Thinking

I recently graduated in May with a BA in history and a minor in global security, and I’m feeling lost about my career path. I had a part-time job at a tutoring company for 20 hours a week, but I left that in January after I thought I secured a meaningful position at a non-profit that supports foster kids. Unfortunately, that turned out to be a scam, and I missed the warning signs as a new graduate. Since then, I’ve been unemployed and struggling to find work. I've tried applying for retail jobs, but it feels like nothing is working out. I'm at a point where I don't even know what to look for anymore, especially with government jobs being out of reach and my degree not opening many doors. I'm reaching out for advice on how to break this cycle of dead-end jobs I’ve been stuck in since college. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

I reached out to my recruiter, Beck, about a new role at the same agency where I'm currently interviewing for a different position. I'm in discussions for Role A, which is a two-month contract with low pay, but I just saw they posted Role B, which seems like a full-time opportunity and much more appealing. I'm unsure if Beck is also the recruiter for Role B or if it might complicate my chances with Role A if there's another recruiter involved. I'm really hoping to get clarity on this situation.

I've been on the job hunt for about two months now, applying to any positions I qualify for. Recently, I came across some promising opportunities that have me feeling hopeful. Just yesterday, I applied to a local clinic right before their job listing closed. To show my enthusiasm, I sent a follow-up email reiterating my interest and attached my cover letter and resume again. In addition to the clinic, I also applied to three other positions last week—one at a bank, another at a hotel, and the last at another clinic. I made sure to apply through Indeed and also directly on their websites if they had separate applications. I'm curious about the typical timeframe for callbacks. Do employers usually wait the full 30 days of the job listing to review all applications? I’ve heard mixed opinions on this. One commenter mentioned that they prefer to reach out quickly to avoid losing good candidates to other offers. It’s reassuring to know that some employers are proactive in their hiring process.

I can't believe what I just heard. I reached out to a friend for help with my job search, hoping he could network me into some opportunities since I'm struggling with that. We ended up catching up, and I asked him how his job at Starbucks was going. To my shock, he told me he’s had four different jobs since we last spoke! In this economy, I was stunned. He’s now making between $5,000 to $10,000 as a 19-year-old. Meanwhile, I'm still jobless and in the same field as him. I can't help but feel worthless and discouraged about my own job hunt. Does anyone else feel this way?

I've been on the job hunt for quite some time now, and I'm really curious about the effectiveness of AI automation bots for job applications. It's been about 1.5 years since I last looked into them, and back then, I wasn't convinced they were worth it. I see a lot of ads claiming these bots can apply for jobs while you sleep, but I'm skeptical about their actual performance. I'm wondering if anyone has had success with these tools recently or if I should stick to my current job search methods. With recruiters overwhelmed by resumes, I'm also interested in hearing from any recruiters, especially at larger companies, about how they sift through applications these days. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I recently transitioned into a new role after a challenging job search. After resigning from my position as a Pharmacy Technician, I found myself jobless for six months, which was a tough experience as I watched my savings dwindle and struggled to pay bills. However, I finally landed a job in 2026 as a Security Officer at an Aerospace Industry and Corporate hybrid site. I've been in this role for two months now, and while it pays $22.16/hr—only slightly more than my previous job—it's been a relief to be back on track. My duties vary from manning a guard shack on the perimeter to working in the office or patrolling the area. Thankfully, the work is generally low-stress, and I appreciate the change from my previous job, which had taken a toll on my mental health. After 12 years in various roles, including farming, warehouse work, and landscaping, this position feels like a hidden gem. I plan to stay in security long-term and eventually aim for a Federal position once I gain more experience and obtain my Armed License. The job market is tough right now, but I believe that persistence pays off. If I could give advice to my younger self, it would be to explore this field sooner to avoid the stress I endured in my past jobs.

I recently went through a rapid job application process for a role at a new startup. I applied on LinkedIn through a recruiter and received a call for an interview just two days later. The interview with the CEO went well, and I was offered the position the same day. However, after accepting the offer and submitting my background check forms, I've encountered some delays with my start date. Initially, I was hoping to start on July 27, but they pushed it back because my supervisor would be out. I thought I might start on August 3, but they just informed me that it might be delayed until August 10. I'm feeling a bit frustrated as this is my first job out of college, and I really want to get started and earn some money. I've checked the legitimacy of the company and the recruiter, so I don't think it's a scam, but I'm left wondering if such delays are normal in the hiring process.

