Personal timeline

PoundMaterial3454's journey

Milestones, reflections, and progress updates connected as your layoff-to-next-step story unfolds.

  1. 2
    Applied to a Job Feeling Got a Job Planning Thinking

    I recently had a breakthrough in my job search journey. For a long time, I was stuck in a cycle of self-doubt, telling myself I needed more experience or to complete an online course before I could apply for better positions. I watched peers with similar or even less experience land jobs that I thought were out of my reach, and it left me feeling frustrated. A few months ago, I decided to change my approach. I started applying for jobs where I met only 60 to 70 percent of the requirements, thinking the worst that could happen was a rejection. To my surprise, I received more callbacks than I ever did when I only applied for roles I felt fully qualified for. It became clear that many job requirements are more of a wish list than a strict guideline. Eventually, I landed a new role that pays significantly more than my previous job and offers great opportunities for growth. This experience taught me how much I was holding myself back by waiting for a perfect moment that would never arrive. If you're hesitating to apply because you don't feel ready, I encourage you to go for it. The self-screening we often do is much harsher than what hiring managers actually consider. Has anyone else gone through a similar experience? I'd love to hear your stories!

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  2. 1
    Feeling Planning Thinking

    I recently made a significant change in my approach to job interviews, and it has surprisingly yielded better results. For years, I was meticulously preparing for interviews—spending hours researching companies, crafting polished responses to behavioral questions, and trying to present myself as the perfect candidate. While I was getting some callbacks, the number of job offers I received was far fewer than I had anticipated. After some reflection, I decided to stop striving for perfection and began treating interviews more like genuine conversations. I started being more open about the gaps in my experience and honest about the work environments where I thrive. I also became more comfortable admitting when I didn’t know something, rather than trying to sidestep the question. This shift made the interviews feel much more natural, and I noticed a positive change in the outcomes as well. I’m not entirely sure if it was because I appeared more genuine, communicated more clearly, or simply felt less nervous, but the results were encouraging. I’m really curious to know if others have had similar experiences. Did being more straightforward and authentic during interviews help you, or did it negatively impact your chances? For those who have been on the hiring side, does authenticity stand out, or is it easy to overestimate its importance? I would love to hear different perspectives and experiences.

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