Applied to a Job

I recently applied for a position at a start-up and had to complete a lengthy assessment essay before the interview. The essay required me to detail how I would integrate a newly acquired health care company into their existing platforms, including data security measures and potential risks. It was a comprehensive task that took me about 7 hours to complete, as I had to condense my thoughts into a 2-page plan. After submitting it, I waited a week only to be denied the position. I can't help but feel like I was scammed, putting in so much effort for nothing.

I recently graduated high school and have been actively searching for a job since the beginning of the year. I've been calling, applying online, and even asking in person at various places like Target and fast food restaurants, but I just can't seem to get hired. I've created a resume, but it feels like I'm hitting a wall. The farthest I've gotten is an interview, but then I either receive no response or a rejection email. I'm starting to wonder if it's something about me or if it's just the current job market. I've heard that it can be particularly tough for someone just starting out, especially in a bad economy. Some people suggested looking into local trade schools or considering companies like Amazon, which seem to hire a lot of young people. I'm feeling pretty frustrated and worried about my job prospects.

I was laid off from AT&T in February 2026, where I worked as an IT solutions architect. Since then, I've been actively applying for jobs but have faced numerous rejections despite having all my active certifications, a BS in computer sciences, and an MBA in information systems management. With nearly 12 years of experience in my field, it's disheartening not to secure a position. I've noticed that the job market is quite tough right now, with fewer openings and a high number of applicants for each role. I'm holding onto hope that the situation will improve. In the meantime, I'm considering driving for Uber to make ends meet while I continue my job search. Wish me luck!

I'm currently unemployed after leaving my position as a Software Engineer, where I had 1.8 years of experience. I decided to resign due to overwhelming workload issues and the prospect of being assigned to another long-term project that could last 3-5 years. My notice period was 90 days, but the companies I'm applying to are looking for immediate joiners. My last CTC was 4 LPA, and I had hoped to make a switch for a better salary. However, when I discuss my expected salary of 10 LPA with recruiters, they often respond that they can only offer a 30% hike, which is disheartening. I've seen many people on LinkedIn jumping from 4 or 6 LPA to 20 or 30+ LPA, and it makes me question what I'm doing wrong. I've been actively trying to maintain a strong GitHub and LeetCode profile, but I haven't received any responses. I even interviewed for a position that offered 7 LPA but didn't progress past the first round. I've been applying through every platform I can think of—LinkedIn, Naukri, Wellfound, Weekdays, We Work Remotely—and I've tried reaching out for referrals, but no one seems to reply. I've been sitting at home since January, and it's really taking a toll on me.

I'm currently on the hunt for a new job and could really use some advice. I've been applying to various positions but haven't had much luck so far. I'm wondering if anyone has tips on how to improve my resume or cover letter, or suggestions on where to look for job openings. Any insights from those who have successfully navigated the job search process would be greatly appreciated!

I’ve been actively searching for a job lately, but it feels like the job market is really tough right now. I’ve applied to various industries, but I haven’t received a single interview yet. It’s disheartening to see that even places like McDonald's are being selective with their hiring. I can’t help but feel demoralized, especially when I hear others around me struggling as well. It seems like the economy is not improving, and I’m starting to worry about my savings running out. I’m open to any suggestions or advice from others who might be in the same boat.

I've been feeling burnt out at my current job due to poor management, so I decided to start applying for new positions. I've sent out around 150 applications and gone through 10 interviews so far. It's been exhausting, and I'm currently waiting on responses from 6 companies. I was even flown out for one interview after completing three virtual ones, only to not get the job and end up burning my PTO in the process. At this rate, my PTO is going to be entirely used up just for interviews. It's a tough market out there, and I really admire everyone else navigating this situation.

I filed for unemployment in Virginia on May 24th and just submitted my second round of job searches today. I’m feeling a bit anxious about when I might receive my payments since I haven’t gotten anything yet. I’ve already received information about my weekly amount, but the website says payments usually arrive within 21 days of filing. I’m also worried about being behind on my loan and credit card payments. They mentioned that they are still investigating my case, but I haven’t heard anything from my employer regarding an appeal. I hope I can get some clarity soon.

