Applied to a Job

I've been unemployed for the past three years since I was 16, living in the UK. My job search has been incredibly challenging, and despite my efforts, I haven't had any luck finding work. I have tailored my CV for entry-level positions, but my only experience is a week in a hotel, which I had to do as part of my secondary school requirements. I dropped out of sixth form and never completed my A-levels, which has made my situation even tougher. I've applied to over a thousand jobs, called various places, and even gone in person, but nothing has worked out. I struggle with confidence and haven't considered internships or volunteering, but I realize that might be my last chance to gain some experience. I'm not interested in going back to sixth form or attending university, even though I did well in my GCSEs, achieving 7 grades at levels 5-6 (Cs and Bs). It's frustrating to feel stuck and unable to leverage my potential.

I'm currently in a tough spot after my entire department was eliminated earlier this year at my company, which forced me into a sales role. They promised a full year of salary while I trained, but the situation has been dire. The company isn't performing well, and every sales rep is struggling due to a lack of leads, relying on AI-generated outreach. Soon, I'll be switched to a commission-only structure, and I've heard from a colleague that they're already $20k in debt due to the draw system. I need to escape this job as soon as possible. I've been actively interviewing for months but haven't had much luck until recently. I applied to a large retail big box chain out of desperation and got hired on the spot, but it's part-time with low pay and grunt work. The employees were pretty candid about the poor morale and high turnover, which doesn't sound appealing at all. Currently, I'm in the interview process with another company that aligns much better with my skills. I had a recruiter screen that led to a second interview, and today, the hiring manager expressed interest in scheduling a final interview with stakeholders. While nothing is guaranteed, I feel optimistic about my chances. The retail job wants me to start this coming Monday, and I'm torn. Part of me thinks I should take it since I've been job hunting for so long with little success, but I really don't want to accept a position I might hate and then leave shortly after if I get a better offer from the other company. I'm looking for advice on what to do next.

I recently applied for a position at a tech company and went through several rounds of interviews. I felt confident about my performance, but ultimately received a rejection email. It was disappointing, and what frustrated me even more was the lack of feedback on why I wasn't selected. I really wish companies would provide candidates with some insight into their decision-making process. It would help us understand our weaknesses and improve for future applications.

I'm currently a student midwife in my final year studying in London, but my family is back in Wales. As part of my course, I have to complete 22-23 weeks of placement, which adds up to around 2400 hours over three years. Classes wrapped up around April-May, and now I'm in my last placement block until September. The challenge is that while most students head home for summer, I have to stay for my placement, but my university accommodation expects everyone to vacate by early August. This has been a struggle for the past few years, but this time I can't afford to pay for summer accommodation using my student finance like I did previously. My placement schedule is demanding, with 3-4 days a week, totaling 34.5-46 hours, and I often find myself waking up at 5 am and getting back to my dorm by 9:30 pm. I've been actively searching for jobs for nearly four years now, using various websites and apps, and even visiting stores and restaurants in person to hand out my CV. Just yesterday, I called over 40 stores to inquire about job openings, but unfortunately, I haven't had any luck. Finding a job that fits around my placement hours is incredibly tough, and the job market feels very competitive. I do have family in London, but none of them can accommodate me until November when I graduate. My teacher mentioned that I might need an additional six weeks of placements to meet my qualification requirements, which adds to my stress about housing. My roommates are looking for a place together, but I'm the only one without a job, making it hard to contribute to bills. I've asked them to keep an eye out for job openings at their workplaces. When I'm not at placement, writing essays, or attending classes, I'm searching for work. I'm feeling overwhelmed and would appreciate any advice or leads on job opportunities in London. Thank you.

Applied at Nordstrom's Rack for sales associate or stock assistant

Applied at New Leaf Custom Homes for Unknown

Applied at YMCA for part-time position

Applied at labor union for research position

Applied at Robert Half for Unknown

Applied at Enterprise for Unknown

Applied at large fintech company for inventory analyst

I recently graduated with a BA and MA from Ivy League schools in the humanities, finishing my master's in 2025. During grad school, I juggled multiple part-time jobs and applied to nearly 200 positions after graduation, but only received three offers. The best one was a $65k role at a nonprofit in New York, which I accepted and have been doing well in. However, I'm feeling the urge to pivot into a different field where I can earn more and utilize a broader range of my skills. I'm concerned that my experience in the nonprofit sector might limit my options for future opportunities. Despite my strong academic performance with GPAs over 3.75, I can't help but wonder what I might have done wrong in my job search. I'm reaching out for advice on how to make this transition successfully.

