Thinking

I've been on the job hunt for what feels like an eternity. I've lost count of the number of applications I've submitted and interviews I've attended. It's frustrating to think that if I had a dollar for each one, I could probably retire early! I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has been in a similar situation and eventually found success. What strategies or approaches did you use that actually made a difference in landing a job? I'm eager to hear any tips or experiences that could help me break through this long search.

I am a 25-year-old with a degree in cybersecurity, and I've been trying to break into the IT field since I graduated last May. I've sent out over 700 job applications in the past six months, but I haven't had any luck landing even the most basic roles, like those that pay $15 an hour and only require a GED. I have a solid background in sales from previous jobs, so I know I have skills to offer. I've tried various approaches, including applying online and even walking my resume into businesses, but nothing seems to work. I've been hearing a lot about the importance of networking, and I feel like I'm at a standstill. I'm really looking for any advice or tips from others who have been in a similar situation. It’s been a tough journey, and I just want to find that first opportunity to get my foot in the door.

I recently helped my brother navigate a job offer he received from Meta. He’s been at his current job for only seven months and is in a tight financial spot. He’s worried that if he accepts the offer from Meta, he might get laid off shortly after due to the recent layoffs there, which could hurt his future job prospects. I asked for advice on whether his concerns were valid. Some people suggested that he should weigh the compensation against the risks. If the pay is significantly better, it might be worth the chance. Others mentioned that having a FAANG company like Meta on his resume could be beneficial, even if he only stays for a few months. However, there were also warnings about how job hopping might look to future employers. A few comments reassured me that he probably wouldn’t be laid off within the first six months due to the performance evaluation cycle. They also mentioned that the company just had layoffs, so it might be a while before they do another round. Ultimately, it’s a tough decision for him, especially considering the stress of moving and managing rent. I’m hoping he can make the best choice for his situation.

I recently landed a part-time job in the medical field after a long and challenging job search filled with applications and interviews. My role involves stocking supplies and assisting in the office, which includes tasks like emptying shred boxes, keeping the fridge stocked for patients, and checking invoices against deliveries. I was overjoyed when I received the job offer and couldn't help but cry tears of gratitude. However, just two weeks in, I'm finding it really tough. The workload feels overwhelming, and I often struggle to complete everything required of me during my shift. I thought I had finally caught up last Thursday, only to receive a note from my manager saying I hadn't stocked the doctor's offices correctly, which left me feeling embarrassed and scared. I've been tracking my steps with a pedometer and discovered I've gone up and down the office staircase 28 times in one shift! I'm physically exhausted when I get home, but it's the emotional toll that's really hitting me hard. I keep worrying that I'm not performing well enough and that I might get fired, which terrifies me since I've never been let go from a job before. The thought of going back to job searching feels daunting. I'm reaching out for some encouragement and would appreciate any tips from others who have worked in similar environments to help me succeed in my new role.

I cleared my Loop at Reddit in March 2026 for a senior machine learning engineer role (IC4) in Toronto, Canada. I felt that I performed well in all rounds, but the system design interviewer was quite tough and downgraded me to IC3. Now, I've been stuck in the team matching phase for the past two months for the IC3 MLE position. I've followed up with HR three times during this period, but they keep telling me that there are no open positions for IC3, which is why my profile hasn't been picked up by any teams. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this situation and if there’s still a chance of receiving an offer after being stuck in the team matching phase for so long.

I’m feeling really stuck in my job search and could use some advice. I have a B.A. in psychology and initially aimed to become a school counselor, but I shifted my focus to occupational therapy and even enrolled in a grad program. Unfortunately, I had to take a leave of absence due to family emergencies and working to support my family. Now, I’m struggling to find any job, even at a coffee shop. I’m in my 30s, and I feel like my resume isn’t strong enough. Most of my experience comes from short-term jobs like being a dance teacher, camp counselor, and working in a bakery and preschool, followed by caregiving for both adults and children. I’m concerned that this diverse but short-term experience is hurting my job search. I’m looking for unconventional career paths or ways to tailor my resume and degree to fit the job market better. I’m starting to lose hope, so any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Today, I reflected on my job search struggles and the anxiety that has been holding me back. I'm 21 and currently living with my parents in an Asian country. I had a part-time job as a server at a restaurant for about two years, which was a casual environment with just me and the chef. I decided to quit a month before graduating high school due to hygiene concerns at the restaurant. After that, I took a gap year, but I didn't use it effectively and ended up getting rejected from university twice. This made me realize that traditional schooling isn't for me, but now I feel like I've wasted a lot of time. The thought of applying for a 'proper' job terrifies me. I'm scared of new environments and responsibilities, and interviews feel daunting. I recently discovered that I've been struggling with anxiety since middle school, which has severely impacted my confidence and decision-making. I keep doubting my abilities and whether I can work well with others. It's frustrating because I don't want to stay stuck in this mindset, but I feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to take the first step. I've decided to start looking for a seasonal job instead, but the anxiety still lingers. I feel like I'm starting from zero, and it's been like this for over a year now. I struggle with self-compliments, as my mind quickly dismisses them with negativity. Overall, I'm disappointed in myself and just want to overcome this fear. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has faced similar challenges and how they managed to build their confidence.

