Applied to a Job

I've been on a tough journey in my job search, having applied to 1,400 positions over the past year and a half. It feels like I'm cursed at this point. I've revamped my resume more than 50 times and utilized platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, Hiring Cafe, and even Craigslist, but nothing seems to stick. Most of my applications are for office and admin roles, both remote and in-person, and I know I'm qualified for them—at least 70% of the time. I lack a degree, but my experience should count for something. I've tried different approaches for my cover letters and application answers, switching tones from warm to professional, and keeping things concise. I even run my resume through an AI checker to ensure it meets standards, and friends who are in hiring roles have given me positive feedback on my resume and interview skills. Yet, I rarely get interviews. When I do, it feels like I'm stuck in a cycle of similar personalities, hoping one will finally click. To protect my privacy, I've set up a separate email and phone number, and I even use a different name when applying so employers can't find my social media. I wish I were joking about feeling cursed, but this experience has left me feeling broken and depressed. I'm running out of ideas and feeling like I'm just treading water.

I applied for a mid-level management position at a non-profit in early May. I heard back from them about a week later, but it took an additional week for the HR rep to schedule a phone interview. The interview took place on a Thursday, and I felt it went well. The HR rep mentioned she would reach out by the end of Friday to arrange an in-person interview. However, I didn’t hear anything by that Friday, and after a weekend of waiting, I sent a thank-you email on Monday. Now, it has been 10 days without any communication, even though the job is still posted and my application remains open in their system. The organization is quite small, with only four people on the team I’m applying for, and there’s one opening. I’ve identified who my potential manager would be and am contemplating whether I should reach out to him directly on LinkedIn. I do have some concerns about this approach, especially since I’ve previously applied for a different role at the same company, only to be informed shortly after that the position had been closed. Given the lack of response from HR, I’m unsure if contacting the manager would be beneficial or if I should wait a bit longer.

I was laid off from my job on May 20th and submitted my unemployment claims for the first time. I'm feeling a bit lost since my employer didn't respond by the June 2 deadline, and my claim status is still showing as pending. I managed to secure a new job, and my first day is tomorrow. I'm wondering if I will receive retroactive back pay for the weeks I was unemployed and when I should officially close my claim—should I do it on my first day at the new job or at the end of the week? I'm also going to be paid bi-weekly at this new position, but I'm not sure if that affects anything. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I’ve been unemployed for about 9 months now, and I’m really feeling the pressure. At 21, I’ve accumulated $24k in debt, and I’m currently living with my grandma, who helps cover my car insurance and phone bill. I apply to numerous jobs daily but only receive a few phone calls. I’m starting my online accounting degree next month, hoping that will improve my situation in 1-2 years. While I don’t have to pay rent, my monthly debt payments are a significant burden. I’ve attempted side hustles like Spark, Flex, and DoorDash, but they don’t bring in enough to meet my financial needs. I feel completely useless being jobless at my age, especially with this debt hanging over me. I’m at a loss for what to do next.

I recently started a job at McDonald's in maintenance, but after just a few days, I've realized it's not a good fit for me. On my first day, I worked 10 hours without a break, which was overwhelming and led to a mental breakdown. My manager let me leave early, but I still found the job to be stressful and uncomfortable, especially with people watching me while I clean. I spent the night after my first day applying for other jobs and have already received calls for interviews that offer better pay and align more with my skills. I'm struggling with my mental health due to the stress of this job, and it's affecting my sleep and eating habits. I want to quit as soon as possible, but I'm unsure if I need to give a two-week notice. I feel bad for leaving so soon after they trained me, but I can't continue in this environment. I would appreciate any advice on whether I should provide notice or just leave.

I recently got fired from my job and have been on a relentless job search since then. I applied to numerous positions and was thrilled when I received a quick response for a phone interview with a company I’m really interested in. The interview is just two days away, and I can’t seem to stop hyperfixating on it. I’ve been prepping extensively, researching the company and the role, but the anticipation is overwhelming and it’s affecting my sleep. This job opportunity is particularly exciting because it offers a significantly higher salary than my previous position, and I believe I’m well-qualified for it. I’m really hoping that the screening goes well. It’s tough navigating the job hunting process, but I’m trying to stay positive and focused.

