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I've been on the job hunt for over a year now, and I'm starting to question whether my CV is the reason I'm facing so many rejections. I thought my resume showcased my skills and experience well, but after applying to hundreds of positions and receiving constant rejections, my confidence is really taking a hit. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has insights on whether my CV might be the issue or if there could be other factors at play.

I recently went through the application process for a federal job with the FAA as a 2101 position. Here's a detailed timeline of my journey: - I applied on April 10th for the Direct Hire bid. - I was deemed eligible by April 13th, which was a quick turnaround. - I had my interview on June 9th, and I was quite nervous but prepared. - On July 7th, I received the Tentative Offer Letter (TOL), which was a huge relief. - The next day, on July 8th, I received and submitted the Employment of Disclosure Statement (EODS). - My EODS was approved on July 13th, and I received the Conditional Invitation Letter (CIL) the same day. - I completed my fingerprints on July 14th and took the drug test on July 16th. - I received an invite for the eApplication on August 21st and submitted the SF85P form that same day. - I received and signed the Final Offer Letter (FOL) on September 2nd. - Finally, my start date is set for October 18th. I'm grateful for everyone who has guided me through this process and helped me get my foot in the door. If anyone has questions about my background or the application process, feel free to ask!

I recently declined a job offer for a secretary position at a law firm after being unemployed for 10 months. At 23, I was eager to find work, so I applied and interviewed with another candidate. During the interview, I felt overlooked as they directed most of their questions to the other girl. A couple of days later, I was asked to come in for a typing test to assess my skills. However, the atmosphere felt off; they mentioned that if they shouted at me, I shouldn't take it personally, which really unsettled me. My previous jobs had toxic environments, and I didn't want to step back into that. The offered salary was €630 a month for full-time work, which felt incredibly low, especially given the demanding responsibilities they outlined. I felt sad about rejecting the offer, especially since I didn't want to disappoint my mom by telling her the truth. I've been living off my savings, and while I know I need to keep looking, I just couldn't accept a position that made me uncomfortable.

I recently had my first job interview at a fast food restaurant where I applied about a month ago. As a recent high school graduate who just turned 18, I was both excited and nervous since I’ve never had a job before. The application process was straightforward; I scheduled an interview right after applying, and I kept receiving reminder emails and texts. On the day of the interview, I dressed up nicely and brought a folder with my resume, a letter of recommendation, and my work permit. When I arrived, the place was quite empty, and there was a sign advertising a starting pay of $20/hour. I informed the staff that I had a scheduled interview, and they offered me water while I waited. After about 10 minutes, the manager came over, apologized for forgetting about me, and began the interview. While he was friendly and humorous, I found his approach somewhat unprofessional. He asked about my resume, which highlighted my volunteer work since I didn’t have any previous job experience. He seemed impressed with my letter of recommendation. However, many of his questions veered off-topic, focusing on personal matters like our schools and my college aspirations. He even inquired about my ethnicity and religion, which felt a bit inappropriate, but he was respectful throughout. Towards the end, he mentioned that he would keep my documents and told me to come back before Halloween, implying that I might not need another interview. He did mention that they had recently hired two people but hinted at potential future openings. I’m left feeling confused about whether this is a good sign or not. I plan to return as he suggested, but I’m unsure if I should expect to hear back or if he was just being polite. Any thoughts on my experience would be appreciated!

I was laid off from my Digital Marketing role after six years with the company. My responsibilities had grown over time, and I was in discussions for a promotion, consistently receiving positive feedback until this year. However, I was surprised to get a poor performance rating despite meeting my goals. The expectations felt unreasonable, and I sensed a shift in the company's demands. Things took a turn when I was called into a last-minute one-on-one meeting, where I was informed by HR that my position was being eliminated. This was my first layoff experience, and I'm feeling lost about what to do next. I have about three months of savings and a 401k that I’m not sure how to access. I've been applying for jobs since last year, managing to secure two interviews but no offers. With the job market looking even tougher now, I'm feeling overwhelmed and anxious. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has had success with specific job boards or has any tips for navigating this challenging time.

