Applied to a Job

I feel so defeated right now. After nearly 30 years at a Fortune 500 company, I've spent the last year sending out 100 job applications, but I haven't had much luck. My role was quite specialized, and I struggle to generalize my resume to make it more appealing to potential employers. It feels like I've hit a wall and I'm not sure how to move forward.

I recently applied for a job through Indeed and was pleasantly surprised to receive an immediate request for an in-person interview. I scheduled my interview, but when I reached out to the organization to confirm the details, I couldn't get through to them by phone. To gather more information, I checked their Instagram and discovered a flyer announcing a hiring event scheduled for the exact same day and time as my interview. Now, I'm left wondering if my scheduled interview will actually be a one-on-one conversation or if it will turn into a seminar-style event where I just receive information about the organization. I'm concerned about whether this is worth my time, especially since I'll be driving quite a distance to attend. I've heard from others that hiring events often include interviews, so I'm hoping that my situation might be similar. I plan to let someone know about my scheduled interview as soon as I arrive, just in case. I'm eager to see how this unfolds.

I’m currently navigating the challenges of unemployment in Pennsylvania and trying to make ends meet with the benefits I’m receiving. Unfortunately, it’s barely enough to cover my expenses. I’ve been actively applying for jobs, but given the current job market, progress has been slow. I’m looking for ways to supplement my income while staying within the guidelines of my unemployment benefits. I understand that I need to report any earnings, but I’m unsure about how this applies to informal jobs, like helping a neighbor by walking their dog or watching their house. I want to do the right thing and not cheat the system, but I really need some extra cash to get by.

I recently went through an exhausting job application process for a mid-level marketing role at a company that initially seemed promising. After four rounds of interviews, including a recruiter screening and two interviews with the hiring manager and team, I felt confident about my chances. They praised my background and said I was a perfect fit. Then came the kicker: I was asked to complete a 'brief practical assignment' which turned out to be a full marketing strategy plan for one of their upcoming campaigns. I dedicated an entire weekend—about ten hours—crafting this detailed plan, and during my fourth interview, the director even smiled and complimented my work as outstanding. However, today I received a generic rejection email stating they had decided to move forward with other candidates. No feedback, no personal touch, just a cold template. It feels incredibly disheartening, especially considering the effort I put in. I can’t help but wonder if they even had a real opening or if they just wanted my ideas for free. This whole experience has left me feeling frustrated and questioning the integrity of the job market. Has anyone else faced something similar? It really feels like a scam.

Today, I have an interview for a janitor position that pays $12/hr, and I'm bringing a cover letter because I'm genuinely desperate for the job. I just need to vent a bit about my frustrations with the job market. I've been searching for a job for MONTHS and it's been incredibly stressful. Currently, I have a serving job that pays well, but the hours are unstable, and I just need a little extra income each month to get by. My only requirement is to be done by 5 PM so I can make it to my other job. I'm open to any job, no matter the pay or hours. I've applied to hundreds of positions, from fast food places like Whataburger and McDonald's to roles like cafeteria lady, factory worker, and even receptionist. I've followed up on applications, gone through interviews, and been ghosted or rejected more times than I can count. I've lost track of how many interviews I've done, and I've even had trial shifts where I thought I was in the clear, only to be left hanging by the hiring manager. I even got hired for a direct marketing job that turned out to be a scam, wasting several hours of my time. My experience is mainly in food service and call centers, so I know I'm not overqualified. It used to be that once I got an interview, I was confident I would get the job. But now, with bills piling up, it feels like no one wants to hire me. I've been using the same resume format and interview outfit that worked in the past, but nothing seems to be clicking anymore. I'm just at my wit's end, wondering what I need to do to finally land a job.

I am currently facing a tough job market as a recent B.E. Information Technology graduate from 2026, desperately searching for a Software Engineering role. Despite dedicating months to honing my skills, including achieving a **LeetCode Guardian** status with over 2350 rating, becoming a **Codeforces Expert**, and earning a **CodeChef 6★**, I've struggled to land interviews. I've tackled over 1300 DSA problems and learned technologies like **JavaScript, React.js, Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB, SQL, Git, REST APIs, and C++**, building full-stack MERN projects to enhance my profile. However, my applications through various channels—company career pages, LinkedIn, job portals, referrals—often go unanswered or end in rejection. I'm not looking for a handout; I just want a fair chance to prove myself in an interview. Therefore, I’m offering my first two months' salary to anyone who can refer me to a Software Engineering position. If you can help or know someone who can, please DM me for my resume and profiles. Even a share or upvote would be appreciated. Thank you!

