Applied to a Job

I've been on quite the job-hopping spree this year, and I'm feeling a bit lost about my next steps. I relocated from Florida to South Carolina to work as a research assistant for 3.5 years, focusing on geriatrics, which I genuinely enjoyed. However, my ultimate goal was to pursue a PhD, and despite my strong academic background and research experience, I applied for three cycles without success. After realizing that the PhD route wasn't for me, I decided to seek new opportunities, especially since my experience at the university was becoming increasingly negative due to administrative changes and funding issues. I felt it was time to move on. I'm excited to start a part-time, online MSW program soon, but my previous job was taking a toll on my mental health, even though I was making $22 an hour. I spent months searching for new roles while juggling my 8-4:30 job, which made it difficult to schedule interviews. Eventually, I accepted a receptionist position at a spine and back clinic, but it turned out to be less than ideal. The training was discouraging, the pay dropped to $17 an hour, and the commute to two different locations was exhausting. While working there, I landed a job in the ER as a registration clerk, which I’ve been doing for the past three months. The hours are tough—12-hour shifts on weekends—but the pay is $19 an hour. I feel like I perform well, but the job is draining, especially with the short staffing. Recently, I received an offer for a memory care coordinator position at an assisted living facility. The job sounds like a lot of fun and aligns with my interests, but it pays the same as my current role. I’m also considering my future internship for my MSW program, which many in my cohort do through their jobs. My current job offers flexibility during the week, which is beneficial for interviews and schoolwork. I really don’t want to continue job hopping, as I feel guilty about leaving roles shortly after being trained. I'm conflicted about whether to take the new opportunity or stick with my current role in hopes of finding something more aligned with my long-term goals in social work and palliative care.

I was laid off yesterday afternoon after nearly 4 years at my company in the learning and development department. I had a feeling this was coming, as I had survived several rounds of layoffs before, but being the only person in my function area made me realize I would likely be next on the list. The company has been struggling for a while now, and I had already started applying for jobs, even reaching the final round in one interview. Now that I have more time to focus on my job search, I'm trying to stay positive about the situation. I know it might be harder to maintain this outlook in a few months, but I'm hopeful. Wish me luck!

I’m currently stuck in a retail job making about $25k a year after taxes, which is tough to manage in my high cost of living area. I graduated with a computer science degree two years ago, but since then, I’ve been living with my parents and struggling to find a better job. It feels like I’m trapped; I can’t support myself, can’t move out, and can’t even afford a car or have any fun. I feel like a disappointment to my family and to myself. Despite my efforts to tailor my resume and apply for jobs, I haven’t been able to land any interviews. I’ve been stuck in this retail position for two years without gaining any new skills or experience that would help me advance my career. I’ve tried applying for entry-level tech roles, leveraging my customer service experience, but I still get no responses. It’s frustrating to see younger candidates with no experience getting hired while I struggle to even get noticed. I’m at a loss for what to do next. I feel like I’ve exhausted my options for improving my skills or finding a better job. I can’t go back to school for more education, and I don’t know how to gain the experience needed to move up. The only reason I’m still working this retail job is to support my brother, who really needs me. Without him, I honestly don’t know where I’d be right now. This whole situation is pushing me to the brink, and I’m just trying to figure out how to make it work.

