Applied to a Job

I recently came across a job posting for a retail position at a store I’ve been eager to work at. They specifically requested that resumes be sent via email. The catch is that the store is open on Saturdays, and I’m unsure if the hiring manager would be in the office to see my application. I know that ideally, I should wait until Monday to apply, but I’m concerned that if I wait, the position might get filled or they might stop accepting applications altogether. I’m debating whether to send my resume today or hold off until the start of the week. I’ve received advice from others suggesting that it’s perfectly fine to send an email at any time, even on a weekend, since it’s not a phone call. They mentioned that I could schedule my email to go out at 8 AM on Monday if I wanted to play it safe. I’m leaning towards sending it now to avoid missing out.

I’ve been struggling to find a job for a long time now, and I’m feeling really lost. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for several years, which has left me without any references to use for my job applications. I recently tried to update my resume and, I admit, I lied about the dates of my previous jobs to fill the gap, but the jobs themselves were real. I’ve been applying and finally got a couple of interviews, but I keep hitting a wall when it comes to providing references. I don’t have close connections anymore since I moved away from most of my friends and family, and I’m feeling really desperate. I’ve been crying all morning because I just want to work again and I know I’m a hard worker. I don’t want to put my stay-at-home status on my resume because I’ve tried that for over a year and it didn’t lead to anything. I’m just looking for advice on how to get past this reference issue. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I'm currently in the process of applying for state government jobs, specifically for a Sales and Marketing Specialist role and a License Permit Program Associate position. However, I'm facing a dilemma regarding my resume. I've had two previous government jobs from which I was let go. I lost both positions due to challenges I faced after starting a new medication for ADD, which affected my focus and made me more irritable, leading to mistakes at work. Right now, I'm working as a Sales Associate/Optician at Target Optical since November 2023, where I've been successful in my role. However, I'm looking for a job with a more consistent schedule, better pay, and benefits. The issue is that if I omit my previous jobs as a Deputy Clerk at a Municipal Village (September 2021 - January 2022) and as a Customer Service Representative at my State’s Department of Transportation (March 2022 - July 2022), I will have a two-year gap in my employment history. I'm unsure how to handle this situation on my resume.

I recently found myself feeling lost in my job search after taking a break to raise my kids. My experience feels outdated, and I'm struggling to find a part-time job close to home since my husband travels frequently. I applied to McDonald's, but the application process was disheartening. Instead of submitting a resume, I had to complete a 30-minute AI questionnaire that felt more like a personality test than a job application. I never got to showcase my management experience or skills. I also tried applying to TJ Maxx, where I used to manage, but it seems they have also shifted to an AI-driven process. I’m open to both part-time and full-time opportunities, but the reliance on AI in hiring has really dampened my hope. I just want to find a job where I can contribute and feel valued.

I've experienced several layoffs throughout my career, and I thought it might be helpful to share my journey: 1. My first job was at a fast food restaurant during high school, where I worked my way up to manager over 9 years. I dedicated myself to the job, often putting in 60 hours a week. Eventually, the franchise owners sold the store back to the company, and I was laid off. They paid me until the end of the week and kept my insurance until the end of the month. While I was a bit disappointed with the lack of recognition for my hard work, I was also relieved to have some time off. 2. After that, I decided to pursue a career in IT. I landed an entry-level position at a large retailer, but it was a cheap company. After 4 years, they were acquired, and on the day of the layoffs, we were all taken to a hotel and informed we were let go. I received a week’s pay for every year I worked there, which was a small consolation. 3. I didn’t apply for unemployment and instead started hunting for jobs, but only found temporary work. I worked for a company for six weeks, but once the regular employees returned from vacation, I was let go. I went on another interview for a position that had no advancement opportunities, and I was relieved when I didn’t get that job. 4. Eventually, a temp agency sent me to interview with an oil company. I was thrilled when I got the job, which was the best I had at that point. However, after almost 7 years, they decided to change their accounting software and laid off many employees, including me. I was surprised when I received the call from the director's office. I had thought I was safe, but the company ended up getting bought out twice afterward. 5. After meeting someone in a different state, I moved and found a new job after a couple of months. It wasn’t the highest-paying job, but I worked three 12-hour shifts, giving me plenty of time off. When my manager discovered I was looking for other jobs, I received a 21% raise. Unfortunately, after almost 7 years, the company merged, and my position was eliminated. I stayed until the end to receive a retention bonus and got 1.5 weeks of pay for every year I worked. 6. It took a couple of months to find my next job, but it turned out to be the right fit. I was still receiving severance when I started, and I ended up working there for 22 years before retiring two years ago. I survived a major layoff in 2008 but managed to advance afterward. I had great managers and felt my work was valued. The last decade of my career really set me up for retirement. Looking back, I realize that even though layoffs can be tough, I was fortunate to have some savings to help me through the rough patches.

