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I’m a 29-year-old woman currently looking for help with my resume as I’ve been struggling to find a job since June 2025. Despite reworking my resume countless times, I still haven’t been able to secure a position, and I’m eager to understand what might be wrong with it. I’ve been applying to various jobs daily and have had a few interviews, but unfortunately, I’ve also faced many rejections. My goal is to receive a job offer before the year ends. I’m currently a stay-at-home mom and am ready to transition into a new career path, ideally in customer service. I would appreciate any constructive feedback on my resume and suggestions on how I can improve it to stand out more to potential employers. I’m looking for supportive advice as I navigate this challenging job market.

I recently had a retail job interview where I was asked only five questions, and it left me feeling a bit nervous and overthinking things. The interview lasted about 15-20 minutes, and I was told I would receive feedback in about a week. The questions I was asked included: 1. Tell me about yourself. 2. Why are you interested in working here? 3. How do you handle constructive criticism? 4. How comfortable are you with meeting new people? 5. What’s your availability? I felt like it was a good conversation overall, and I was comfortable enough to ask the recruiter three questions about the job, such as how they define a successful candidate, how often they evaluate new members' performance, and what the training process looks like. I hope asking these questions didn’t hurt my chances; I was just genuinely curious about the job culture.

I received notice today that I will be laid off in mid-November. I had a feeling this was coming, so I've already started applying for new positions, but I'm feeling anxious about my chances of finding something suitable. I've been trying to pivot into different fields and leverage other skills I have, but it's tough. I'm curious how long it typically takes others to secure a new job after a layoff. I'm also looking for some encouragement during this uncertain time.

I just had to vent about my experience with job recruiters lately. I've applied for a few positions, and now my phone won't stop ringing with calls from recruiters. It feels like they’re hounding me like used car salesmen, and it's driving me crazy. Honestly, it’s gotten to the point where I’m considering just shutting my phone off entirely. I’m so overwhelmed that I’d rather deal with anything else than this constant barrage. I've noticed that a lot of these recruiters are from India, and they all seem to be chasing the same job postings. In the past few days alone, I've received as many as six calls for the same position, and it’s all from different recruiters. It feels like a complete waste of time, and I’m starting to think that this is just how it is now. I’ve been testing the waters with job applications for the last two years, and I can confidently say that most of these recruiters are just a waste of effort for me. I’ve also heard that companies sell our data when we apply, which makes it even worse. It’s frustrating to think that scammers might be getting my information too. I’m taking the advice of some commenters and planning to block these numbers and stop answering unknown calls. I just want this to die down so I can focus on my job search without all this chaos.

Today, I received another rejection email after what I thought was a successful in-person interview. It’s been a tough year since I lost my job when my previous employer filed for bankruptcy. In that time, I’ve submitted over 3,000 applications across various roles and cities, but I’ve only managed to land about 20 interviews, all of which ended in rejection. During the interview, I felt confident and maintained a professional demeanor throughout the process. The communication seemed positive, and I genuinely believed I was a strong candidate for the role. So, receiving the news that they chose to go with other candidates was disheartening. I’m starting to feel like I might be un-hireable, and it’s really taking a toll on my mental health. I have a decent resume with experience in retail, restaurant, warehouse, nightclub, and sales, but most of my jobs have been short-lived due to layoffs, health issues, or drastic reductions in hours. For instance, in retail, I was given only two hours of work in a week, which led me to quit. I’ve always left my jobs professionally and respectfully, and I’ve never spoken ill of any of my former employers. However, I’ve had some bad experiences, including situations where I felt blackmailed or lied about, which I worry might be affecting my chances of getting hired again. After each rejection, I’ve made it a point to send a follow-up email thanking the interviewers for their time and wishing them well, so I don’t think it’s an issue with how I present myself. I’ve even received compliments on my communication skills. Right now, I’m struggling to understand what’s making me un-hireable, and it’s really starting to hurt my self-worth.

I had a really strange interview experience today for a position I applied for online. When I arrived, I was surprised to find out that I had to re-fill out my entire application, which was quite annoying. After submitting it to the only contact I had, a woman I had been communicating with, the interview began. Midway through, a man unexpectedly joined us. He surprised both me and the original interviewer, and when I asked who he was, he seemed thrilled that I was caught off guard. It turned out he was her boss. The atmosphere became quite awkward, with nervous laughter all around. Instead of focusing on the job, he dominated the conversation, talking extensively about a drink he had just tried. The original interviewer appeared uncomfortable and barely spoke. Although he occasionally touched on the job details, he quickly returned to his own stories, which made the whole experience feel off-putting. Ultimately, I decided to rescind my application. It just felt wrong, and I can only imagine how difficult it would be to work under someone like that.

