Thinking

I recently had a virtual interview for a casual role that typically hires teenagers. I was caught off guard by the interviewer's questions, which were focused on specific scenarios. For example, he asked how I would handle a customer who disliked the lighting in a photo, how to sell a broken product, and what to say if a machine went down for an hour. I expected the interview to be straightforward, with questions like why I wanted the job, so I felt unprepared for these situational questions. I'm left wondering if these questions are common for this type of role or if I just didn't perform well.

I've been on a relentless job search for over six years now, and I've submitted more than 3000 applications without much success. It's been incredibly disheartening. Although I managed to get a couple of jobs during this time, I struggled in both roles and ended up getting fired. It's been a year since my last job, and I'm feeling completely defeated. I've applied for every position I could find that seemed suitable for someone with my background, including volunteering, but nothing has panned out. I've also reached out to temp agencies and job providers, but they haven't been helpful either. I graduated from university, but I feel like that has done more harm than good, and I've even left it off my resume at times. My work experience is minimal, totaling about four months across my two previous jobs, and I don't have any references due to how those roles ended. I do have a few certificates for certain fields, but they haven't made a difference in my job search. At this point, I've decided to give up on finding a job. It seems clear that I can't hold one down, and employers don't seem interested in hiring me. I know that giving up will likely lead to a bleak future, but I just can't muster the energy to keep trying. I wanted to share my experience and vent a little, but if anyone has any reasons for me to keep pushing forward, I'm open to hearing them. Just a heads up, though—I'm feeling pretty fed up with the usual advice I've seen, as it often feels contradictory.

I've been a freelance writer for the past five years, primarily working with magazines and online publications. For a while, my work was quite stable, but over the last two years, I've noticed a significant decline in opportunities, especially in the last six months. Many publications are shutting down or cutting budgets, which has drastically affected my income and overall livelihood. Although I'm not technically laid off and don't qualify for severance or unemployment benefits, the impact on my finances feels just as severe. I'm reaching out to see if there are other freelancers, particularly in writing or media, who are facing similar challenges. I'm currently trying to find new clients, but it feels like the competition is intensifying, and my usual client base is shrinking. It's a scary and disheartening situation, and I'm looking for any tips or strategies to regain some stability in my work.

I've been feeling overwhelmed lately with the job search process. It seems like I'm not alone in this struggle, as I've seen many people on social media expressing frustration about filling out countless job applications and sending out thousands of resumes without any success. It feels like a nightmare that just doesn't end. I've been trying to figure out how to improve my chances, and I've come across some advice that suggests focusing on a smaller number of applications and tailoring my resume to each job. It's clear that many people just send out the same resume to every position, which probably isn't effective. Some comments I've read suggest that the job market is tough, but it might also be about how we approach our applications. I wonder if I need to rethink my strategy and put more effort into making my resume stand out. It's disheartening to see others succeed while I feel stuck, but I'm determined to keep pushing through this challenging time.

I’m starting a new job next Monday after leaving my last position due to a toxic work environment. It’s been about four weeks since I quit, and I’ve spent a lot of that time doubting my abilities and feeling stressed. Fortunately, I received an offer from a new company about three weeks ago, which I believe will be a great fit for me and comes with a significant pay increase. I know I should probably see a therapist to help rebuild my confidence and address my feelings of depression, but I’m really anxious about starting this new role and not wanting to mess things up. The previous job really affected my self-esteem, and I was often made to feel incompetent. Any advice for managing these feelings before my first day would be appreciated.

I've been feeling a lot of anxiety about my job lately. I work in marketing at a mid-sized tech company, and I can't shake the feeling that I might get laid off soon. The current economic climate has me on edge, and after reading some posts about layoffs, it's hard not to worry. I find myself constantly thinking about my performance and whether I’m safe in my role. It's really affecting my mental health, and I just want to know if anyone else is feeling this way.

