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I'm currently a college student entering my fourth year this August. This summer, I decided to take a few classes to improve my GPA and prepare for actuarial exams. I've always worked, and last year I moved back in with my mom after living independently while juggling three jobs. I expected to easily find a summer job given my extensive experience in entry-level positions like cashiering, serving, and even managing a store. However, I've applied to hundreds of minimum wage jobs and haven't received a single interview. I've tried calling and visiting local businesses, but most just ask me to drop off a resume. This is frustrating because I've never had to go to so many places without getting any response. I’m available to work 30-40 hours a week now and up to 20 hours during the school year, which I’ve communicated in my applications. I’m starting to wonder if my experience is working against me, as I've read that employers might see candidates with too much experience as having higher expectations. I’ve never held a salaried position, so I’m confused about why I’m struggling to get interviews. If anyone has insights or advice on this situation, I would really appreciate it!

I experienced a significant layoff on May 1st, and it was an emotional roller coaster for me. I had dedicated so much to the company, working 60-70 hours a week and taking on new responsibilities as we grew from a startup of 32 employees to over 400, only to face five rounds of layoffs, with the final blow coming from a merger. I felt crippling grief, depression, and anxiety, and honestly, I spent two weeks in bed trying to process it all. After that, I decided to tackle my job search by reworking my resume and cover letters for every application. It felt insane to review my resumes from the past 30 years, but I really needed to refine everything I had done since my layoff. In just the past 48 hours, I was amazed at how going through this process helped me understand my professional journey. I created a 'Single Source of Truth' resume, which wasn't meant for applications but rather to help me accurately build tailored cover letters and resumes for specific roles. Completing that document brought me to tears; it was the first time I felt I could clearly articulate my career progression. Taking a step back to analyze my job titles and experiences was challenging, but it was a necessary exercise that most people never undertake. Now, I'm just hoping for another interview opportunity!

I was laid off about a month ago from Goldman Sachs, where I worked as a Software Engineer. Since then, I've been actively searching for new opportunities, but the job market has proven to be more challenging than I anticipated. I have around 2 years of experience in software engineering, having also worked at Citi. My expertise lies in backend development, distributed systems, automation, and data platforms. I'm proficient in Java, Spring Boot, Python, SQL, PostgreSQL, Angular, and cloud-native development. I'm currently looking for Software Engineer or Backend Engineer roles with 0-3 years of experience and would greatly appreciate any leads, referrals, or advice. I'm open to opportunities in product companies, fintech, startups, and enterprise software. If anyone has any suggestions or knows of openings, please feel free to DM me, and I can share my resume.

I took a career break three years ago from my role as a mechanical designer to fully immerse myself in studying data analytics. I dedicated around 10 hours a day to learning technologies like Python, SQL, and n8n. I had enough savings to support myself initially, but after a year of intense study, I started applying for jobs and attending interviews. As my finances began to dwindle, I took on temporary jobs in bartending and warehouse work to make ends meet. Unfortunately, the AI boom significantly impacted the job market, leading to a reduction in junior positions, and I struggled to find a role in data analytics for over a year. Now, I've decided to return to mechanical design and I'm currently trying to figure out the best way to explain this career gap on my CV.

I had an interview at the YMCA on May 10 for a part-time position, which I was really excited about because I loved the environment and the mission of the gym. After the interview, the hiring manager rushed me to send over my references that same day, which made me a bit uncomfortable as I wanted to check with my contacts first. Nevertheless, I sent them over. She mentioned she would call my references the following day, but that didn’t happen. As the weeks went by, my references were left waiting, and I found myself emailing her multiple times for updates. It took her a while to finally reach out, and when she did, it was after I had already accepted another retail job out of concern for my finances. Four days after I accepted the retail position, I received a text from her saying not to leave her and that she was still working on things. I expressed my continued interest, but there was still no formal offer. Eventually, I got an email with a 'conditional offer letter' that stated I was expected to work 0 hours a week, with hours varying based on the department's needs. This feels very insecure to me, especially since I need at least 15-20 hours of work weekly. The whole process has been frustrating, and I'm unsure if I should just forget about this opportunity or hold on to it. It’s a part-time job at the YMCA, not some corporate gig, so I’m really questioning the reliability of this offer.

