local employment office and temp agencies for help, but nothing seems to work. Living in a moderately rural area with a low population has made it even harder, so I've expanded my search radius to about 45 miles from my city. I'm really close to being homeless and I don't have any connections that could help me secure a position. I'm feeling overwhelmed and frustrated because it seems like I've done everything I can, yet it's still so difficult to find a job. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I'm currently 24 years old and have been working at my company for the past three years. During this time, I've gained a lot of skills and experience, but I feel like I've reached a point where I need to challenge myself further. I've started applying to various job openings in San Diego, as I believe that growth comes from stepping out of my comfort zone. I'm seeking constructive criticism on my resume and would appreciate any feedback, personal experiences, or advice from others who have been in a similar situation.

I recently went through an unexpected experience while interviewing for a position in the Aerospace/Defense industry. After almost 30 years in my field, I decided to explore new job opportunities and was pleasantly surprised by the quick response from a potential employer. The first interview focused on my technical knowledge and went really well, leading to a second interview with a VP that also seemed promising. They expressed that I would be a great fit for their organization and that my expertise was highly valued. However, after a week of silence following the interviews, I received an email inviting me to the next round. To my shock, it included a four-page homework assignment asking me to create a detailed two-year business plan for one of their product lines. The requirements were extensive, including a PowerPoint presentation aimed at a leadership audience and an Excel document with all my assumptions and market data. The level of detail they expected was overwhelming. They wanted me to outline how I would manage assets, prioritize tasks, and even project gross margins for different market sectors. It felt like they were asking me to do the work of a consultant without any compensation. I’ve managed programs with significantly higher revenue than their entire projected earnings for the year and have never encountered such an unreasonable request in my career. Ultimately, I decided to withdraw from the candidate pool and sent them a professional email to that effect. It was a disappointing turn of events, but I believe in valuing my time and expertise.

I recently received an unexpected email about a job opportunity that seemed promising, and I was genuinely excited to be scouted for a well-paying position. However, I felt the need to be completely transparent with the recruiter about my situation, particularly my lack of solid references due to having worked in five different roles. I also mentioned my struggles with mental health and a learning disability, but I reassured them that I'm actively working on improving my work ethic every day. After sending this information to the recruiter, I started to worry if I had made a mistake by being so open. Did I just jeopardize my chances at this opportunity?

I'm feeling really discouraged in my job search. I graduated high school recently and was hoping to find a summer job to save up for college starting in August. I started applying in late May, but I've had no luck so far. I applied to Target and got rejected, Domino's hasn't responded, and Family Fare Market informed me that they aren't considering my application anymore. I really need some serious advice on how to land a summer or seasonal job. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

I recently completed four rounds of interviews for a position, including a call with the director. I felt really good about each interview, and the process seemed to move quickly. Three days after my call with the director, I received an email from the recruiter saying they are finalizing feedback and will update me as soon as they have news. My application status still shows as 'in review' on the company's careers page. I'm wondering if this is a good sign or if I should be concerned. Would they have rejected me already if I wasn't being considered? I'm feeling a bit uncertain but hopeful.

I’ve been on the job hunt for the past year and it feels like I can’t catch a break. I’m 19 and still in college, living with my parents, and they’ve made it clear that if I don’t land a job by the end of the month, I’ll have to figure things out on my own, including college. I’ve applied to countless jobs, including six just last week, but all I’ve gotten is one phone interview a few months back, which didn’t lead anywhere, and a rejection email stating they didn’t ‘like’ my application. I used to work nights for $17.50 an hour and had some standards, but now I’ve lowered my expectations and am applying for anything, even minimum wage positions. I’m so desperate that I even tried to get a job at a fast food place where my little brother works. I even walked into a McDonald's and asked the manager if they were hiring, but he just looked me up and down and said no, which was really disheartening. I think my last job is affecting my chances. I quit after six months due to a toxic environment where I faced constant disrespect and drama. My managers were rude and even called me ‘incompetent’ multiple times. They cut my hours drastically without explanation, and after a rumor spread about me, I felt I had no choice but to leave. I filed an HR complaint, but now I’m worried that my past job is haunting my applications. I really need advice on how to move forward and ensure my previous experience isn’t holding me back.

I’m a rising senior in high school and have been on the job hunt for the past two months. I’ve applied to at least 30 different positions, but I haven’t heard back from any of them—not even a rejection. It’s been really disheartening to be ghosted like this. I knew finding a job would be tough since I’ve never had one before, but I didn’t expect it to be this challenging. It seems like the job market is really competitive right now, with adults with more experience applying for the same minimum wage part-time jobs I’m looking for. I’ve been told that many employers prefer not to hire high schoolers because they have to train us not just for the job, but also on how to navigate the workplace. I’m trying to stay positive and keep looking, but it’s hard not to feel discouraged.

