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I recently experienced a layoff from my position, and since then, I've gone through two interviews. Unfortunately, I was rejected by both companies because they felt I didn't have the relevant experience they were looking for. This has left me feeling really scared and uncertain about my job prospects. I'm worried that I won't be able to find a job or get interviews aligned with my skills. Is this a normal part of the process? I'm looking for any advice or reassurance from others who might have been in a similar situation.

I recently went through a second round panel interview with a company that I believed would be an easy transition for me, offering a raise between $25k and $30k. However, I decided to withdraw from the process because I felt that wasn't enough of a raise to leave my current position. Shortly after, I had a phone screen for a dream job that I've always wanted, which would come with a significant raise of $50k to $70k. I have a hiring manager interview scheduled for the 18th. Just yesterday, the recruiter from the first job reached out to me, expressing their interest and asking if I was sure I didn't want the position. They've now increased the salary ceiling to a potential $40k bump from my current salary. I'm now in a bit of a dilemma and wondering if there's a polite way to ask the dream job recruiter if they could possibly move my hiring manager interview up, as the timeline for the first opportunity is quite tight. It's a bit of a validation for me that withdrawing from the first job was the right call, especially since they came back with a higher offer.

I recently applied for my first job at three different places: two local restaurants and a Starbucks. I submitted both online and physical resumes for all of them. Now, I'm feeling a bit anxious about how long it might take to hear back from them. I really hope to get a call soon, but I also want to be proactive and keep applying elsewhere instead of just waiting. I've heard mixed advice about the timeline, and I'm curious about what others have experienced. Should I just keep looking and assume I might not get a callback?

I'm a 17-year-old currently on the job hunt, but I've been struggling to land even a single interview. I've applied to several positions, mostly in retail and food service, but I haven't received any responses. I'm feeling a bit discouraged and unsure of what I might be doing wrong. I've tried to tailor my resume and cover letters, but it seems like there are so many applicants out there. I'm hoping to get some advice on how to improve my chances or any tips for standing out to potential employers.

Today marks the end of my 90-day mandatory notice period after being laid off from my corporate finance role. I will be receiving a severance package that amounts to about 12 weeks of wages, which will help me financially in the short term. I'm 50 years old and have spent the last 15 years in this field, but the current job market seems really tough. I'm actively applying for new positions while also taking the time to upskill myself during this transition. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, as this is the first time I've had to navigate unemployment. I'm considering whether I should apply for unemployment benefits now or wait until my severance runs out, which could be a few months from now. I’ve heard conflicting advice on this, and I'm trying to figure out the best approach. If my job search takes longer than expected, I want to know how to effectively use unemployment benefits as a resource. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I recently applied for a job opening at my company and, feeling excited, I mentioned it to a colleague. To my surprise, he decided to apply for the same position after I told him, even though he knew I was already in the running. Now, both of us have made it to the next round of the selection process. I can't help but feel a bit upset about the situation. I’ve always believed in avoiding direct competition with coworkers, especially when it comes to roles that I’m genuinely interested in. It feels a bit unfair, and I’m torn about whether I should talk to him about my discomfort and ask if he would consider withdrawing his application. I realize that might come off as unreasonable, though. I’ve been reading some advice online, and it seems like many people think I shouldn’t have mentioned my application in the first place if I didn’t want to compete. Some even suggested that my colleague is entitled to pursue the opportunity just like I am. I guess I need to remind myself that it’s not personal, and if he gets the job, I could still ask him for help getting in with the company later on. It’s a tough situation, and I’m trying to navigate my feelings while also recognizing that everyone is looking out for their own best interests.

I recently had an experience where I interviewed for a position at a company last fall. I made it to the third round of interviews, but unfortunately, I didn't get the job because they decided to cut the position and close the requisition. The entire process felt smooth, and I appreciated how responsive and encouraging the recruiter was throughout. Now, I've applied for another open role at the same company that I believe I’m qualified for, although it’s not on the same team. I’m considering reaching out to the recruiter I worked with previously to express my interest in this new position. I wonder if it would be appropriate to reconnect after not getting the job last time.

I used to work at Citi many years ago, and ever since I was laid off from my last job 11 years ago, I've been trying to get back in. I've applied to multiple positions at Citi, even got a few referrals, but the rejections keep piling up. One of my interviews was particularly disheartening; only 2 out of 3 interviewers seemed engaged, and I never heard back for a second interview. I've tailored my resume for various roles that I believe I'm a great fit for, but all I get are rejection emails. The last application made it to the recruiter review stage, but after almost three weeks, I received an email saying I wasn't moving forward. At this point, I'm seriously considering not applying to Citi again. I really wanted to return since it was where I started my career in operations, but it feels like maybe I'm being protected from that place. I don't want Citi to affect my mental health like this. Has anyone else felt so discouraged by repeated rejections from the same company that they decided to stop trying?

