Applied to a Job

I'm currently in my final year of university, waiting for my convocation after almost completing my degree. Unfortunately, during campus placements, I faced a significant barrier due to my 10th-grade score of only 60%, which made me ineligible for many companies. Despite my efforts to improve my technical skills, this has been a persistent issue. In 2025, I lost focus on job placements and decided to build a faceless YouTube channel. This experience taught me valuable skills in content creation, marketing, and automation, but I neglected the job application process and internships, which I now realize was a mistake. Recently, I've been actively applying for roles like AI Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, LLM Engineer, Generative AI Engineer, and Data Scientist through various platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed. However, I haven't received any responses or interview opportunities, which is frustrating, especially since some of my friends have already secured jobs despite lacking coding skills. I feel like I'm not being shortlisted even though I've invested a lot of time learning AI and machine learning. It's emotionally challenging, especially since my family has invested heavily in my education, and I feel like I'm letting them down. I'm seeking serious guidance on how to move forward and improve my chances of getting a job quickly. Should I start cold emailing recruiters? How can I effectively ask for referrals? What strategies are currently working for fresh graduates in the AI/ML job market? I've shared my resume and am currently working on a project involving a RAG pipeline that allows users to interact with YouTube videos using AI, which I plan to add to my resume soon. I would appreciate any honest advice on breaking into the AI/ML industry and securing interviews.

I recently applied for a job and went through a rigorous interview process that included three rounds. The first round involved recording myself answering questions, followed by a personality assessment. After that, I had an OTP interview with management, which led to an onsite visit. During the onsite, I experienced what I believe was another interview, where they asked me how I felt about the experience. I sent a thank-you email right after the onsite interview, but now I'm in a waiting game. It's taking longer than expected for them to get back to me, and I'm starting to feel concerned. I'm considering sending a follow-up email on Monday to check in.

Applied at Staples for retail position

Applied at Infosys for Specialist Programmer

Applied at Fintech startup for Campaign Manager

Applied at Citi for Unknown

Applied at large payment company for Unknown

Applied at Job A for Unknown

Applied at Hardee's for Unknown

I was recently laid off from my role as a technical writer at a smaller branch of a larger company. The layoff happened unexpectedly on Wednesday, and it hit me hard, especially since I had almost three years of experience and this was my first real job after college. The branch has been struggling for the past year, and many of us anticipated this outcome, but the suddenness of it all was jarring. We received last-minute meetings scheduled on our calendars, and then it was announced. I have three weeks left until my final day on June 19th, and I'm feeling a bit lost about what to do next. I know I should start applying for new jobs, but I'm also considering starting an LLC for freelancing, particularly in my local area. I'm torn between focusing on job applications and pursuing freelancing at the same time. I'm reaching out for advice on how to best utilize these last few weeks to set myself up for success. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I recently had a second-round interview for a PMO Executive role at a well-established company, which is introducing a new PMO position. The interview was supposed to last 45 minutes but wrapped up in about 20 minutes. It didn’t feel negative; we covered various topics like PMO responsibilities and stakeholder management, but the early conclusion left me puzzled. Just five minutes after the interview, I received an email stating that my application is on 'interview hold' and that this is not a rejection. They mentioned they would get back to me if interviews resume. I learned that the HR coordinator is on leave for a long weekend, and I suspect there might be internal discussions regarding the role's approval or budget. While the email reassured me that it’s not a rejection, I’m trying to stay realistic about the situation. The quick follow-up email and the short interview duration have me questioning what this really means. I’m continuing to explore other opportunities, but I’m curious if anyone else has experienced a similar situation where the interviews resumed and led to an offer, or if this is typically just a polite way of saying no.

Today, I decided to take a proactive approach in my job search for junior accountant positions. I walked into several local firms and companies to inquire about potential job opportunities. I was a bit nervous at first, but I thought it might set me apart from other candidates who only apply online. I introduced myself, explained my background, and asked if they had any openings or if I could leave my resume. Some places were welcoming and took my information, while others were less receptive. Overall, it was a mixed experience, but I feel good about putting myself out there and hope it leads to something!

I've been on the job hunt for a while now and it's been quite the journey. I recently heard about a friend who applied to 900 jobs before finally landing an offer, which got me thinking about my own experience. I've submitted over 100 applications myself and am still waiting for that breakthrough. I've seen some stories where people get offers after just a handful of applications, while others seem to have to go through the grind of sending out hundreds. It's hard to tell if it's just luck or if there's a pattern to it. I'm curious about how many applications it typically takes for others to get an offer letter.

I recently had an interview for a position at a manufacturing company after a long gap in my employment. I had previously posted about my concerns regarding how to address this gap without resorting to dishonesty. During the interview, I was asked only two questions: why I applied for the job and what hobbies I have. After that, the interviewer gave me a tour of the facility, and I engaged by asking questions related to my past experiences and even made some jokes to lighten the mood. I felt the interview went well, and I was just informed that I got the job! I'm relieved and excited to start this new chapter.