I’m excited to share that I’m starting a new job on Monday after more than a year of searching! This past year has been the toughest job search experience of my life, and I'm 51 years old. I left my job of over 21 years in September 2024 for long-term disability, and it wasn't until last year that I felt ready to re-enter the workforce. That gap on my resume was a major hurdle. For over a year, I applied to countless positions, tailored my resumes, went through interviews, and often got ghosted. I submitted hundreds of applications. At the start of this year, I briefly worked for a terrible company that paid poorly and laid me off after three months because I was overwhelmed. This new job feels different already. They provided a structured 90-day onboarding plan that can adapt based on my progress. The offer letter was clear about expectations, and I recently had a Teams meeting where I met the small team of about 13 people. They seem very close-knit, which is a bit intimidating, but I’m genuinely optimistic about fitting in. I used to roll my eyes at all the “Don’t Give Up” posts, but here I am writing one myself. If you’re in the midst of your job search, even when it feels hopeless, don’t lose faith. Things can change. My wife and I were down to our last two months of savings, so this journey has truly tested us. I know many can relate to that pressure. There wasn’t any magic formula, but I found that using ChatGPT to tailor my resumes made a huge difference. It learned my style and helped me customize my applications more efficiently. Just remember to proofread everything to ensure accuracy. I believe if companies are using AI to evaluate candidates, we should use it to present ourselves better, as long as it’s truthful. Once I started leveraging AI, my interview opportunities increased significantly, and interestingly, I don’t even need it for every application anymore because it has improved my writing skills. Thank you to this community for being a supportive space where I could vent and find useful tips. It reminded me that even in a tough job market, there’s still hope. If anyone has questions about my job search, resume strategies, or how I used AI, feel free to reach out. Sharing is caring! 🙂

I'm feeling really frustrated with my job search right now. I've been applying to nearly every retail chain in my area, but I keep getting ghosted or rejected. I have 6-7 years of experience in this field, and I've even worked at some of these places before, so it's disheartening to see it being harder to land a job now compared to when I was a teenager with no experience. I reached out to HR at one store after a month of waiting since my recorded interview. The HR representative assured me that they were still hiring and would remind the hiring manager to check my application. However, today I received a rejection email, and when I checked online, the position is still open. I reapplied immediately, but I just don't understand what they are looking for. I'm more than qualified for the role, having done it for years. I'm considering calling HR again to ask why they continue to post the job but aren’t hiring anyone. I feel like I'm stuck in a loop, and I can't help but wonder if there's something I'm missing or if it's just a matter of luck. It's really disheartening, and I wish I could get some clarity.

I applied for several jobs last week through Indeed and LinkedIn, and I'm starting to feel a bit anxious about the wait. It's been a week since I submitted my applications, and while my job tracker indicates that my applications are still in progress or actively being reviewed, I haven't received any updates—no rejections or next steps. I'm wondering if it's common for recruiters to not notify applicants of rejections or if I just need to be patient. Is there a typical timeframe to expect feedback from employers?

I recently faced a frustrating rejection after applying for a position at a coffee chain located inside a hospital. I’m a 24-year-old female living in a major city, and I was referred for this job, which made me feel hopeful. I have prior experience with that specific chain, and the job posting clearly stated they were looking for candidates with open availability and relevant experience, which I have. Despite feeling fully qualified, I didn’t even get an interview, and they were hiring three people! I’m really tempted to reach out to the hiring manager to ask why I wasn’t considered, especially since I met all the qualifications. It’s disheartening to face so many rejections, and this was a position I felt confident about. My mental and financial situations are suffering because of these setbacks. I just want to find a stable job that pays more than minimum wage!

After 11 long months of searching, I finally landed a job! I lost my previous position in September 2025 and started my new role in August 2026. During my job search, I sent out over 600 applications, but only went on less than 20 interviews. Most of the time, I felt like I was just tossing my applications into a black hole, as I was ghosted by many employers. My situation was particularly challenging because I have a disability that limits me to jobs where I can sit down. One day, I decided to visit my friend Michal at a craft fair, and while I was there, I met another friend, Jen. During our conversation, I mentioned my struggles with finding work for nearly ten months. Jen then told me that her job was hiring for a work-from-home medical scheduling position and offered to pass my resume along to her supervisor. I was skeptical but sent it over. A week later, I received an email from a supervisor I had never met, saying that someone had recommended me and offered me the job without an interview! It felt surreal, and I initially thought it might be a scam. Thankfully, Jen confirmed it was legitimate. The process wasn't without its stressors, though. I had to go through a background check and employment verification, which made me anxious. For the drug test, I had to sneak in my mom's urine since I use medical marijuana for my disability. In the meantime, my neighbor was kind enough to bring me meals to ensure I was eating during this stressful time. This entire job search experience has been incredibly taxing on my mental health. I truly believe that without Jen's referral, I would still be searching for work. It's disheartening to see how broken the job market is; it shouldn't be this difficult to find employment. If you're struggling to find a job, please know that it's not your fault—many of us are facing the same challenges.