I graduated in 2021 with a BA in Game Design and Development and Computer Science. I landed a job as a UX designer at TATA Consultancy Services and worked there for three years until I was laid off in December 2024. Since then, it's been a tough journey. My wife and I moved into her parents' house after I struggled to find work throughout 2025, and my unemployment benefits eventually ran out. At the end of 2025, I attended an AI summit where I met a startup founder who has been giving me some part-time work this year, which I'm grateful for, but it's only about 10 hours a week. I also did some AI training for a friend's startup, but they were acquired last month, and while our contracts transferred, there hasn't been any work since. I picked up a weekend job at an arcade in June 2025, but at just 12 hours a week at $16.50 an hour, it barely helps with expenses. Despite these challenges, my wife and I managed to save up and relocate to Dallas in hopes of starting fresh. I'm still juggling my contracts, but I'm also considering doordashing since I can't even land a retail job. I've applied to countless positions, probably thousands at this point, and the most I've gotten is one round of interviews with HR or recruiters that lead nowhere. I know I've had some luck compared to others who have faced complete radio silence, but the job market feels impossible. The requirements keep changing; when I graduated, jobs asked for 1-3 years of experience, and now that I have 3-5 years, most listings ask for 5+ years. I'm reaching out for any advice or suggestions. I want to do whatever it takes to keep our apartment. Also, if anyone has feedback on my portfolio, I'd appreciate it: https://wvars123.myporfolio.com.

I recently found myself in a bit of a dilemma regarding my job search. Earlier this year, I applied for a position at a large manufacturing and distribution company. After an initial phone screening with a recruiter, I was scheduled for a final in-person interview. However, before that interview could take place, I received another job offer that was much closer to home. I promptly informed the recruiter via email that I needed to withdraw from the interview due to accepting the other position, and I made sure to communicate this in a professional manner without no-showing. Fast forward to now, and I'm interested in a different position that has opened up at the same company. I’ve already submitted my application and I'm ready to start immediately. Lately, my job search has been quite discouraging; I've applied to numerous positions, including retail and entry-level roles, but have faced a lot of rejections or no responses at all. Given my urgent need for steady work, I'm contemplating whether I should take a more proactive approach. I still have the email address of the recruiter who initially interviewed me, and I'm considering reaching out to her. My plan is to let her know that I've applied for another position and to inquire if I could be considered for an interview. However, I'm concerned that my previous withdrawal might negatively impact my chances. I'm seeking advice on whether it's appropriate to contact the recruiter directly or if I should simply wait and follow the standard application process.

I got fired last week after 7 months at my job, and it's been a tough adjustment. The role I was in didn't match the job description, but they hired me because of my 8 years of experience at a lower level. Looking back, I realize I could have been more proactive in seeking additional responsibilities, but I also felt like I received very little guidance or instruction on what was expected of me. It's a strange feeling; I really dislike the 8 to 5 grind, yet here I am feeling like a loser while everyone else heads off to work. My savings aren't substantial, so I can't really afford to take a break. I'm hoping to find something soon—I filled out 8 applications on the day I was let go, and I've already had 2 recruiters reach out with leads from 9 different employers. If things don’t pan out, I might have to consider going back to my old job. Here's to hoping for a better opportunity in the next few weeks.

I had an interview today for a part-time position, and I mentioned that I could work from 12 PM to 10:30 PM since I finish school around 11:50 AM. However, I realize now that I might have misrepresented my availability. I was trying to be flexible, but I can see how that could be a red flag for the employer. Some comments I received pointed out that I might have confused them with my hours, and they suggested I clarify my actual availability soon. I’m feeling a bit anxious about how this could affect my chances of getting the job.

I recently applied for a position at a large manufacturing and distribution company where I had previously gone through an initial phone interview. After that screening, I was scheduled for a final in-person interview, but I had to cancel it because I accepted another job that was closer to my home. I made sure to notify the recruiter and didn’t just no-show. Now, months later, I'm interested in a different position that has opened up at the same company and I've applied for it, stating that I am available to start immediately. My job search has been quite discouraging lately; I’ve been applying to various roles, including retail and entry-level positions, but I’ve faced numerous rejections or have not heard back at all. Given my current situation, I’m considering being more proactive. I still have the email of the recruiter who I initially spoke with, and I’m contemplating reaching out to her. I want to inform her that I've applied for another position and ask if I could be considered for an interview. However, I’m worried that my previous withdrawal might have negatively impacted my chances. I’m seeking advice from anyone in HR or recruiting: Should I reach out to the recruiter directly or just wait for the application process to unfold?