I'm currently facing a tough decision at my retail job where I've worked for about 11 years, with the last 5 being full-time. I have great benefits, but the job requires me to work weekends and holidays, which is typical in retail. While I don't hate my job, it has been tolerable largely because my employer has allowed me to leave an hour early on Thursdays for an after-work activity that I love. This activity has been a crucial part of my life for over 2 years, and I genuinely believe it keeps me happy and motivated. Recently, my boss informed me that I need to choose between continuing to leave early and participating in this activity or switching to open availability, which means no set schedule and working any day of the week. If I opt for the early leave, I would be demoted to part-time status, losing my health insurance, PTO accrual, and other benefits like dental and vision coverage. This decision is incredibly difficult for me. On one hand, staying full-time means maintaining my benefits and moving up to a higher PTO accrual rate next year, but I feel like I'd be sacrificing my happiness and the sense of community I've built with my athletic team. On the other hand, going part-time would allow me to keep doing what I love, but at a significant cost. I'm feeling disrespected by the company's new strict policies and am torn between my loyalty to my team and the perks of full-time employment. I would love to hear what others would do in my situation.

I recently returned to my old job at Company 1 after spending two years at Company 2, and I’m already regretting it. It’s only been a month, but the issues I faced before are even worse now. I feel really frustrated because I had a much better work-life balance at Company 2. I’m starting to wonder if I’m stuck here for a certain period or if it’s completely out of the question to ask for my old position back at Company 2. I’m feeling lost and unsure about my next steps.

I recently received a contingent offer for a position that I absolutely love and aligns perfectly with my career goals. However, I have some concerns regarding a question they asked during the offer process. They requested that I disclose any instances of being discharged or asked to resign from previous roles. I was indeed discharged from my last job due to what they termed 'communication issues' while working remotely. At the time of my application, I was still employed, so this didn't come up during the interviews. I did provide the necessary information to them, but now I'm worried that this might jeopardize my offer. I explained that the issues I faced were specific to the remote work environment and that I believe this won't be a problem in the new in-office role. I'm unsure if I'm overthinking this situation or if it could genuinely affect my chances of securing the position. I've received some advice suggesting that full disclosure is crucial, and I should emphasize the change in my working environment to alleviate any concerns. I just hope that my past doesn't overshadow my potential in this new opportunity.

I had a recruiter screen today for a technical role in San Francisco, and during the conversation, the recruiter asked about my salary expectations. I mentioned that the job posting had a wide range, and while it was generally within my target, I didn't specify a number. She responded by saying, "let me know if that changes or if you get clarity there." Now I'm feeling anxious because the lower end of that range is way too low for me. I'm worried they might lowball me with an initial offer since I didn't provide a specific figure. I'm considering emailing her to clarify my salary expectations. Should I go ahead and do that?

I recently accepted a new job offer after just two months at my current position. I've been feeling really overwhelmed because the role has been incredibly unorganized, and I've had to train myself since day one. Now, I'm planning to resign via email without giving any notice, as I'm too anxious to speak to my boss in person. The new job pays less, but it feels like a much better fit for me. I'm questioning whether I'm making the right choice by not giving a two-week notice, especially since I don't plan to include this short stint on my resume. I just feel really uncertain about how to handle the situation.

I have an interview tomorrow and I'm feeling a bit anxious about whether to disclose my brief stint at a previous job. Just a month after moving to a new state on my own for the first time, I landed a position at a well-known medical company. However, after only two weeks, I made the tough decision to quit because I was seriously considering moving back home. Ultimately, I chose to stay in the area and even reached out to my former employer to see if I could get my job back, but they said no and suggested I could reapply in six months. By that time, I had already found another job, so I didn't pursue it. Now, as I prepare for this interview, I'm torn about whether to mention my brief employment. I really want to work for this company, but I'm worried that my quick exit might negatively impact my chances. Should I bring it up proactively, or just wait for them to ask about it?

I work as a case manager at a domestic violence emergency shelter in California, and I’m really struggling with my pay. I earn $18/hour for a full-time position, which feels inadequate given the emotional toll and time commitment this job requires. I genuinely love my work and don’t want to leave, but I can’t sustain myself financially on this salary. I was promised a raise when I was promoted to this position, but I haven’t heard anything back about it. Now, I’m seriously considering asking for a raise or even taking on a second job on weekends, which would leave me drained. I’ve been in this role for about six months, and while my boss has been good with small raises in the past, I’m currently making the same as new hires. It’s frustrating because I feel like my hard work isn’t being recognized, and I’m curious about what others in similar roles in California think about my situation.

I recently interviewed for a dishwasher position at Chipotle. I provided my availability, which includes Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, as well as Fridays as needed (mid-day or nights) and Saturday nights, while keeping Mondays and Sundays off. They mentioned they would get back to me in a couple of days or that I could call them if I didn't hear anything. I'm feeling uncertain about my chances since I've heard that when companies say this, it often means I might not get hired. I'm considering whether I should start looking for other job opportunities or wait a few days for their response.

