Planning

Today, I had a second-round interview for a social media coordinator position at an advertising agency, and I’m feeling really hopeless about it. The first interview went well, but this one was a skills assessment where I had to write 10 social media captions based on a single photo in just 30 minutes. I really struggled and only managed to finish 6 captions before the time ran out. I felt completely blank and embarrassed. They said the captions I did write were good, and one of the interviewers even tried to console me, saying she wouldn’t have done any better under that pressure. I graduated in May 2025 with a degree in social media management and have applied to hundreds of jobs over the past year and a half, landing only a handful of interviews. Currently, I work part-time as a digital media strategist for a local business and also wait tables while volunteering as a social media manager for a non-profit. Living in a semi-rural area, the job market for design and marketing roles is quite limited, which adds to my frustration. I’m feeling burnt out and questioning if this is even the right field for me. I feel stuck, embarrassed, and crushed right now. If anyone has experienced something similar or has any advice, I would really appreciate it.

I am currently in the final interview stage for a new job, but instead of feeling excited, I'm filled with dread about the prospect of accepting this position. The company I would be working for is in a unique situation; it's not fully established yet because my current employer is selling off this section of their business, which is expected to become its own entity within the next year. This uncertainty, including potential relocation, is making me very uneasy. Although I am interviewing for other jobs, this is not my only option. My current role is ending due to company-wide layoffs at the end of August, and I will receive severance pay and benefits until mid-October. Financially, I'm okay since I'm not supporting anyone else. Despite my instinct to withdraw from this interview process, I'm concerned about how this decision might be perceived by others. I would really appreciate any advice on whether I should go through with it or officially withdraw my candidacy.

I recently graduated with my MBA and have been struggling to kickstart my career. I've participated in campus placement drives, completed online assessments, and submitted numerous job applications. What’s really disheartening is not just the rejections, but the complete silence from recruiters. They schedule assessments, request documents, and promise to follow up, but then they just vanish. I recently finished a placement assessment and saw others getting updates while I heard nothing. It’s frustrating because I’d rather receive a rejection than be left in limbo, wondering if I’m still in the running or if I’ve been cut. This ongoing silence is starting to chip away at my confidence, making me question my skills and qualifications.

I recently interviewed for a remote role with a company based in Colorado, which is hiring remote employees in India. During the interview, I was surprised to find out that my time was being monitored, as I switched tabs multiple times and stepped away for a couple of minutes to answer the door. I explained my actions, and the interviewer seemed satisfied with my responses. He mentioned that they wanted to move forward and would be extending an offer, with HR to follow up. However, after sending a follow-up email to HR about compensation and work timings, I received a response stating that those details would be discussed during a welcome and next steps call with the COO and his colleague. This has left me feeling uncertain, as I've had negative experiences in the past where similar meetings led to offers being rescinded. I’ve never encountered a welcome call before an official offer is made, so I'm unsure what to expect next. I'm hoping for clarity and to see if they will indeed move forward.

I recently made a significant change in my approach to job interviews, and it has surprisingly yielded better results. For years, I was meticulously preparing for interviews—spending hours researching companies, crafting polished responses to behavioral questions, and trying to present myself as the perfect candidate. While I was getting some callbacks, the number of job offers I received was far fewer than I had anticipated. After some reflection, I decided to stop striving for perfection and began treating interviews more like genuine conversations. I started being more open about the gaps in my experience and honest about the work environments where I thrive. I also became more comfortable admitting when I didn’t know something, rather than trying to sidestep the question. This shift made the interviews feel much more natural, and I noticed a positive change in the outcomes as well. I’m not entirely sure if it was because I appeared more genuine, communicated more clearly, or simply felt less nervous, but the results were encouraging. I’m really curious to know if others have had similar experiences. Did being more straightforward and authentic during interviews help you, or did it negatively impact your chances? For those who have been on the hiring side, does authenticity stand out, or is it easy to overestimate its importance? I would love to hear different perspectives and experiences.

I'm currently seeking to transition out of retail after spending 10 years in customer service and merchandising. I'm really tired of the retail environment and have been struggling to get my foot in the door for different types of jobs. I've applied for clerical, receptionist, and medical courier positions, but I keep getting denied almost immediately. My background includes 7 years as a cashier at Kroger, 2 years in general merchandise at the same store, and a short stint as a merchandiser for Coca-Cola, which I found quite unpleasant. I also have some minor experience with Amazon and janitorial work. Right now, I'm doing Amazon Flex to make ends meet while I look for a new job. I didn't pursue a college education, and although I had the opportunity to become a head clerk at my cashier job, I chose not to because the pay was the same. However, there were times when I took on a leadership role when my manager wasn't around. I'm open to any tips or advice on how to make this career change happen!

