Feeling

I graduated college three years ago and landed my first job quickly thanks to nepotism; my dad had connections with a small company looking to hire. It was an entry-level role that underpaid and led nowhere, but it provided me with valuable experience. After two years, I was laid off when the company nearly went bankrupt. For the next five months, I submitted around 10-20 applications daily, totaling about 2,000 applications, but only managed to secure 7-8 interviews, never advancing past the third round. In April, I got a contract role through a recruiter, which was a relief. Now that that contract has ended, I've been job hunting again for three months, landing only five interviews, with just one going beyond the initial screening. It's disheartening to realize that without connections or a recruiter reaching out, my chances of getting a job feel like a lottery. I've lost all motivation; if I hadn't submitted any applications in the past three years, my situation would be unchanged. My only hope now seems to be waiting for a recruiter to contact me.

I recently got laid off from my role in SEO due to organizational restructuring, and now I'm facing challenges in salary negotiations for Senior SEO positions in Bangalore. With over 5 years of experience in SEO, primarily in B2B SaaS and product-based companies, I’ve started applying for Senior SEO and Lead SEO roles. However, I've noticed a concerning trend during my conversations with HR. When I mention my layoff, it seems to trigger a shift in their budget discussions, often leading to lower salary offers. It feels like my current unemployment status is being used against me, despite my skills and experience remaining unchanged. I'm trying to navigate this situation without downplaying my worth or hiding the truth about my layoff. I’m seeking advice from others who might have faced similar situations. Specifically, I’m contemplating whether to be upfront about my layoff during initial HR screenings, how to respond when they lower the budget after learning about my unemployment, and what a realistic CTC would be for someone with my experience in the Bangalore market. I’m also unsure whether to state my expected CTC upfront or ask for their budget first. I want to ensure that I negotiate fairly based on my experience and the value I can bring, rather than letting my layoff dictate my compensation expectations.

I've been on the job hunt for the past two months, focusing on finding a remote position with companies in tier-one countries like the US and UK. With over 7 years of experience in digital marketing and SEO, I assumed it would be easier to land a role that fits my skills, but it has proven to be quite challenging. I've applied to countless positions, tailored my resume for each application, scoured job boards, and reached out to various recruiters. Unfortunately, many applications end in rejection, and a significant number receive no response at all. Genuine opportunities that align with my experience are harder to come by than I anticipated. The key challenges I'm facing include: - Finding remote work options that allow me to work from India, rather than just within the US or Europe. - Securing fair compensation that truly reflects my skills and experience. - Joining a team where I can contribute meaningfully, learn, and grow alongside the business. I'm not looking for shortcuts; I'm seeking the right opportunity where I can provide real value. I know I'm not alone in this struggle, which is why I'm sharing my experience. For fellow professionals in India working in SEO, digital marketing, or tech, how are you navigating the search for genuine remote roles with US and UK companies? What platforms, communities, or strategies have been effective for you? I would greatly appreciate any advice. Additionally, if any recruiters or founders are reading this and are in need of someone with expertise in SEO, AEO, GEO, and digital marketing, I would love to connect. Sometimes, just one meaningful conversation can lead to significant opportunities.

I recently had a phone interview with a company called Progress Delivery for a quality inspector position that I supposedly applied for through Indeed. During the call, the recruiter asked me some basic questions and then sent me an 'employment contract' to sign. They claimed the job involved receiving packages at home, inspecting them, and then printing shipping labels to take to the post office, FedEx, or UPS. The pay sounded incredible at $5,000 a month, but something felt off. After doing some research, I discovered that Progress Delivery is a fake logistics company and that I never applied for a job with them on Indeed. I'm unsure of how to proceed and what steps I should take to report this scam.

I recently had an interview for a machine shop helper position at a small business that operates CNC machines. I found the environment to be quite promising and it seemed like a good place to work. I applied through Snag a Job, where the estimated pay was listed as $21 an hour. However, during the interview, they mentioned that they actually advertise the position at $18 an hour. I'm really eager to get back to work and just want to secure a job.

I was laid off from my position as a nurse at a health insurance and primary care tech company. On October 7th, I received a calendar invite from the senior operations director, but there was no information provided. I was told to continue working until the end of the day on October 8th. During a brief 15-minute call with the operations director and HR, I learned that the layoff was due to organizational restructuring. I will retain my benefits until the end of the month and I am eligible for a severance package and rehire. I'm feeling pretty gutted about this situation, but I'm trying to stay positive and move forward.

I recently faced a setback in my job search that has left me feeling pretty down. After working at a call center for the past two years while attending college, I was really hoping to land a QA position that I had been eyeing for a long time. I've been dedicated to my current role, never missing a day and maintaining a high quality assurance score. I even received a promotion during my time there. However, after waiting for two years for an opening, I applied for the QA position and was rejected without even getting to the final interview stage. They didn’t provide any feedback, which is frustrating and disheartening. I know this job might not be taken seriously by everyone, but it has been a stable source of income for me and my family. Now, I'm left feeling sad and unsure about my next steps. I'm seeking advice on how to cope with this disappointment and what I can do to strengthen my future applications. Any guidance from those with more experience would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off for the second time recently, and it's been really tough. The job market is in such a bad state that I'm now applying for a position I never thought I would return to: claims adjuster. I really disliked that job, but I feel like I have no choice. I've been searching for full remote roles in Product Owner or Product Manager positions, but the competition is fierce with so many people getting laid off. I've even considered customer service remote jobs just to make ends meet. It's a desperate situation, and I have bills to pay, so I'm willing to take whatever I can find. Is anyone else experiencing this?