I recently had a recruiter screen for a software developer role at a company using iCIMS. The screen took place last Friday, and the recruiter mentioned they would discuss candidates with the hiring manager the following Tuesday. The hiring process is supposed to go from recruiter screen to interview, then onsite, and finally an offer, with an estimated timeline of about two weeks depending on scheduling. However, I didn’t hear back on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, and my application status remained "Under Review" throughout that time. On Friday afternoon, I noticed that the application’s "Last Updated" date changed, but it still showed "Under Review." The last time the timestamp changed was when I was moved to the screening stage and received the interview request. I’m feeling a bit anxious since I haven’t received any rejection email or interview request yet. I’m trying to figure out if the timestamp update while remaining "Under Review" indicates any internal actions like recruiter notes or hiring manager reviews, or if it’s just administrative noise. I’m really hoping this means I’m still in active consideration rather than facing a delayed rejection.

I've been struggling with the job hunting process for the last few months, and it's been tough on my mental health. About a year ago, I was working as a freelance writer focused on video games, earning between $1000 to $3000 a month while living in a low-cost country. It was a great setup until around 4-5 months ago when all my clients suddenly stopped sending work. To make matters worse, I also had to end a significant relationship, which added to my emotional turmoil. Since then, my lifestyle has taken a significant hit. I've been sending out around 4-5 job applications daily, trying to pivot my career towards roles like UX Writer and Content Specialist, but I've only received a handful of callbacks and interviews. The majority of my applications have gone unanswered, leading to feelings of loneliness, guilt, and embarrassment. I'm 29 years old, with a master's degree in behavioral science and a bachelor's in human-centered design, and I never expected to find myself in this situation. My dad is the only breadwinner in our family, and as I approach my 30s with little to show for it financially, it's been a rough journey. I'm reaching out to see how others cope with the anxiety and depression that can come from this prolonged job search. I've tried to keep a routine, but it often feels overwhelming. Any advice on how to stay positive and motivated would be greatly appreciated.

I had an interview last week for a position that I thought went really well. The interviewers even asked me, "When can you start?" which made me feel like they were interested in hiring me. However, I've been trying to follow up with them about the next steps, and their responses have been incredibly slow. I reached out multiple times, but the recruiter told me to only contact them during business hours. Even when I did that, they just read my messages without replying. I mentioned during the interview that I had another interview lined up, and I wonder if that might have affected their interest in me. I’ve been told that it’s better to keep such information to myself, and I’m starting to think that my eagerness might have come off as desperation. I’ve learned that after an interview, it’s best to send a thank you note and express my continued interest without over-communicating. This whole experience has been frustrating, especially with how competitive the job market is right now. I’m planning to keep applying to other positions while I wait, but it’s hard not to get my hopes up about this one.

I’ve been job searching for a while now, applying through platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter. With 7 years of experience, I’m aiming for positions around $50k, but it feels like my resume and LinkedIn profile are just being ignored. It’s frustrating because I feel like I might as well be applying for jobs at Walmart or McDonald's instead. I can't help but think that the people who claim to have applied to hundreds of positions might be landing jobs that aren’t even listed on these sites. It’s disheartening and makes me question the effectiveness of these applications.

I got laid off this week from my role as a software development engineer at a mid-sized startup. I had a feeling it was coming for about a month, so I started looking for new opportunities right away. I was only there for nine months, just shy of my one-year mark, and the reason for the layoffs was attributed to AI advancements. As a full-stack developer, I thought I’d have a decent chance at finding another job, but it’s been really tough. Most openings seem to require two or more years of experience, and I’m struggling to find positions that fit my skill level. I’ve applied to numerous jobs, but many turned out to be ghost listings—no responses or rejection emails at all. It’s disheartening because I used to be really passionate about tech, but now it feels like the industry is closing its doors to newcomers. During my time at the startup, we had an appraisal round, and raises were minimal; most of my team received less than 10%, with many getting nothing at all. It seems like the focus is all on AI, and employees are being pushed hard without much reward. I’m starting to think about a career change while I’m still young. My dad has a business, and I’m considering joining him to help grow it. However, I worry that all my education and passion for technology would go to waste. At the same time, I feel anxious about the instability of tech jobs and the possibility of being laid off again. It’s a tough decision, and I’m still weighing my options.

I'm currently a teenager trying to secure a summer job, but I've faced quite a few challenges. So far, I've submitted over 10 applications and received four rejections. I'm feeling a bit discouraged and am looking for advice on how to improve my chances. I've heard that calling the places I applied to after about a week might help, especially in retail, but I'm unsure if that's a good strategy. I also understand that the job market is tough right now, with many adults competing for the same positions, which makes it even harder for someone like me. Any tips or insights on how to stand out would be greatly appreciated!

