Planning

I’ve been on the job hunt lately, and honestly, it feels more challenging than my last role. I’ve been searching everywhere—LinkedIn, company websites, Indeed, and even reaching out to recruiters. It’s like a full-time job in itself. Every day, I’m tailoring my resume, writing cover letters, and creating portfolios. I’ve completed countless assessments and then spent weeks waiting for responses. Following up often leads to getting ghosted, which is disheartening. It’s frustrating because companies claim they can’t find talent, while we, the candidates, are struggling to find jobs. The whole process has turned into an exhausting cycle that feels less like a job search and more like an unpaid full-time job. When did job hunting become this overwhelming? It’s a strange situation where the hiring process seems to drain more energy than the actual work we’re applying for.

I was recently laid off from my job, and surprisingly, it felt good. I took a moment to close over 20 open tabs on my personal laptop that I had been using for work. As I closed each tab, I felt the stress melt away, and it was a liberating experience. Now, I’m looking forward to enjoying my summer without the weight of work on my shoulders!

I recently resigned from my part-time position at Uniqlo after nearly a year of working there. It had become increasingly frustrating, especially after a new supervisor took over. I was often scheduled for longer shifts than I agreed to, and when I tried to communicate my availability, I was met with dismissive comments. A week before my scheduled shifts on Friday and Saturday, I informed my supervisor about a family situation that would prevent me from working those days. He deemed my notice too short and refused to accommodate my request. Feeling undervalued and disrespected, I decided to put in my two weeks' notice since I had another job lined up. However, when I called out for my shift today due to the scheduling conflict, my supervisor responded by removing my remaining shifts for the week. He scheduled my last day for Saturday, the very day I had told him I couldn't work. Now I'm in a bind because I can't make it to the city in time for that shift. I wanted to leave on good terms, but I'm not sure how to handle returning my company-issued nametag and bag. I'm feeling conflicted about whether I did the right thing and what my next steps should be.

I am feeling really stuck in my current job and desperately need some guidance. I graduated from a Tier 2 B-School in India, one of the New IIMs, and landed a position at a reputed institution. While the compensation wasn't great, I thought being in a well-known organization would help me transition to a better role later on. I joined as a Management Trainee and spent the first six months rotating through different departments before being placed in their sales and distribution vertical. My goal was to gain some hands-on experience in field sales for a few months and then move into a different internal role. However, after a year in sales, it became clear that the company was not going to allow me to switch roles. They keep giving excuses as to why I can't move on, and I acknowledge that my performance in sales has been average at best. I have no desire to continue in this role, yet I feel trapped. Now, when I apply for other positions, I struggle to even get interviews. It feels like I'm being pigeonholed as just a salesperson, and I'm unsure how to navigate my career from here. If anyone has experienced something similar or has advice on how to break out of this situation, I would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you!

I recently received a job offer for a position that I am really excited about. The role is in the marketing department at a mid-sized tech company. Currently, they are conducting a background check as part of their hiring process. I'm hopeful everything goes smoothly, and I can officially start this new chapter in my career.

I recently applied for a job and received an email stating that the interviews will be conducted in groups. I confirmed my spot for the interview scheduled for next week, but I'm feeling quite anxious since I haven't been on a formal interview in a long time—my last job didn't really involve a traditional interview process. I'm not entirely sure what to expect from a group interview, and I'm worried about how to handle it. I've been unemployed since January, so this opportunity feels really important to me. I would appreciate any advice or insights on what a group interview typically entails and how I can prepare for it.

I've been contemplating whether to start applying for jobs in the city I'm planning to move to in January. I'm looking for retail positions, but I currently live about 5 hours away, which complicates things since any interviews would need to be conducted online. Ideally, I want to secure a job before I move so I can hit the ground running when I start school. However, I'm unsure if online interviews are even feasible for these types of roles. To be honest, I've been struggling with my job search lately. I've had around 15 interviews but haven't received any offers or follow-ups, which has left me feeling discouraged. I'm starting to question if I should even go to school if I can't find a job. I'm considering whether it would be better to wait until I move to apply so I can do in-person interviews, but part of me thinks I should start now to maximize my chances. Any advice would be appreciated.

I'm preparing to put in my notice on Monday as a director at a small company. My boss is known for being petty and vindictive, and I know she'll be floored by my decision. While I'm excited to move on to something new, I'm dreading the conversation. She hates being put in vulnerable positions and will likely make the next two weeks difficult for me, trying to paint me as the bad guy for only giving two weeks' notice instead of four. I really value my team, and I don't want to leave them in a tough spot, especially since I'm a critical part of our operations in this company of about 40 employees. I'm mentally preparing for the discussion this weekend and would appreciate any tips. Should I just disassociate and ignore any negativity, or should I set clear boundaries about what I won't accept? I'm also considering whether to prep my team in advance since I suspect my boss might react poorly. I've heard stories of people being told to leave immediately after resigning, so I'm bracing for that possibility too. I want to handle this professionally and leave on good terms, but I also want to be ready for whatever comes my way.

I recently started working as a Pilates instructor, making about $40 for just an hour of work. Before this, I was laid off from my graphic design job and began collecting unemployment benefits. My weekly benefit is around $400, and I learned I can earn up to $200 from part-time work without affecting my benefits. Last week, I certified my benefits and reported that I worked one day, earning $40 gross pay. However, I also indicated that I wasn't available for work that day because I was technically employed. The certification process only allows me to report full days worked, not hours. Now, I'm confused if I filed correctly. I did work, but my earnings were less than what I receive from unemployment. Can I say 'YES' to the work question while also saying 'YES' to being available for work? I was teaching a class and commuting for about 2 hours, but I was still free the rest of the day to look for or accept other work. I’m worried that I might have made a mistake in my certification. Some comments suggested that I may have filled it out incorrectly, as being unavailable typically means something like being sick or on vacation. I plan to call them to clarify and hopefully fix any issues.