I recently came across a new independent restaurant opening nearby and I'm really eager to apply for a position there. Since my resume isn't very strong—having only two previous jobs unrelated to hospitality, although one was in customer service—I want to find a way to stand out. I noticed their website is still a work in progress and there’s no contact information listed on Indeed. I’m considering reaching out directly via their Instagram page with a follow-up introductory message after applying. I’m unsure if this is a good approach or if I should just leave it. Any advice on whether this would be appropriate?

I'm 19 years old and currently struggling to find a job. I've applied to numerous positions including cinemas, retail, extra stadium roles, temporary gigs, and cleaning jobs, but I've faced nothing but rejections. I have around 7-8 months of experience as a steward, but I haven't worked a game in a while. I'm feeling really frustrated and I'm reaching out for advice on what types of jobs might actually consider hiring someone like me. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Today marks 148 days of unemployment for me, and I received disappointing news from a company I was really hopeful about. They chose another candidate, and I can't help but feel crushed. My emotions are all over the place; I want to cry, scream, and fight against this situation. My wife and kids are here with me on the couch, completely unaware of how much I'm struggling inside. This has truly been one of the toughest times in my life—emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. I've always been someone who has held a job and steadily progressed in my career, so this feeling of being lost is overwhelming. Despite the challenges, I know tomorrow is a new day, and I plan to keep applying for jobs. I just hope that something good comes my way soon. I appreciate all the support and encouragement from those who understand what I'm going through. I wish everyone the best in their job search.

I recently started working for a hospitality agency and have been using their app to apply for shifts. However, I've faced some frustrating challenges. I've applied for 8 shifts so far, but I've been rejected from every single one with the reason being 'team full.' I make sure to apply as soon as the shifts become available, so I don't understand why I'm not getting any of them. Feeling a bit lost, I called the agency to ask if I was doing something wrong in the application process. They assured me that I was following the right steps and advised me not to take it personally. They mentioned that many locations prefer hiring people who have worked there before, which makes it even tougher for someone like me, who is just starting out. To add to my frustration, they often leave my applications pending for several days only to reject them later. It feels like I'm just the last resort for these shifts, and it's disheartening. As a 17-year-old trying to gain experience, I could really use some encouragement that this situation is not a reflection of my abilities.

I recently graduated with a degree in animal biology and moved to a new city to pursue job opportunities in this field. My college didn't provide many resources for this career path, and I regret my choice. I previously interviewed for an animal admitting technician position at a local animal shelter but was turned down for a more qualified candidate. However, the position opened up again due to high turnover, and I applied once more. I had a good in-person interview and even a working interview, where the interviewer seemed to remember me and expressed appreciation for my experience. Despite the positive interaction, it's now been two weeks since the interview, and I've received no communication. I followed up a week after the interview but still haven't heard back. I'm unsure if I should reach out again or start looking into other entry-level positions or further schooling in the animal medical field. I'm torn because they seemed impressed with my application, but the lack of response is discouraging.

I had my final interview last Tuesday for a position at a well-known defense tech company, and I was told I would hear back by this Tuesday. Now it's Friday, and I still haven't received any communication. I went through a rigorous 7-stage interview process, and all three panel interviewers seemed positive about my fit for the role. In fact, they even adjusted the role mid-process to keep me in consideration, which felt like a good sign. After the final panel, I was optimistic. However, when Tuesday came and went without any news, I decided to follow up last Friday. The recruiter replied on Tuesday, saying they were still working through the process and that I should expect to hear something this week or next. Now it's Friday again, and I'm left in limbo with no rejection or offer. I'm starting to worry that they might have offered the position to someone else and are just waiting for that person's response before officially rejecting me. Has anyone else experienced something similar? How did it turn out for you?

I recently applied for an internal role at one of the Big 4 firms in Australia, and I was convinced I had messed up my interviews. The first interview was conducted via MS Teams, and I struggled to articulate my answers. I didn't stick to the STAR format, and the interviewers kept probing with follow-up questions, which left me feeling like I had bombed it. After that, I thought there was no way I would move forward in the process. A week later, I was invited for a second interview, this time face-to-face. I was still nervous and could feel myself sweating, which only added to my anxiety. I had to pause for a moment to wipe the sweat off my forehead and hands, but I managed to get through it. To my surprise, just three days later, the hiring manager called me with the news that I had been offered the position! They mentioned that I interviewed well in both rounds and were excited to extend the offer. I’ll be starting in a couple of weeks, and this experience taught me that you should never count yourself out. Just because you think you didn’t do well doesn’t mean it’s over. It’s not a no until it’s a no!