I've been actively searching for a project management role in my city, which has a population of about 1 million in the eastern US. Lately, I've noticed a trend where I'm getting a lot more remote interview opportunities compared to in-office or hybrid ones. Initially, I thought securing in-office or hybrid interviews would be much easier due to perceived lower competition, but that hasn't been my experience at all. It seems like remote positions attract applicants from all over, making the competition fierce. I've been feeling discouraged because the remote interviews often seem to favor candidates who are a perfect match for the role, which I don't always feel I am. I’m considering focusing more on local roles where my experience aligns better with the requirements, but the struggle continues.

Today, I had a 15-minute call titled "Operations Update" with HR and my department lead. I can't shake the feeling that this might be bad news for me. After some back and forth in the comments, I learned that I was indeed laid off due to restructuring. On the bright side, I received a nice severance package, my bonus payout, final paycheck, COBRA, and PTO payout. I'm also eligible for rehire, which is a relief. I'm trying to stay positive about this situation, as I believe a better opportunity is waiting for me ahead. It's tough, but I know that many have gone through this and come out stronger. Time to focus on the next chapter!

Today at work, I had a bit of an unexpected moment. While I was going about my day, I noticed someone getting signed in for induction, and it turned out to be a person I had seen during a group interview for a different job I applied to. He didn’t seem to notice me, but it still made me anxious. I’ve been trying to leave my current position, which is quite chaotic, and I was worried he might recognize me and mention it to others. I know it’s probably just my anxiety getting the best of me, but it’s hard not to think about the worst-case scenario. I’ve been trying to remind myself that he might not even remember me, and even if he does, it’s not like recognizing someone from an interview is a big deal. Still, it’s hard to shake off that feeling.

I recently applied for several jobs through Adecco's website and got a response for a part-time assembler position at Honda. After passing their criteria test and completing a short OTP questionnaire, I had an in-person interview today. I ended up accepting a contingent job offer for a full-time position since they mentioned a waiting list for part-time roles and I really need a job quickly. However, I was sent an I-9 form and I'm feeling uncertain about how legitimate Adecco is. I've received emails from addresses ending in @adeccona.com, but the email containing the forms came from @hrworkcycles.com, which makes me a bit uneasy. I also checked my profile on the Adecco website, and the job application for the position I was offered shows as closed with a note that my application was unsuccessful. I'm not sure if this is due to my decision to decline the part-time position in favor of the full-time offer. All the emails seemed credible, but I'm still hesitant to provide my information.

I was laid off from my investment management job in June due to a departmental restructure initiated by a new VP who wanted to bring in their own team. This was my first experience with a layoff, and it was tough. Over the next few months, I applied to around 100 jobs and networked extensively, but I faced a lot of challenges. I encountered everything from job postings being pulled after I applied to dealing with AI screeners and logic assessments. Ghosting was common too, with about 40% of my applications not even receiving a rejection email. However, since Labor Day, things started to change. I began receiving multiple screener calls and interview requests, which I learned is typical for the fall job market. I also reached out to a contact who had recently taken a director role at a company where I had applied. He informed me about two new roles on his team that matched my background well. Although I felt slightly overqualified, I decided to apply anyway. I quickly had a screener call followed by interviews with the director and two team members. I was thrilled to receive an offer for the position, which included an updated title and a pay increase compared to my previous job. While I initially didn’t plan to return to private wealth, this new role is focused purely on research without client interactions or marketing, and it offers me the chance to leverage my experience to build something meaningful. I’m set to start in November, just as my severance ends and right after my twins are born. For anyone still job hunting, I want to share that there is hope out there and a role that fits your skills. There truly is light at the end of the tunnel.

Today, I learned that HoneyBook has laid off 14% of its workforce as part of an AI-driven restructuring effort. This news is concerning as it indicates a significant shift in the company's strategy. I am currently reflecting on how this might affect my role and the overall team dynamics moving forward. It's a challenging time for many of us here, and I'm keeping an eye on the job market as I navigate these changes.

Today, I learned that Amazon has implemented more job cuts across various teams, which has left many of us feeling uncertain about our roles. As an employee in one of the affected departments, the news was disheartening but not entirely surprising given the recent trends in the tech industry. I’m currently in the process of assessing my options and considering whether to stay or look for new opportunities elsewhere. It’s a challenging time, but I’m trying to stay positive and proactive.