I just had a really tough experience after almost 8 months of applying for jobs. I finally landed an interview today, and it felt like it went really well. I spoke with the main manager I would be working with, and he even asked when I could start. I said immediately, and we discussed the starting pay and some personal details like my clothing size. He then introduced me to the General Manager, but I got a strange vibe from him. An hour later, I received a phone call saying they decided not to fill the position. I was feeling so hopeful, and now it feels like I got punched in the gut. It's hard not to let this setback affect my motivation.

I had my final interview for a position last Thursday, and I felt really good about it. The manager seemed positive and mentioned that I would hear back from them early the following week regarding their decision. I followed up with a thank you email on Friday, expressing how much I enjoyed our conversation. On Monday, I received a reply from the manager saying they are close to making a decision and apologized for the delay. I'm trying to stay optimistic about this, but I can't help but wonder if this is a genuine sign of interest or if they might just be stringing me along. Fingers crossed!

I recently received a job offer that I'm really excited about. To give you some background, I'm 26 years old and have been working as a fiber optic technician for the past five years, primarily focusing on residential installations and service calls. I've been with my current company for a year, earning $25 an hour, but I'm feeling burnt out from the installation work and struggling financially in Michigan right now. After applying to various positions, I got an offer from the traffic division of a major city nearby. This job involves fixing traffic lights and working on the cabinets that control traffic intersections. It's a union position that starts at $27.82 an hour for the first six months, after which I’ll move up the union pay scale, potentially earning between $31 to $35 an hour. This also comes with excellent benefits and a pension plan. Plus, the work hours are much better—7 AM to 3:30 PM—meaning I’ll be home by 4 PM, compared to my current job where I often get home around 8 or 9 PM. While I enjoy fiber work and had hoped to transition into maintenance or splicing crews, that opportunity hasn’t materialized. I’m aware that taking this city job means leaving behind the autonomy I have now, and I’ll have to drive my own vehicle since I won’t have a company truck anymore, but the shop is only about 20 minutes from my house. The city job does require me to obtain a CDL B, but they’ll cover the training costs. I’ve already accepted the offer, but I’m feeling a bit guilty and nervous about leaving my current job. I haven’t informed my employer yet, and I’m questioning whether I should wait it out longer or if I’m just experiencing cold feet. Ultimately, I believe this city position is a great opportunity for me.

I applied for a summer server position at my local IHOP while home from college, submitting over 50 applications in total. I didn’t mention my student status on the application to improve my chances. When I called to set up an interview, the manager scheduled me for 1:30 PM the next day. I arrived on time, and the host was friendly, but then the manager got sidetracked by a surprise health inspection. Instead of rescheduling, she left me waiting in a booth for an hour and fifteen minutes. After that long wait, we finally started the interview, but the manager seemed confused about my work history despite me clearly stating my previous experience as a server. To my shock, she then informed me that I would need to go through a second interview with the regional manager, which required driving to two different cities. I felt completely disrespected after wasting so much time for a server position at IHOP, so I walked out. I’ve never felt more undervalued in a job search.