I’ve been on the job hunt for a while now and have applied to numerous positions, including dishwasher, janitor, housekeeper, receptionist, call center agent, delivery driver, warehouse worker, retail worker, fast food worker, waiter, busser, host, but unfortunately, I’ve been turned down by all of them. I’m really not picky and just need to start earning some money, even if it’s a small amount. I have very little experience, which I know is a significant hurdle for me. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has suggestions for jobs that are more likely to hire someone like me. I’m open to any ideas, even if they’re outside the typical roles I’ve been applying for.

I recently applied for a position at Five Below, but I encountered an issue during the application process. After submitting my application, I noticed that the system indicated I could only submit one application for that role. I'm unsure if this is a standard practice for their hiring process or if I should take any further steps. Has anyone else experienced this situation? Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated!

I recently faced a tough situation with my spouse, who was laid off from a solid job about six weeks ago. Since then, he has applied to over 100 positions and managed to secure around 20 interviews, which I think is pretty impressive given the current job market. However, he just received an offer that isn't great at all. It comes with a 30% pay cut, and to make matters worse, there’s no health insurance or 401k benefits included. The commute is also a hassle, taking 35 minutes each way, and they only offer one week of PTO. While we can manage some of these downsides, the lack of PTO is particularly concerning. We still have about eight weeks of severance left, and typically, he would take this job while continuing to search for something better. But the reality is, if he takes this position, how will he find time to interview for other roles? It’s a really difficult decision to make.

I recently started applying for internal promotions from my Sales Rep position to Sales Manager within my company. I’ve been in my sales role for over a year and have been performing really well, which is why my boss encouraged me to pursue this opportunity. However, I have a concern regarding my educational background. I never graduated from college, missing out on about 16 credits. When I first interviewed for my current role, I was upfront about not finishing my degree, but my recruiter didn’t seem to care and moved me forward. During the process, another recruiter assumed I had graduated, and I went along with it because I was eager to get the job. Now, I’m worried about the possibility of my education being verified for this promotion. My company’s HRIS lists me as having a Bachelor’s degree, which I know I can remove, but doing so might draw attention to my credentials. I’m in sales, so I doubt my degree is as critical as in technical fields, but I’m anxious about whether they will verify my education this time around. I really don’t want to jeopardize my job or promotion opportunity due to this situation.

I recently found myself in a tough spot regarding my career choices. I have a large throat tattoo featuring three animal skulls, which makes it very visible. I initially aimed for a career in administration and have been applying for various entry-level positions, including call centers, thinking they might be more accepting of my tattoo. However, I have very little experience or qualifications, and I've faced constant rejections. I'm starting to wonder if my tattoo is impacting my chances of getting hired in administration. I'm seeking advice on whether I should continue pursuing this path or look into other career options that might be more suitable given my appearance. Any suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated as I'm feeling quite defeated.

I was laid off in January 2025 and managed to secure a contract position in July, but that ended in December. After that, I worked in retail until May of this year, when my hours were cut and I was laid off again. Now I'm back to being unemployed. This time, I've decided to broaden my job search beyond my home state, and I'm finally starting to get responses! I know that relocating might be necessary, so I plan to use my unemployment benefits to cover an Airbnb if needed. Thankfully, I have a small savings to help out as well. I wanted to share my experience to encourage anyone who might be feeling hopeless in their job search. Sometimes, all it takes is to expand your horizons. It's uncomfortable for me to look outside my state, but the thought of being homeless is even more daunting. Plus, I've always wanted to explore different parts of the country, so I'm viewing this as an opportunity. At 26, I feel like now is the perfect time to take this leap. Wishing everyone the best of luck in their job searches!

I recently graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering, and I'm feeling really lost. It's been tough because all my classmates have secured jobs, and I'm the only one left without an offer. Since May 8, 2026, I've applied to over 300 positions and only managed to land about 5 interviews, but none of them turned into job offers. I can't help but feel like a failure. To make matters worse, I never really wanted to pursue engineering; I chose it for the financial security it supposedly offers, but now I feel trapped in a field I despise. The pressure from my Indian family and friends is overwhelming, as they express disappointment in my situation. I'm dealing with a mix of career pivot anxiety and unemployment anxiety, and it's all becoming too much. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has experienced something similar or has any advice on how to navigate this challenging time.

