Applied to a Job

I had my final interview for an internal position on September 10th and sent a thank you email the following Monday. The recruiter, who has been coordinating the interview process, mentioned that they were wrapping up interviews last week and that I should expect to hear back this week. I have direct communication with the hiring manager, who initially moved my application along quickly and indicated I would receive a prompt response. However, I've noticed that the hiring manager's director was out right after my interview and just returned this week, while the hiring manager is going to be out for a week starting Thursday afternoon. This has me wondering if hearing back this week is realistic or if the recruiter's timeline was just a generic statement. I’m also feeling anxious about my performance during the interview; I was sick and struggled with brain fog, which affected my responses. I’m concerned that I might have blown my chances due to my performance. Should I follow up with the recruiter now, knowing the hiring manager will be out soon, or would that just clutter their inboxes?

I recently completed an online medical assistant program and earned my certification, but I have no real job experience aside from some volunteering. I had a prescreen interview for a medical assistant position, and the recruiter was incredibly enthusiastic. She even called me to see if we could move the interview to an earlier time. During the call, she acknowledged my lack of hands-on experience but was quick to mention that they could arrange an externship for me by next Monday, with an official start date of October 5th. She went on about the benefits and described the clinic as a family-like environment. I felt like she was overly praising me for simply submitting the required documents on time, which felt a bit excessive. Despite my concerns, I have an official interview scheduled for tomorrow, and I'm trying to keep an open mind. However, I can't shake the feeling that something might be off about this situation. It feels like a choice between this opportunity or facing more months of unemployment.

I just completed my first job search and it was quite the experience! I had five interviews lined up in just one week. It felt intense but also exciting to be in the running for multiple positions. Each interview was with a different company, and I had to quickly adapt my approach and responses based on the role and company culture. It was a great learning opportunity for me, and I feel more confident in my interviewing skills now. I'm hopeful that one of these opportunities will lead to a job offer!

I was laid off three weeks ago after spending four years as a Software Engineer in the fintech sector. My last day was September 1st, and although it hasn't been long, I'm already feeling quite demotivated in this challenging job market. During my time in the industry, I built and maintained banking applications, supported production issues, and worked on automated and functional testing, including performance testing for client-specific releases. My tech stack is pretty extensive, including Java, Spring Boot, REST APIs, Kubernetes, Docker, Cucumber, Jenkins, GCP, React, YAML, Bash/Shell, and Linux. In the past three weeks, I've sent out nearly 200 applications for various roles like Software Engineer, application/product support, QA/SDET, and DevOps. Unfortunately, I'm hardly receiving any calls back. It feels overwhelming to see job postings with 100+ applicants, which makes me doubt my chances of getting back into the industry. I find myself obsessively checking job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn throughout the day, even considering unrelated jobs that pay around $50k, which is concerning me. I've had two screening calls, but I was so discouraged going into them that I feel my energy was off. The worst part is the nagging voice in my head telling me I'm wasting my time applying and that I should look for something else to do. Knowing people in tech who have been searching for months only adds to my anxiety. I'm reaching out to anyone who has been laid off recently or has gone through this before: how did you manage to stay motivated? Did you eventually find another role in tech?

I recently started a new job at a company after being laid off from a high-paying role earlier this year. I took some time off, then applied to a bunch of positions and accepted the first offer I received, even though it was the lowest-paying option. Now, just under a month in, I'm feeling like I made a huge mistake. There are numerous red flags, including a lack of structure, documentation, and clear expectations, plus a culture that seems to encourage being always on. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid, and I'm regretting my decision. Conventional wisdom suggests I should stick it out for at least a few months, but I'm worried this experience will look bad on my resume if I leave so soon. I have the savings to support myself while I continue my job search, but I've never been in this situation before where I want to leave a job so quickly.

I recently faced a tough rejection from a job I was really excited about. As a recent HR graduate, I've been job searching for months and had a few interviews, but nothing has panned out yet. When I came across a People Operations Coordinator role, I felt it was a perfect match for my skills in HR, employee experience, and recruitment. I dedicated a lot of time to prepare for the interview, researching the company, understanding their mission and values, and practicing my responses to behavioral questions. I even prepared thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. During the interview, I felt a genuine connection with the interviewer, and the conversation flowed smoothly. She mentioned there would be two more rounds of interviews, which made me hopeful that I could be moving forward in the process. I left the interview feeling optimistic, thinking that this could be the opportunity I had been waiting for. However, the very next day, I received an automated rejection email stating they had chosen to move forward with another candidate. It was disheartening, especially since I had invested so much effort and truly envisioned myself in that role. I understand that rejection doesn’t always reflect my abilities; they could have found someone with more experience or an internal candidate. Still, it stings, especially when you really want the job. I know people often say to keep applying or that something better will come along, but honestly, I'm feeling drained. I've been tailoring resumes, writing cover letters, networking, and preparing for interviews, only to face rejection again. This one hit particularly hard because I could see myself thriving in that position. I just needed to vent about it.

