Thinking

I had an interview at Aritzia yesterday for a retail position. I've been a fan of their brand for a while, so I was genuinely excited about the opportunity. I felt well-prepared and dressed appropriately for the interview. While I don't think it went poorly, I'm also not sure if it went particularly well either, as it really depends on what they're looking for and how competitive the candidate pool is. They mentioned that I should hear back in about a week regarding their decision, but now I can't help but replay the interview in my mind, searching for any signs of how it went. It's driving me a bit crazy, oscillating between thinking I might get hired and fearing I won't. I'm curious if anyone else has been in a similar situation or if there are current employees or other candidates I could connect with!

I recently connected with a recruiter but I'm feeling a bit lost on how to make the most of that relationship. I scheduled a call with them and I'm not sure what I should be asking or sharing during our conversation. I also want to reach out to people on LinkedIn who are in the roles I'm targeting, but I could use some guidance on that too. I'm looking for a step-by-step approach to effectively engage with recruiters and hopefully land a job. Has anyone had success after connecting with a recruiter? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

I applied for a public sector job through governmentjobs.com and went through two rounds of interviews. They mentioned that I would hear back within a couple of weeks after the in-person interview. Now, it's the end of the third week, and I haven't heard anything yet. I understand that the recent holiday may have caused some delays, but I'm considering reaching out to HR for an update. I know the public sector operates differently than the private sector, so I'm unsure if it's appropriate to follow up at this stage.

I recently applied for a couple of jobs that I'm really excited about, but there's a bit of a hiccup. I'm a Senior in college and set to graduate in December, but the positions I want have start dates in mid-October. I've already submitted my applications and mentioned that I won't be available until after the semester ends. Now, I'm left wondering if companies ever consider extending start dates for candidates who are still in school. Should I keep my hopes up for these roles or is it time to move on?

I have been struggling to find a job for 11 months after being laid off from my role in a new grad program at a tech company. I had two years of experience, but the program I started in was quite intense, focusing on critical work that reported directly to upper management. While I worked with some great people, the experience didn't align well with my career goals, as I was involved in various tasks like data analysis, project coordination, and SharePoint site maintenance, which didn't help me build a focused skill set. I was laid off in October 2025 due to "operational efficiency" along with others in my department. Since then, I've applied for around 10 to 20 jobs, but I've mostly received feedback that I lost out to candidates with more relevant experience. It's been tough finding roles that match my background, and I've noticed that junior positions are often filled by individuals with significantly more experience due to the current job market. In light of this, I've started applying for rotational programs, as they typically seek candidates with less than two years of experience. However, I've already faced a few rejections, although the response rate is better than for other jobs. I'm targeting rotational programs related to business analysis and product management, which align with my degree in UX Design and Data Analysis. I'm open to exploring new career paths, even if it means a pay cut or relocation. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has advice or knows someone who successfully transitioned into a rotational program with a similar background. I'm feeling a bit lost and would appreciate any insights.

I was laid off in April and have been actively job searching since then. Recently, I completed a final round interview with a company I'll refer to as Co A, and I received an offer from them. However, I also have a final round interview scheduled with another company, Co B, this coming Tuesday. I feel more inclined towards Co B, but I'm unsure if they will extend an offer. I'm contemplating whether it's appropriate to ask Co A for more time to make my decision. I'm seeking advice on how to handle the situation and what information, if any, I should share with both companies regarding my decision timeline.

I am beyond thrilled to share that I just landed a new job! After leaving my kitchen management position of six years in late June, I took a leap of faith to return to the service industry as a full-time bartender/waitress. My previous job was exhausting, with 10+ hour shifts and over 16,000 steps a day, not to mention the constant battles over basic hygiene with younger staff. I was earning $23/hr doing something I dreaded, and I felt trapped. Finally, I decided enough was enough and made the switch, but my first attempt at a service job fell through after just one shift. For about 2.5 months, I lived off my savings while applying and interviewing everywhere. I faced a lot of challenges with poorly managed businesses and frustrating experiences. Eventually, I applied for a corporate banking position, despite having no prior banking experience. I went through a rigorous four-part interview process, and yesterday, I received an offer! They even increased the pay to $31/hour because they were impressed with my interview performance. Now, I won’t have to work nights, weekends, or holidays, and I’m free from managing adults or dealing with the mess of a kitchen. I feel like I’ve not only secured a job but a career with plenty of growth potential. I was worried about losing everything I had worked for, but it seems like this is just the beginning of something great!