I'm currently navigating a chaotic job situation after owning my own business in Central Florida for 13 years. My operation was thriving until late 2024-2025 when I got shorted $400k by two contractors—one went bankrupt and the other essentially robbed me. This led to a drastic downsizing from 25 employees to just myself and one other person, and I'm now facing foreclosure on my home. The last 18 months have been incredibly tough, and I've exhausted all my savings and retirement funds trying to recover. I'll be turning 41 soon, which adds to the stress. I started applying for jobs about six weeks ago and quickly realized how dire the job market has become. Although I've received offers, the wages are shockingly low. However, I finally got an acceptable offer for a project management position at $120k with a schedule of 26 weeks on and 26 weeks off, starting on October 5th. In the meantime, a contractor I used to work with reached out and offered me a project that also starts on October 5th, which will pay around $40k for a two-week turnaround. Another contractor accepted my bid for a project worth $211k, estimated to take about 90 days. Both contractors are reliable payers, which is crucial in this industry. Additionally, I’m waiting to hear back from an engineering/design firm about a full remote position that pays $140k. I really want this job as it would allow me to finish my degree and gain valuable experience, but I don’t have it yet. On top of all this, there’s a possibility of receiving a settlement from the contractor that wronged me, which could be around $180k. My financial situation is precarious—my power was almost shut off last month—but both contractors are willing to front materials and expenses for the projects if I can sign contracts. I'm feeling overwhelmed with all these opportunities happening at once and need to make decisions quickly, as everyone wants answers by Monday. If anyone has advice or suggestions, I'm all ears!

Today I took a big step and resigned from my job. I've been feeling pretty unhappy at my current position for a while now, and despite sending out numerous applications, I haven't received any responses. After much consideration, I decided it was time to take the plunge. I submitted my two weeks' notice and I can't express how relieved I feel. In just two weeks, I'll be moving across the country to start a new chapter in my life. I'm filled with happiness and excitement about what lies ahead. Wish me luck on this journey!

Applied at city for Unknown

Applied at HubSpot for Unknown

Applied at Walmart for Unknown

Applied at state for sales and marketing position

I was placed on my first Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) last week at my current job, which I absolutely despise. The work environment is incredibly toxic, largely due to my manager, who has made my life miserable since I started here. I suspected that she was trying to push me out, so the PIP didn't come as a surprise. However, I've been actively job hunting and have received several interview requests over the past two weeks. I'm currently going through the interview process and I’m hopeful to secure a new position within 2-3 weeks so I can escape this toxic workplace. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has had a successful experience with a PIP and managed to land a new job before the 90-day period was up. I could really use some positive stories to lift my spirits and improve my mental health.

I was recently laid off from a biotechnology company where I had worked for six years due to restructuring. This has been a tough transition, especially considering my husband was also laid off three years ago from a high-paying job and has only managed to find work in food delivery, bringing in about $2,000 a month. Our savings can sustain us for about 8-9 months if we manage them strictly. Since my layoff, I've been actively applying for new positions for the past three weeks, but I've only received radio silence in response. I've reached out to my connections, but it seems they aren't able to help, despite what I've read about networking being beneficial. I've been following all the advice I can find: tailoring my resume for each job to pass ATS, writing cover letters, applying through job portals instead of using Easy Apply on LinkedIn, and even trying to find emails of key people at the companies I'm applying to in hopes of pitching myself directly. It feels uncomfortable to reach out to strangers who may not want to engage with me, and I'm starting to doubt whether this approach is effective or if I'm just wasting my time. After living in the USA for 25 years, I used to love my life, but everything feels different now. For the first time, I'm considering returning to my country of birth, something I never thought I would do. It's strange not to miss my former job, which I genuinely liked, and I left with a clear conscience knowing my performance was not the issue. Right now, I feel uncertain about my future and whether it's realistic to find a job in the senior mid-sector. With zero traction from my applications, I'm starting to lose hope. On the bright side, I've been keeping up with my fitness routine, doing yoga and strength training, and I'm in the best physical shape of my life, but unfortunately, that doesn't help pay the bills.

I recently found a full-time role posted by a company I used to work for earlier this year. I was in a contract position there but had to leave before completing the full 12 months because I was offered a full-time opportunity elsewhere. I left on good terms and really enjoyed my time with the team. Now that they have a permanent position available that aligns with my skills, I’m considering applying. However, I'm a bit concerned about how it might look since I left the contract early, even though it was for a stable full-time role. I was laid off from my previous job about 7 months into that role due to organizational restructuring, which adds to my apprehension. I’m seeking advice, especially from recruiters or hiring managers, on whether applying would raise any red flags. I’ve read that if I left on good terms, it shouldn't be an issue, and I’m thinking about reaching out to my former manager to express my interest in the new role. I hope that could help smooth the process.

