Applied to a Job

I recently applied for a position at a company that has a pretty terrible reputation online. I was excited to get a response for an interview, but after doing some research, I found a lot of negative reviews on platforms like Glassdoor, Indeed, and even TikTok. People were saying things like "do not work here" and "you're better off unemployed." This has made me really reconsider whether I should continue with the application process. Part of me thinks that if I keep my head down, I might be able to manage, but I’m also worried about the potential for a toxic work environment, especially since I’ve been unemployed before. I’m looking for any advice or if anyone has been in a similar situation. I’ve seen comments suggesting that it’s common for unhappy employees to voice their frustrations more than satisfied ones, which is a fair point. However, I also wonder if I should reach out to current employees to get a better sense of the work culture. If anyone has insights or experiences they’d like to share, I’d really appreciate it.

I need to vent about my recent job search experience with a European cybersecurity company I used to work for. I joined them back in 2017 during their initial U.S. expansion as one of the first employees in a hybrid pre-sales and technical role. We had a successful run, but the company eventually decided to pause U.S. investments and focus on Europe, so I left on good terms in 2019. Fast forward to now, the company has grown significantly and is reinvesting in the U.S. market. Many former employees, including myself, have returned to the company over the years, which made me feel confident about applying again. I have connections with around 50 employees there, including the CTO, which I thought would give me an edge. When I saw an opening for a Technical Account Manager role, I applied and reached out internally. I tailored my resume specifically for the position, even though their version of the role is more technically focused than my recent experience. We had multiple discussions about my technical expertise, especially my previous work with the company. However, after about 10 days of silence, I received an automated rejection on LinkedIn without any personal feedback. I reached out to the recruiter for clarification, but it took another follow-up email to finally get a response. The recruiter mentioned that the hiring manager was looking for someone with a background more closely aligned with the technical requirements. This is where my frustration lies. I had already handled those technical responsibilities when I worked there, and I have a deep understanding of their environment and products. It feels like I'm being gatekept by someone who doesn't fully grasp my history with the company. In today's hiring process, it seems like candidates are filtered out based on keywords rather than actual experience, which is incredibly discouraging.

I was working in a data science role where I dedicated the last few years to building and enhancing tools that automated many manual tasks for my team. I truly enjoyed this work; it felt rewarding to make processes more efficient and help the business scale. However, I now realize that the efficiencies I created ultimately led to my layoff. While I can't say that the app I helped develop was solely responsible for my redundancy, it's hard not to feel that my contributions to automation and optimization made my position expendable. I take pride in what I built because it addressed real problems and added value, but I also feel conflicted knowing that my success in these initiatives may have contributed to fewer job opportunities for people like me. Now, I'm unemployed and actively applying for new positions. I'm questioning my career path and whether I should continue in this field or consider a pivot into something different. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? Have you automated processes or built tools only to find yourself laid off later? I'd love to hear how you coped with it.

I've been on the job hunt for entry-level, part-time positions lately, and it feels like every hiring manager is on vacation. I've applied online and even called several stores directly to check on hiring status, but I keep getting redirected back to their websites. When I do manage to get an interview, it seems to fall through without any follow-up. For instance, I applied to Chick-fil-A and actually got an interview, but after multiple attempts to reach out via call and text, I keep hearing that the hiring manager isn't available. It's been over a month now, and I still haven't received any formal rejection. I've tried contacting various stores in my area, but those that do pick up either say they aren't hiring or that the hiring manager isn't there. I'm starting to wonder if I should directly email the hiring managers to make sure they know I'm interested in the positions. Would that even make a difference? Where are all the hiring managers?

I'm currently in the frustrating process of applying for jobs and ran into a major issue with an application on a company's website. After creating an account, I reached the Education section where I needed to input my school. However, every time I type in the name of my school, it disappears as soon as I click out of the field. I've even tried entering random schools, but the same problem occurs. It's incredibly maddening, and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Has anyone else experienced this issue?

I recently applied for a deli job and was asked to provide my first name and phone number. I’m trying to decide whether it’s better to call them in a couple of days or to visit the store in person to follow up. I've heard that being proactive can make a good impression, but I'm unsure which approach is more effective. Should I physically go back to the deli or is a phone call sufficient? I want to make sure I stand out, but I also don’t want to seem overly pushy.

I got laid off about two months ago and I'm feeling pretty lost. I live in an area where remote jobs are really hard to come by, and most local companies don't offer decent pay or work-life balance. My last job was through a referral from a friend, which helped me land an interview, but now I'm struggling to find legitimate remote opportunities without that kind of connection. I've been actively searching on LinkedIn and various job sites, reaching out to recruiters, but I haven't had any luck so far. I check job postings every morning and apply or contact recruiters, but nothing seems to be working. I’ve had multiple people review my CV, so I don’t think that’s the issue. On top of everything, I have a wedding coming up at the end of the year, and I’m really worried about getting married while being unemployed. I’ve already postponed the wedding twice before, and I hate the thought of feeling useless on such an important day. I’m trying to stay productive by working on AWS certifications; I’ve completed the Cloud Practitioner and am now working towards the Solutions Architect Associate. I’m looking for any advice on how to navigate this job search and whether I should consider postponing the wedding again. It’s tough waking up without a clear direction, and I just want to feel like I’m moving forward.