I recently went through a tough experience after applying for an Environmental & Sustainability Engineer position in July. The interview process was quite extensive, involving around four rounds followed by an onsite interview. After investing so much time and effort, I was ultimately informed that they chose another candidate. This rejection hit hard, especially as an international student trying to establish my career in the UK. It makes me question if there's something I should be doing differently. I'm curious to hear from others in the environmental or sustainability fields: how common is it to reach the final stage and still face rejection? If you've been in a similar situation, how did you handle your next applications? For those who have hired international graduates, are there specific qualities or experiences you think candidates often overlook? Is it a good sign to repeatedly reach the final stage, even if it doesn't lead to an offer?

I’m about to start a new job after applying to over 300 positions in the last four months. Even though I’ll soon be employed, I’m still receiving rejection letters, which is frustrating. I want to be prepared for the possibility of getting interviews for better opportunities. I plan to be more selective now, but if something comes up that seems significantly better than my current role, I’m unsure how to handle the interview process. I don’t have any PTO yet, and it feels awkward to leave my new job so soon for an interview. I’ve seen suggestions to use my lunch break or to say I have a doctor’s appointment for interviews that don’t fit my schedule. I’m considering taking those routes if needed.

Today, I found myself in a tough situation at my job where I've been working for the past four years. Due to my father's unexpected passing last year, my availability has become quite limited. I currently only have one four-hour shift each week, and to help cover bills, my mother and I started working a weekend job since April. My boss recently told me that my limited availability isn't working for the company, especially with the holiday season approaching. She suggested that I need to either change my availability or quit and reapply if I can. This has left me feeling anxious, as I suspect she might hire seasonal workers and not bring me back. Given my chronic illness, finding another job is challenging, but I'm actively searching since seasonal positions are scarce. I'm considering whether I should report this situation to HR, but I'm unsure if my boss's actions are even legal.

I recently traveled out of the country for 7 days, from a Thursday to the following Wednesday, and I'm concerned about how to report my availability for unemployment benefits. The issue is that these days are split across two filing weeks, and I'm worried that if I only report one week as unavailable, it might look like I'm committing fraud. Since I usually work remotely, I feel like I should still be considered available, as I could theoretically log on to work from anywhere. However, I really need that one week of pay. It feels frustrating that the system seems to penalize people who are unemployed and want to travel. I’m hoping to get some advice on how to navigate this without getting into trouble.

I’m currently navigating a tough situation at my company, where I’ve been for nearly a decade. Recently, I was promoted to a new role, but I’ve been completely idle since starting a month ago. This restructuring has me feeling exhausted and anxious, especially since I’m the only US employee, which makes me feel vulnerable in terms of layoffs. Over my 9.5 years here, I’ve witnessed eight rounds of layoffs, so the fear is always looming. If I were laid off, my severance would be substantial—around $140k, which includes 10 months of pay and my 2026 bonus. While that’s tempting, I’m also aware that it’s year-end, and I’m uncertain about finding a new job quickly after a layoff. I’ve been stuck in a situation where my pay has stagnated, but the benefits have kept me from leaving. Here’s where it gets complicated: I finally received a job offer from Microsoft, which would pay me 15% more than my current total compensation. The role is in data center construction, requires a move, and would mean my husband would also need to find a new job. We’re open to the move since it’s to a more affordable area, but my husband took 26 months to find a job after his last layoff, and his pay was recently cut by 30%. Now I’m torn between taking the Microsoft offer and starting fresh or waiting to see if I get laid off and potentially cash in on the severance. The golden handcuffs are tough to break, but I’m also aware that staying in a job with so much uncertainty may not be worth it. It feels like a gamble, and I’m trying to weigh the risks and rewards carefully.

I'm currently facing potential layoffs at my large tech company where I've worked for over 10 years. I've always had high performance ratings, but I've learned that my organization is planning a non-performance-based layoff around October, likely affecting me. Although my friends have asked for an exception on my behalf, the outlook isn't optimistic. I’m trying to figure out my next steps. I’m fortunate that the severance package would be substantial—8 months of base pay plus stock vesting—so I’m torn between starting my job search now or waiting it out to collect the severance. The idea of taking a break and enjoying life before diving back into work sounds appealing, but the uncertainty of the job market makes me anxious about not having a solid plan. I’ve been advised to gather metrics and feedback from my current role while I still can, and to start reaching out to my network under the guise of catching up. I’m wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation and can share their experiences or advice.

