Thinking

I'm feeling really frustrated with my job search right now. I graduated with a degree in health science and social behavioral science, and I'm eager to start working in a hospital, ideally as a transporter. However, I'm finding it nearly impossible to get hired because I lack experience. It's disheartening to see that many employers are looking for candidates with prior experience, which leaves new graduates like me in a tough spot. I've considered internships and volunteering, but it seems like a Catch 22 situation where you need experience to get experience. I'm planning to apply for a program next year that might help, but in the meantime, I wish there were more opportunities for fresh graduates to prove themselves.

I recently applied for an entry-level position at a local nonprofit and received a request that left me feeling overwhelmed. After applying a while back, I was contacted three weeks ago for some preliminary questions about my relocation plans. Today, I got an email scheduling a two-hour interview with several members of their leadership team. I was taken aback to find out that I need to provide not only my driver's license and details of my volunteer positions from the past seven years but also ten references—five personal and five professional. As someone early in my career with about three years of relevant experience, I don't have a large pool of professional references to draw from, aside from a few university professors and my current supervisor. This feels excessive, especially since I haven't even had a phone interview yet. I'm starting to question whether this is a new standard in job interviews or if this particular nonprofit is just out of touch with hiring norms. I'm considering my options, including possibly withdrawing my application if this is indicative of their organizational culture.

I was recently laid off and now I have 18 days left in my grace period. I'm planning to apply for a B2 Change of Status (COS) and want to make sure I complete all the interviews I currently have lined up. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has gone through a similar situation recently. Did you handle your B1/B2 application on your own, or did you seek help from an attorney? If you have any templates for the COS application, I would really appreciate it. Also, if there are any additional details I should keep in mind during this process, please let me know.

I was recently outsourced from my role as a software developer at a mid-sized tech company. The whole experience felt incredibly unjust and left me frustrated. Not only did I lose my job, but I also had to train the offshore team that was taking over my responsibilities. It felt like I was handing over my work to people who would be paid significantly less, which seemed unfair to both me and the company. I've been following the political landscape around outsourcing, and I learned that there are currently two bills in the Senate aimed at addressing this issue. One, proposed by Bernie Moreno, seeks to eliminate IRS tax breaks for outsourcing and impose a 25% tax on it, while also creating a workforce fund. The other bill from Sheldon Whitehouse aims to mostly eliminate those tax breaks. I believe it's crucial for those of us affected by outsourcing to make our voices heard. I've started calling my Senator and House representative to express my concerns and urge them to support these bills. It seems like the more people who speak up, the more likely Congress will take action. I'm hoping that by rallying support, we can bring attention to the negative impacts of outsourcing on workers like myself.

I received two job offers last Friday and had to make a tough decision. Job A was with a small management company offering a hybrid role at $50k with 2 weeks of PTO. Job B was with a small nonprofit, offering a hybrid role at $42k with only 1 week of PTO. I chose Job A because it seemed better on paper and I attempted to negotiate for more PTO since I have two trips planned next year. However, after the long weekend, they didn't respond to my negotiation request, leaving me in limbo. Meanwhile, I still have Job B as a backup, which I know can be flexible with my time off, even though the salary and PTO are not ideal, especially in the nonprofit sector. Additionally, there's a potential Job C that I interviewed for over a week ago. They mentioned needing to finish another round of interviews before making a decision, but now they want me to do a final interview with the chief of staff. This role could be part-time to full-time, pays similarly to Job B, and is fully remote, which I would love. I'm at a crossroads: should I wait for the interview with Job C on Friday, or should I secure Job B to avoid losing out on a guaranteed position? I'm not desperate for a job, as my job search has been going well, but I also don't want to turn my back on an offer that is already on the table.

I have my first job interview in 6 years tomorrow. I'm a 32-year-old female currently working in a post-processing cannabis lab, and I'm interviewing for a laboratory position at an insurance company. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as this is my first video interview in a long time. If anyone has any words of encouragement or tips, I would really appreciate it!

I was laid off from my dream job a little over a year ago, and it's been a tough journey since then. The last few months leading up to my layoff were really challenging, and now, six months into my job search, I’m feeling pretty disheartened. I’ve dedicated myself to applying for positions in arts nonprofit fundraising, which is a competitive field with limited opportunities. Despite applying to over 25 jobs and going through three multi-stage interviews, I haven’t received any offers. I currently have a job, but I can’t shake the feeling of loss for what I had. My last round of interviews had me convinced I was a strong candidate, but it didn’t pan out. I’ve reached out to my network, even getting referrals from former coworkers, but I still face rejection. To make things worse, my current supervisor was laid off during my job search, which has added to my anxiety about job security. I’m really struggling to stay motivated after so many rejections. I’m looking for advice on how to refocus and regain my drive. If anyone has had similar experiences and found ways to overcome them, I would love to hear your success stories.

