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I have submitted over 100 job applications in the last three months, but unfortunately, I've faced a 100% rejection rate. As a soon-to-be graduating international PhD student in Materials Science, I am eager to find a position in the industry here in the USA. This process has been incredibly disheartening, especially since I am also juggling my thesis and preparing for my final defense. The stress is taking a significant toll on my mental health. I'm at a crossroads, contemplating whether I should give up and return to my home country, which is particularly difficult since I've been in the U.S. for over six years and have been in a relationship for the past 1.5 years. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has experienced a similar situation and how they coped with it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I recently applied for a position at Publix and had to take their personality test, which I found to be incredibly frustrating and inaccurate. The questions were so vague that I felt like my interpretation was completely different from what the employer intended. For instance, I was faced with choices that forced me to pick between being labeled a 'quitter' or a 'slacker,' which seemed unreasonable. As someone with high-functioning autism, I struggled to understand what they were really asking, and it felt like the test was designed to filter out people like me with trick questions. I often had to resort to using AI just to help me navigate the confusing wording of the questions. What really struck me was how toxic the workplace seemed based on the nature of the questions. They seemed to assume that anyone who is self-motivated must also have a bad temper, which is a huge double standard. I left the test feeling uncertain about whether I even wanted to work there anymore, as the whole process felt like an invasion of my character rather than a fair assessment of my skills.

I graduated in the Summer of 2024 with a first-class honors degree in Software Engineering from a reputable UK university. However, it's been nearly two years since graduation, and I'm still struggling to find a job. I have no prior work experience, not even an internship or placement, which has made my job search particularly challenging. I've applied to over 1,000 positions across various fields, including software engineering, office roles, and even retail jobs, but I've had little success. I've managed to secure 5-10 interviews, with one notable experience where I reached the second stage of the interview process for a position at a large betting company, but ultimately, that didn't lead to a job. Currently, I'm on Universal Credit and participating in the Restart program, which has been helpful in providing job leads, but nothing has materialized yet. It's been a demoralizing journey, and I often feel like a failure for not having achieved anything in these past two years. I've tried to keep my skills sharp by working on personal projects, but my motivation has been inconsistent lately. I'm reaching out for advice—has anyone else faced a similar situation, and how did you eventually find success?

I recently took some time to review my job applications and realized I had a significant number of companies that never got back to me. It's frustrating because they haven't rejected me or invited me for interviews; they just left me hanging for months. To manage this chaos, I started using eztrackr to keep track of my applications. It was eye-opening to see how many jobs I had forgotten I even applied for. This experience has taught me that one of the toughest aspects of job hunting isn't the interviews or the rejections, but rather the endless waiting and uncertainty. You send out applications, move on to the next opportunity, and then a few weeks later, you can't even remember if a company has ghosted you or if they're still in the decision-making process. I wonder if others also end up with a large stack of pending applications like I do.

I recently completed my GCSEs and have been actively searching for a job, but it's been really tough. I've applied to numerous positions, yet I haven't received any responses. I've heard that the job market is quite competitive right now, especially in the UK, where various factors like Brexit and rising energy costs are impacting economic activity. It seems like many employers are looking for candidates with more qualifications, which makes it even harder for someone like me, who is just starting out. I've been trying since November 2024, and it feels like I'm facing a wall with no opportunities coming my way.

I recently applied for a role at a small company with about 300 employees. After going through three interviews, I was informed three weeks later that I didn't get the position I originally applied for. However, the hiring team believes my background might be a better fit for a different role, specifically a managerial position. I'm intrigued by this opportunity, even though it's slightly different from my usual work. The recruiter has suggested that I meet with the manager for a chat, and I'm feeling optimistic about the potential to excel in this new role. Has anyone else experienced something similar?

I had a frustrating experience recently with a recruiter from a tech company where I had applied for a Content Strategist position back in February. After going through three rounds of interviews, I received the standard rejection email in mid-March. I was disappointed but moved on and continued my job search. Fast forward six weeks, and I get a call from the same recruiter. I thought maybe they were reaching out with good news or a change of plans. Instead, she casually checked in on my job search before pivoting to mention a junior coordinator role that had opened up. This position pays about $22,000 less than the strategist role and is two levels below what I had originally applied for. I’ve been in the content field for seven years, so I politely declined, but I was annoyed by the way she framed the call. Instead of being upfront about the role, she made it seem like a casual check-in. I appreciated her reaching out, but I wish she had been more transparent about her intentions.

