Applied to a Job

I recently applied for a product manager position at Meta while trying to transition from the public sector to big tech. I was excited to reach the prescreen stage, but then I noticed that the job posting is no longer available. I'm feeling uncertain about my chances now. Does this mean I’m out of the running? I’ve been persistent in my job search, but I haven’t had much luck so far. I'm hoping that not being declined yet means I might still be in consideration, even if they've stopped accepting applications.

I’m feeling completely lost and overwhelmed after being laid off 18 months ago from my role in clinical research, where I dedicated 16 years of my life to advancing new medical devices. I was consistently promoted and received positive reviews, but since the layoff, it’s been a struggle. I’m currently pursuing a master’s degree part-time to enhance my skills, but my funds are running low, and unemployment benefits are about to run out. I’ve submitted around 15,000 job applications, ranging from entry-level positions to director roles, but the job market has been brutal. I’ve kept up with international regulations as part of my studies, and I’ve been told I interview well, yet I’m still facing rejection. The delays in FDA processing times have made companies hesitant to hire, which adds to my frustration. I feel like the industry I love is stagnating, and it’s taking a toll on my mental health. I’m worried about how my spouse is handling this situation since they don’t openly discuss their feelings. I just want to provide a good life for my family, but with my bank account dwindling and no clear path forward, I’m left wondering what comes next. I’ve seen so many stories of others facing similar struggles, and it’s disheartening. Despite my efforts to tailor my resume and get professional help, I’m finding it hard to get hired, especially for opportunities outside the country due to visa sponsorship concerns. I’m reaching out for some hope and encouragement because I know I have valuable skills to offer. It’s just hard to see a way out right now.

After sending out 850 applications, I finally landed a job at NVIDIA, and I want to share what changed in my approach. Initially, I was sending out about 30 tailored applications daily, but I was met with nothing but rejections, despite holding an Ivy League master's degree in engineering. I also tried reaching out to numerous recruiters on LinkedIn, but I received no responses. Then, I shifted my strategy to target hiring managers specifically for entry-level roles in my field. I invested in LinkedIn Premium and searched for positions that weren't on the first couple of pages of results, as those were often inundated with messages. I even gathered job titles and names from various publications and other search results. I reached out either through LinkedIn or, when possible, via email. I made sure to craft concise messages that would capture their attention. I started with a personal connection, referencing something specific about them, like their involvement in a project or their educational background. Then, I briefly highlighted my relevant skills and experience in one sentence, asking if they would be open to a chat. This approach yielded a response rate of about 10%, and half of those conversations led to interviews. Ultimately, this strategy helped me secure my dream job at NVIDIA. I learned that sometimes, there may not be a job posting available, but if a hiring manager likes you, they can create an opportunity. This method may not work for every industry, but the key takeaway is to connect with people in hiring positions rather than just recruiters. Once I realized this, my job search transformed significantly. Referrals didn't yield any results for me, but this direct approach made all the difference.

I've been applying for jobs lately and it's becoming really frustrating. I feel like about 50% of the job listings I encounter are just AI-generated scams. Every time I submit an application, I get back the same generic responses that clearly come from a bot. Is this the new normal for job searching? I can't help but feel disheartened. I've always found that my best luck in finding opportunities has been through in-person interactions rather than online applications. It's been a long time since I graduated, and I’ve learned not to hold my breath during the recruitment process.

I've been actively applying to jobs lately, dedicating about two hours each day to the process. However, I've started to realize that I might need to reassess my approach. A friend suggested that instead of just applying to every role, I should focus on filtering opportunities that truly match my skills and location. This advice makes sense since I’ve noticed that many of the positions I applied for weren't a good fit. By narrowing down my search criteria, I hope to reduce the number of applications I send out but increase my chances of getting responses. The job market is tough right now, but I'm determined to find a role that aligns with my expertise.

