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I'm feeling really stuck in my job search and I'm not sure what to change. I've been applying to countless positions but keep getting rejected. I have three years of culinary training and hold both Food Handler's and Food Manager's certifications, yet I can't even get a job at places like Domino's. My last job was incredibly stressful; I dealt with a constant rush of customers, a demanding boss who wanted me to grab pizzas with my bare hands instead of using a spatula, and a chaotic kitchen environment where I couldn't communicate effectively due to language barriers. I was making $14 an hour and still faced complaints from customers over minor issues, like sauce on their pizza. I recently applied to a restaurant where my 16-year-old sister worked, but I got rejected because I don't have a TABC license, which is ridiculous since she didn't have one either at that age. I typically apply to about 10 jobs on Indeed, but only hear back from two, and one of those is for a store that isn't even open yet, requiring an hour-long commute. Right now, I have just $150 left, my certifications, some experience in IT, and a smartphone. I'm considering investing in a cheap laptop to look for remote work, but I'm unsure if that's the right move. Any advice or similar stories would be really appreciated.

In January, I was let go from my job due to what they claimed was a lack of improvement in my performance. They felt I wasn't contributing effectively to other departments and couldn’t transition to new roles since those positions were filled. I personally believed I had improved, gaining confidence and comfort in my tasks, but ultimately, I wasn’t happy there. When I was let go, I felt a mix of dread and relief. Now, it’s June, and I find myself without a job. Thankfully, I live with my parents and have no major financial responsibilities, but I’m eager to find a career that I can be content with. I've received various advice, like going to college or pursuing different paths, but nothing resonates with me. I even tried turning my hobbies into a career, but my creative process doesn’t align with deadlines or consistency. My job history includes retail, warehouse work, fast food, and agricultural fields, and I recently got my forklift license in April. However, I haven’t heard back from any of the jobs I applied to, and I regret getting the license, feeling it was more about creating an illusion of change rather than a genuine step forward. I realize I should have followed up with those applications instead of waiting for responses. I’m reaching out for advice because I want real conversations with people who can offer insights, rather than just relying on AI suggestions. I’m tired of the cycle of finding jobs, quitting, and repeating the process.

I was laid off from Infosys a week ago after working there for 1.6 years as a Specialist Programmer focusing on Python full stack development with a specialization in Gen AI. My last salary was 9.5 LPA. I'm actively applying for new positions, but so far, I've received no interview calls or responses. I'm wondering if it's realistic to expect to find a new job that matches or exceeds my previous salary.

I recently experienced a layoff from my position, and since then, I've gone through two interviews. Unfortunately, I was rejected by both companies because they felt I didn't have the relevant experience they were looking for. This has left me feeling really scared and uncertain about my job prospects. I'm worried that I won't be able to find a job or get interviews aligned with my skills. Is this a normal part of the process? I'm looking for any advice or reassurance from others who might have been in a similar situation.

I recently went through a second round panel interview with a company that I believed would be an easy transition for me, offering a raise between $25k and $30k. However, I decided to withdraw from the process because I felt that wasn't enough of a raise to leave my current position. Shortly after, I had a phone screen for a dream job that I've always wanted, which would come with a significant raise of $50k to $70k. I have a hiring manager interview scheduled for the 18th. Just yesterday, the recruiter from the first job reached out to me, expressing their interest and asking if I was sure I didn't want the position. They've now increased the salary ceiling to a potential $40k bump from my current salary. I'm now in a bit of a dilemma and wondering if there's a polite way to ask the dream job recruiter if they could possibly move my hiring manager interview up, as the timeline for the first opportunity is quite tight. It's a bit of a validation for me that withdrawing from the first job was the right call, especially since they came back with a higher offer.

I recently applied for my first job at three different places: two local restaurants and a Starbucks. I submitted both online and physical resumes for all of them. Now, I'm feeling a bit anxious about how long it might take to hear back from them. I really hope to get a call soon, but I also want to be proactive and keep applying elsewhere instead of just waiting. I've heard mixed advice about the timeline, and I'm curious about what others have experienced. Should I just keep looking and assume I might not get a callback?

I'm a 17-year-old currently on the job hunt, but I've been struggling to land even a single interview. I've applied to several positions, mostly in retail and food service, but I haven't received any responses. I'm feeling a bit discouraged and unsure of what I might be doing wrong. I've tried to tailor my resume and cover letters, but it seems like there are so many applicants out there. I'm hoping to get some advice on how to improve my chances or any tips for standing out to potential employers.

