Applied to a Job

I’m a 21-year-old male currently unemployed and actively job hunting. I've been applying for jobs daily, working on my portfolio, and trying to enhance my chances of getting hired. However, I often feel guilty when I do anything unrelated to job searching. I really want to start going to the gym to build muscle and improve my physique, but I struggle with the idea of spending 1-2 hours there instead of applying for jobs or learning new skills. Seeing my friends and peers move forward in their careers makes me feel behind, and I sometimes think I don't deserve to focus on hobbies or self-improvement until I land a job. I'm torn between two options: either to stop everything else and focus 100% on job hunting or to balance job searching with going to the gym, even if it means spending less time on applications. I’ve been seeking advice from those who have been in similar situations. I want to know if they focused exclusively on finding a job, if maintaining a gym routine helped their mental health and confidence, and whether they would recommend balancing both or putting fitness on hold until securing employment.

I was laid off last week without any warning, and it's been a devastating experience. My world feels like it's collapsed, and I haven't been able to eat or sleep since then. I never thought this would happen to me, especially since I've always been proactive and one of the best performers at my job. I struggle with ADHD and chronic anxiety, which makes this situation even harder to cope with. I can't remember the last time I had a good night's sleep, and I'm overwhelmed with fear—fear of stepping outside, fear of facing people, and even fear of checking my phone for notifications. I come from a humble background, and everything I achieved, I built from the ground up. It's hard to accept that all of that was taken away with just one email. Now, I wake up, scroll through job openings, apply wherever I can, and cry. My parents are worried about me, and I can see their pain. I feel like I’m dealing with PTSD, and this layoff feels like the last straw. I don’t know how or when things will get better, or if they ever will. It feels like the end of the world. I was proud of the life I built, but now I wonder if I was ever meant to dream big or be happy. It feels like a cruel twist of fate, as if the universe is telling me I didn't deserve it.

I recently left my job and took a 5-month break before diving back into the job market. During this time, I only applied to about 5 jobs directly and registered with a couple of agencies. To my surprise, I started working within a week of registering. I've been reflecting on the idea of being overqualified and whether omitting certain degrees or experiences could help in the application process. I've seen advice suggesting to trim my CV to only include the last 5-10 years of experience and to remove any management roles if they might deter employers. I wonder if others have had similar experiences and if tailoring my CV based on the role I'm applying for could make a difference.

I recently shared my thoughts on job interviews and applications, and I wanted to document some tips that have helped me enjoy the process. I know many people find it stressful, so I hope these insights can assist others. When it comes to applications, I make it a habit to reflect on my completed tasks at work about once a month. I create a detailed list of these accomplishments and polish them up for my CV. This practice helps me remember useful experiences that could make me stand out, even if they happened a while ago. Before applying for jobs, I gather about 4-5 postings that I feel I would be a great fit for. I then compare these postings side by side with my CV to ensure I've included all relevant experiences. I pay attention to the wording, as sometimes recruiters miss important qualifications due to phrasing differences. A tip from a friend that I found useful is to clarify citizenship on my CV if I have a surname that indicates a different background. This has reportedly increased her response rates, which is unfortunate but can be effective. For interviews, I always dress appropriately. I have two button-down shirts specifically for interviews, regardless of the company's culture. I also make sure to arrive early, especially for virtual interviews, to avoid any technical issues. I practice common interview questions like "tell me about yourself" and "what do you know about the company" to feel more prepared. If I get nervous, I wiggle my toes to help calm myself down without fidgeting visibly. I bring a couple of printed copies of my CV to the interview, which not only shows that I'm prepared but also helps if I blank out during the conversation. When researching the company, I dive deep into their values, history, and relevant metrics. This allows me to have informed discussions during the interview. Finally, I always make sure to ask questions at the end to show my interest in the role and the company culture. I hope these tips can help someone out there, especially during these challenging times in the job market!

