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Applied at T-Mobile for senior project manager

Applied at new school district for Unknown

Applied at McDonald's for Unknown

I'm feeling really frustrated with my job search. I've been applying to jobs since I was 16, and now at 20, I've had a total of 7 interviews but haven't landed a single offer. I've applied everywhere from retail positions to gas stations, but it seems like my lack of experience is holding me back. My parents keep telling me to 'apply myself harder,' but I'm starting to feel lost. I appreciate the suggestions from others, and I'm considering ways to improve my marketability, like volunteering or taking classes. It's just disheartening to see so many people with jobs when I can't even get my foot in the door.

I'm currently in the job application process for a teaching position with CPS, and I've hit a bit of a snag regarding references. The hiring manager has specifically requested a reference from a principal, assistant principal, or someone from the HR department at the school district where I worked as a substitute teacher last year. Unfortunately, due to the nature of my role, I don't have any direct relationships with the administration since I was constantly moving between different campuses and primarily interacting with students. I spent the year as a substitute teacher across a large school district, which made it difficult to develop the kind of rapport needed for a reference from an administrator. I was also a full-time student, which limited my ability to take on long-term assignments that might have allowed me to build those relationships. The HR department has stated they can't provide a reference letter since they had minimal interaction with me after my initial hiring. However, I do have a teacher who I frequently substituted for, and she is willing to provide a reference. I'm considering asking the CPS hiring manager if this would be acceptable instead of the requested principal reference. I plan to accompany her reference with my job offer letter and any proof of employment they might need. I'm also providing supervisor references from my previous jobs, which the hiring manager requested. I'm just unsure how to approach the hiring manager about the teacher's reference and if there's anything specific I should avoid doing in this situation.

I recently graduated with a degree in fashion merchandising and have spent the last five years working as a buyer in a buy/sell/trade secondhand fashion store. Now, I'm trying to break into corporate fashion buying, but it's been tough. I've applied to numerous assistant buyer positions on job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn, but I've only received one interview, and it felt like the interviewer didn't value my experience. I think my lack of a formal internship in corporate buying and no direct corporate experience is holding me back. I'm looking for advice on how to get my foot in the door and any additional job search platforms or skills I should focus on. I'm based in the Southern California/LA area, so if anyone has insights or tips, I would greatly appreciate it!

I'm a 25-year-old mechanical design engineer with four years of experience, currently working at my second company for the past three years. Recently, my company entered a joint venture, and there have been layoffs happening regionally for about four months. My region had been untouched until now, but I'm feeling anxious as my N+2 manager is visiting us next week without a clear reason. I have a strong feeling that the whole team might be laid off. I've received two awards and positive feedback from my colleagues, so I know I do my job well, but the uncertainty is overwhelming. The work has slowed down, and I've been applying for jobs but only received rejections so far. I'm scared that if I lose my job, I might have to move back in with my parents and feel like a burden to them. I'm trying to stay proactive by applying for jobs and upskilling, but the anxiety is tough to manage. I just needed to vent and seek any advice on what I should do next.

I wanted to share a bit of hope amid all the job search challenges I've seen lately. After applying to around 600 jobs over the past three months, I finally landed a full remote position that pays $79,400 a year. It was definitely a numbers game; I made sure to apply to every remote IT job in the USA that offered over $25 an hour. During interviews, I treated every opportunity as a competition against candidates who might have more experience, and I focused on selling myself to the hiring managers. Persistence really paid off!

I was laid off in June and I'm currently trying to figure out my next steps. Like many others, I'm feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. I work in a specialized field where job opportunities are limited and the pay has significantly decreased since I entered the industry. I'm considering pivoting to a different specialty, but that would require a lot of time and effort to learn new skills, starting from scratch. Before the layoff, I struggled with work-life balance, especially as a parent. The stress was constant, and I often felt stretched too thin. Now, I'm contemplating various options to make ends meet. Should I pivot careers entirely? Maybe move in with my parents, even though that would mean a longer commute for my husband? I'm also considering reducing my son's preschool hours to part-time or even becoming a stay-at-home mom. Financially, we need to keep earning for retirement, but I’m feeling quite hopeless about finding a well-paying job anytime soon. I spend my days applying for jobs while my son is in preschool, but the lack of responses is really getting me down. Right now, I don't see much light at the end of the tunnel.

I recently re-applied for a position at Planned Parenthood after initially fumbling my interview. I had interviewed for a role there but was rejected. Now that the position has reopened, I decided to send an email expressing my interest in being reconsidered and submitted my application again. I'm feeling a bit anxious about whether they'll actually consider me this time or if I might be seen as blacklisted due to my previous rejection. I know the odds might not be in my favor, but I figured it couldn't hurt to try.

