Applied to a Job

After being laid off for 9 months from my previous job where I worked for 5 years, I finally feel like I might have a job lined up. The process has been incredibly frustrating, as I sent out thousands of resumes and only landed about 10 interviews during that time. I made some progress with an IT staffing company, but it feels like I’m constantly being led in circles. The start date for the project I was promised keeps getting pushed back. Initially, I was told I would start in the first week of July, then it moved to mid-July, and now it's pushed to the end of July. This has been really stressful and I can’t shake the worry that this opportunity might fall through. I've signed an offer letter and have been completing onboarding tasks, but I'm also told I won’t receive any pay until the contract officially starts. I just hope this doesn't turn out to be a waste of time.

I recently graduated high school with strong grades and am currently pursuing my bachelor's degree. I can speak four languages and have skills in Adobe Creative Cloud, website building, and graphic design. Additionally, I hold a certificate in advanced waiter skills and have experience working in five-star hotels. Despite this, I've been applying for cashier and grocery stock jobs, yet I haven't received any responses, not even for positions that require no experience. I'm starting to wonder if I'm doing something wrong in my applications or if it's just the current job market. Some feedback suggested that I might be perceived as overqualified for these roles. I'm considering simplifying my resume to focus on my availability and customer service experience while downplaying my other skills for these lower-level positions. It's frustrating, especially knowing that the job market has been tough lately.

I’ve been laid off for about two months now from Upwork, and honestly, the job hunting experience has been pretty tough. I used to work in big tech but transitioned to remote contracts, and now I'm struggling to find opportunities in either area. Out of countless applications, I’ve only made it to one interview, which is disheartening. I understand the frustration many are feeling in this community, and I think it’s important to share some useful tips rather than dwell in despair. Here are a few strategies that I’ve found helpful: 1. I avoid using the 'Easy Apply' feature on LinkedIn. Instead, I search for jobs on LinkedIn but apply directly through the company's career website, especially if I don’t have a referral. 2. I’ve started focusing on jobs that were posted recently, ideally within a few days. This approach seems to give me a better chance of getting noticed. 3. I’ve also been using the Blind app, where people occasionally share insights about companies that are actively hiring. I’d love to hear how others are approaching their job searches and any additional advice you might have!

I have some great news to share! After a challenging two and a half month job search, I signed an offer yesterday. I’m based in Canada and have over seven years of experience in analytics and research, along with a graduate degree and legal credentials. I was laid off back in April due to a departmental restructuring following a leadership change, which left me unemployed for about two and a half months. During that time, I applied for over 30 positions, customizing my resume and cover letter for each application. I utilized AI tools to help identify keywords and sharpen my messaging to better align my experience with what employers were looking for. The first two months of my search were quite tough. I faced numerous screening calls that didn’t lead anywhere and received a lot of rejections, even for roles where I felt I was a perfect fit. It was a struggle to stay positive during that time. However, things started to turn around earlier this month. I attended a job search webinar that provided some valuable insights, leading me to completely revamp my resume to focus on results, alignment, and business impact. I condensed it to one page and prioritized the strongest information at the top. I also updated my LinkedIn profile and actively engaged with my network, reaching out to former colleagues weekly. As a result, three out of my four strongest opportunities came through warm connections who introduced me to internal decision-makers. Interestingly, the role I ultimately accepted came from a cold application via the company’s website. In just two weeks, I transitioned from having little traction to evaluating four solid opportunities. I decided to withdraw from one that didn’t seem like a good fit, continued with the others, and was thrilled to receive an offer from my top choice after a very positive second interview. The new position is with a large, stable company close to my home, offers a fully hybrid work environment, and includes a 20% pay increase. Most importantly, it aligns much better with my long-term career goals. I’m feeling thrilled, relieved, and still amazed at how quickly things changed once I gained some momentum. Here are my three biggest takeaways from this experience: 1. Leverage your network. Reach out to former colleagues; many are genuinely willing to help. 2. Use AI for more than just keywords. It can help clarify your value, connect your experience to the employer’s needs, and focus your resume on outcomes. 3. Explore every avenue. While warm contacts led to several great opportunities, the job I accepted originated from a cold application. Remember, you only need one employer who values what you bring to the table. Just one. Don’t give up!

