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I graduated in Spring 2025 with a degree in Marketing and have been struggling to find a job since then. I don’t have any internships or prior work experience, but I did well in college with a good GPA and even won some awards for my marketing projects. I worked closely with local businesses for my capstone projects and presentations, which was a great experience. I also sell clothes and shoes online through platforms like Depop, Grailed, and eBay, with over 250 sales under my belt. Despite my efforts, I’ve had no luck securing a job. I’ve interviewed at several places including Verizon, Best Buy, Famous Footwear, local car dealerships, Staples, and a few remote roles, but I haven’t received any offers. Not getting the job at Famous Footwear was particularly disheartening and has affected my motivation. I’ve reached out to my old professors and advisors for help, but so far, I haven’t had any success. I live in a small town about an hour and a half from Pittsburgh, and I’m considering moving to a bigger city where there are more job opportunities. I’m open to taking a service job or temp position just to get my foot in the door. Any advice on how to improve my job search or where to look would be greatly appreciated!

I've been feeling really stuck in my job search lately. It's been a few months since I was laid off from my position as a marketing coordinator at a mid-sized tech company. I've applied to numerous jobs, tailored my resume, and even reached out to some connections in the industry, but I haven't had much luck getting interviews. It's frustrating because I know I have the skills and experience, but it seems like the competition is fierce right now. I'm considering seeking help from a career coach or joining a job search group to get some new strategies and support. Any advice would be appreciated!

I recently went through a rather confusing and disorganized hiring process with a small manufacturing company. As a fresh graduate, I've been stuck in internships for about a year and have been applying to various positions. I applied for a role there and was invited for an interview with the General Manager and the department manager, which felt unusual to me, but I thought maybe they didn't have an HR department. Two weeks later, I was called back for a second interview, only to find out that the position I applied for had already been filled. The GM mentioned another opening in administration, but he was vague about what that role involved. Despite my confusion, I expressed my interest since I really need a job at this point. He promised to get back to me within a week, but after no response, I followed up and was invited to meet the team. When I arrived, I met the team from the department I originally applied to, and the manager had me read procedures for most of the day. At the end of the day, he asked me questions about what I learned and invited me back to discuss contracts and compensation. However, I noticed that the department I might be joining has essentially no one in it, which raises some concerns. What struck me as odd is that we still haven't discussed compensation despite my inquiries. To add to the confusion, a friend from my graduating class called me to say she was starting a probation period for the exact position I originally applied for. This was perplexing because I was told that position was filled, and I even met the person who supposedly got the job. Furthermore, my friend mentioned that several other graduates from my program are starting at the company, which seems like a lot for a small company. She also heard rumors that they might be struggling financially or even close to bankruptcy. Now I'm left wondering if I'm overthinking things or if there are legitimate red flags here. The entire process has felt exhausting and unclear.

I am currently seeking a Mechanical Engineering job after spending 10 years in the field with an Associate's Degree. Back in 2014-2017, it was common for many in the engineering sector to opt for an associate's degree instead of a bachelor's. I worked in a factory while funding my education, and upon graduating, I had several job offers. I took a relocation opportunity to start fresh, but after 8 years of feeling undervalued, I decided it was time to explore new opportunities. Now, I hold a senior position at my current company and have been actively applying for similar roles over the past month. I've submitted around 30-50 applications but have only received about 4-5 phone screens and just one in-person interview. I'm starting to feel discouraged; I expected my experience to make me a strong candidate, but the job market seems very different now. A few years ago, I was frequently contacted by recruiters, but now it feels like I might be stuck in my current role or forced to accept a significant downgrade in position and salary, which I'm not prepared to do. I’m feeling pretty lost and unsure about my future.

I recently found myself unemployed and have been actively applying for jobs. I came across a position that appears to be a lateral move from my last role, which I'm not particularly excited about. The job does involve a new tech stack that I could learn, which might be beneficial for my growth. However, I'm torn between taking this offer and potentially having a gap in my resume. I wonder if future employers would prefer to see me employed in a role I'm not fond of, or if they would look more favorably on a gap in my employment history while I search for a position that truly excites me.

I recently interviewed for a city job, which is a big step for me since this would be my first full-time position outside of internships. After the interview, I received an email requesting a background check, which I completed. Following that, I was asked to take a drug test, which I passed yesterday. The email mentioned that the drug and alcohol testing is a condition of the job offer, but I haven't received a conditional offer yet. I'm wondering if I should reach out for more information or if it's typical for them to have multiple candidates go through this process at the same time. I'm feeling a bit anxious about the wait and would appreciate any insights!

I just received an offer for a new job that pays $10,000 more than my previous position! After submitting nearly 400 applications, I finally found success. It feels amazing to see the hard work pay off, and I want to encourage everyone else out there who is job hunting to keep pushing through. There is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel! I'm excited to start this new chapter in my career.

