Thinking

I have been unemployed for 14 months now, and I could really use some help. With 16 years of experience and a clean record of never being fired, I have submitted around 3,000 applications and gone through 27 interviews. Despite all the effort, including countless hours spent on tests, assessments, and even doing free work, I find myself out of money and ideas. I've tried various job platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, InfoJobs, RocketHire, Handshake, and FlexJobs, and I’ve even hand-delivered my CV to businesses and directly emailed it to potential employers. I also have a professional website and platforms for freelance work, though I’m not including them here to avoid any issues with self-promotion. Recently, I revised my 'general use' CV, and I have been using eight different targeted versions, optimized for ATS and designed for in-person use, available in both English and Spanish. I just added a "current" employer to my resume since I’ve been told that not being currently employed could be hurting my chances. The work is real, though it’s not traditional employment. In my desperation, I’ve been considering some unconventional methods to get my CV in front of hiring managers, such as targeted digital ads aimed at employees of specific companies, Google AdWords targeting executives, or even creative ideas like using donut packaging that doubles as my CV for deliveries. If anyone has employed any creative methods that worked for them, I would love to hear about them!

I came across a job posting recently while job hunting that really made me question the pay scale. The position had a long list of responsibilities, including managing government contracts, but the pay was listed as $12 to $20 an hour. I can't wrap my head around how $12 could be considered a competitive wage. In my area, even grocery stores are offering around $18 an hour just for picking online orders. It feels like there's a huge disconnect between the expectations for the role and the compensation being offered.

I had a conversation with a recruiter today, and they asked me if I had any job offers in hand. I currently don’t have a written offer, but I wanted to convey that I’m in the running for a few positions that are in the final stages of the interview process. I aimed to avoid sounding desperate while being honest about my situation.

I've been actively job searching for the past few months and have applied to over 50 positions in my field, but I've only received responses from about 5% of them. It's been really discouraging to put in so much effort and not see much return. I'm trying to refine my resume and cover letter, but I'm not sure what else to do to improve my chances. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

I had a job interview about 10 days ago for a position in Finance and Accounting. The head of the department, who is the Controller, conducted the interview. I felt really positive about how it went; he even showed me around the company and mentioned that I was energetic and a great fit for a corporate role. He also said he would be the one training me, which made me feel even more optimistic. However, it's been almost two weeks since the interview, and I haven't received any updates. I followed up this week but haven't heard back yet. After our interview, he mentioned he had a few more candidates to interview and would let me know afterward. I just want to know if I should be concerned or if this is a normal part of the hiring process. I reached out via Indeed DM last Wednesday since that's where we initially scheduled the interviews. I'm trying to stay hopeful!

I just had my first job interview for a dishwashing position at an elderly home. At 15, this is my first job, and I was absolutely terrified going into it. I feel a bit awkward about wanting a job since I can only work full-time in August, and then once school starts in September, I can only work on weekends and during breaks. I’ve been getting advice to just be honest about my availability and to show that I'm eager to learn and ready for the repetitive tasks that come with the job. It’s a bit daunting, but I’m trying to stay positive!

I recently ended my employment after receiving a Final Written Warning and being placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). The company offered me 4 weeks of severance, totaling $10.3k, but I decided to counter and ask for 4 months instead. I feel justified in my request because I was the top contributor on the main codebase, with 960 commits and over 222k lines added, while the next highest contributor had only about 393 commits. I also completed a significant refactoring project that reduced an 8k line class by 71%. During my time there, I consistently worked long hours, often exceeding 14 hours a day, including providing offshore support in the evenings. I managed to keep up with my responsibilities even while dealing with a serious family medical situation, attending calls from the hospital and rarely taking leave. Additionally, I had raised concerns about the complexity of the codebase well before my PIP. I worked remotely from Texas for a California-based company, and I already have another full-time job lined up. I'm wondering how realistic it is to negotiate the severance from 4 weeks to 2-3 months or even higher. Do my significant contributions and the concerns I raised give me leverage in this situation? Should I consider bringing in an employment lawyer at this stage, or is it better to negotiate on my own? I'm also curious if anyone has tactics that worked for them in similar performance-based exits.

I was recently let go from my job after 8.5 years of service, and I'm feeling a mix of emotions as I navigate this transition. I worked in a mid-level management role at a tech company, and the decision to part ways came as a surprise to me. Now, I'm trying to figure out what my next steps should be. I'm considering updating my resume, reaching out to my network, and possibly exploring new industries. I want to ensure that I take the right approach to my job search and make the most of this opportunity to start fresh.