Today marks the end of my 90-day mandatory notice period after being laid off from my corporate finance role. I will be receiving a severance package that amounts to about 12 weeks of wages, which will help me financially in the short term. I'm 50 years old and have spent the last 15 years in this field, but the current job market seems really tough. I'm actively applying for new positions while also taking the time to upskill myself during this transition. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, as this is the first time I've had to navigate unemployment. I'm considering whether I should apply for unemployment benefits now or wait until my severance runs out, which could be a few months from now. I’ve heard conflicting advice on this, and I'm trying to figure out the best approach. If my job search takes longer than expected, I want to know how to effectively use unemployment benefits as a resource. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I recently applied for a job opening at my company and, feeling excited, I mentioned it to a colleague. To my surprise, he decided to apply for the same position after I told him, even though he knew I was already in the running. Now, both of us have made it to the next round of the selection process. I can't help but feel a bit upset about the situation. I’ve always believed in avoiding direct competition with coworkers, especially when it comes to roles that I’m genuinely interested in. It feels a bit unfair, and I’m torn about whether I should talk to him about my discomfort and ask if he would consider withdrawing his application. I realize that might come off as unreasonable, though. I’ve been reading some advice online, and it seems like many people think I shouldn’t have mentioned my application in the first place if I didn’t want to compete. Some even suggested that my colleague is entitled to pursue the opportunity just like I am. I guess I need to remind myself that it’s not personal, and if he gets the job, I could still ask him for help getting in with the company later on. It’s a tough situation, and I’m trying to navigate my feelings while also recognizing that everyone is looking out for their own best interests.

I recently had an experience where I interviewed for a position at a company last fall. I made it to the third round of interviews, but unfortunately, I didn't get the job because they decided to cut the position and close the requisition. The entire process felt smooth, and I appreciated how responsive and encouraging the recruiter was throughout. Now, I've applied for another open role at the same company that I believe I’m qualified for, although it’s not on the same team. I’m considering reaching out to the recruiter I worked with previously to express my interest in this new position. I wonder if it would be appropriate to reconnect after not getting the job last time.

I used to work at Citi many years ago, and ever since I was laid off from my last job 11 years ago, I've been trying to get back in. I've applied to multiple positions at Citi, even got a few referrals, but the rejections keep piling up. One of my interviews was particularly disheartening; only 2 out of 3 interviewers seemed engaged, and I never heard back for a second interview. I've tailored my resume for various roles that I believe I'm a great fit for, but all I get are rejection emails. The last application made it to the recruiter review stage, but after almost three weeks, I received an email saying I wasn't moving forward. At this point, I'm seriously considering not applying to Citi again. I really wanted to return since it was where I started my career in operations, but it feels like maybe I'm being protected from that place. I don't want Citi to affect my mental health like this. Has anyone else felt so discouraged by repeated rejections from the same company that they decided to stop trying?

I recently had a recruiter screen for a software developer role at a company using iCIMS. The screen took place last Friday, and the recruiter mentioned they would discuss candidates with the hiring manager the following Tuesday. The hiring process is supposed to go from recruiter screen to interview, then onsite, and finally an offer, with an estimated timeline of about two weeks depending on scheduling. However, I didn’t hear back on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, and my application status remained "Under Review" throughout that time. On Friday afternoon, I noticed that the application’s "Last Updated" date changed, but it still showed "Under Review." The last time the timestamp changed was when I was moved to the screening stage and received the interview request. I’m feeling a bit anxious since I haven’t received any rejection email or interview request yet. I’m trying to figure out if the timestamp update while remaining "Under Review" indicates any internal actions like recruiter notes or hiring manager reviews, or if it’s just administrative noise. I’m really hoping this means I’m still in active consideration rather than facing a delayed rejection.

I've been struggling with the job hunting process for the last few months, and it's been tough on my mental health. About a year ago, I was working as a freelance writer focused on video games, earning between $1000 to $3000 a month while living in a low-cost country. It was a great setup until around 4-5 months ago when all my clients suddenly stopped sending work. To make matters worse, I also had to end a significant relationship, which added to my emotional turmoil. Since then, my lifestyle has taken a significant hit. I've been sending out around 4-5 job applications daily, trying to pivot my career towards roles like UX Writer and Content Specialist, but I've only received a handful of callbacks and interviews. The majority of my applications have gone unanswered, leading to feelings of loneliness, guilt, and embarrassment. I'm 29 years old, with a master's degree in behavioral science and a bachelor's in human-centered design, and I never expected to find myself in this situation. My dad is the only breadwinner in our family, and as I approach my 30s with little to show for it financially, it's been a rough journey. I'm reaching out to see how others cope with the anxiety and depression that can come from this prolonged job search. I've tried to keep a routine, but it often feels overwhelming. Any advice on how to stay positive and motivated would be greatly appreciated.