Today, I found myself in a bit of a dilemma regarding a job offer I received from a tech company for a software engineer position. I'm excited about the opportunity, but I'm not entirely sure if it's the best offer I could get. I've been actively applying to multiple roles and have a few interviews lined up, but nothing is guaranteed. I'm weighing the pros and cons of accepting this offer versus holding out for potentially better opportunities. I really need to decide soon, as the company is expecting a response shortly. It's tough to balance the fear of missing out on a solid job with the hope of landing something even better.

I have an upcoming interview for an Operations Specialist role on Monday. It's going to be an in-person interview lasting 30 minutes with the manager, followed by a case study interview. I've never done a case study interview before, and I'm feeling a bit nervous about it. I'm looking for tips on how to prepare effectively. I appreciate any advice to help me get ready!

I recently accepted a job offer for a role I've been eager to step into, and I thought the salary was decent compared to my current job. However, after signing the offer letter, I discovered that colleagues in the same position, hired around the same time, are earning $7-8k more than I am, despite having less experience. This realization has left me feeling quite resentful, especially since I didn't negotiate during the verbal offer due to fears of the offer being rescinded in this competitive job market. To complicate matters, my current employer countered my resignation with an offer to match the new salary, along with a guaranteed promotion and addressing some issues I've had in my current role. I genuinely enjoy my current job, and the main reason for seeking a new position was the salary. The new job is hybrid, while my current position is fully remote. Now, I'm contemplating whether it would be wise to reach out to the recruiter to request a salary adjustment based on my experience, even after signing the offer letter. I know I have little leverage and that asking for a raise post-signing could risk the offer being rescinded. Still, the thought of starting in a role where I'm underpaid compared to my peers is bothering me. What would you do in my situation?

I recently applied for a position at a company through a referral from a friend. The experience with their recruiting team has been incredibly frustrating. After submitting my application three months ago, I heard nothing from them until they finally got back to me saying they chose candidates who were further along in the process. It was disheartening to realize that the recruiter didn't even seem to know the job posting existed! It feels like they just don't care about the candidates or the hiring process at all. I can't help but wonder if their recruiting team has been impacted by layoffs, leading to a backlog of applications and a lack of communication.

I recently completed multiple rounds of interviews for a remote role at a company that has office locations in my city. Now that I've had some time to reflect, I'm feeling uneasy about the interview process and wanted to share my experience. Initially, the job description clearly stated it was a remote position, but I had to check a box acknowledging it was a hybrid role for my city. When I reached out to the recruiter, they reassured me that the role was indeed remote, and coming into the office would be optional. However, I noticed that the checkbox was later updated to indicate it was a job to be completed from a home office. During my final interview with the hiring manager, I was asked about my transportation, which prompted me to clarify the remote versus hybrid situation again. The hiring manager mentioned that I might be required to come into the office for training during the first three months, despite the role mainly involving phone calls, emails, and Zoom meetings with clients. In a panel interview, I brought up my concerns once more, and one of the managers admitted they were uncertain about the remote policy. The hiring manager reiterated what they said earlier, which only added to my confusion. The mixed messages I'm receiving are making me uncomfortable. I applied specifically for a remote position, and the inconsistency in information is concerning. If I receive an offer, I'm considering asking for clarification in writing regarding the remote work policy before making a decision. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Would you consider this a red flag?

I am a 19-year-old Indian student currently looking for a remote job. I want to earn some money on my own without having to rely on my parents, as I feel like a burden asking them for financial support all the time. I'm hoping to find a part-time job that allows me to balance work and my studies. I'm open to any suggestions on applications or platforms where I can find remote work that is suitable for someone my age and provides a decent income. I've heard that freelancing might be a good option, so I'm considering platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. Any advice or tips from those with more experience would be greatly appreciated!

I live alone and I'm currently feeling overwhelmed by the stress and anxiety stemming from my toxic remote job. My boss has really undermined my confidence, leading to careless mistakes and a heavy emotional burden that feels like it's shutting me down physically. I'm actively looking for a new job, applying and interviewing aggressively, but haven't had any luck yet. To make matters worse, I'm facing a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) next week, which gives me 90 days to show improvement. Even if I do improve, I have no intention of staying in this environment. As someone who doesn’t have many close friends to lean on, I’m struggling to manage the stress and depression that comes with this situation. I'm reaching out to see how others in similar situations cope and stay positive while fighting this battle alone.