I have been unemployed for over a year after being let go from my previous job. Despite having 7 years of experience in my field, I have only managed to secure a handful of interviews. In an effort to broaden my opportunities, I even simplified my CV to apply for positions outside my field, but I still haven't received any offers. I've also attempted to pivot into new roles where I lack direct experience, but the outcome has been the same—no interviews. I've even applied for minimum wage jobs, but those applications have also gone unanswered. I'm feeling lost and unsure of what steps to take next.

I recently interviewed for an Inpatient Coding Specialist position with a major company in my region. After passing a coding assessment, I received an email stating that I was a top candidate and needed to provide my SSN and DOB in Workday. I completed that step, but my application status changed from "under consideration" to "decision pending". Since then, I haven't received any calls or emails regarding the next steps, which has me feeling a bit anxious. The email mentioned they would reach out within 72 hours, and since it was sent at 7 a.m. this morning Central time, I'm hoping to hear back soon. This opportunity means a lot to me, and I'm really hoping for a positive outcome.

I recently applied for a job that I'm really excited about, but I'm feeling anxious about the background check process. I've had some issues in my past that I hope won't come up and affect my chances. I'm currently in the interview stage, and everything seemed to be going well until I started thinking about this. I just want to make sure I present my best self and that my past won't overshadow my qualifications for the role.

I just wrapped up a tough job search that lasted two months and included three interviews, but unfortunately, I didn't land the position. I received a call from the recruiter letting me know I was the runner-up, and they mentioned that if the other candidate declined, they would be eager to bring me on board. It’s frustrating because I feel like I put in a lot of effort, and I wish there was some compensation for the time spent interviewing, especially since I’m currently on unemployment. During the process, the hiring manager and the two other designers seemed genuinely supportive and encouraged me to discuss specific topics in each interview, which made me feel like I was a strong contender for the role. However, my last interview with the researcher didn’t go as well as I had hoped; I sensed she wasn’t particularly fond of me. I had a lot riding on this job, especially with the attractive compensation package that included a 17% bonus on top of the salary. I believed I was a great fit given my relevant experience, and I approached the interviews with positivity and enthusiasm. But maybe I said something that raised doubts. Now, I’m on day 91 of my job search after being laid off from a position I truly loved, and I have a lot of house projects pending that I can’t tackle until I secure a new job. With my birthday coming up this month, I’m feeling the pressure to find something soon to help me move forward with my life goals. It’s been a challenging time, especially with the added stress of home payments, and I’m trying to stay calm, but it’s tough to keep my mind from spiraling.

I applied for a remote position at a research organization focused on federal government contracting at the end of December 2025. After receiving an auto-rejection in mid-February, I was pleasantly surprised to get an email at the end of March inviting me to schedule a phone interview, which took place in the second week of April and went well. During the interview, the hiring manager outlined the entire process: a take-home coding assignment, a pre-read document for a technical interview, a 15-minute introductory call, a 1-hour general panel interview, a 1-hour technical interview, and a 15-minute wrap-up call with her. All of these interviews were conducted on May 4th, with the wrap-up call happening on May 6th. She mentioned that the final step before an offer would be reference checks and assured me I would hear back early the following week. I made sure to send thank-you emails to everyone I spoke with. On May 8th, the hiring manager requested my references, which felt like a good sign. I submitted them, and the following Monday, she confirmed that she had contacted them and that my references had completed their part. After waiting a full week without any updates, I reached out that Friday for news. She was on PTO and didn’t respond until the following Thursday, saying the team was close to making final decisions and that I would know more by the end of the week. However, I didn’t hear anything, so I followed up again on May 29th, but still no response. It’s been a month since my interviews, and I’m left with no rejection, no updates on the portal, just silence. The hiring manager is active on LinkedIn but only engaging with posts about different roles at the company. I’m starting to wonder if I’m being ghosted or if this process really takes this long. This job market is so tough, and this was the only interview I’ve had in months. I really want this job!

I've been working as a contractor for a while now, and I'm really looking to transition into a full-time position. The uncertainty of contract work is starting to wear on me, and I want the stability that comes with a permanent role. I've been applying to various full-time positions but haven't had much luck. I'm wondering if anyone has tips or strategies for breaking out of contractor roles and landing a full-time job. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I'm currently facing a tough job search after graduating with a BA in Business Management/Admin in 2024. At 27, I feel like I'm behind in my career, but my journey has been complicated due to several surgeries and a long medical battle since 2017. Now that I'm recovering, the pressure to find a job is overwhelming, and it's affecting my health. I'm living at my dad's lake property, which is fine for now, but I feel like a burden. The only job I've managed to secure was a remote cold calling position that I absolutely hated. My ex and I had a decent combined income, but now, with my current partner, we aren't planning to move in together anytime soon. This means I need to find a job that pays enough to support myself and offers full benefits. Because of my medical history, I'm unable to do any hard physical labor, so I'm hoping to find remote work. I've applied to over 900 jobs at this point, focusing initially on remote positions due to my health concerns, but I've expanded to in-office roles in the DFW area (specifically North Dallas) with no success. The response rate has been disheartening, with only about 5% of applications yielding replies. I've noticed that many job boards seem to have a lot of fake or ghost listings. Recently, I've started applying directly on company websites, but the results haven't changed. I feel lost and frustrated, especially since I have a supportive partner who doesn't care about money, but I want to establish my own independence. If anyone has advice on how to improve my job search or any leads on remote positions, I would greatly appreciate it.