I recently started a new role as an HR assistant in my city after a long job search that left me feeling desperate and emotional. I was thrilled to land this position because it seemed perfect: morning hours, a chance to learn new skills, no gaps in my resume, and decent pay, all while working for the city through a staffing agency. The team is supportive, and I genuinely appreciate the opportunity, but I feel guilty admitting that I don't enjoy the job at all. The transition has been tough. After being unemployed for a while, my anxiety and perfectionism have spiked, making me feel like I'm underperforming despite receiving praise. The steep learning curve is overwhelming, and I often feel exhausted. My daily routine has become a grind: I wake up early, commute for about 20 minutes, work, and then crash into bed. Transportation has also been a significant issue. I don’t have a car, so getting to work has been costly. My parents help with rides and expenses, but I feel bad relying on them for Ubers. I've been dipping into my savings from my last job, which adds to my stress. My previous job was remote, which spoiled me in terms of convenience, even though I didn't enjoy customer service. Now, I find myself longing for that flexibility again. I've had a history of jobs that didn't quite fit; I left my first job due to health issues related to my art, and my second job was customer service, which I excelled at but wanted to escape. Now, I finally have a job again, and yet I feel like something is still off. It’s frustrating because I want to be happy and productive, but I’m battling with my own mental and physical limitations. Despite all this, I’m grateful for the support around me and just need to figure things out.

I've been working as a mechanical engineer for about a year now, but things have taken a downturn in my current team. We've been losing projects, and several team members have already left or moved to different teams. With the lack of projects, I feel like my technical growth is stagnating, which is why I started applying for new jobs. I recently received an offer for a new position, but I'm torn about whether to accept it or stay where I am. The new job is located in the suburbs of New Jersey, while I'm currently based in NYC. The thought of leaving the city and my vibrant social life is daunting, especially since I'm in my early 20s and love the energy of the city. However, my current role feels unstable, and I'm not learning anything new. The new position offers much better growth opportunities and is in an industry I'm eager to explore, plus the team seems really nice. I'm also considering the option of transferring to another team within my current company, but I doubt it would provide the same level of growth as the new job. I'm really struggling with the decision of whether to take the risk and move for the sake of my career or stay in my comfort zone. It's a tough choice.

I recently applied to over 100 tech jobs in the last few months, but I've only received a handful of interview requests. I'm starting to wonder what I'm doing wrong in my applications. I know that the average interview rate is around 2-5%, so maybe I'm just on the lower end of that spectrum. Still, it feels discouraging to put in so much effort and not see more results. I'm trying to focus on improving my chances with the interviews I do get, but I could really use some advice on how to enhance my application strategy.

I’ve been applying for jobs for a few weeks now, but I’m not getting much traction with my current resume. I’m starting to feel a bit discouraged. I’ve tailored it for each position, but it seems like I’m not landing any interviews. I’m looking for feedback on how to improve it or any tips that might help me stand out more in my applications. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I am currently a Project Manager at a large company and feel quite stable in my role. I’m up for a promotion to Senior Manager soon, but I’ve been overlooked for promotions in the past few years. I’ve had some confrontations with senior leaders that have left me feeling uneasy about my future here. Despite these challenges, my current position offers a six-figure salary and great benefits, which makes me hesitant to leave. Recently, I’ve started networking to explore potential job opportunities, especially in case my upcoming promotion doesn’t pan out or the raise is underwhelming. I’ve connected with a senior leader at another organization who is introducing me to a hiring manager for a Program Manager position. The challenge is that I’m mid-career and technically overqualified for this role, which requires only 2-5 years of experience. However, the position aligns perfectly with my interests and skills, and I know I could excel at a senior level. I’m debating whether I should express my interest in a senior version of the role to the hiring manager right away or if I should apply for the position as listed and then work my way up. The Program Manager role would still offer about a $20k increase in total compensation compared to my current role, while a senior version could potentially increase my compensation by $60-70k. Additionally, I’m curious if anyone has ever applied for a job they were overqualified for and ended up being offered a senior position after the interview, due to their evident capability to exceed the job description.

I recently found myself in a bit of a tricky situation regarding my unemployment benefits. I currently have a part-time job that allows me to receive partial unemployment benefits. I had accepted a job offer, but before I even started, I received a better offer and decided to discontinue the first job. Now, I'm unsure how to report this in my weekly unemployment report without jeopardizing my benefits. I want to be honest about my situation, but I'm worried about how the unemployment office will perceive my decision to quit a job I hadn't even started yet. I'm hoping to find guidance on how to navigate this without losing my benefits.