I recently applied for a remote job with Apex Marking Performance Solutions, which is a cold calling scheduling position. The pay starts at $7.25 during a two-week training period, then goes up to $15 an hour or commission, whichever is greater. I signed a lengthy contract that promised base pay, which eased my concerns a bit. However, I'm feeling anxious because the recruiter has been somewhat irritated with my inquiries about the next steps, and this is my first remote opportunity. I filled out a W4 and signed a 25-page contract, but I couldn't find much information about the company online, aside from some sketchy results. They claim to be working with a legitimate medical provider, which is reassuring. I start on June 15th, but I can't shake the feeling of uncertainty, especially since I need to provide for my family. I think I might just be being impatient, but it's tough when my only line of contact is this recruiter and I’m left waiting for updates.

I just had a very brief in-person interview for a temporary part-time office job at a well-known international company's HQ. I applied last weekend and got a text from HR about scheduling a phone screening, which happened the next day. Surprisingly, during the phone screening, HR focused more on selling the job rather than asking me questions. They mentioned that the manager could interview me the following day, but I was busy, so I went in today instead. When I arrived, I was interviewed by a different manager than expected. They asked me what HR had told me about the role, and I repeated it back to them. They emphasized that the job is simple and they want someone who can handle tedious work. I shared a bit about myself, confirmed my availability, and asked a couple of questions about the software and start date. They seemed eager, saying they wanted someone to start immediately and asked if I could start Monday, which I confirmed I could. The interview lasted only about 5 minutes, and they mentioned they were interviewing other candidates and would update me by the end of the week. I'm left feeling confused about how it went and whether I have a chance at the job.

I applied for a position at a large payment company about a month ago and have been checking the candidate page regularly. It still says 'Application under review', but I noticed that the job posting has been removed. I understand that this could mean a few things: they might have reached the candidate threshold, they could be sorting through applications, or the role might have been filled or even canceled. I'm trying to stay optimistic, but it's hard not to feel a bit ghosted at this point. I know there's no way to know for sure unless I hear back from the recruiter or hiring manager, but I'm left wondering what my status really means.

In January 2026, I landed a full-time job at a startup tech company with a salary of $55,000. Unfortunately, just three months later, I was let go because the company was struggling financially and had to cut its marketing department along with other positions. Before this job, I was working on-call, earning around $17 an hour, which isn't much but it's better than nothing. Now, I'm in a tough spot. My parents expect me to contribute $1,000 towards their mortgage, but I can only afford to give them about 30% of my paycheck after expenses. I'm trying to save and cover my own groceries, but it feels like I'm not meeting their expectations. I want to find a job that I enjoy and pays a livable wage, but the job market seems slow right now. I've been applying for new positions, but I worry my parents don't see how hard I'm trying. I've been contributing between $100 and $200 to help with the mortgage, and I plan to give more as I earn more. I’m considering sticking with my on-call job while I continue my job search. It seems like the right strategy, but I’m looking for advice on how to balance everything and find a job that fits my needs.

I have an in-person interview at Hardee's tomorrow at 2 PM, and honestly, this is one of my last resorts for finding a job. I don't have much experience to speak of, just some minor embellishments about babysitting and being a teacher's assistant. The location is super convenient since I can walk there, especially since I currently don't have a car. I'm starting college in the fall and really need to save some money for myself and my future. I’m feeling a bit anxious and would love some advice on how to ace this interview step-by-step. I had another interview at Taco Bell, but it fell through because my sister works there, and the manager who was hiring didn't like her. I also have a backup interview at Chipotle, but it's much farther away, so I'd prefer to get this job at Hardee's. I’ve received some tips from friends and online, like showing up a bit early, being reliable, and conveying my eagerness to learn. I plan to dress appropriately—clean and sensible clothes, hair pulled back, and to be polite and friendly. I just hope I can make a good impression and land this job.

I recently applied for a remote office manager position that raised some red flags for me. The company requested that I obtain my credit report to send to them, but I would have to pay for it upfront. The job description didn’t mention anything related to handling money or accounting, which made this request feel odd. They assured me that I would be refunded after the interview, but I’ve never encountered a situation like this before. After sharing my experience, I received several comments warning me that this is likely a scam. Many people pointed out that no legitimate company would require a candidate to pay for their own credit report. I even got a text from them asking if I was going to fill out the form, or they would move on to another candidate. This whole situation has made me cautious. I’ve learned that sharing personal information for a job application before actually being hired is risky. I’m planning to walk away from this opportunity and look for more reputable companies that don’t ask for such questionable requirements.