Got a Job

After nearly two years of searching for a job, I finally received an offer after submitting over 800 applications. I started applying in January 2026, focusing primarily on remote positions, but by the end of March, I noticed that opportunities in that area were dwindling. I paused my applications for a few months, but in June 2026, I broadened my search to include remote, hybrid, and both in-state and out-of-state positions. It's been a challenging journey, and I can confidently say this is the worst job market I've ever experienced. While I have an offer now, I'm still interviewing for a few other roles just to keep my options open.

Today was my first day at a new job as a barista, and I'm feeling really anxious about how it went. My manager told me that I need to be quicker, which really caught me off guard. I had prepared by memorizing the menu, but I struggled with the metric system for the drink measurements because I didn't fully understand what the numbers meant. When I asked for clarification, they said we could discuss it on my first day, but that didn't help me much beforehand. During my shift, I made some mistakes while preparing drinks since it was my first time handling the toppings. My manager seemed annoyed, and even though I eventually got the hang of it, I was still slow and sometimes messed up the quantities. I aced the quiz she gave me on the menu, but when I hesitated on one question, she suggested I shouldn't come in tomorrow. That really hit hard. They even told me I could leave early, and then asked for my uniform back, which made me think I was being let go. I still have shifts scheduled for next week, so I'm confused about what that means. I felt like I was trying my best, but the way my manager communicated made it hard to know what to do. I’m questioning if I’m just incompetent or if this is a normal experience for a first day. I really hope things improve.

I’m thrilled to share that after 414 days of unemployment and sending out over 700 applications, I finally landed a job! I’m 27 years old and my new role is as a Gardener, which is quite a shift from my previous experience in Civil Engineering, City Planning, and 3D Art. I’ve spent 10 years in the workforce, with 7 of those years in my previous fields. I had been struggling financially and was down to my last savings when I received a fantastic offer to work as a Landscaping Gardener. The company is great—they’ll provide training, transportation from home to work, and even allow me to utilize my 3D modeling and design skills along with my drone operation experience. I lost my last job due to the impact of AI on the creative industry, which has been tough, especially with the sudden need to relocate after an electrical house fire caused by my landlord's neglect. I barely managed to escape with my pets, and with winter approaching, I was worried about finding work. To anyone else in a similar situation, don’t lose hope! Keep reaching out to potential employers, network through unions or associations in your field, and consider switching industries. Your skills and experiences are always valuable, no matter the field. Wishing everyone the best of luck!

I recently applied to over 30 jobs and finally landed two interviews. The first interview was with a company I'll refer to as T. It was just okay; I didn't feel I performed my best, but it wasn't a disaster either. The main draw for me is that T is only a 15-minute walk from my home, which is very convenient. The second interview was with a company I'll call P, an Indian fintech firm that operates in a highly regulated space. I felt much more confident during this interview, and they have already indicated that they want to move me to the next round. However, the downside is that P is located about 30 kilometers from my home and requires a five-day work-from-office setup. I've completed one round of interviews with both companies, and P also has an additional assessment. I've also applied to several other companies that I consider dream opportunities, but I haven't heard back from any of them yet. I'm at a crossroads and would love to hear your thoughts on what I should do next.

I just accepted a job offer, but I noticed a mistake on my resume regarding the dates for one of my previous roles. I listed my employment as being from May to July 2024, when it should actually be May to August 2024. I'm concerned that this one-month discrepancy might raise red flags during the background check process. I'm hoping it won't hurt my offer, but I'm unsure how to address this issue.

Today was supposed to be payday for me at my job as a part-time employee at a local retail store. I've always picked up my check on Thursdays, as that's when payroll is processed. However, when I arrived to collect my check, I was told by one of the GMs that I wouldn't be able to get it until Friday. This was completely out of the blue for me, as I've never had an issue before. I've been asking for direct deposit since I started, but the management has refused to work with my credit union, which is incredibly frustrating. After driving 25 minutes from college, I was already feeling stressed and hungry. When I confronted the GM about the change in the payday schedule, she just shrugged it off and refused to give me my check. I was so upset that I left without arguing further, but I had already planned to quit soon anyway because I found a better job opportunity. I went back later to demand my paycheck and let them know I was resigning, but the head manager flat-out refused to hand it over. She even said it wasn’t her problem if I didn’t get paid. I feel completely disrespected and berated. I’m seriously considering just walking away and not going back. It’s infuriating to deal with such unprofessionalism, especially when I’ve been a dedicated employee. Now I'm just waiting for my new job to start.