I'm currently on the hunt for a full-time or part-time remote job that aligns with my interests. I recently tried my hand at data annotation, but after two weeks of applying, I haven't had any luck, which is quite frustrating. Most of the positions I'm coming across are in the insurance sector. While I'm not completely opposed to it, I applied to one company and got accepted, but I'm being assigned to a role that wasn't what I expected. This seems to be a recurring theme with the new opportunities I'm finding. I realize that many insurance roles require strong social interaction skills, which I struggle with. The idea of having to engage with numerous people to secure contracts feels overwhelming, and I prefer more personal interactions rather than purely transactional ones. My priority is to find a stable job that won't leave me in a tough spot financially, especially since I feel a responsibility to support my family and can't rely on my parents for help right now. I'm wondering if there's a better fit out there for me, or if I should just hold off until I finish my degree in psychology to find something in my field.

I recently went through a bit of a stressful situation regarding a job offer I received from a tech company where I was referred by a former coworker. About two months ago, I applied for a role there, but I didn’t get it. However, a month later, my referral helped me apply for the same position in a different department. This time, there was no official job posting, and no one asked about my educational background during the process. I ended up receiving an offer, which was great news! However, I had to undergo a background check that included education verification. On my resume, it appears that I have my degree, but the truth is I never completed it. When prompted during the background check, I selected 'currently enrolled' as my status, thinking it was the most accurate option since it doesn’t imply I graduated. Now, I’m feeling anxious because they will be verifying my education, and I worry they might think I’m lying based on my resume. The offer I received states that it’s conditional based on their satisfaction with the background check and conflict of interest check, but it doesn’t explicitly say I have to pass it. I have to give notice at my current job on Monday, and I'm really worried that if they find out about my education situation, they might rescind the offer after I quit my current job. I’ve been advised to wait until the pre-employment checks are cleared before giving notice, but I’m feeling a lot of pressure. I hope everything turns out okay.

I've been actively searching for jobs and it's been quite a rollercoaster. Recently, I learned that LinkedIn is under investigation in Texas for ghost jobs, which are essentially job listings that don't actually exist or that companies have no intention of filling. It's estimated that 20 to 33% of online job postings might fall into this category, meaning that a significant portion of applications could be going nowhere. On top of that, I've noticed that Indeed's new AI features aren't much help either; they often recommend jobs that don't align with my background or show listings that are no longer available. With the two major job boards being so unreliable, I'm left wondering where to focus my efforts. I’ve been applying directly through company career pages for the last three months, and I've managed to secure two interviews this way. I find that using LinkedIn mainly to identify companies and then visiting their career pages has been more effective than applying through LinkedIn itself. I've also heard from others that referrals seem to be a reliable way to land interviews. A former coworker of mine recently helped me out by sending my resume to his manager at his new company, which I think is a great strategy in this tough job market. I’ve also explored other platforms like Greenhouse, Glassdoor, Click Hired, and Wellfound, which have yielded better results for me. It seems that applying through company sites directly is the way to go, as they tend to be more trustworthy than the job boards right now.

I've been feeling really stuck in my current job as a flooring installer, and it's taking a toll on my body. I have a solid background with a bachelor's in business management and a certification in construction management, but I feel like that was a waste of time. I ran my own salon from 2017 to 2020 and have over 10 years of experience in flooring and customer service, often in managerial roles. Despite this, I've been applying for new jobs for almost a year now and either get no responses or am told I'm overqualified. I've even tried applying to home builders, leveraging my construction experience, but they keep saying I need a master's in construction management. The pay for starting positions is also disheartening. I'm considering getting another certification in tech since I've always had an interest in it, but I'm hesitant to invest time and money into something that might not pay off. I really want to make a change but feel lost on how to proceed.

