Applied to a Job

Today, I took a moment to help a former co-worker who was laid off, just like me. I encouraged him to apply for the same job I’m currently deep into the interview process for. There are multiple positions open, and while he has experience that could make him a strong competitor, I couldn't ignore the fact that he has three small children to support. In this tough job market, I believe we both need all the help we can get. I really hope that both of us find success and get hired soon. I guess I’m just putting my faith in karma to do its thing!

I'm a 19-year-old university student currently back in my hometown for the summer, and I'm struggling to find my first job. I've never worked before, and I've been applying to various places on Indeed and company websites, but I haven't had any luck. Last week, I even went to some local restaurants and grocery stores in person, handed out my resume, and spoke with managers. I thought I had a good chance at one place after a formal handshake with a manager, but it didn't pan out. I've faced countless rejections for entry-level positions like cashier jobs and fast food roles. Since I lack formal work experience, I included my volunteer work on my resume, where I helped homeless families and spoke at a women's shelter in San Diego. I also listed my experience as an office assistant and teacher assistant in high school. My major is psychology, but I'm considering changing it since I don't want to be in school forever. My financial situation is dire; I have no money left from my FAFSA funds and need cash for gas, food, and car repairs. I'm open to remote work or online side hustles, but I really need guidance on navigating the job application process. I plan to apply for positions at my university when I return at the end of September, but I need immediate income. My family isn't being supportive, and I'm feeling overwhelmed.

I’m 25 and currently stuck in a manufacturing job, which I’m really trying to escape. I've been applying to various positions outside of manufacturing and HVAC, but it's proving to be quite challenging. A few months back, I applied for a role with the Department of Transportation but haven’t heard anything back, leaving me feeling a bit lost on what to do next. I’m not looking for a specific career path right now; I just want a job that I don’t dread going to every day. My ultimate goal is to explore something more creative, like music, acting, or animation, but I’m struggling to figure out how to get started in those fields. I don’t have any major responsibilities that motivate me to push through a tough job, and with the current housing market, saving for a house feels daunting. I’m just looking for something to keep the money flowing while I figure out my next steps.

Applied at bank for compliance/risk

Applied at Walmart for online pickup and delivery

After spending way too much time applying for jobs, I realized that not every job posting is actually genuine. Some listings linger online for months, while others seem to collect resumes for future openings. I've even noticed that some companies post jobs publicly after already selecting an internal candidate. To avoid wasting my time tailoring my resume, I've started checking for specific signs before applying. 1. If a job posting is 30+ days old, I investigate further. Some companies continuously hire, but others just recycle old listings. 2. When I see the same job being reposted frequently with the same description, I question why it hasn't been filled yet. 3. Vague job descriptions raise a red flag for me. If the posting lacks clear responsibilities, tools, or qualifications, I proceed with caution. 4. I check the company's LinkedIn page for signs of active hiring, like recent hires or recruiter activity. An inactive page can indicate a ghost job. 5. If the salary and requirements don’t align—like an entry-level role demanding 8+ years of experience—I suspect the position may not be a real priority. 6. A high applicant count, especially if it’s an old posting with thousands of applicants, makes me reconsider my time investment. 7. I read recent employee reviews to see if there are mentions of hiring freezes or layoffs, which can provide valuable context. These signs aren't definitive proof of a ghost job, but they help me filter opportunities. I prefer to send 10 thoughtful applications rather than 100 to jobs that may never materialize.

I applied for a role at a large company last Monday and just discovered that a recruiter had been trying to reach me since this Monday to schedule a first-round interview. Unfortunately, their emails went straight to my spam folder, so I missed them. Now, when I try to access the booking link, it shows a "no times available" error. I reached out to the recruiter immediately to explain what happened, but I haven't heard back yet. I'm feeling anxious about whether I've missed my chance for this opportunity.

I recently graduated with a degree in anthropology, but I'm struggling to find any employment. It's been incredibly disheartening, and I'm feeling overwhelmed by my financial situation. My rent is sky-high, and despite applying to countless jobs, I haven't received any callbacks—even for minimum wage positions. I was fired from two jobs within a month, and neither provided any feedback, which has left me feeling like a failure compared to my successful family. I'm considering pivoting to nursing to gain a qualification that could lead to a stable job, but I'm worried about how I will manage financially while I go back to school. The thought of having to give up my cat, who is my only source of comfort, is devastating. I feel completely lost, and I don't have a support system or connections to help me find a job. I've spent hours tailoring my resume, but it feels like I'm just a lost cause. I'm reaching out in hopes that someone might have advice or know of any opportunities.

