Applied to a Job

Applied at Public Utilities Commission for Unknown

Applied at local dog daycare for part-time position

Applied at Concora Credit for Software Engineer

Applied at City of Hope for Unknown

Applied at fitness company for videographer

Applied at Skysource for administrative assistant

Applied at local gas station for Unknown

Applied at large aerospace company for technical role

Applied at McDonald's for Unknown

I was laid off for the third time in seven years, and it's really starting to take a toll on me. It feels like I've spent half of my professional life just interviewing and applying for new jobs. Every couple of years, I'm back at square one, trying to find a new position. It's frustrating because I feel like I can't get ahead. I'm also dreading the next round of applications, especially with the new AI tools and younger recruiters who seem to lack experience and proper screening methods. It's disheartening to think about getting rejected by someone who might not even understand my qualifications. I’ve read that this is becoming the new norm in corporate America, but it’s hard to accept. I wonder how anyone manages to stay in one job for more than five years these days. I know I need to be careful about how I frame my career in interviews, so I’m planning to really assess the companies I apply to next. I want to look for signs of stability, like their funding and leadership, instead of just jumping into the next opportunity.

I've been out of work since my entire department was laid off last December. It's been incredibly frustrating as I've submitted hundreds of applications but only received one response, which ultimately ghosted me when it came time for a phone interview. I'm wondering if there's a service that could apply on my behalf. I thought staffing agencies would help, but most seem to act more like job boards, focusing on filling positions for employers rather than assisting job seekers like me. I've heard that smaller, boutique recruiting agencies might be more effective, especially those that specialize in my field. They seem to provide better support and communication throughout the job search process.

I spent nearly a year looking for a job in finance, from July 2025 to June 2026. It was a long and challenging journey, marked by a total of 6 rounds of interviews for one position, only to face rejection in the end. I found it frustrating that after so many interviews, the company still couldn't make a decision. During this time, I submitted around 150 applications, but only managed to secure 8 interviews, none of which went beyond two rounds. I understand that my target roles might be less common, but it still feels disheartening. I'm trying to stay positive and keep the faith as I continue my search.

I'm currently a college student entering my fourth year this August. This summer, I decided to take a few classes to improve my GPA and prepare for actuarial exams. I've always worked, and last year I moved back in with my mom after living independently while juggling three jobs. I expected to easily find a summer job given my extensive experience in entry-level positions like cashiering, serving, and even managing a store. However, I've applied to hundreds of minimum wage jobs and haven't received a single interview. I've tried calling and visiting local businesses, but most just ask me to drop off a resume. This is frustrating because I've never had to go to so many places without getting any response. I’m available to work 30-40 hours a week now and up to 20 hours during the school year, which I’ve communicated in my applications. I’m starting to wonder if my experience is working against me, as I've read that employers might see candidates with too much experience as having higher expectations. I’ve never held a salaried position, so I’m confused about why I’m struggling to get interviews. If anyone has insights or advice on this situation, I would really appreciate it!

I experienced a significant layoff on May 1st, and it was an emotional roller coaster for me. I had dedicated so much to the company, working 60-70 hours a week and taking on new responsibilities as we grew from a startup of 32 employees to over 400, only to face five rounds of layoffs, with the final blow coming from a merger. I felt crippling grief, depression, and anxiety, and honestly, I spent two weeks in bed trying to process it all. After that, I decided to tackle my job search by reworking my resume and cover letters for every application. It felt insane to review my resumes from the past 30 years, but I really needed to refine everything I had done since my layoff. In just the past 48 hours, I was amazed at how going through this process helped me understand my professional journey. I created a 'Single Source of Truth' resume, which wasn't meant for applications but rather to help me accurately build tailored cover letters and resumes for specific roles. Completing that document brought me to tears; it was the first time I felt I could clearly articulate my career progression. Taking a step back to analyze my job titles and experiences was challenging, but it was a necessary exercise that most people never undertake. Now, I'm just hoping for another interview opportunity!

I was laid off about a month ago from Goldman Sachs, where I worked as a Software Engineer. Since then, I've been actively searching for new opportunities, but the job market has proven to be more challenging than I anticipated. I have around 2 years of experience in software engineering, having also worked at Citi. My expertise lies in backend development, distributed systems, automation, and data platforms. I'm proficient in Java, Spring Boot, Python, SQL, PostgreSQL, Angular, and cloud-native development. I'm currently looking for Software Engineer or Backend Engineer roles with 0-3 years of experience and would greatly appreciate any leads, referrals, or advice. I'm open to opportunities in product companies, fintech, startups, and enterprise software. If anyone has any suggestions or knows of openings, please feel free to DM me, and I can share my resume.

