Planning

I recently had my first interview since being laid off three months ago, and unfortunately, I received my first rejection yesterday. It's been a tough journey, sending out over 300 applications and averaging 2 to 5 interviews each week, but I still haven't landed any offers. The silence from many companies is disheartening, as only about half of them have even bothered to respond. I'm feeling pretty demotivated right now, but I know I have to keep pushing forward. It's just a numbers game, and I appreciate the encouragement from others who are in similar situations. Here's hoping for better days ahead.

I'm 34 years old and have a Business Degree from Penn State, but I've never held a job due to a traumatic injury in my youth that required extensive reconstructive surgeries and ongoing physical therapy. This has left me with a nerve disability that has made it challenging to enter the workforce. Now, I'm eager to finally start my career and make something of myself. I'm looking for advice on how to find a decent-paying job that aligns with my degree and background. I'm open to remote work opportunities as well. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

After 6 years in a cloud-focused IT role, I'm at a crossroads. I have multiple certifications including CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, CCNA, and various Azure and Google Cloud certifications. Despite my experience, my last job search yielded only 5 interviews from about 70 applications, which has left me questioning my current position. My workload is heavy, managing 3 to 10 cloud migration projects, and on top of that, management has added extra goals like obtaining a new certification and handling numerous process improvements. We've lost two team members recently, and with only four of us managing 35 to 40 projects, I'm feeling overwhelmed. While my current remote role pays well at $100k, I can't help but wonder if the environment is toxic or if I'm just being overly negative. In my past job searches, I found that smaller companies acquired by private equity firms were where I made the most progress, but they typically offered salaries in the $70k-$80k range without much room for negotiation. It feels like the job market has changed since I first entered IT, making it harder to land interviews despite my qualifications. Now, I'm contemplating a career shift into fields like radiologic technology or accounting, which would require 2-3 years of schooling. I'm torn between the years I've invested in IT and the potential stability and straightforward hiring processes in these other fields. Should I stay in my current role, pursue other tech opportunities, or make a complete career change?

I've been searching for new job opportunities lately, but I'm facing a challenge: I don't have any references to provide. I've been at my current job for a long time, and I don't feel comfortable asking anyone from there because I don't want them to know I'm looking to leave. I also don't have personal references, which seems to be a common issue for many people. I'm wondering if I should reach out to someone I haven't spoken to in years just to ask for a favor. It's a bit daunting, and I'm not sure how to navigate this situation. Any advice on how to handle references when you're in a tight spot?

I have an interview scheduled for a position that is about 20 miles away this Thursday. I'm feeling uncertain because I reached out to the hiring manager about the salary but haven’t received a response yet. The salary details weren't mentioned during the initial screening, and it wasn't listed in the job ad either. I'm hesitant to spend money on an Uber to get there if the salary ends up being too low. I’m also concerned about the lack of communication; it feels a bit off to me that she's ignoring my email before the interview. I live in Texas, where it's common for companies to avoid disclosing salary information. I'm wondering if I should still go to the interview or if it’s a red flag.

I interviewed for a position three weeks ago and was told I would hear back the following week. After not receiving any updates by the end of the second week, I reached out via email, and they assured me I would have news by the end of that week. Now, a week later, I still haven't heard anything. I'm debating whether I should send another follow-up email or just move on. It's frustrating to think that after two promises of updates, I might not get any response at all. I wonder if it's common for companies to leave candidates in the dark like this, and if they are obligated to inform me of their decision regardless of the outcome.

Today, I received some urgent news that I need to find a job by July. My parents are on income support, and I will soon be responsible for paying rent and council tax, which will amount to around £125. This situation has left me feeling quite anxious as I need to secure employment quickly. I'm reaching out for advice on the best strategies to find a job fast. I appreciate any help or tips you can offer.

I had an interview for a retail position at Staples last week. The company mentioned they would contact me on Monday or Tuesday if I was selected for a second interview. It's now Tuesday, and I'm wondering if I should call them today or wait a bit longer. I don't want to come across as pushy, but I also don't want to seem uninterested if they have already made a decision. I received some advice from a recruiter suggesting that it's okay to reach out after the timeline they provided has passed, so I might call them tomorrow if I don't hear back today. Fingers crossed!

