Thinking

I was laid off in March 2025 from my role as an Application Engineer, where I supported engineered-to-order fire pump systems. Despite having a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and about 3 years of experience, getting back into the engineering field has proven to be a bigger challenge than I anticipated. Since the layoff, I've been proactive in building my skills by earning my Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Professional Scrum Master certification, completing training in Primavera P6, and enhancing my knowledge in project management and data analysis. Currently, I’m working as a City Carrier Assistant for USPS, which I appreciate for the income, but my goal remains to return to engineering or a role that utilizes my engineering and project experience. I've been applying for various positions like Project Engineer, Application Engineer, and Project Controls Analyst, but I'm starting to wonder if I need to rethink my job search strategy. I would love to hear from engineers, recruiters, or hiring managers who have faced similar situations: what steps would you recommend I take next?

I left my previous job at Company A about six months ago for what I thought was a great opportunity, but it turned out to be a poor fit for me. While I gained some valuable skills and insights during that time, I’ve come to realize how much I appreciated my old team and the work environment. Now, I’m really eager to return to my old role. I’m considering reaching out to my former boss, whom I left on good terms, to see if there might be any openings in the near future. I have her cell number, and I’m thinking of sending her a text. My initial thought was to say something like, "Hi [Boss's Name], I hope you’re doing well. I’ve been really missing Company A and would love to come back to the team. If any positions open up, I would appreciate it if you could keep me in mind. I wouldn’t even need training! Thank you." I’m unsure whether I should mention that my new job isn’t a good fit, or if I should wait for her to ask about it. I’ve read that texting is generally acceptable, especially since I don’t have her work email anymore, and I would have to ask an old colleague for it. I’m a bit anxious about overthinking this, but I really want to make the right impression and hopefully rejoin the team.

I interviewed for a Concierge position at Aritzia on September 4. The interviewer mentioned I'd hear back within 2-5 business days, but when I checked my Workday portal today, my application status changed to "Not moving forward at this time." I'm feeling uncertain and a bit disheartened. I haven't received any calls or updates yet, and I'm wondering if I should take this status as a rejection or if there's still a chance the recruiter might reach out. I know it’s still early since Monday was Labour Day, but I would really appreciate hearing about others' experiences with Aritzia and their Workday statuses after interviews.

I recently found out that a position I applied for a few months ago has reopened. I was a runner-up in the interview process for this role, which was for a marketing coordinator at a mid-sized tech company. The supervisor mentioned that it was between me and another candidate, but ultimately, they chose the other person. Now, seeing the same job listing again, I’m wondering if I should reapply. I feel like I got pretty far in the process, and since I was told there would be a three-month probationary period, I suspect the person they hired may not have worked out. I think it could be worth a shot, but I’m unsure. What do I really have to lose?

I have been unemployed for about 1.5 months now and the job search has been challenging. I’ve been applying selectively to roles that genuinely interest me, which might be limiting my options. Last week, I had a promising interview with a company where I received positive feedback. However, I recently noticed that they posted a job in a different area that also aligns with my skills and interests. I'm wondering if it would be inappropriate to apply for this new position given that I interviewed just last week and haven’t heard back yet. I’m concerned about jeopardizing my chances with the first role, but I also don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity. I’m considering reaching out to the HR or recruiter to express my interest instead of applying directly. Any advice would be appreciated!

I recently went through a challenging situation after my time at an MNC in India. I completed my MTech in 2025 and started as an intern in January, transitioning to a full-time engineer by July 2025. However, in January 2026, my manager informed me that my performance was below expectations, and they extended my probation by two months, despite me consistently meeting deadlines. I worked hard during that extension, but just a week before it ended, I was told my performance hadn't improved and I needed to resign or face termination. With no other options, I resigned, citing personal reasons. Fast forward five months, I finally got an interview with another MNC. During the managerial round, I panicked and gave a different reason for my departure, saying my project ended and I was asked to find new opportunities. Now, I regret not being honest. I've received an offer from this new company, and they are starting the background verification (BGV) process with Ibridge. I'm worried about how the BGV will unfold. Will they contact my previous manager to inquire about my performance and the reason for my departure? I mentioned my reason verbally during the interview, but I don't know if it was documented. Additionally, a senior colleague from my previous team has moved on to another company; can I use him as a reference instead of my manager? Is it mandatory for Ibridge to check with my manager? I'm feeling pretty anxious about this whole situation and would appreciate any advice on how to navigate it.