After submitting around 150 job applications, I realized I needed to change my approach. Initially, I was doing the typical process: uploading my resume and retyping my information for each application, which was exhausting and time-consuming. What really helped me was separating the application process into dedicated blocks of time instead of spreading it out throughout the day. I started using a tool called Simplify that handles autofill for major ATS systems, which saved me a lot of repetitive work. For the custom portals that didn’t work with that tool, I set up standard answers in Quickform, which I could easily refill in Chrome. This way, I didn’t have to tailor every single response, but it significantly reduced the amount of retyping I had to do. I also made a point to avoid applying to listings that seemed like ghost jobs, which helped me focus on more legitimate opportunities. Overall, these changes didn’t lead me to apply to more jobs, but they made the process less taxing on my time and energy. I’m curious to know what other strategies have worked for you in terms of improving the application process!

I was laid off last week at 26 years old, and I have a master's degree. Currently, I'm living at home with my parents, which provides some security, but I'm feeling uncertain about my next steps. I'm torn between taking a job outside my field, like waitressing or administrative work, or holding out for something in my area of expertise. I want to be employed, but I also worry about taking a position that won't contribute to my career growth. I've heard that being employed can make it easier to find a job, and I'm considering filing for unemployment right away. I know I need to update my resume and start applying to jobs related to my degree, but I'm also open to temporary work to keep some income coming in while I search for the right opportunity. Any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I had a really strange interview experience recently that left me feeling confused and a bit shaken. I applied for a position at a company that seemed normal, and I had a pleasant email exchange with the director before the interview. However, once I joined the Zoom call, things took a turn. There were three people on the call: the director and two female team members. One of the team members had a judgmental look right from the start, but I tried to brush it off as just her demeanor. However, when she started speaking, it became clear that she was aggressive and confrontational. It felt like she was treating me as if I were her enemy, and I couldn't understand why. During the introductions, she monopolized the time with a lengthy explanation of her background, while the others kept their introductions brief. Then she made a comment about the company's growth and how picky they are with hiring, which felt like an unnecessary pressure tactic right off the bat. I was caught off guard and didn't know how to respond. When I shared my enthusiasm for my current job, she shot back with, "So why are you looking for other jobs?" It felt like she was challenging my motives in a way that was both confrontational and confusing. I tried to explain my reasons for wanting to move to a smaller team, but she pressed further, asking me what I didn't like about large teams. At one point, she asked if I had any videography experience, despite me having already answered that earlier in the interview. It was clear she wasn't actively listening. Then, she made a strange comment about my remote work situation, asking how I felt about the hybrid schedule, which was already stated in the job posting. It felt like she was asking me a question that was completely unnecessary and poorly worded. The interview took another odd turn when she randomly asked if I was planning to pursue a PhD, which was completely out of the blue and had no relevance to the position. Overall, the whole experience felt surreal, and I couldn't shake the feeling that she had it out for me from the beginning. The other two team members seemed uncomfortable as well, which added to the awkwardness of the situation. Has anyone else experienced something similar during an interview?

I graduated two weeks ago with a degree in Computer Information Systems, focusing on data management. Since then, I've been actively applying for entry-level data entry positions, but I'm finding that many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree, which limits my options. I'm currently at the stage where I'm trying to figure out the best approach to my job search. I have a few questions: 1. Does it really matter what time or day I submit my applications? 2. Besides being ghosted, how long should I realistically expect to wait for a response after applying? 3. My resume is quite short, featuring just my education and one work experience. Is this a red flag for recruiters? I landed my previous job right out of high school, so I lack additional experience and internships. 4. Apart from data entry and data analysis, are there other job titles I should consider? 5. I'm primarily using Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor to find job postings. Once I find a listing, I try to apply directly on the company's website. Are there any other job search sites I should explore? I came across Sprouts, but I'm hesitant to pay for it. I understand the job market is tough, especially as a new graduate, and I’m trying to keep my expectations in check. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