Today, I applied for a video editor position at Base360.ai through LinkedIn. Shortly after submitting my application, I received an email stating that only about 5% of applicants move forward in the process, which felt like a tactic to boost my confidence despite knowing it was likely an AI reviewing my application. They requested a practical task where I needed to edit a 90-second video, but I decided to test the waters instead. I submitted a second application with a photo of a donkey I found online instead of my resume and intentionally chose the worst answers on the application. To my surprise, I received the same email about the 5% progression rate again. This experience has motivated me to call out both Base360.ai and TheFlex, the agency involved, because I believe more people should be aware of these practices.

I've been actively applying and interviewing for jobs lately, but I'm feeling really discouraged by the process. I recently completed my associate's degree and am working towards a certification in the medical field. I initially interviewed for a rehab aid position, but the hiring manager said I was too qualified for that role and encouraged me to pursue other positions instead, especially since I’ll be certified soon. I've had a few interviews since then, and I thought I did well—trying to be personable and engaging—but I keep getting feedback that my lack of experience is holding me back. At one interview, the supervisor mentioned she could train anyone for the job, emphasizing the importance of personality over qualifications. However, it seems like many employers are looking for candidates who can hit the ground running, which makes me feel like they aren't interested in mentoring or developing new hires. I also can't shake the feeling that my identity as a young black female might be affecting my chances, especially since most of my interviewers have been white women or Asian men. I’m starting to wonder if I’m just making excuses for myself. I'm really seeking advice on how new grads like me can break into the job market. I hope that once I receive my certification, employers might overlook my inexperience, but I’m not sure if that’s just wishful thinking.

I recently interviewed for a public sector government job and it seems like things are moving along. They called or emailed all of my references, which included three from my previous internship and two weaker ones—a family member and my best friend. The interview felt promising; they even gave me a tour of the facility and we had some casual conversations after the formal interview. They mentioned that they would have results in about two weeks since they had a couple of candidates drop out and still needed to interview more people. Now, a week and a half later, my references have informed me that they were contacted just yesterday and today. I'm hopeful that this indicates I'm a strong candidate, though I know it doesn't guarantee I'm the top pick.

I got laid off after just 4 months at a startup focused on AI for the hospitality sector. I had previously been let go from an S&P 500 company after they canned the project I was hired for, which was a tough blow. After months of searching, I was thrilled to land this new role as a software engineer, and I even passed my probation period with a 'meets expectations' rating. Just last week, I had a 1:1 with my manager discussing a small bonus for my work. But then, in a shocking turn of events, my next 1:1 was rescheduled multiple times, and when I finally joined the call this morning, HR was there to inform me that I was being let go. They claimed it wasn't my performance but rather a business decision. They offered to write me a reference letter, but that doesn't help with my financial situation. I'm feeling bewildered and heartbroken. I sensed something was off when they moved the monthly company meeting to Fridays, but I didn't expect this. Now I'm just waiting for the severance email, which hasn't come yet. This whole experience has been incredibly frustrating and disheartening.

I’ve been working as an HR Manager for the past three years, but recent changes at my company are set to significantly reduce my responsibilities by about 30-50% weekly. To proactively address this situation and avoid potential layoffs, I’m considering applying for a fully remote HR Data Analyst position that’s currently open. I’m reaching out to those of you who are already in this role to gather insights. How do you find the job? What’s the pay range like? Also, what does career advancement look like in this position? My background is in computer science, and I have some very basic SQL knowledge, but I haven’t worked with Cognos BI before. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

I recently had an interesting conversation at work with a woman who mentioned that her company is looking for a new receptionist, offering $21/hr, which is about $4 more than my current pay. She was kind enough to recommend me to her boss, and I even received an interview notification the very next day. However, I'm feeling uncertain about the whole situation. I don't have much experience in that role, so I'm not sure if I'll actually land the job. On the other hand, I absolutely love my current position as a bridal stylist. I enjoy working with my clients and helping them feel beautiful on one of the most important days of their lives. My friends suggested that if I receive an official offer for the receptionist position, I could potentially use it to negotiate a raise at my current job. But considering I've only been a stylist for about a month and a half, I doubt they'd be willing to accommodate that. This brings me to a tough decision: should I prioritize a job that offers better financial stability or stick with a career that I truly love? It's a dilemma that weighs heavily on my mind.