I'm currently contemplating whether I should leave my job. My pay is quite low—I've heard that even a cook at Panda Express makes more than I do. The workload is overwhelming because I find myself doing everything, which is really draining. I got this position through a family friend, and I'm worried about disappointing them if I decide to leave. Despite the challenges, I do appreciate my coworkers and the fact that my commute is just a 10-minute drive. However, I'm living paycheck to paycheck, and this job isn't aligned with what I studied in college. I took it out of desperation for money, but it’s clear that it’s not sustainable in the long run. I doubt asking for a raise would yield much; I expect they might only offer me a dollar increase, which wouldn't significantly improve my situation. If anyone were in my shoes, would you recommend leaving once a better job offer comes along, or should I wait it out to see if I can secure a raise?

I recently received a job offer for a position that pays significantly less than what I was making before—about half my previous salary. While it's enough to cover my bills and essentials, I've been unemployed for the past 10 months, so I'm feeling the pressure to accept something. The offer states that I would be working a 50-hour week, which is a shift from my usual 40-hour schedule. Additionally, the offer is set to expire within 24 hours of being sent, which feels a bit rushed and unusual. I also asked HR to review some documents before signing, but they refused to share them. I'm torn about whether to accept this offer or hold out for something better.

I’m currently in New York City and desperately searching for a job. I need something ASAP due to mounting bills; my credit cards are seven payments behind and maxed out, and my mom is struggling with her utility bills and mortgage. I've been looking for jobs for four months now, applying to every entry-level position across various industries. I’ve visited temp agencies, revamped my resume multiple times, and yet I’m still getting ghosted with no callbacks. It’s incredibly frustrating. I’m hoping to find a full-time job with 40-50 hours a week, but it feels like no one is hiring. I’m reaching out for any advice on how to secure a job quickly. What can I do to improve my chances of getting hired?

I recently experienced an incredibly unprofessional and insulting situation at my job. I was in a contract-to-hire role that started in April and was supposed to last for four months. Today, I received an email from someone new at the company who had just been hired for the same role as me. He reached out to see if I could help him get acquainted with our systems, which caught me off guard since I had no idea who he was. I decided to message my manager for clarification, and during our call, he informed me that they had found a full-time person for the role and that my last day would be next Friday. To make matters worse, he mentioned that someone should have notified me about this change. Then, he asked if I could get on a call with the new hire to explain everything to him, which I found incredibly insulting. Not only was I blindsided by the news that my contract was ending a month early, but now I was being asked to assist my replacement on the same day I learned I was being let go. I had to keep my emotions in check and reluctantly agreed to the call, but I had no intention of actually doing it. Instead, I sent him an email with a couple of documents and kept it very formal and to the point, without any pleasantries. It's one thing to not hire me, but it's another to end my contract early without any warning. Finding out about my replacement through him was just the cherry on top of this unprofessional experience. While I'm still technically employed until the end of next week, I plan to put in minimal effort.

I've been applying to jobs in a larger city because it offers more opportunities, and I'm open to moving if necessary. The commute is manageable, but I've faced challenges with last-minute interview requests. For instance, a recruiter recently asked me to come in the very next day, which I couldn't accommodate, and I wasn't able to reschedule at that moment. I'm wondering if there's a polite way to request a reschedule without risking my application being discarded. Should I mention my commuting situation when they reach out to schedule the interview? Ideally, I'd prefer at least a day or two to prepare and plan my route instead of rushing in unprepared.

I recently found myself in a tough spot while job searching. I have a GED and have been applying mainly for entry-level positions, focusing on retail since that’s where my experience lies. However, I haven’t had much luck—just one rejection and another notice saying a position was closed without being filled. I’m starting to feel discouraged as I’ve received little to no responses from employers. At 29 years old, I’ve been advised that I might be considered too old for retail and should explore different fields. I struggle with severe anxiety and have limited social skills, which is why sales roles haven’t worked out for me. I can manage being on my feet for long periods, but lifting heavy items is a challenge. On top of that, I’ll be without a vehicle in the next couple of months, which further complicates my job search. I’m looking for recommendations on fields that don’t involve retail or typical entry-level work. I’ve considered options like elder care, which seems to have some opportunities, but I’m unsure where to start. I’ve also thought about manual labor or factory jobs, but I worry about the physical demands and whether I can find something accessible without a car. I’m open to any suggestions that might help me find a suitable job that fits my situation.

