Thinking

After sending out 850 applications, I finally landed a job at NVIDIA, and I want to share what changed in my approach. Initially, I was sending out about 30 tailored applications daily, but I was met with nothing but rejections, despite holding an Ivy League master's degree in engineering. I also tried reaching out to numerous recruiters on LinkedIn, but I received no responses. Then, I shifted my strategy to target hiring managers specifically for entry-level roles in my field. I invested in LinkedIn Premium and searched for positions that weren't on the first couple of pages of results, as those were often inundated with messages. I even gathered job titles and names from various publications and other search results. I reached out either through LinkedIn or, when possible, via email. I made sure to craft concise messages that would capture their attention. I started with a personal connection, referencing something specific about them, like their involvement in a project or their educational background. Then, I briefly highlighted my relevant skills and experience in one sentence, asking if they would be open to a chat. This approach yielded a response rate of about 10%, and half of those conversations led to interviews. Ultimately, this strategy helped me secure my dream job at NVIDIA. I learned that sometimes, there may not be a job posting available, but if a hiring manager likes you, they can create an opportunity. This method may not work for every industry, but the key takeaway is to connect with people in hiring positions rather than just recruiters. Once I realized this, my job search transformed significantly. Referrals didn't yield any results for me, but this direct approach made all the difference.

I'm currently serving my notice period at my job in Third Party Risk / Risk Management, and my last working day is June 22nd. I have one job offer on the table but haven't finalized anything yet because I'm hoping to find a better opportunity before I commit. I have about 22 days left, and I'm wondering if that's enough time to secure another offer. I'm looking for advice on how to aggressively search for roles as an immediate joiner, and I'd like tips on how to quickly get the attention of recruiters through platforms like LinkedIn or Naukri. If anyone has experience switching jobs during their notice period or has successfully landed offers as an immediate joiner, I'd really appreciate your insights!

I've been applying for jobs lately and it's becoming really frustrating. I feel like about 50% of the job listings I encounter are just AI-generated scams. Every time I submit an application, I get back the same generic responses that clearly come from a bot. Is this the new normal for job searching? I can't help but feel disheartened. I've always found that my best luck in finding opportunities has been through in-person interactions rather than online applications. It's been a long time since I graduated, and I’ve learned not to hold my breath during the recruitment process.

I've been actively applying to jobs lately, dedicating about two hours each day to the process. However, I've started to realize that I might need to reassess my approach. A friend suggested that instead of just applying to every role, I should focus on filtering opportunities that truly match my skills and location. This advice makes sense since I’ve noticed that many of the positions I applied for weren't a good fit. By narrowing down my search criteria, I hope to reduce the number of applications I send out but increase my chances of getting responses. The job market is tough right now, but I'm determined to find a role that aligns with my expertise.

I recently started a new job at a local business, but after just a month, I was given a two-week ultimatum to prove myself or face termination. The owners, including the general manager who is the owner's daughter, pulled me into a meeting and expressed their dissatisfaction with my performance. They claimed I lacked the 'fire and hunger' they expect, which left me confused since I believe I am doing my job as trained. The training I received was inadequate; my supervisor was on vacation for three weeks, and I was trained by another new hire who wasn't fully equipped to teach me. I haven't even completed the state-mandated sexual harassment training yet. The owners seem to favor the other reps who go out of their way to please them, such as running errands for them during lunch and volunteering for tasks that seem more about personal loyalty than job performance. I have a good rapport with some regular customers, including a local police chief, and I joked with him in a way that the owners found inappropriate. They also criticized my need for clarification on complex invoices, which I think is reasonable for someone still learning the ropes. I feel like I'm being held to a different standard compared to my coworkers, who often use their phones for personal matters while I was reprimanded for checking an emergency text. I'm really struggling with this situation and questioning if I'm overreacting or if this is a toxic work environment.

I spent the week driving around for interviews, burning through all my gas without landing any job offers. As a veteran and a college graduate, it's frustrating to be in this situation, especially when I'm sitting here feeling hungry. The interviews I attended were for retail positions, and honestly, they felt pointless. They asked me questions like, "Can you describe a situation where you dealt with a tough customer?" It seemed like the typical interview script. Each time they told me, "We have a few more interviews and we'll let you know," I couldn't help but feel that if they really wanted to hire me, they would have made a decision already. It’s disheartening to keep hearing the same line.

