Miscellaneous

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 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.

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 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’ve been struggling to find a job since April. I have experience in project management and operations management, and I was previously a chief of staff. I also hold a master’s degree, but despite my qualifications, the job search has been incredibly tough and is starting to take a mental toll on me. I’ve applied to numerous positions—some where I feel underqualified, others where I feel overqualified, and many where I believe I’m perfectly qualified. I’m exhausted and running out of funds, which adds to my anxiety. I really need help and support during this challenging time.

I just got laid off today while on my H1B visa, and I'm feeling the pressure to find a new job quickly. I have 60 days to secure a position. I have about 2 years of experience as a Project Engineer/Scheduler in the construction industry, and I hold a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering. I'm reaching out for any leads or opportunities that might be available. If you know of any openings or can offer advice, I would greatly appreciate it. Time is running out!

I recently experienced a layoff after over a decade in accounting at a Fortune 100 company. At 58, I received a terse email targeting employees like me—those over 55 with significant tenure—offering a "generous" severance package for early retirement. Initially, I brushed it off, planning to continue working for a few more years. However, after a conversation with my boss, who hinted at our group's impending outsourcing, I decided to accept the offer for the enhanced severance package. My final day was set for three months later, during which I focused on documenting my responsibilities and transferring knowledge to the offshore team that would be taking over our roles. Several colleagues also accepted the offer, and I noticed many of them have struggled to find new positions in the six months since, despite having strong qualifications like CPA licenses and advanced degrees. The job market seems particularly tough for older workers, which has been disheartening. Thankfully, I had the financial stability to retire comfortably.

I got laid off about a month ago from my position at a big tech company. Initially, I felt elated when it happened because I had not been enjoying my job for a while, and I was somewhat prepared for the news since my colleagues and I had been hearing about the layoffs in the news for months. When I received the news during a meeting with my manager and HR, I remained calm and even offered supportive messages to my coworkers afterward. The prospect of pursuing my side projects with the severance felt liberating. However, as time has passed, I've started to grieve the loss of my job. I've been actively searching for new opportunities, but I can't help but feel disheartened by the low-level job offers I'm receiving, which are reminiscent of positions I would have accepted a decade ago. I understand that recruiters are just trying to make a living, but it’s frustrating to see how the job market has changed. Today has been particularly tough, and I’m trying to remind myself to take it one day at a time. I know I'm not alone in this experience, as many others are facing similar challenges in the current job market.

I was just fired from my job at a retail store, and honestly, I never thought it would happen to me. I always made sure to do everything right: I arrived an hour early, managed my responsibilities well, and was polite to customers. I avoided conflicts by involving managers whenever issues arose, and I documented everything in the system. I never had a complaint from customers, and I kept to myself during busy hours to stay focused. I rarely called out sick and always adhered to the dress code. So, you can imagine my shock when I got a call on my day off telling me I was fired for not smiling "enough." Apparently, some customers complained about my demeanor, but I never received any feedback about it. I always smiled when interacting with customers, but I was focused on their orders and the tasks at hand. It felt unfair that I was let go when I was always trying to do my best. Now, I'm back on the job hunt, feeling frustrated and confused about what just happened. I plan to file for unemployment and consider my options moving forward.

I've been laid off from my marketing role at a tech startup, and I've been feeling the pressure to find any job, even if it's minimum wage. I've seen a lot of discussions online where people suggest that taking a part-time job is better than nothing, and I can understand that perspective. However, I worry about how it might affect my long-term career goals. I want to make sure that whatever I do next aligns with my skills and aspirations, but the bills are piling up. It's a tough decision, and I'm curious to hear from others who have been in a similar situation. What ultimately pushed you to take a job that didn't match your career path?

