Thinking

After 12 years in various Admin and Sales entry-level roles, I've reached a point where I really want to transition away from customer-facing positions. At 35 years old, I feel desperate to climb the pay ladder and move into more substantial internal roles. My background includes positions like Sales Admin, Customer Service, Account Manager, and Sales Coordinator. While I'm open to taking a customer-facing role if it's a solid internal opportunity, my main goal is to break free from these lower-tier positions. I'm currently seeking guidance on how to pivot my career effectively. I've been exploring options and AI suggestions point towards Coordinator roles, such as Operations Coordinator, or even leaning into Data roles like Business Intelligence Coordinator. I also have some experience with coding and SQL, which I hope to leverage in this transition.

I reached out to the Service Manager regarding a job listing I found online, but he informed me that they aren't hiring at the moment. It's frustrating to see these ghost job listings, and I wonder why they exist in the first place. I suspect this might be a case of outdated postings from a third-party site, as I've heard that these platforms can often have old job listings that mislead job seekers. Some commenters suggested that it might not be a ghost job but rather a simple oversight in a small business. I also received some feedback questioning my decision to text him, which I hadn't considered could be seen as unprofessional.

I’m currently working as an Embedded Software Test Engineer with about 2.5 years of experience, primarily in the automotive sector. My expertise includes HIL/SIL testing for CAN protocols using tools like CANalyzer and CANape, along with OTA update validation and some Python-based test automation. I also have experience with testing Android-based infotainment systems. I’m aiming to transition into a similar role at a Bay Area automotive or AV company by February 2027. The challenge I’m facing is that I’m getting interviews, and the initial recruiter screens and technical discussions seem to go well, yet I’m not receiving any offers. It’s frustrating because my qualifications align with the job requirements on paper, but I feel like I’m missing something during the interview process. I’m reaching out to those in the automotive embedded QA or systems/software test fields for insights. I’d like to know: - What distinguishes a “good” candidate from one that gets hired in these interviews? - Are there specific technical questions or topics that tend to trip candidates up, like coding challenges or protocol knowledge? Where can I practice for these? - From your experience, what are common reasons strong candidates don’t receive offers? Any advice, personal experiences, or surprising moments from your own interviews would be incredibly helpful as I prepare for my next round. Thank you!

I recently graduated about three months ago and have just started taking my CV and job search seriously. I created my first CV on August 29th, so I'm still getting the hang of it. I live in Riyadh, which is known for being an expat hub, and I've heard some pretty alarming stories about the job market here. Some people have applied to hundreds of jobs without even receiving a rejection email, which is quite daunting. I've already received a few rejection emails myself, and oddly enough, I'm somewhat relieved by that because it means I was acknowledged at least! Most of the roles I applied for were senior positions requiring five years of experience, so I understand why I didn't get them. I graduated with a degree in Physics, but I'm also exploring job opportunities outside of my field, including data-related roles and some positions in computer science. My sister suggested that I create two separate CVs: one tailored for Physics-related jobs and another for roles outside that field. Currently, my CV is a mix of both, with about 50% focused on Physics and the other 50% on my other skills. I'm wondering if it's a good idea to have two distinct CVs or if I should just stick with one. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated!

I've been actively job searching for the past six weeks and I've noticed a perplexing pattern in my applications. Despite applying for positions where I meet nearly all the requirements, I've faced mostly instant rejections or silence. These roles are in the same industry, using the same software, and involve the exact type of work I've done before. It's frustrating because I feel like my background aligns perfectly with what they're looking for. On the other hand, I've received interviews for jobs where I only meet about 70% of the qualifications. For instance, one position required experience with a specific system that I’ve never used, and another preferred a certification that I don’t have. I almost didn’t apply for these roles, thinking I wouldn’t stand a chance, but both companies reached out to me for interviews. This has led me to wonder if I’ve been wasting my time trying to be the 'perfect' candidate. Is it possible that hiring managers are more intrigued by candidates who don’t meet every single requirement? Or am I just experiencing a coincidence in a limited sample size? I’m curious to hear if others have had similar experiences.

