Feeling

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.

I recently had my RESEA appointment in Minnesota, and I was feeling quite anxious about it. I was worried that I would be required to show an undisclosed number of job applications to prove my job search efforts. Thankfully, the appointment turned out to be more of an informational session rather than a strict check-up. They reviewed my job search progress, provided resources, and discussed strategies for finding employment. It was helpful to clarify my concerns, and I left feeling more prepared for my job search.

I recently faced a tough situation at my job in Texas. My department was deemed too large, and instead of layoffs, my team members were reassigned to a different role that is significantly worse. As an Autistic individual, I struggle with anxiety, especially when it comes to speaking on the phone, which is now going to be a major part of my new job. The thought of fluctuating hours and a schedule that could change at any moment adds to my stress. I'm uncertain if quitting under these circumstances would count as good cause for unemployment benefits. It feels like a valid reason to me, but I'm hesitant to make that assumption without knowing for sure. I understand that many people may not grasp the challenges faced by those on the spectrum, but phone communication is genuinely exhausting for me. I’m feeling lost, especially since job opportunities are scarce right now.

I was recently laid off from my position, and it hit me hard as the primary breadwinner for my family. I received only two weeks of pay as severance, which has left me feeling anxious about our financial situation. I'm reaching out to others who have been in similar positions, especially those with children, to see how they managed during the long job search that often follows a layoff. I know it can take months to find a new role, and I'm looking for any advice or strategies that worked for you. I’ve heard that networking is crucial, and I'm planning to reach out to my contacts on LinkedIn. Any tips on how to navigate this stressful period would be greatly appreciated.

I just got laid off from my role at a company where I thought I was safe. They announced that the company is struggling and they need to cut positions. I had a feeling something was off when payroll started coming in late and we were losing clients, but my manager kept assuring me everything was fine. I even tried to position myself as an important team member to survive the layoffs, but that strategy didn't work out. It took me almost a year to land this job, and now I have just 15 days to find something new before I'm officially unemployed. I was hoping to save money to move out, but that plan is now out the window. This will be my first experience with unemployment at 28 years old. I'm trying to stay calm and not panic, but I remember how anxious I felt during my last job search. This situation really sucks.

I’ve been actively searching for a job as a cashier or in a warehouse, targeting companies like Target, Ross, TJ Maxx, and Walmart. Unfortunately, I’ve faced a string of rejections despite my efforts. I’m looking for advice on how to improve my chances of landing a position, especially since I have little to no experience. I’d appreciate any tips on where else to apply, as well as recommendations for job search sites and apps that could help me in this process.

I just received a rejection from McDonald's for a job I applied for. It feels like a setback, and I'm trying to process it. I thought this could be a good opportunity, but it seems I'm not what they were looking for. It's a bit disheartening, especially when I see other places like Subway prioritizing younger applicants for their future potential. I'm feeling a bit lost right now.

I recently graduated high school and am now in a bit of a bind trying to find a summer job before heading off to college. My mom has been encouraging me to get a job so I can earn some money, but I'm feeling overwhelmed. I just moved to a new state at the end of June and didn't search for jobs in my old town because I knew I would be relocating. Now, I have only July and August to find work, and I'm not sure where to start. With my parents planning some vacations, my available work time is even more limited. I'm worried that I won't be able to find a place that will hire me for just a few weeks. I've heard suggestions about local temp agencies like Manpower that might have short-term positions, and I'm considering that as a potential option.

I was let go from my blue-collar job at the end of May and decided to take a month off to recharge. I had a trip to Japan planned, and with my wife's income and my savings, I felt secure enough to take this break. However, I’ve been dealing with some health issues, and while in Japan, I pinched my sciatic nerve, which has added to my need for time off. Now that I’m back, I have some personal matters to address that are easier without the pressure of a job. I’m contemplating my next steps. I could either pivot to a different field or continue in my current line of work. I’ve also thought about going back to school for a certification, which could help explain my employment gap. I’m curious about how long an employment gap would be seen as unacceptable by potential employers these days. Should I be upfront about my desire to focus on my health to be a better worker, or would it be wiser to prioritize getting back into the workforce quickly? I want to make sure I handle this transition thoughtfully.

I recently interviewed for a competitive student campus job at my college, and I felt like it went really well overall. I answered all the questions thoughtfully, maintained good eye contact with all five interviewers, and communicated effectively without any stuttering or filler words. However, I’m worried that I might have messed up at the end when they asked if I had any questions for them. I asked two questions: first, I wanted to know what they liked about the events and activities related to the job. That felt appropriate. But then I mentioned that I’m friends with two former employees, Person A and Person B, who recommended the position to me, and I asked what they thought of them. Looking back, I think that last question might have come off as a bit unprofessional or even gossipy, which I didn’t intend. It seemed to throw the interviewers off, as one of them responded by emphasizing the importance of feedback and being open to learning, which made me feel like they were hinting at a rejection. I thought the interview was going well because they laughed at some of my jokes and nodded along with my answers. Now I’m just anxious about the results and trying to cope with the possibility that I might not get the job. Any advice for a broke college student in this situation would be greatly appreciated!

I recently had a challenging experience at my new job in an academic setting where I am currently in my six-month probation period. I received a performance appraisal that felt overwhelmingly negative and unexpected, especially since I had no prior indications that my performance was lacking. During my review meeting, my manager asked me to rewrite my appraisal before she sends it to HR, which raised my concerns that this could be leading to a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). Initially, I thought the meeting would be a straightforward discussion about my performance, but it quickly turned into a session where my manager scrutinized every aspect of my work, even the areas where I was rated highly. For instance, I was praised for efficiently processing reimbursements and travel arrangements, but instead of celebrating those successes, she pushed me to find ways to improve on tasks that were already running smoothly. I had included context in my appraisal to explain how I manage my responsibilities, but my manager insisted that I remove that information and replace it with specific actions for improvement, which felt like an unfair representation of my work. Additionally, she wanted me to take out her own positive feedback and detailed notes, which made me feel like I was being set up to appear as if I was underperforming in all areas. Now, I’m worried that the document I’m sending back will reflect a list of deficiencies rather than a balanced view of my performance. I have an appointment with the ombuds office soon to discuss this, but I feel pressured to submit the revised document before I can get any advice. This whole process has left me feeling anxious and uncertain about my future in the role.

I’ve been struggling to find a job for the past decade, facing rejection after rejection due to my lack of work experience. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree, but it feels impossible to land even a part-time position. Employers always want candidates with experience, but how can I gain that experience if no one is willing to hire or train me? I feel like I’m running out of options and support. I’ve seen others, even those with tougher backgrounds, find work, which makes my situation feel even more frustrating. I’m considering reaching out for help with my CV and looking into community resources, but it’s disheartening to think I’ve been stuck in this cycle for so long.

I’m currently pursuing a degree in graphic design and hold a certificate in 3D arts. Despite having school projects and personal work in my portfolio, I’ve been struggling to land a job. I’ve applied to around 10 different positions for graphic design and 3D artist roles over the past 2-3 weeks but haven’t received any responses, not even rejection emails. I’m starting to think that my lack of professional experience is the main reason for this. I’m wondering if there are any companies that hire remotely for entry-level artists like me.

I just got fired for the first time and I genuinely don’t know what to do next. This is all so overwhelming, especially since I just signed a lease for an apartment. The job market feels really tough right now, and I’m terrified about what the future holds. I don’t have a college degree or any certifications that could help me stand out to potential employers. Most of the entry-level jobs I look at require experience that I simply don’t have. It’s all hitting me hard, and I feel lost.

I'm currently employed as an hourly worker in Indiana, where I've been feeling a lot of pressure from my supervisors to accept a promotion that comes with significantly more responsibilities. I've been in my current role for about two years, but I previously stepped down from a similar position due to stress. Just yesterday, I had a private meeting with my supervisors, and it felt more like they were insisting I take the promotion rather than genuinely asking for my input. I’m the only qualified person on my shift, which adds to the pressure. I'm really worried that if I refuse the promotion, I might get fired. If that happens, I’m unsure about my eligibility for unemployment benefits, especially since it might be framed as me refusing available work. I know it’s not a straightforward situation, and I might have to fight for unemployment if I get terminated.

I recently went through the entire interview process for a forward-deployed role at a major tech company. I started with a cold application and made it all the way to the closing call, which felt promising. However, a week later, I received an email stating that they had chosen other candidates. I'm left wondering what factors influence the final decision at this stage. Was it my experience, cultural fit, or perhaps something else entirely? It's frustrating to be so close yet not secure the position.