I took a career break three years ago from my role as a mechanical designer to fully immerse myself in studying data analytics. I dedicated around 10 hours a day to learning technologies like Python, SQL, and n8n. I had enough savings to support myself initially, but after a year of intense study, I started applying for jobs and attending interviews. As my finances began to dwindle, I took on temporary jobs in bartending and warehouse work to make ends meet. Unfortunately, the AI boom significantly impacted the job market, leading to a reduction in junior positions, and I struggled to find a role in data analytics for over a year. Now, I've decided to return to mechanical design and I'm currently trying to figure out the best way to explain this career gap on my CV.

I had an interview at the YMCA on May 10 for a part-time position, which I was really excited about because I loved the environment and the mission of the gym. After the interview, the hiring manager rushed me to send over my references that same day, which made me a bit uncomfortable as I wanted to check with my contacts first. Nevertheless, I sent them over. She mentioned she would call my references the following day, but that didn’t happen. As the weeks went by, my references were left waiting, and I found myself emailing her multiple times for updates. It took her a while to finally reach out, and when she did, it was after I had already accepted another retail job out of concern for my finances. Four days after I accepted the retail position, I received a text from her saying not to leave her and that she was still working on things. I expressed my continued interest, but there was still no formal offer. Eventually, I got an email with a 'conditional offer letter' that stated I was expected to work 0 hours a week, with hours varying based on the department's needs. This feels very insecure to me, especially since I need at least 15-20 hours of work weekly. The whole process has been frustrating, and I'm unsure if I should just forget about this opportunity or hold on to it. It’s a part-time job at the YMCA, not some corporate gig, so I’m really questioning the reliability of this offer.

After submitting around 150 job applications, I realized I needed to change my approach. Initially, I was doing the typical process: uploading my resume and retyping my information for each application, which was exhausting and time-consuming. What really helped me was separating the application process into dedicated blocks of time instead of spreading it out throughout the day. I started using a tool called Simplify that handles autofill for major ATS systems, which saved me a lot of repetitive work. For the custom portals that didn’t work with that tool, I set up standard answers in Quickform, which I could easily refill in Chrome. This way, I didn’t have to tailor every single response, but it significantly reduced the amount of retyping I had to do. I also made a point to avoid applying to listings that seemed like ghost jobs, which helped me focus on more legitimate opportunities. Overall, these changes didn’t lead me to apply to more jobs, but they made the process less taxing on my time and energy. I’m curious to know what other strategies have worked for you in terms of improving the application process!

I was laid off last week at 26 years old, and I have a master's degree. Currently, I'm living at home with my parents, which provides some security, but I'm feeling uncertain about my next steps. I'm torn between taking a job outside my field, like waitressing or administrative work, or holding out for something in my area of expertise. I want to be employed, but I also worry about taking a position that won't contribute to my career growth. I've heard that being employed can make it easier to find a job, and I'm considering filing for unemployment right away. I know I need to update my resume and start applying to jobs related to my degree, but I'm also open to temporary work to keep some income coming in while I search for the right opportunity. Any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I had a really strange interview experience recently that left me feeling confused and a bit shaken. I applied for a position at a company that seemed normal, and I had a pleasant email exchange with the director before the interview. However, once I joined the Zoom call, things took a turn. There were three people on the call: the director and two female team members. One of the team members had a judgmental look right from the start, but I tried to brush it off as just her demeanor. However, when she started speaking, it became clear that she was aggressive and confrontational. It felt like she was treating me as if I were her enemy, and I couldn't understand why. During the introductions, she monopolized the time with a lengthy explanation of her background, while the others kept their introductions brief. Then she made a comment about the company's growth and how picky they are with hiring, which felt like an unnecessary pressure tactic right off the bat. I was caught off guard and didn't know how to respond. When I shared my enthusiasm for my current job, she shot back with, "So why are you looking for other jobs?" It felt like she was challenging my motives in a way that was both confrontational and confusing. I tried to explain my reasons for wanting to move to a smaller team, but she pressed further, asking me what I didn't like about large teams. At one point, she asked if I had any videography experience, despite me having already answered that earlier in the interview. It was clear she wasn't actively listening. Then, she made a strange comment about my remote work situation, asking how I felt about the hybrid schedule, which was already stated in the job posting. It felt like she was asking me a question that was completely unnecessary and poorly worded. The interview took another odd turn when she randomly asked if I was planning to pursue a PhD, which was completely out of the blue and had no relevance to the position. Overall, the whole experience felt surreal, and I couldn't shake the feeling that she had it out for me from the beginning. The other two team members seemed uncomfortable as well, which added to the awkwardness of the situation. Has anyone else experienced something similar during an interview?