I recently received an interview offer from a recruiter for a position that would significantly increase my responsibilities compared to my current role as an HR specialist for the state government, where I've been for a little over 8 months. The new role involves supporting multiple facilities, focusing on employee relations, conflict resolution, and employee retention, primarily in healthcare HR for five long-term care centers. While I understand the job description and can envision myself performing the tasks, I have concerns since I haven't worked in healthcare HR before. My current duties mainly involve document management and compliance, which differ from the strategic employee retention focus of the new role. My background includes a year as an industrial recruiter, where I handled everything from sourcing candidates to onboarding, and 4.5 years in retail management, overseeing a large team and managing employee relations. I also co-managed a restaurant for two years, but none of that experience directly translates to the healthcare HR environment. I'm torn between being rational and analyzing the potential steep learning curve versus seizing the opportunity for an interview, especially in today's job market. I’m leaning towards taking the interview, but I’d love to hear any advice or thoughts on whether I should move forward with it.

I was laid off two weeks ago from my position as a Business Development Manager in tech, where I was earning around $275K. Since then, I've been actively applying for jobs, networking, and reaching out to founders and hiring managers, but the uncertainty of my situation looms over me. I might get lucky and find a similar role soon, or I could be unemployed for six months. Recently, three startups from my home country contacted me. I know the founders personally, and they want me to help them expand into the US market as their go-to-market and business development person. However, they can't offer me a salary that matches the NYC tech standards. The proposed arrangement is intriguing but risky: I wouldn't have a base salary, but I would earn about 30% of the revenue I generate. Since none of these companies require a full-time commitment, I could potentially work with all three on a fractional basis. I'm grappling with the idea that commission-only work might be a huge red flag, making it feel like I'm agreeing to work for free. Yet, I wonder about the potential upside. I'm currently unemployed, so I could dedicate 30-40% of my time to these startups while continuing my job search. If I manage to close deals, I could earn some income, and if one of these ventures gains traction, it could lead to something more significant. If it doesn't work out, I can always walk away when I find another job. I'm curious if anyone has experience with this kind of commission-only work between jobs. Am I overlooking any major pitfalls?

I recently went through a tough restructuring at my company, where I work in the tech field. My department was hit hard, and most of my teammates were told they needed to reapply for new roles that none of us felt prepared for. Unfortunately, three of my colleagues were let go, and while I managed to keep my job, the atmosphere is filled with sadness and anxiety. I received a new title and a few months to learn my new responsibilities, but it feels like a hollow victory. I’ve started applying for new jobs because I don’t want to stay at this company anymore. However, after sending out around 40 applications and only landing one interview—which didn’t lead to anything—I feel trapped. I’ve adjusted my resume and cover letters multiple times, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference. The job market feels bleak, especially with so many layoffs happening in big tech companies. It’s disheartening and makes me question if I’m the problem. I just wanted to share my experience and see if anyone else feels stuck in their current job like I do. I’m hoping to find something better soon, but the current job landscape is really challenging.

I recently found myself in a tricky situation while applying for a job in a niche role that I initially thought I wasn't ready for. An old colleague reached out to me about an opening at her company, and although I wasn't looking to leave my current job, I recommended a guy named Mike for the position. Mike is someone I know well from previous work and he’s very knowledgeable and passionate about this field. I thought he would be a great fit, especially since we had both applied for a similar role in the past without success. However, as time went on, I started feeling increasingly unhappy in my current position and realized that this new role could really play to my strengths and help me move forward in my career. Plus, the salary increase would be beneficial for my family. So, I reached out to my colleague and asked if I could still apply, and she said yes. I had my second round of interviews yesterday, and I learned that it's now down to me and Mike. I feel awful about it because I initially recommended him, and now I might be competing against him for the job. I’m worried about how this could affect our relationship, especially since he’s a good guy and could potentially be a client in the future. I’m torn between feeling like I should withdraw my application to avoid any awkwardness or just going through with it. I’m looking for some perspective on whether this is just a tough situation or if I’m crossing some kind of social line by continuing with my application.