I’m currently unemployed and feeling quite lost about my next steps. A while back, I left my full-time admin job to take on an Operations Coordinator/HR position, despite being upfront about my lack of experience. I was promised training, but I ended up having to teach myself everything. Unfortunately, I was let go after just five weeks. I received some great advice from others, including the suggestion to start a GoFundMe to help me get back on my feet. I did that, but it hasn’t gained much traction. Now, I’m still job hunting and honestly feeling pretty discouraged. I hold a Social Service Worker diploma and have several years of administrative experience. I’ve been applying for various roles like admin, social services, scheduling, reception, and coordinator positions. I’ve even started looking beyond my usual fields because I just need to find a job. However, I do face a couple of limitations. I no longer have a vehicle, and many community positions require access to one, which cuts down my options significantly. Additionally, I have endometriosis and chronic pain, so I can’t handle physically demanding jobs or those that require being on my feet all day. I’m capable of working, but I need something that is primarily sedentary or light duty. I’m not looking for sympathy or financial help; I’m genuinely seeking ideas. If you had an SSW diploma, administrative experience, and needed a job that wasn’t physically demanding while also lacking access to a vehicle, what job titles would you be considering? I’m open to pivoting away from my previous fields and just need some direction, as applying for the same types of jobs isn’t yielding results.

After applying to over 70 positions and interviewing with more than 25 companies, I finally received an offer! The job search has been a challenging journey, but I'm excited to see my efforts pay off. I learned a lot from each interview and refined my approach along the way. Looking forward to starting this new chapter!

I recently graduated with a degree in Information Systems and have been going through the interview process for an entry-level position. Here's a timeline of my experience so far: - On July 23, I reached out to the hiring manager after seeing a post about the team, and I was encouraged to apply. - I had my first interview with the hiring manager on July 31, which went well, and I was invited to the final interview round shortly after. - The final round consisted of three interviews, and I completed two of them on August 13. - I faced some scheduling issues; I requested an alternate time for one of the interviews on August 6, but it led to confusion. The interview disappeared from the recruiter's calendar, and I had to follow up multiple times. - After some back and forth, I finally got the link to schedule my last interview on August 24, which I completed on August 27. The interviewer said I did a good job, which was encouraging. - I followed up with the recruiter on September 3 to thank her and express my continued interest in the position. Now, I'm just waiting for a decision. I'm feeling a bit anxious about the delays and the lack of communication from the recruiter. Should I be worried about this, or am I just overthinking it?

I recently found myself in a frustrating situation at my job as a lead engineer at a tech firm. Our new Director of People and Culture has implemented 'Mandatory Game Nights' every Thursday after 6 PM, and it's been a nightmare for me. I have a wife and two young kids, and I value my time with them. Yet, I'm being labeled as not a 'team player' for wanting to leave and spend time with my family. Every Thursday, I’m expected to stay late in the breakroom playing board games like Catan while munching on terrible pizza. They call it team bonding, but it feels more like a chore that’s making me consider quitting. Last week, when I tried to leave at 6:05, my manager followed me to the elevator, concerned about my absence from the festivities. I explained my family commitments and commute, but he just gave me a disapproving look. I received a message from the culture lead asking me to host the next game night, which I found ridiculous. I'm not here to lead game sessions; I'm here to code and solve technical problems. The pressure to participate is overwhelming, and I feel like I’m in high school again, judged by my willingness to join the 'cool kids' club. I checked the employee handbook, and there’s nothing about mandatory game nights, but the social pressure is intense. If I miss another event, I worry it will negatively impact my performance review. I’m seriously considering forgetting my laptop on Thursdays to have a valid excuse to leave early. My kids are growing up fast, and I don’t want to miss out on their bedtime stories for a corporate game night. This situation is pushing me to look for a new job where my time and family are respected.

I had a meeting this morning for a potential job opportunity at a university, and I made a decision that’s been weighing heavily on me. After months of job hunting and countless rejections, I finally got a chance to meet with a manager thanks to a senior person who liked my CV. However, I arrived late and flustered due to security delays. During the meeting, the manager asked if I was enrolled in a master’s program, stating they prefer candidates who can commit for two to three years. I panicked and said no, even though I am actually starting part-time evening classes soon. I feel sick about lying. I know it was a split-second decision driven by fear of disqualification, but now I’m left with this overwhelming guilt. There’s no job offer yet, as the opening might not come until December, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’d be starting off on a dishonest note. I can’t imagine going back to correct my answer; the embarrassment feels unbearable. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? How did you handle it? Did it ever come out?

I am currently seeking a job in Kalyani Nagar (KP) and would appreciate any references or leads. I have experience in administrative roles and am eager to find new opportunities in the area.

I was recently laid off and I'm now in the process of exploring new opportunities. After taking a few days to recharge, I'm ready to dive back into the job market. I have over 5 years of experience, starting in commercial analytics at a large analytics firm, then moving into strategy consulting, and most recently, I spent a year in the founder's office of a consumer AI startup where I reported directly to the founder. I've also gained some experience in product management. I hold an MBA from an Indian Institute of Management and have an engineering undergraduate degree. I'm looking for roles in the founder's office, chief of staff positions, corporate or commercial strategy, or product strategy. I'm open to opportunities in both startups and larger companies. Currently, I'm based in Gurugram, India, but I'm willing to relocate or work remotely. If anyone has leads or relevant opportunities, I'd love to hear from you. I'm happy to share my CV and discuss my experience further. I'm also here to support anyone else who might be in a similar situation.

I was laid off from JPMorgan last week, and I'm still processing everything. It all happened so fast; I received a call informing me that my role was being eliminated, and just like that, three years of hard work ended in a 15-minute meeting. Being the first girl in my family to work at a big company like JPMorgan meant a lot to me. I broke the pattern and proved that it was possible to succeed in such an environment. This job wasn’t just a paycheck; it was a part of my identity and something I built for myself and my family. Now, I’m grappling with a mix of grief and anger over how impersonal the process was, alongside anxiety about what my future holds. I have a strong background in React.js and Java, and I’m reaching out to see if anyone is hiring or if you have advice for someone in my position. I could really use some reassurance right now as I try to hold onto the idea of moving forward, even when it feels challenging. Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

I'm feeling overwhelmed with everything that's happening in my life right now. This year has thrown me some serious curveballs, and I'm struggling to keep my head above water. I got divorced in January 2025, which was tough, and I was already dealing with a redundancy process at my small charity job. I managed to survive that round by sheer luck, as two colleagues left voluntarily, but now I'm facing another redundancy in October/November 2026. My charity still hasn't secured the funding it needs, and I know I'm the one who's going to be let go this time. To add to the chaos, I finally sold the house that took me years to renovate, but I had to accept a low offer due to the market conditions. The sale will complete around December, just when I expect to lose my job. I was hoping to use the equity from the house, around 135K, to buy a new place, but losing my income makes getting a mortgage much harder. Now I'm considering renting, but I still need to secure a new job. Financially, I'm not in a position to take a break or go on a vacation, especially since I won't receive redundancy pay due to a short break I took for consultancy work. I also don't have any savings left after writing off my car last year. My family isn't close and can’t provide much support, so I'm feeling pretty isolated. I'm at a crossroads: should I rent somewhere cheap and focus on job hunting? Is it worth looking into buying a smaller place despite my job situation? Or should I take a bit of time to regroup, knowing that the next few months will be tough? I feel like I'm juggling too many big changes at once, and it's hard to maintain perspective. I'm reaching out for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

I just stumbled upon a job posting on LinkedIn for a position at my current company, and it’s offering 30% more than what I make now. I’m feeling a mix of shock and frustration. The listing is for the same title and department I’m in, and the job description is essentially a copy of my daily responsibilities. To top it off, the salary range starts at $20k more than my current pay after two years of service. Last year, I only received a meager 3% raise despite my manager praising me as a "rockstar" and "essential" to the team. What’s really unsettling is that no one has mentioned anything about hiring someone new. We’re a small team, and there’s no budget for an extra hire, so I can’t help but think they might be planning to replace me. My performance reviews have consistently been positive, so this feels like a huge slap in the face. It’s demotivating to see they have the budget to pay more but chose to keep me at a lower rate. I have a one-on-one with my boss tomorrow, and I’m torn about whether to bring this up or keep quiet and start applying elsewhere. Part of me wants to apply for the position just to see how they react, but I know that could backfire. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Should I even ask for a salary match at this point, or is it time to take the hint and move on? I’ve been putting in a lot of overtime lately, and this just adds to my frustration.

I just got laid off from my job and I'm feeling really lost right now. I worked as a marketing specialist at a tech company, and the news hit me hard. I'm unsure about what my next steps should be and could really use some guidance. If anyone has advice on how to navigate this situation or tips for job searching, I would greatly appreciate it.

I worked at a WITCH company for 11 years, always dreaming of landing a job at a FAANG company. After nine months of intense preparation, I finally secured a position at Microsoft. I was excited to work alongside brilliant minds, but things took a turn when I asked personal questions to two female colleagues. They felt uncomfortable and reported me to management, which led to an HR complaint. Just ten months into my dream job, I was fired for what they deemed inappropriate behavior. Now, I find myself back at a WITCH company, grappling with the pain of knowing I wasn't laid off; I was fired for my actions. Every day is a struggle as I replay the events in my mind, questioning my behavior and wondering how I ruined my career. I can't help but think about whether I'll ever have the chance to return to a FAANG company again. The weight of this experience haunts me, especially as I try to focus on being a good parent to my five-year-old. I feel lost and overwhelmed, and I just want to understand what went wrong and how to move forward.

I recently accepted a new job offer, but I'm feeling anxious about a mistake I made during the interview process. I currently work as support staff at a law firm, and I mistakenly described my position as a contract role when it is actually a permanent position with a probationary period. I didn't mention this on my resume, but I did indicate that my current job might end in September, which could have led to the confusion. I noticed the interviewers taking notes on my resume, and now I'm worried that this misunderstanding could create issues, especially since the new employer does government-contract work. I'm considering reaching out to them to clarify the situation, but I'm afraid they might rescind the job offer if I do. I haven't filled out any official forms yet, but I know they will need to verify my paralegal certification soon. I regret this mistake and the potential consequences it could have on my new job.

I recently had a job interview for a position that I am really excited about. The hiring team seemed positive about my candidacy, which makes me hopeful. However, they require a drug test as part of the hiring process. To prepare, I decided to buy some at-home drug test kits to check my status. Unfortunately, I've been getting anxious because I keep seeing a very faint line on the tests, which is making me paranoid that I might not pass. I'm really hoping to clear this hurdle and secure the job.

I'm currently on my 5th shift at a local drink shop, and I'm feeling really frustrated. Today during a rush of about 30+ drinks, my coworker, who opened the store, kept pushing me to go faster and calling me 'too slow.' The issue is that she didn't prepare the station properly before I arrived. I had to stop and refill everything myself while trying to keep up with the orders, which just made everything take longer. Instead of helping, she just stood there complaining about my speed. I found out that the owner wants us to solo close, which I don’t mind, but the store is severely understaffed. Everyone is quitting, and the atmosphere is pretty negative, with staff openly criticizing the owners. I left my last job for similar reasons, and I really need to pay my bills, so quitting again isn't ideal. I'm torn between sticking it out for the paycheck or looking for something better. Should I just keep my head down and work at my own pace, call out the lack of prep next time they push me, or aggressively apply for better-paying jobs while I’m still here? Any advice would be appreciated!