I recently found myself at a crossroads in my career as an administrative assistant at a small company. I've been in this role for three years, and while the hours are convenient—Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.—the pay is not great, and there are no benefits apart from a year-end bonus. The work isn't particularly challenging; I adapted to their system quickly, and being the youngest in the office, I think that helped. My coworkers treat me well, and I feel valued, but I know there’s no room for growth here since the company is small and stable. I'm eager to find a job that offers benefits, paid time off, and better pay. However, I'm hesitant about leaving because I understand the system better than most of my colleagues, and I worry I might not enjoy my next position. I initially took this job as a stepping stone after switching from nursing to sociology, but now I'm uncertain about what my next steps should be or what my dream job really is.

I’ve been jobless since May, and recently, I received calls from companies I’ve always dreamed of working for. It felt like my luck was finally turning around. However, I had interviews with them and completely messed up the first round in both cases. Over the past 15-20 days, I’ve had opportunities with some great companies for sales roles, but I just can’t seem to clear the first round. I feel really dumb about it. The questions aren’t even that tough; they’re mostly basic. Sometimes I just go blank, and I end up answering whatever comes to mind. Other times, I can’t structure my answers well, and even when I think I do fine, I still don’t get called for the next round. It’s frustrating. What should I do?

I had a job interview back in March for a position that I felt went exceptionally well, but unfortunately, I didn’t get the job. Today, I received a call from the same person who interviewed me, who would have been my boss, informing me that they have two new positions opening up. Since I was considered a top candidate previously, they invited me and another top candidate to an informal lunch to gauge the vibes and possibly discuss things further after lunch. They emphasized that this isn’t a second interview and that they’re already aware of my skills and how well I connected with the team during the first interview. I’m feeling a bit uncertain about whether this means I have the job already or if it’s just a casual meet-up that might turn into some sort of competition. To manage my expectations, I plan to treat this as a lunch interview but will prepare myself for the possibility that it might not lead anywhere, just like every other job interview I've attended. I’d appreciate any thoughts or advice on how to approach this situation.

I recently made the tough decision to leave a job that I truly loved. This was my first role where I never found myself watching the clock, counting down the minutes until I could go home. The people I worked with were genuinely caring and became my friends. The environment was relaxed, with minimal supervision, which allowed for some fun at work. I particularly enjoyed working with a lot of women, as I don't have many female friends outside of work, so it was refreshing to build those relationships. However, I ultimately decided to leave because of the toxic behavior from the higher-ups. They frequently misled employees about full-time hours, often sending us home three hours early, which made it difficult for me to pay rent at times. Despite my hard work, I was promoted to relief lead and started earning decent paychecks, but I realized that if the company could treat employees poorly, I was likely to be next. Two months ago, they hired a new employee and promoted him to main team lead without even considering me or the other relief lead, despite our year of service. This new guy received a lot of favoritism, and within two weeks, the main team leads had to rotate just to accommodate him, pushing me aside to lead only once every two weeks. It was frustrating because he caused multiple delays that resulted in significant fines for the company. Feeling disrespected and hurt, I began searching for a new job and submitted my two weeks' notice last Thursday. I know I will miss my friends, my crush at TSA, and the airport atmosphere. I'm currently doubting my decision, but I can't work for a company that doesn't value my contributions. I'm getting older and need something more stable, especially given the unpredictable nature of this job and the toxic management.

I recently experienced a semi-layoff after relocating to Europe for my job. I had been working remotely for this company since 2023 and was thrilled to receive an offer to move to their headquarters. I left Brazil in February, bringing my cat and all my savings, hoping for stability. However, this month, all administrative employees were put on semi-layoff status, which means my workload has been cut to 50%, and the notice period is now just two weeks instead of three months. Thankfully, it doesn't affect my visa, but I feel completely lost. I dedicated so much to this job, juggling multiple roles, and now I'm left feeling abandoned. I moved here expecting a fresh start, but now I'm applying for jobs just days after arriving. The worst part is that our boss didn't consider how this would impact our visas. I dread going back to the office; it feels like a betrayal. I confided in my manager about my fears of instability, and he assured me that layoffs wouldn't happen here. Yet, here I am, in a semi-layoff situation. I don't speak the local language fluently, and I've faced numerous rejections. Who would hire someone who just moved here four months ago? I don't have any money to return home, and my family has relocated to a farm, thinking I would be stable here. My best friend is now living in the countryside, and all the job opportunities are in the city. I feel so lost and alone.

I just received a job offer today, but it's a massive pay cut from my previous role. I was making a base salary of $180k, plus a 20% bonus and stock options. The new offer is only $75k base. It's tough to swallow, but I feel I have to accept it since my unemployment benefits will run out in three months. I figure that having this job, even at a lower salary, is better than being completely without income. On the bright side, the position is fully remote, and the hiring manager seems really nice and easy-going. I'm planning to take this job while continuing my search for something better. The job market is brutal right now, and I know I'm not alone in feeling this way.