I have a phone interview scheduled for tomorrow for the position of Short Term Disability Claims Specialist. This is my first interview in over eight years, which feels quite daunting. I was recently laid off from my job at a cruise line where I worked for eight years, and this happened at the end of April. In my application, I mistakenly indicated that I was still employed, not realizing that the company would verify my employment and request two references. Now, I'm wondering if I should disclose my layoff during the interview or keep it to myself. Additionally, for future applications, should I indicate that I was laid off or continue to say that I am still employed?

I created a SankeyMATIC diagram to visualize my job application process as an IT specialist with 5-6 years of experience in Norway. I began my job search in October 2025 and finally accepted an offer in April 2026. It had been 3-4 years since my last job switch, and I underestimated how lengthy the process could be. Despite the challenges, I'm thrilled with the new offer and excited to start this new chapter in my career!

I was let go from my job two weeks ago and have been actively applying for new positions since then. Currently, I have at least five applications out, but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with the process. I'm torn about whether I should keep applying everywhere or slow down a bit. One of my main concerns is the possibility of receiving an offer and then having to turn it down if a better opportunity comes along later. I worry about how that might affect my relationship with the companies I engage with. Additionally, keeping track of all the job descriptions and details is becoming a bit much. I'm not sure how to manage this effectively while still being proactive in my job search. I've read some advice suggesting that I should continue applying until I have a signed offer, which makes sense, but I also want to avoid overwhelming myself. I'm looking for guidance on how to navigate this situation and whether I should continue applying at the same pace or take a step back to reassess.

I recently found myself in a bit of a dilemma regarding a job offer I received two months ago for a position that I ultimately declined. I had a single interview with the company and was offered the role almost immediately, which raised some red flags for me about their hiring situation. I decided to turn it down mainly because the commute was longer than I was comfortable with, and the pay increase didn’t justify that inconvenience. Fast forward to now, I’ve been reflecting on my decision and I can’t help but feel a sense of regret. The role would have been a great opportunity for my career growth, and I’ve realized that the commute, while not ideal, would only be four days a week instead of five. To my surprise, I noticed that the position has been reposted recently. I’m considering whether I should apply again and reach out to the hiring manager to express my renewed interest. I’m a bit unsure about how to approach this, especially since I was vague in my initial decline. I’m thinking of explaining that my circumstances have changed and I’d love to discuss the opportunity further. I still have the contact information for the person I interviewed with, so I might just give them a call. Any advice on how to navigate this would be appreciated!

I was laid off in March after nearly 11 years in the HVAC industry, specifically working for a sheet metal shop. My company had to make cuts, and unfortunately, I was one of them. Since then, I've been job searching for months, but it's been tough. I've only managed to land 4 interviews: two for retail positions, one for a graphic design job where I ended up getting ghosted, and the most recent one was with another local sheet metal shop that I wasn't even aware of. I interviewed with them last Friday, and it seemed to go well. They needed help due to some recent departures, and since they had my resume from a previous warehouse application, they brought me in for the shop position. Just yesterday, I received a call offering me the job and informing me about the onboarding process. They also sent over a 'caliper assessment,' which I assumed was a personality or IQ test. I completed it and thought everything was on track. However, I received another call today from the shop foreman, who informed me that the higher-ups had denied my test results, and the job offer was revoked. I'm feeling pretty defeated right now, especially since I have medical issues that restrict my ability to travel far for work. I'm trying to keep my job search local, but the constant rejections are really taking a toll on me.

I recently experienced my third layoff in the past eight years, and I want to share some practical advice for anyone facing redundancy for the first time. My biggest takeaway is to pick up right where you are, update your CV, and start applying for jobs immediately. I've seen many people lose motivation and purpose after their first layoff, and it can lead to feelings of hopelessness. Some turn to LinkedIn to announce plans for entrepreneurship or expect job offers to come to them without actively applying. But I can assure you, applying for jobs works. It's essential to collect your emotions and start submitting applications. Once you begin receiving interview calls and have conversations, you'll get a clearer picture of where your experience fits in the job market. Don't stop applying; keep pushing forward. From my experience, it's often easier to land that first job after a layoff, but the real challenge can come weeks later when the initial excitement fades and the competition for roles increases. So, stay proactive and focus on moving forward.

I've been working at my current company for 3 years, and I recently transitioned to a new department after my previous role became incredibly toxic, affecting my mental health to the point where Occupational Health recommended I take 3 weeks off. I thought a change would help, but unfortunately, the new department has proven to be just as bad, if not worse. The management is unprofessional, spending their time gossiping about staff and making derogatory comments. I've witnessed them calling colleagues 'weak' and sharing personal information that should remain confidential. Since I started about 4 months ago, 5 people have already left the team, which is alarming. Additionally, one colleague speaks to me in a disrespectful manner, and others have noticed it too. The overall atmosphere is draining, and I've been applying for new jobs, but it's exhausting and time-consuming. I'm struggling with sleep, my appetite is gone, and I feel anxious all the time. I'm at a crossroads—should I take time off to protect my mental health, or will that just complicate things further? I would really appreciate any advice from those who have been in similar situations.