I was laid off on April 28th and initially felt very motivated to dive into my job search. For a couple of months, I was actively applying and had several interviews that seemed promising, but unfortunately, none of them resulted in offers. As July rolled around, my motivation started to dwindle. The heat of summer and the realization that many companies were on vacation made it even harder to stay focused. I try to keep my mornings productive by exercising and handling daily chores, but when the afternoon comes, I struggle to muster the energy to job hunt. I find myself distracted by a stack of fiction novels that are calling my name. I'm reaching out for tips on how to regain my motivation. I've heard suggestions like flipping my schedule to apply for jobs in the morning and then working out afterward, but I'm still finding it tough. Anyone else experiencing a similar slump?

I was recently laid off from my job as a cashier/customer service representative at a local store, a position I had only started in February. I genuinely enjoyed the role and was under the impression that the last few months were a training period, after which I would receive a pay raise from $15 an hour, as I had been told during the hiring process. The only feedback I received was that I was a bit slow at organizing books, but my performance as a cashier was never criticized. I had just moved into a new studio apartment, which cost more than my previous place since I no longer had a roommate. The management was aware of my move and even assisted me during the transition. However, one Tuesday morning, I was called into the office by my manager and laid off on the spot. They were vague about the reasons, suggesting it was due to the store's economic situation rather than my performance. I later learned that another employee had been laid off just weeks before me. A few weeks prior to my layoff, I had a particularly rough day at work when I accidentally emptied the register while giving change. My manager reacted harshly, and I ended up crying in the break room, only to overhear them speaking negatively about me. This was painful, especially since I had defended them to my friends and family, believing they cared about me. Despite taking on extra shifts and having my previous manager acknowledge my contributions, I now feel like I was just used to handle the store's busy season. Initially, I thought my layoff was due to unfortunate circumstances, but when I received the layoff letter, which cited attendance and performance issues, I was shocked and felt betrayed. I have evidence of my hard work and the conversations where my manager expressed gratitude for my extra efforts. Now, I find myself struggling financially and mentally. I managed to get some commissions to cover a month's rent, but I'm facing an upcoming rent payment of $875 and have been unable to find a new job. My last paycheck was unprofessional, lacking proper tax deductions, which complicates my ability to apply for food stamps since I need documentation from my former employer, who has been unresponsive to my requests. This past month and a half has been incredibly challenging. I feel isolated and overwhelmed, with no family support as they are dealing with their own financial issues. I've had to reach out to friends for help, which adds to my stress. I just want to find stability again and feel like I'm in a never-ending cycle of disappointment. I've applied to numerous jobs but have either received no responses or have been ghosted after initial contact. I’m terrified of losing my apartment and just want to regain my happiness and stability.

I recently applied for a remote position with a company based in Germany. About five days after submitting my application, I received an email asking for my availability for an interview. I promptly replied, stating that I was available on Thursday and also asked for their preferred time. However, it's been 24 hours since I sent my response, and I haven't heard back from them. I'm feeling a bit confused about what to do next. Should I wait to see if they reach out tomorrow, or would it be better to follow up with another email?

I had an initial phone interview with an internal recruiter who seemed to appreciate my responses. This led to an in-person interview last Thursday with the department director and the VP. I sent a thank you email to the recruiter the next day, but they didn't provide any information about the decision timeline, and I forgot to ask. I'm currently employed, but this new role would significantly boost my salary and positively impact my family's financial situation. I'm feeling anxious about the outcome and debating whether to send a follow-up email tomorrow, one week after the interview, or wait until next Thursday for two weeks.

I left my job as a data analyst two years ago when I had my baby, and since then, I've been a stay-at-home mom. My husband works, so we don't really need my income, but I’ve felt unproductive and useless just staying at home. I’ve always worked, and it’s hard for me to adjust to relying on someone else financially, even if it's my husband. I started feeling anxious about the job market after hearing from old coworkers that it’s tough out there. My husband was supportive but also seemed to think I wouldn’t find anything, which made me even more anxious to prove him wrong. I didn’t want to jump back into a full-time office role right away, so I focused on remote positions. To be honest, I didn’t really job search seriously; I was quite picky and only applied to a few jobs. I sent my resume to some tech recruiters and joined a couple of talent networks, but I mostly relied on auto-submit features because I was too lazy to do it manually. Out of the blue, I got an interview request three days ago, and today I received an offer from Brigit in NYC. The catch? The position is hybrid, meaning I would have to go into the office. This has triggered a lot of anxiety for me because I’m not ready for that kind of transition, especially since I haven’t lost the baby weight and the thought of being back in an office is overwhelming. I haven’t accepted the offer yet. The pay is decent, but I really don’t want to work in an office environment. I’m torn about whether I should turn it down, especially with the job market being what it is. Am I crazy for considering this? What would you do?