I received a job offer on August 30th for a position at a chain retail store in the UK. The following day, I went in to have my passport scanned, and the interviewer mentioned that I should watch my email for the start paperwork. On September 4th, I reached out to her since I hadn't received anything yet. She responded that the recruiter was on holiday and assured me that she would send the rotas by the beginning of this week. Tomorrow is supposed to be my start date, but I still haven't received any paperwork or a shift schedule. I'm considering following up again, but I'm unsure about how and when to do that. I know this situation isn't a great sign for the company, but I'm in need of a job and want to keep this offer. Any advice would be appreciated!

I recently went through a job application process for a role at a well-known company in my industry. I was excited because I had a connection who referred me, and I felt like I had a strong start with HR. The initial interview went smoothly, and I received positive feedback after each stage, including a second round where I connected well with the team. However, during the final HR interview, I stumbled on some managerial questions and realized I might have come across as too positive and nurturing. I emphasized my commitment to mentoring and helping team members grow, which I thought aligned with the company's family-oriented culture. After not receiving a rejection email, I followed up and learned they chose another candidate. I reached out to one of my interviewers for advice on reapplying and was told there was a hurdle in my managerial style that would be tough to overcome. This has made me question whether being supportive and kind is seen as a flaw in management. I'm left wondering if I should adjust my approach in future interviews, especially when the company promotes a caring atmosphere but may actually prefer a tougher managerial style.

I had my final interview for a manager-level role on August 28th, and I’m starting to feel anxious about the outcome. The recruiter reached out on August 31st to confirm some details about compensation and logistics, mentioning they would finalize their decision within 1-2 weeks. She also said she hoped to be in touch no later than the following week. Now it’s September 8th, and I haven’t heard anything yet. I know there was a holiday weekend, so I’m still within the timeline, but I can’t help but wonder if I should assume I didn’t get the job. I’m torn between waiting a bit longer or moving on to other opportunities. I’ve seen advice suggesting to keep applying and not to dwell on this one position, which makes sense. I just wish I had more clarity.

I recently left my first professional job and it wasn't the best situation with my boss, which led me to resign on short notice. Now, I've received an offer from a new company and signed the offer letter, but I'm a bit anxious about the reference check mentioned in the letter. I wasn't asked to provide any references, so I'm unsure if that means they'll just confirm my employment with my last company or if I need to provide my own references. I'm hesitant to use anyone from my previous job due to the circumstances of my departure, and I'm worried that not having references from my last role might raise a red flag. I've been upfront with the new company about why I left my previous job, but the uncertainty is still bothering me. Currently, I'm considering using my managers from my retail job during college and a former teacher as references, but I'm not sure if that will be enough or satisfactory for this new position.

I graduated college in May and I'm currently stuck in a dead-end retail job that I absolutely hate. I've been applying to every position I can find, but the job market is tough and opportunities are scarce. Recently, I came across a customer service position that seemed like a perfect fit for me, offering a higher wage than what I currently make and aligning with my career goals. I was thrilled to learn that I got an interview scheduled for later this week. However, shortly after scheduling the interview, I discovered that workers from another department within the same company are on strike due to unfair wages. Although my role is different from theirs, I can't help but feel conflicted about the situation. The striking workers are protesting right outside the property where I'll be interviewing, and I fully support their cause for better pay. As someone new to the professional world, I've never dealt with a strike before, and I'm unsure if it would be morally right for me to accept the position if offered. I really need a job, but I also don't want to be seen as crossing a picket line or undermining the efforts of the striking workers. I’m looking for advice on how to navigate this situation. Should I still go through with the interview? Would it be wrong to take the job if it’s offered to me?

I recently had a strange recruitment experience while applying for a job on LinkedIn. Initially, I received an automated rejection almost immediately after submitting my application, which was quite discouraging. However, a few days later, I noticed that the job poster had downloaded my CV, which I found odd given the initial rejection. After about four weeks of silence, I was unexpectedly scheduled for a 'getting to know you' call with an HR representative. During the call, she mentioned that she would discuss my application with the head of her department later that day to arrange a follow-up interview. However, after three working days passed with no communication, it became clear that they had either changed their minds or simply decided not to pursue my application further. It's frustrating to go through such a rollercoaster of emotions during the job search process.