I recently applied for a position at M&S, the UK supermarket chain, and I keep receiving a status of 'regretted' for my applications. This has happened multiple times now, and it's quite disheartening. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced the same issue with their applications.

I'm currently navigating a tough situation after being laid off from my job as a heavy-duty technician apprentice in Alberta, Canada. I've been unemployed for over a year, and while I've had several interviews and even some offers, I turned down a job a few months ago because it required me to stay in a work camp, which I can't do. I also declined an offer in a different field that I now regret. Recently, I received an offer in my field, but it involves relocating to a smaller town without any relocation assistance, and the pay is lower than what I've previously earned. After much consideration, I decided to decline the offer, but now I'm second-guessing my decision. I'm torn between the need to get back to work and the uncertainty of whether I'll receive another offer soon. I'm even open to accepting jobs outside my field just to get back to work. I'm really struggling with whether I should reach out to the company and ask if the offer is still available or if I should hold out for something local. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I was referred to a colleague of my friend's dad who runs a business in NYC and is looking for a full-time hire. My friend initially got the job offer but could only work part-time, so she passed my resume along to the colleague knowing I’m looking to move to NYC. I missed her call on Thursday because I was at work, and she texted me asking when I’d be available to talk. I told her I was free after 6pm, but she didn’t call that evening. I followed up with a text, but still no response, so she suggested we try again after 6pm on Friday. I waited again, but there was no call. I reached out to my friend for advice, and she said to wait until Saturday morning to follow up. I sent a polite message offering my availability for the weekend or the following week, but it’s now 4pm on Saturday and I still haven’t heard back. I understand it’s the weekend and she might be busy, but I can’t help but feel stressed about the lack of communication. I plan to wait until Monday evening to follow up again, but I’m anxious about whether this means she’s not interested in hiring me.

It's been two weeks since I accepted an offer letter for a position at a grocery store. I applied about a month ago, and after some back and forth with the hiring manager, I finally received the offer letter. The manager initially asked me to resubmit my application because it had expired, which I did right after our call. A few days later, I got the offer letter and filled out the I-9 form. However, the day after signing the offer, I received a call from another manager who mentioned that the original manager wanted me to resubmit my application again. I informed her that I had already received the offer letter. Since then, I haven't heard anything back. I called the store a week later to check in and learned that the hiring manager was on vacation. I tried to speak to someone else about my situation, but they confused me with another candidate. They took my name and number but I still haven't received any updates. In the meantime, I've been applying to other jobs, but I'm not getting any responses. I'm feeling really frustrated because I left my previous job due to moving and other difficulties, and now bills are piling up. This is the longest I've ever had to wait to start a new job. Additionally, the union representative reached out because I hadn't filled out the union paperwork. He mentioned he would check on my situation when he was in the store last week, but I haven't heard back from him either. I'm considering whether I should reach out again this week.

I’m currently 16 and trying to land my first job, but I’m struggling since I have no previous work experience. I’ve applied online but haven’t received any responses. I did manage to get one interview, but after going in-store, I never heard back from them. I’m considering walking into all the stores in my city this weekend to ask if they’re hiring because I’m really determined to find something. However, I’ve read that this approach might be outdated. I’m also feeling anxious about filling out applications because I worry I’ll mess up and get denied. I’ve seen advice suggesting that I should look into volunteer work for experience or check if local lawn services need help. I know that many teenagers work at places like movie theaters, which sounds fun and would fit my schedule. I’ve been told that I should avoid going in on weekends since it’s busy and might not be respectful. Instead, I should aim for a Monday or Wednesday when managers are more likely to be available. I plan to dress in business casual, be friendly, and have a resume ready, even if it’s light on experience. I’m hoping to download a generic application to fill out and bring with me when I go in. I just want to make a good impression and finally get my foot in the door.