I spent the week driving around for interviews, burning through all my gas without landing any job offers. As a veteran and a college graduate, it's frustrating to be in this situation, especially when I'm sitting here feeling hungry. The interviews I attended were for retail positions, and honestly, they felt pointless. They asked me questions like, "Can you describe a situation where you dealt with a tough customer?" It seemed like the typical interview script. Each time they told me, "We have a few more interviews and we'll let you know," I couldn't help but feel that if they really wanted to hire me, they would have made a decision already. It’s disheartening to keep hearing the same line.

I had a fantastic phone interview about a week ago for a position that felt like my dream job. I was invited for an in-person interview, which went amazingly well. The interviewer and I connected really well, both during and after the interview. They mentioned they had a few more candidates to interview but expressed their intention to move me to the final round. They also assured me that they would reach out regardless of the outcome. I have a solid background in this field, and they seemed genuinely impressed by my achievements. However, now it’s been over a week without any response. I sent a follow-up email a couple of days ago but haven't heard back. While I'm applying to other roles and not overly anxious, I was really excited about this opportunity and enjoyed meeting the team and seeing the facility. Has anyone else experienced a similar situation? What was the outcome for you? I'm just curious since everything seemed to go so well.

Today marks five months since I was laid off from my role, and I can't help but reflect on this challenging journey. I've submitted over 200 applications and gone through 18 interviews, yet I'm still waiting for a full-time job offer in my field. It feels like a heavy weight, especially knowing so many others are facing similar struggles. I'm reaching out for some positivity today. For those who have been unemployed for an extended period and eventually found their way back, what kept you motivated? What valuable lessons did you learn during that tough time? When did things finally start to change for you? I'm eager to hear about what the light at the end of the tunnel looks like for you.

After 8 months of job hunting and submitting 847 applications, I finally received a job offer today, and I can hardly believe it. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster filled with 31 interviews and countless rejection emails. I actually cried—like, really ugly cried—in my car after getting the news. I want to share what changed in my approach because I know how discouraging this process can be. Around month 5, I decided to try something different. Instead of just applying through job portals, I started reaching out directly to people at companies I was interested in. I sent personalized emails to hiring managers and department heads, explaining why I wanted to connect, without attaching my resume. The response rate was incredible compared to the silence I’d experienced on platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn. In just 3 weeks, I managed to book 6 conversations, and one of those led to a referral, which then turned into an interview and ultimately this job offer I accepted this morning. For anyone currently struggling in their job search, please know it’s not a reflection of your worth. The system is tough, but there are ways to navigate around it.

I recently found myself in a strange job situation. I’m a licensed esthetician and also work part-time at a fast food restaurant. I applied for a full-time paid nurse aide training position at a nursing home, which will lead to a full-time CNA job and help me prepare for nursing school next year. After I put in my notice at the medspa where I worked, they called me back within an hour to tell me not to finish my notice, effectively firing me. The next day at my fast food job, things escalated when my manager threatened to throw me out of the window because I refused to take a headset that I hadn’t been trained on. I stood my ground, and she backed off after realizing I wasn’t going to let her intimidate me. Later, while cleaning the bathrooms as assigned by my general manager, my manager confronted me aggressively, referring to me as a "bitch" when she thought I had walked out. I reported her behavior, and my GM wrote her up. Now, I feel uncomfortable at work with her glaring at me throughout my shifts. I’m supposed to work tomorrow and for the next few days, but I’m seriously considering making tomorrow my last day. I’m ready for a break before starting CNA school on June 8th, especially since my current schedule is tough for me. I’m not enjoying the job anymore, and I’m wondering if I’m overreacting or if I should just go ahead and quit.

I just started my job search as a teenager, and it's a bit overwhelming. This is my first time applying for summer jobs, and I'm aiming to submit about 2 to 3 applications each day. I've been getting advice from my dad and researching online, but I've heard a lot about how tough the job market is right now. My friends have shared their struggles in finding jobs, which adds to my anxiety. Living in a city where I'm competing against middle-aged candidates with more experience makes it even more daunting. I'm primarily looking at positions like sales associate roles. I'm curious about where I should focus my applications and how I can stand out from the crowd. I've been considering places like grocery stores, fast food chains, and retail shops, but any tips would be appreciated.

