Planning

I’m currently a rising junior studying finance and math at a semi-target university, and I’m feeling a lot of anxiety about my job search. My GPA is decent, and I have about five internships on my resume, but none of them are with well-known companies, and three of them are through my school. I haven’t landed a junior summer internship yet, which has been causing me a lot of distress. I’ve been applying for positions that I have little to no interest in, and it feels like I’m just going through the motions. I’ve been at this for a year, and I’m really struggling to find the energy to pivot to what I actually want to do. I know there are two paths I could take: 1) continue down this current route until I find a decent internship or 2) properly pivot to a field I’m passionate about. But I often feel too tired and unmotivated to pursue the second option, and I worry that my lack of interest is affecting my performance in interviews. Every time I make it to the final round and don’t get the job, it just compounds my feelings of self-doubt and frustration. I’m starting to wonder if this level of anxiety is normal or if there’s something wrong with me. I just want to know if others have felt this way during their job search.

I recently had an interview for a business analyst and data analyst position through Internshala. I felt unprepared during the interview, as I struggled to articulate my thoughts clearly and structure my sentences effectively. Despite having knowledge in the field, my communication skills let me down, and I'm worried that this will lead to a negative outcome. I'm looking for advice on how to improve my fluency and express my ideas more confidently in future interviews.

I've been actively applying for jobs on LinkedIn without much success. Despite sending out numerous applications, I haven't received any responses or interview invitations, which is becoming quite discouraging. I've put a lot of effort into my CV, customizing the summary for each position I apply for, but it still feels like something isn't right. I'm seeking feedback on my CV's formatting, structure, and overall presentation. If anyone could take a moment to review it and provide honest, constructive criticism, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm eager to improve and increase my chances of landing a job.

I had an interview yesterday for a position at a company, but I received a rejection email at midnight. To my surprise, when I checked Workday today, I saw that a position I had previously applied for in the same department was back in my active applications with a status of 'offer extended.' I'm confused if this is a glitch or if I might actually have an offer. I plan to reach out to the recruiter or HR to clarify the situation.

I'm a 23-year-old currently navigating the job market without any formal job experience. For the past few years, I dealt with significant health issues that made it difficult to function normally. Thankfully, I've been recovering and decided to pursue a college education full-time, with the support of my parents. Now that I'm in a better place, I'm eager to find a job but feel challenged by my lack of traditional work experience. While I have participated in some volunteer work during high school and have been involved in various college projects focused on video game development, I worry that employers may overlook this experience. I'm reaching out for advice on how to approach my job search given my unique circumstances. I know my situation isn't ideal, but I'm determined to make it work. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I recently found myself in a tough situation regarding a job opportunity. A friend of mine, Aly, has been struggling to land a job as a Data Analyst despite having two years of experience. The issue is that he exaggerated his resume, claiming he had more experience than he actually does. He knows how to use Power BI, SQL, Advanced Excel, and Python, but he's feeling overwhelmed because he hasn't actually worked in a corporate environment before. Fortunately, he was contacted for a Data Steward role, which he is excited about but also very nervous. The interview is coming up in just three days, and he’s unsure of what to focus on, especially since the job requires knowledge of SQL and Veeva CRM. I've been trying to help him prepare, but I’m worried about how he will handle questions regarding his supposed experience. It seems like he needs to learn a lot in a short amount of time, especially about Veeva CRM, as interviewers will likely ask about it. I’ve been looking for advice on what types of questions he might face and how he can justify his experience without getting caught in his lies. I know that stretching the truth can sometimes be acceptable, but outright lying about core skills is a dangerous game. I’ve read that if he can’t back up his claims with real-life examples, he might get filtered out quickly. I’m feeling a mix of anxiety and hope for him, and I just want to make sure he’s as prepared as possible for this interview.

I recently shifted my approach to job interviews and it has made a significant difference in my experience. For a long time, I treated interviews like a performance, rehearsing answers and trying to impress interviewers with enthusiasm for roles I didn't genuinely care about. This led to making it to final rounds but ultimately losing out on offers or accepting positions that didn't align with my goals. A few months ago, I decided to be more honest in my interviews. I started openly discussing what I was looking for in a job, my areas for improvement, and the type of work environment that allows me to thrive. I stopped pretending that every company was my dream job. Surprisingly, this change led to an increase in callbacks and offers that actually matched my preferences. I realized that interviews should be more of a two-way conversation, where both parties assess whether there's a mutual fit, rather than a one-sided effort to convince someone to hire you. It feels liberating to be authentic, and it has paid off in my job search.