I am 23 years old and recently graduated with a biology degree and a business minor in 2024. I started medical school at 20, but I realized that practicing clinical medicine isn't the right path for me. I also hold an associate's degree in business that I earned in high school. I am currently looking to pivot into the business or finance sector. I've been applying to various healthcare consultant and analyst positions, as well as jobs in finance and business operations. My long-term goal is to pursue an MBA from a top 14 school, but I need to secure a job first. Any recommendations on how to make this transition?

I recently graduated in May with a BA in history and a minor in global security, and I’m feeling lost about my career path. I had a part-time job at a tutoring company for 20 hours a week, but I left that in January after I thought I secured a meaningful position at a non-profit that supports foster kids. Unfortunately, that turned out to be a scam, and I missed the warning signs as a new graduate. Since then, I’ve been unemployed and struggling to find work. I've tried applying for retail jobs, but it feels like nothing is working out. I'm at a point where I don't even know what to look for anymore, especially with government jobs being out of reach and my degree not opening many doors. I'm reaching out for advice on how to break this cycle of dead-end jobs I’ve been stuck in since college. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

I've been on the job hunt for about two months now, applying to any positions I qualify for. Recently, I came across some promising opportunities that have me feeling hopeful. Just yesterday, I applied to a local clinic right before their job listing closed. To show my enthusiasm, I sent a follow-up email reiterating my interest and attached my cover letter and resume again. In addition to the clinic, I also applied to three other positions last week—one at a bank, another at a hotel, and the last at another clinic. I made sure to apply through Indeed and also directly on their websites if they had separate applications. I'm curious about the typical timeframe for callbacks. Do employers usually wait the full 30 days of the job listing to review all applications? I’ve heard mixed opinions on this. One commenter mentioned that they prefer to reach out quickly to avoid losing good candidates to other offers. It’s reassuring to know that some employers are proactive in their hiring process.

Applied at Pizza Hut for Unknown

I recently went through a rapid job application process for a role at a new startup. I applied on LinkedIn through a recruiter and received a call for an interview just two days later. The interview with the CEO went well, and I was offered the position the same day. However, after accepting the offer and submitting my background check forms, I've encountered some delays with my start date. Initially, I was hoping to start on July 27, but they pushed it back because my supervisor would be out. I thought I might start on August 3, but they just informed me that it might be delayed until August 10. I'm feeling a bit frustrated as this is my first job out of college, and I really want to get started and earn some money. I've checked the legitimacy of the company and the recruiter, so I don't think it's a scam, but I'm left wondering if such delays are normal in the hiring process.

I'm a 23-year-old incoming Junior at UNC Charlotte, pursuing a BS in Accounting after getting my associate's degree from community college. I've spent the last five years working at Lowe's as a Sales Specialist in the Pro Section, but now that I'm moving to Charlotte, I'm looking for part-time job opportunities that can accommodate my class schedule of 9-6 M-F. My goal is to earn around $2000 a month while continuing my education, and I'm hoping to find something that pays at least $22 an hour, similar to what I currently make with bonuses at Lowe's. I've applied for some part-time positions at banks but haven't heard back yet. If anyone has recommendations for jobs near the college, I'd really appreciate it! I'm also open to sharing my resume for feedback.

I've been actively job searching and applying to positions on Indeed, but I've noticed a frustrating trend: potential employers rarely leave voicemails when they call. I often receive calls from numbers I don't recognize, and since I get a lot of scam calls, I tend to let them go to voicemail. Recently, I missed a call from a potential employer because their number showed up as 'scam likely,' and they didn't leave a message. Instead, they sent me an email saying they couldn't reach me. I can't help but wonder why employers don't take the time to leave a voicemail or even send an email first to schedule a call. It feels like a missed opportunity for both sides, especially since not everyone is available for a call at any given moment.