I came across a warning about a new job scam targeting LinkedIn users. As someone actively looking for a job, I wanted to share this to help others stay vigilant. Apparently, scammers are using AI to reach out to job seekers with fake job opportunities that seem to match their profiles. These recruiters appear professional, but they often use free email accounts or newly created domains that don't belong to legitimate companies. It's crucial to be cautious and skeptical, especially if an offer seems too good to be true. I read a detailed LinkedIn post about someone's experience with this scam, and it really opened my eyes to the risks out there. I'm trying to stay alert and not fall for any traps while I search for my next role.

After 148 days of searching, I finally secured a job offer! It has been quite the journey. I went through a grueling 8-round interview process for a Director position from April to June, only to face rejection. On top of that, I had three other final round rejections over the past 21 weeks, which made me feel like I was on the verge of giving up. However, about five weeks ago, I started to gain some momentum. After a series of intense back-to-back panel interviews, I was left waiting for a response. To my surprise, not only did they extend an offer, but I performed so well that they offered me a higher role than I initially applied for. I just accepted an executive-level position and can finally sleep peacefully tonight. For anyone out there facing similar struggles, remember that rejection does not define you; instead, let it refine you. Wishing everyone the best of luck in their job searches!

I was recently made redundant from a major corporate bank where I worked in real estate. At 32 years old, I started this role in July 2020 during the peak of COVID, transitioning from my previous career in recruitment for financial services. I’ve been in this position for about six years, and while the job market isn't great right now, I feel surprisingly okay about the situation. In my team of around 20 people, only one colleague reached out to express regret about my departure, which honestly doesn't bother me too much since I wasn't in the office often. We had some good times at client events, but I’ve always kept to myself and focused on my work. There’s an ongoing consultation period, and I know people have been advised not to discuss the layoffs, but it would have been nice to receive a few more messages from coworkers. I want to emphasize that this situation isn’t a reflection of my worth; I’ve always done my job and shown up when needed. This post is a message to anyone going through a similar experience: don’t let the workplace define you. Focus on your personal life and well-being. My job served me well financially and provided valuable experience for my next steps. I know how the job search process works, and I’m prepared to move on. Taking the redundancy package might just be a blessing in disguise, so embrace the change and look forward to new opportunities.

I recently interviewed for an Office Manager position at a company where I thought I had a solid chance. I arrived 15 minutes early after a full day of work, feeling confident about my performance. With my background working for Fortune 500 companies and a strong list of recommendations, I believed I presented myself well. However, after the interview, I was told I would hear back by last Friday. When I reached out for an update, I found that I had been blocked. This experience is really perplexing and feels unprofessional. The interviewer made a strange comment, saying I reminded him of his brother, which has me wondering if that played a role in their decision. It's a new and frustrating situation for me.

I recently left my position as a sales agent at Trade Show Planners, which has now rebranded as TSP Experts. I worked from an office outside the U.S., but we were instructed to use American names and give the address of the U.S. office when speaking with customers. This felt misleading, and I wanted to share my experience after seeing the company rebrand with a polished new image. During my time there, the work environment was extremely toxic. We were pressured to make calls for nearly nine hours a day, with our bathroom breaks monitored. It felt like we were treated as machines rather than people, with little regard for our well-being. Many of us earned around $200 a month while being expected to generate significant revenue in hotel bookings. The commission structure was frustrating as well; payments were often delayed, and some agents left without receiving what they were owed. One of the most uncomfortable aspects was the expectation to sound American during calls, which misled customers into thinking they were dealing with U.S.-based representatives. I also had concerns about the booking process, specifically the non-refundable terms that weren't always clearly stated. Now that the company has rebranded, I feel it's important for potential customers and employees to do their research. Just because the name and logo have changed doesn't mean the practices have. I hope sharing my story helps others make informed decisions.

I started receiving my unemployment benefits in mid-July after my claim was processed back in April 2026, but it took some time to get everything sorted out. Recently, I took a partial distribution from my 401k to help pay down some credit card debt. I’ve been confused about how to report this withdrawal. I read that since it was a one-time distribution and not a monthly payment, it shouldn’t affect my benefits. However, I still reported it when certifying my claim by answering "YES" to the pension question. They sent me a form to explain that it was a partial distribution and to provide proof of that. Now I’m stuck on a part of the form that asks if my employer contributed to the 401k and if I contributed. I answered yes to both since that was true when I was employed, but contributions stopped when I left the job. I’m worried that saying my employer contributed might affect my unemployment payments for that week. I’m not sure if I should have said no since I’m no longer employed and there are no contributions being made now. I initially thought about saying no, but the form required at least one yes. I really don’t understand the logic behind this. Can anyone clarify?