I missed an unscheduled call from a company I applied to a couple of weeks ago. The call came in on Friday, the 22nd, around 5:30 PM EST, but since they are a west coast company, I didn't see it until after 5 PM. I listened to the voicemail, which was very brief, just the name of the caller and the company. I figured I’d try to call back on Monday, but it was Memorial Day, so I waited until Tuesday. I left a message with my name, the role I was interested in, and my number, but got no answer. I tried again on Thursday with a similar message, but still haven’t heard back. Yesterday, I reached out to someone I know at the company on LinkedIn, asking for guidance since someone had reached out to me. I don’t expect a quick response, but I’m feeling anxious about missing that initial call. I’m wondering if this is a bad look for me and if I should just move on or hold out hope.

I’m currently in the job market and have been interviewing with three companies. Today, I received an offer from Company C, but I’m not thrilled about it because the pay is significantly lower than my last position, and they require me to be in the office three days a week. I've just completed Stage 3 of the hiring process with Company A and am expecting a final interview next week, which seems more like a formality. For Company B, I still have one more interview to go. I've managed to push Company C's offer and onboarding date to three weeks later, giving me some breathing room. Now, I’m contemplating whether I should reach out to Companies A and B to see if they can expedite their hiring processes. I’m unsure how to structure those emails, or if I should just accept Company C's offer and continue interviewing with A and B, potentially leaving if I get a better offer. I’m looking for advice on the best course of action.

I am a 32-year-old Italian with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, and I'm currently exploring alternative career paths due to the limited job opportunities in my field. After experiencing the job market firsthand, I've realized that my degree doesn't open many doors. I'm particularly interested in graphic design and humanities-related fields, though I've heard that graphic design isn't very profitable these days, which is quite discouraging. As a backup plan, I'm considering pursuing a Master’s in Digital Marketing to enhance my employability and improve my chances of landing a stable job. I've been actively applying for various positions, but unfortunately, I haven't had much success yet. I'm reaching out for any suggestions or advice on potential opportunities in these fields.

I recently applied to three different positions at a well-known semiconductor company and was thrilled to secure an interview. I started with a phone screen with HR, followed by a two-hour technical interview. To my surprise, later that same day, another manager from the company reached out to me regarding one of the other roles I applied for, which is similar but on a different team. They assured me that it's perfectly fine to interview with multiple teams. I have to say, this company is fantastic; they have a beautiful campus and a great reputation in the industry, as reflected in their solid Glassdoor ratings. I'm really hopeful about landing one of these positions! I wonder if having interest from more than one team is a positive sign?

I currently work at an amusement park making minimum wage, which just isn't cutting it for me. I've applied for a new job that offers $20 an hour, and they've called me in for an interview. I'm unsure about the best way to handle my current job situation. Should I wait until I have a solid offer before I quit? I'm also debating whether to inform my current manager about my plans to leave or keep it to myself until I secure the new position. I've seen advice suggesting that I should definitely wait until I'm hired before quitting, and that my current employer doesn't need to know anything until then. It seems like the best approach is to sign the new contract first and then give my notice. I really don't want to risk anything by quitting before I have a guaranteed job lined up.

I was let go from a job I held for nearly 7 years earlier this year, and since then, I've been on the hunt for new work. After searching high and low, I found a bridge job that didn't pay well but allowed me to explore my options while looking for something better. I went through several interviews and eventually landed a full-time role that wasn't my first choice but I accepted out of desperation for a better paycheck. Now, I'm in my first week at this new job and I'm quickly realizing it's not the right fit for me. The company culture is the complete opposite of what I value, with aggressive sales tactics and a focus on selling credit cards, which clashes with my personal ethics. Plus, I'm a student and only need a job for about six months to save up for my internship next spring. Unfortunately, this job can't accommodate my school schedule in the fall, meaning I would only be able to work here for a couple of months. My previous bridge job has offered to take me back anytime since I left on good terms, and I'm seriously considering quitting this new job to return there while I search for a position that aligns more closely with my values and can work with my schedule. Is this the right move?