Thinking

I interviewed for a position recently and was told I would receive a call today regarding the orientation schedule. However, the call never came, and I'm feeling uncertain about what to do next. My background check has already been completed, so I thought I would hear back. Should I reach out to them today to inquire about the status, or would it be better to wait until Monday? I'm eager to get started but don't want to seem too pushy.

Today, I received a job offer from Shake Shack for $15 an hour. Finding employment has been quite challenging for me, especially since I have a felony on my record. I've been searching for about three months now. I previously worked in insurance sales but didn't meet my weekly goals and was let go. Before my felony, I had a better job, but I’ve never worked in fast food before. I accepted the Shake Shack offer, but I’m also considering an inbound call center sales position at Hilton Grand Vacations, as they want to schedule an interview with me. I feel like there could be more earning potential and opportunities with Hilton, but I'm unsure about what to do next. I’ve read that Shake Shack might offer more stability, but I’m worried about the commission-based nature of the sales job at Hilton. I just received the interview text from Hilton right after I got home from the Shake Shack meeting, so I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to weigh my options.

I recently had an interview that left me feeling uneasy due to several pink flags and one glaring red flag. This was the final interview after three others with different team members, and for the first time in the process, I felt uncomfortable about the role. I had been on vacation and had a packed schedule, so I decided to skip sending a thank you note for this last interview, even though I had sent one for the previous interviews. Now, three days later, I finally have some time, but I’m unsure if sending a late thank you would be more detrimental than not sending one at all. I’m considering writing a thank you email that also includes some clarifying questions about the vague aspects of the interview. I worry about how it might look to the hiring committee if everyone else received a thank you except for the big boss. Thank you notes are fairly standard in my industry, so it could come off as a snub. The whole hiring process has been quite strange. The final interview was only 45 minutes long, and I felt that wasn’t enough time to gauge if we could work well together. I had previously met with each team member for 30 minutes, and then had this last interview with the prospective boss. The interviewer was late and even asked for five minutes to finish something before we started. There were also several miscommunications during the interview, and it seemed there was confusion about the role I was applying for. Having been on the hiring side myself many times, I found it surprising how unprepared the interviewer seemed. I’m also facing potential restructuring in my current job, which adds to my uncertainty. While I have reservations about this new role, I want to keep my options open in this challenging job market.

I recently had a video interview for a position at a large company, and I thought it went really well. The interviewer and I had a conversational style, which made it feel like we were equals. We started with a clear hour set aside, and the conversation flowed naturally, with no awkward pauses. I stumbled over my words a couple of times but managed to recover, and we easily filled the time with engaging dialogue. However, at the end of the interview, the interviewer mentioned that they weren't sure about the hiring timeline and that the recruiter would be in touch. I had expected some clarity about the next steps, especially since I’ve read that they typically conduct a third in-person round, but that was never mentioned. Now I'm left wondering if the lack of information about the next steps is a bad sign. I thought they might have shared more if they were truly interested in me as a candidate. I'm trying to gauge whether I'm reading too much into the way the interview ended.

I recently went through a final stage interview for a position that I was really excited about. The company had great employee reviews and a reputation for low turnover, which made it seem like a fantastic opportunity. I even checked out the team on LinkedIn, and I noticed that many of them had been with the company for over three years, with some even sticking around for 15 to 20 years. It all looked perfect on paper. Unfortunately, I didn’t perform well in the interview and ended up failing to secure the position. It’s really disheartening because I felt like the team was a great fit, and I could see myself thriving there. This experience got me thinking about how sometimes jobs can seem amazing before you start, only to turn out to be a nightmare once you’re actually in the role. I wonder if others have had similar experiences where they were excited about a job, only to be disappointed after starting. What happened in your case?

I recently completed a phone screening for a high-level technical position as I near the end of my PhD. This was my first interview of this nature, and I was feeling a bit anxious about it. I had prepared a list of questions regarding the job's specifics, deliverables, and the technology I'd be working with. However, when I inquired about the technology, the recruiter admitted they didn't have that information and suggested I ask the hiring manager if I progressed to the next stage. This threw me off, and I struggled to come up with further questions since the job posting was quite vague yet technical. I ended up explaining my background and motivations, but the interview wrapped up in just 18 minutes, which felt abrupt. The recruiter seemed surprised that I didn't have more questions. I'm left wondering if I messed up by not being able to engage further when the recruiter couldn't provide details. How do you handle situations like this when the recruiter lacks knowledge about the role?