I recently applied for a Management Analyst II position with my local city government, and I'm feeling a bit conflicted about being overqualified for the role. At 28 years old, I just completed my PhD in Economics, and while this position only requires a BS degree, the work genuinely interests me since it's in my home city. The posted salary for the role tops out at $65k, but given my extensive research, teaching, and analytical experience, I believe a salary in the $80-90k range would be more appropriate. My advisor even suggested asking for $100k, which seems a bit aggressive for a government position. I'm also contemplating whether I should inquire about being considered for a Management Analyst III or IV position instead, considering my qualifications. I don't want to come off as presumptuous, especially since I applied for the II role, but I feel it's worth raising the question. I recently received a verbal offer and am expecting the written offer soon, so I'm trying to navigate how best to handle the salary conversation without leaving too much on the table after all my years of education and work. Has anyone else dealt with similar situations in local government? Did asking for a higher grade level ever work out?

I had a pre-screening call with a Talent Acquisition officer from a company I applied to directly through LinkedIn. During the call, they asked about my current status, education, and expected salary. At the end of the conversation, they mentioned, "Thanks. We will shortlist and contact you." This has me feeling a bit anxious since my past experiences with pre-screening calls typically ended with scheduling an interview right away. I'm currently unemployed and worried that this could mean I'm not moving forward in the process. I'm trying to stay positive and keep applying to other jobs, but it's hard not to read into their response.

I've been on the job hunt for about half a year now, primarily focusing on Software Engineering, AI, and Analytics roles in California. Despite sending out around 200 applications, I've only managed to secure one interview. I'm feeling quite frustrated and overwhelmed by the process. I'm reaching out for advice on how to improve my chances of landing a job. Any tips or insights would be greatly appreciated!

I recently applied for a position at a tech company and was really excited about the opportunity. However, I just received a notification that my application was denied, and it happened so quickly that I'm left wondering if I was really considered at all. It feels disheartening to be rejected so fast without any feedback. I'm trying to process this and figure out my next steps in the job search.

I’ve been working as a contractor scientist in the biotech field for the past 9 years, primarily in the Bay Area. Despite my strong performance metrics, I haven’t been able to break into a Senior Scientist role, which is crucial for advancing into management positions. It’s disheartening to see peers from my PhD program quickly rise to higher positions while I feel stuck. I have autism, and although I’ve tried to adapt by masking my behaviors, it hasn’t helped me gain the promotions I’ve been seeking. I’ve applied to over 1000 jobs in the last few years, meticulously tracking my applications, yet the responses have been minimal. I’m increasingly worried about the future of my career, especially with advancements in AI and microfluidics that threaten my current role. I've even been in situations where I trained machines to do my job before being downsized. The pressure is immense, and I feel like I’m on a blacklist, even though I know that’s illegal. I’ve rewritten my cover letter and resume multiple times, trying to tailor them for each application, but it feels futile. I’ve also noticed a lot of nepotism in the industry, which further complicates my situation. My friends who are CEOs in biotech refuse to engage in such practices, but I see it happening everywhere around me. I’m working with therapists and reading self-help books to improve my situation, but I still feel singled out at work. The thought of sabotaging my coworkers has crossed my mind, but I know that’s not the right path. I’ve started applying for jobs outside the Bay Area, hoping to escape the cycle of ghost job listings, but I still feel lost and unfixable. It’s incredibly depressing to think about how much I’ve invested in my education and career, only to feel like I’m worse off than if I had pursued a trade. I’m reaching out for help because I genuinely don’t know what to do next.

Applied at Taco Bell for Unknown

Applied at Power Home Remodeling for Unknown

Applied at Artane Partners for Unknown

Applied at Company A for early-career development program

Applied at tech startup for marketing manager

I recently applied for a Customer Service Representative position at CEFCU and had to go through an exhausting assessment process. I just finished question 33 out of 100 in one of the assessments, but that was just one of six different tests I had to complete. Each assessment had between 50 to over 100 questions, and I spent at least an hour on all of them combined. I'm really frustrated because it feels like such a waste of time. I can't help but wonder if there's even a right answer to some of these questions. For instance, if I choose 'put out forest fires' over 'enter information into a database,' will that hurt my chances? It's infuriating that companies require us to jump through so many hoops to prove our competence instead of just inviting us for an interview.

I’ve been trying to apply for jobs on Seek, but I keep getting banned from the site. It’s incredibly frustrating because every time I attempt to submit an application, I receive an error message. I’ve tried everything to fix it—clearing cookies, logging out, and even using a VPN, but nothing seems to work. Unfortunately, there’s no customer service available to help me resolve this issue. I’m feeling pretty hopeless about my job search right now, and I can’t help but think that if you see a homeless man on the street, it might just be me.

I recently checked my application status for the GenC role at Cognizant, and it changed from 'Offered' to 'Applied.' This has been really frustrating as I haven't received any updates in over six months. I was excited about the opportunity and now I'm left wondering what went wrong. Has anyone else experienced a similar situation with Cognizant or other companies?