My son-in-law has been out of work for 9 months after being laid off from his Product Manager role due to downsizing. With the holiday season approaching, he urgently needs to find a job in the SF Bay Area. He’s actively networking with past colleagues and has a solid background, including AI coursework from Stanford and experience with vibe coding. He even had his resume reviewed by a professional career coach. Despite being a finalist for several positions, he keeps losing out to internal candidates or those with more experience, which is understandably frustrating for him. I’m looking for effective strategies to help him secure interviews quickly. Some suggestions I’ve received include broadening his job search beyond just product management and considering roles in financial institutions or the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. It seems that being open to in-office positions could also increase his chances, as the tech market in the Bay Area is reportedly picking up again for those willing to work on-site. I've learned that applying to jobs is now a numbers game, especially with the influx of resumes enhanced by AI. He needs to make applying a regular part of his day. However, I’m concerned that the real issue might be converting interviews into job offers, as he may not be showcasing the strategic thinking that employers are looking for. Overall, it’s a tough market for tech roles, especially in product management, and I’m eager to hear any additional advice or strategies that could help him land a job soon.

I had a call yesterday with the head of HR from a major patent firm in France regarding a trainee patent attorney position. Given my 8 years of experience as a UKIPO patent examiner, I'm eligible to take the European Qualifying Exams right away, which is a significant advantage. During our conversation, the recruiter mentioned that she would forward my CV to the head of their computing division and arrange a call with them. She also indicated that I would be offered a salary above the market rate due to my experience if I were hired. However, she didn’t provide a timeline for when I might hear back from them. I'm left wondering if her comments were genuinely encouraging or if I’m just being politely brushed off. It’s tough to gauge the sincerity of recruiters sometimes.

I have a 6-year career gap and I'm currently applying for jobs in Chicago. I've submitted about 200 applications so far, but I've only had one interview, which unfortunately didn't go well. I'm trying to pivot into HR or administrative roles, but I haven't had any success in landing those positions. I'm now considering applying for medical front office jobs, where I have some experience, just to get hired and fill the gap in my resume. However, I'm hesitant because I don't want to feel stuck in that field, especially since it would be my third job in that area. I'm looking for advice on whether applying for the medical front office positions is a smart move or if I should keep focusing on HR/admin roles.

I just had my first job interview in four months after applying non-stop! It feels like a huge step forward, and I'm really hoping for the best. The job market has been tough lately, so I'm trying to stay positive and prepared. I've received some great advice from friends, like to dress well and be myself during the interview. I'm excited but also a bit nervous. Fingers crossed that this leads to more opportunities!

I recently got laid off from my role at a finance startup after a year, despite going through seven rounds of interviews to get there. I'm actively looking for new opportunities in Java and Spring Boot, and I have experience with AWS, microservices, concurrency, and scaling. I hold an M.Tech in Computer Science from IIT and have over three years of experience, primarily working remotely. I've been applying to over 1000 roles in the past 20 days, but I've only received rejections or no responses at all. I'm an immediate joiner and open to relocation. I'm especially interested in backend development roles, and I also have a solid background in AI/ML from my major project, which resulted in a published paper. I've reached out for referrals, but most people either don't respond or the positions are already filled by the time I hear back. I'm really in need of leads or any advice that could help me in my job search. Thank you!

I was laid off last Friday morning due to a "reduction in workforce" at the software company where I worked in sales support. It was a tough moment, especially since I really liked my job and had a great relationship with my boss, who seemed to struggle with delivering the news. I was approaching my two-year mark with the company, and this is my first experience with a layoff. Thankfully, I received two months of severance, which gives me a bit of a cushion, but I'm feeling uncertain about what to do next. I've started looking for new job opportunities, but honestly, most of the openings I see don’t excite me. I know it’s not my fault that I was laid off, but it's hard not to feel like I could have been more valuable to the company. I’m trying to figure out how to prepare for my next career move during this severance period. I'm considering whether there are any certifications I could pursue that would be beneficial within the next two months. My background is in sales support, primarily dealing with order processing and quoting renewals, but I’m also interested in possibly transitioning into HR or Marketing. A few years ago, I took online courses in UX Design but stopped due to market saturation. I’m not sure if that field is still as competitive as it was. On a different note, I recently bought my first camera, a Canon R50, and I've always had a passion for photography. I’m thinking about taking it more seriously and possibly exploring it as a supplemental income source, especially given the current job market. I’m still applying for jobs, but I’d appreciate any advice or insights on how to navigate this transition.

I'm a 27-year-old stay-at-home dad, currently trying to find work that can help my family financially. My husband works full-time, but we're struggling to make ends meet. I have certifications in culinary arts and business management, but I've had no luck finding a job in those fields. I really enjoy being home with our one-year-old and another baby on the way in November, so I'm looking for work-from-home opportunities. I've applied to numerous entry-level remote positions, but I rarely hear back. I'm considering pursuing additional certifications that I can complete from home, which would ideally lead to a stable job that allows me to continue raising our boys. Any suggestions for certifications that could lead to decent work would be greatly appreciated!

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