I recently graduated high school in May 2026 and have been actively applying for jobs in Bakersfield, California since then. Despite my efforts, I haven't had much luck landing a position yet. With August here, I'm wondering if it's a good time to continue applying or if I should wait until September when more positions might open up as people leave for school. I've mostly focused on entry-level roles in retail and food service, and while I've had a few interviews, none have resulted in a job offer. I'm looking for advice from anyone familiar with the hiring landscape in Bakersfield or who has been in a similar situation. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I'm feeling really frustrated with the job market as a recent graduate. I've put in a ton of effort to prepare myself for this moment. Over the past few years, I've become quite skilled in competitive programming, achieving over 2350+ on LeetCode, becoming a Codeforces Expert, and earning a 6★ on CodeChef. I've also tackled over 1300 data structures and algorithms problems and learned a variety of technologies including JavaScript, React, Node.js, Express, MongoDB, SQL, Git, and C++. I've even built full-stack projects to showcase my abilities. Despite all this preparation, the hardest part has been actually landing interviews. I've spent months applying through various channels like company portals, LinkedIn, job boards, and even leveraging referrals, but most of my applications go unanswered. A few that do get a response often end in rejection before I even get a chance to speak with anyone. I’m not expecting companies to hire me solely based on my coding skills; I just find it disheartening that all my hard work hasn’t translated into any interview opportunities. I’m really curious to hear from hiring managers and other recent graduates about what they think has changed in the hiring landscape. Has competitive programming lost its appeal for freshers? Do projects, internships, and referrals hold more weight now? Or is the job market just so saturated that even qualified candidates are getting overlooked? It feels like something is genuinely broken in this job market.

I’m feeling really stuck in my job search and could use some guidance on what positions I should realistically be looking for given my background and current situation. I’m a single mother in my early 30s raising two-year-old twins on my own in South Carolina. My partner passed away last year, so I don’t have anyone to help with childcare or emergencies, which makes my need for a stable job even more pressing. Currently, my children receive a childcare scholarship that will end in October, and since the state has paused new applications, I’m anxious to find stable employment before I potentially lose affordable childcare. Ideally, I’m looking for a remote job, but I’m also open to hybrid or quiet office positions as long as the schedule is predictable and the pay is sufficient to cover childcare costs. I can’t accept jobs with unpredictable shifts or strict attendance policies that penalize me for my kids being sick. I have a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and an associate degree in General Studies. My work experience includes high-volume data entry, billing, HR assistance, customer service, and handling confidential information. I’ve worked on tasks like reviewing records, correcting discrepancies, and maintaining audit-ready documentation. I also have certifications in background screening, compliance, cybersecurity, and data analytics, among others. I’m looking for structured work with clear procedures, a predictable Monday to Friday schedule, and minimal direct interaction with the public. I’ve applied for various roles in compliance, HR support, data entry, and healthcare administration, but I keep facing automated rejections or positions that require more experience than I have. I’m not expecting an easy job just because of my situation; I’m willing to learn and prove myself. I just want something sustainable that won’t jeopardize my job when my kids need me. I’d really appreciate any advice on less-obvious job titles, industries, or organizations that might be a good fit for me.

I have been job searching for the past six months, submitting around 230 applications, and I feel completely defeated. Despite having a few positions under consideration, none have materialized into offers yet. I've been actively networking at events, trying to make connections, but it feels like nothing is working out. My parents are disappointed in my progress, and I can’t help but feel the pressure. I spend my days applying for jobs without any breaks, and it’s consuming my thoughts, even invading my dreams. I’m at a loss for what to do next and just want this struggle to end. I really hope someone will give me a chance soon.

Applied at KPMG for Unknown

I was recently laid off from my job and received a small severance package. It's been three months since I started applying for new positions, but I haven't had any luck landing a job yet. My partner is also not working, so we are currently taking care of our two toddlers. I'm trying to figure out when I should start applying for benefits for our family of four and what types of benefits are available to us here in Scotland, UK.

I was fired twice within a year, and I'm starting to question if leaving a toxic job was worth the ongoing insecurity. My first job was with a local city government in a healthcare IT role. Overall, it went fine, with only a couple of minor errors that were easily corrected. However, I was feeling uneasy about the budget discussions happening two months before I was supposed to become a permanent employee. I started applying for new jobs, and just three days before my permanent status, I was let go. They claimed I didn’t work hard enough, and I left with my head held high, even though they didn’t bother to escort me out properly. After that, I thought I could start fresh with a new job. The first month went well, and my first employee evaluation showed no issues. But in the second month, my boss became frustrated with me for asking questions about my tasks, and then also for not asking enough questions. I tried to communicate my discomfort with some of the processes, and despite my efforts to address a production issue I caused, I was still blamed for it. I had a compliance ticket related to SOX that I was dinged for because the process had changed midway, but the auditor was understanding. Things took a turn when I had jury duty. I provided my boss with the court-ordered letter and went to fulfill my civic duty. I received frantic messages from my boss about a schedule, which I didn’t have since I was at jury duty. Fast forward to last Tuesday, and I was fired again. I used to be confident in my career path in IT, having worked as a contractor and a system admin for years. However, it seems like every job I take is poorly managed. I miss the days when proactive management was the norm and when people were trained and appreciated for their hard work. Now, it feels like there are too many in IT who lack the passion and understanding needed for the field. I’ve never had formal certifications or a four-year degree, but I have a wealth of experience. Unfortunately, I often feel overshadowed by those who do have degrees. I’ve decided to take some time off to focus on getting certified and to finally have the credentials to match my experience.