I had an interview last week for a position that I thought went really well. The interviewers even asked me, "When can you start?" which made me feel like they were interested in hiring me. However, I've been trying to follow up with them about the next steps, and their responses have been incredibly slow. I reached out multiple times, but the recruiter told me to only contact them during business hours. Even when I did that, they just read my messages without replying. I mentioned during the interview that I had another interview lined up, and I wonder if that might have affected their interest in me. I’ve been told that it’s better to keep such information to myself, and I’m starting to think that my eagerness might have come off as desperation. I’ve learned that after an interview, it’s best to send a thank you note and express my continued interest without over-communicating. This whole experience has been frustrating, especially with how competitive the job market is right now. I’m planning to keep applying to other positions while I wait, but it’s hard not to get my hopes up about this one.

I’ve been job searching for a while now, applying through platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter. With 7 years of experience, I’m aiming for positions around $50k, but it feels like my resume and LinkedIn profile are just being ignored. It’s frustrating because I feel like I might as well be applying for jobs at Walmart or McDonald's instead. I can't help but think that the people who claim to have applied to hundreds of positions might be landing jobs that aren’t even listed on these sites. It’s disheartening and makes me question the effectiveness of these applications.

I got laid off this week from my role as a software development engineer at a mid-sized startup. I had a feeling it was coming for about a month, so I started looking for new opportunities right away. I was only there for nine months, just shy of my one-year mark, and the reason for the layoffs was attributed to AI advancements. As a full-stack developer, I thought I’d have a decent chance at finding another job, but it’s been really tough. Most openings seem to require two or more years of experience, and I’m struggling to find positions that fit my skill level. I’ve applied to numerous jobs, but many turned out to be ghost listings—no responses or rejection emails at all. It’s disheartening because I used to be really passionate about tech, but now it feels like the industry is closing its doors to newcomers. During my time at the startup, we had an appraisal round, and raises were minimal; most of my team received less than 10%, with many getting nothing at all. It seems like the focus is all on AI, and employees are being pushed hard without much reward. I’m starting to think about a career change while I’m still young. My dad has a business, and I’m considering joining him to help grow it. However, I worry that all my education and passion for technology would go to waste. At the same time, I feel anxious about the instability of tech jobs and the possibility of being laid off again. It’s a tough decision, and I’m still weighing my options.

I'm currently a teenager trying to secure a summer job, but I've faced quite a few challenges. So far, I've submitted over 10 applications and received four rejections. I'm feeling a bit discouraged and am looking for advice on how to improve my chances. I've heard that calling the places I applied to after about a week might help, especially in retail, but I'm unsure if that's a good strategy. I also understand that the job market is tough right now, with many adults competing for the same positions, which makes it even harder for someone like me. Any tips or insights on how to stand out would be greatly appreciated!

I recently applied for a remote job with Apex Marking Performance Solutions, which is a cold calling scheduling position. The pay starts at $7.25 during a two-week training period, then goes up to $15 an hour or commission, whichever is greater. I signed a lengthy contract that promised base pay, which eased my concerns a bit. However, I'm feeling anxious because the recruiter has been somewhat irritated with my inquiries about the next steps, and this is my first remote opportunity. I filled out a W4 and signed a 25-page contract, but I couldn't find much information about the company online, aside from some sketchy results. They claim to be working with a legitimate medical provider, which is reassuring. I start on June 15th, but I can't shake the feeling of uncertainty, especially since I need to provide for my family. I think I might just be being impatient, but it's tough when my only line of contact is this recruiter and I’m left waiting for updates.

I just had a very brief in-person interview for a temporary part-time office job at a well-known international company's HQ. I applied last weekend and got a text from HR about scheduling a phone screening, which happened the next day. Surprisingly, during the phone screening, HR focused more on selling the job rather than asking me questions. They mentioned that the manager could interview me the following day, but I was busy, so I went in today instead. When I arrived, I was interviewed by a different manager than expected. They asked me what HR had told me about the role, and I repeated it back to them. They emphasized that the job is simple and they want someone who can handle tedious work. I shared a bit about myself, confirmed my availability, and asked a couple of questions about the software and start date. They seemed eager, saying they wanted someone to start immediately and asked if I could start Monday, which I confirmed I could. The interview lasted only about 5 minutes, and they mentioned they were interviewing other candidates and would update me by the end of the week. I'm left feeling confused about how it went and whether I have a chance at the job.

I applied for a position at a large payment company about a month ago and have been checking the candidate page regularly. It still says 'Application under review', but I noticed that the job posting has been removed. I understand that this could mean a few things: they might have reached the candidate threshold, they could be sorting through applications, or the role might have been filled or even canceled. I'm trying to stay optimistic, but it's hard not to feel a bit ghosted at this point. I know there's no way to know for sure unless I hear back from the recruiter or hiring manager, but I'm left wondering what my status really means.