I currently work as a foster coordinator at a small nonprofit animal shelter located a couple of hours from NYC. I was promoted to this role six months ago after starting as a kennel attendant/adoption counselor two years ago. Initially, I was making $16.32 as an attendant, but my pay increased to $17.50 when I took on the coordinator position. Lately, I've been feeling overwhelmed due to the influx of animals and the lack of available fosters, which has been emotionally draining. My responsibilities have grown significantly; I've implemented new protocols, created communication systems for fosters, and even handle front desk duties, all while managing a 50-minute commute each way. Recently, I discovered that a coworker who has been in their role for a year less than I have is earning over $17 hourly, which made me question the fairness of my compensation. I respect my coworker, but the disparity in responsibilities between my role and that of an attendant feels unbalanced. I requested a meeting with my employer to discuss my role and compensation, but her response was disappointing. She mentioned that my pay had already been increased and could be evaluated later, which felt dismissive given the praise I've received for my work. I've been exploring other job opportunities and even turned down a vet tech position that offered $18+ an hour because of the longer commute. However, I've researched and found that the average pay for foster coordinators in my area ranges from $20 to $30 an hour, which makes my current salary feel inadequate, especially as I’m living paycheck to paycheck and taking on more financial responsibilities at home due to my partner's job search. I'm seeking advice on how to approach this situation, as I'm feeling stuck and overwhelmed with my current circumstances.

Yesterday, I received a fake job offer from someone who claimed they found my resume on LinkedIn. At first, it seemed legitimate—the company name was real, the message was professional, and they wanted to move quickly. However, after doing some checks, I realized it was a scam. This experience motivated me to create a tool called JobVerify, which is open-source. It analyzes job offers for common scam patterns and helps users verify the company and recruiter before responding. I’m sharing it here to gather feedback from anyone who often encounters these scams. What checks do you perform to verify job offers? Are there any specific indicators you think JobVerify should include that it currently doesn't? You can find the tool on GitHub: github.com/yessGlory17/job-verify.

I’ve been trying to help my younger brother land his first job as a Data Analyst, but it feels like we’re hitting a wall. He graduated recently and has been applying to every entry-level position he can find, including roles in Business Analysis, BI, MIS, and even internships. Despite his efforts—rewriting his resume multiple times, completing projects, networking on LinkedIn, and continuously learning new skills—he’s mostly faced silence or automated rejections. It’s tough to watch him struggle. Each rejection seems to chip away at his confidence, and he often questions what he’s doing wrong. The job listings for entry-level positions often ask for years of experience or skills that seem excessive for someone just starting out. I’m reaching out because if anyone knows of any entry-level Data Analyst roles, Business Analyst positions, or even internships, I would greatly appreciate the leads. I’m also open to sharing his resume privately if that helps. Sometimes, it just takes one person willing to take a chance. Thank you for any assistance!

I was unjustly fired from my job in New Mexico, where I worked under the COO who subjected me to sexual harassment and humiliation during meetings. After my termination, I initially faced denial of unemployment benefits. I decided to appeal and got a hearing, where it was clear that my former employer lied under oath. Despite having substantial evidence, it has now been over three months since the hearing, and the judge has yet to issue a verdict. It's frustrating to see the system seemingly favoring employers in these situations, especially when the purpose of unemployment benefits is to support those of us who are wrongfully terminated. I feel stuck and overwhelmed as I wait for a resolution.

I was laid off for the first time recently, and honestly, it hit me hard. I had been feeling like I was on my way out anyway because the pay was terrible, and I was doing the work of three people. Still, I was blindsided by the actual layoff. Just days before, my manager had mentioned a potential raise, which made the whole situation feel even more surreal. The morning of the layoff, I noticed some unusual behavior from my manager. He canceled our biweekly one-on-one meeting and sent me a new invite for the same time. I had a gut feeling something was off, especially since I saw him in the HR office multiple times over the previous two days. I started to prepare myself for the worst and informed my friends and family about the meeting scheduled for later that day. They tried to reassure me, but deep down, I knew something was coming. When the meeting finally happened, it was confirmed: my job was being outsourced to a third-world country where they could pay someone a fraction of what I was earning. I was the only one in my department, and it felt like a slap in the face. I had been there for three years, and I thought my knowledge would keep me safe, but I was wrong. I can't help but feel angry about the whole situation. Angry that I graduated into a world like this, where job security seems like a fantasy. I'm frustrated that I have to navigate the job market now, where the pay for new positions is laughable. I did receive decent severance, which will help for a few weeks, but I know it’s going to take longer to find something new. On top of that, I’m now left without health insurance, which adds to my stress. This experience has left me feeling bitter and disillusioned with the corporate world.

