Feeling

I recently started working as a Pilates instructor, making about $40 for just an hour of work. Before this, I was laid off from my graphic design job and began collecting unemployment benefits. My weekly benefit is around $400, and I learned I can earn up to $200 from part-time work without affecting my benefits. Last week, I certified my benefits and reported that I worked one day, earning $40 gross pay. However, I also indicated that I wasn't available for work that day because I was technically employed. The certification process only allows me to report full days worked, not hours. Now, I'm confused if I filed correctly. I did work, but my earnings were less than what I receive from unemployment. Can I say 'YES' to the work question while also saying 'YES' to being available for work? I was teaching a class and commuting for about 2 hours, but I was still free the rest of the day to look for or accept other work. I’m worried that I might have made a mistake in my certification. Some comments suggested that I may have filled it out incorrectly, as being unavailable typically means something like being sick or on vacation. I plan to call them to clarify and hopefully fix any issues.

I recently faced a layoff from Cisco, where I worked as an engineer. I was informed that my release was due to financial reasons. However, I decided to open an Employee Relations case after I had a documented meeting with my manager. During that meeting, I used Cisco's AI tool, Circuit, to demonstrate that I was actually more cost-effective to keep than another engineer on my account. Despite this, HR claimed the decision was based on the use of SaC software rather than cost-saving measures. I was third in utilization and customer implementation out of 21 in my team, which I believed further supported my case. After HR said they would investigate, I received an email stating they decided to close the case without providing any details. This situation is particularly concerning as I was working with a public sector client, the FAA, and I believe they may have violated contract terms regarding on-site engineers. I'm still considering signing the agreement on the 13th, but I plan to proceed with the EEOC intake regardless. I’m sharing this experience to raise awareness, not looking for negative comments.

I currently have a job, but the pay isn't great. Over the past year, I've submitted more than 1,000 resumes and managed to land only one interview, which is incredibly frustrating. I'm starting to wonder if the job market is as bad as it seems, especially with so many friends and family members getting laid off and struggling to find new opportunities. I see a lot of news about a 'job boom,' but it feels disconnected from my experience. It seems like the boom is mainly for those in AI-related fields, while others are left in the dust. I’ve tried everything, but the sheer volume of applications seems to be working against me, as recruiters are using AI to filter candidates. It feels like companies are looking for the perfect fit, which makes it even harder to get noticed. I’m really concerned about what the future holds for job seekers like me.

I've been reflecting on my recent job search experiences, particularly the frustrating communication issues I've encountered. I've applied to several positions, and often, I never hear back after submitting my application. It's disheartening not knowing if a position is still open or if I’ve been considered at all. After a few interviews, I’ve experienced being ghosted, which really makes me question the professionalism of the companies I'm interested in. I’ve even received automated rejection emails months later, which feels like a slap in the face after investing time in the process. One of the most frustrating moments was when I set up an appointment for a call, but the interviewer never joined. That was an instant block for me. I also had another company request a second interview that turned into a three-hour test, which I politely declined since I was already employed and didn’t want to invest that much time without clear communication. I’ve realized my tolerance for poor communication and unprofessionalism is quite low now. If there was a service that could improve transparency during the hiring process without changing how companies hire, I think it could be valuable. I would definitely appreciate updates on my application status. Overall, I believe better communication could significantly enhance the job search experience.

I recently got laid off from my role at Mojo, and it's been a tough journey since then. The constant cycle of applying for jobs, interviewing, and getting rejected feels like I'm stuck in a spin cycle, draining my motivation and energy. I'm reaching out to see how others manage to stay motivated during this challenging job search process. Any tips or strategies that have worked for you would be greatly appreciated!

I was hired for a position at a hospital back in May and completed all the onboarding processes, including fingerprinting and background check, by May 21st. My initial start date was set for June 15th, but it got pushed back to July 6th, and now it's been delayed again to July 20th. I'm still waiting on HR clearance, and it's starting to worry me. I disclosed a pending charge on my application, so I'm wondering if that's causing the holdup. I would have expected to hear from them about my background check by now.

I recently received a job offer after months of searching, and it's for a position in Washington State. I'm feeling a bit uncertain about the offer, especially regarding the drug screening policies, particularly related to THC. I want to know if the position is considered 'safety sensitive' since that could affect the drug testing process. I've noticed that the job description mentions a 'Drug Free Workplace' policy, and I found a review indicating that they conduct random drug tests. Given that Washington has laws against discrimination based on THC in pre-employment screenings, I'm trying to figure out if this position might still fall under the 'safety sensitive' category, especially since the company has manufacturing operations. The role itself is office-based, focusing on finance and accounting, which I wouldn't typically classify as safety sensitive, but I'm concerned about potential duties that might require access to the manufacturing area. I'm contemplating whether I should reach out to the recruiter to ask about the drug screening specifics without jeopardizing my image. Any advice on how to approach this would be greatly appreciated!

