Thinking

I've been job hunting for a while now, and it's becoming increasingly difficult for me to separate my self-worth from the rejections I'm facing. As someone with AuDHD, I find that each rejection feels like a personal failure, rather than just a mismatch for a specific role. I tend to overanalyze my interviews, worrying that I'm not as likable or socially fluent as other candidates. This leads to a cycle of negative thoughts where I equate not being selected for a position with not being good enough as a person. Even though I understand that there are many factors at play in hiring—like internal candidates or timing—my emotional response makes it hard to see things rationally. I'm not looking for generic advice; I genuinely want to hear from others who have faced similar struggles. How did you manage to stop repeated rejections from affecting your self-esteem? What strategies helped you cope?

I finally got an offer! Six months ago, just a week before my birthday, I made a mistake at work that led to my termination. In June, I received severance but had no job lined up despite my relentless search. Today, just hours after getting rejected from yet another position, I received a call from a job I had almost given up on. I was overwhelmed with emotion, cried, hugged my partner, and called my mom to share the news. While it’s not my dream job, it’s a position with the state in a department I truly care about. I want to encourage everyone out there to keep pushing through; there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm currently in the midst of a challenging job search after being laid off from my role as a marketing specialist at a mid-sized tech company. I've gone through several final interview rounds, only to face rejection each time, which has been incredibly disheartening. It's tough to keep my spirits up when I feel so close yet so far from landing a new position. I'm starting to consider taking a pay cut or accepting a role that doesn't align perfectly with my career goals, just to get back into the workforce. I could really use some inspiring stories from others who have faced similar setbacks and found a way to turn things around.

I’m currently in the final stages of interviewing for an entry-level operations role at a mid-sized publicly traded company, and things have taken a strange turn. The recruiting process has been quite chaotic, with multiple changes to my interview schedule. Here's a brief timeline of what has happened: - Last Monday and Wednesday, I completed a recruiter screen and a hiring manager interview, which moved me into what was described as the final round. - Last Thursday, I was switched from my original recruiter to a new one for logistics. The original recruiter mentioned that all final-round interviews would be virtual, but the new recruiter stated they would be onsite. - Last Friday, I received a virtual meeting invite for an interview with the VP on Monday, along with times for two back-to-back onsite interviews on Tuesday. I even traveled a few states over with family to be near the office for these interviews. - However, on Monday, just an hour before my VP interview, the recruiter informed me that the onsite interviews were switched to virtual due to a company-wide meeting. I confirmed this switch since I was already in town. - Then on Tuesday, during my 12:00 interview with a director, I found out that my 12:30 interview with a program manager was cancelled and rescheduled due to 'adjustments to the interview process.' I’m feeling quite unsettled by all these changes and wondering if my candidacy is in jeopardy. Has anyone else experienced such a disorganized interview process? Is it unprofessional, or should I just ride it out?

I'm 40 years old and feeling lost in my career. For the past two years, I've applied to hundreds of jobs, but it seems like none of my experience is relevant to what employers are looking for. I've only managed to land one interview, which went to the final round, but ultimately, I wasn't the right fit — and honestly, I think it was for the best. My background is in writing and interaction design, specifically for children's products and electronic toys. The problem is that most product design roles require a portfolio, and since I'm not a visual designer, I don't have any tangible work to showcase. My designs were primarily documented through flowcharts and Word documents, all of which are protected by NDAs. I'm starting to feel like I need to pivot and consider going back to school or even starting fresh in a completely different field. I would love to find an entry-level position somewhere, but it seems like the job market doesn't have many of those available right now. I'm reaching out for any advice or guidance on how to navigate this situation.

I've been out of work since May 2025 due to some disabilities. I've been relying on state disability, but that support is ending this week. I live in LA with my wife and kids, and we really need my income right now. Honestly, I'm finding it hard to cope and sometimes I go to dark places mentally. I've been in my career for 20 years, but the job market isn't looking good for me. I've struggled to find anything even remotely related to my expertise, and after 18 months of searching, I've faced numerous failed final interviews. It feels like I'm in a really tough spot, and I don't know anyone else who's had it as bad as I have during this time. I'm just feeling really beat up by the whole situation.

I recently faced a layoff from my position as a Data Analyst after about 6 months of working at a company that underwent a restructuring. I graduated in May 2025, and this was my first role in the professional world. Now that I'm actively searching for my next opportunity, I'm grappling with how to explain my layoff during interviews. Initially, I simply stated, "I was laid off," but I received feedback that this might imply poor performance, especially given my limited experience. I'm considering alternative phrasings like, "My position was eliminated due to company restructuring" or "My role was affected as part of organizational restructuring." I want to be honest without creating a negative impression about my performance. I've seen advice suggesting that using terms like "mass layoff" can clarify that the decision was due to broader company issues rather than individual shortcomings. I'm eager to hear how others have navigated this situation and what wording they've found effective.

