Feeling

I graduated in 2021 with a BA in Game Design and Development and Computer Science. I landed a job as a UX designer at TATA Consultancy Services and worked there for three years until I was laid off in December 2024. Since then, it's been a tough journey. My wife and I moved into her parents' house after I struggled to find work throughout 2025, and my unemployment benefits eventually ran out. At the end of 2025, I attended an AI summit where I met a startup founder who has been giving me some part-time work this year, which I'm grateful for, but it's only about 10 hours a week. I also did some AI training for a friend's startup, but they were acquired last month, and while our contracts transferred, there hasn't been any work since. I picked up a weekend job at an arcade in June 2025, but at just 12 hours a week at $16.50 an hour, it barely helps with expenses. Despite these challenges, my wife and I managed to save up and relocate to Dallas in hopes of starting fresh. I'm still juggling my contracts, but I'm also considering doordashing since I can't even land a retail job. I've applied to countless positions, probably thousands at this point, and the most I've gotten is one round of interviews with HR or recruiters that lead nowhere. I know I've had some luck compared to others who have faced complete radio silence, but the job market feels impossible. The requirements keep changing; when I graduated, jobs asked for 1-3 years of experience, and now that I have 3-5 years, most listings ask for 5+ years. I'm reaching out for any advice or suggestions. I want to do whatever it takes to keep our apartment. Also, if anyone has feedback on my portfolio, I'd appreciate it: https://wvars123.myporfolio.com.

I recently received a job offer from the owner of a new restaurant that is set to open next month. I've been searching for a serving position for quite some time, and it has been challenging to break into the industry without extensive experience. I found the job posting in a Facebook group and reached out to the owner, sharing my relevant work experience and contact information. After a brief phone interview, I was thrilled to receive the job offer. However, the restaurant won't open until October, and the owner mentioned he would contact me for in-person training before then. I shared the news with my mom, who advised me not to get too excited, suggesting that jobs requiring a waiting period often don't materialize. This made me a bit anxious, as I want to be hopeful but also realistic. I did my due diligence on the restaurant to ensure it’s a legitimate opportunity, but I’m still grappling with whether I should keep my expectations in check or if I can trust that the owner will follow through.

I recently found myself in a bit of a dilemma regarding my job search. Earlier this year, I applied for a position at a large manufacturing and distribution company. After an initial phone screening with a recruiter, I was scheduled for a final in-person interview. However, before that interview could take place, I received another job offer that was much closer to home. I promptly informed the recruiter via email that I needed to withdraw from the interview due to accepting the other position, and I made sure to communicate this in a professional manner without no-showing. Fast forward to now, and I'm interested in a different position that has opened up at the same company. I’ve already submitted my application and I'm ready to start immediately. Lately, my job search has been quite discouraging; I've applied to numerous positions, including retail and entry-level roles, but have faced a lot of rejections or no responses at all. Given my urgent need for steady work, I'm contemplating whether I should take a more proactive approach. I still have the email address of the recruiter who initially interviewed me, and I'm considering reaching out to her. My plan is to let her know that I've applied for another position and to inquire if I could be considered for an interview. However, I'm concerned that my previous withdrawal might negatively impact my chances. I'm seeking advice on whether it's appropriate to contact the recruiter directly or if I should simply wait and follow the standard application process.

I got fired last week after 7 months at my job, and it's been a tough adjustment. The role I was in didn't match the job description, but they hired me because of my 8 years of experience at a lower level. Looking back, I realize I could have been more proactive in seeking additional responsibilities, but I also felt like I received very little guidance or instruction on what was expected of me. It's a strange feeling; I really dislike the 8 to 5 grind, yet here I am feeling like a loser while everyone else heads off to work. My savings aren't substantial, so I can't really afford to take a break. I'm hoping to find something soon—I filled out 8 applications on the day I was let go, and I've already had 2 recruiters reach out with leads from 9 different employers. If things don’t pan out, I might have to consider going back to my old job. Here's to hoping for a better opportunity in the next few weeks.

I have an upcoming interview for a Host position at Outback Steakhouse and I'm feeling pretty anxious about it. I'm not sure how competitive this role is, but I really need a job right now. I'm looking for advice on what to wear, what to say during the interview, and how to present myself. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

I recently had a frustrating experience in my job search. A friend of mine landed a job at a solid company within a week, and it turns out his dad knew the hiring manager's brother-in-law from years ago. Meanwhile, I've been treating job boards like a part-time job for the last four months without any luck. I've revised my resume multiple times to make it ATS-friendly, but I feel like it now reads like spam. I've tailored every cover letter and resume for each position I've applied to, and I've even tried cold emailing and using the LinkedIn 'open to work' banner, which I suspect isn't doing much for me. I'm genuinely happy for my friend, but I can't help but feel a bit defeated. I guess my next step is to start networking more actively, maybe even take up golf to meet the right people.

