Applied to a Job

I recently interviewed for a corporate banking position at U.S. Bank, and I've gone through three meetings so far. My journey started when a relative, who retired after 50 years with the company, helped me get my foot in the door. She connected me with her former boss, who assisted me in polishing my resume and finding an opening to apply for. My first interaction was a coffee meeting with the hiring manager, which I felt went well. This led to a 30-minute Zoom interview with a recruiter, who indicated she would recommend me for the position. Just this week, I had an in-person interview with the same hiring manager, where we discussed the role for about 25 minutes. She mentioned that she was busy catching up after her vacation but hoped to make a decision by the end of this week. However, I received an email last night from the recruiter asking to schedule a second round Zoom interview. This was unexpected since the hiring manager didn't mention anything about needing another interview. I’m feeling anxious and unsure if this is a good sign or if I was overlooked for the role. I really need this job, and I'm trying to figure out if I should take a time slot for the interview or reach out to the hiring manager for clarification. Any advice would be appreciated!

I applied for a Credit Analysis role at Northern Trust (Job ID: R159975) through an employee referral on August 24th. It's been a while, and my application status is still showing "In Progress." I'm wondering if anyone else who applied or received a referral for this position has heard back from the recruiters, like if they got an online assessment email or a call. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I applied for an office job recently, even though I had no prior experience. During the interview, the interviewer looked at my resume, saw the lack of experience, and proceeded to interview me anyway. After just five minutes, he rejected me because I didn’t meet the qualifications. It felt like a complete waste of time for both of us. I tried to express my eagerness to learn quickly if hired, but it didn’t make a difference. I don’t understand why they even bothered to interview me if they were just going to reject me so quickly. On a brighter note, I did manage to get one interview after applying daily for four months since graduation.

I’ve been struggling with severe interview anxiety lately. It feels like no matter how much I prepare, the thought of sitting in front of an interviewer terrifies me. I’ve been applying to jobs but the idea of an interview makes me want to avoid the whole process altogether. I came across some advice suggesting that I write down answers to common interview questions to help me feel more prepared, like addressing my greatest weakness or other typical queries. Additionally, I’ve been trying to visualize myself as a more confident person during interviews, channeling someone I know who exudes confidence. I hope this approach helps me overcome my fears and land a job soon.

I recently received some valuable advice from the animal control officer in my county, who encouraged me to apply for a new position that just opened up. I've been working at my hometown humane society for about a month now, and prior to that, I spent 2.5 years at another humane society where I gained experience working alongside animal control. I’m currently updating my resume and debating whether to include my previous jobs in food service and retail, which I feel are not relevant to this new role. Although I lack the full three years of experience in shelter or veterinary medicine, I believe my background makes me a strong candidate. I'm excited about this opportunity and hope to make a compelling case in my application.

Today, I received some unexpected news from my director: my position is being eliminated, and I’m being transferred to a department I know nothing about—IT. I started this job back in 2005 as a temp in the mailroom, eventually becoming a full-time facility technician. Over the years, I've navigated through two acquisitions and six office moves, and I’ve been working from home since our office closed in 2025. With new management in place, I feel increasingly disconnected from the company. I was actually hoping for a severance package, which would have given me three months' pay, but instead, I'm facing a role that doesn’t align with my skills. My only connection to IT is my experience with physical security, which is now being integrated into their department. I have no technical background, and I worry about my ability to handle the responsibilities that come with this transfer. Financially, I’m in a decent position, having saved over $1 million through investments, which provides me with about $3,000 a month in dividends. However, living in a high-income tax state means I’m paying a significant amount in taxes despite being a low wage earner. At 48 years old, single, and without kids, I’m considering my options. I’ve started looking for other jobs, but my lack of motivation after doing so little over the past year is holding me back. I’ve heard about people moving overseas to reduce living costs, and while I’m intrigued, I’m unsure how realistic that is for me. I also have a pension kicking in at 50, which adds another layer to my decision-making. What would you do in my situation?

I recently graduated college and have been struggling to land an entry-level job. My volunteer experience and unpaid student assistant roles make up most of my resume, but I feel like they don't count as real work experience. I've been applying to various positions, including some familiar retail stores, just to get my foot in the door. I’ve received a few callbacks, which was encouraging, but during the interviews, I find myself explaining my experience in a way that feels inadequate. After each interview, I get rejections saying they found better candidates. It's frustrating because I have a degree, yet I feel unqualified for both entry-level positions and retail jobs. I’m starting to wonder if I’m presenting my experience wrong or if I need to find a different approach to my job search.