I currently work at a union warehouse and recently interviewed for a new position that offers $10,000 more than my current salary. I'm considering giving just one week’s notice instead of the standard two weeks. My father also works at the same warehouse but in a different role. I’m concerned about how my decision might impact him, even though I know they have spares to fill my position. I’ve received advice from others suggesting that since it’s a union job, it shouldn’t affect my dad negatively. I’m leaning towards the one week notice, but I want to be sure.

I recently interviewed for a position at Graphy Inc, a SaaS company under UNACADEMY, and I was thrilled to hear that I got selected. I filled out the pre-offer form, but it's been 7 days, and I'm still waiting for the official offer letter. I've been in touch with the HR daily, and she keeps telling me that the delay is due to some issues on the CEO's side regarding final approval. She reassured me that everything is confirmed, and we've discussed the salary and location, but the status in the Darwinbox portal is still stuck on 'pre-offer.' I'm feeling anxious about this situation and just want to know if I should be worried or if I should keep waiting.

I had a pretty unsettling experience at work today. I was in my office working on my laptop when I overheard my two managers, Manager A and Manager B, discussing the hiring of a new employee. They are looking to fill two urgent roles because we’re currently understaffed. One of the positions is actually the same role as mine, as someone is leaving in a few weeks. While I was focused on my work, I caught snippets of their conversation. Manager A mentioned needing to wait to give an offer letter until they checked references, and Manager B seemed to suggest they should talk about it later, which made me feel uneasy. I noticed Manager B trying to signal to Manager A, and then everything went quiet. It felt like they were trying to keep something from me, and I couldn't help but panic. I’ve only been with the company for a few months, and I’m worried that maybe they were discussing something negative about me or my performance. I passed my probationary period, but the thought of being fired or demoted keeps creeping into my mind. I just don’t understand why they wouldn’t want to talk about it in front of me. I could really use some advice or reassurance right now to help calm my anxiety.

I'm excited to share that I recently received a job offer after a tough year of homelessness. I had an interview last week, and I was really anxious about it, but I just got the call that I'm officially on the team! This is a huge step for me, but I know I have some challenges ahead before I start working. Living without a stable home makes it difficult to maintain a presentable appearance, especially in the summer heat. I need to figure out how to stay clean and fresh, which is crucial for my new role. Additionally, transportation is a concern since I can't bring my belongings into the workplace. I realize that reaching my first paycheck will be the hardest part, but I'm determined to make it work. This job is my opportunity to turn my life around, and I'm committed to overcoming these obstacles.

I'm currently job searching on Indeed and feeling really frustrated. I live in a major US city with thousands of businesses, but finding job openings that suit my needs feels impossible. As a student already working one job, I'm looking for another part-time position to help me stay afloat financially. My time is limited, so I need to keep my commute short and rely on public transport. I've tried setting the location filter to my neighborhood with a 15-20 mile radius, which should be reasonable within the city limits. The only other filter I use is for part-time jobs. However, Indeed keeps showing me a handful of barista jobs that are not even in the city, but in neighboring areas. Some listings even require a ferry ride to an island, which is ridiculous! Plus, I'm being shown medical jobs that I'm not qualified for, and they aren't part-time either. I've input all my job experience, resume, qualifications, and certifications, so I'm really at a loss here. I know people will suggest job hunting in person, and I plan to do that too, but I want to utilize technology to search remotely during my free moments. It feels like the job boards don't respect the input specifications at all, despite being in a huge city with so many opportunities. If anyone has any tips or fixes for this, I would really appreciate it because this situation is driving me crazy.

In 2024, I was let go from my tutoring position due to discriminatory reasons. I had been tutoring children, and one of the parents complained about my long hair, saying her son couldn't figure out my gender. Additionally, I was terminated after I gave a student a sour look when she ran out of the tutoring studio and into the street, but my boss didn't seem to care about the context. I have evidence of this termination on my phone, including text messages and voice recordings from my boss in Chinese explaining why I was let go. I didn't mind too much at the time since I was planning to immigrate to another country shortly after. Now, I've been working in my new country for 1.5 years but recently resigned. I'm considering applying for a part-time tutoring job, but the potential employer is asking for references from my previous tutoring positions. I worked at another studio in 2021, which ended on good terms, but I'm hesitant to provide my last boss's contact information due to the circumstances of my termination. I'm unsure if I should mention the termination to my potential employer, especially since I don't want to provide details about the discrimination unless absolutely necessary.

