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I'm 33 years old and have been working hard in risk management and banking for over 8 years, yet I find myself stuck at a salary of $60k. I've consistently performed well, taken on more responsibilities, upgraded my skills, and sought professional growth, but it feels like I'm not making any progress. While my peers are advancing in their careers, buying homes, and earning six figures, I'm applying to numerous jobs and wondering what I'm doing wrong. I'm reaching out to those who have successfully changed their career trajectories to ask for advice. Was it networking, changing industries, obtaining certifications, or just persistence? Or is the job market really this tough right now? I'm open to honest feedback and willing to learn, but I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels despite following what I thought were the right steps.

I've been navigating a tough job market lately, specifically looking for per diem work. I recently had two interviews for such positions. One of the companies requested an outrageous number of references—four in total, with three needing to be managers. They gave me a tight 24-48 hour deadline to gather them, which felt overwhelming, but thankfully, my contacts came through for me. Unfortunately, after that, HR went silent on me. The second opportunity is asking for five references, including two managers, which seems excessive for a per diem role. I'm feeling frustrated and a bit overwhelmed by the demands. I really don't want to keep bothering my references for what feels like overkill. Despite the hassle, I’m considering taking the job if offered, even though I know it won’t significantly boost my income since I might not get called in often. I’m wondering if anyone has experience asking HR to lower the reference requirements? It seems like a reasonable request given the nature of the job.

After being unemployed for 16 months, I finally made some changes that led to a surge in interviews and job offers. I used to get maybe one interview a month, but now I'm getting 3-4 interviews a week. The key change was tailoring my resume. I created about 10-15 different versions of my resume for specific jobs, which made a huge difference. I also realized that I needed to present myself as if I was currently engaged in something productive. For me, that was easy because I manage a true crime TikTok account with around 70,000 followers. I decided to list that as my current job, highlighting the marketing and social media skills I developed through it. This approach helped me connect my experience to the marketing roles I was applying for. Now, my email and phone are buzzing with responses, and my calendar is packed with interviews. It feels like a blessing in disguise, and I hope my experience can help others in a similar situation. Good luck to everyone out there!

I've been jobless for nearly a year now, and it's really starting to weigh on me. I'm a 22-year-old male, and my last position was as an Amazon Delivery Driver. Since then, I've applied to over 500 jobs across various fields, even some where I don't meet all the qualifications. Out of all those applications, I've only managed to land 10 interviews, but none have progressed to a second interview. I'm at a loss for what I'm doing wrong. I've shortened my resume and I feel like I present myself well during interviews. The roles I'm targeting aren't particularly threatened by AI, and I'm planning to start college this fall, which I hope will help. I'm really seeking any advice or insights on how to improve my chances of landing a job.

Today, I experienced a setback in my career journey. After spending 9 years as a bedside nurse in the ICU, where I’ve taken on various responsibilities like running stroke codes and precepting new hires, I applied for a supervisor position at my hospital. My new director encouraged me to go for it, even though I had applied for a similar role four years ago and was told I needed more experience. After nearly six weeks of interviews, I learned this morning that I didn’t get the job. The decision was between me and a colleague who has over 20 years of experience. While I respect his ability to get the job done, he has a history of bullying and making inappropriate comments. The director mentioned that they felt I would take longer to learn how to hold others accountable, while my colleague just needs to adjust his approach. They are announcing his promotion this week, and the director suggested I apply for his permanent charge position to increase my visibility. I’m feeling a bit salty about the whole situation and am unsure if I want to pursue that role. Many on my unit have expressed concerns about him being the supervisor, but I can’t deny that he runs the unit efficiently. I’m trying to stay positive, but it’s tough. Just needed to vent about this experience.

Today was a turning point for me. I handed out 30 resumes in person to various restaurants and grocery stores, desperately seeking any minimum wage job to help pay my bills. I was down to my last $200 and feeling hopeless, almost ready to give up. Just as I finished distributing my last resume and got back into my car, I received a call from a different place expressing interest in hiring me. They want me to start tomorrow! I couldn't believe how quickly things changed. This experience reminded me to stay persistent and confident, even when times are tough. I want to encourage anyone else in a similar situation: don't give up, you never know what might happen.