I've been actively searching for Entry Level Housekeeping and Laundry positions, responding to job postings that claim "No experience required!" and are labeled as "Entry level." However, during interviews, recruiters often ask about my previous experience, which feels contradictory to the job descriptions. It's frustrating because I'm applying for these roles specifically to gain the necessary experience in this field. Currently, I'm a college student studying in a field unrelated to hospitality, so I haven't mentioned my studies during interviews. Although I lack professional experience in housekeeping or laundry, I do keep my own home organized and clean, and I understand that working in a hotel or resort involves handling a high volume of tasks. I'm eager to learn and ready to put in the effort. I just need someone to take a chance on me. I'm reaching out to ask for advice on how to secure an Entry Level Housekeeping or Laundry job without prior professional experience.

I recently started my job search as a 16-year-old in Australia, and it's been quite challenging. I've applied to Woolworths twice but faced rejection both times. I also had an interview at McDonald's, which I thought went well. I shared details about my school and hobbies when asked to talk about myself. However, the interviewer seemed disinterested, and after I mentioned my availability in the evenings during school days and mornings and evenings on weekends, I received a rejection about two weeks later. I'm starting to wonder if I'm doing something wrong or if I just need to keep trying. Any advice on how to improve my chances would be appreciated!

I recently applied for an IT-related position at a company based in the EU that has an office in Makati. After going through three rounds of interviews, I received an email asking for my consent to conduct a background and reference check. I'm a bit anxious about this process and would love to hear from others who have gone through something similar. I'm particularly concerned because I have a few past due loans, and I'm worried that this might negatively affect my application. I really need this job to help pay back my debts. If anyone has insights or experiences to share regarding what the background check might reveal, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

I'm currently in my final year of university, waiting for my convocation after almost completing my degree. Unfortunately, during campus placements, I faced a significant barrier due to my 10th-grade score of only 60%, which made me ineligible for many companies. Despite my efforts to improve my technical skills, this has been a persistent issue. In 2025, I lost focus on job placements and decided to build a faceless YouTube channel. This experience taught me valuable skills in content creation, marketing, and automation, but I neglected the job application process and internships, which I now realize was a mistake. Recently, I've been actively applying for roles like AI Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, LLM Engineer, Generative AI Engineer, and Data Scientist through various platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed. However, I haven't received any responses or interview opportunities, which is frustrating, especially since some of my friends have already secured jobs despite lacking coding skills. I feel like I'm not being shortlisted even though I've invested a lot of time learning AI and machine learning. It's emotionally challenging, especially since my family has invested heavily in my education, and I feel like I'm letting them down. I'm seeking serious guidance on how to move forward and improve my chances of getting a job quickly. Should I start cold emailing recruiters? How can I effectively ask for referrals? What strategies are currently working for fresh graduates in the AI/ML job market? I've shared my resume and am currently working on a project involving a RAG pipeline that allows users to interact with YouTube videos using AI, which I plan to add to my resume soon. I would appreciate any honest advice on breaking into the AI/ML industry and securing interviews.

I recently applied for a job and went through a rigorous interview process that included three rounds. The first round involved recording myself answering questions, followed by a personality assessment. After that, I had an OTP interview with management, which led to an onsite visit. During the onsite, I experienced what I believe was another interview, where they asked me how I felt about the experience. I sent a thank-you email right after the onsite interview, but now I'm in a waiting game. It's taking longer than expected for them to get back to me, and I'm starting to feel concerned. I'm considering sending a follow-up email on Monday to check in.

Applied at Staples for retail position

Applied at Infosys for Specialist Programmer

Applied at Fintech startup for Campaign Manager

Applied at Citi for Unknown