I had a call on Wednesday with a recruiter for a job I applied for, and I was thrilled to hear that they responded quickly. The recruiter mentioned that I have great experience for the role but that I needed to complete a personality test and a cognitive aptitude test to move forward. I’m not usually a fan of these tests, but I went ahead and completed them the same day. Later that day, the recruiter emailed me to acknowledge the tests and asked for my availability for an interview with the hiring manager next week. I replied within an hour, but now it's Friday and I haven't heard back yet. I know it's only been a couple of days, but I'm feeling a bit anxious since I have limited availability due to my current job. I’m considering following up, especially since I need to plan ahead if I have to take time off for the interview. I’m thinking of waiting until Monday around noon to check in, just to let them know I’m still interested and that I need to sort out my work schedule.

I'm a 20-year-old woman currently in the UAE, facing a tough situation after being kicked out by my family for converting to Christianity. Right now, I'm homeless and urgently seeking guidance and support. I've been spending my days traveling around Dubai, distributing my CV to various hotels in hopes of finding a job that will help me become financially independent. I'm not looking for financial assistance, but rather any advice, job leads, or resources that could help me get back on my feet. If anyone has suggestions or can offer support, I would be incredibly grateful. Thank you for your time.

I recently applied for a job through Indeed and was surprised when they responded with a requirement to submit a 20-minute video answering interview questions as part of their application process. If they think I'm a good fit after that, there's a follow-up Zoom interview. Given my current financial struggles, I'm going to go through with it, even though I feel that some of these application requirements are excessive. Why not just a simple phone screening? It's frustrating how the job market has evolved into this. I feel like I have no choice but to comply.

I graduated with a computer science degree just two months ago and have been diligently applying to software engineering jobs every day. Despite having completed two SWE internships, my job search has been incredibly disheartening. I've received very few rejections, but mostly, it's been silence—no interviews and no feedback. I keep seeing new job postings pop up, but I'm starting to question their authenticity. Are these companies genuinely looking to hire, or are they just collecting resumes and ghosting applicants? It feels like many of these roles might be filled internally or that the hiring process is taking an eternity. I understand that job searching can be tough, and I've seen some comments about others being unemployed for a year or more, but I really don't want to end up in that situation. I’m just trying to grasp the reality of these job postings and figure out what I might need to change in my approach. It's frustrating to feel like I'm putting in so much effort for little to no return.

I started my unemployment journey on May 17th after being laid off from my retail job. Since then, I've been applying for jobs and trying to get my unemployment benefits sorted out. It's been a frustrating process with multiple hurdles. First, I had to verify my identity, which I did quickly. Then, they requested more information about my case. My hours were cut for about three weeks before I was fully terminated, and my employer confirmed there was no misconduct on my part. However, there was some confusion because my employer claimed I reduced my own hours, which was not the case. Every time I reached out to my manager, they told me the cuts were out of their control and just what the system dictated. I communicated this to my claims representative, and they verified it as well. Now, this is my fifth time requesting payment this week, and it still shows that nothing will be released. I received a message saying I CAN be paid benefits if I complete the remaining steps, but I'm still waiting. This is my first experience with unemployment benefits, and I had no idea it would be this complicated. If I had landed a job by now, my claim would be canceled, but the whole process has turned into such a hassle.

I'm currently on the hunt for a remote job due to some medical issues that make it difficult for me to work outside of the home. I've been applying to various positions, but it feels like most of the listings I come across are either scams or not legitimate. I'm feeling a bit lost on how to effectively search for and apply to remote jobs. If anyone has tips or resources that helped them find their remote positions, I would greatly appreciate it!