I was laid off from my software engineering position at a tech company while I was 8 months pregnant. I had been with the company for several years, often putting in unpaid overtime to meet tight deadlines. I received the news during a meeting with HR, just as I was preparing for maternity leave. They informed me that I would only be working for two more months and that my severance package was less than my maternity pay. My health insurance ended on my last day of work, which added to my stress. After giving birth, I found it challenging to apply for jobs due to the demands of a newborn and a lack of support. I managed to get a few interviews but struggled with sleep deprivation, which affected my performance. At five months postpartum, I finally enrolled my baby in part-time daycare, allowing me to focus on my job search. I sought help from a career coach who specialized in my tech stack, which was no longer in high demand. We worked on my resume, conducted mock interviews, and I studied core concepts and built a microservices project during my limited free time. Despite the challenges, including moments of despair, I persisted. After a particularly tough interview, I reached out directly to a hiring manager on LinkedIn. This proactive approach led to an interview where I felt well-prepared, and I received a job offer shortly after. Now, I’m back to work full-time and hope my experience can inspire other pregnant women facing similar challenges.

I recently went through a rather unusual interview process for a part-time marketing position at a massive company that operates across all 50 states and generates hundreds of millions to billions in revenue. The role was advertised as only requiring 15 hours a week, but the interview process has been extensive and involved several high-ranking executives. I started with an initial interview with the head of HR for the entire company, which felt quite intense for a part-time role. Then, I had a second interview with the head of cybersecurity, followed by a third with the chief legal counsel and the chief compliance officer. To top it off, my final interview was supposed to be with the founder of the company. Interestingly, the chief legal counsel was the one who reached out to schedule my meeting with the founder. When I took a bit longer than 45 minutes to respond, the head of HR even texted me to check if I received the message. Feeling bold, I mentioned that I had a profitable idea that could potentially turn this part-time role into a full-time position. I thought it was worth a shot, considering how invested they seem to be in the hiring process. I took the time to do my due diligence, and I can confirm that these individuals are indeed real and affiliated with the company. They’ve been emailing me from addresses listed in the company directory, and the calls come from various corporate office numbers, so I don't think this is a scam. However, I can't help but wonder if this level of involvement is typical for a part-time job. Is it crazy for me to push for more, given how much interest they've shown?

I recently applied for five positions at the same FMCG company, with four of them being the same role but in different locations. I decided to do this because I wanted to increase my chances of getting hired, considering that many career websites still list positions as open even if they are filled or don’t exist anymore. I submitted the same resume for those four applications since the roles are identical. The fifth application was for a different role, which I tailored my resume for, highlighting my relevant experience. I have a nearly two-year career gap, and I'm concerned about how this will reflect on my applications. Will HR think I'm unfocused or desperate for applying to multiple similar positions? I submitted all applications at the same time, and I'm anxious about how this will be perceived.

I had an interview yesterday that felt quite off. When I arrived, two young individuals, probably around 18 or 19, greeted me at the door, which was oddly unmarked. Once inside, I found two hiring managers sitting in empty office rooms, each equipped with just a desk, a laptop, and a chair. The whole setup felt sketchy, but I tried to stay positive, thinking of it as good practice for future interviews. After the interview, they mentioned I'd receive a text regarding a second interview, but I haven't heard anything yet. I decided to reach out to the person who interviewed me, assuming they were a recruiter, but the situation is giving me flashbacks to my previous job's disorganization. I sent a message asking for confirmation about the next steps, but now I'm starting to think that maybe the offer was never real or has been rescinded. Interestingly, the interviewer has been trying to follow up with me, encouraging me to stay engaged with the process. I'm torn about whether to continue pursuing this or just block the number and move on. It feels like a red flag.

I recently graduated with a BA in History, and I can't shake the feeling of regret about my educational choices. At 30 years old, I've faced significant challenges due to my autism and gender dysphoria, which have impacted my ability to focus and succeed academically for most of my life. I struggled through community college, took years to complete my associate's degree, and even failed math multiple times. After a two-year gap during COVID, I returned to a four-year state school, changing my major several times before finally settling on History. Despite making the Dean's List twice and improving my GPA from 2.1 to 2.96, I still feel dissatisfied. People celebrate my degree, but I don't want to pursue a career in teaching, museums, or any of the typical paths associated with History. I regret not focusing on math and science, as I believe those fields offer better financial opportunities. I see my peers owning homes and building families while I struggle to make ends meet as a part-time security guard earning $17.11 an hour. I'm currently training to become a 911 operator, which pays $24.96 an hour, but I'm apprehensive about the demanding hours and potential burnout. I dream of getting a second undergrad in a STEM field at a better school, possibly even an Ivy League institution, but I feel stuck and unsure how to move forward. Any advice from others who have regretted their major would be greatly appreciated. I'm just looking for a way to turn my life around and find a career that provides financial stability.