I recently landed a mid-level data analyst position at a logistics firm after an intense five-month job search. Since January, I had sent out nearly 400 applications and tailored my resume countless times, only to face a barrage of automated rejections and silence from employers. Feeling defeated, I decided to take a break from the monotonous 'Easy Apply' process and instead focused on engaging with technical content on LinkedIn. While browsing, I came across an insightful thread by a senior manager discussing her team's approach to solving a dashboard lag issue. Intrigued, I left a detailed comment with a specific question about their data pipelines. To my surprise, she responded quickly, and we ended up having a great conversation that shifted to direct messages. During our chat, she mentioned her department was looking for a new analyst and encouraged me to send my resume directly to her, bypassing the external job board. I sent my resume, and we had a casual 30-minute video call to discuss my portfolio. A few days later, I met with two of her team members. The interview process was refreshingly straightforward—no coding tests or tricky psychological questions—just a genuine conversation about my approach to data. This morning, I received the official offer, which includes a compensation package 10% higher than what I was aiming for on the job boards. It’s incredible how a simple connection over shared interests can lead to such a significant opportunity. For anyone feeling lost in the application process, I highly recommend stepping back and engaging with professionals in your field. It truly makes a difference.

I’ve been applying for jobs non-stop, but I feel like I’m stuck in a loop. I’ve never had a formal job before, only over 10 years of volunteer work, and I’m not sure if that counts as real experience. My resume is pretty bare aside from some basic homemaker skills and a bit of technical knowledge. Going back to school isn’t an option for me right now because of my student loans, and I’m starting to worry that I’ll be in debt forever. I’ve been told that I need to network with people in industries where my skills might transfer, but I’m not sure how to start. Some advice I’ve received suggests I might need to take a low-skill job, like in a restaurant, to begin building a work history. It’s frustrating to think that being 30 and having no work history could be such a huge red flag for employers. I know I need to show my willingness to work, but it feels like a long road ahead.

Today, I accepted a job offer after months of searching and feeling increasingly discouraged. I had been applying, interviewing, and getting ghosted by companies, all while rewriting my resume and trying to stay positive despite the rejection emails. I should feel relieved, and part of me does, but I can't shake the feeling of disappointment. The job I accepted is a normal one with decent pay and a reasonable commute, but it's not something I'm excited about. When I started my job search, I envisioned finding a role that aligned with my long-term goals and utilized my experience meaningfully. However, after facing numerous rejections, my standards shifted from seeking a good opportunity to simply wanting to avoid waking up feeling useless every day. I said yes to this offer because I’m exhausted—exhausted from constantly checking job boards, explaining my employment gap, and watching my savings dwindle. I know many people would argue that any job is better than none, and perhaps that’s true for me right now. I am grateful to have an income again, but there's a lingering sadness about how I came to this decision. I feel like I surrendered to this job rather than actively choosing it. Maybe it will surprise me, and perhaps it’s okay to take a stable position while I continue to look for something that fits better. I just wish that getting hired felt more like a victory and less like a desperate escape from a difficult situation.

I previously applied to a few Big Tech companies and high finance firms, but I may have exaggerated some details on my résumé. Now, I'm considering reapplying to these companies and I'm unsure if my past actions will affect my chances. I'm worried that if they check my previous applications, they might see the discrepancies. Should I be honest about my past résumé or just focus on highlighting my actual skills and experiences this time around? Any advice on how to approach this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I recently went through an interview process for a position that I initially thought could be a good fit. After my first interview, I was invited to meet with a panel member who had missed the initial session. I approached this meeting with an open mind, but ultimately, I felt the role wasn't right for me. After receiving news that I had progressed to the background check stage, I decided to withdraw my application. I didn’t hear back from them after my withdrawal, which left me wondering if this decision might burn bridges with the company or the panel members involved. I'm curious about how such withdrawals are perceived in the industry.

I recently applied for a retail position and I'm considering following up with a phone call. I'm unsure about the best approach to take when I call. Should I directly ask for the manager, or should I first mention that I'm following up on my application? I’ve read mixed advice online; some say that calling might not be the best move since it could come off as intrusive. I'm trying to gauge whether I should go ahead with the call or just wait for them to reach out if they're interested.

I’m feeling completely miserable and drained at my current job in HR. I’ve been in this role for about four years now, and honestly, I never intended to end up here. The job market is tough right now, especially since I need a hybrid schedule due to my pets. I currently work from home four days a week, but it’s not enough to keep me from losing my mind. The HR team I’m part of is incredibly dysfunctional. The behavior of my coworkers is downright disgusting and power-hungry, masked by a fake niceness. I’m managing over 60 requisitions and 70+ seats, and the workload is overwhelming. I’m stuck doing heavy administrative tasks that aren’t typical for recruitment roles, like saving email updates as PDFs and updating multiple Excel logs with duplicate information. I’m also managing references for 15-25 offers each month, but it feels like no matter what I do, it’s never enough for my manager. I make only $56,000, which feels ridiculous given my responsibilities. My direct manager constantly implies that we aren’t doing enough and dismissed my request for a raise. We’re micromanaged to the extreme, expected to have a 24-hour turnaround on tasks, and meetings are scheduled at odd hours to check if we’re at our desks. It’s exhausting. I recently requested a day off, but the HR director took forever to respond, and I ended up having to go in because I couldn’t risk losing my job. This whole situation has left me infuriated and exhausted. I feel hopeless and drained, and I’m dealing with vindictive behavior from people who seem to thrive on power plays. Despite this, I’m going to keep applying for new jobs aggressively. I have no intention of giving a two-week notice when I do leave; I wouldn’t want a reference from any of these people.

