Planning

I came across a survey aimed at understanding how people prepare for job interviews. The survey consists of 12 multiple-choice questions and takes less than 3 minutes to complete. It’s anonymous unless you decide to provide your email for a follow-up. I think participating could provide valuable insights into the job-search process, especially for those of us navigating interviews recently. I’m planning to fill it out to contribute to the research.

I've been unemployed for several years now, and despite my efforts to volunteer and stay engaged, I still haven't been able to land a job. I also have a physical disability that prevents me from pursuing work in the trades, which makes my job search even more challenging. I'm considering whether it would be beneficial to pursue a certification in medical billing and coding or a similar field. I'm hoping that specialized training might improve my chances of finding employment. I've received some advice suggesting that I might want to apply for positions that I'm overqualified for, but I'm unsure if that's the right approach.

I was laid off by Blue Apron after four years of service. It was a shock; I received an email early in the morning stating that I couldn't log into the clock-in app. Shortly after, there was a meeting where they simply said, 'sorry, good luck,' without providing any real explanation. It felt abrupt and disheartening, like they didn't value the time I spent there. I understand that subscription meal services like Blue Apron might be seen as non-essential during tough economic times, and I worry that more layoffs could be on the horizon for them and similar companies. Now, I'm focusing on applying for unemployment and taking some time for myself to mentally reset.

I was supposed to have an initial interview this morning for a role that a contact shared my resume for. I had been corresponding with the talent acquisition advisor to set up the meeting, but when the time came, I never received a call. I'm feeling a bit unsure about how to follow up, but I definitely want to reach out and ask if we can reschedule. I'm thinking of saying something like, "I'm sorry we missed each other, but I'm still very interested in this opportunity. I would love to reschedule our call. I am available [insert availability]." I might suggest a couple of dates and times to make it easier for them.

I recently got hired at TriMkt, thinking it was a decent entry-level opportunity to gain professional experience. The interviews with Cedric and other directors were positive, highlighting growth, leadership opportunities, and a strong team culture. I didn't do my homework before accepting the job, which I now regret. The reality of the position involved selling AT&T services inside Costco and BJ's, where I was expected to approach customers and convince them to sign up. The pay structure was heavily commission-based, with only a $500 weekly base that ended up being around $400 after taxes. The financial pressure to sell was intense, especially since we worked upwards of 60 hours a week, including weekends. Additionally, we had mandatory early-morning meetings that weren't compensated, along with team-building activities that took up more of our time. What was presented as professional development felt more like an expectation to give more time without pay. After just one day of orientation, where they repeated everything from the interviews, I decided to quit. I'm now on the hunt for a new job, ideally outside the restaurant industry, but I'm prepared to return if necessary.

I recently went through the interview process for a role at Bloomberg and received very positive feedback, but ultimately my application was not progressed. After my final interview, they placed my application on hold, but I had another offer and needed to make a decision quickly. When I informed the recruiter, they decided not to move forward with my application, citing that the team wanted to hire candidates with similar professional backgrounds, which another candidate had more directly. Now, two months later, the position is still open and I've accepted the other job, but I'm having doubts about whether it's the right fit. I'm considering reaching out to the Bloomberg recruiter to see if they might reconsider my application, especially since I was initially on hold. I plan to express my understanding if their requirements haven't changed, but I want to know if this is a reasonable approach or if it might be seen negatively. Has anyone had success being reconsidered for a role after being placed on hold or rejected?

I've been working at my current company for seven years, steadily climbing the ranks and receiving promotions for my performance. However, I've recently hit a wall; my manager seems to be unhappy with my work and has started micromanaging me, sending passive-aggressive emails, and generally creating a negative atmosphere. Despite putting in long hours—12-hour days throughout the summer—I'm starting to feel like I'm being pushed out. With my bonus expected to be significantly reduced due to my perceived 'poor' performance, I'm contemplating handing in my notice. I have a three-month notice period, and I don't anticipate being offered gardening leave. I'm considering timing my resignation so that I can receive my final paycheck over the Christmas break, allowing me to use my remaining annual leave to finish up by mid-December. This would ideally set me up to start a new role in early January. However, I'm also weighing the option of taking my leave over the next few months and coasting through my final weeks, especially since the lead-up to Christmas is typically quiet. I'm unsure about the best course of action and would appreciate any advice on when to hand in my notice.

I recently graduated with a degree in office administration and have been actively searching for clerical or administrative work. I've been looking for jobs, internships, or any temporary positions to gain some experience, but I'm hitting a wall. It seems like every opportunity I come across requires prior experience, which I obviously don't have yet. I've even checked hospitals, but they also want experienced candidates. Unfortunately, there aren't any schools nearby that are hiring for administrative roles. It's frustrating because I see secretaries and front desk associates in almost every building I visit, so I know these jobs exist, but I'm at a loss for how to break into the field. The job market is tough, and I'm feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out my next steps.