After over a year of searching and sending out 1200 resumes, I finally received a job offer. I'm working in a role I love, but the pay is quite low. To make matters worse, I have to travel two hours away for work and stay with friends during the week, which means I'm away from my wife, pets, and home. While I'm grateful for the support of my friends, I can't help but feel the strain of being away from my family. I'm actively looking for another job or considering starting my own company again, but I don't see either option materializing anytime soon. It's tough because I need to take care of my family, yet I'm struggling to make ends meet. I find myself delaying essential maintenance on my house and car, which adds to my stress. Overall, I'm feeling really sad about my situation and just needed to vent.

I recently graduated with a B.S. in AI and Cognitive Science from Carnegie Mellon, and I've been navigating the job market like many others. It’s ironic that my resume gets rejected by the very algorithms I studied for four years. To tackle this, I reverse-engineered how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) work, and I found that a lot of the advice out there is outdated or just plain wrong. For instance, the old trick of stuffing your resume with keywords from job descriptions might have worked a few years ago, but modern ATS use semantic similarity scoring. This means they can understand that phrases like "led a team of 5 engineers" and "managed a cross-functional engineering squad" are similar. Overloading your resume with keywords can actually hurt you, as high keyword density can flag your resume as spam. I also learned that while using a simple one-column format is partially true, it’s not just about columns. Many ATS struggle with text boxes, headers, footers, and embedded tables. I’ve seen well-formatted resumes get messed up just because the applicant used a text box instead of typing directly into the document. Moreover, while ATS do generate match scores, many recruiters don’t even look at these scores. They often search the database using their own queries, which means your high-scoring resume could go unseen if it doesn’t contain the specific terms they’re searching for. It’s more of a search engine than a ranking system, so optimizing your resume accordingly is crucial. I also advise against using "white text tricks" to hide keywords, as this can lead to being blacklisted if a human recruiter sees it. What I found truly works is writing like a human and using the natural language from the job posting. Tailoring each resume is essential, even though it’s time-consuming. I’ve sent out 9 highly tailored resumes so far and secured 4 interviews for next week using these strategies! I had applied to many jobs before graduation and received a lot of rejections, but now I feel hopeful. Good luck to everyone else in their job search!

I recently got a recommendation from a friend to apply for a position at Vector. I have an interview scheduled for tomorrow, but I'm a bit skeptical since I've never heard of the company before. I wanted to reach out to see if anyone has experience with Vector and can confirm if it's a legitimate opportunity or if I should be cautious. I've seen some comments suggesting it might be related to Cutco knives and could be an MLM scheme, which makes me hesitant. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I recently hit the four-month mark at my new job, and I have to admit, I'm feeling really overwhelmed. I've been in this career field for less than a year, and while my team is incredibly supportive and wants to see me succeed, I can't shake this feeling of spiraling. Our clients are quite picky and don't seem to have much patience, which I understand given their investment, but as someone who's still learning, I know I'm not perfect. I struggle to connect with clients, and it often feels forced, which adds to my anxiety. Despite recognizing that this position is a great opportunity, I often feel like an imposter who doesn’t deserve to be here. I've received negative feedback from clients over minor issues, and it feels like I can't do anything right. The team is close-knit, and I know they are aware of any negative comments directed at me, which makes me feel like I’m under constant scrutiny. The pressure is intense, and I worry that I'm becoming a liability. I sometimes fantasize about quitting just to escape the stress, but then I remember the reality of job searching and how much I would regret leaving without a safety net. Overall, I'm really unhappy and feeling like it's all my fault.

I recently left my position in the SaaS industry, and I'm trying to envision what life looks like outside of the tech rollercoaster. The constant ups and downs were exhausting, and I felt trapped by the pressure to generate wealth. I'm curious to hear from others who have made a similar transition. What are you doing now? How has your life changed since leaving tech? One commenter mentioned they became a successful business owner after quitting on their own terms, which gives me some hope. I'm eager to explore new opportunities and find a path that feels more fulfilling.

I was recently fired from my retail job after a year of working there because I was caught taking merchandise. It was a tough lesson to learn, and now I'm trying to figure out what to do next. I'm 19 and feeling a bit lost about how to get back on my feet. I'm looking for advice on what kind of jobs I could apply for and how to address my work history, especially having been fired. I know I made a mistake, and I'm ready to move forward, but I need guidance on how to approach this situation.

