Thinking

I recently received a significant merit-based raise at my current job, which took me from $65k to $75k. I was honestly surprised by the amount, as I didn't expect such a bump given the budget constraints I thought we had. However, instead of feeling happy about it, I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. My industry is known for high client turnover, and I’ve heard rumors that we might be facing a financial crisis due to several clients exiting. This could potentially lead to salary cuts for those affected by the client losses. On top of this, I'm currently interviewing for a new position that would pay $55k, which is a significant pay cut from my current salary. I’m weighing my options carefully, as I realize that my current role may not be as stable as I once thought. The thought of taking a job that pays $20k less is daunting, especially with the uncertainty surrounding my current position. It’s a tough spot to be in, and I’m feeling the pressure to find something more secure in this unpredictable economy.

I recently applied for a position at a tech company and submitted my application about two weeks ago. I haven't heard back yet, and I'm starting to wonder if I should follow up with the hiring manager. I'm unsure about the appropriate timeframe for following up after submitting an application and whether it would come off as too pushy. Should I be concerned that I haven't received any communication yet, or is this typical in the hiring process? Any advice on how to approach this situation would be greatly appreciated!

I recently wrapped up an intense six-month job search after being laid off, and I wanted to share my journey in hopes it might help others. From January to July 2026, I interviewed with 49 companies and completed 119 interviews, ultimately landing two job offers. I primarily targeted roles as a Customer Success Manager, Account Manager, and Technical Account Manager in the tech sector. Throughout this process, I utilized tools like ChatGPT and Claude extensively to refine my approach. I noticed many people struggling to get interviews, including a close friend who has been out of work for nine months, which motivated me to share my playbook. The key to my success was not just applying to hundreds of jobs blindly. Instead, I developed a systematic approach to identify the right roles, assess my fit, tailor my resume, and create warm connections with potential employers. I aimed for around five interviews per week, focusing on quality over quantity. To kick things off, I revamped my LinkedIn profile and resume to highlight measurable outcomes rather than just listing responsibilities. I emphasized key metrics relevant to Customer Success roles, such as ARR managed, renewal performance, and customer turnarounds. My resume was straightforward and easy to read, ensuring that recruiters could quickly grasp my qualifications. I found job opportunities primarily through LinkedIn, setting up alerts for specific roles I was interested in. Instead of applying to every listing, I filtered opportunities to ensure they aligned with my skills and experiences. I averaged about ten applications per week, carefully assessing each position before applying. Before submitting my applications, I would analyze the job descriptions using ChatGPT to understand what the company was truly looking for. This included identifying the core problems the role aimed to solve and the necessary competencies. I tailored my resume for each application, ensuring it highlighted the most relevant achievements and experiences. Additionally, I leveraged LinkedIn to create warm connections with recruiters and hiring managers. I reached out to individuals by crafting personalized messages based on their profiles, which helped me stand out and led to several interviews directly from my outreach efforts. Overall, this experience taught me the importance of a strategic approach in job searching. I hope my journey can inspire others to stay persistent and refine their methods in the face of challenges.

I was laid off last month from my job and I'm currently receiving severance pay until mid-September, which is a relief. However, I'm starting to think about the long term and what happens if I run out of money. I have a family of four, and my wife works part-time to take care of our kids. Unfortunately, both of my parents have passed away, and while my mother-in-law can help a bit financially, it's not a sustainable solution. I'm really worried that if I don't find a job by June next year, we could be in serious trouble. I believe we can stretch out the severance and unemployment benefits until then, but it’s a daunting thought. I just received my first rejection from an interview, and it hit me hard. I felt like I had a good shot at that position, and now I'm feeling defeated. I know the next rejections won't sting as much, but this first one really shook my confidence. I'm considering reaching out for help, maybe looking into local mutual aid groups, because going through this alone feels overwhelming.