I've been focusing on my job search lately, even though I'm currently employed. I've taken a few days off to really dedicate time to applying, but I'm finding it quite challenging. It usually takes me about a day to apply for at least three jobs because I feel like I'm being picky this time around. The application processes seem to be lengthy, and I spend a lot of time manually typing out (or copying and pasting) my resume for each application, which feels like a huge time sink. I don't really trust LinkedIn for applications, but I do use it to navigate to the actual company websites to apply. I’m curious how others manage to apply to 500+ jobs — it seems like a daunting task for me!

I was recently asked to schedule a 30-minute call with the company president after completing a phone screen and my first interview for a position I applied for. This feels like a positive sign in the hiring process, and I'm eager to discuss my potential role further. I'm preparing questions and reviewing my notes to make the most of this opportunity.

I recently moved across the country and had to leave my job behind. I thought finding a new position would be straightforward, but I've been struggling for the past month and a half. I'm 21, eager to work, and have restaurant management experience, yet I've applied to over 100 jobs without much luck. I even applied to McDonald's, where I used to be a manager, but they didn't even interview me. The only interview I got was with Chipotle, but when I arrived early, the hiring manager was sick, and they weren't actually hiring. I'm worried about my financial situation since my rent is high, and I don't want to end up homeless. I've applied to various fast food places, warehouses, and even the post office, but nothing seems to be working out. It's disheartening, especially when companies like Amazon, known for their high turnover, aren't hiring in my area either. I'm feeling really stuck and unsure of what to do next.

I'm currently on the job hunt and facing some challenges. I'm unemployed and finding it tough to secure job applications in my country, especially without any connections. I'm reaching out to see if anyone knows of any vacancies where I could contribute. I have skills in programming web systems, apps, and even simple video games. Additionally, I have experience in website security and identifying vulnerabilities. My last major project involved creating a system that scraped information from various sites, where I managed to gather 50,000 verified data points over a month. I'm open to any job opportunities as I need to support my 10 dogs. If anyone has leads or suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it!

I got the job at Chick-fil-A today as a back-of-house team member! I applied and was surprised when the manager hired me on the spot. I thought my interview skills were just okay, but I'm really happy after months of job searching. I can finally delete Indeed and hopefully it will stay uninstalled for a while! For context, I'm 19 and this is my second job ever.

I’m feeling really overwhelmed right now. I've been applying for every job related to my Communications degree in my area, but I keep getting ghosted or rejected. I even had a shot at my dream job; I went all out, writing an 11-page document on why I should be hired, designed a mascot for them, and received great feedback from my references. They even complimented my talent after the interview, but I still got rejected. Currently, I'm broke and in debt. My existing job doesn't pay enough for rent and gas, and the work environment is terrible. I feel like I'm not treated as a human being, which is especially hard for me since I have an invisible disability that isn't respected. I can't keep going like this. I've done everything I can think of—resume reviews, applying both online and in person, and following up after interviews. I even tried to stay calm during an uncomfortable situation with an older man during an interview. I'm at a loss and really need advice on how to find a job. I'm specifically looking for social media or marketing positions. I graduated with honors, have six academic awards, and have experience as a writer and production designer on a small TV show. My work has received positive feedback from actors and my professor. If anyone has suggestions or advice, I would greatly appreciate it.

I’ve submitted 460 resumes and still haven’t had any luck finding a new job. Currently, I work at Lowes as a Sales Specialist, where I consistently exceed my sales goals by over 200%. I hold a B.A. in Sports Management and have substantial experience in B2B sales, typically dealing with average tickets ranging from $15k to $40k. I’m aiming to transition into the SaaS industry and am seeking advice on potential companies to target or roles that might be a good fit. Ideally, I’m looking for positions like Account Executive, Account Manager, or Strategic Account Manager, with a salary of at least $70K, including performance-based compensation like bonuses or commissions. However, many of the roles I’m interested in seem to be too lucrative, leading me to suspect they’re just ways for companies to build databases of potential candidates. I’m starting to wonder if my resume is the issue since it doesn’t showcase any SaaS experience. I’m open to starting in an entry-level role, even if it means a pay cut, as I want to build my skills and progress in my career. I’m willing to relocate for the right opportunity; I just need a chance to demonstrate my work ethic and grow. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!