I recently applied for several jobs and included my seasonal work with a government agency on my resume. I listed the dates from April 2021 to October 2022, even though I didn't work during the winter months. I wanted to keep my resume concise, so I noted that my position was a seasonal appointment that was completed. Now, I'm worried that this might cause issues if they run an employment verification check. Should I be concerned about the discrepancy in dates, or is it better to clarify my seasonal role upfront?

I applied for a position at my current company and went through the interview process a few weeks ago. On July 2nd, I was informed that I was the top candidate, and on July 6th, I received a call from the operations manager offering me the job. The following day, I reached out to confirm if I should expect a call from HR for a formal offer and was assured that I would. Now, it's been almost 20 days with no communication whatsoever. I've tried to follow up but have not received any responses. It's incredibly frustrating to be left in the dark after being told I was the preferred candidate. I'm starting to feel anxious about the situation and wondering if I should continue to wait or start looking for other opportunities.

I’ve been out of the software engineering industry for 5 years now. I used to have over 11 years of experience and was recognized for my work frequently, even surviving multiple layoffs and mergers. In 2021, I decided to take a break due to burnout and personal issues, including my mom's illness. I thought it was a good time to step back, but now I’m realizing how tough it is to re-enter the workforce. I’ve sent out countless resumes, but it feels like they vanish into thin air. No headhunters are reaching out to me anymore, and I’m struggling to get any responses at all. I did work as a teaching assistant at a reputable university during my time off, so I know my skills aren’t completely outdated, but I feel like I’d need several months to get back up to speed. I’m really at a loss here. Has anyone else successfully returned to work after a long break? How did you manage to get back in? I’m feeling pretty discouraged with the lack of interviews and responses.

Applied at Dunkin Donuts for Unknown

Applied at Oracle for Sales Development Representative

Applied at Patel/Hotel/Motel for Front Desk Associate

I’m feeling really down about my job situation right now. I currently work at a hotel front desk, and honestly, I hate it. This is my first job after being a caretaker for a disabled family member, which was unpaid. I’m exhausted all the time and I get burnt out quickly. I want to quit, but I can’t find another job. I've applied to around 40 positions and only got interviews for a few, and the only job I landed was this one. The problem is, the jobs available in my area are either ones I’m unqualified for or roles that I know I wouldn’t enjoy at all. Plus, I can’t move to another city since I already relocated to get away from home. I studied history in school, but I’m not sure if I want to pursue a master’s degree, and there aren’t any history-related jobs available. It’s mostly food service or roles I just don’t qualify for. I’ve started noticing memory issues and I feel constantly drained. I think it’s because my current job isn’t stimulating or interesting enough for me. I feel like I’m losing my sharpness and I forget things more often than I used to. This is just me venting, and I’m not even sure if any of this makes sense. I just feel stuck and overwhelmed.

I quit my job on June 28, 2026, primarily due to mental health issues exacerbated by a toxic work environment and bigoted coworkers. I had been facing harassment for using a different name than what was on the schedule, as I am a trans woman. The constant use of slurs and derogatory comments made my mental health deteriorate further. On the same day I quit, I submitted my application for unemployment benefits, believing that my qualifying mental health problems would not disqualify me from receiving support. I also provided my healthcare provider's capability form to support my claim. However, it's been a while, and I'm still in the 'waiting on response' stage without any updates. I'm feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what steps to take next as I struggle to manage my finances during this time.

I've been feeling really discouraged lately in my job search. After working in retail since 2019, I was recently let go from my overnight position at Walmart due to a hospitalization that kept me away for a few weeks. Unfortunately, I couldn't inform my store in time, and I lost my job as a result. Now, I'm in a new job, but the hours are incredibly sparse—I'm only getting scheduled for 1 or 2 days a month, which is hardly enough to make ends meet. I've been applying everywhere I can think of: Dollar Tree, Target, Sam's Club, Walmart, Petsmart, Petco, Walgreens, Home Depot, CVS, Family Dollar, gas stations, and fast food places like McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, and Taco Bell. Despite having 6-7 years of retail experience, I'm either getting ghosted or receiving rejection emails. It feels so frustrating because back before COVID, I could apply with little experience and often land an interview within a week. Now, it seems like with my experience, I'm lucky to even get a response. I called one store to check on my application, and the manager told me he was sorting through 60 applications for the position I applied for. It’s hard to believe that many people are vying for a job that pays only $12-15 an hour. It really makes me question my chances of getting hired anywhere.

I'm currently working in junk removal and trying to find a new job, but I'm feeling overwhelmed with the process. My work schedule is pretty demanding; I work Monday through Thursday and Saturday, starting at 7 AM, and I never know when I'll finish. This makes it challenging to dedicate time to job searching. Getting my current job took about 2 or 3 months of full-time effort. I'm looking for advice on how to quickly increase my hireability and manage the application and interview process alongside my current job. I'm not entirely sure what skills I should focus on or what specific job I'm aiming for. Before this, I was an air traffic controller, and I have applied for a few ATC-related positions, but those opportunities seem to be several months away from materializing.