I’ve been feeling really frustrated with my job search lately, especially in the oil field sector. I’ve submitted at least 15 applications across Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Alaska, targeting positions in oil fields, mines, solar fields, and construction. Everyone keeps saying that the oil industry hires people with no experience all the time, but that hasn’t been my experience at all. It feels like a catch-22: I can’t get hired without experience, but I can’t gain experience if no one will hire me. It’s disheartening to see companies looking for experienced workers while offering entry-level wages. I feel stuck in dead-end jobs and it’s exhausting to hear people say that nobody wants to work when the reality is that nobody wants to invest in teaching skills anymore. I know I have potential beyond what my resume shows, but I’m starting to lose hope. I just needed to vent about it.

I’m feeling a bit lost today and could use some perspective. I got laid off in April and found a part-time role in May, which I genuinely enjoy. I give my all to my job despite struggling with insomnia, but today’s news really hit hard. I recently informed my boss about my upcoming wedding and honeymoon in September, and he encouraged me to take time off. However, when I tried to apply for vacation, I encountered an error message. After reaching out to HR, I learned that as a part-time employee, I’m not eligible for vacation benefits, even though my offer letter states that I should accumulate vacation time. This has left me feeling undervalued and frustrated, especially since I’m underpaid and struggling to make ends meet. I know I should be grateful to have a job in this market, but with my experience in pharmacy audit, clinical pharmacy, and data analysis, it’s disheartening to only find part-time work. Am I being ungrateful or just reacting to the situation? I’m really questioning if this job is worth it.

I've been trying to switch careers for a while now, but it's been really challenging. I currently work in customer service, and I want to transition into a marketing role. I've taken a few online courses to build my skills, but I'm finding it hard to get noticed by employers. I've applied to numerous positions, but I keep getting rejected or not hearing back at all. I'm feeling a bit lost and unsure about how to effectively market myself for these new opportunities. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

I received my first job offer in May 2026 after graduating from college as an undergrad. While I'm excited about the opportunity, I'm feeling a bit conflicted about whether to accept it or continue exploring other options. It's a big decision for me, and I'm weighing the pros and cons carefully.

I've been actively job hunting lately, and I can't help but feel frustrated with the application process. It seems like every company I apply to has this ridiculous requirement to answer the question, "Why do you want to work here?" Honestly, it feels so pointless. I mean, I'm applying because I need a job and an income, not because I'm in love with their corporate culture or anything. For example, I recently applied to a position at Jobplace.com, and when I saw that question, I just rolled my eyes. It feels like a waste of time to jump through these hoops, especially when I know that the job might not even be worth the effort. I get that they want to gauge my interest, but it just comes off as egotistical. I've noticed that if a job seems too much of a hassle to apply for, I’m more inclined to skip it altogether. I really wish companies would focus more on whether I'm a good fit for the role instead of making me jump through these unnecessary hoops.

I’ve been feeling really frustrated with my job search lately and started to wonder if there’s some sort of registry that companies use to track applicants. Specifically, I’m concerned about the possibility of being blacklisted—like, is there a list somewhere that companies share that could prevent me from getting hired? I know the laws around blacklisting in the U.S. are pretty strict, but it just seems like I’m hitting a wall despite having the qualifications and experience for the roles I’m applying for. It’s disheartening to see less qualified candidates getting hired while I keep getting turned down. I’ve been applying to positions that I know I’m well-suited for, but I get no feedback, which makes me think there’s something more going on. I really want to believe that I’m just being paranoid, but the lack of transparency in the hiring process is making it hard for me to shake off these thoughts. I’ve asked around and it seems like there’s no official registry for regular jobs—only specific checks like FBI background checks or industry-specific ones. Still, I can’t help but feel like there’s something else at play. I just wish I could find out if I’m completely off base or if there’s some truth to my concerns.

I recently experienced a frustrating rejection after a 30-minute interview for a position I was excited about. The HR representative informed me that I wasn't a good culture fit, which left me baffled. I was polite and friendly throughout the interview, so I can't help but wonder if it was a personal bias against me. As a young woman, I sometimes feel there are higher expectations for how friendly I should be, and this rejection feels particularly unfair. I've never faced a rejection for this reason before, and it's really disheartening. I'm left feeling angry and confused about how one brief interaction could lead to such a conclusion.