I'm currently working as a busser at a restaurant, but my hours have drastically dropped to just 3-6 hours a week since the initial hype of the place has faded. This leaves me with only about $260 a month, which is not sustainable. I genuinely enjoy the environment and my coworkers, and I even hang out with them outside of work, but I realize this situation can't continue. Recently, I had an interview with Arby’s, which is about 17 minutes away. They offer $15 an hour, the same as my current job, but I’m still waiting to hear back since it's only been a couple of days. I've heard mixed reviews about the fast food industry, especially regarding getting consistent hours, which makes me hesitant. I really want a job where I can count on the hours I’m promised. Additionally, I have another interview lined up just two days after I go to MEPS. This job also pays $15 an hour but comes with guaranteed benefits like medical and dental insurance, a 401k, and even discounts on seafood. It’s in oyster farming, and I would be working on a boat in the Chesapeake Bay with a small crew. However, I’ve found limited information about working conditions, and I know it can be tough depending on the weather. Honestly, I’m tired of the same routine at the restaurant and would love to be outdoors doing hard work. But I’m also aware that $15 an hour isn't the best rate, especially since many places are offering more. The main draw of the oyster farming job is the guaranteed 40 hours a week. I’m really just looking for stability and fair pay for my efforts. I’m contemplating whether I should take this job or keep looking for better opportunities once summer wraps up.

I interviewed for a position last Monday, July 27, and I'm really hoping to land this job. It felt great to make it to the final stage, especially since I had to give a 15-minute presentation, which I think I handled well considering I haven't interviewed in a while and I'm not a fan of them. At the end of the interview, the recruiter mentioned they would decide within a week or two. I followed up the next day with a thank you email, and she replied asking if I was bilingual, which is a preferred qualification for Spanish. I had to clarify that I speak Tagalog instead. After that question, I started to feel a bit doubtful about my chances. Now that it's the end of the week, I'm wondering if I should reach out for a follow-up tomorrow or wait until next week. I don't want to seem annoying, but I'm also eager for any updates. I'm still applying to other jobs, but it's tough to find decent opportunities in my field. I've been wanting to leave my current job for two years now because, while it offers flexibility, it's mentally draining. This new position seems like it would be a great opportunity for me.

Today, I find myself feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about my future. I’ve been working at a multinational corporation for a while now, but my salary is barely enough to get by in this expensive city. I’m 26 years old, and despite having a job, I still rely on some financial help. My mom is a single parent, and while she doesn’t depend on me, I wish I could support her. Every morning, I dread going to work. I’m stuck on a project that doesn’t interest me, and while my colleagues are getting promotions, I’ve been placed on a Performance Improvement Plan. It feels like I’m running in place, and I’m scared that this PIP could cost me my job. I’ve been applying for new roles everywhere, but the responses have been disheartening. I recently made it through two rounds of interviews for a position I was excited about, only to be told that my background verification was “unsatisfactory.” I can’t understand what went wrong, and it has left me feeling defeated. The anxiety has been consuming me, and I can’t remember the last time I woke up feeling peaceful. I miss home and my mom, who is visiting soon, and I’m grateful for that. I just want a job where I feel valued and can achieve financial stability. I want to be able to support my mom and live without the constant worry of unemployment. As I write this, I’m in tears, questioning why it feels so much harder for me than for others. I hope that sharing this helps someone else who feels the same way. I’m still trying, and I just wish that one day, my efforts will finally pay off.

I recently applied for a role and went through three interview rounds over the span of about seven weeks, which included a background check before receiving an offer. I was clear about my compensation expectations during the process, but when the offer came, it was significantly lower than what I currently make, especially when considering the benefits I would be giving up. My current job is quite unstable, which is why I’m looking elsewhere. I sent a counteroffer at my original number, and they mentioned they would get back to me within a day. However, it’s now been almost a week without a concrete update. They did respond when I checked in, but all I got was that the hiring manager hasn’t been available. I’m left wondering if this is a red flag regarding the company’s operations or if this delay is just a normal part of their compensation approval process. I'm trying to gauge whether this could indicate how they might operate once I’m actually employed there.

I’ve been feeling really discouraged about my job search lately. I work at a nonprofit that I once loved, thinking I’d stay forever. The upper management was supportive and aligned with our values, but everything changed when we got a new CEO earlier this year. She’s made drastic changes that have gutted the organization and driven away everyone I cared about. Our HR department was nonexistent for months, and now we’re facing issues like unaccounted expenses and the end of our work-from-home days. Even our HRA cards aren’t working without any explanation. I started applying for other jobs about seven months ago, right after the HR departures began. I’ve put in a lot of effort—revising my resume multiple times, reaching out to friends, family, and old coworkers, and visiting job boards and resource fairs. Despite applying to hundreds of positions, I’ve only landed about five interviews. I’m feeling defeated and lost. The work we do is challenging but meaningful, and I’ve mourned the loss of what I loved about my job. I’m ready to move on, but it feels like there are no opportunities out there for me.