I recently experienced a quick and unexpected job transition. I (M26) was hired on the spot for a job at Company #1 after just one interview. It seemed like a decent opportunity at first, but shortly after, I received a call from Company #2 with a job offer that was significantly better in terms of pay, benefits, and overall work environment. After careful consideration, I decided to accept the offer from Company #2. When I informed my boss at Company #1 about my decision, she reacted negatively and told me that my time there was over, insisting that I leave immediately. This left me feeling uneasy, especially since I had only been there for a week and was concerned about not getting paid for that time. Looking back, I wonder if I dodged a red flag with Company #1. They hired me so quickly, which I've heard can be a warning sign in corporate roles. In contrast, Company #2 had a more structured interview process, which made me feel more secure about my decision. I’m curious to hear thoughts on whether I made the right choice or if I’m just trying to rationalize my feelings about the abrupt end at Company #1.

I’m 26 and currently looking for work after being laid off from my tech job earlier this year. I was making $60k a year, but the company wasn't profitable, leading to mass layoffs. I live in an at-will state, so I was let go without much warning. Thankfully, I still have a part-time job where I can pick up shifts, which helps a bit financially. My daily routine consists of applying for jobs in the mornings, running errands in the afternoons, and going to bed early like I did during my 9-5. I’ve reached out to former professors and managers for feedback on my strengths, which seem to be my friendliness and reliability. However, my parents are worried about my finances since they’re nearing retirement and we still have an $80k mortgage. I’m trying to secure at least $1,000 in take-home pay, so I’ve been applying to part-time jobs that pay $15 or more while also targeting full-time positions. I’ve noticed that job applications can be competitive, with over 100 applicants for some roles on LinkedIn. I feel a bit lost since my experience is mostly in retail and one tech role. I’ve signed up for a job fair and am exploring freelance or gig work options, but I’m unsure if that’s the right path. I’m also hesitant about driving jobs due to my anxiety and medication side effects. Overall, I’m trying to stay positive and keep my options open, but I’m feeling the pressure to find something soon.

I recently went through a lengthy application process for an Automation Software Engineer position at a large company, which lasted about two months. I had two technical interviews with the hiring manager that went really well, and we had great chemistry. I made it clear that I was open to business travel, but only for short and occasional trips, and they seemed fine with that. Yesterday, my recruiter reached out to say that the company wanted to consider other candidates before making a final decision. She reassured me that she hadn’t found anyone with better skills than mine and asked me to wait a few days. I thought that was reasonable. However, today I noticed that the same job ad was reposted on LinkedIn as 'Promoted', and it was eerily similar to my profile. They even included a line about travel that matched my exact boundaries. It feels like they are using my feedback to attract someone else while keeping me on the hook. I’m planning to address this with them on Monday, but I'm really unsure how to interpret this situation. Is it normal for companies to sponsor ads while they’re still in the decision-making process? I feel like I’m being used as a backup plan.

I was recently laid off from a fintech company after just 6 months due to what they called "team realignment." Initially, I felt devastated as this was my first experience with a layoff. However, I quickly decided to take proactive steps to get back on my feet. First, I updated my LinkedIn profile and even signed up for a free trial of LinkedIn Premium. This turned out to be beneficial as several recruiters reached out to me through the platform. In fact, I landed my new job thanks to a recruiter who contacted me directly. Next, I made sure my resume was current and included relevant keywords. I learned that many companies use AI tools to screen resumes, so I took the time to ensure mine would pass through those filters. I even used ChatGPT to help enhance my resume with the right keywords. Lastly, I focused on my mental health. I didn’t rush into the job search; instead, I took some time to relax and recharge. I went for walks, spent quality time with friends and family, and allowed myself to enjoy some much-needed downtime. I want to share this experience to give hope to others who might be going through a similar situation. It's definitely possible to find a new job after a layoff, and there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

I recently received a call for a second interview for a branch manager position at Airgas. I'm excited but also a bit nervous, as I've seen mixed reviews on Glassdoor regarding the company. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has insights or experiences working there. I want to make sure I ask the right questions during the interview, especially about team culture and growth opportunities. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Applied at XYZ Corporation for marketing coordinator