I’m currently a Senior Project Manager at a private equity-owned tech company, where I've been for about six years. Recently, our Project Management Office (PMO) was dissolved, and I can’t shake the feeling that the writing is on the wall for my position. Things started to shift dramatically about a year ago when a new CEO was brought in by the PE firm. His background is mostly in taking companies public and executing mergers, which makes me think he’s not focused on operational stability but rather on financial exits. Within three months of his arrival, every senior leader I had known was let go, replaced by his own team from a previous company that had undergone a similar gutting. One of the new roles created was a Chief Transformation Officer, which just screams that big changes are coming. A few months back, my direct boss was unexpectedly walked out, and I only realized it when a recurring meeting disappeared from my calendar. That’s when I knew things were moving quickly and without warning. Last month, the new Chief Transformation Officer’s team came in and disbanded the PMO, cutting about 10% of the staff outright and redistributing the rest. I was one of the six who got moved to engineering and given the title of Scrum Master, even though my team isn’t set up to run Scrum effectively. It feels like a placeholder role, especially since my new boss seems less informed than I am about the changes happening around us. Now, there’s a job posting for a Head of Agile Practices, which means we’re all just waiting for this new hire to decide our fates. I’ve been tracking these changes for the last 18 months, and it feels like a classic PE exit strategy: clear out the old guard, implement a transformation office, dissolve functions, and rebrand survivors into roles that don’t align with their actual work. On the positive side, I have support from two SVPs who have promised to advocate for me, and I have solid metrics showing improvements in my team’s performance. However, I’m also facing challenges, including a new manager I don’t trust and a job market that feels worse than ever. I’ve applied to nearly 100 positions since the first round of layoffs in May, but I’ve only received about four callbacks. The competition is fierce, and it feels like my resume is getting lost in the shuffle. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has experience with similar situations. How long did it take for the mass layoffs to occur after a new CEO made such sweeping changes? Did anyone else experience a rebranding that ultimately led to a real role, or was it just a cover for further cuts? For those who survived a PE exit prep, what strategies worked for you? And how proactive should I be in my job search given the current market conditions? I’m trying to balance the need for stability with the urgency of the situation, and it’s hard to plan when everything feels so uncertain. I’d appreciate any insights or shared experiences.

I attended a job fair for a renewable energy company where I've spent about 90% of my career. I prepared my resume and was eager to present it to the recruiter. When I finally got my turn, the recruiter was impressed with my long tenure, having started my first project with them back in 2015. We connected well since we’re from the same district, and he even asked if he could take my resume to the superintendent present at the fair. When the superintendent came over, he recognized the project I worked on, but I blanked on the name of my supervisor from six years ago, which made me nervous. I described my experience on various projects, including Crane 2, Grease, and Emerald, and mentioned my extensive work with torque tubes. Although the superintendent seemed neutral and didn't say much, he did nod while I spoke. After our conversation, he instructed the recruiter to finish my paperwork, which I took as a positive sign. The recruiter was enthusiastic about my experience and asked detailed questions about my certifications and leadership experience. He even marked my resume with a star and assured me that they would call me in about three weeks regarding potential openings. However, I'm left feeling anxious about whether my slip-up with the project name and forgetting my supervisor's name might have hurt my chances. It's been weighing on my mind.

I feel trapped in my current job, which is a complete dead end. I can't stand it, but I need to pay the bills and support my family. I've been applying to countless positions, but I haven't received a single email back, not even a rejection. It's frustrating to think that out of hundreds of companies, only one has responded, and I'm hesitant to move forward with them because I'm worried it will just lead me to another miserable job. I know I'm not alone in feeling this way; many others are in the same boat. It's tough to stay motivated when you feel like you're stuck in a cycle of burnout, especially when you're living paycheck to paycheck and can't afford to take time off to reset. I regret my career choices and often feel like I'm underemployed or in roles that drain my happiness. I just wish I could find a path that leads to a fulfilling career instead of just jumping from one job to another.

I recently applied for a server position at my local IHOP while home for the summer from college. After submitting over 50 applications, I thought I’d give IHOP a shot. I didn’t mention my student status on the application, hoping it wouldn’t hurt my chances. I called to schedule an interview, and the manager said to come in the next day at 1:30 PM. I arrived on time, but the manager got tied up with a health inspector who came in unexpectedly. Instead of rescheduling, I was left waiting in a booth for an hour and fifteen minutes. When the interview finally started, I felt it went well despite the long wait. I shared my previous serving experience, but the manager seemed confused about my work history. She asked if I could work late shifts until 4 AM, which I declined since I’m a student. Then she dropped a bombshell: I would need to have a second interview with the regional manager in two different cities. For a server position at IHOP. I felt completely disrespected and walked out. I’ve never experienced anything like this during a job search.