I recently had an interview for a position and received a follow-up message from the recruiter mentioning 'next steps.' I'm feeling uncertain about what this means for my chances of getting hired. I reached out to the community to get some insight from recruiters and managers about whether this is a positive sign or just a standard placeholder response. The feedback I received was mixed; some suggested that it doesn't confirm anything and that I should continue applying elsewhere until I have something concrete. Others empathized with my anxiety about the vague language used, and I can't help but feel a bit nauseous thinking about it. I'm trying to stay hopeful but also realistic about my job search.

Today, I made the tough decision to resign from my job, which I once considered my dream role. I've been with the company for over two years, and while I've enjoyed working with great people and doing what I love, the financial situation has become untenable. I earn just one dollar above minimum wage, despite holding three certifications in my field. I've repeatedly asked for a raise, but the company claims it's not in their budget. Meanwhile, my workload has only increased without any corresponding pay increase. I simply can't sustain myself on this salary any longer. I've accepted a new job that offers a starting pay higher than what I currently make, along with benefits like health insurance, a 401K, and PTO. Although the new position isn't glamorous and I'm not particularly passionate about it, I need to prioritize my financial stability while I continue searching for a better opportunity. It's disappointing because I envisioned a long-term future with my current company, but after two years of being paid $15 an hour without any traditional benefits, I had to make this choice. Wish me luck on this new journey!

I am currently three months into my job search and have gone through nearly 25 interviews in the last two months, but unfortunately, I haven't received any offers yet. It's starting to take a toll on my confidence, and I'm beginning to doubt my abilities in my field. To prepare, I've been using the STAR framework for behavioral questions, reading Glassdoor reviews to find ways to connect with the companies, and even conducting mock interviews with my family. Despite these efforts, I still haven't cracked the code to landing a job. I've discovered a unique method for finding job postings that might explain why I've been able to secure so many interviews, and I'm happy to share that if anyone is interested. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has any tips or hacks that have worked for them in similar situations, as I'm in desperate need of some guidance.

I was laid off a month ago due to organizational changes at my company, where I had worked for nearly 30 years. I still have a month left before my official end date, but I just found out that I didn't get my last internal option, which means I'm officially done next month. It's been a tough emotional rollercoaster for me, as this is my first layoff and I never expected to be in this position so close to retirement. My husband and I had been saving just in case, so we can keep our household afloat for a little while, but I'm still panicking about what comes next. I grew up in a generation that valued loyalty to a single company, and now I'm faced with starting over. I just wanted to share my feelings and vent to others who might understand what I'm going through.

I'm currently seeking a new job in the Austin, Texas area as I'm looking to transition out of trucking and into international transportation, trade management, or compliance. I have been working as a Land Asset Account Manager at a mid-sized brokerage for almost two years, where I manage about 80% of our southwest regional freight. During my time here, I've successfully run all of our top 10 accounts and transformed one of our lowest performing customers into a top three account, generating nearly half a million dollars a month in revenue. Additionally, I've navigated a 3PL contract with our fifth largest account and am currently overseeing a specialized asset-based project that is projected to bring in 27 million dollars by the end of the year. My educational background is in International Business with a focus on Supply Chain Management, Trade, Commerce, and Logistics. I'm looking for job ideas and recommendations for employers in the Austin area that align with my experience and education.

I am currently a math co-op student at TMU and I'm looking for ways to enhance my CV without taking on part-time work that doesn't align with my career goals. My resume already includes skills in Power BI, Excel, C++, HTML/CSS, and I have experience from high school CS team projects as well as my time in Air Cadets. Despite sending out 200 applications in my second year, I didn't secure any interviews, which has been quite discouraging. I'm now in my third year and eager to improve my chances of landing a job. I've also been searching for part-time tutoring positions and even had an offer from Kumon, but unfortunately, it fell through just a week after the interview. I'm seeking advice on projects or activities I can undertake to make my resume more appealing to potential employers.

I am currently in the interview process for a marketing role at ServiceMaster. I'm eager to gather insights about the interview process and what I can expect moving forward. If anyone has experience working or interviewing there, I would appreciate any tips or information you can share. Thank you in advance!

I recently experienced a serious issue while job searching. While applying for positions online, I fell victim to a hacking attempt that compromised my computer. It was a wake-up call about the importance of cybersecurity during this process. I had to take immediate action to secure my devices and change my passwords. I want to warn others to be cautious and ensure their online safety while looking for jobs.