Applied to a Job

I recently applied for a job in Virginia and, in a moment of desperation, I lied on my resume about having a degree that I actually don't possess. Now that I'm going through the background check phase, I'm feeling incredibly anxious about the situation. I'm not sure how to proceed, and I know that if this lie is discovered, it could cost me the job. I'm considering whether I should withdraw my application altogether to avoid the potential fallout. It's a tough lesson learned, and I realize I need to be more honest in my future job searches.

I recently received an invitation for a screening call after applying for a cleaning position at a hotel through Indeed. They reached out to me fairly quickly to discuss my previous experience, why I think I'm a good fit for the role, and a bit about myself. During this initial contact, they asked if I would be available for a screening call to go over the role further and to answer any questions I might have. However, they didn't provide much detail about the interview process itself. I'm unsure if this screening call is just a preliminary step to determine if I'm suitable for the role or if it could lead to an in-person interview if all goes well. From what I've gathered, screening calls are typically brief, lasting around 10 to 20 minutes, focusing on basic compatibility questions like availability, pay expectations, and whether I'm comfortable with the physical demands of the job. I'm preparing for questions about my schedule and experience, hoping to make a good impression.

I’m currently in my third month of unemployment and have been struggling to find a clear direction for my job search. At first, I thought the solution was simply to apply to more positions, but that only made things more chaotic. I found myself applying for project management roles one day, then operations, customer success, and even random analyst jobs the next. My resume became a jumbled mess, and I realized that recruiter calls were going nowhere because I couldn’t articulate my career path clearly. After a frustrating week of no progress, I decided to take a step back and simplify my approach. I narrowed my focus down to just two types of jobs and committed to ignoring everything else. Initially, it felt wrong, like I was closing off opportunities I couldn’t afford to lose. However, after a few days, I found that I could confidently answer the question, "What kind of role are you looking for?" without hesitating or listing multiple options. During this time, I also reflected on whether I truly wanted to pursue the same type of job I had just lost. I struggled to sleep and decided to try a coached career assessment, which helped me realize that I had been chasing titles rather than the work itself. This was a significant wake-up call for me. I’m still unemployed and actively applying for jobs, but at least now I feel like I’m telling a coherent story instead of trying to hit multiple targets at once. I hope sharing this experience helps other job seekers, and I’m also open to any tips or advice from others.

I had a frustrating experience recently while applying for a part-time entry-level hospitality job. The hiring manager initially scheduled an interview with me but ended up no-showing. After waiting for about 10 minutes, I received a text asking to reschedule, which I agreed to. However, she rescheduled twice and then completely ghosted me. It left me feeling confused and disheartened. I can't help but wonder if I did something wrong, but our only communication was through those texts. It’s disheartening to feel so eager to work and yet experience such disregard. I really want to find a job, but this situation has made me question if I should continue pursuing this opportunity.

I recently left my job at a dispensary in Colorado after working there for 2.5 years. I had a good relationship with my manager and HR, especially during my pregnancy, and they were supportive throughout. Before I went on maternity leave, we agreed I would return to work two days a week. However, after taking a four-month maternity leave, I found myself scheduled for only three shifts in my first month back. Despite my repeated requests for more hours, I only worked 12 shifts over the next three months. Frustrated, I decided to become a stay-at-home mom and gave a three-week notice, leaving on good terms. My manager even said I was a great employee and would be considered for rehire, promising a good reference. Fast forward six months, I started job hunting and reached out to my former employer to see if they had any openings, but they didn’t. When I began applying elsewhere, I learned that my former manager was giving negative references, claiming I had attendance issues. This was shocking because I never received any attendance points while employed there. I was only late once due to a train delay, and I even worked through illness. The manager failed to mention that my attendance issues were due to my son being born early. Now, I've lost job opportunities because of her comments, including an interview at another dispensary where the CEOs are friends. I'm worried about my future in this industry and feel stuck. I don't understand why they are sabotaging my job search after I left on good terms. I'm seeking advice on how to handle this situation and prevent it from affecting my family's livelihood.

I recently received an email about a job opportunity that I’m trying to evaluate. I’ve been feeling desperate to leave my current position, so I’ve applied to hundreds of jobs on Indeed, and now I’m struggling to keep track of which ones are legitimate. I reached out to the community for advice on whether the company, Datawize Technologies, is real. Some users confirmed that it is a legitimate company and that the recruiter seems credible, as she has an established LinkedIn profile. Others mentioned that scammers typically don’t post for on-site roles and that this email lacks the usual red flags. However, they also cautioned that it can be difficult to identify a scam just from a job description. I’m still trying to figure out if this opportunity is worth pursuing, especially considering the amount of travel involved for preliminary meetings.