I recently had an interesting experience with a remote sales role at a startup that reached out to me on LinkedIn. As a fresh master's degree graduate with some internship experience, I was initially skeptical when the HR representative contacted me, but after researching the company, I found it to be legitimate and decided to proceed. The first call with the HR lady went well; she was polite and explained that the role was fully remote with compensation that matched my expectations. She mentioned I would have to speak with a junior team member and then the chief revenue officer (CRO). However, the junior team member was busy during our first scheduled call, so we had to reschedule. On the second attempt, the junior guy was again unavailable, but the HR lady connected me with the sales director for my region. This conversation felt more like an informational session than a formal interview, and I felt a good rapport with him. He mentioned that the company was scaling up, which kept everyone busy, but he seemed positive about my fit for the role. After that, I was informed that the director thought our conversation went well, and I would need to speak with the junior guy again. This time, he did join the call, albeit late. The interview felt quite different; he was less expressive and it felt more like a routine Q&A. However, he did seem to agree with my responses and mentioned he would follow up with the director about my interview. I’ve been feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety since then. The junior guy's comment about following up gave me hope, but the lack of response from the HR lady after my follow-up email has left me uncertain. I’m not sure if I need another interview with the CRO or if the sales director's interview suffices. I really want this job, but I’m anxious about how many other candidates are in the running and what the next steps will be. I feel like I did my best in the interviews, but the waiting is nerve-wracking.

I recently graduated with a BSc in psychology and have been actively job hunting. I managed to secure an interview for an 8-week research position at a labor union, which involves analyzing collective bargaining and worker benefits. However, I'm not particularly interested in this field, and it feels somewhat unrelated to my career goals in medicine. The pay is decent at 23 CAD/hour, and I think it could add some experience to my resume since I currently only have my honours thesis and a bit of lab work. I'm torn about whether to go through with the interview or cancel it. I had planned to spend the summer preparing for a nuclear medicine program, and I wonder if it would be more beneficial to focus on studying and volunteering in hospitals instead of taking a job that feels irrelevant. I'm considering the potential value of the interview experience itself, but I'm also wary of committing to something that doesn't align with my interests.

I'm an early-career biotech graduate with nearly three years of work authorization remaining on my OPT and STEM OPT. I've been actively applying for roles in the biotech field, specifically targeting positions that align with my experience in NGS at a major core facility. Despite my qualifications, I keep facing challenges related to work sponsorship. Many companies explicitly state 'no sponsorship' in their job descriptions, which prevents my resume from even being considered. Even when I find a role that seems like a perfect fit, I often get screened out during the initial stages simply because of the sponsorship question. For instance, I recently had a screening with a large pharmaceutical company for a role that matched my resume closely. Unfortunately, I didn't progress past the first question about work authorization. The recruiter explained that the company does not sponsor candidates at the entry-level title I am targeting, even though I might be in a different position two years from now. She encouraged me to keep applying for similar roles, but it feels like a dead end. I've been strategic in my job search—tailoring my applications, networking, and doing everything right on my end, yet I keep hitting this wall. My theory is that companies might be avoiding sponsorship for entry-level positions due to H-1B wage floor requirements, making it economically unattractive to sponsor even strong candidates. I'm also wondering if companies are becoming more cautious about hiring OPT/STEM OPT candidates in light of current immigration policy uncertainties. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has navigated this situation, especially from the perspective of recruiters or hiring managers. I'm feeling a bit lost and would appreciate any insights.

I received a call from Enterprise regarding a job opportunity. I had previously applied and was in discussions with them, but they chose another candidate at that time. Surprisingly, they reached out to me weeks later to see if I was still interested in the position. The timing of the call was unusual as it was on a Saturday evening at 6:30 PM. Furthermore, my initial interview was quite early at 7:30 AM, with options starting as early as 6:45 AM, which is not something I’ve experienced before. I’m curious if anyone else has insights about working for Enterprise in the used car rentals sector, especially given the peculiar timing of their communications.

I’ve been applying for jobs in the political science field without much luck, and I’m feeling a bit lost. I really need some guidance on what roles I might qualify for based on my resume. I know there are areas I could improve, like the formatting and even a misspelling of Excel, but I’m not sure how to focus my search effectively. I want to tailor my applications better and highlight the relevant skills and experiences that align with the positions I’m interested in. I’m considering reaching out to professionals in the field and possibly getting a second opinion on my resume. Any advice on how to approach this would be greatly appreciated!