I'm currently facing the possibility of losing my job in Customer Success, where I've spent about 2 years working as both an Associate CSM and a CSM in a B2B SaaS environment. My experience includes customer engagement, renewals, health checks, enablement campaigns, CRM reporting using Salesforce, and managing the customer lifecycle. I'm feeling quite overwhelmed about what to do next. I've already updated my resume and started applying for new positions, but I'm reaching out for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation. What strategies helped you secure your next Customer Success role? Are there specific companies in India that are currently hiring CSMs? Also, are there any skills or certifications you think I should focus on? Any interview tips for Customer Success roles would be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you for your support!

It's been nearly a month since I was laid off from my role at a startup, and the emotional weight of it is finally hitting me. Initially, I jumped into action—updating my resume, applying for jobs, and reaching out to my network, convinced that I'd land a new position quickly. But now, I feel like I've hit a wall. My household has had to drastically change how we manage our finances. Grocery shopping is different, our meals are simpler, and the sight of an almost empty fridge is a constant reminder of how life has shifted. The rejection emails have become a routine; I've faced rejections from jobs I'm overqualified for and even part-time positions. I've gone through recruiter screens and multiple interviews, only to be left hanging without feedback. It feels less like a job search and more like a series of humiliations. What stings the most is that my layoff had nothing to do with my performance. I was recruited to this startup, left a stable job, and just four months later, a massive layoff occurred. My life changed due to a business decision that I had no control over. I've found myself crying more in the past few days than I did when I was initially laid off. My confidence is eroding with every rejection, and each interview that leads nowhere makes me question my worth, despite knowing how tough the job market is right now. I've realized how much of my identity was tied to my career. Applying for jobs below my experience level and facing continuous rejection has been a humbling experience. People keep telling me, "It'll get better," and while I appreciate their intentions, those words often feel empty unless you've been through something similar. This experience has also revealed a lot about my relationships. Some people I expected to check in have been silent, while others I didn't anticipate have been supportive. Having rebuilt my life after losing everything during COVID, this layoff has reopened old fears. I've learned that no matter how hard you work, you can still be disposable to a company, a hard truth to accept after years of tying my identity to my job. Financially, I've become more cautious and reflective about spending. Watching friends who are more secure spend money freely can be tough, not out of bitterness, but because I now understand how quickly stability can vanish. I know this feeling won't last forever, and I have faith that I'll find work again. I just need to remind myself that right now, I feel helpless and angry, but that doesn't define who I am. If anyone else is experiencing this, I’d love to hear your story. I just want to know I'm not alone in feeling this way.

Since March, I've submitted 480 job applications. So far, I've received just one offer, which is a part-time position requiring 3-4 hours of work each day on a 6-month contract. I'm still actively searching for more opportunities.

I recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, but due to a brain tumor that affected me for the past seven years, I have no job experience. I've been applying for various positions like restaurant manager, assistant manager, server, car salesman, and roles at Walmart, but I've faced multiple rejections and have been ghosted by employers. I'm in urgent need of a job, preferably one that offers health insurance, as my medication costs around $2,000 a month. I haven't disclosed my disability in applications, even though I know discrimination is illegal, because I fear it might affect my chances. I've been advised that my resume looks good, but the lack of work experience is a significant barrier. I do have some volunteer experience, but it seems to be overlooked. I plan to stay in this job for a year or two while I prepare for law school. I often get asked why I'm not pursuing a job related to my degree, and I struggle to provide a convincing answer. I'm considering whether to remove my degree from my resume for some of these positions. Any advice on job options or how to address the degree question would be greatly appreciated!

I recently applied for an internal job at my current company and I'm feeling a bit anxious about the timeline for interviews. The job posting closes on the first day of a trip I have planned, and I'm unsure if I should bring my work laptop along in case I need to interview while I'm away. I'm considering reaching out to the hiring manager to ask about the interview timeline and format, but I'm worried about how it might come across. I don't want to seem presumptuous by asking if I might be shortlisted, nor do I want to sound unavailable by mentioning my trip. I'm trying to find a way to phrase my questions that feels casual and logistical, rather than pushy. Any advice on how to approach this would be appreciated!

I'm currently 15 years old and trying to land my first job. Recently, I applied at Culver's and even went through the interview process. However, since then, I haven't heard back from them. During the interview, I faced some odd questions that seemed irrelevant, but I answered them as best as I could. The interviewer mentioned they would reach out if they had any updates, but it's been radio silence since then. I have some cooking skills, like making breadsticks, pizza, and burgers, and I also completed an internship at a Marathon gas station before applying. I'm feeling a bit discouraged and unsure of what to do next in my job search.

I've been on the job hunt for the past two months and it's been incredibly frustrating. I've applied to numerous positions through company websites, but I've only received two responses: one was an automated rejection and the other was a phone screening that ended with the recruiter ghosting me. I spend a lot of time tailoring my resume and cover letter for each application, but it feels like my efforts are just disappearing into a black hole. I'm not even getting automated rejections for most of my applications, which is disheartening. Has anyone else experienced this lack of feedback? I'm starting to wonder if my applications are even being seen.