I was laid off about four months ago due to my company's decision to centralize the executive staff in another country. Since then, I've found the job market at the executive level to be quite "interesting." Initially, I was skeptical about the advice I received regarding networking being crucial for job opportunities, but I've come to realize that around 85% of the traction I've gotten has indeed come from recommendations. I have a strong background in technology, ranking in the top 5% of my field, and while I don't have experience at major companies like Google or Microsoft, my extensive experience is valuable to many organizations. However, I’ve faced significant challenges with applying through LinkedIn. In the past four months, I've only had one serious opportunity from there, and most of my applications are met with quick rejections, often within hours or days, despite being a perfect match for the job descriptions. Reaching out to recruiters has also been largely ineffective; I suspect they are overwhelmed with candidates. Occasionally, I do get contacted by recruiters who express that my resume stands out, but then there’s often silence after that initial interest. On a positive note, I currently have two opportunities where I am a late-stage candidate, and I’m hopeful to land one of them. However, I can't help but wonder if I'm missing something in my job search strategy. The job market feels more than just "crazy" right now.

I graduated with a BS degree two years ago and have been struggling to find a job ever since. I've sent out over a hundred resumes and only managed to get four interviews, which has been incredibly disheartening. I've even faced rejections from places like McDonald's, which feels like a new low. Living in a rural area of Southern New Hampshire makes my job search even tougher. I have ADHD and am on the spectrum, which makes public interactions challenging for me. I also find warehouse jobs too mentally demanding, leaving me in a tough spot. I've been considering redoing my resume, but none of the online methods have worked for me, and I'm hesitant to use AI tools like ChatGPT. I really need help from a real person who can guide me through this process. The stress of this situation is overwhelming, and I'm feeling like I'm about to crash.

I recently applied for about 5-6 jobs and haven't heard back from any of them regarding interviews or rejections. It's been a bit frustrating since I’m eager to get some feedback. I reached out to a couple of companies about a week ago, and they mentioned they'd look into my applications, but I still feel lost. I'm wondering how long it typically takes for companies to respond, whether to schedule an interview or to send a denial. I’m open to any advice on what I might be doing wrong or if there’s something more I should be doing in my job search.

I've been job searching for a while now, and it's been really tough. I'm 21 and currently working at a local restaurant where I've been for almost four years. I started there during my senior year of high school, thinking it would just be a temporary gig while I pursued a career in radiology. Unfortunately, after getting rejected from the radiology program at my community college, I took a gap year and now I feel completely lost. I'm making $13.75 an hour, and there's no real growth potential at my job. I don't want to stay in the restaurant industry forever, but I'm starting to worry that I'll never find anything else. I've applied to numerous positions, but I often hear nothing back. The few interviews I've had felt promising, yet I still haven't received any offers. The anxiety I feel before interviews can be overwhelming, sometimes leading to panic attacks. It's disheartening to call back and find out I didn't get the job, especially after investing so much energy into the process. I keep thinking that my lack of experience, having only worked at one place, might be holding me back. It's frustrating because I can't gain more experience if no one is willing to hire me. I really want to take control of my career, but I feel stuck. I'm looking for advice on how to improve my chances of getting a job or at least securing more interviews. I've attached my resume for feedback, as I'm open to any suggestions on how to make it better.

I recently attended an open interview at Walmart, but unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to actually interview. They helped me complete my application instead, and I was told to expect feedback by Saturday. However, I'm feeling anxious about the outcome. I really need this job before school starts next month, and I'm under 18, which makes it even more pressing. I've applied to three different crew carwashes as well, but they all said there were other candidates who were a better fit. It feels frustrating, especially since these jobs are meant to provide opportunities for teenagers like me. I'm starting to wonder if my resume is too vague or plain. I don't have much extracurricular experience to list, as I don't get out much, and I'm concerned that this might be hurting my chances. Any advice on how to improve my resume or stand out in applications would be greatly appreciated.