I was laid off in March 2025 from my role as an Application Engineer, where I supported engineered-to-order fire pump systems. Despite having a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and about 3 years of experience, getting back into the engineering field has proven to be a bigger challenge than I anticipated. Since the layoff, I've been proactive in building my skills by earning my Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Professional Scrum Master certification, completing training in Primavera P6, and enhancing my knowledge in project management and data analysis. Currently, I’m working as a City Carrier Assistant for USPS, which I appreciate for the income, but my goal remains to return to engineering or a role that utilizes my engineering and project experience. I've been applying for various positions like Project Engineer, Application Engineer, and Project Controls Analyst, but I'm starting to wonder if I need to rethink my job search strategy. I would love to hear from engineers, recruiters, or hiring managers who have faced similar situations: what steps would you recommend I take next?

I left my previous job at Company A about six months ago for what I thought was a great opportunity, but it turned out to be a poor fit for me. While I gained some valuable skills and insights during that time, I’ve come to realize how much I appreciated my old team and the work environment. Now, I’m really eager to return to my old role. I’m considering reaching out to my former boss, whom I left on good terms, to see if there might be any openings in the near future. I have her cell number, and I’m thinking of sending her a text. My initial thought was to say something like, "Hi [Boss's Name], I hope you’re doing well. I’ve been really missing Company A and would love to come back to the team. If any positions open up, I would appreciate it if you could keep me in mind. I wouldn’t even need training! Thank you." I’m unsure whether I should mention that my new job isn’t a good fit, or if I should wait for her to ask about it. I’ve read that texting is generally acceptable, especially since I don’t have her work email anymore, and I would have to ask an old colleague for it. I’m a bit anxious about overthinking this, but I really want to make the right impression and hopefully rejoin the team.

I interviewed for a Concierge position at Aritzia on September 4. The interviewer mentioned I'd hear back within 2-5 business days, but when I checked my Workday portal today, my application status changed to "Not moving forward at this time." I'm feeling uncertain and a bit disheartened. I haven't received any calls or updates yet, and I'm wondering if I should take this status as a rejection or if there's still a chance the recruiter might reach out. I know it’s still early since Monday was Labour Day, but I would really appreciate hearing about others' experiences with Aritzia and their Workday statuses after interviews.

I recently found out that a position I applied for a few months ago has reopened. I was a runner-up in the interview process for this role, which was for a marketing coordinator at a mid-sized tech company. The supervisor mentioned that it was between me and another candidate, but ultimately, they chose the other person. Now, seeing the same job listing again, I’m wondering if I should reapply. I feel like I got pretty far in the process, and since I was told there would be a three-month probationary period, I suspect the person they hired may not have worked out. I think it could be worth a shot, but I’m unsure. What do I really have to lose?

I have been unemployed for about 1.5 months now and the job search has been challenging. I’ve been applying selectively to roles that genuinely interest me, which might be limiting my options. Last week, I had a promising interview with a company where I received positive feedback. However, I recently noticed that they posted a job in a different area that also aligns with my skills and interests. I'm wondering if it would be inappropriate to apply for this new position given that I interviewed just last week and haven’t heard back yet. I’m concerned about jeopardizing my chances with the first role, but I also don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity. I’m considering reaching out to the HR or recruiter to express my interest instead of applying directly. Any advice would be appreciated!

I recently went through a challenging situation after my time at an MNC in India. I completed my MTech in 2025 and started as an intern in January, transitioning to a full-time engineer by July 2025. However, in January 2026, my manager informed me that my performance was below expectations, and they extended my probation by two months, despite me consistently meeting deadlines. I worked hard during that extension, but just a week before it ended, I was told my performance hadn't improved and I needed to resign or face termination. With no other options, I resigned, citing personal reasons. Fast forward five months, I finally got an interview with another MNC. During the managerial round, I panicked and gave a different reason for my departure, saying my project ended and I was asked to find new opportunities. Now, I regret not being honest. I've received an offer from this new company, and they are starting the background verification (BGV) process with Ibridge. I'm worried about how the BGV will unfold. Will they contact my previous manager to inquire about my performance and the reason for my departure? I mentioned my reason verbally during the interview, but I don't know if it was documented. Additionally, a senior colleague from my previous team has moved on to another company; can I use him as a reference instead of my manager? Is it mandatory for Ibridge to check with my manager? I'm feeling pretty anxious about this whole situation and would appreciate any advice on how to navigate it.