I was terminated from my job in early May due to what my manager claimed was "poor performance." She cited instances where I was corrected multiple times and my absences, along with a specific incident involving a scheduling issue that stemmed from a new beta program we were using. I had been confused by her abrupt termination notice, especially since she had previously indicated that the scheduling issue wasn't my fault. After being let go, I focused on applying for unemployment benefits, which I was approved for by the end of May. However, I recently received a letter stating that my former employer is appealing this decision, aiming to reverse my unemployment approval. They didn't provide a court date or specific reasons for their appeal, just that I might have to pay back any benefits received if the judge rules against me. I'm feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate this situation. I had started gathering evidence, like screenshots of messages from my manager that highlighted her threats of termination, but I lost access to my work laptop shortly after my termination. I do have some supportive emails from HR encouraging me to apply for unemployment, but I'm worried about how to prepare for the hearing. I've been trying to rebuild my confidence after my termination, and now this appeal has thrown me for a loop. I'm seeking advice on how to defend myself and what steps I should take next.

I've been on a job search for about 5 months now after deciding to change careers and going back to school. I've applied to 117 different positions, but unfortunately, I've faced rejection from all of them. I know it might not seem like a long time in the grand scheme of things, but being unemployed has added a lot of stress to my life. Recently, I thought I finally had a breakthrough after two great interviews with a company that seemed to align with my values. However, after weeks of waiting and some back-and-forth communication, I received an email stating that while they were impressed with my background, they decided to go with a candidate who had more direct experience. This really pushed me to my breaking point. It feels disheartening to know that despite my impressive experience and cultural fit, I still seem unhirable. I'm left wondering how others manage to successfully change careers. Am I the only one feeling this way?

I'm currently 24 years old and have been working at my company for the past three years. During this time, I've gained a lot of skills and experience, but I feel like I've reached a point where I need to challenge myself further. I've started applying to various job openings in San Diego, as I believe that growth comes from stepping out of my comfort zone. I'm seeking constructive criticism on my resume and would appreciate any feedback, personal experiences, or advice from others who have been in a similar situation.

I recently went through an unexpected experience while interviewing for a position in the Aerospace/Defense industry. After almost 30 years in my field, I decided to explore new job opportunities and was pleasantly surprised by the quick response from a potential employer. The first interview focused on my technical knowledge and went really well, leading to a second interview with a VP that also seemed promising. They expressed that I would be a great fit for their organization and that my expertise was highly valued. However, after a week of silence following the interviews, I received an email inviting me to the next round. To my shock, it included a four-page homework assignment asking me to create a detailed two-year business plan for one of their product lines. The requirements were extensive, including a PowerPoint presentation aimed at a leadership audience and an Excel document with all my assumptions and market data. The level of detail they expected was overwhelming. They wanted me to outline how I would manage assets, prioritize tasks, and even project gross margins for different market sectors. It felt like they were asking me to do the work of a consultant without any compensation. I’ve managed programs with significantly higher revenue than their entire projected earnings for the year and have never encountered such an unreasonable request in my career. Ultimately, I decided to withdraw from the candidate pool and sent them a professional email to that effect. It was a disappointing turn of events, but I believe in valuing my time and expertise.

I've been job searching for corporate operations and investor relations roles for a while now, and I recently noticed a strategy that has really helped me get more traction. After weeks of applying through job portals with mostly silence, I started reaching out directly to the person who posted the job or a relevant contact at the company on LinkedIn. I would send a short message expressing my genuine interest in the role, including a specific line about why it caught my attention. While not every message got a response, the ones that did led to much quicker interactions compared to my portal applications. It seems obvious now, but I realize I hadn't been doing this consistently before. I'm curious if anyone else has had similar experiences or if I'm just getting lucky.

I recently started my first job at a small boutique bath and body shop in the mall, but things have taken a confusing turn. I was hired and thrown into my first shift just a few days later, with hardly any preparation. My onboarding took up most of my first day, which left me with only about three hours of actual work. I was told I would hear back about my schedule within a week or two since they were opening a new shop, but it’s now been over three weeks since my first day on June 14th, and I haven’t heard anything. To make matters worse, I checked the Square app and noticed that the manager who hired me is no longer there, and there’s a new manager in charge. Now, I see that payroll is pending for four hours of work for days I wasn’t even scheduled to be there. I was already paid for the three and a half hours I worked, so I’m really confused about what’s going on. I’m worried that I might have done something wrong or that I should have reached out sooner. This is my first job, and I really don’t want to mess it up. I even considered volunteering to cover a shift for someone who had a personal loss, but it was on a day I couldn’t make it, and someone else ended up covering it anyway. Being in Colorado, an at-will state, makes me even more anxious about these scheduling issues. I have my paystubs, so I know everything is official, but the lack of communication is really stressing me out.