I have an upcoming interview for a fully remote Staff Accountant position with a CPA firm based in Montreal that hires internationally. The role involves various accounting tasks including bookkeeping, bank reconciliations, accounts payable/receivable, GST/QST filings, corporate and personal tax preparation, and payroll support. I will be using tools like QuickBooks Online, Dext, and Karbon. The salary is advertised to start at 1400 EUR per month, which varies based on experience. I have around 5 years of accounting experience, including treasury, bank reconciliations, supplier accounting, reporting, forecasting, and financial analysis. Currently, I work in a multinational environment and am fluent in English and professional French, although I tend to get nervous during interviews. I’m reaching out to gather insights from anyone who has experience working in Canadian CPA firms or similar accounting practices. Specifically, I’d like to know if 1400 EUR/month is a fair salary for my experience level, what the typical workload is like especially during tax season, the stress levels in small to mid-sized CPA firms, how many clients a Staff Accountant usually manages, what questions I should ask during the interview regarding work-life balance and career growth, and any red flags I should be aware of before accepting an offer. Any honest feedback would be greatly appreciated!

I'm currently feeling trapped in my job as an assistant manager in the housekeeping department of a large hotel. After a decade of hard work, I've climbed from minimum wage to earning over $62,000 a year, which is decent for my role. However, the burnout is real. I work most weekends and holidays, often putting in over 8 hours a day in a fast-paced environment with a minimal crew. This has led to injuries and a lot of stress, and I often feel gaslit by upper management when I express my concerns about safety and workload. Despite my salary, I'm questioning if it's worth staying in this industry. I have a bachelor's degree in social science, but I realized too late that it wasn't the right fit for me. I have a history of anxiety and depression, and I worry about transitioning to a new job that might not pay as well—potentially losing $20,000 a year if I switch careers or properties. I live with my partner and roommates, and I’m saving for retirement, but I don’t have a clear passion or direction for my career. I enjoy hobbies like reading, drawing, and collecting vintage vinyl, but I feel lost when it comes to finding a job outside of hotels. I have a strong work ethic and leadership experience, and I’m good with attention to detail and organization. I'm looking for advice on potential job opportunities outside of the hotel industry and how I can leverage my skills without starting over at minimum wage. The thought of having to begin again is daunting, especially in this economy. I just want to find something that allows me to pay my bills and save for the future.

I had a fantastic phone interview about a week ago for a position that felt like my dream job. I was invited for an in-person interview, which went amazingly well. The interviewer and I connected really well, both during and after the interview. They mentioned they had a few more candidates to interview but expressed their intention to move me to the final round. They also assured me that they would reach out regardless of the outcome. I have a solid background in this field, and they seemed genuinely impressed by my achievements. However, now it’s been over a week without any response. I sent a follow-up email a couple of days ago but haven't heard back. While I'm applying to other roles and not overly anxious, I was really excited about this opportunity and enjoyed meeting the team and seeing the facility. Has anyone else experienced a similar situation? What was the outcome for you? I'm just curious since everything seemed to go so well.

I have an upcoming interview for a position, and I just realized that the associate partner interviewing me previously worked at my last firm where I was let go. I'm feeling really anxious about this situation and wondering if it will negatively impact my chances of getting the job. Should I address my past termination during the interview, or try to avoid the topic altogether? I'm not sure how to navigate this.

I recently started my job search for entry-level positions in healthcare, specifically targeting roles in Texas while I currently live in New York. Despite indicating my openness to relocating in my applications, I haven't received any interview invitations, which has been really discouraging. I've been considering different strategies to improve my chances, including the idea of using a friend's address in Texas on my resume to appear more local. However, I'm unsure if that's a good approach or if there are better alternatives. I’ve heard from others that hiring managers often prefer local candidates, which makes sense given the volume of applications they receive. I would appreciate any advice or insights on how to enhance my job search and increase my chances of landing interviews in Texas.

I recently came across a discussion about resumes that were either accepted or rejected by the same company. It sparked my curiosity about the differences in formatting and keyword usage. I think it would be really helpful to see side-by-side comparisons of the resumes to understand what specific changes made a difference in the application process. It seems like a lot of it comes down to how well candidates highlight their skills and experience to match the job description.

Today marks five months since I was laid off from my role, and I can't help but reflect on this challenging journey. I've submitted over 200 applications and gone through 18 interviews, yet I'm still waiting for a full-time job offer in my field. It feels like a heavy weight, especially knowing so many others are facing similar struggles. I'm reaching out for some positivity today. For those who have been unemployed for an extended period and eventually found their way back, what kept you motivated? What valuable lessons did you learn during that tough time? When did things finally start to change for you? I'm eager to hear about what the light at the end of the tunnel looks like for you.

Today, I reflected on my current situation regarding employment. I'm 20 years old and have been living with my parents since I quit my job two years ago. During this time, I've been focused on playing tennis, especially in the summer when I travel for competitions and am often unavailable on weekends. My mother has been pushing me to apply for jobs, suggesting I should take on a shift or two each week, but I applied for a couple of positions a few months back and didn't hear back from either. It's frustrating because she doesn't seem to understand why employers wouldn't want to hire someone who can only commit to a single shift per week and is frequently unavailable. I feel torn between my passion for tennis and the pressure to gain work experience. I want to enjoy my sport and have a social life, but it seems like my mom wants me to juggle everything. I wonder if I'm justified in feeling this way or if I should be looking for more flexible job opportunities, like tutoring or teaching tennis lessons. It's a challenging balance, and I hope to figure it out soon.