I’ve been preparing for interviews lately and I’m looking for effective strategies to build my confidence. I’ve heard that many people rely on common interview questions and some even use AI tools to help. I want to know what others do to prepare. I’ve been focusing on researching the companies I’m interviewing with. I check their websites, look for any recent news, and familiarize myself with their products and services. I also take notes and prepare questions to ask during the interview. Additionally, I make sure to review the job description thoroughly, jotting down notes on how I would approach the position and any questions I have about the workflow or duties. I feel like this preparation helps me ask insightful questions and engage more effectively during the interview. I’d love to hear any other tips or methods that have worked for others!

I've been out of work for about 7 years now, primarily because I've been taking care of a relative's child since they were a baby. My job history is quite limited; I've only held one position, which was a seasonal, temporary role at a front desk where I mainly answered phone calls. Unfortunately, I haven't had any experience with computer work, as the systems were often down. Finding a job has been really challenging for me lately. I've encountered a lot of scams and have struggled to connect with potential employers due to their busy schedules. My resume isn't impressive, and I feel like I have nothing to show for my time spent caregiving. I'm particularly interested in finding part-time work that allows me to start early in the morning, but not having a car or a driver's license makes it even more difficult. Working from home sounds ideal, but I know my lack of skills and experience is holding me back. I feel stuck in this cycle and am looking for advice on how to break free and find a job that fits my situation.

I had an interview today for a part-time position, and I mentioned that I could work from 12 PM to 10:30 PM since I finish school around 11:50 AM. However, I realize now that I might have misrepresented my availability. I was trying to be flexible, but I can see how that could be a red flag for the employer. Some comments I received pointed out that I might have confused them with my hours, and they suggested I clarify my actual availability soon. I’m feeling a bit anxious about how this could affect my chances of getting the job.

I recently applied for a position at a large manufacturing and distribution company where I had previously gone through an initial phone interview. After that screening, I was scheduled for a final in-person interview, but I had to cancel it because I accepted another job that was closer to my home. I made sure to notify the recruiter and didn’t just no-show. Now, months later, I'm interested in a different position that has opened up at the same company and I've applied for it, stating that I am available to start immediately. My job search has been quite discouraging lately; I’ve been applying to various roles, including retail and entry-level positions, but I’ve faced numerous rejections or have not heard back at all. Given my current situation, I’m considering being more proactive. I still have the email of the recruiter who I initially spoke with, and I’m contemplating reaching out to her. I want to inform her that I've applied for another position and ask if I could be considered for an interview. However, I’m worried that my previous withdrawal might have negatively impacted my chances. I’m seeking advice from anyone in HR or recruiting: Should I reach out to the recruiter directly or just wait for the application process to unfold?

I recently had the worst experience of my career while working at Checkr, a company that specializes in background checks. The environment was incredibly toxic and stressful. I was expected to be available around the clock, often receiving calls at all hours for trivial matters, which left me with no time for basic needs like using the bathroom. It was frustrating to see how non-technical management created unnecessary blockers, only to later take credit for resolving them. The company frequently laid off entire teams, only to replace them with new hires who lacked the necessary knowledge, which overloaded the remaining staff with work. It felt like they had no regard for either their customers or employees. I would strongly advise anyone considering a position there to run in the opposite direction.

Today, I was let go from my position as an Insurance Specialist at a law firm after just two weeks of training. I acknowledge that I didn't pass the exam they administered, but I feel compelled to share my thoughts on the process. Since November, I've been jobless, and I was hopeful when I got hired in July. The training seemed professional, and I was under the impression that the exam would reflect that seriousness. However, they used Kahoot for the exam, which I found surprising. With only a minute to answer each of the 25 questions, I could only manage to answer a little over half correctly. To pass, I needed over 80%, and I genuinely believed the exam would be on a more suitable platform that would allow for better time management and review of questions. It's frustrating because my friend, who referred me, said that when he joined, there was no exam like this at all. He just completed training and started working a few days later. This has been a tough year for me, especially with family issues and job loss. I felt like I was finally getting back on track, but now I'm left feeling like I'm running out of opportunities at 30 years old.

I just found out that my skip level manager scheduled a 30-minute meeting for Wednesday morning, which is really unusual since we don't have regular skip level meetings. My direct manager is coming back from vacation that day, and it seems my skip level manager has a separate meeting with him right before mine. We had a quick status update last week that went fine, so I'm feeling a bit anxious about what this meeting could be about. I'm trying to stay calm, but I can't help but wonder if this is a sign that I'm getting laid off. I've read some comments suggesting that my manager might be the one in trouble instead, but the uncertainty is really getting to me. Has anyone else experienced something similar? What do you think this could mean?