Today, I accepted a new job offer that comes with better pay, more opportunities, and aligns perfectly with my career goals. I'm genuinely excited about the role and what it means for my future. However, I can't shake off this overwhelming sadness about leaving my current job. It's been a tough environment with a heavy workload, but I've truly loved working there. My coworkers are some of the best people I've ever met, and the thought of leaving them makes me emotional. They've supported my growth and made my time there meaningful, even if the job itself had limited progression and was low paid. I know that moving on is the right decision, but I can't help but feel a deep sense of loss for the connections I've made and the impact I've had in this role.

Today I faced my third layoff since 2024, and honestly, I don't know how to cope with this again. I'm feeling pretty numb and have this heavy pit in my stomach. The news hit my partner hard, especially since they were already stressed about our finances. Now, I'm stuck in my home office, feeling ashamed as I prepare to apply for new jobs all day. At least I was a bit proactive this time, anticipating the layoff and actively applying before it happened. I even have a job interview lined up for next week, which gives me a glimmer of hope. But still, I can't help but wonder why it has to be this way.

About 7 months ago, I was laid off from my position as an Account Executive in tech sales due to a company restructuring. I had a strong track record, winning multiple awards over my 7 years in the industry, but since the layoff, I've been stuck in a frustrating cycle of interviews. I've attended numerous lengthy interview loops, but the feedback is often that they chose an internal candidate or that hiring is on hold. It feels like I'm doing everything right—I've hired a career coach, reached out to my network, and applied to countless roles—but I keep getting to the final stages only to be passed over. Recently, I was ghosted by a company that seemed promising, which added to my frustration. After months of this, I decided to pivot and apply for local luxury retail sales positions, thinking it might be a good temporary solution. I updated my resume and started getting interviews right away. One boutique even offered me a job just a week after I interviewed. However, during that week, a tech company I had applied to earlier reached out and has been moving quickly through the interview process. I've met most of the team and received positive feedback. Now, I’m in a tough spot because I’ve accepted the boutique job offer, but there’s a chance I could get an offer from the tech company soon. I’ve been laid off three times, and while I have enough savings to cover my expenses for the next six months, I’m worried about the uncertainty of corporate roles. I don’t want to drain my savings while waiting for a tech job that may never come through. At the same time, I’m concerned about abandoning my successful AE career for a retail position. I’m really torn about what to do next.

I recently received a job offer from a fantastic company and I'm currently going through the onboarding process. As part of this, I'm completing a background check through HireRight. When I initially applied for the position, I submitted a resume that only included 2 out of the 4 jobs I've held in the past five years, leaving out the other two because they weren't relevant to the role. Now, HireRight is asking for details about all my employment in the last five years, which means I need to include those omitted jobs. I'm feeling a bit anxious about this, especially since one of those positions ended on a sour note due to some conflicts with my manager and I didn't give the standard two weeks' notice, leading to it being marked as job abandonment. I'm unsure if I should include all this information or if I can leave out the details about my previous manager. I've seen some advice suggesting that it's okay to omit certain details and just match the employment dates, but I want to ensure there are no issues with my background check.

I used to work as a switchboard operator at a health center for two and a half years. My role involved handling patient calls, but I often struggled to meet the high call volume expectations set by management. Despite my efforts to assist patients, I frequently faced challenges due to low call volume and the need to navigate through multiple layers of communication with nurses, which sometimes resulted in delays in patient care. My managers were unsupportive, often reprimanding me publicly for my performance, which was demoralizing. In September 2024, I was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer after experiencing persistent breast pain. I underwent surgery in February 2025 and was scheduled for radiation therapy shortly after. I informed my manager about my situation, and while he seemed to show some understanding, he had already issued a written warning against me for my performance issues. On April 15, I was informed about upcoming layoffs in our department. The next day, I was laid off right before my approved medical leave for radiation therapy was set to begin. I felt blindsided and disheartened, especially when I noticed some of my former colleagues seemingly amused by my situation. I now find myself contemplating whether I should take legal action against the company for what feels like an unjust termination, especially given the timing with my medical leave.