I recently started a part-time job at a matcha place about a month ago while I’m a sophomore in college. However, I’m finding that the hours aren’t enough for my needs, as my current job closes at 6 PM, which conflicts with my class schedule. I need to work at least 20 hours a week to qualify for EBT, and my current employer has been vague about increasing my hours, saying it depends on my performance in other tasks. I came across another matcha place nearby that has better and more flexible hours, and I'm considering applying there. I'm a bit worried about how it might look to my current employer if I leave after such a short time, especially since I feel they don't have a positive view of me already. I’m debating whether to apply for the new job or try to negotiate more hours with my current employer. Should I take the leap and apply, or wait it out to see if I can get more hours where I am?

I finally received a job offer after a long and challenging journey! I've been unemployed since December 2025, and it felt like a roller coaster of interviews with no success. My confidence took a hit as I faced numerous rejections for positions I believed I was perfect for. Thankfully, my girlfriend has been my rock throughout these past eight months, always reminding me that I am more than enough and that it's their loss for not choosing me. Today, I finished packing my lunch for tomorrow and laid out my clothes like it was the first day of school. I start my new job tomorrow with a team I genuinely liked during the interview process. They took an interest in me as a person, not just as a candidate, which made the long interview process worthwhile. To anyone struggling out there, don't give up! It can be tough, but you will find a job that suits you in due time. Remember, you are more than just your job; don’t let the job market affect your confidence. Being a person first is important, and a personality hire is still a hire. Growth can come after you start. P.S. "¿Y si, si?"

I currently work in entry-level ecology and typically have seasonal employment lasting about 6-9 months each year. During the off-season, I rely on unemployment benefits until my next season starts. This year, I'm considering taking a temporary job out of state for 1-2 months to gain some new experience. My main concern is whether this will affect my eligibility for unemployment benefits when I return to Illinois. If I get laid off from my seasonal job and then work in Colorado or another state, will that impact my unemployment status? I will still maintain my residence in Illinois, as I have an active lease that I won't be subletting. I'm looking for clarity on how working out of state might affect my unemployment benefits.

Today, I made the tough decision to leave my position as a Marketing Specialist at XYZ Corp. After much reflection, I realized that the company culture no longer aligned with my values and career aspirations. I felt stagnant in my role and had limited opportunities for growth. It was a difficult choice, but I believe that pursuing new opportunities will lead to a more fulfilling career path. I'm excited to explore new possibilities and find a position that better fits my goals.

I’m currently facing a tough situation with my employer regarding employment verification. They believe they can provide context and opinions about my performance during these checks, which puts me at a disadvantage as I have to list them as my current employer. I’m worried they might disparage me when potential employers reach out for verification. It’s not a reference check, so I’m unsure how to navigate this while applying for new jobs. The advice I’ve received ranges from just applying anyway to potentially needing legal advice if they do say something untrue. I’m feeling stuck and anxious about how to move forward in my job search.

Job searching has been incredibly exhausting for me lately. I've been applying to numerous positions and going through interviews, but it feels like a never-ending cycle of waiting and rejection. I often find myself overwhelmed and unsure of how to cope with the stress. I've tried taking breaks and focusing on self-care, but it's tough to maintain motivation when things aren't moving forward. I'm curious how others manage the emotional toll of this process.

I recently experienced a major layoff from my job due to a company-wide workforce reduction. Honestly, I didn’t care much for the job, so I started looking for new opportunities. I applied to several positions that seemed interesting, but many of them disappeared without explanation. I was left wondering if they chose someone else, if my skills weren't a match, or if something else happened entirely. It was frustrating, to say the least. After a while, I finally landed an interview, but it was just with a recruiter who asked a few questions. I felt like I answered them well, but they ended up going with someone else. I received some feedback and tried to improve for the next opportunity. The same situation happened again, but this time, I was told I needed to go through four more interviews, and they were looking to fill the position in about eight months. Meanwhile, I see some of my former colleagues thriving, which only adds to my feelings of emptiness. I can't shake the feeling of being a shell of my former self, trying to figure out what I did wrong to end up in the latest round of layoffs. I understand the company had to make tough decisions to meet their targets, but it still hurts. Getting out of bed has become a monumental challenge for me lately. I've been reading up on the job market and what positions might be safe, especially in tech and analytics, but the information is all over the place. It feels like no one really knows what the future holds, especially with the rapid evolution of AI. Some articles claim certain roles are safe for a couple of years, while others suggest otherwise. I’ve even had dark thoughts about giving up entirely, which I know is an exaggeration, but it captures how overwhelming this feels. I’m struggling to put one foot in front of the other, and hope is dwindling. I have a therapy appointment next week, which I’m looking forward to, but I feel incredibly alone in this process. If anyone has advice or has felt similarly, I would appreciate hearing from you. It’s tough to navigate this job search alone.