I've been working at a private nursery in the UK for about 4 months now, with a total probation period of 6 months. Overall, I'm enjoying my job, but there are two major downsides: my manager, who I don't get along with, and the low pay, which doesn't reflect my experience and qualifications. As a Level 3 Early Years practitioner, I'm currently earning £10.81 per hour, which is just minimum wage for my age. Recently, I applied for an agency job on a whim, and to my surprise, I received a callback within 5 minutes. The phone interview went really well, and they offered a pay rate of £14-£15 per hour, with potential for increases and plenty of work available in my area. I'm weighing the pros and cons of this opportunity: 1. The higher pay is definitely appealing. 2. My current job is only a 3-minute walk from home, while the agency work would require public transport and travel. 3. I genuinely love the children I work with and have a great rapport with my coworkers. 4. The agency position would be a 0-hour contract, meaning no guaranteed work each week. 5. While the agency offers flexibility, I've never worked in that kind of role before. I'm looking for advice on how to approach my current job about this new offer. I work 18 hours a week at the nursery, and the agency said I could try working with them for two days to see how it goes before making a decision. The main things keeping me at the nursery are the convenience, the children, and my coworkers. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I haven't physically worked since the end of May and lost access to all company systems. My termination date is set for 07/31, but my severance package includes regular payroll until then, followed by severance pay. I'm currently in the final round of interviews for a new position, which is scheduled for tomorrow, with an expected start date of 07/07. I'm trying to keep this under wraps to ensure I can collect my severance. I'm concerned about whether my current employer will find out about my job search. Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

I recently applied for a help desk position at a local museum and took the initiative to find the director of IT on LinkedIn to address my cover letter properly. I was excited to personalize my application, but now I’m second-guessing myself because I didn’t mention in the letter how I found their name. I’m worried that they might be surprised to see their name mentioned directly without context. Am I overthinking this? I’ve received some reassuring feedback from others who believe that hiring managers expect candidates to do their research, so hopefully, that will work in my favor.

I recently applied for a new trucking job and had to go through a background check with First Advantage. My work history includes three jobs: I worked at job A (a forklift position) from March 17 to March 23, then at job B (a non-driving role) from March 23 to June 23, but I was let go after the probation period. Currently, I’m employed at job C, which is a CDL trucking job, since June 23. In my background check, I left job B off my resume and the application, extending the dates of job A to cover the gap until I started at job C. However, I found out that all three jobs are listed on my employment verification through myworknumber.com, meaning they will see job B even though I didn’t include it. Now, I’m really worried about how to handle this situation. Should I come clean and explain that I accidentally left job B off because it was such a short stint? Or should I say I didn’t think it was necessary to include it since it wasn’t in the trucking industry? I’m concerned about the implications of this omission and whether I might be seen as dishonest. I really want this new job and I’m feeling stressed about how to cover my tracks.

I recently applied for a position as a TikTok Content Creator & Live Host with Aquanova Entertainment in Chino, CA, after seeing their listing on Indeed. They advertised a pay rate of $30–$50 per hour along with paid training. After submitting my application, I received a message inviting me to schedule a Zoom interview, and I had several time slots to choose from. So far, they haven't asked for any money, downloads, or personal financial info, which is a good sign. However, I've come across mixed opinions online. Some people are warning that TikTok host jobs are often scams, while others say they can be legitimate roles in livestreaming or talent agencies. I'm curious if anyone has experience working with Aquanova Entertainment or similar TikTok Live agencies. I'm also trying to figure out if the hourly wage they're offering is standard for these types of positions or if it typically depends on commissions or performance metrics. I'm being cautious and want to make sure this opportunity is legitimate and not misleading.

I recently went through an intense job interview process for a high-level creative position at a top fashion brand, starting back in early April. After four interviews and a mock campaign project (which I completed despite it being unpaid, as I was eager for the role), I was finally invited to their headquarters to meet the team. Throughout the interviews, I received nothing but positive feedback, with senior management expressing their excitement about my potential fit for the role. However, I received an unexpected email today regarding my trip, which included details about scheduling interviews during my visit. I asked for clarification on what to expect, given that I had already met most of the decision-makers. They suggested we discuss it over the phone, which led to a shocking revelation: I didn’t get the job. They wanted to inform me ahead of time to prevent me from wasting my time flying out for interviews that wouldn’t lead anywhere. This abrupt change in tone has left me confused and frustrated. Just last week, I had a conversation with the top executive for this role, who praised my mock project and expressed that I was the only candidate who truly understood their brand direction. It felt like everything was aligned for me to take the next step, so this rejection feels completely out of the blue. I’ve sent a final note thanking the senior management for their time and asking for any feedback on my application. Right now, I’m feeling lost and defeated after investing so much time and energy into this process. I’m not sure what to do next, but I hope to gather my thoughts and move forward soon.

I recently had my position eliminated after almost 5 years of remote work, and I'm now actively job searching. The market is tough, but I was fortunate to secure an interview for a hybrid role next week. The job description indicates that it involves 3 days in the office and 2 days remote. While this is an improvement over a fully in-office role, I still face a 45-minute commute each way, which adds up to a significant amount of time. I'm considering asking during the interview if there's any flexibility for a fully remote option, but I'm unsure if it's appropriate to bring it up at this stage. I don't want to jeopardize my chances, especially since I'm likely competing with many other candidates. My plan is to take this position if offered, while I continue to apply for fully remote opportunities.