I recently graduated college and moved back home after working as a mortgage loan originator for a big mortgage company. While the salary was great, the 60-70 hour work weeks left me with no quality of life. My goal is to work in housing, particularly for the government, and I had an interview last month with my desired agency, but unfortunately, I wasn't hired. I'm still actively applying for positions there. Currently, I'm working at a restaurant just to cover my student loan payments and maintain my savings. I recently received an offer for a teacher's assistant position with the city government, which pays $21.50 per hour and includes benefits—something my restaurant job lacks. However, I'm torn because I don't see this role as a long-term career and plan to leave as soon as I can secure a position with the housing agency. I'm seeking advice on whether I should accept this teacher's assistant job or stay in my current role at the restaurant.

I recently had a 30-minute HR interview for a position at a tech company, and within two weeks, I was invited for a second, much longer interview that lasted about 2.5 hours with various teams. Now, it's been almost two weeks since that second interview, and I haven't received any updates. I'm feeling a bit anxious about the wait and wondering if I should reach out to HR to inquire about my application status. I've heard mixed experiences from others—some say to follow up politely, while others suggest just waiting a bit longer. I'm torn between being proactive and being patient.

After working for a company for five years, I was passed over for a promotion when they brought in a manager from out of state. This situation motivated me to negotiate a raise, but ultimately, I decided it was time to look for new opportunities. I managed to secure a new job that paid a bit more per hour and included enrollment in their branch manager training program. However, my experience at the first location was filled with drama due to a new manager who couldn't provide the training I needed. Additionally, the regional vice president was disorganized, making the environment uncomfortable. I then applied for my old job and was welcomed back at my previous salary. The dilemma I'm facing now is that I've already accepted the offer from my old company, but I'm starting to feel more comfortable and content at my new job, which is at a different branch. I'm torn between the two options.

I recently applied for a job late at night, around 11 PM, and was shocked to receive an email just a few hours later at 7:13 AM stating that I was not a fit for the position. They claimed to have thoroughly reviewed my background and experience, but I know I meet all the basic and even some preferred qualifications for the role. This experience left me frustrated and questioning why companies even post these job openings if they aren't going to take the time to genuinely consider applicants. It feels like a waste of effort when they clearly didn’t review my application properly.

I've been struggling to land a job this year, having submitted nearly 1000 applications without a single interview, particularly for office roles. My background includes a few temporary positions in warehousing, with only one brief stint in an office environment. I've tailored my CV and cover letters for each application, focusing on entry-level roles with low pay, so I don't think it's a lack of experience that's holding me back. I've even taken my CV to some offices in person, but I've had no success. I'm open to any industry and realistic about my qualifications, avoiding places like law firms where I lack relevant experience. I’m starting to wonder if my resume is the issue. I’ve received feedback suggesting it’s cluttered and doesn’t highlight my organizational skills effectively. Some comments pointed out that it lacks quantifiable achievements and that I should focus on making it stand out more. I’ve been advised to trim irrelevant experiences and to seek help from career services to improve my resume. I’m feeling a bit lost and would appreciate any advice on how to break into administrative work in today’s job market.

I recently applied for a position at SIBLGroup of Technologies using LinkedIn Easy Apply. To my surprise, I was contacted the very next day through LinkedIn message, text, and email all in quick succession, which felt a bit overwhelming. The job description was quite vague, and some of the messages I received seemed unprofessional, raising my suspicions about the company. When I finally had the call, it felt like it was coming from a call center; the connection was poor, there was a lot of background noise, and I couldn't even tell if I was speaking to someone based in the US. I'm curious if anyone else has had similar experiences with this firm or if they were able to secure a job through them.

I left my last job at the end of August due to a toxic environment, bullying, and a salary that was pushing me deeper into debt. My situation has become even more challenging with my mom recently diagnosed with cancer and facing surgery this Friday, while my gran has been hospitalized for the past two weeks. On top of that, I have my own health issues and feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of supporting my family financially for years. My brother, who lives with us, just received a job offer but contributes little to our household. I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in languages, but I haven't utilized it in my career. I was in an abusive relationship for many years, which isolated me and limited my job opportunities. Since my father passed away this year, my family has been under immense stress, and I had to move back home after my relationship ended. I managed to get a temporary job at a fintech company, but was ghosted when I expected to be called back. I also applied for a similar position there, but the manager lied about contacting me again. Recently, I was approached by a recruiter for an admin position at a dialysis clinic, but both she and the interviewer misrepresented the job and pay. My job description kept changing, leading to burnout. Now, I'm down to my last bit of money and struggling with feelings of worthlessness and despair. I feel like a disappointment to myself and my family, despite my mom insisting I'm not a burden. I’ve faced multiple rejections for ESL teaching jobs, which I thought would be easier to obtain. I suspect I might have undiagnosed AuADHD, which adds to my feelings of depression and alienation from society. I just want to find a way to keep going, but I feel unhirable and lost.