I’ve been struggling to land my first job since October 2025 due to chronic back pain and not having a driver’s license. My mental health has been a challenge, especially with untreated ADHD during my undergrad years. I just started a non-stimulant ADHD medication last month, and I’m hoping to see my psychiatrist for a dose increase soon if it doesn’t help. I still need to complete driving school, which adds to my stress. I’ve focused my job search on entry-level desk positions like receptionist or administrative assistant, but despite a few interviews, I often get ghosted. I worry that the roles I’m applying for might be too competitive for someone with my background. I earned my associate's degree in general studies in May 2026, thinking it would help my job prospects, but I’m still facing challenges. To gain experience, I started volunteering as an administrative volunteer last month, after previously providing phone support for the same organization remotely. So far, I’ve completed 3.5 months of volunteering, but I haven’t been able to secure any internships. I just began looking into internships last month, but it seems like I missed the boat for summer opportunities. I’m also having trouble finding reputable temp or staffing agencies in my area, and I’m unsure how to find paid internships. Initially, I focused on remote positions, but I suspect many were scams since I didn’t receive responses. I’m feeling a bit lost about what to do next.

I recently took a job in the Pacific Northwest after leaving my home in San Diego. I really enjoy the work; it's with a reputable company, and I have a lot of freedom in my role. My office is at home, but I meet with customers daily, playing golf and attending happy hours, all on the company dime. The job is low-stress, with minimal micromanagement from my boss, who is located in another state. I'm 27 and this is my first job out of college, where I earned $190k last year before taxes in my third year. The work-life balance is fantastic, allowing me to manage personal matters during the week. However, I'm struggling with my living situation. I don't have any friends here, and my coworkers are significantly older, with families. I find the city lacks activities that resonate with me, and the few enjoyable things I've done repeatedly. Despite attending social events, I miss having my lifelong friends around. I'm considering moving to a location that better fits my lifestyle, even if it means accepting a less lucrative job. Has anyone else faced a similar situation where they prioritized happiness over salary?

I’m a college senior majoring in Biological Sciences, and I’ve been on the job hunt for a while now. I’ve applied to about 50 positions, mostly in grocery stores and retail, but I keep getting rejections or no responses at all. I have some experience working at a summer camp and for an online business, along with over 1,000 hours in biological research. I’m really hoping to find a job that allows me to save money for graduation and improve my people skills before I apply for PhD programs. If anyone has recommendations for places that might be willing to hire someone with my specific background, I would really appreciate it!

I was laid off in March 2026 due to organizational restructuring, and since then, I've been actively searching for a job in the Information Security Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) field. I have about 4 years of experience, with nearly 3 years spent at my last company, a mid-sized product-based multinational corporation. My role there involved supporting internal security governance and being a secondary owner for external audit readiness. While I gained valuable exposure, my position wasn't heavily focused on audits, which I think has affected my current job search. In the past three months, I've applied to over 70 jobs but have only managed to secure 2 interviews. I've been tailoring my resume for each job description, reaching out for referrals, and networking on LinkedIn, but the rejections keep piling up. I'm starting to realize that my time in a support-heavy role may have limited my hands-on experience, making it difficult for me to provide strong real-world examples during interviews. My responses often feel unstructured, and I find myself rambling instead of delivering concise, practical answers. This situation has really taken a toll on my confidence. I'm beginning to question whether I need to strengthen my fundamentals and revisit important frameworks like ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, and NIST. I’m also considering ways to gain more practical experience. I'm looking for honest advice on a few points: Is the GRC job market really this challenging right now? Does a few months' career gap significantly impact my prospects in this field? How can I enhance my interview storytelling when my recent experience has been more support-oriented? Lastly, what steps can I take to become more marketable again? My savings are dwindling, and I won’t lie; it’s starting to affect my mental well-being. I would greatly appreciate any guidance from those who have faced similar challenges or who are hiring in this space.

I woke up this morning to a rejection email from a Series C company I had interviewed with. It was a holiday, and I honestly didn't expect to hear back today. I didn't think recruiters or hiring managers would be working on a holiday, but it seems they must have scheduled the email to go out regardless. It felt a bit disheartening to receive that news on a day meant for celebration. I'm trying to stay positive and remember that rejections are part of the process, and I'll keep pushing forward in my job search.

Today, I had my appeal hearing regarding my unemployment benefits after being terminated from my job in Texas due to what my employer claimed was misconduct related to my health-related absences. I was let go for taking sick time after dislocating my wrist, which I had documented with doctor's notes. My employer argued that my absences were excessive, but I had plenty of evidence to counter their claims, including proof that I had followed their rules in the past. I even logged into work on a day my doctor advised against it, just to show my commitment. During the hearing, which lasted about 45 minutes, both sides were allowed to present their cases and ask questions. I was nervous, but I felt empowered when I asked questions that left them stuttering. It was satisfying to stand my ground, especially knowing that the hearing officer had to take my statements seriously since I was under oath. My former supervisor was called as a witness for my employer, but honestly, their testimony didn't add anything significant to the case. Most of the evidence they presented was internal communications that didn’t relate to the misconduct allegations. I hope my experience can help others who might be going through a similar situation. I was searching for real accounts of what to expect during such hearings, and I want to share that it can be a daunting but ultimately empowering process. Now, I just have to wait a few days for the decision.

I recently quit my job at a company where I had worked for almost two years. In May, they informed me that my pay structure would change from hourly to commission, which made me anxious about my ability to pay my bills, especially since I was also moving at the end of the month. In search of more stability, I quickly found a new job and accepted the offer. However, now I'm having second thoughts. After reviewing my last two paychecks under the new commission structure, I realized that I would have been earning about the same, if not more, at my old job. I genuinely enjoyed working with my colleagues and felt I could have thrived there. I think I may have rushed my decision due to stress. Now, I'm concerned because the new job is offering me less than I expected, and it's actually less than what I was making before. I'm torn about the idea of reaching out to my previous employer to see if I could come back, especially since I just had my last day. Would it be unreasonable to ask them for my old position back?

I'm currently self-employed, enjoying the flexibility and decent income, but I've been facing a lot of inconsistency lately. It's been a real feast or famine situation, so I'm actively looking for something more stable. I recently applied for a corporate job that offers a salary of around $100k a year, which is great, but the job comes with its own set of challenges. The role involves about three hours of driving each day and possibly only one day a week at home. I've worked in corporate environments before, and I know the feeling of being treated like a child, where you have to ask for permission to do basic things like using the restroom. I've gone through three rounds of interviews so far, and I'm preparing for the next stage, which is an in-person interview with the entire department. While the pay is enticing, the three weeks of earned vacation feels underwhelming, especially living in a high cost of living area. I'm honestly contemplating whether I should just take a local job that pays slightly above minimum wage instead of going back into a corporate environment that feels soul-sucking. It's a tough decision, especially in this economy, as I don't want to feel foolish for potentially giving up a well-paying job.

I'm feeling really stuck in my job search right now. I'm a 20-year-old female who didn't have the chance to work during high school because I was focused on improving my grades, which didn't happen. Now, I've taken a gap year to recover from that experience, but I've been looking for a job for the past two years without any luck. I want to move out, pay my own car insurance, and eventually go to college, but the job market feels impossible. Even my friends who are qualified for the positions I'm interested in have been struggling to find work for months. I feel lost and frustrated living with my parents and my partner, and I don't know how to improve my situation.

I recently graduated with a marketing degree and have been actively job hunting for a while now. I've applied to over 100 positions but have only landed one interview, which was quite discouraging. I've put a lot of effort into redoing my resume and even created a portfolio showcasing my school projects and a mock campaign to demonstrate my skills. Despite all this, I feel like I'm hitting a wall. I've started to lose hope in marketing and have shifted my focus to customer service roles, but I'm still facing the same issue—no responses or offers. It feels like I can't get my foot in the door without prior experience, and I'm really struggling to find someone willing to give me a chance.

I’m 17 and have been on the job hunt since March, applying for entry-level positions everywhere I can find. Despite being available 24/7 due to online school, having a driver's license, dressing business casual, and presenting myself well in interviews, I’ve only managed to land around 30 interviews without any job offers. It's incredibly frustrating to hear "we'll call you" and then never receive any follow-up. I’m just trying to get hired for a simple restaurant or fast food job, and I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. I really need a job, especially as I’ve been putting in so much effort. Any advice on what I might be missing would be greatly appreciated.

I recently received yet another email stating that, after careful review, they decided to move forward with other candidates. This has become a familiar refrain for me over the past year, as I've faced countless rejections and radio silence from potential employers. I have a solid work history with good references and left my last job due to a family emergency. Since then, I've sent out around 20 resumes, but most of the time I either get rejected or simply ghosted. I know 20 applications is relatively small compared to others who have applied hundreds of times, but it felt like I was just feeding forms into a machine with no human interaction. Frustrated with the job search process, I decided to start my own small company to generate some income. I realized that while the government tracks job openings, there’s no record of the countless rejections applicants face. It’s disheartening to see “We’re hiring” everywhere, yet there’s no transparency about how many applications go unanswered or are automatically rejected. To address this gap, I created a platform called Dear Candidate, where individuals can record their job application outcomes anonymously. It’s still in its early stages and currently mostly contains my own rejections, but I hope it can grow into a resource for others who have faced similar struggles. If you want to contribute your experiences, you can do so without any sign-up or personal information required.

I'm currently navigating my job search after being told I'm overqualified for positions in my field. I hold an MS in Medical Microbiology & Cell Science, and I'm based near Orlando, FL. Despite my qualifications, I'm struggling to find suitable job opportunities. My goal is to gain industry experience while continuing to teach, so I'm ideally looking for part-time roles. However, I feel stuck between the need to leave my teaching position for a full-time job and facing rejections from entry-level roles. I'm reaching out for advice on what types of positions I might be qualified for beyond traditional microbiologist roles, as I’ve been advised to explore areas like quality assurance, clinical research, and regulatory roles. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!