I’m 19 years old and currently unemployed. I’ve been looking for job opportunities but haven’t had much luck so far. I’m eager to gain some work experience and would appreciate any advice on how to improve my job search or tips on where to look for entry-level positions.

I recently faced a significant career change after my position as a producer in the TV news industry was eliminated due to corporate restructuring. My last day at the station was August 18th, and I had been making $25.72 an hour. Since then, I've been exploring opportunities in marketing and communications, as I believe I will find more long-term happiness outside of news. I've had four interviews so far—two didn't move forward, but I did progress with two others. One of the roles I'm considering is for a Marketing Assistant position with a locally founded chain. The first interview went well, but I'm concerned about the pay; the maximum salary for the role is $21.50 an hour, which is significantly lower than what I was making, translating to about $9-10k less annually. I'm preparing for a second interview to learn more about their benefits, but I'm unsure how to approach the salary discussion if I receive an offer. Should I negotiate for a salary match, or is it better to accept the pay cut given my lack of experience in this new field?

I recently faced a tough situation after my work permit expired, which forced me to resign from my position. My managers had assured me that I could reapply once I got my documents sorted out. However, after I did reapply, I was rejected twice without any clear reason. I had a solid track record during my three years at the company, with only one write-up and no threats of termination. Now, I'm contemplating whether it's worth reaching out to ask for feedback on my rejections or if I should just move on. I'm feeling a bit uncertain about the best approach here.

I'm feeling really confused about my job application process for a Salesforce role I interviewed for last week. I started this journey back in August when I applied and successfully cleared the HackerRank exam. After that, I went through a technical interview at their office. I was told I would receive feedback by the end of Friday, but that day came and went without any updates. I decided to reach out to HR to check on my status, and they confirmed that I was still in consideration for the role. However, after another week of silence, I followed up again and learned that the hiring manager is still evaluating candidates, including some internal ones. This left me feeling frustrated and a bit angry, as I had put in a lot of effort preparing for the interviews. I can't help but wonder if I'm just being kept as a backup while they focus on the internal candidates. I'm really hoping to get some clarity on my chances of being hired, but right now, I'm feeling pretty hopeless about the whole situation.

I recently graduated in May and received a job offer with a salary of $35,000. The position is in my desired field and the location is where I want to move, which is exciting. However, I was hoping for relocation assistance since the city is quite expensive. I also have an interview for a local job that pays around $40,000, potentially $45,000 after government furloughs, but there's no guarantee I'll get that position. I'm torn between accepting the current offer, which is my only one so far, or waiting to see if I secure the other job that pays more. I'm looking for advice on whether to take the offer now or hold out for a potentially better opportunity.

I recently went through the interview process for an Operations Administrator position and made it to the third round. Unfortunately, I was informed that they chose another candidate whose qualifications were a better fit. What has been bothering me is that the job posting is still active, and they even reposted it over a week after my rejection. I'm left wondering if I should be concerned about this or just move on. Some comments suggested that it might be a sign that the previous candidate fell through, and they might be starting the hiring process over. I’m considering applying again since it can’t hurt.

I recently completed my final interview for a software engineering position at a tech company and I'm anxiously waiting for a verbal offer. I've heard from others that typically, offers come within 1-2 days after the final interview, but it's now been a few days and I'm starting to feel nervous. One comment I read mentioned that every day that passes decreases the chances of receiving an offer, which adds to my anxiety. I'm considering continuing my job search just in case this opportunity doesn't materialize. Any insights or similar experiences would be really helpful!

I recently faced a situation with a job offer that has left me quite anxious. After interviewing for a position, I was offered the job and told to meet with HR a week later. I assumed I would just fill out some paperwork and discuss my start date, but when I arrived, they informed me that it was my official start date. I asked if I could push it back by two weeks to give my current employer proper notice, and they gave me their card to follow up. Now, I'm worried that I might have jeopardized this opportunity. I’ve seen mixed opinions on whether asking for a two-week notice is acceptable, but I feel unsure about how this will be perceived by the new company. Should I reach out to clarify my situation or just wait to see how they respond? I really hope I haven’t ruined my chances.