I'm a 23-year-old incoming Junior at UNC Charlotte, pursuing a BS in Accounting after getting my associate's degree from community college. I've spent the last five years working at Lowe's as a Sales Specialist in the Pro Section, but now that I'm moving to Charlotte, I'm looking for part-time job opportunities that can accommodate my class schedule of 9-6 M-F. My goal is to earn around $2000 a month while continuing my education, and I'm hoping to find something that pays at least $22 an hour, similar to what I currently make with bonuses at Lowe's. I've applied for some part-time positions at banks but haven't heard back yet. If anyone has recommendations for jobs near the college, I'd really appreciate it! I'm also open to sharing my resume for feedback.

I had a scheduled Zoom interview with a hiring manager that I was really looking forward to, but unfortunately, I got stood up. I waited for about 30 minutes before I decided to reach out to the recruiter, who was my only point of contact. After messaging her, she said she would look into it, but I can't help but feel frustrated. Is it common for candidates to be ghosted like this during the interview process? I thought it was pretty disrespectful, but I’ve seen mixed opinions on whether it’s just part of the job search game nowadays.

I recently went through a tough period after being laid off from my role as a director at my previous company, where I worked for 1.5 years before the entire division was shut down. My last job ended after I raised concerns about being bullied by a VP regarding confidential information from my past employer. I have evidence of this in emails, and I'm currently in arbitration with them after refusing a low severance package and deciding to sue. After 8 months of unemployment, I managed to secure two job offers. One was a work-from-home position, but it came with significantly lower pay. The other job required a long commute but offered a much better salary, so I chose the latter. Now, I'm on day three of this new role, but I’m struggling with my confidence and adjusting back to a regular work routine. I can't shake the fear that I might not succeed in this position either. I'm looking for advice on how to overcome these fears and regain my confidence.

I was laid off after just 90 days at a company I had previously worked for from 2019 to 2022. I returned in May for a different role, despite knowing they were undergoing significant layoffs. I thought the salary and opportunity outweighed the risks, so I took the leap and left a stable position at another company. When I rejoined, it felt familiar, though there had been some changes, including a new CEO. Then, out of the blue, I received a calendar invite for a meeting, which immediately set off alarm bells. My gut feeling was spot on; my entire department was being laid off. Now I have two months to find a new role within the company, but opportunities in my area are scarce, and financially, I can't afford to relocate. While the severance package is generous and gives me some breathing room, I feel overwhelmed by the situation. I haven't had the chance to make a significant impact in my short time here, and the job market seems bleak. After a tough couple of years, I thought I was finally getting back on track, but it feels like I've hit a wall instead.

I received my first job offer in May 2026 after graduating with my bachelor's in Information Sciences. However, I'm feeling conflicted about the offer because the salary is only $45k a year, which doesn't meet my expectations. I understand that this might be a reasonable starting point for someone in my position, but I'm worried about settling too soon. Some advice I've received suggests that I should take the job and keep looking for better opportunities while I work there. I'm considering this option, but I want to make sure I'm making the right decision for my career.

I recently started a job at a local restaurant chain after leaving a toxic retail position, but my excitement quickly turned into frustration. The onboarding process was chaotic; I had issues with my paperwork that led the manager to think I ghosted them, despite us having scheduled an orientation. Once I finally started, I was thrown into a hectic environment with broken AC and constant station changes, which made it hard to keep up with orders. During my first few weeks, I completed my Food Handler's Permit, but the training and practices at the restaurant were alarming. I witnessed a manager instructing me to reuse uncooked chicken on a salad that had already been sent back, which is a clear case of cross-contamination. To make matters worse, none of the produce was washed before prep, and I even spotted a roach in the kitchen, which was a major red flag for me. My schedule has also been inconsistent; after a couple of weeks of decent hours, I was suddenly scheduled for only one day in my fifth week. The supervisor even suggested I take on more hours at a different location that I can't reach due to transportation issues, which felt completely unreasonable. To top it off, I found out they were asking other potential employees for jobs despite claiming they didn’t have enough hours to offer me. It's been a frustrating experience, and I’m seriously considering my options moving forward.

I've been actively job searching and applying to positions on Indeed, but I've noticed a frustrating trend: potential employers rarely leave voicemails when they call. I often receive calls from numbers I don't recognize, and since I get a lot of scam calls, I tend to let them go to voicemail. Recently, I missed a call from a potential employer because their number showed up as 'scam likely,' and they didn't leave a message. Instead, they sent me an email saying they couldn't reach me. I can't help but wonder why employers don't take the time to leave a voicemail or even send an email first to schedule a call. It feels like a missed opportunity for both sides, especially since not everyone is available for a call at any given moment.