Tomorrow marks my last day at the company where I've worked for just under two years. I gave my two weeks' notice and had a positive conversation with my boss, so everything ended on good terms. However, I’m surprised that it seems like no one at the office is aware that I’m leaving. Is this a common occurrence? I thought there would be some announcement or at least a few conversations about my departure, but it feels like I'm just slipping away unnoticed. I've seen others send out goodbye emails or mention their last day to colleagues, but I didn’t do that. I’m wondering if I should have made more of an effort to inform my coworkers, especially those I might want to stay in touch with or use as references in the future. It’s a bit odd to think that I could just disappear without anyone acknowledging it.

I'm an 18-year-old college student actively searching for an entry-level minimum wage job in the California OC/IE area. I've applied to around 50 positions but have only landed one interview for a janitor role at Sam's Club, which I unfortunately didn't get after they learned about my college schedule. I have previous experience working at Knott's Berry Farm and hold a food handlers card, yet I feel stuck while my friends, some without any experience, are getting hired easily. I'm starting to wonder if I'm doing something wrong with my applications or if my past termination is affecting my chances. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I recently had a strange experience with a marketing job opportunity in Savannah, GA. The recruitment process felt very off-putting and patronizing. It seemed like they were more focused on fostering competition among employees rather than promoting a collaborative environment. During the interview, they mentioned that the job involved going out to various locations to man stands and solicit in public, which was not what I expected from a marketing role. It reminded me of some horror stories I've heard about companies that prioritize aggressive sales tactics over employee well-being. I ended up declining the offer after doing some research and discovering similar experiences shared by others in the r/devilcorp community.

I currently work as a contractor for a construction company, focusing on business analytics and administrative tasks. I landed this 1099 role through a connection within the company and have been enjoying it for a few months. Recently, the company offered me a full-time salaried W-2 position working for their VP of renovations. This role sounds decent, with a good salary and the responsibility of overseeing over $1 million in jobs each month. However, it requires me to relocate immediately. At the same time, I interviewed for an accounts receivable position at a defense company. I wasn’t sure how that would pan out, but I wanted to see it through. To buy myself some time, I reached out to my potential new boss and explained that I needed a bit more time to arrange my relocation. He agreed to let me continue my contract role while starting remotely, which bought me about three weeks. Now, I’ve been working remotely for almost a week, and while I enjoy the work, I know my new boss wants me in person to oversee job sites and improve communication. HR is also pushing me to sign the employment form and get introduced to the team. Today, I received an email from the defense company inviting me to schedule a final round interview. This is great news, but I know that even after the interview, it might take another two weeks to hear back, and I could end up being rejected. I’m feeling stuck between accepting the job offer from the construction company and waiting for the defense company opportunity. I don’t want to sign and leave immediately since a close connection helped me get this offer, and I don’t want to make them look bad. Both jobs offer the same salary and likely comparable benefits, and they both require relocating to the same city, which eases some of the stress. While the construction job is good, it doesn’t advance my career or enhance my resume. The defense company position, however, would be a significant step forward for my career, but I don’t have an offer yet. I’m not sure what advice I’m looking for, honestly. I might just need to vent because my mind has been racing all week. I spent nearly a year searching for work before landing this contractor role, and the thought of submitting hundreds of applications again is daunting. I value honesty and dislike putting people in difficult situations, so I’m unsure how to navigate this. Luckily, since both jobs are in the same city, the relocation stress is somewhat manageable.

I recently had a phone screen for an HR position, and I'm feeling a bit conflicted about whether to mention my upcoming wedding and honeymoon during the interview process. I've been working at a restaurant for over three years, and I'm really ready for a change. The food industry has become quite stressful, and I’m looking for a more stable job with better hours and pay. I have an associate's degree in English, which I believe can be beneficial in HR or communications roles. I’ve gained a lot of confidence since meeting my fiancée, and we are getting married in three months. I’ve already requested time off from my current job for wedding planning and our honeymoon, which will require two full weeks off. My current employer is flexible, but I don’t have any paid time off. Now, I'm worried that if I get hired for the new position, I should inform them about my wedding plans upfront. I had intended to wait until after the wedding to start my job search to reduce stress, but my current job is quite toxic, and I feel like I can't stay much longer. Should I disclose my wedding plans to the potential employer, or should I wait until I have an offer and negotiate my time off then? I'm concerned that mentioning it too early might hurt my chances of getting hired.