I found myself in a strange situation regarding my job search. Back in 2025, while I was enrolled in a part-time MBA program at WGU, I started applying for jobs. I managed to secure a contract position in New York City, which forced me to withdraw from school due to financial reasons. Now, with my contract ending in August, I've been actively looking for new roles, both internally and externally. I used an old resume for my applications, but I completely forgot to update the graduation year for my MBA program. To my surprise, I've received several interview invitations despite this inaccuracy. Now I'm wondering if I should disclose this mistake during the interviews or wait until I potentially receive an offer and undergo a background check. I've already updated my resume for future applications, but I’m currently in three interview processes and would be happy to accept any offer. I’m really torn about what to do next. Should I come clean about the incorrect graduation date now or keep quiet until later?

I've been actively applying for positions at Salesforce, but I'm starting to feel frustrated with the process. I've submitted several applications for roles that match my skills and experience, yet I haven't received any callbacks or even acknowledgment. It seems like getting a response from them is quite challenging at the moment. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm wondering if it's just me or if it's a common issue with Salesforce hiring right now.

I recently got laid off from my job where I was earning $145K. It's been a tough adjustment, and I'm feeling a bit lost in this job market, which seems to be in a really bad place right now. I have a potential offer on the table for a position that pays $95K. While I'm grateful for the opportunity, it feels like a significant step back for me. I'm trying to weigh my options and figure out the best path forward. It's frustrating to see how challenging it is to find roles that match my previous salary, and I can't help but feel a bit disheartened.

I wanted to share my experience regarding cover letters, the application process, and maintaining confidence during my job search. After a tough six-month period of unemployment, I applied to a staggering 1,257 jobs before finally landing one. Regarding cover letters, I found that they often go unread. In my experience, HR departments don't prioritize them, and I was only asked for a cover letter by hiring managers during the interview process. So, if you're considering whether to submit one, it might not be necessary unless specifically requested. I kept a detailed spreadsheet of my applications, noting timestamps. I noticed that applying in the morning seemed to improve my chances since many positions receive a flood of applications quickly. I also learned to avoid applying for jobs older than a week, as they are often filled or no longer active. If you have time to spare, you can check if a position is still open by using the Wayback Machine. Many HR departments don't update job titles, so you can see if the same position keeps appearing over time. It's not foolproof, but it can help identify ghost positions. On the confidence front, I realized that my mindset shifted during unemployment. After my first interview, I felt desperate and was willing to accept any offer, which I learned can be sensed by interviewers. It's crucial to be prepared to say no when necessary. For instance, during one interview, they asked me to fly four hours to meet a hiring manager in person, and I declined. I still received an offer for my current job. In another negotiation, they lowballed me significantly, but I stood firm and told them it wasn't what we had discussed. I ended up with an offer closer to my expectations. Just my two cents from my experience in Europe, but I believe these insights are applicable elsewhere too.

Today, I received a job offer after an exhausting eight months of searching, and I couldn't help but cry in my car for about 20 minutes. I was laid off last October from a mid-level marketing position I held for four years. Initially, I felt optimistic, thinking I’d find a new role within 6-8 weeks, but that wasn’t the case. I ended up applying to around 340 jobs, receiving about 30 responses, and going through 11 interviews, with 3 reaching the second round and 2 making it to the final round—only to face rejection at the last step, which was incredibly tough. I revised my resume four times and rewrote my cover letter at least 60 times. By month four, I was applying for positions below my previous experience level, but even those applications were met with rejection, which was particularly demoralizing. My partner was supportive throughout this journey, but I could sense the stress affecting both of us, adding to the challenge. When the offer came in this morning, I knew it wasn’t my dream job and the pay was about 8% less than what I was making before, but I accepted it within the hour. After months of applying, refreshing my email, and pretending everything was fine, I finally let go of all that pent-up emotion in my car. If you’re currently in the job search struggle, I can’t promise it gets better on a schedule, but I can say that it turned for me today. Just hang in there.

I recently found myself at a crossroads in my career. After applying to over 50 jobs in sourcing and procurement within the marine industry, I realized I wasn't getting any responses. With a background in microbiology research, I considered pursuing a Master's in Supply Chain Management from a reputable university in the UK to enhance my qualifications. However, I'm concerned about the current job market and the possibility of accumulating more debt without securing a job afterward. As an alternative, I've thought about training in permanent makeup for brows and starting my own business. While building a clientele will take time, it offers me independence and the chance to avoid relying on traditional employment. My family believes that obtaining a Master's degree will open doors for me, but I'm skeptical about whether that's still the case in today's job landscape. I'm seeking advice on whether to pursue the Master's or take the leap into self-employment. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!