I recently checked my payment history for my unemployment benefits in Illinois and noticed that there was no record for this week. I submitted my certification form on Friday, but I’m starting to doubt whether I actually completed the submission. Since it was a Friday, I know the offices were closed and they don’t process claims over the weekend. I’m worried about what this means for my next certification date and if my claim might be closed if I didn’t submit it correctly. I need to find out what my assigned certification day is to avoid future delays.

Today, I applied for my first sales job at a company I found on Indeed. At only 23 years old, I took a chance because there weren't many options available. To my surprise, I received a call back within a minute of submitting my application. The interviewer immediately started firing questions at me, and honestly, I struggled to answer most of them. My anxiety kicked in, and I felt embarrassed about my lack of experience since I've only worked in restaurants and retail. When they asked me what drew me to the job, I started off strong, but as they repeated the question, I got flustered and ended up giving a rambling answer. I didn't expect such a quick response, and it threw me off. There were several other questions that I can't quite recall, but the overall experience was overwhelming. Now, I'm left feeling humiliated and questioning whether this was a reflection of my inexperience or if I dodged a potential red flag. I really want to improve my interview skills to avoid freezing up like that in the future.

I recently moved out of my parents' house for the first time a few months ago and started a job at a handwash carwash in Arizona. I took the job about two months after moving out because I needed to pay rent, but I didn’t consider how brutal the summer heat would be. Now, working outside in June, I’m really regretting my decision. I like my coworkers and enjoy the tips and free carwashes, but the heat is unbearable, and my schedule has me working seven days straight every other week. My ultimate goal is to become a tattoo artist, but for now, I need a regular job to cover my expenses. I’m looking for something with more independence and a morning shift, ideally with no weekend work, and I want to avoid the food industry. I haven't put in my two weeks' notice yet, so I have some time to figure this out before the temperatures soar past 110 degrees. Any suggestions for jobs that would fit my needs?

I’m currently feeling frustrated with my job at a small company where I work as a customer service representative. It seems like every time I request a day off, my employer finds a way to schedule me during that time. For example, I asked for a Wednesday off recently, and now I’m being scheduled every Wednesday at the same hour. They claim it’s because I’m needed, but I can’t help but notice that I’m still getting days off on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It’s not like my role is critical or that Wednesdays are particularly busy. This isn’t the first time I’ve experienced this; it happened at my previous job as well. I can’t shake the feeling that they’re trying to prevent me from taking time off because they assume I might be looking for another job. All I want is some time to hang out with friends and have a personal life, but it feels like my work is taking over everything. At this point, I’m seriously considering looking for a new job because the current situation is becoming unbearable.

I recently faced a layoff from a well-paying full-time job that utilized my master's degree. While the position was a good fit on paper, the toxic environment made it unbearable, and I believe this change is ultimately for the best. Now, as I navigate unemployment, I'm feeling uncertain about my next steps. I have a couple of options in mind: I could focus on enhancing my resume through training and volunteer work while applying for new positions, which would allow me to appreciate my free time, albeit with less income. Alternatively, I could return to waitressing part-time to generate some income while I continue my job search, but that would likely leave me with less free time and potentially put me back in a draining environment. I'm open to any advice on how to approach this situation.

I'm 24 years old and graduated two years ago. I started my first job in 2024, but after just 8 months, I realized it wasn't the right career path for me and left. Following a 3-month period of unemployment, I found a job that aligned more closely with my career goals. Unfortunately, after 4 months, the work environment became toxic, which severely impacted my mental health. I made the tough decision to quit and have been unemployed for about 8 months since then. Recently, I accepted a new job out of desperation, though I know it's not the ideal position for me. I'm seeking advice on how to navigate my current situation and what steps I should take next. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I'm 18 and recently dropped out of sixth form after just one month. Since then, I've been struggling to find a job and have applied to over 600 positions, but I got a bit lazy and haven't been proactive lately. I'm realizing that I need to turn things around and explore my options. I'm considering whether volunteering would be beneficial, if I should reach out to companies for internships, or if pursuing an apprenticeship could be a good route—though I’m not interested in trade jobs or the army. I know I’m still young, and I want to make the right choices before it's too late.

I recently experienced a layoff from my position as a marketing specialist at a tech startup. I'm currently contemplating whether to keep my LinkedIn profile displaying my previous job or to switch it to 'Open to Work.' I want to present myself in the best light to potential employers, but I'm unsure if showing my last role is beneficial or if I should be more transparent about my job search status. Any advice on how to navigate this would be greatly appreciated!