I've been working at a temp agency for about six months now, specifically with Robert Half, and I'm feeling pretty frustrated. The role I'm in is a long-term contract, but I don't have the benefits that come with being a full-time employee, which is really annoying since I'm treated like one. I do have health insurance thanks to the ACA and some sick leave due to state regulations, but I get no PTO or holiday pay, which has made things tough when unexpected situations arise. The company I'm contracted with is understanding and allows me to stay late or work overtime, which I appreciate, but I'm tired of being the middleman for Robert Half. They pay me significantly less than what I earned in previous roles and have been difficult when I've asked for raises. I'm considering applying for a permanent position internally or directly on the company's site because I genuinely want to work with them. I've been in my field for six years, have the education and experience to back me up, and I'm currently pursuing an additional certification. I initially took this temp job to get my foot in the door, but now I'm ready to take the next step. If anyone has advice on how to approach this or whether it's a good idea to apply internally, I would really appreciate it!

I’m feeling really frustrated with the job application process lately. I've been using the Easy Apply feature on Indeed, which allows me to send my résumé quickly to potential employers. However, I've noticed that for many of the jobs I apply to, companies still require me to go through their own application process. This means creating an account, uploading my résumé again, and filling out additional information, which can take 30 minutes or more. It just seems so unnecessary and time-consuming. I wish companies could streamline their processes instead of making candidates jump through hoops.

I recently started working at a family-owned Boba tea shop and I'm currently facing a dilemma. After my interview, I was informed that I would be on a paid trial for two weeks at minimum wage, where I need to learn the entire menu of about 25 drinks, as well as the opening and closing procedures. At the end of this period, there's a test to determine if I will be officially hired. I've only logged 17 hours so far and I'm feeling really unprepared for the upcoming test scheduled for Saturday. The job itself seems manageable and my coworkers are friendly, but the added pressure of the test is stressing me out. I've been using Quizlet to study the recipes, but I wish I had more time to prepare. Unfortunately, the manager reached out on my day off to remind me to be ready for the test, which makes me think they won't be flexible about extending the training period. I've started applying for other jobs because my confidence is low, and I'm questioning whether I should just quit before the test or give it my best shot, even if I feel like I might fail. It's frustrating to think that they would invest time in training someone only to let them go if they don't pass the test. I'm scheduled to work tomorrow and I'm torn about what to do.

I recently applied for a position that was essentially the same as my current role but offered a higher salary range. After completing a pre-screen interview, the topic of salary came up, and the recruiter informed me that they could only offer me the middle of the range, which was meant for what they called a 'unicorn applicant.' I expressed that my experience and qualifications exceeded their requirements and that I would prefer to be offered a salary closer to the top of the range. However, they stood firm on their offer, so I decided to politely decline. It baffles me that companies have a salary range but seem unwilling to pay top dollar for qualified candidates. They might end up hiring someone less experienced just to save a few thousand dollars, which seems short-sighted. I appreciate not having to go through a lengthy interview process, but it's frustrating to see such limitations in salary negotiations. It feels like a waste of a strong candidate's time.

I was laid off 11 months ago and I'm still struggling to find a job. I've had a few interviews, but each time I hear that someone else had more experience. I've tailored my resume and actively networked with companies, but I rarely receive responses. I've even hired two different career coaching services, but they ended up being a waste of money. Now, I'm forced to take a survival job because my finances are dwindling. I can't shake the feeling that this is my fault; I only have two years of experience, and it seems like all the junior roles I apply for go to candidates with much more experience. I feel like a failure for not landing a job yet, especially since I'm not picky about salary—I'm just trying to cover my rent. It's disheartening and I feel defeated.

I'm currently a junior in college and I've been struggling with my job search. I have no prior job experience, which makes me feel like I'm at a disadvantage. I've been applying to positions since July and have updated my resume multiple times to highlight my skills and achievements, but I've only received rejections so far. I have a career fair coming up in two weeks, and while I've found the list of companies attending, I haven't prepared as much as I should have. I'm starting to feel like I need experience to get experience, and I'm wondering if cold applying is even worth it at this stage. I also have concerns about what to do if I don't land an internship next summer, especially since I don't have a car. I'm considering whether I need to network more extensively to improve my chances.

I was laid off in July 2026 after over a year at my last job, which ended abruptly and without any severance. It's been a tough month since then, especially with my son just turning 5 months old. I've been actively applying and have managed to secure a few interviews, but I've faced disappointment each time, receiving the same feedback: "At this time we decided to move forward with another candidate." This has happened four times already this month. I hold an MBA and a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering, along with a drafting certificate in AutoCAD, so I feel qualified for many roles. Despite my efforts, the job market feels brutal. I filed for unemployment and WIC benefits to support my family during this challenging time. Today, I have an interview for an Entitlements Manager position with a homebuilder, and I'm hopeful about another interview next week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and praying for a breakthrough soon. Wish me luck!