I lost my job about 8 months ago and have been actively searching ever since. I've interviewed with three different firms located in various cities, all thanks to internal references. Unfortunately, two of those firms rejected me due to the distance, even after I assured them that I was willing to relocate if I received an offer. I did receive one offer, but it was far below what I needed to live comfortably in that city. I looked into affordable apartments, but the only options within my budget would have meant a commute of over two hours, which was not ideal. I thought I could secure a better offer later on, and now I kind of regret that decision. Interestingly, during my time at my previous job, I was involved in the hiring process and once recommended a strong candidate who was also rejected solely because he was based in a different city, despite him stating he would be moving to our city in just two weeks for family reasons. I've also heard that landlords often won't rent to you if you haven't been employed in the city for at least a year, or they require you to pay six months' rent upfront, but I haven't verified this myself. It makes me wonder how others manage to move for work without having a significant amount of savings.

I recently graduated from college and have been in talks with TQL about a potential job opportunity. They’ve offered me a spot in their fast track training program, which involves relocating across the country and comes with moving reimbursement. While I'm intrigued by the opportunity, I've come across some negative reviews about the company, which makes me hesitant. There's also a local branch I could apply to, but it wouldn't offer the same training benefits. I’ve lived in the same region my whole life, so a move could be a refreshing change, but I'm worried about stepping out of my comfort zone. On one hand, I’m considering sticking with the local branch for the sake of familiarity and support, but I also wonder if I’m just avoiding a valuable experience. I’ve heard that working at TQL could provide great exposure to the logistics industry, but the high turnover rate of around 90% is concerning. I’m looking for advice on whether I should take the leap and relocate or play it safe with the local option. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I’m currently working in the nonprofit sector and find myself in a job that I actively dislike. Last year, I was let go from what I consider the best position I’ve ever held, and now I’m stuck in a role that feels suffocating due to the lack of options available, especially with recent federal budget cuts affecting our field. I've been searching for new opportunities for months, but nothing appealing has come up yet, so I’m trying to make the best of my current situation until something better arises. The main issues I face at work include: 1. **Office Environment**: My team shares a cramped open-plan office with no privacy. With seven of us crammed in, it’s nearly impossible to focus or take calls without interruptions. The constant chatter makes it hard to concentrate. 2. **Lighting Problems**: I suffer from light-triggered migraines, and the office has large windows with no blinds. I often leave work with debilitating headaches, and while I’ve started wearing sunglasses at my desk, it only provides limited relief and draws odd looks from my colleagues. I’ve raised this issue with my boss, but since the building isn’t owned by us, we can’t install blinds or tints. 3. **Boredom and Downtime**: I tend to finish my tasks faster than my peers, which leads to a lot of downtime. In an open office, it feels like I have to pretend to be busy, which is more exhausting than actually working. I’ve tried asking for more responsibilities or side projects, but it’s frustrating to feel like I can’t just relax and read a book or play a game during slow periods. My workload is reportedly higher than others, yet I still feel the pressure to appear busy. Working from home would alleviate all these issues. My direct supervisor has advocated for at least one remote workday, but higher management has shut down those requests. I’ve also tried to bring it up myself, but to no avail. Despite my supervisors being supportive and pleased with my performance, I dread going to work every day. I’m at a loss for how to improve my situation.

I recently started working at Company A about three months ago, but I've been feeling really unhappy with the role. There are just too many meetings and reports, and I feel like I was misled about what the job would entail. I'm considering leaving, but I'm worried that doing so so soon might look bad on my resume. I reached out to a friend at Company B, and they are very interested in hiring me for a more hands-on role, which is exactly what I want. However, there's a complication: Company B has a significant contract with Company A and sometimes collaborates directly with my current team. The situation is tricky because Company B has made it clear they won't hire me if I leave on bad terms with Company A, and they also don't want to be seen as poaching me. On the other hand, my current employer doesn't want to let me go since they believe in my potential and would rather not train someone new. I tried discussing my dissatisfaction with my boss, but he was dismissive and told me that sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do. I'm at a crossroads and trying to figure out how to transition from Company A to Company B without burning any bridges. Any advice on how to navigate this situation?