I have been actively job hunting for the past three weeks, primarily applying for roles as a support worker or teaching assistant. I’ve been using platforms like Indeed and Reed, but it feels like something is missing in my approach. I have some experience, having worked for three months at the school where I completed my A levels, and I started my job search immediately after my last exam. So far, I've received a few responses, but many applications seem to vanish without a trace. The replies I do get often mention a need for personal care experience, despite my clear indication that I’m not looking for that. Others request more experience or qualifications than I possess. To bolster my CV, I completed three Level 1 courses in childcare, but that hasn’t led to any breakthroughs. Most positions seem to require two years of experience, which is quite challenging for someone my age (18). I’ve also begun exploring receptionist roles, as I have some internship experience in that area, including three weeks at a reception desk and work as an interpreter for solicitors. I’m feeling a bit stuck and am looking for advice on how to improve my chances of landing a job. I believe my CV is decent, as I get responses from about one in three applications, but I’m unsure what changes I can make to achieve better results.

I was recently fired from my job due to 'misconduct' as stated on my termination form back in February. It was a tough time for me, and I acknowledge that I made some mistakes during that period. Fortunately, my husband supported me, allowing me to focus on completing my master's degree and take a much-needed break. Now, I feel much better and ready to move forward. I've secured an interview for a supervisor position working with individuals with developmental disabilities, which is a role I'm really excited about. I'm unsure if my termination will come up during the interview, and I'm looking for advice on how to handle any questions regarding my past while still presenting myself confidently for this new opportunity. Any tips on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I’m currently in the job search process after a few months off and have started getting interviews. I've worked for some large mining companies, and I reached out to them for references, but I haven’t heard back after four days. Meanwhile, I also secured references from a couple of smaller companies where I gained more relevant experience. I have a supervisor and an old coworker lined up from those smaller firms, and I trust them to provide good references. I have an interview coming up on Tuesday, and during our conversation, the interviewer mentioned my experience with the larger companies, which makes me think they might expect those references. I’m a bit worried about whether the references from the smaller companies will be sufficient. I don’t want to keep bothering the larger company references if they’re not interested in helping.

I recently applied for a new position as an inventory analyst in a different line of business at my large fintech company. I was excited about this opportunity because it offered a salary increase of 20-25k along with a yearly bonus, which would have been a significant step up from my current role. I had informal conversations with the hiring manager and potential teammates earlier this week, and I felt like I really connected with them during both calls. However, I received a call from the hiring manager today that left me feeling really disappointed. She told me that while they loved my profile and interview performance, they couldn't move forward with my application because she was being pressured to hire a friend or relative of someone high-ranking in the company who needed a job. I've been in my current role for three years without any raises or bonuses, so this opportunity felt like a perfect fit for me. It's tough to see a chance for growth slip away like this, especially when I know I could have contributed positively to the team.

I recently applied for unemployment benefits on May 17 after my hours were significantly reduced at my retail job. I was expecting my first payment by June 4, but it never came through. I realized too late that I had a notice in my inbox asking me to call and provide additional information by June 26. I finally called on June 23, thinking I was still within the timeframe. During the call, I explained my situation, including that I had been fired recently. However, I received a notice stating, "we cannot pay you benefits" because it claimed I did not contact them as requested. I did reach out, so I'm confused and worried about my claim. I'm considering calling again on Monday to clarify the situation. I know I wasn't let go for any misconduct; I was just in a low-traffic area of the store. I'm really anxious about not having a job and needing these benefits.

I recently got laid off for the summer from my job in Arizona, and I'm trying to navigate the new system for applying for unemployment benefits. I applied on June 23, 2025, but only realized today, June 26, that my application wasn't completed or certified. This has been frustrating, especially since my last experience was so lengthy; I applied on July 1, 2025, and didn't get approved until August 14, 2025, after a lot of effort to reach someone on the phone. I'm curious if anyone has had a better experience with the new system implemented last September. Is it actually faster and more efficient than before? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!