I've been on the job hunt for over a year now, applying to more than 1000 positions and trying out different strategies. Despite countless rewrites of my resume, I've only managed to land one interview. It's really taking a toll on me. I'm specifically looking for remote HR roles since I can't work in person due to some personal circumstances. I know this limits my options, but it's all I can manage right now. Even though I have over three years of experience in HR, I'm primarily targeting entry-level positions. I'm feeling pretty lost and would appreciate any advice on how to improve my chances.

I'm 22 years old and feeling completely lost about my career path. I'm currently a pharma student heading into my senior year, but I've realized that I'm not really passionate about the industry. I had a promising job lined up, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, I've had to start over and now I feel like I'm at square one. I find everything fascinating, and I tend to dive deep into various topics, whether it's writing, art, psychology, or pharmacology. I love connecting seemingly unrelated ideas and learning about different fields, but I struggle to focus on one area long enough to gain expertise. People often tell me I have potential in many areas—teaching, research, creative roles—but I feel unqualified for any of them. My resume is mostly volunteer work and a couple of training experiences, and my GPA is just average. I got my previous job through a friend, but now I'm cut off from that opportunity due to family issues. I'm in a new environment with a blank slate and no clear direction. It's overwhelming, and I feel paralyzed trying to figure out what to do next. I'm reaching out for advice or guidance from anyone who might have insights on how to navigate this confusing time.

I was laid off from my job in June and moved back in with my parents to focus on my job search. Thankfully, I received an offer within a month, but the salary is about 35% lower than what I was making before—going from $85k to $55k. Although I'm grateful to have a job again, I can't help but feel the impact of this pay cut. I'm curious if anyone else has experienced a similar situation. How long did it take you to get back to your previous salary? Did taking a lower-paying role help your career in the long run? I'm 26 and this was my first layoff, so I'm still navigating the emotional ups and downs and trying to regain my confidence.

I'm a rising junior and I'm feeling really anxious about my lack of job experience as I search for a summer internship for 2027. So far, I've had no luck at all. My resume is pretty bare; all I have are some school projects and a personal dashboard project that I’m not proud of. I can't really branch out for jobs or volunteering opportunities because I don’t have a car, and I've already exhausted all the nearby options around my college. I'm starting to think about volunteering as a backup plan. I did volunteer for a couple of months at a basic needs center where I stocked shelves and ensured the food was safe and organized, but I worry that it doesn't count as real experience since I can't quantify my impact. I feel like I need something more impressive, like working with a well-known organization where I could show measurable outcomes. I'm considering looking for more volunteering opportunities on campus, but I'm scared it won't make a difference since it seems like everyone else has actual job experience. Everyone keeps saying that junior year is when most people land internships, but they don’t mention that those people usually have some prior experience. Honestly, I’m frustrated and scared about my future because I wouldn’t hire someone like me either.

I recently received an offer from my top choice company, which was exciting! However, there's a catch—the location has changed. Initially, I applied for a position at a larger satellite office, but the recruiter informed me that the hiring manager wants me to work at the company's main HQ instead. While I'm grateful for the offer, I'm concerned about this shift since I was prepared to relocate for the original location. The company plans to start negotiations soon, and I'm contemplating whether I can negotiate to revert back to the original location I applied for. I do have a few verbal offers on the table, but nothing in writing yet. Given that this is a mid-entry level position, I understand it might be seen as expendable, so I don't want to jeopardize the offer by pushing too hard. I'm planning to approach the negotiations carefully, possibly framing my preference for the original location as a flexible request rather than a hard demand. I'm hoping to gauge their willingness to accommodate my preference while still showing my enthusiasm for the role. Any advice on how to navigate this situation would be appreciated!

I recently graduated as an LPN and found myself in a bit of a dilemma. I accepted a job offer that wasn't my first choice because that company was taking too long to finalize their hiring process. The job I accepted was decent, but my heart was really set on the first choice, which is in a field I'm extremely passionate about, even though it pays slightly less. Today, I got the call from my first choice offering me the position, and I couldn't contain my excitement—I accepted it right away! Now, I'm in a tough spot because I’m supposed to start orientation at the other job this week. I feel bad about backing out, but I know I have to follow my passion. I haven’t started the orientation yet, so they haven’t invested much in me, but I’m unsure how to approach this. I’m thinking of just being honest and saying that circumstances have changed and I can’t accept the offer anymore. I hope they understand, but I know it might burn a bridge. I’d appreciate any advice on how to handle this situation!