I'm a 16-year-old living in Florida and I've been on the hunt for a summer job for what feels like forever. I've submitted countless applications, expressing my eagerness to work and my availability at any time. Despite my efforts, I've faced nothing but rejection and silence. It's incredibly disheartening to see my peers landing jobs while I feel stuck and confused about what I'm doing wrong. I've tried both online applications and in-person inquiries, but it seems like I'm running in circles. My determination to find a job is still strong, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm wasting my time. I just want the chance to prove myself, whether it's part-time or full-time. The frustration is real, and I'm at a loss for what to do next.

I recently left a toxic work environment and am currently unemployed. I've been interviewing with a local credit union and they want to proceed with a background and credit check. I believe my background will be fine, but I'm a bit worried about my credit score, which is 680. I have a car loan, a student loan, and a few credit cards that are nearly maxed out, although I've had no missed payments in the last two years, aside from one incident a few years back. I applied for a new credit card the same day I was approved for the job, thinking it would help with the credit check, but now I'm second-guessing that decision. Should I be concerned about how this might affect my job prospects?

I recently applied for a job with Cloud Personnel through Indeed, and the very next day, I received a phone call and a text about the position. I responded to the text and was instructed to apply again on their website. Shortly after, I got another text and an email directing me to their onboarding site, which surprisingly asked for my Social Security Number and banking information before I even had an interview. This raised a lot of red flags for me, so I haven't filled anything out yet. It all feels really sketchy, and I'm starting to wonder if this is a scam. I did some digging and found out that their business is based out of Ontario and they don't seem to have a legitimate application process—just a 'pre-application' since they operate as a temp agency. I'm really cautious about this whole situation.

I applied for a job recently and was shocked to receive a rejection email just two minutes later. It felt incredibly disheartening, and I can't help but feel frustrated with the job application process, especially with how quickly some companies respond. I’ve been hearing a lot about AI in hiring decisions lately, and honestly, it just adds to my frustration. I’d love to hear if anyone else has experienced something similar or has a quicker rejection story.

I recently found myself stuck in a rut while job hunting. I've been actively applying for jobs on LinkedIn, using my premium account to its fullest. I take the time to tailor my resume for each position, ensuring that I include all the relevant keywords. Despite my efforts, I've received zero responses, which is incredibly frustrating. I consider myself an experienced candidate, so I can't help but wonder what I'm doing wrong. I've received some advice from others, suggesting that I should utilize AI tools to assess my fit for each role. Additionally, they recommended filtering job searches to only show positions posted within the last hour to avoid older listings. I was also advised to steer clear of jobs with the 'Easy Apply' feature, as they tend to attract a lot of spam applications. Lastly, I learned that applying directly through the company portal might yield better results than applying through LinkedIn. I’m eager to turn this situation around and would appreciate any further tips or insights!

I'm feeling really down about my job search. I've been looking for a position for about two years now, and it feels like I'm hitting a wall. I've been ghosted more times than I can remember and have faced rejection from every interview I've had. Just recently, I went through a grueling 8-hour onsite interview with around 10 people, only to be told two weeks later that I wasn't selected. It was disheartening. I had some hope when I applied for a new position and had a great conversation with HR. She seemed enthusiastic and mentioned she would reach out soon. I ended up interviewing with two directors, and while I felt it went well, I was still nervous. One director even mentioned that they were in the early stages and that a background check would be the next step, which sounded promising. However, the very next day, I saw that the job was reposted on LinkedIn. I know this doesn't necessarily mean I've been rejected, but it feels like a punch to the gut. I thought I had connected well during the interview, and I really can't understand why I'm not getting any traction. I'm qualified and personable, yet I feel like I'm stuck in this endless loop of disappointment.

I just had a very short phone screen for a software engineering position at a tech company. The interviewer barely asked me any questions and it felt more like a formality than a real assessment. I'm worried that I didn't get a chance to showcase my skills or experience effectively. I left the call feeling uncertain about my chances of moving forward in the hiring process. Am I cooked, or is it possible that they just have a different approach to their screening?