I recently faced a layoff from Cisco, where I worked as an engineer. I was informed that my release was due to financial reasons. However, I decided to open an Employee Relations case after I had a documented meeting with my manager. During that meeting, I used Cisco's AI tool, Circuit, to demonstrate that I was actually more cost-effective to keep than another engineer on my account. Despite this, HR claimed the decision was based on the use of SaC software rather than cost-saving measures. I was third in utilization and customer implementation out of 21 in my team, which I believed further supported my case. After HR said they would investigate, I received an email stating they decided to close the case without providing any details. This situation is particularly concerning as I was working with a public sector client, the FAA, and I believe they may have violated contract terms regarding on-site engineers. I'm still considering signing the agreement on the 13th, but I plan to proceed with the EEOC intake regardless. I’m sharing this experience to raise awareness, not looking for negative comments.

I currently have a job, but the pay isn't great. Over the past year, I've submitted more than 1,000 resumes and managed to land only one interview, which is incredibly frustrating. I'm starting to wonder if the job market is as bad as it seems, especially with so many friends and family members getting laid off and struggling to find new opportunities. I see a lot of news about a 'job boom,' but it feels disconnected from my experience. It seems like the boom is mainly for those in AI-related fields, while others are left in the dust. I’ve tried everything, but the sheer volume of applications seems to be working against me, as recruiters are using AI to filter candidates. It feels like companies are looking for the perfect fit, which makes it even harder to get noticed. I’m really concerned about what the future holds for job seekers like me.

I was hired for a position at a hospital back in May and completed all the onboarding processes, including fingerprinting and background check, by May 21st. My initial start date was set for June 15th, but it got pushed back to July 6th, and now it's been delayed again to July 20th. I'm still waiting on HR clearance, and it's starting to worry me. I disclosed a pending charge on my application, so I'm wondering if that's causing the holdup. I would have expected to hear from them about my background check by now.

I recently received a job offer after months of searching, and it's for a position in Washington State. I'm feeling a bit uncertain about the offer, especially regarding the drug screening policies, particularly related to THC. I want to know if the position is considered 'safety sensitive' since that could affect the drug testing process. I've noticed that the job description mentions a 'Drug Free Workplace' policy, and I found a review indicating that they conduct random drug tests. Given that Washington has laws against discrimination based on THC in pre-employment screenings, I'm trying to figure out if this position might still fall under the 'safety sensitive' category, especially since the company has manufacturing operations. The role itself is office-based, focusing on finance and accounting, which I wouldn't typically classify as safety sensitive, but I'm concerned about potential duties that might require access to the manufacturing area. I'm contemplating whether I should reach out to the recruiter to ask about the drug screening specifics without jeopardizing my image. Any advice on how to approach this would be greatly appreciated!

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 recently took a job in the Pacific Northwest after leaving my home in San Diego. I really enjoy the work; it's with a reputable company, and I have a lot of freedom in my role. My office is at home, but I meet with customers daily, playing golf and attending happy hours, all on the company dime. The job is low-stress, with minimal micromanagement from my boss, who is located in another state. I'm 27 and this is my first job out of college, where I earned $190k last year before taxes in my third year. The work-life balance is fantastic, allowing me to manage personal matters during the week. However, I'm struggling with my living situation. I don't have any friends here, and my coworkers are significantly older, with families. I find the city lacks activities that resonate with me, and the few enjoyable things I've done repeatedly. Despite attending social events, I miss having my lifelong friends around. I'm considering moving to a location that better fits my lifestyle, even if it means accepting a less lucrative job. Has anyone else faced a similar situation where they prioritized happiness over salary?

I’m a college senior majoring in Biological Sciences, and I’ve been on the job hunt for a while now. I’ve applied to about 50 positions, mostly in grocery stores and retail, but I keep getting rejections or no responses at all. I have some experience working at a summer camp and for an online business, along with over 1,000 hours in biological research. I’m really hoping to find a job that allows me to save money for graduation and improve my people skills before I apply for PhD programs. If anyone has recommendations for places that might be willing to hire someone with my specific background, I would really appreciate it!

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.

I'm currently self-employed, enjoying the flexibility and decent income, but I've been facing a lot of inconsistency lately. It's been a real feast or famine situation, so I'm actively looking for something more stable. I recently applied for a corporate job that offers a salary of around $100k a year, which is great, but the job comes with its own set of challenges. The role involves about three hours of driving each day and possibly only one day a week at home. I've worked in corporate environments before, and I know the feeling of being treated like a child, where you have to ask for permission to do basic things like using the restroom. I've gone through three rounds of interviews so far, and I'm preparing for the next stage, which is an in-person interview with the entire department. While the pay is enticing, the three weeks of earned vacation feels underwhelming, especially living in a high cost of living area. I'm honestly contemplating whether I should just take a local job that pays slightly above minimum wage instead of going back into a corporate environment that feels soul-sucking. It's a tough decision, especially in this economy, as I don't want to feel foolish for potentially giving up a well-paying job.

I recently graduated with a marketing degree and have been actively job hunting for a while now. I've applied to over 100 positions but have only landed one interview, which was quite discouraging. I've put a lot of effort into redoing my resume and even created a portfolio showcasing my school projects and a mock campaign to demonstrate my skills. Despite all this, I feel like I'm hitting a wall. I've started to lose hope in marketing and have shifted my focus to customer service roles, but I'm still facing the same issue—no responses or offers. It feels like I can't get my foot in the door without prior experience, and I'm really struggling to find someone willing to give me a chance.

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.