I’ve been feeling pretty desperate lately. After moving to the EU to pursue my passion in the games industry, I landed my first job at 35, which felt like a victory at the time. I left a stable but unfulfilling tech job in California, thinking I was making a positive change. However, now I find myself eight months unemployed, and the job market in Germany for games is virtually non-existent. The impact of AI and post-COVID greed has really shaken things up in the industry. I’ve noticed more job opportunities in neighboring countries, but they often require relocation or are hybrid roles that I can't pursue since I’m married and my life is here. I’ve had a few recruiters reach out about relocating, but that’s just not an option for me. It’s disheartening to think I might not even qualify for a job at McDonald's given how tough the situation is. I’m trying to broaden my search into product management, as my experience in gaming has involved owning various product areas, even if I’ve never held the official title. Unfortunately, my CV seems to get rejected right away, or I’m left waiting with no response. Right now, I’m anxiously waiting to hear back from two potential opportunities after months of silence, but I’m not feeling very confident about them. If they don’t work out, I’ll be back to square one, and I really don’t know what to do next.

I had an informal chat with the CEO back in May for a role that seemed like a perfect fit for me—great salary, remote work, and aligned with my skills. After waiting for 1.5 months without any updates, I received an email stating they wouldn't be moving forward with my application. I accepted it, thinking they might have gone with an internal candidate or someone they knew. However, just this week, I checked their LinkedIn and noticed they haven't hired anyone new; the same four employees are still listed. This made me wonder if it would be appropriate to reach out to them again and offer my expertise, especially since I've just completed my PhD. I’m hesitant, though, as I don’t want to come off as desperate. What do you think?

I'm currently working a sales job at a retail store, and while the pay is great, I'm feeling pretty unfulfilled. At 25 years old, I find myself in a position where I essentially do nothing for most of my 9-hour shifts. After a quick inventory report, I spend the rest of my time on my phone, as customers rarely come in and when they do, they know exactly what they want. It's a dead-end job that doesn't challenge me or help me grow, and I feel like I'm just going through the motions. The shifts are brutal, usually from 2 PM to 11 PM or even later, which leaves me with no personal life. I wake up late and my days revolve around work and sleep. Despite the decent salary, I crave learning and personal development, but this job isn't providing that. I'm torn between the security of my paycheck and the desire to find something more fulfilling, even if it means starting over at a lower salary. I could really use some advice on what to do next.

I'm a 24-year-old male with an A.A.S. in IT, and I've been struggling to find a tech job since I graduated from community college in 2024. Currently, I'm living in Kentucky, where tech opportunities are pretty scarce. I have about 10 months of experience working at a pizza place, where I was promoted to manager in my last two months. Recently, I've taken a job at a car wash, but it's not what I want long-term. My goal is to move to Texas, where I believe there are better job prospects. I have around $5,000 saved up and a reliable financed car, but I'm concerned about how quickly that money might go once I start paying deposits and bills. I'm actively applying for IT positions and considering highlighting my management experience on my resume, as well as mentioning my willingness to relocate. Any advice on how to secure a job before making the move would be greatly appreciated.

Today, I made the tough decision to quit my job. I've been feeling incredibly lonely at work for almost a year now. I work in a department of about 10 people, but I hardly interact with anyone. The few colleagues who did speak to me have left, and I often feel invisible as people walk past me without a word. My training was inadequate, and the person responsible for it has made my job even more difficult by not giving me all my responsibilities and throwing me under the bus when issues arise. My supervisor doesn’t provide any support and just takes her word for everything. I've been contemplating leaving for a while, but they always managed to convince me to stay. However, my mental health has taken a serious hit, and I can’t handle it any longer. I’ve saved up about $10,000 to cover my rent, so I feel somewhat secure while I search for a new job. I know it's usually advised to find a new position before quitting, but my mental well-being is my priority right now. I even struggle to find time to see a therapist due to my work schedule. I’m ready to move on and hopefully find a healthier work environment.

I recently received a rejection email for a role I applied for, and I'm trying to make sense of the feedback. The email stated, "I was able to connect with the team earlier this afternoon, and while I really enjoyed meeting with you, we’ve decided not to move forward with your candidacy at this time. This decision isn’t a reflection of your skills or experience, but rather the direction our team decided to take based on our current candidate pool." I felt I was a good match for the position based on my skills and experience, so this response left me confused. I’m considering whether I should reach out to inquire about other roles within the company that I might qualify for, or if the timing of my potential relocation at the end of October played a factor in their decision. I've heard from others that such rejection phrases can often be generic, and that there might have been an internal candidate already preferred for the role. It’s frustrating to think that even if I fit the job description perfectly, factors like team dynamics or personal impressions could have influenced their choice. I'm left wondering if I should take this as a sign that I wouldn’t fit in with their culture or if I should keep pursuing opportunities with them.

