Planning

I recently had my first job interview at a fast food restaurant where I applied about a month ago. As a recent high school graduate who just turned 18, I was both excited and nervous since I’ve never had a job before. The application process was straightforward; I scheduled an interview right after applying, and I kept receiving reminder emails and texts. On the day of the interview, I dressed up nicely and brought a folder with my resume, a letter of recommendation, and my work permit. When I arrived, the place was quite empty, and there was a sign advertising a starting pay of $20/hour. I informed the staff that I had a scheduled interview, and they offered me water while I waited. After about 10 minutes, the manager came over, apologized for forgetting about me, and began the interview. While he was friendly and humorous, I found his approach somewhat unprofessional. He asked about my resume, which highlighted my volunteer work since I didn’t have any previous job experience. He seemed impressed with my letter of recommendation. However, many of his questions veered off-topic, focusing on personal matters like our schools and my college aspirations. He even inquired about my ethnicity and religion, which felt a bit inappropriate, but he was respectful throughout. Towards the end, he mentioned that he would keep my documents and told me to come back before Halloween, implying that I might not need another interview. He did mention that they had recently hired two people but hinted at potential future openings. I’m left feeling confused about whether this is a good sign or not. I plan to return as he suggested, but I’m unsure if I should expect to hear back or if he was just being polite. Any thoughts on my experience would be appreciated!

I was laid off from my Digital Marketing role after six years with the company. My responsibilities had grown over time, and I was in discussions for a promotion, consistently receiving positive feedback until this year. However, I was surprised to get a poor performance rating despite meeting my goals. The expectations felt unreasonable, and I sensed a shift in the company's demands. Things took a turn when I was called into a last-minute one-on-one meeting, where I was informed by HR that my position was being eliminated. This was my first layoff experience, and I'm feeling lost about what to do next. I have about three months of savings and a 401k that I’m not sure how to access. I've been applying for jobs since last year, managing to secure two interviews but no offers. With the job market looking even tougher now, I'm feeling overwhelmed and anxious. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has had success with specific job boards or has any tips for navigating this challenging time.

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 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 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 have an interview for an overnight personal shopper position at a grocery store. I’m not familiar with what the role entails beyond the title, but I know it involves order picking during the graveyard shift. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has experience working nights in this position and whether they would recommend it. I also have another interview for a regular clerk position at a different grocery store, so I’m weighing my options. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I recently completed my initial unemployment application with the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) and received a notification that I needed to register with the Virginia Workforce Connection System (VWCS) to receive benefits. I remembered that I had an account from when I was unemployed during the COVID pandemic, so I went to the VWCS website to log in. After some trouble, I reset my password and accessed my old account. Now, I'm unsure about what further steps I need to take. Do I just need to keep my account active, or is there more I should do to ensure I receive my benefits? I'm also curious about how much of my profile needs updating beyond the mandatory fields.

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 was laid off three months ago and since then, I've been on a relentless job search. I've applied to over 500 jobs in various companies, trying to find the right fit. In addition to job hunting, I took the initiative to build and ship a product on my own, which has been a great learning experience. Despite my efforts, I’m still looking for the right opportunity and wanted to share my journey with others who might be in a similar situation.

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.