I recently landed an interview for an entry-level position, which is exciting as I’m a senior in college. However, the company is asking for three professional references, and I've only had one job so far. I did not misrepresent my experience; they know I’ve only worked at one place. I'm also applying to grad schools, and since those programs are quite competitive, I want to secure a job that starts in May 2027, right after I graduate, in case I don’t get into grad school. This job would be a great fallback as it offers a stable and well-paying career. I’m hesitant to ask the three professors who are writing my letters of recommendation for grad school to also be my job references. The job isn’t directly related to my grad program, and I worry it might make me seem uncommitted or confused about my future. Should I just reach out to two other professors for references instead? I’m feeling really anxious about this situation.

I recently received an offer for a corporate marketing analyst role after interviewing with a company for a few weeks. With three years of experience in marketing, I was excited about this opportunity, especially since it would be a move across the country. The salary is decent, but not enough for me to jump at it immediately. I think the role could enhance my resume, especially since my previous company wasn't well-known and often raised questions during interviews. I left my last job voluntarily five months ago and have been job searching since August. Financially, I'm okay, so I have the option to decline if it doesn’t feel right. However, I’m eager to accept an offer within the next month, especially since this is my second offer; I turned down the first due to salary concerns. During the interview process, I noticed a few potential red flags that have me questioning whether I should accept the offer. First, the team I would be joining is brand new, and they are in the process of hiring 2-3 analysts, a manager, and a director. The roles have been open for over six months, which raises concerns about the team's direction and stability. I interviewed with the manager during her second week on the job, and while she seemed nice and had solid answers, I worry that the lack of established leadership could lead to confusion and inconsistent expectations. Additionally, in my second interview, the person I spoke with appeared stressed and mentioned that she often doesn't have time to explore the area due to work demands. She indicated that her manager was constantly reaching out to her, which makes me wonder if this reflects the overall company culture. I’m unsure why she was involved in my interview process, as it seemed like they needed someone with data experience, but it also felt a bit off. In my final interview with a director from an adjacent team, I learned that the role had been open for a long time, which made me question if there are underlying issues with the position or the team. The director expressed a desire for someone with experience in a specific software that I don't have, which was never mentioned in previous interviews or the job description. While I’m open to learning, it makes me think that there might not be a clear vision for what the new team will accomplish. Despite these concerns, I did enjoy my other interviews, especially with the CMO, who had great insights about the team's goals. The manager I spoke with also seemed genuinely excited about the role and had solid leadership experience. Given that I would be relocating and there’s a two-year vesting period for the sign-on bonus and relocation package, I want to be cautious. If the role turns out to be a poor fit, I could feel stuck for two years. I’d appreciate any advice on whether these points should be considered red flags.

I recently had an incredible experience with my job search. I was browsing Indeed when I came across a job opening at Best Buy. I quickly read through the job description and decided to schedule an online interview. I was nervous but prepared, having watched several videos on interview techniques. On the day of the interview, I dressed in smart casual attire and logged in. The interviewer asked me some standard questions, and I felt confident throughout the conversation. He even complimented me on my confidence and assured me I would hear back soon about an in-person interview. Just two days later, I received an email with options for the in-person interview. I scheduled a time and made sure to arrive 30 minutes early on the day of the interview. I waited patiently in the store, browsing the products until I was called in. The manager and another staff member asked me a couple of questions, and within five minutes, the manager stood up, shook my hand, and said, "You're hired!" I was completely taken aback and stood there for a moment before thanking him and leaving the store, still processing what had just happened. Later, I received a text from the staff member who interviewed me, saying, "I've never seen anyone get hired like that, congrats brother." It was a whirlwind experience, and I'm thrilled to have landed the job so quickly!