I’m a 24-year-old currently navigating the job market, still stuck in internships while it feels like everyone my age is landing high-paying corporate jobs. I completed a commerce degree and have done a few internships, but they seem less relevant now with AI automation taking over many full-time roles. I know I shouldn’t compare my journey to others, but it’s hard not to when I see peers earning significantly more. I’ve come to terms with the idea of slow growth, but I’m now on the hunt for internships or entry-level positions that are less likely to be automated. The majority of job postings require years of experience, and I often get filtered out by AI screening. This has led me to focus on finding a Talent Acquisition internship or entry-level role, particularly within the SaaS domain, as I have some relevant experience from my previous internships. I recently found a role that seems like a perfect fit, but I’m up against over 4000 applicants. I’m really hoping my resume stands out among the crowd. If anyone has tips on how to differentiate myself for Talent Acquisition or recruiter roles, I would greatly appreciate the guidance!

I'm a 24-year-old currently navigating the job market, still doing internships while many of my peers are landing well-paying jobs. I completed my undergraduate degree in commerce and have taken on several internships, but I feel like they haven't provided the value I expected, especially with AI automation taking over many full-time roles. It's tough not to compare myself to others who seem to be thriving financially at my age, but I've come to terms with the idea that my growth might be slower. Right now, I'm focused on finding a job or internship that AI can't easily replace. The challenge is that most positions require years of experience, and I've faced multiple rejections due to AI screening processes. That's why I've shifted my attention to seeking Talent Acquisition internships or entry-level jobs. I'm particularly interested in the SaaS domain since I've interned at SaaS companies before and have a better understanding of the roles within that industry. Recently, I found a position that seems like a perfect fit, but I noticed that over 4,000 people have applied for it. I'm feeling quite anxious about whether my resume will even be seen among so many applicants. If anyone has advice on how to stand out for Talent Acquisition or Recruiter roles, I would greatly appreciate your help!

I started a new job earlier this year that I was really hesitant about, but I felt desperate for work at the time. Unfortunately, it has turned out to be as terrible as I anticipated. I've been applying for other positions without including this job on my resume, but now that I've hit the 7-month mark, I'm reconsidering. I believe the title and experience I’m gaining could be beneficial for my job search, but I'm worried that listing only 7 months might make it look like I'm job hopping. For context, I had a year-long position in 2024/2025, then left for a role that was misrepresented and ended up being unemployed for about 9 months before landing this current job. I've had a few interviews, but no offers yet. I'm debating whether adding this job to my resume will help or hurt my chances.

I am feeling absolutely terrified about leaving my current job in sales. I decided to go back to school for paralegal studies, and my mom suggested that I should try to get into the field early. To my surprise, I applied for a position at a small law firm and got it. However, I'm struggling because I don't enjoy my current job at all; it was a complete accident that I ended up in sales, and I just kept moving up without intending to. My family and friends think my job is overwhelming, and they worry about how much I work. The hardest part is that I have a great relationship with my boss, who has been incredibly supportive, especially after I lost my dad unexpectedly last year. He has been like a father figure to me and believes I have potential to become a manager. Keeping my plans for school and my desire to leave this job a secret has been really tough, and I feel guilty about the idea of quitting. It feels like a betrayal, especially since I know this will blindside him. On top of that, my current job is extremely taxing. I often have to come in on my days off, work a lot of overtime, and even work on holidays. My benefits are practically non-existent, and I don’t get any PTO. I have to go in tomorrow to officially quit, and it’s my day off. I can’t sleep or eat because of the anxiety. I know my boss deserves more respect than just ghosting him, but I’m really struggling to muster the courage to drive in and do it.

I've been on the job hunt since March 2025, right after graduating with my master's in May 2025. I managed to secure a temporary position through my professor in September 2025, but now I'm back to searching for a new job. Over the past couple of years, I've applied to around 600-700 jobs and only landed about 9-10 interviews, none of which turned into offers. Since July, I've ramped up my efforts again and submitted about 100 applications, but I haven't received a single interview this time around. I've been using AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT to tailor my resumes, focusing on incorporating the right keywords. However, I keep seeing posts from others who have used AI for automating their job applications and have had great success. I'm starting to wonder if my lack of AI automation is holding me back. I didn't expect such a drastic change in my interview opportunities, and I'm feeling a bit lost about what to do next as I prepare for another round of job searching.

I recently filled out an SF-85 form for a government job and came across a question that asked if I had been fired from any job in the last seven years. I answered honestly and disclosed that I had been fired from a position where I worked for just three months. The reason for my termination was that I took the company truck home without authorization, which I now realize could be considered a serious issue. Reflecting on it, I think my former employer did me a favor by letting me go, as it could have led to more significant legal trouble. Now, I'm feeling anxious about whether this honesty will impact my chances of receiving a firm offer from this employer. My wife's family has suggested that I should omit this job from my SF-85 form, but I am committed to being truthful. I don't have any criminal history, and I believe it's crucial to maintain integrity, especially when applying for a position that may involve access to sensitive information. I'm hoping that my honesty will be viewed positively, but I can't shake the worry that this might cost me the job.

Applied at prestigious university for administrative position