I recently had a trial day at a company for a junior designer role, and I felt really good about how it went. Unfortunately, I received an email saying I was rejected because another candidate had slightly more experience. However, the email also mentioned that they really liked my skillset, positivity, and enthusiasm. They seemed impressed by my potential and suggested that I could be a strong fit for a similar role within the company. They even expressed interest in having conversations about this new opportunity if I was open to it. I'm left wondering if this means they genuinely want me for that role or if I need to go through the application process again.

After 8 months of job hunting and submitting 847 applications, I finally received a job offer today, and I can hardly believe it. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster filled with 31 interviews and countless rejection emails. I actually cried—like, really ugly cried—in my car after getting the news. I want to share what changed in my approach because I know how discouraging this process can be. Around month 5, I decided to try something different. Instead of just applying through job portals, I started reaching out directly to people at companies I was interested in. I sent personalized emails to hiring managers and department heads, explaining why I wanted to connect, without attaching my resume. The response rate was incredible compared to the silence I’d experienced on platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn. In just 3 weeks, I managed to book 6 conversations, and one of those led to a referral, which then turned into an interview and ultimately this job offer I accepted this morning. For anyone currently struggling in their job search, please know it’s not a reflection of your worth. The system is tough, but there are ways to navigate around it.

After 15 long months of unemployment, I finally received a job offer that ticks all the boxes! I was laid off from my previous role and spent the last six months driving for Uber to make ends meet. The new position offers the right compensation, PTO, a 401k, and best of all, it's fully remote. However, I'm feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. The PTSD from being laid off is hitting hard. The job hunt was grueling, and the recruitment process for this new role has been bumpy, with long periods of silence from the recruiter and a confusing situation where I was initially considered for a higher-level position that was already filled internally. My background check cleared in no time, yet I still have to wait two weeks to start, even though they wanted me to begin immediately. To add to my unease, both the recruiter and hiring manager have Open To Work badges. While I'm thrilled to be getting back to work and starting to rebuild my life, I can't shake this feeling of skepticism. I find myself questioning if I'm stepping into a chaotic environment or if the team is on the verge of turnover. I worry about how quickly I can adapt back to a full-time role after such a long break. I know I need to shake off these negative thoughts before my start date, but I can't help but feel a bit jaded. Has anyone else experienced this kind of anxiety after receiving a job offer?

I recently found myself in a strange job situation. I’m a licensed esthetician and also work part-time at a fast food restaurant. I applied for a full-time paid nurse aide training position at a nursing home, which will lead to a full-time CNA job and help me prepare for nursing school next year. After I put in my notice at the medspa where I worked, they called me back within an hour to tell me not to finish my notice, effectively firing me. The next day at my fast food job, things escalated when my manager threatened to throw me out of the window because I refused to take a headset that I hadn’t been trained on. I stood my ground, and she backed off after realizing I wasn’t going to let her intimidate me. Later, while cleaning the bathrooms as assigned by my general manager, my manager confronted me aggressively, referring to me as a "bitch" when she thought I had walked out. I reported her behavior, and my GM wrote her up. Now, I feel uncomfortable at work with her glaring at me throughout my shifts. I’m supposed to work tomorrow and for the next few days, but I’m seriously considering making tomorrow my last day. I’m ready for a break before starting CNA school on June 8th, especially since my current schedule is tough for me. I’m not enjoying the job anymore, and I’m wondering if I’m overreacting or if I should just go ahead and quit.

I have been a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) for the past five years, taking care of my two children while also doing all the startup work for my husband’s business, including paperwork, research, website/marketing, and scheduling. Unfortunately, I was not compensated for this work, and my husband forced me to quit my last job without giving the required notice, which means I can't use them as a reference. Now that my younger child is starting school this fall, I’m eager to re-enter the workforce. I have a bachelor’s degree and over ten years of work experience, but I’m worried about the five-year gap in my employment history. I’ve been looking for paraprofessional jobs that fit my schedule, but many require references from previous employers. I feel resentful towards my husband because while I helped him build his career, I feel like mine has been completely sidelined. I’m seeking advice on how to navigate this situation and any tips on finding a job. I’ve considered including the work I did for my husband’s business on my resume, but I’m unsure how to present it without raising questions. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

I recently received a verbal offer for a software engineering position at a mid-sized tech company. The hiring manager called me to discuss the details and expressed excitement about bringing me on board. However, it has been a week since that conversation, and I still haven't received the written offer. I'm starting to feel anxious about the situation and wondering if I should follow up or if this is a normal part of the process. Has anyone else experienced a similar delay after a verbal offer?