I recently applied for a position at a tech company and submitted my application about two weeks ago. I haven't heard back yet, and I'm starting to wonder if I should follow up with the hiring manager. I'm unsure about the appropriate timeframe for following up after submitting an application and whether it would come off as too pushy. Should I be concerned that I haven't received any communication yet, or is this typical in the hiring process? Any advice on how to approach this situation would be greatly appreciated!

I recently wrapped up an intense six-month job search after being laid off, and I wanted to share my journey in hopes it might help others. From January to July 2026, I interviewed with 49 companies and completed 119 interviews, ultimately landing two job offers. I primarily targeted roles as a Customer Success Manager, Account Manager, and Technical Account Manager in the tech sector. Throughout this process, I utilized tools like ChatGPT and Claude extensively to refine my approach. I noticed many people struggling to get interviews, including a close friend who has been out of work for nine months, which motivated me to share my playbook. The key to my success was not just applying to hundreds of jobs blindly. Instead, I developed a systematic approach to identify the right roles, assess my fit, tailor my resume, and create warm connections with potential employers. I aimed for around five interviews per week, focusing on quality over quantity. To kick things off, I revamped my LinkedIn profile and resume to highlight measurable outcomes rather than just listing responsibilities. I emphasized key metrics relevant to Customer Success roles, such as ARR managed, renewal performance, and customer turnarounds. My resume was straightforward and easy to read, ensuring that recruiters could quickly grasp my qualifications. I found job opportunities primarily through LinkedIn, setting up alerts for specific roles I was interested in. Instead of applying to every listing, I filtered opportunities to ensure they aligned with my skills and experiences. I averaged about ten applications per week, carefully assessing each position before applying. Before submitting my applications, I would analyze the job descriptions using ChatGPT to understand what the company was truly looking for. This included identifying the core problems the role aimed to solve and the necessary competencies. I tailored my resume for each application, ensuring it highlighted the most relevant achievements and experiences. Additionally, I leveraged LinkedIn to create warm connections with recruiters and hiring managers. I reached out to individuals by crafting personalized messages based on their profiles, which helped me stand out and led to several interviews directly from my outreach efforts. Overall, this experience taught me the importance of a strategic approach in job searching. I hope my journey can inspire others to stay persistent and refine their methods in the face of challenges.

I’ve been feeling really frustrated with my job search lately, especially in the oil field sector. I’ve submitted at least 15 applications across Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Alaska, targeting positions in oil fields, mines, solar fields, and construction. Everyone keeps saying that the oil industry hires people with no experience all the time, but that hasn’t been my experience at all. It feels like a catch-22: I can’t get hired without experience, but I can’t gain experience if no one will hire me. It’s disheartening to see companies looking for experienced workers while offering entry-level wages. I feel stuck in dead-end jobs and it’s exhausting to hear people say that nobody wants to work when the reality is that nobody wants to invest in teaching skills anymore. I know I have potential beyond what my resume shows, but I’m starting to lose hope. I just needed to vent about it.

I've been trying to switch careers for a while now, but it's been really challenging. I currently work in customer service, and I want to transition into a marketing role. I've taken a few online courses to build my skills, but I'm finding it hard to get noticed by employers. I've applied to numerous positions, but I keep getting rejected or not hearing back at all. I'm feeling a bit lost and unsure about how to effectively market myself for these new opportunities. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

After a long year and a half of searching, I finally landed an interview! It's scheduled for tomorrow at 4pm PST. The position is with a company that focuses on raising funds for nonprofits, and the pay is decent. I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, especially since it's been so long since I was last employed. I'm really hoping this opportunity works out for me. I could use all the good vibes and luck you can send my way! 🤞😊