I have an upcoming phone interview for a Networking intern position on Microsoft Teams this Thursday. I'm considering reaching out to the hiring manager to ask if they prefer my camera to be on during the interview. I'm planning to message them on LinkedIn for this. I also want to know if there are any other questions I should ask or tips I should keep in mind for the interview. One suggestion I received was to keep the job description and my resume handy during the call and to smile while talking, as it can positively affect my tone. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves!

I've been job hunting recently and it's been incredibly frustrating. I applied to a position at Automated Health Systems, and the lack of communication from them has been really disappointing. It feels like companies like this need to be held accountable for their hiring processes. I'm trying to stay positive, but the silence after applying is tough to deal with.

I received a job offer over the phone for a position I accepted last Tuesday. HR followed up with an email confirming the offer and my acceptance, and the manager texted me the next day with more details about the role. They mentioned I would receive the official offer letter in HireTrue by Monday or Tuesday. Now it's Tuesday night, and I still haven't received the letter. I'm unsure whether to reach out to the manager via text or email HR, or if I should wait a bit longer. They were very communicative before, so I want to be tactful and not come off as pushy. I plan to follow the advice I saw online and send a follow-up email tomorrow morning to HR, copying the manager, expressing my eagerness to review the official offer letter.

I recently started a new job in the food industry after quitting my last position due to severe bullying and threats from my previous employer. I was really hoping for a fresh start, but things aren't looking good. The training period was supposed to last three days, but they've extended it, and I still haven't passed the test to start receiving tips. They promised $8 an hour plus tips, but due to weather issues, my hours have been cut significantly, and I can't survive on just $8 an hour. I have over a decade of experience in this field, so I feel frustrated and confused about why they think I'm not ready for the training test. I need at least 35 hours a week to make ends meet, and I'm worried about getting fired again. I'm considering updating my resume and looking for new opportunities before this job drains me financially.

I interviewed for an online adjunct faculty position at my alma mater back in June, feeling genuinely hopeful for the first time in a long time. The university's fall semester is divided into two eight-week sessions, and I was told the position would be for the second session, which starts tomorrow. Having earned my master's degree from this university and previously working there as a teaching assistant, I felt well-prepared and excited about the opportunity. During the interview, the department chair reassured me that since I had experience as a TA, the hiring process would be quick. She mentioned that I might not hear back until the week before classes started due to enrollment and departmental needs, so I waited patiently. As the start date approached, I kept checking the course schedule, which still showed 'TBA' for the instructors of the classes we discussed. I held on to hope that I would receive an email confirming my position. Today, I checked again, and to my dismay, both classes now have instructors assigned — neither of whom is me. It stings to see that both instructors are new to the university and seemingly have no more experience than I do. I know I wasn't guaranteed the position, but the way the conversation went left me with expectations that have now been shattered. I spent months believing I had a real chance, only to discover my rejection through a course schedule rather than a simple email or acknowledgment. I'm already feeling stuck in my full-time job, overworked and underpaid, with no room for professional growth. I've worked hard for my education, earning my bachelor's and master's degrees, and now pursuing a PhD, sacrificing so much along the way. I just wanted to teach a couple of introductory psychology courses, gain experience, and feel like my education was leading somewhere. Instead, I’m left feeling embarrassed for getting my hopes up and questioning my qualifications and decisions. I understand that rejection is part of academia and that adjunct positions aren't guaranteed, but the disappointment still hurts deeply. I don’t understand why opportunities are presented as promising when there’s no intention to follow through or communicate changes. I’m tired of doing everything right and still feeling like I’m getting nowhere. I just wanted a chance, and for a moment, I thought I was finally getting one.

I've been employed but I'm actively searching for a new job because I'm really unhappy in my current position, even though the pay is decent. The job hunt has been incredibly frustrating. It feels like every employer expects at least 20 years of experience, which is just ridiculous. I can't believe I have to apply to over 100 jobs just to get one response. I have solid technical skills and experience in measurements, math, mechanics, and reading blueprints, so I know I have a lot to offer. But the process is exhausting and disheartening. I'm so tired of seeing 'now hiring' signs everywhere when it feels like no one is actually willing to hire me. I'm fed up with this situation.