I was laid off from my role last October and since then, I've submitted 128 applications but only landed 3 interviews. I feel completely exhausted by the job search process. It's been nearly 10 months, and I know that means I'm averaging about 3 applications per week, which seems low. I’ve received feedback that my resume is too dense and wordy, making it hard for hiring managers to quickly grasp my skills and experience. I’ve been advised to simplify my resume and maybe even use AI tools to help tailor it for each job. I’m considering looking for temporary positions, especially with the political campaign season in full swing, as it might lead to opportunities in data roles. Any further advice on how to improve my approach would be greatly appreciated.

I recently received a job offer in the IT industry for $50k, which will increase to $55k after 90 days. I was laid off in January and took the Sec+ certification to enhance my skills. Although this offer is better than what I've had before, it's still on the lower end for the industry. I come from a customer service background, so this entry-level position is a chance for me to learn and grow. However, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. Since receiving this offer, I've been contacted by other companies for interviews, and they are offering significantly higher salaries—$65k and $70k. I'm feeling anxious about accepting the current job because if I get an offer from one of these other companies, I would have to quit shortly after starting, which feels really uncomfortable to me. I have a hard time with authority and dislike the idea of job-hopping, especially since I've struggled financially for most of my life. I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this situation. Should I take the job I have now and continue interviewing, or is it better to wait and see if I get a higher offer? I appreciate any insights!

I'm currently employed as a Data Center Technician with four years of experience in server hardware, troubleshooting, fiber optics, audits, and basic networking. I'm looking to transition into a remote role and would love to hear recommendations for positions that align with my background. If anyone has made a similar move, I would appreciate insights on which certifications were most beneficial and which companies are worth considering for remote opportunities. Thank you in advance for any advice!

I've been actively searching for a job throughout the entire year, but unfortunately, I haven't had any luck so far. I suspect that my resume might be the issue, and I'm open to any and all advice on how to improve it. I'm eager to make my application stand out and finally land a position.

I work as a shift manager at a fast food restaurant and have been with the company for about 6 years. Recently, we've had a new district manager and a new company take over our store, and things have been going downhill. The expected labor percentage is way too low, and many long-term employees have quit because they were reduced to just one shift a week. We're often understaffed, managing with only four people at a time, which is barely enough to keep the place running. I make $17.75 an hour, which is above the new cap of $15, but we’re no longer allowed to earn overtime. This is frustrating because I used to work at least 45 hours a week. Today, I had to go in on my day off due to the night manager being unavailable, and I ended up working an hour of overtime. However, my general manager informed me that they would cut my paycheck back to 40 hours and hold the overtime pay for the next check. She assured me I would still get paid for all my time, but it wouldn’t be reflected as overtime on my pay stub. I know it’s less than $30 after taxes, but I’m upset because it feels like they’re manipulating the numbers to make their bonuses look good while I miss out on the pay I earned. I’ve lost trust in my manager, especially since she previously cut my hourly rate without informing me. I’m worried she might forget to add my overtime pay to the next check, especially since I’ve picked up a shift at another location. I’m wondering if this is even legal. I’ve let a lot slide from management, but this feels particularly unfair. I might need to look into my rights regarding overtime pay.

Today marks a significant turning point in my life as I was laid off after 13 years at my company. I had always been a high-performing individual contributor, often the lowest paid in the room despite my hard work and dedication. I genuinely believed I had positioned myself as someone who would be the last to go, but I was mistaken. Now, I find myself at a crossroads. Thankfully, I've managed to save enough to last me about eight years based on my current spending habits, along with some retirement savings. However, I still have a long way to go before I reach retirement age, and I don't own any property. I've always had a passion for AI and have gained considerable experience in this field. This layoff might be the opportunity I need to explore AI on my own terms, rather than for corporate objectives. At the same time, I feel a strong desire to travel and see the world, but I also feel incredibly exhausted from the years of hard work. I had set a goal to achieve financial independence and retire early (FIRE) by age 50, but this unexpected turn has pushed that goal further away. I'm feeling lost and unsure of what my next steps should be. Should I take some time off to rest and recharge? Dive straight into personal projects? Start job hunting immediately to stay on track with my FIRE aspirations? Or should I take the plunge and travel? Additionally, I've neglected my physical and mental health for too long, and I want to prioritize that as well. I’m seeking advice on how to navigate this complex mix of feelings and options.