I recently completed my M.S. in Medical Microbiology & Biochemistry and I'm currently teaching microbiology labs at a community college. I'm trying to transition into an industry microbiology position, so I've been applying to entry-level and lower-paying roles to gain experience. However, I've faced multiple rejections, with employers stating that I am 'overqualified.' This has left me confused because I'm willing to accept a pay cut to gain industry experience, which I value more than salary right now. I understand that I may not qualify for senior roles due to my lack of industry experience, but it's frustrating to be turned down for entry-level positions. I suspect that hiring managers think I will leave for a better opportunity as soon as it arises, which makes sense from their perspective since training someone takes time. However, I want to assure them that I'm genuinely looking for a stable, long-term role in microbiology, not just a stepping stone. Additionally, I’m pursuing a remote M.S. in Molecular Science & Software Engineering at UC Berkeley part-time, which I believe will enhance my skills without interfering with job responsibilities. I'm curious to hear from hiring managers or recruiters about this 'overqualified' issue. What can someone in my position do to alleviate these concerns? I want to improve my approach and better understand the reasoning behind these rejections.

I'm currently doing an unpaid marketing internship for a fashion brand in NYC, and it's been pretty draining creatively. I'm looking for a retail or food job that I can get quickly to help with my bills. Ideally, I need something that doesn't require too much mental effort and has low requirements. I've already applied to Target and a few other retail positions but haven't had much luck. I'm hoping to find companies with a quick hiring process. I've heard that places like McDonald's, local diners, or grocery stores often hire fast and might be worth checking out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I am currently working as a Hardware Engineer Manager with a salary of $110K and an approximate $10K bonus. My job offers 'unlimited' PTO, which I find appealing, but I haven't been using it to its full potential. My commute is about 25 minutes in the morning and 40 minutes in the afternoon, and while I have the flexibility to work from home, I usually go into the office most days. However, I find the work to be uninteresting, and I've reached a point where I feel I've learned as much as I can in this role. I recently received an offer for a Senior Electrical Engineer position with a salary of $140K, but the bonus is currently unknown. This new job offers 20 PTO days and requires me to be in the office five times a week, with every other Friday off. The commute is slightly longer at 30 minutes in the morning and 40-50 minutes in the afternoon. I believe this new role would provide me with valuable experience. While the new position seems better in many aspects, I am torn about whether to accept the offer or continue applying for other opportunities. I started my job search only a month ago, and I'm considering the feedback I've received from others about the potential for growth and experience in the new role.

I recently graduated with a degree in computer engineering and have been struggling to find an entry-level job in Virginia. Despite having a GPA above 3.0, I've sent out hundreds of applications without landing a single interview, which has been really disheartening. I even created a template to streamline the application process, but it hasn't helped much. Most of my classmates have secured positions with defense contractors, but that's not a path I'm interested in due to personal reasons. Today, I interviewed for a blue-collar job, but the employers were hesitant to hire me because of my engineering background; they doubted I'd stay for long. It's been tough, and I'm starting to feel really down about the whole situation. I just want to find work and start my career.

I've been reflecting on the job application process and how it's become a frustrating part of my life. Lately, I've been applying to hundreds of jobs every few years, and honestly, it feels far from normal. I often wonder how many months or even years I've wasted just submitting applications, only to be ghosted by employers. It’s disheartening to think about the time spent on this when I could be doing something more fulfilling. People around me complain about long commutes, but I find it equally troubling how much time we invest in job hunting with little to show for it. It seems like the days of walking into a business and getting hired on the spot are long gone. Now, we’re all just trying to navigate a system that feels rigged against us, especially if you're not part of the top 1%. I've seen some comments suggesting that this is the new normal, and while I understand where they're coming from, I can't help but feel that it shouldn't be this way. There has to be a better way to find jobs without losing our sanity. It’s wild how much effort we put in, and yet the return on that investment is often non-existent. I really hope to see changes in how companies treat applicants in the future.

I was laid off from my job in October 2025 and applied for unemployment benefits. After a lengthy job search, I secured a freelancing contract in February 2026, which just ended on July 1st. Now, I'm in a bit of a dilemma regarding my unemployment benefits. Should I reopen my previous claim from when I was laid off, or start a new claim altogether? I've heard that since I'm still within the same benefit year, I should be reopening my claim, but I'm unsure about the specifics. I would appreciate any guidance on how to proceed with this situation.

Applied at Dollar Tree for Unknown

Applied at Ascent Capital Group for insurance position

Applied at Sundayy for Unknown