I was laid off three months ago and since then, I've been on a relentless job search. I've applied to over 500 jobs in various companies, trying to find the right fit. In addition to job hunting, I took the initiative to build and ship a product on my own, which has been a great learning experience. Despite my efforts, I’m still looking for the right opportunity and wanted to share my journey with others who might be in a similar situation.

I just had a really stressful experience during my job search. About three weeks ago, I applied for a mid-level analyst role and went through three rounds of interviews, feeling pretty confident about my chances. I made sure to check the box that said 'do not contact my current employer' on their application because my team has no idea I'm looking to leave. Today, I walked into the office and my manager called me into a conference room. He closed the door and asked why a third-party screening agency had contacted our desk to verify my tenure and get managerial feedback. I was completely outed before I even received an offer letter! I immediately emailed the recruiter to ask what happened, and she replied that their system triggers verification once a candidate reaches the final stage, which is apparently standard protocol. Now, my boss looks at me like I've betrayed him, and I'm worried I might not get my bonus this quarter. I really regret trusting their application portal. How is this even legal?

I'm in my mid-20s and part of Gen Z, with about 5 years of work experience across various fields. I was raised with the belief that if I focused on my education, learned as much as I could, and mastered English, I'd secure a good job. I have two degrees and several vocational certificates, but now I feel like my education is a disadvantage. It's frustrating to see that the job market is flooded with senior roles requiring 10+ years of experience or entry-level positions that only ask for a high school diploma. I’ve been applying to both types of jobs, but I keep getting rejected. I suspect my qualifications might be working against me, as many employers don't provide feedback. It’s disheartening to think that my passion for learning and diverse background might be viewed as overqualified or misaligned with what they need. I still believe in the value of education and experience, hoping that someday an employer will recognize the unique perspective I bring. I write personalized cover letters, hoping they’ll see the effort I put in, but I worry that they’re not even being read. I know I could save time by using AI to generate applications, but I want to present myself authentically. Am I being too idealistic? Should I consider downplaying some of my qualifications to get noticed? It feels like a double-edged sword, where what was once seen as an advantage now feels like a hindrance. I’m at a loss for what to do next.

I was a hardware engineer at Microsoft for 8 years when I got laid off in July, right after the long weekend. I received the news while I was on vacation, which was a shock. After my layoff, I interviewed with 15 companies and ended up with 5 offers, ultimately choosing one that pays me twice as much as I was making before. Throughout my time at Microsoft, I progressed from an entry-level engineer to a senior engineer, earning 4 promotions and receiving 'exceeds expectations' ratings for 6 consecutive years. However, everything changed when I became a mother. I went on maternity leave in January 2025, and when I returned in July, I found that my yearly performance rating had dropped to 'needs improvement'—a first for me. This rating came as a surprise, especially since my manager had nominated me for a recognition award just before my leave. During the rewards discussion, I was told I hadn’t provided enough documentation for my team before my leave, which felt like an unjust excuse for the low rating. Despite feeling targeted due to my new role as a mother, I chose to stay because I was comfortable in my team and needed flexibility. In hindsight, I’m grateful for the layoff; it pushed me to explore my worth in the job market and reaffirmed my confidence as an engineer. Thank you, Microsoft, for showing me that I deserve better. For anyone else facing layoffs, remember that everything happens for a reason, and something better is often waiting on the other side.

I recently went through the interview process for a position at a multinational corporation and successfully cleared all four rounds. I felt confident after each interview, and the feedback was positive. However, after discussing salary expectations, I haven't heard back from them. It's been a couple of weeks, and I'm starting to feel a bit anxious about the situation. I'm not sure if I should follow up again or just wait it out. Has anyone else experienced this after salary negotiations?