I received a job offer on August 30th for a position at a chain retail store in the UK. The following day, I went in to have my passport scanned, and the interviewer mentioned that I should watch my email for the start paperwork. On September 4th, I reached out to her since I hadn't received anything yet. She responded that the recruiter was on holiday and assured me that she would send the rotas by the beginning of this week. Tomorrow is supposed to be my start date, but I still haven't received any paperwork or a shift schedule. I'm considering following up again, but I'm unsure about how and when to do that. I know this situation isn't a great sign for the company, but I'm in need of a job and want to keep this offer. Any advice would be appreciated!

I recently went through a job application process for a role at a well-known company in my industry. I was excited because I had a connection who referred me, and I felt like I had a strong start with HR. The initial interview went smoothly, and I received positive feedback after each stage, including a second round where I connected well with the team. However, during the final HR interview, I stumbled on some managerial questions and realized I might have come across as too positive and nurturing. I emphasized my commitment to mentoring and helping team members grow, which I thought aligned with the company's family-oriented culture. After not receiving a rejection email, I followed up and learned they chose another candidate. I reached out to one of my interviewers for advice on reapplying and was told there was a hurdle in my managerial style that would be tough to overcome. This has made me question whether being supportive and kind is seen as a flaw in management. I'm left wondering if I should adjust my approach in future interviews, especially when the company promotes a caring atmosphere but may actually prefer a tougher managerial style.

I had my final interview for a manager-level role on August 28th, and I’m starting to feel anxious about the outcome. The recruiter reached out on August 31st to confirm some details about compensation and logistics, mentioning they would finalize their decision within 1-2 weeks. She also said she hoped to be in touch no later than the following week. Now it’s September 8th, and I haven’t heard anything yet. I know there was a holiday weekend, so I’m still within the timeline, but I can’t help but wonder if I should assume I didn’t get the job. I’m torn between waiting a bit longer or moving on to other opportunities. I’ve seen advice suggesting to keep applying and not to dwell on this one position, which makes sense. I just wish I had more clarity.

I recently left my first professional job and it wasn't the best situation with my boss, which led me to resign on short notice. Now, I've received an offer from a new company and signed the offer letter, but I'm a bit anxious about the reference check mentioned in the letter. I wasn't asked to provide any references, so I'm unsure if that means they'll just confirm my employment with my last company or if I need to provide my own references. I'm hesitant to use anyone from my previous job due to the circumstances of my departure, and I'm worried that not having references from my last role might raise a red flag. I've been upfront with the new company about why I left my previous job, but the uncertainty is still bothering me. Currently, I'm considering using my managers from my retail job during college and a former teacher as references, but I'm not sure if that will be enough or satisfactory for this new position.

I graduated college in May and I'm currently stuck in a dead-end retail job that I absolutely hate. I've been applying to every position I can find, but the job market is tough and opportunities are scarce. Recently, I came across a customer service position that seemed like a perfect fit for me, offering a higher wage than what I currently make and aligning with my career goals. I was thrilled to learn that I got an interview scheduled for later this week. However, shortly after scheduling the interview, I discovered that workers from another department within the same company are on strike due to unfair wages. Although my role is different from theirs, I can't help but feel conflicted about the situation. The striking workers are protesting right outside the property where I'll be interviewing, and I fully support their cause for better pay. As someone new to the professional world, I've never dealt with a strike before, and I'm unsure if it would be morally right for me to accept the position if offered. I really need a job, but I also don't want to be seen as crossing a picket line or undermining the efforts of the striking workers. I’m looking for advice on how to navigate this situation. Should I still go through with the interview? Would it be wrong to take the job if it’s offered to me?

I recently had a strange recruitment experience while applying for a job on LinkedIn. Initially, I received an automated rejection almost immediately after submitting my application, which was quite discouraging. However, a few days later, I noticed that the job poster had downloaded my CV, which I found odd given the initial rejection. After about four weeks of silence, I was unexpectedly scheduled for a 'getting to know you' call with an HR representative. During the call, she mentioned that she would discuss my application with the head of her department later that day to arrange a follow-up interview. However, after three working days passed with no communication, it became clear that they had either changed their minds or simply decided not to pursue my application further. It's frustrating to go through such a rollercoaster of emotions during the job search process.

I’m 19 years old and currently unemployed. I’ve been looking for job opportunities but haven’t had much luck so far. I’m eager to gain some work experience and would appreciate any advice on how to improve my job search or tips on where to look for entry-level positions.