I had a second-round interview with a company on Thursday, and I received great news shortly after — the recruiter informed me that I was moving on to the final round! This final round is quite intense, involving multiple interviewers and lasting around 3 to 4 hours. They asked for my availability, and I promptly provided it the same day. However, it's now been two full business days since I sent my availability, and I still haven't received a calendar invite or any confirmation for the final round. Today marks the third business day since my response. I'm torn about whether to reach out today or wait a bit longer. The quick turnaround after the second round has me wondering if they are just taking time to coordinate schedules among the interviewers. I want to be proactive but also don't want to seem impatient. Should I follow up now, wait until tomorrow, or give it a few more days?

It's been over a year since I graduated with my bachelor's in business administration, focusing on Marketing, and I'm starting to feel defeated. I've had a 6-month marketing internship and built a decent social media portfolio, yet despite applying for jobs since March of last year, I haven't made any progress in landing a role in my field. Most of the positions I've seen are either for AI marketing—which I really dislike due to its potential to replace jobs—or are shady MLM schemes and minimum wage jobs. I've applied to around 500 positions, but the interviews I've had often turned out to be disappointing or just plain scams. I've been focusing on in-person jobs because I want some social interaction, but the landscape is disheartening. Recruiters seem to rely heavily on AI, which complicates the process and makes it feel impersonal. I did manage to get a part-time hospitality role, but working alone late into the night is exhausting and affecting my sleep. Living with my parents has added to the stress, as they keep pressuring me about my job search, and I feel like I'm losing my independence. The constant reminders of my job search setbacks are taking a toll on my mental health. I used to be optimistic about my career in marketing, but after a year of applying and facing rejection, I've become burnt out and lost my passion. I feel trapped in my current situation, especially with family tensions at home, and I just want to find a way to move forward and gain some independence.

After a challenging six weeks of job searching, I finally received two offers from the companies I had my eye on the most. I was unexpectedly let go from my contract position due to a difficult boss, who turned out to be a tyrant to the whole team. It hit me hard, especially given the current job market. Determined to find a new role, I applied to everything I could find, regardless of the level. I went through interviews at 15 different companies, including both contract and full-time positions. At one point, I even prepared a comprehensive slide presentation for a company, only to be rejected after stumbling on a single question during the interview. After a month filled with low funds, multiple rejections, and exhausting interview rounds, I finally got the offer from my top choice, along with a second offer from my second choice. I’m thrilled to be starting my new full-time hybrid position tomorrow, and I’ll be making $20,000 more than I was before. This experience has taught me not to give up, as good things do come to those who persevere. I'm here to offer advice or encouragement to anyone who might need it!

I transitioned from a traditional 9-5 job to self-employment about a year ago, but now I'm looking to return to a 9-5 position, specifically in HRBP roles. Despite having a strong resume, I find myself struggling to be a preferred candidate. I've received some advice suggesting that instead of labeling my time as self-employment, I could present it as if I was an employee of the limited company I formed. Additionally, I could list my client work as projects within that employment. I'm hoping to get more insights or tips on how to make this transition smoother.

I'm currently weighing my options for a job change at the end of summer. I've received a few offers already, and the interview processes have been surprisingly quick. However, I'm unsure if I should start applying now or wait a bit longer. My current contract makes it tricky to leave immediately, as it could complicate things. I can officially transition at the end of August, but I'm concerned about timing since companies often can't wait long to bring someone on board. Based on advice I've seen, it seems like starting the application process now might be wise, considering how lengthy interviews can take these days.

I recently accepted a job offer for a role that pays $80k, after initially being offered $75k. I was unemployed at the time, having been let go from my previous job due to performance issues related to a family loss. I nervously negotiated for a higher salary, asking for $82k, and was surprised when they still came back with $80k, emphasizing that they believe I would be a great addition to the team. This experience has made me reflect on the negotiation process in today’s job market. While I had mixed feelings about negotiating, I think a good employer will appreciate your request for more, as long as it's reasonable. The hiring process was smooth and quick, with only three interviews and a final decision made in less than three weeks. I noticed many positive signs throughout, which reassured me that I made the right choice in negotiating. For anyone still searching for a job, I wish you the best of luck. And if you’re currently employed, remember to appreciate your position.