I was laid off at the end of July due to not getting along with my new manager, which was a tough situation to navigate. After that, I jumped straight into the job market and was fortunate enough to land a new position with a £10k pay rise. This new role starts in two weeks, and I signed the contract just last week. I'll be reporting directly to the Finance Director, who has assured me that he will give me the autonomy I desire. However, during the waiting period for my job offer, I connected with another recruiter who presented me with my ideal job: a hybrid role in central London, with only one direct report and direct access to the CFO. This role is very appealing compared to my new job, which is a four-day hybrid position in north London, where I will be managing an outsourced finance team. Now that the CFO is back from paternity leave, my recruiter has asked if I want to proceed with the interview for this ideal position. I said yes, but I’m feeling a lot of guilt about it. What if I do well in the interview and decide to take that job instead? I would hate to let down my new employer, especially since I’ve already signed a contract. I’m really torn because I value having fewer layers in the organization for more control and decision-making ability, as well as a good relationship with my manager. I’m seeking advice on what to do in this situation.

I recently applied for a position at a different company within the same parent corporation where I currently work. I was considering reaching out to the recruiter via Slack since we're in the same workspace. I'm unsure if messaging them would actually help my application. I’ve seen some advice suggesting that a brief message could be beneficial, so I’m thinking of saying something like, "Hey, I applied for [role] and noticed you’re recruiting for it. Happy to send anything else that would be useful." I want to keep it casual and not too pushy, but I also want to make sure my application gets noticed. Any thoughts on whether this is a good approach?

I've been unemployed since June of last year, and it's been a tough journey. I've sent out 1,793 applications and had only twelve interviews, which is disheartening. The last four months have been especially rough; I've received zero interviews and my hope is dwindling. I even had to sell my car just to cover basic food costs. Last year, I only made $3,300 because I was in a job for just two months before the company unexpectedly disappeared and my bosses left the country. Before that, I was self-employed, but my previous job went under due to illegal fishing practices. I know I have skills that exceed the requirements of the positions I'm applying for, yet I can't seem to get any traction. At this point, I would even consider working remotely for a call center at $10 an hour, but I can't find anything. It's frustrating to feel so qualified yet overlooked, and I'm at a loss for what to do next.

I recently found myself in a bit of a tricky situation regarding job interviews. About a month ago, I interviewed for a position but didn't hear back, so I assumed I was out of the running. Then, I discovered a job that seemed perfect for my background and would offer me a salary higher than I've ever earned. Just days after I applied for this ideal role, I received an offer from the job I thought had ghosted me. Although I wasn't particularly excited about that offer, I decided to move forward with it. Before starting my new role, I received an email from HR asking for a screening interview. I explained that I had just started a new job but was eager to talk, and they agreed to a call after my work hours. I ended up doing the screening call in my car, which was a bit unconventional since it was a video call, but it seemed to go well. They didn't seem to mind my setting, and they quickly offered me a second interview, really trying to sell me on the company, which wasn't necessary since I was already very interested. Now, I have a second interview scheduled this week during my lunch break, but I'm unsure if I should also do this one in my car. My commute is an hour, so going home isn't an option. I want to make a good impression, but I’m concerned about the environment. I thought about using filters to enhance my appearance on camera, but they all seem to cut off my hair, which isn't ideal. I’m weighing my options and considering whether I should find a quiet place to park or stick with my car for this next interview.

I’ve been feeling really anxious about my job lately. I’ve been with the company for 8 years in a Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) role, and I can't shake the feeling that I might be next to be laid off. They’ve canceled my 1-on-1 meetings twice in a row, and I noticed that our postpaid phone plans have been terminated. The focus of our work has shifted more towards R&D and automation, but there hasn’t been any new projects coming in. This has me worried, especially since two of my teammates have already been let go. I trust my managers and they say I’m doing a good job, but I don’t have the same confidence in the leadership. I’m starting to feel the weight of this uncertainty; I haven’t slept or eaten properly in weeks. I’ve formed close relationships with my managers and coworkers, and the thought of losing that is really hard to bear. I might even have to cancel a trip I had planned abroad next month. To prepare for the worst, I’ve polished my resume and started applying to other companies. I also booked my first therapy session to help cope with the stress. If I’m still here by the end of September, it will feel like a miracle, but right now, everything seems so bleak. I’ll keep updating on my situation.