I’ve been job searching for the past five months, applying to over 450 positions and interviewing with about 20 companies, but I haven’t had any luck landing a job. I’m starting to feel like I should give up on my current career path since I don’t want to remain unemployed any longer. I’m considering a couple of options: joining a trade or enlisting in the military. I worry that trades might become oversaturated due to AI layoffs, but the military does offer appealing benefits. However, I struggle with the ethical implications of joining, especially given the current political climate. I’m doing my own research, but I’d appreciate any advice on what my best next steps could be.

I recently transitioned out of the Army and have been struggling to find a job. I've applied for numerous positions, including entry-level roles like wine cellar stocker, gas station attendant, and even McDonald's, but I've faced rejection from all of them. Most disheartening was getting turned down by a dog kennel for being 'under qualified.' I served as a Paralegal in the Army, and I was led to believe that my experience would make me a desirable candidate in the civilian job market. It's been really tough on my self-esteem, and I can't shake the feeling that my wife might see me as a failure. I’m not sure if I’m venting or seeking advice, but I just wanted to share my experience. I’ve heard about programs like ACP that can help with resumes and interviews, and I might look into that. This job search has been more challenging than I ever expected.

I had an interview with Intact Insurance for a position I applied for recently. The process was quite thorough, and I felt the interviewers were genuinely interested in my background and experience. They asked a mix of technical questions related to the insurance industry and behavioral questions to gauge how I handle various situations. Overall, I think it went well, and I'm hopeful for a positive outcome. I’m currently waiting to hear back from them.

I recently went through a hiring process with a small healthcare startup that has around 10 employees, and after two interviews, I was ultimately rejected. I’m trying to make sense of the situation and see if this is a common experience. The interview process included a self-paced video interview on Willo, a recruiter interview, and then a final interview with an employee. The last interview was particularly interesting because it was with a part-time employee who had only been with the company for about six months. She also runs a life coaching business on the side, which made me wonder about her qualifications for being a final-round interviewer. A few things felt off during the process: she was about 10 minutes late to the interview because she mixed up the timing, and she kept emphasizing her role as the 'creative one' on the team, which seemed a bit out of place for someone not in a leadership position. Despite these oddities, the conversation went well, and she complimented my answers multiple times. I applied for this part-time role while juggling a full-time job and online schooling, so I really need the extra income. I thought my bilingual skills and background would be a good fit for the position. Now, I’m left wondering if it’s normal for junior employees to have such a significant role in the hiring process at small startups, if they prioritize personality over qualifications, and whether I should see this as a red flag or just typical startup behavior. I'm also contemplating whether I should consider reapplying in the future or just move on to other opportunities. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off from my job three years ago and still have the company laptop. When I got let go, there was no return package sent to me, and I assumed it would come later, but it never did. I turned the laptop on yesterday for the first time in ages, and it seems like all the data has been wiped. However, I can't log in because it just factory resets to a blank screen. I'm wondering if I should try to return it now or if I should attempt to jailbreak it. I'm concerned about whether the company will find out since I did sign a severance agreement that stated I shouldn't possess any company property to receive my severance. I’m feeling stuck and unsure of what to do next.

I recently graduated from university and have been actively searching for a job. I was contacted by a recruiter who set me up for an interview with a large company for a data analyst position. To my surprise, I received a verbal offer just a few hours after the interview, and the recruiter followed up the next day with the contract. The offered salary is $4,000, which I feel might be on the lower side for this role, but I am eager to start my career and feel that having a job is better than not having one at all. I have some concerns about this offer. Firstly, I'm worried that accepting a lower salary now might affect my future earnings, as other companies might use this as a benchmark for my pay. Additionally, I’m unsure how to list this job on my resume. Should I indicate that I worked for the big company, or just the recruitment agency? The contract is for one year, and I’m contemplating whether leaving after that time might make me appear flaky to future employers, or if they might think I was let go. I’ve also heard from some insiders that it’s rare for the company to convert contract roles into permanent positions, even for high performers, despite what the recruiter mentioned. Lastly, I can't help but feel a bit frustrated thinking that the recruiter might be taking a significant cut from my pay. I wonder if it’s possible to reach out to the company directly to bypass the recruiter altogether. I would appreciate any advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation!

I'm a 27-year-old with a Master's in Sports Management from LNIPE, currently based in India. I've worked as a Program Manager at The Little Gym India, interned at Decathlon, and volunteered for various sporting events, including Khelo India. My experience spans program management, sports operations, event execution, community engagement, and customer-facing roles. Lately, I've been applying for positions in sports operations, program management, event management, operations, customer success, and community management, but I've struggled to turn my applications into interviews. I'm reaching out for advice from those in operations, sports, education, NGOs, or similar fields. What roles would you recommend for someone with my background? Are there other industries outside of sports that might value my experience? Additionally, what skills or certifications could enhance my competitiveness? I'd also like to know if there's anything in my profile that might be hindering my chances of getting interview calls. Any honest feedback or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!