I was made redundant in April and quickly found a job in May, but I absolutely hated it. I kept looking for better opportunities and attending interviews whenever I could. Today, I signed a contract for a brilliant new role that I’m really excited about! Throughout this process, my mental health has taken a hit, and I’m feeling scared about potentially failing in this new position. I could really use a boost of confidence right now. Wish me luck!

I recently faced a tough situation at my job as a data analyst for an oil and gas company. I had been feeling overworked and underpaid, so I started applying for new positions to either secure a better job or use as leverage for salary negotiations. I made it through all the interview rounds at a new company that offered the same role but with much better pay. I had my final interview last Monday and was waiting to hear back from them this week. Then, out of nowhere, my current company laid off my entire team—14 out of 18 people were let go, with only the directors remaining. It was shocking and really devastating because I had put in a lot of hard work there. Thankfully, I do have severance, but it doesn’t ease the blow. Now I’m left wondering if I should inform the prospective company about my layoff before they get back to me. On one hand, I could mention that I’m available to start immediately and that I can provide strong references from the directors. On the other hand, I worry that it might undermine my previous claims of being overworked and make me seem desperate. Plus, what if they think I was applying because I knew the layoff was coming? I’m 26 years old with four years of experience in data analysis, skilled in Excel, Python, SQL, and Tableau, and I hold a BS in data science. I could really use some advice on how to navigate this situation.

I got laid off from Legalzoom about a month ago after nearly 6 years with the company. Just yesterday, my wife, who worked at Blue Apron for the same duration, was also laid off. We’re both feeling terrified about how we’re going to make it through this tough time. I've signed up for unemployment and received my severance, but the job search has been brutal. I've submitted over 110 applications and only heard back from about 5 of them. We both earned around $23 an hour, but for some reason, my wife is getting significantly less in unemployment benefits than I am here in Texas, which is adding to our stress. I’m trying to find a remote job due to my disability and the fact that I don’t have a car. I’ve been updating my resume, doing daily job searches, and applying to 3-10 jobs each day. I’m constantly anxious about our situation, worrying about how to pay our bills and fearing that my wife, our two dogs, and I might end up homeless. Losing our health insurance is also a huge concern since we can’t afford our medications or even basic healthcare like flu and COVID shots. I’m reaching out for any advice or strategies that could help us navigate this difficult time. We’re doing everything we can to stay afloat, but it feels overwhelming and I’m scared that I’m letting my wife down.

I recently faced a tough rejection after applying for a volunteer position at a local café, where I offered to work for free, 20 hours a week. Despite my willingness to help, I was turned down because I mentioned that I shake a little bit. This experience left me feeling incredibly demotivated and questioning my ability to secure any kind of job, even one that doesn't pay. It's frustrating to think that I could more easily engage in illegal activities than find a legitimate job. I can't help but wonder why I would even mention my shaking during the application process, as it seems to have worked against me. I know that there are health issues that shouldn't be asked about in interviews, but I felt it was important to be honest. Now, I'm left feeling disheartened and reluctant to keep trying, especially when it seems like the job market is so unforgiving. I just wish finding a legal job wasn't so challenging.

I was fired in January 2025 and have been struggling to find stable employment ever since. After four months of unemployment, I landed a contract job, but they didn't renew my contract due to financial issues, leaving me unemployed again since May. Now, at 26, I feel like my engineering degree is worthless. I've been applying to jobs and going through phone interviews, but all I get are rejection emails, including one from a position I applied to back in April of last year. It's disheartening, especially with the rising cost of living and no income coming in. To make ends meet, I'm currently working in a warehouse, which is tough on my body, especially since it feels like I'm doing all the work myself. I never imagined I'd be in this position, and I still remember the day I was let go; that feeling of dread has lingered. I'm starting to doubt my career choice from eight years ago.

I recently went through the second interview process for a state government job that I applied for about three months ago. The hiring timeline has been slower than expected, but things picked up quickly after my interview when they asked for my references and a background check. This sudden acceleration has thrown me off a bit, especially since I have a surgery scheduled for mid-October. The surgery is important for my quality of life, and I need to have it done before the end of the year due to my health insurance deductible. I'm supposed to be out of work for about six weeks, but I’m hoping to return after four weeks since it’s a hybrid desk job. I’ve put my name on a cancellation list with my doctor's office, but there's no guarantee I can get in earlier. I'm feeling uncertain about how to handle this situation. At what point should I bring this up to the potential employer? I’ve never faced a situation like this before, where I might not be able to give the typical two weeks' notice. I'm just trying to navigate this uncharted territory.