I recently went through a significant career shift after being laid off from my analytics role, where I earned around ₹38 LPA. The first week post-layoff was incredibly tough; I felt anxious and began applying for jobs everywhere. However, I quickly learned that many companies looking for candidates at my salary level were seeking skills beyond analytics, specifically in AI, GenAI, Python, and machine learning. I did get close to landing another opportunity, even willing to accept a pay cut to ₹34–35 LPA, but ultimately, that offer fell through after they requested my payslips and other documents without delivering a final offer. Then, unexpectedly, my previous employer reached out, asking if I would consider withdrawing my resignation to continue in my role. This meant I would forfeit a substantial severance package. After contemplating my options, I decided to accept their offer and stay. This experience has been eye-opening. I realized that while I have strong skills in SQL, analytics, and stakeholder management, I wasn't as prepared for the current job market as I thought, especially regarding AI and Python skills. Now, I'm left wondering if I made the right choice. Should I have taken the severance and continued my search, or did I make the wise decision by opting for stability while I upskill in AI roles? I'm particularly interested in hearing from others in data, analytics, or AI who have faced similar situations.

Applied at McDonald's for Unknown

Applied at Liberty Mutual for Associate Customer Service Representative

Applied at Hungry Howie's for Unknown

I recently applied for a Fiber Optic Installer position with a company that claims to operate in the US, but I found out they are actually based in Brazil. This raised some red flags for me, and I'm looking for advice on whether this opportunity is legitimate or if I should be cautious. So far, the hiring process has included a virtual interview and an email indicating that they want to move forward with my application. They provided me with a webmail account and required me to complete online training with Ciena, which I did using their platform. I've also received onboarding documents through DocuSign that ask for sensitive information like my Social Security Number and banking details. Additionally, the project manager I spoke with instructed me to register for the Ciena training, provide a driver's license or passport, share my cell phone number, and submit a passport-style photo. What really concerns me is that the email I received states this is not a formal job offer yet, and that employment is contingent on final approval and background checks, yet they are already asking for such personal information. To top it off, the company's website seems incomplete, and the domain was registered less than a year ago. I'm not asking anyone to definitively label this as a scam or not, but I would like to know if this is typical for the telecom/fiber contracting industry or if these are significant warning signs. Any insights from those with experience in this field would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off at the end of February from an IT consultancy firm where I had spent over 7 years. My experience spans various roles, including Application Support, DevOps Engineer, and Site Reliability Engineer. Despite applying to over 300 jobs, I've only managed to secure 3-4 interviews, most of which came from networking rather than my applications. I'm currently working with a career coach who has advised me to focus on networking and improving my interview skills while also considering certifications. I'm feeling quite lost right now. My unemployment benefits are ending this week, and I'm beginning to wonder if I should lower my expectations and apply for entry-level IT roles or even jobs in supermarkets and fast food just to start earning an income. I've tried applying for DevOps and SRE positions, as well as entry-level roles, but I've received little to no response. Additionally, I'm contemplating going back to school, possibly in healthcare, as it seems to have a stronger job market. I have an interest in health and medicine, but the thought of the time and cost involved in pursuing that path intimidates me. I'm currently located in South Carolina but am open to relocating for the right opportunity. Ideally, I'm looking for any job that pays at least $80k, although I'm willing to accept less for a fully remote position. At this point, I just need to find a source of income and am open to any guidance or advice on my next steps.

I recently applied for unemployment benefits in New Jersey on August 2nd, but I'm feeling uncertain about my eligibility. The next day, they requested more information, and now it says, "You may not qualify to receive payments for your August 2, 2026 application." It lists various reasons why this could be the case. I suspect my lack of income this year, due to being out on workers' comp, is a factor. Last year, I earned $24,000, and the year before that, $23,000, both because I was recovering from surgery. My regular income was around $70,000 when I was working full-time. I’ve been advised to give it some time and not to worry too much about eligibility just yet, as my First Reporting Date is August 19th and I can't certify for benefits until then. I'm just trying to stay hopeful and patient as I wait for their review.