I was part of a recent layoff at my company, which affected about 180 employees. I had been with the company for a year and a half, and they offered me a severance package of one week’s pay for each year of service. I've been seeing a lot of advice online suggesting that I should never sign a severance agreement and should hire a lawyer instead. This has left me confused about whether it's worth it to pursue legal action or just accept the severance. I understand that severance isn't guaranteed and is often a way for companies to avoid potential lawsuits, especially in an at-will employment situation like mine. Many comments I read suggest that since I'm part of a mass layoff, I might not have much leverage in negotiating for more. Some people even mentioned that hiring a lawyer could be costly and might not yield better results than just taking the severance and moving on. I'm considering reaching out to a few lawyers for a free consultation to see if I might have a case or if it’s better to just accept what’s being offered and start looking for a new job. It’s a tough decision, and I want to make sure I’m making the right choice.

I've been struggling with my unemployment benefits since July. I've completed all the necessary paperwork and followed the instructions provided, but I still haven't received any assistance. I've tried calling the unemployment office multiple times, but I can never get through to anyone. Frustrated, I reached out to my senator's office for help. I'm hoping they can expedite the process. If anyone has advice on how to navigate this situation or additional steps I can take, I would really appreciate it.

I'm currently navigating the job market in Canada, and it's been quite challenging. I'm in corporate and have received an offer from a fairly new company. However, I'm hesitant because the benefits are lacking. The industry standard typically offers 3 weeks of vacation, but this company only provides the federal minimum of 2 weeks. Additionally, there's no RRSP matching and the health/dental insurance is at the bare minimum. While I understand the need to take a job just to secure employment, I can't help but feel that I would need to continue my search for a company that meets the industry standards. I’m really looking for a long-term position, but I can't see myself committing to a place that doesn't offer at least the baseline benefits. The salary is also lower than what is typical for my experience, but I guess that's the reality of the current market.

I just signed up for a job fair called "Better Together" that's being held at a church. It feels a bit strange to me, but I'm in need of a job, so I figured I’d give it a shot. I'm curious if anyone else has attended one of these events and if they found it helpful or worthwhile. I’ve heard from a few people that churches often serve as venues for these fairs because they have the space and it’s cost-effective, especially in smaller towns. I hope it’s not too awkward, but I’m willing to overlook the setting if it leads to job opportunities.

I recently discovered that I qualify for a Pell Grant, and I'm considering whether giving up my current job to attend trade school for welding would improve my job prospects. Right now, I'm struggling to get hired anywhere and my annual income is under $9,200. I'm managing to survive by living with family, who help me pay my bills, and I rely on online donations and SNAP for food. I also have Medicaid to cover my health needs. I’ve received some encouraging advice from others suggesting that pursuing trade school could lead to better financial stability in the long run. They pointed out that while my current income is essentially part-time, getting trained as a welder or electrician could significantly increase my earning potential. Some comments emphasized the importance of gaining additional certifications in different types of welding, which could further enhance my job opportunities. However, I also need to consider the physical demands of welding and the potential for long-term career sustainability. I’m weighing my options carefully, but I'm leaning towards making this change to secure a better future.

I recently lost my job as a Marketing Manager, and it’s been a tough transition. One moment I was deep in strategy meetings, analyzing campaigns, and the next, I received a call from HR informing me of organizational changes. My company email was shut down, my laptop was taken back, and I was left to explain my sudden unemployment to my team. I find myself scrolling through LinkedIn, looking at job postings for roles like *Growth Lead* and *Digital Marketing Manager*, only to be discouraged by the requirements that seem to demand more than what I feel I have to offer. Despite having over five years of experience, a proven track record, and skills in managing budgets and leading teams, I feel lost. I’ve poured my heart into my work—nights and weekends spent crafting campaigns, defending ideas, and collaborating with my team. Now, I’m grappling with the reality of how to pay my bills next month. However, I’m trying to remind myself that being laid off doesn’t erase my experience. I’ve successfully turned around struggling campaigns and navigated complex projects. Those skills are still with me, and I need to focus on what I can build from here. I’ve seen others pivot into consulting, start their own agencies, or move into different roles like product marketing or business development. I know I need to update my CV, reach out to former colleagues, and perhaps even explore new avenues I hadn’t considered before. It’s a challenging time, but I’m determined to turn this setback into an opportunity for growth.

I am about to start interviewing again, and I can't help but feel nervous. In 2025, I went through a long stretch of interviews for numerous positions, and I realized that my anxiety affected my performance, especially for the roles I really wanted. I still feel disappointed about missing out on some of those opportunities. Now, I'm preparing for interviews again, including some with companies I previously interviewed at. I'm grateful for the chance to try again, but the pressure to perform well is weighing on me. I would appreciate any advice or encouragement as I navigate this challenging time.