I'm currently struggling with my job application process through Dayforce. After scanning a QR code for a job opportunity, I was directed to create an account on their 'Manual Application' page. I completed the application and received a reference number, but that's where the trouble began. I wanted to check the status of my application, but I found no way to do so on the page I was directed to. I tried accessing the main Dayforce website, only to discover that my account seemed to be non-functional, as I couldn't log in. I read that it's possible to apply without an account, which might be what happened, but I was supposed to receive an email with a link to use my reference number, and that email never arrived. I attempted to create a new account, but the site prompted me to check a confirmation email that I also never received. Now, I can't access my initial account due to an error message about account migration problems, despite using the same computer and browser. To make matters worse, I need an account to contact customer service, so I'm stuck without any support. I'm really frustrated and just want to find out the status of my job application. If anyone has suggestions on how to navigate this issue, I would greatly appreciate it.

I recently graduated in December 2025 with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and have been actively searching for a job. I've completed two paid internships during my studies, done some research work that provided a stipend, and even freelanced. Despite my efforts, I haven't received any job offers yet. I interviewed with the CEO of a startup for an internship position, but I was surprised to learn at the end of the interview that the role was unpaid. The CEO mentioned that interns are expected to work 45 hours a week, with morning and night shifts, and if you miss a shift, you need to make up those hours later. There are also two mandatory meetings each week, and the only perk is that the position is remote. I'm curious if unpaid internships are becoming more common in today's job market.

It's been nearly two years since I graduated with a Dual Degree in Computer Science and Engineering from IIITDM Kancheepuram, and I'm still on the hunt for my first software engineering job. I've applied to numerous positions but haven't had any luck yet. I'm specifically looking for roles such as Software Development Engineer (SDE), Backend Developer, Full Stack Developer, Site Reliability Engineer (SRE), or Software Engineer. My skills include the MERN stack, JavaScript, Java, Python, SQL, REST APIs, and I'm proficient with Git and GitHub. I'm open to relocating anywhere in India and also considering remote opportunities. I can join immediately, which I hope gives me an edge. While job hunting, I've been working on personal projects to enhance my skills, but the long wait and repeated rejections have taken a toll on my mental health. If anyone has leads on openings, advice on improving my chances, or could provide a referral, I would be incredibly thankful. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to see my resume. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

I recently applied for a bartending position at a local chain, hoping to secure a more consistent gig than my current one. To my surprise, I received a text within an hour inviting me to interview for a server assistant role instead. This has happened to me a few times before, where I apply for one job but get redirected to something completely different. I'm feeling a bit conflicted about how to respond. On one hand, I appreciate the opportunity, but on the other, I want to make it clear that my main goal is to find bartending shifts that align with my experience and income expectations. I don't want to come off as rude for disregarding their offer, but I also don't want to close the door on future opportunities with the company. I'm considering replying politely but specifically, letting them know my focus is on bartending and asking if there are any openings in that area. I’d love to hear how others have navigated similar situations.

I recently applied online for a management position at a local retail store. After submitting my application, I was excited to receive an invitation for an in-store interview. However, when the day arrived, the manager who was supposed to conduct the interview flaked on me. I waited for a while, hoping they would show up, but unfortunately, I had to leave without any communication from them. It's disappointing to have put in the effort to prepare for the interview only to be let down like this.

I applied online for a manager position at Store #1460 and set up an in-store interview. I made sure to look presentable with a fresh haircut, a black polo, and dress pants, and I brought along my resume and written references. I arrived at the store at 1:55 PM, five minutes early, and noticed it was pretty quiet with only a couple of customers around. When I told the cashier about my 2 PM interview, she went to check on things. After about 10 minutes of waiting, she returned with a small index card that had my name and phone number written on it. It was clear she felt awkward about the situation, as she motioned towards the fountain drinks and offered me one, probably as a way to apologize for the manager not showing up. It was a disappointing experience, and I could tell she was sympathetic to my situation.

I finally got some interviews! I quit my last job on June 13 and have been desperately applying ever since. I had an online interview for a position at Target, but they ghosted me, which felt worse than just a rejection. However, I have a porter interview scheduled for Thursday and a server interview on Monday. While the porter job seems easier, I'm really drawn to the server position because it has the potential to earn around $1,000 a week. I know about the tip-out and taxes, but the idea is still really tempting. I appreciate the advice I received in my last post; it gave me the small push I needed. I'm hopeful for these interviews, but if they don't work out, I'll just keep moving forward.