I recently applied for a position at a tech company and after the interview process, I received a response stating they would keep my resume on file for future opportunities. I have to admit, I usually interpret that as a polite way of saying no. I understand why people might cling to hope after hearing that line, but in my experience, it rarely leads to anything substantial. Most of the time, it feels like a way for recruiters to close the conversation neatly after filling the position. Unless they provide specifics like a named future role or a timeline for when they might reach out, I tend to log these as rejections and move on. I don’t want to waste mental energy waiting for a callback that likely won’t come. If they do reach out later, that would be a pleasant surprise, but I’m not holding my breath.

I started my job search last September and was fortunate enough to land two offers within just 17 days. I accepted one and felt optimistic about my career. Fast forward to now, and I've been applying for jobs for over a month without much success. I've noticed a few frustrating trends: 1. The same job agencies are posting the same positions daily, making it feel like there are fewer unique opportunities. 2. It seems like many YC companies are not considering Indian developers for roles, which is disheartening. 3. Despite having more projects and increased experience, getting interviews has become significantly harder. 4. Filling out job applications is incredibly tiring and exhausting. 5. I often wonder how people on LinkedIn are securing jobs and sharing their successes while I struggle to even get noticed. Overall, the job market feels much tougher this year compared to last year, where at least I could apply to many places and get some rejections. Now, it feels like I need a stroke of luck just to find a proper opportunity.

I recently handed in my notice at my job as a temp in a recruitment role, and the experience has been quite tumultuous. Since October, 11 of us have left due to mismanagement and a toxic workplace culture. I raised concerns about the environment multiple times, which led to informal meetings with my managers, but things never improved. During my final week, I faced a family emergency that took precedence over work. While I was in the hospital with my relative, I tried to discuss completing my duties before my last day. However, my manager insinuated that because of my absence, she would have to be 'honest' in my reference, implying it would not be favorable due to the changes in our relationship. This felt deeply personal and irrelevant, especially given the circumstances I was dealing with. I had initially joined this role post-MA graduation, hoping for valuable experience, but the environment quickly became unbearable. I had to request mediation after a manager accused me of being homophobic for simply asking them to step away due to my immunocompromised status. After that, I tried to communicate my responsibilities as a carer, but my requests for reasonable adjustments were ignored. Despite raising concerns about the workplace culture, my manager often dismissed my feelings, which only added to my discomfort. After challenging a clinical decision made by another manager, I was accused of being aggressive, which was frustrating since I was merely advocating for proper procedures. I decided to hand in my notice after declining a permanent contract offer, feeling it was the best option given the situation. I have been actively looking for new roles and had one interview where I listed my line manager as a reference, but I didn't get the job. Now, with my family situation, I’m worried about how my manager's comments will affect my future references. I'm trying to figure out how to navigate this situation and secure a fair reference that reflects my work without personal biases.

I recently had an interview for a job overseas and I'm feeling a bit uneasy about the process. It's been almost a year since I lost my last job, so this is my first experience navigating these waters. During the interview, the HR manager asked me to confirm my interest in the role, and I mentioned that I would update the third-party agent who is assisting me. Now, this agent is pushing me to submit my personal details like my IC, passport, and degree certificate so their admin team can start processing the paperwork to send to HR. The problem is, I haven't received any official job offer yet, and I'm hesitant to share my information because I'm worried about potential identity theft. Is this kind of pressure normal in the job application process? I really need some advice on how to handle this situation.

I recently applied for a remote customer service/sales representative position that I found on Indeed, listed under a company called Agent Alliance. However, it turned out to be a recruiting agency, and the actual company name was never disclosed in the job listing. The role involved selling insurance, which I was initially interested in. After a few days, I received an email inviting me to set up an interview. The email was confusing, featuring multiple company signatures, including one for "Globe Life - Agent Integration." The recruiter used an email from clrco.com, which is associated with another staffing agency called Clear Company Talent Management. To add to the confusion, the recruiter who contacted me was linked to a webinar company named Demio. I'm feeling uneasy about the whole situation. The lack of clarity about the employer's identity and the multiple company names make me question the legitimacy of this opportunity. I reached out to the recruiter to ask for more information about the company, but they only confirmed my interview time without answering my question. Given all these red flags, I'm seriously considering skipping the webinar interview. It just feels too sketchy, and I don't want to waste my time or risk sharing my personal information with a potentially untrustworthy organization.

I've been unemployed for a month and finally decided to take action by applying for various roles. With over 10 years of experience in marketing, management, and finance, I was excited to hear back from three different positions. 1. KYC Analyst in the Banking Sector: This role is with an international bank, which has been a field I've wanted to break into for a long time. The salary is between 35,000 - 40,000 Units base plus undefined commissions. However, it feels like a downgrade from my last management position. 2. Business Developer (Sales): This position offers a base salary of 45,000 - 50,000 Units, with the potential for more through commissions and additional allowances for shifts and transport. The downside is that it requires me to return to a sales role, which I did for many years before. 3. Digital Project Manager (Marketing): This role aligns closely with my skills and experience, offering a base salary of 45,000 - 50,000 Units plus performance allowances and transport. However, the pay is lower than I would expect for a project manager role. I'm torn between my desire to advance my career and the need for a good salary. I want to make the right choice, but I'm not sure how to weigh these factors.