I'm currently working as an admin at a law firm, but the commute is really taking a toll on me. It takes about an hour and a half to get there and the same back, which is exhausting. The firm itself isn't a great fit; there's no room for progression and I don't enjoy the work. I've been trying to apply for other jobs in the legal sector during my limited free time, but I've mostly been ghosted after two interviews—one for a similar role where I was deemed 'overqualified' and another for a paralegal position that I never heard back from. Recently, I received an offer for a job at a supermarket, which is only a 10-minute walk from my house. The pay is almost the same as my current job, maybe just 20p less per hour, and it comes with the possibility of overtime. I'm considering taking it to alleviate the stress of commuting and to free up time and money to focus on applying for better roles in the future. However, I'm worried about how this decision will reflect on my CV. My mum thinks it will look bad to leave a legal job for a supermarket position, and that future employers might assume I was fired or something. I plan to explain that the commute became too much and that I'm using this time to improve my skills and apply for other jobs. I just hope that my reasoning will be understood.

I just signed a job offer this morning and I'm thrilled to be moving on from my draining current job! However, I'm a bit anxious about the background check process. My current employer has been using my nickname as my legal name on documents for over a year, including my W2. I know my social security number is correct, but I'm concerned that this nickname mismatch might cause issues during the background check. I'm planning to list my legal name on the screening form and will include my nickname as an alias. I'm just not sure if the background check company will have trouble verifying my current employment due to this discrepancy. Any advice or thoughts from others who have been in a similar situation would be greatly appreciated!

I recently attended a hiring event at Aritzia and was thrilled to receive a phone call the following week informing me that I got the seasonal Style Advisor position! However, I'm currently in a bit of limbo as I haven't yet received an official offer letter, onboarding documents, or any follow-up emails. I'm reaching out to see if anyone who has worked at Aritzia can share their experiences. Specifically, I'm curious about how long it typically takes to receive the official offer and onboarding paperwork after getting a verbal offer. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I started my new job about six weeks ago and today I was awarded Employee of the Month! 🥳 This is a huge milestone for me, especially since I've never received such an accolade before. The entire company votes on the recipient, and I was genuinely surprised to see the positive feedback from my colleagues. My journey to this point has been challenging. I left my career job in April 2025 after having a baby and struggled with postpartum depression, which made it tough to return to work. I took a three-month maternity leave and went back to a bar I used to work at, but I found it increasingly difficult to juggle my responsibilities there. I applied for various positions, went through a rough patch with my mental health, and even took a break from job searching for a while. After regaining my strength, I began applying again, and to my surprise, I landed an interview for a job I didn't think I would hear back from. After a second interview, I was offered the position! Initially, I thought there might not have been much competition, but I later learned that the hiring process was quite rigorous, which boosted my confidence and helped me overcome my imposter syndrome. I've been working hard, taking on more responsibilities, and managing multiple schedules. On top of that, I've lost 45 pounds naturally over the last 1.5 years, and I'm feeling better mentally than ever. It took a lot of personal growth and therapy to get here, but I finally feel like I'm thriving. This experience has taught me the importance of persistence and hard work. I had moments of doubt, believing I would never find a job I truly valued, but I kept pushing forward. So, to anyone out there struggling, don't give up! Your efforts will pay off!

I recently accepted a full-time role after a successful interview, where I was clear about my need for flexible work arrangements due to my child's additional needs. The hiring manager assured me that I could have one work-from-home day a week, which was crucial for my family's schedule. However, as I approached my start date, I reached out to the team lead for logistical questions and discovered that new hires typically don't get work-from-home days until after an 8-week training period. This information was never disclosed during the interview process, and I feel misled. I would not have accepted the offer had I known this, as it doesn't align with my family's needs. Now, I'm anxious because my previous job has been filled, and I need clarity on whether they can accommodate my requirements before I start. I'm debating whether to push for a definitive answer via email this week or wait until our in-person discussion on Monday. I’ve already identified the specific dates I would need to work from home to meet both my training and family obligations.

Today, I accepted a part-time job offer, which feels like a step forward. However, I just received news from another potential employer about scheduling an interview. This position is listed as either full-time or part-time on Indeed, which adds to my uncertainty. A few years back, I did an unpaid working interview for this same company but didn’t get the job, so I'm hesitant about pursuing it again. I'm conflicted about whether I should still go for the interview, especially since I’m not sure how my availability will align now that I’ve accepted the other position. I would appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation.