Applied to a Job

I recently graduated high school a few months ago and have been struggling to find a job for steady income. It feels like every application or interview I go through ends with a rejection. I’m starting to wonder if this is a common experience for new graduates like me or if I should just wait until I start college. I’ve been advised that it’s normal for many people to face challenges in the job market right now, especially with the current economic climate. I've been told to focus on positions that don’t require prior experience and to apply in person at smaller companies. I’ve also heard that summer help opportunities are coming up soon, so I need to act fast. Fast food jobs seem like a viable option, and I plan to fill out an online application and then visit the manager in person. I know these suggestions might not lead to high-paying jobs, but I’m feeling the pressure to find something soon.

Applied at Lidl for Management Team Position

I have a phone interview scheduled for a corporate marketing support position at a large CPG company that competes directly with my current employer. I meet all the minimum and preferred qualifications for the role, which gives me confidence going into the interview. However, I've noticed that the salary range for this position is quite broad, with a difference of $64.1k between the minimum and maximum. To make the transition worthwhile, I'm aiming for a salary that falls between the 55th and 65th percentile of that range. I believe my experience and knowledge, especially coming from a direct competitor, justify a higher salary. I'm looking for advice on how to approach salary negotiations during the phone screen next week, as I want to be assertive yet realistic about my expectations.

I had a second stage final interview on Tuesday for a position based in the UK. I felt that the interview went well and ended on a positive note. The interviewers mentioned that I would hear back this week, but as of now, I haven't received any updates. I reached out to the recruiter this morning to follow up, and they informed me that they are still discussing my application internally. I'm starting to worry that I might be ghosted.

I recently found myself unemployed after 12 years in my field, and it's been a challenging journey. For the past six months, I've been applying for jobs, but I've only landed one interview, which resulted in a job offer that was significantly lower than what I earned a decade ago—$20k less, to be exact. This offer wouldn't even cover most rental costs in my high cost of living area. As my savings dwindle, I'm starting to consider a complete career change. I'm wondering if my skills are transferable to other fields or if I should consider going back to school. However, I'm hesitant to take on more student loans since I just managed to pay off my previous ones. Still, if the job market doesn't improve, I might not have a choice. Unfortunately, moving isn't an option for me due to family commitments. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has advice on tools that can help identify what other jobs my experience qualifies me for, or if there are career advisors who specialize in helping adults like me. I'd also love to hear from anyone who has successfully pivoted in their career, whether it was a voluntary choice or not, and what resources they found helpful.

I've been on the job hunt as a teenager and it's been really tough. I've applied to almost every place in my town and even the next town over, which is about a 30-minute drive. Despite my efforts, I've either received no responses or been rejected outright. I even tried applying to Chipotle and Target, but both said no. I've gone into a few places to introduce myself, but they told me they had no openings. I'm feeling pretty discouraged and I'm not sure what else to do. I'm wondering if calling the places I've applied to and introducing myself might help? Any tips would be appreciated!

I applied for a position at Target back in June with a start date in August. During the interview, there was a bit of confusion as the interviewer thought I could start immediately. I clarified that I would be available in August, and she was very understanding, expressing her desire to hire me for that time frame. She advised me to call the store's HR in late July or early August to kick off the hiring process. Now that it's late July, I'm preparing to make that call and wanted to gather some insights on the best approach. I'm considering the best time to reach out to HR, as I've heard mornings during weekday business hours are ideal. I'm also unsure whether I should ask for a specific person or just reach out to whoever is on duty in Team Relations/ETL-HR. Additionally, I'm curious about how Target typically manages candidates in my situation. Will they have my information on file, or should I reintroduce myself and remind them of our previous conversation? Any advice or tips on how to phrase my call would be greatly appreciated!

I'm currently exploring new job opportunities while working at my current position, which pays well enough for me to manage my finances and pay off debt. However, the long commute is becoming unbearable, and there are other factors motivating my search for a new role. I recently interviewed for a position at a smaller company that is closer to home and aligns well with my skills. This new role has a sales component, which I find appealing since I have some background in sales. The compensation structure is base pay plus commission, which is new territory for me. The base salary is $12,000 less than what I currently earn, but the on-target earnings from commission could potentially add around $10,000 annually. Additionally, there's a quarterly bonus structure that could bring in another $1,000 to $2,000. This means that if I perform well, I could end up making a similar or slightly higher income than I do now, despite the lower base pay. I'm still in the interview process and trying to gauge whether the drop in base pay should be a red flag for me. I really like the job itself and believe it would greatly improve my work-life balance due to the shorter commute. However, I'm hesitant about the commission aspect, as I've never worked in a role where my income could fluctuate based on performance. I'm wondering if I'm overthinking this or if I should be genuinely concerned about making the switch.

I recently went through an intense job search and managed to secure 3 job offers in just 3 weeks. I want to share what my experience was like, even though I don't think I did anything extraordinary. I focused on applying only to positions that were a genuine fit for my skills and interests, and I made sure to tailor my resume for each application. It really came down to timing and a bit of luck, but I also stayed consistent throughout the process, even when it felt discouraging. I was thrilled to see the results of my efforts pay off!

I recently went through a frustrating experience with a company while applying for an account coordinator role. After making it through a recruiter screen, an interview with the hiring manager, and a panel interview, I was feeling optimistic. The recruiter informed me that I was one of three finalists and scheduled a final interview with the department director for Tuesday at 2 PM. I took half a day off work to prepare, but just ten minutes before the interview, I received an email saying it was canceled due to an urgent conflict. The recruiter promised to reschedule, and I promptly replied, offering my availability for the rest of the week. However, after waiting for a few days without any updates, I followed up on Friday and again on Monday, reiterating my interest in the position. To my surprise, that same afternoon, I received an automated rejection email stating they were moving forward with candidates whose enthusiasm matched the team's needs. The recruiter later clarified that my communication after the cancellation didn't show enough urgency or interest. I was taken aback because I had responded quickly and followed up multiple times. It felt like they expected me to chase them down repeatedly, which seemed unreasonable. After investing a month of my time and effort, including taking PTO and preparing for a meeting that was canceled last minute, I was left feeling relieved that I didn’t get the job. It highlighted a workplace culture that values desperation over genuine interest, which is not somewhere I want to be.

I've been job searching for several months now, and despite having solid experience in my field, I feel completely lost. I've applied to numerous positions, revamped my resume, and updated my LinkedIn profile, yet I'm still getting very little feedback. It's frustrating to see others with less experience landing interviews while I'm left in silence. I'm really curious about what has worked for others who have managed to break out of a similar rut. Did you find that reaching out directly to hiring managers made a difference compared to just applying through job boards? Did any job search coaching or services provide real value, or were they a waste of resources? I'm not looking for generic advice like 'apply to more jobs'—I've already been doing that consistently. I want to hear about the specific strategies or changes that actually made a difference for you.

Today, I took a moment to reflect on my current situation. I'm 28 years old, working a dead-end job that barely covers my living expenses. I often find myself regretting not pursuing a college degree when I had the chance. At 18, I chose to avoid student debt, thinking it would be a smarter choice, but now I feel trapped in a cycle of low-paying work. I've spent the last two years trying to find better employment, but it feels impossible. I've applied for numerous entry-level positions, yet I'm not even getting callbacks or interviews. It's incredibly discouraging. I used to work in nightlife, which resulted in some gaps in my resume, but now I'm stuck, and the only job I seem qualified for is waiting tables. I'm seriously considering whether going back to school would be worth it. I need to make a change, but I'm unsure where to start.

Today, I had an interview for a basic data entry position, and I couldn't hold back my honesty any longer. When the recruiter asked what motivates me to wake up every morning for the company, I simply said, "Honestly, I just want the paycheck and the health insurance so I don’t die of a cold." Her reaction was priceless; her face dropped as if I had insulted her family. The room fell silent, and I realized it was the most genuine moment I've experienced in a corporate setting. While she went on about the company's mission and culture, I was just thinking about my rent and the reality of needing a job. When she inquired about my passion for the industry, I bluntly told her that nobody has a passion for spreadsheets at nine in the morning. Of course, I didn’t get the job, but it felt liberating to stop pretending. We all know why we’re there, yet we spend so much time acting like we're joining a cult rather than just applying for a job. It’s frustrating that companies expect total emotional devotion for a standard hourly wage. I’m tired of being judged on my ability to feign enthusiasm instead of my actual skills. Maybe I’m the fool for being too honest, but I’m just done with the corporate charade.

I was recently terminated from my marketing job, and it's been almost a month since then. This was my first job after graduating, and I had just finished paying off my student loans. I had the chance to become a graduate assistant last year but chose to focus on my loans instead, which now makes me feel guilty since I could have had my degree by now. Currently, I'm applying for various jobs but also considering a graduate assistantship that has come up again. It’s a part-time position, only 10 hours a week, and I would need to take classes for two years. The downside is that I can’t work a second job at the university, and there’s no work during the summer or breaks. I’m torn between taking this opportunity or continuing my job search for something more stable. With my termination, I feel like I’m behind on my goal of moving out this year, especially since my girlfriend and I are planning to get engaged. She works full-time, but I don’t want to stay at home forever. This decision is really weighing on me.

I recently went through an extensive interview process for a junior business analyst position at a company that seemed promising. I applied about five weeks ago, and the job listing clearly stated it was a full-time salaried role with benefits. During my first call with the recruiter, they confirmed the salary range, which further fueled my optimism. I had four interviews in total: one with the hiring manager, a panel interview with two analysts and someone from finance, and a final interview with the department director. I even completed a take-home assignment that took me around four hours, despite being told it should only take 90 minutes. Throughout the interviews, I received positive feedback and was told they were looking for someone who could grow into the role. The director even inquired about my availability to start, which made me believe I was a strong candidate. However, last Friday, I received a call from the recruiter informing me that, despite the positive feedback, leadership had decided not to fill the position due to budget concerns. I was disappointed but understood that budgets can change. What shocked me was the alternative they offered: a three-month unpaid internship with the same department. This role would require 25 to 30 hours a week of work, mostly remote, with no benefits and no guarantee of a job afterward. The recruiter claimed this internship would provide me with experience and keep me connected with the team, positioning me as a candidate if the full-time role reopened. I questioned whether the internship duties would differ from the original job, and she confirmed I would still be doing much of the same work, just without pay. I expressed my concerns about taking an unpaid position, especially given my years of office experience, but she insisted it was a solution within their budget. I felt frustrated and exploited, as it seemed they used the interview process to find a qualified candidate without the intention of hiring. Now, I'm faced with the decision of whether to accept this unpaid internship or decline. Part of me is anxious about turning down any opportunity, especially since I've been unemployed for four months. However, I can't afford to work for free, and I feel this offer is nowhere close to what I originally applied for. I'm contemplating how to decline professionally while making it clear that this isn't the position I was interested in.

I'm feeling really frustrated with the job market right now. I'm 22 years old and disabled, living in a small Republican town. I've applied to every job opening in my area multiple times, and I always manage to get interviews. I feel like I do well during them, but then I just never hear back positively. They often say they're keeping their options open or have found someone who fits better. I've tried everything from retail to entertainment and cleaning, but despite my efforts and experience, it feels like I'll never land a job again. It's really disheartening.

I was finally contacted by an employer after three and a half months of applying to jobs without any responses. I had applied for a position at a local hospital in early July that stated 'NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY' at the top of the job description. Nearly two weeks later, I received a text and an email from their AI hiring assistant to schedule a phone interview. I picked the soonest available time, which was a week out. The phone interview took place this week and went well. The recruiter walked me through the job specifics to confirm I understood the role, including location, hours, and pay, while also asking standard interview questions. At the end of the call, they scheduled me for an in-person interview and shared the expected timeline for a decision. I had my in-person interview yesterday, which followed a similar format—confirming job details, discussing duties, and answering a few more standard questions. The recruiter mentioned their hiring decision turnaround is about 48 hours, and the team lead I interviewed with said I would hear back either way within a week. So by next Thursday, I should know if I got the job. I'm still actively searching and applying elsewhere, but I have a really good feeling about this opportunity. Fingers and toes crossed!

I’ve been struggling to find a job since I lost my position at the end of last year due to cutbacks. After 12 years in the aerospace industry, I thought my experience would help me secure a new role, but despite applying to over 600 positions, I haven’t received any positive responses. The only feedback I get is about the gap in my work history since losing my last job. Now, I’m facing a dire situation as I’ve become homeless and am living out of my car. I’m at a loss for how to pay for food and have almost given up on the job market. It’s incredibly disheartening to see my qualifications go unrecognized.

I’m feeling really frustrated with my job search as a teenager. I’ve applied to over 40 jobs in my small town, but I’m hitting a wall since most places, like Starbucks, Taco Bell, and Ross, only hire people 18 and older. It’s tough finding opportunities that are open to teens. I’ve started reaching out to local small businesses to see if they’re hiring, but they all say no. I even called the places where I submitted applications, but they haven’t responded. In my desperation, I’ve begun applying for jobs in a neighboring town, which is about a 30-40 minute drive, but I’m willing to do it since options are so limited here. I did manage to get one interview at a new Chick-fil-A, but unfortunately, I didn’t get the job. I even tried starting my own small business doing window paintings, pricing them low at $30, but there hasn’t been much interest. I’m just really frustrated because I feel like I’m doing everything right. I have some experience selling concessions at school events and managing school merchandise, which I included on my resume. I just don’t understand why I’m being turned down for even the most common teen jobs like at the movie theater and fast food places. Any advice would be appreciated!

I recently came across a job opening that I was really excited about and saved it to apply later. Unfortunately, when I went to submit my application the next day, the position had already been removed. This was particularly disheartening because opportunities like this are quite rare in my area. I completely understand that I missed my chance by waiting too long. Now, I'm contemplating whether I should reach out to the department supervisor to express my interest in any future similar roles and share my resume, or if I should just let it go and wait for another listing to appear. I'm leaning towards sending the email, but I'm unsure if it would come off as inappropriate or desperate.