I was recently dismissed from my position just a day after relocating for the job. This has put me in a tough spot since I signed a lease and now I'm struggling to figure out how to pay rent. I'm reaching out for any job suggestions or opportunities where I can earn some quick cash. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off this week after 3.5 years working for the local county government in Washington State. I started this job in 2023 following some significant life changes, and it felt like a blessing at the time. Despite being placed in the wrong role due to my supervisor's incompetence, I managed to survive my probation period and eventually transitioned into an entry-level position. Earlier this year, my boss warned us about potential layoffs, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. In our office of about 20 people, 4 of us non-management staff were informed that we would be laid off. I have until the end of August to decide whether to accept a severance package, which includes two months' pay and a cashout for my PTO. If I decline the package, I’ll likely be laid off without severance. My last working day will be at the end of August, and I’ll lose my healthcare coverage then too. My wife earns about $65,000 working for the state, and we have a mortgage of $2,600. I’m planning to apply for state positions primarily, but I just had a tough meeting with HR yesterday. At 33 years old, I’m feeling anxious about the job market and would appreciate any advice or insights.

I was laid off in April from a large corporation due to my position being made redundant. Since then, I have been applying and interviewing like crazy, but I keep getting dropped at the final interview stage for the smallest reasons. The most recent feedback I received was that I didn't have enough commercial experience. Just today, I got a rejection call from a company I wasn't even excited about, but I was considering accepting the offer out of desperation. It feels like even my plan B is slipping away. Honestly, this whole experience is hell, and I'm starting to feel like I want to give up. I see my friends who were also laid off, and while some of them have landed good roles, others are still struggling like me. They keep pushing through, treating it as a numbers game, but I can't help but feel exhausted and frustrated. I'm just hoping this nightmare ends soon.

I've been on a heavy job hunt since getting laid off from my previous role, and I've noticed something concerning about Lensa. A significant portion of the job listings I find on various job boards redirect me to Lensa. To apply for these jobs, I have to create an account, and it automatically enrolls me in their emails. What frustrates me the most is that these emails are mostly reminders to continue my job search or to apply for jobs that just lead me back to the company's career page. As soon as I try to turn off the emails, they come flooding back the next time I click on a Lensa posting. It's been overwhelming, and honestly, it's a lot worse than my experiences with platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed. I don't recall this kind of setup from my last job search in 2022. It feels like Lensa is exploiting job seekers during this tough time, and I'm left wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences.

I recently got laid off from my job and I'm seeking advice on how to manage my DoorDash work alongside my unemployment benefits in Virginia. I've been doing DoorDash for about three months as a side gig while I was still employed, and the most I've made in a week was $500. Now that I'm unemployed, my plan is to continue DoorDashing and file for unemployment benefits in hopes of making it through this tough time while I search for a new job. However, I'm unsure about how my DoorDash earnings will affect my unemployment claim. I've read conflicting information online about whether I need to report my earnings before or after expenses and if making $500 a week will disqualify me from receiving unemployment benefits in Virginia. I've heard from others that Virginia has strict rules regarding self-employment and gig work, which makes me nervous about my situation. If anyone has experience with this or can provide clarity on how to navigate reporting my DoorDash income while receiving unemployment, I would greatly appreciate it.