I'm feeling really lost right now. I'm a 36-year-old woman, soon to be 37, and I've been unemployed for the past 11 months. Before this, I had a job for six months, but it just didn't work out. I have a degree in sociology, and I thought things would get better with time, but they haven't. I've been applying for administrative and HR roles, but I keep hitting a wall because I lack the experience that other candidates have. I've had over 10 interviews, but none have led to an offer. The pandemic has made everything worse, and now I find myself approaching 37 without the career stability I thought I would have by now. I feel stuck in a catch-22: I need experience to get hired, but I can't get hired to gain experience. I'm also considering going back to school to retrain, but that feels like a huge commitment with no guarantee of success. I really want to know what others would do in my situation. Should I keep trying to break into my chosen field, retrain for something else, or take a completely different approach? The depression and financial hardship are weighing heavily on me, and it's hard to maintain my self-esteem when it feels like I'm being left behind while others move forward. I take care of my appearance and present myself well, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I'm really hoping to hear some advice or stories from those who have managed to turn things around after struggling for years.

I’m currently navigating the hiring process for a position at a financial services firm, and I’m feeling a bit anxious about how things are progressing. Here’s a breakdown of my timeline: - On September 1st, I had my first screening call with HR, and they invited me for an in-person interview the very next day. - About two weeks later, a family member who knows a senior department head reached out on my behalf, which seemed to have a positive impact because shortly after, HR scheduled a second interview with both the HR manager and that senior department head. - I had the second interview on September 25th, and I felt it went really well. HR mentioned I should expect to hear back the following week. - On September 29th, they requested a PDF with copies of both sides of my ID, even though I had already provided my ID number during the initial screening. They also asked for two professional references and contacted both on the same day, who later confirmed they received positive feedback about the calls. - Around October 5th, I followed up with HR after not hearing anything for several business days. They responded that the process was still ongoing, they had reached out to my references, and would keep me updated. Now it’s October 9th, and I haven’t received any further communication. I’m left wondering if the family connection truly helped my chances or if they’re still considering other candidates. Many people I’ve talked to believe that the request for my ID and the reference calls are good signs, indicating I might be among their top candidates, but I’m unsure how long I should wait before assuming it’s not going to happen. I’m trying to stay positive and keep applying elsewhere in the meantime.

I recently accepted a Business Analyst position with a large company, and my offer is contingent on a background check. However, the background check came back with a 'REVIEW' result due to some discrepancies regarding my previous employment at TCS. I initially reported my role at TCS as a Software Engineer from October 2020 to February 2022. Unfortunately, I made a typo and entered October 2022 instead of 2020, which I quickly corrected when I noticed it. TCS confirmed my position as a Software Developer, which is slightly different from what I reported, but it’s understandable since my offer letter states Software Engineer while their HR system lists it as Software Developer. The date discrepancy is a bit more complicated. I started another job in February 2022 but was still technically employed by TCS during that time, as I was on the bench and receiving pay until I formally left in July 2022. I explained this situation to the background-check company, along with an employment gap after being laid off from my subsequent job, which I clarified was due to actively searching for a new position. My criminal background check was clean, and my other two employers were verified without any issues. Now, I'm left wondering if I should be concerned about the discrepancies with TCS affecting my job offer. If you were in HR, how would you view this situation?

I've been working in arts and education for over 15 years, but after experiencing burnout, I'm now searching for new job opportunities. Unfortunately, it seems that my experience is often overlooked and not seen as a benefit. My last position was just a temporary replacement for a friend, and I can't rely on that kind of work anymore. I've been actively looking for a job for over a year now, despite having skills in UX/UI, SEO, CRM, sound and video editing, and design. Working in arts and education has taught me how to adapt quickly, think on my feet, and handle challenging situations with maturity. I believe these skills would be valuable to any company. However, it feels like people coming from my background are often underpaid and not recognized for their potential. I'm open to remote or flexible work and would even consider lower pay just to get my foot in the door. Every day feels like a struggle, and I wake up feeling like a failure. I wanted a change from teaching, which I could no longer handle, and I've put in countless hours of self-training to prepare for this new direction. Yet, I find it disheartening that even entry-level positions in creative fields like art direction, video editing, and digital marketing seem out of reach. Is there any hope for someone like me in this job market?

I worked in a remote Account Management/Business Development role in the Gov Tech sector for six years. My job involved minimal responsibilities, mainly attending a few team calls each week and attempting to prospect for new clients, but I never really hit my KPIs. Management didn’t seem to mind, which was strange. My salary was $100k, but it felt more like $65k since a significant portion of my pay came from bonuses tied to company performance. With a wife and two kids, plus managing an autoimmune disease, my expenses were higher than average. I decided to leave for a role in a field I was passionate about, where I secured a base salary of $130k and a $26k annual bonus. Unfortunately, I was laid off after just nine months due to restructuring by Private Equity. I returned to my previous company, taking on a similar role with the same salary. The job security is great, and I can spend a lot of time with my family, witnessing my kids' milestones. However, I’m starting to feel the need for a higher salary and worry that my skills in account management and BD are stagnating since my current role doesn’t challenge me. I’m at a crossroads: should I stay and try to negotiate a pay increase, or should I seek a higher-paying opportunity, knowing I might not be able to return here?