I currently work for a company that has a toxic culture filled with harassment, nepotism, cronyism, favoritism, and poor management. I moved to a new state and took this job as it was the first opportunity that allowed me to transition. Initially, it seemed like a decent role, but over time, I realized how dysfunctional the environment was. During my training, I was paired with an older coworker who quickly turned from a mentor to a source of harassment. After a couple of weeks, he began gossiping about other employees and making my work life miserable. I tried to distance myself, but he only escalated his behavior, making my days increasingly difficult. Despite this, I decided to work harder than anyone else, putting in the equivalent of four people's worth of effort and taking on 60 hours a week. Unfortunately, this only fueled his harassment further. I attempted to apply for a higher position, feeling qualified with the right education and experience. However, when management found out I applied and didn't get the job, they expressed their relief in a way that felt hostile. It became clear that they preferred to hire based on friendships rather than qualifications. After five months of being punctual and dedicated, I've noticed that most of my coworkers are consistently late and fail to perform their duties properly. It's shocking how this company is still operational, given the blatant issues it faces. They even have a policy against having phones at work, which adds to the oppressive atmosphere. I've been actively applying for other jobs because this experience has been nothing short of a nightmare.

I’ve been on the job hunt lately and I’m feeling a bit lost when it comes to getting referrals. Everyone keeps saying that referrals are the best way to land interviews, but the problem is, I don’t know anyone at the companies I’m interested in. I've submitted several applications, but it feels like they just vanish into a black hole. I’m really curious about what strategies others are using to overcome this hurdle. It seems like if you don’t have connections, you’re at a significant disadvantage. I’d love to hear any tips or experiences that might help me navigate this situation.

I’m excited to share that after a challenging 15-month job hunt, I finally landed a job this week! It's a 12-month contract position, which comes with a decrease in pay, security, and responsibility compared to what I was hoping for, but I’m grateful to be working in my field again. This job search was particularly unique for me as I recently switched countries and this is only my second corporate role after being a high school teacher and a small business owner. Throughout my search since 2023, I applied to about 150 jobs, which was a bit tricky since I was also managing a move and taking care of my two small kids. I noticed a pattern in my job applications: every time I was asked to complete a business case and give a presentation, I received an offer. I had one offer in 2023 that was rescinded because I misinterpreted their expectations, but I accepted another offer in 2024 and just got this latest one last week. I realized that recruiters rarely ask for business cases, and often I get filtered out before I even reach that stage. Over the past three years, I’ve revamped my resume from scratch about ten times, and this year I created a strong project portfolio using Gamma. Additionally, I was fortunate to get some free career advice in Montreal, which helped me simplify my resume and tailor it for each job application, rather than just the cover letter. I think these adjustments made a significant difference. Interestingly, I had four recruiters reach out to me via LinkedIn InMail in the same week, which is unusual since I typically only hear from one a year. One of those recruiters was for the job I accepted. Although I was initially expecting a salaried role, I’m just relieved to have secured something in my field after such a long search.

I’m excited to share that after a challenging 15-month job hunt, I finally landed a job this week! While it comes with a decrease in pay, security, and responsibility, I’m grateful to be back in my field. This job search was particularly complex as it followed my move to a new country and was my second corporate position after transitioning from being a high school teacher and a small business owner. During this time, I applied to around 150 positions, balancing my search with settling in and taking care of my two small kids. I noticed a pattern in my applications: every time I was asked to complete a business case and give a presentation (which happened three times), I received an offer. I had one offer rescinded in 2023 due to a misunderstanding about my business closure expectations, but I accepted another in 2024, and just last week, I received this new offer. I’ve spent the last three years completely overhauling my resume multiple times, and this year I created a project portfolio using Gamma, which I believe helped me stand out. I also took advantage of free career advising in Montreal, which was invaluable. The advisor helped me simplify my resume and encouraged me to customize it for each job application, not just the cover letter. It seems those changes made a significant difference. Interestingly, I had four recruiters reach out to me on LinkedIn in the same week, which is quite unusual for me. One of them was for the job I accepted. I initially expected a salaried role, but I’m just happy to have found something. Here’s to new beginnings!