I recently lost my first job due to a conflict with management. I was let go for having a poor work attitude after I threatened to walk out over some serious issues. My managers refused to take action against a coworker who was stealing money, and I found it incredibly frustrating. To make matters worse, the management would make inappropriate jokes about suicide while I was on shift. I'm now seeking advice on how to move forward from this experience. I know I need to avoid similar drama in my next role and focus on applying to jobs that align better with my values.

I recently received an unexpected email about a job opportunity that seemed promising, and I was genuinely excited to be scouted for a well-paying position. However, I felt the need to be completely transparent with the recruiter about my situation, particularly my lack of solid references due to having worked in five different roles. I also mentioned my struggles with mental health and a learning disability, but I reassured them that I'm actively working on improving my work ethic every day. After sending this information to the recruiter, I started to worry if I had made a mistake by being so open. Did I just jeopardize my chances at this opportunity?

I was recently laid off from my position due to outsourcing, and a recruiter reached out with a contract offer that is significantly lower than my previous salary. I'm feeling frustrated and undervalued, and I'm not sure how to approach negotiating this offer. Some people have suggested that I should just walk away, as it feels like the recruiter is taking advantage of my situation. I want to make sure I advocate for myself effectively, but I'm also concerned about the current job market.

I recently completed four rounds of interviews for a position, including a call with the director. I felt really good about each interview, and the process seemed to move quickly. Three days after my call with the director, I received an email from the recruiter saying they are finalizing feedback and will update me as soon as they have news. My application status still shows as 'in review' on the company's careers page. I'm wondering if this is a good sign or if I should be concerned. Would they have rejected me already if I wasn't being considered? I'm feeling a bit uncertain but hopeful.

I’ve been on the job hunt for the past year and it feels like I can’t catch a break. I’m 19 and still in college, living with my parents, and they’ve made it clear that if I don’t land a job by the end of the month, I’ll have to figure things out on my own, including college. I’ve applied to countless jobs, including six just last week, but all I’ve gotten is one phone interview a few months back, which didn’t lead anywhere, and a rejection email stating they didn’t ‘like’ my application. I used to work nights for $17.50 an hour and had some standards, but now I’ve lowered my expectations and am applying for anything, even minimum wage positions. I’m so desperate that I even tried to get a job at a fast food place where my little brother works. I even walked into a McDonald's and asked the manager if they were hiring, but he just looked me up and down and said no, which was really disheartening. I think my last job is affecting my chances. I quit after six months due to a toxic environment where I faced constant disrespect and drama. My managers were rude and even called me ‘incompetent’ multiple times. They cut my hours drastically without explanation, and after a rumor spread about me, I felt I had no choice but to leave. I filed an HR complaint, but now I’m worried that my past job is haunting my applications. I really need advice on how to move forward and ensure my previous experience isn’t holding me back.

I recently reached a breaking point at my current job, which has made me extremely unhappy. Over the last two weeks, I've decided to actively search for new roles while keeping my job search under wraps from my employer. I'm unsure about how to handle references in this situation, as I don't want my current company to know I'm looking elsewhere until I secure something new. I've seen some suggestions to list references anyway, but I'm still contemplating the best approach.

I interviewed for a position at a state Public Utilities Commission on June 11, and I felt the interview went really well. My references were contacted afterward, and they confirmed everything went smoothly. I've kept in touch with the hiring team, and on June 25, I received an email stating that I was still in consideration. However, on July 7, I got another update saying, "We unfortunately don’t have any updates to share at this time, as the search period has been extended. You are still in consideration for the positions and we hope to be in contact with you in the next week or two regarding next steps." I'm being considered for two similar roles, but I'm unsure how to interpret this extended search period. I haven't been rejected, nor have I received an offer, which leaves me feeling uncertain. I wonder if they are just looking to interview more candidates or if there are delays due to budget approvals or team members being unavailable. I understand government hiring processes can be slow, but I’m also applying to other positions in the meantime.

I recently discovered that I mistakenly put the wrong year on my resume regarding my employment dates. I worked as a contractor for a company through my own LLC before transitioning to a full-time employee at the same company. I only realized the error while filling out the background check for a new job, and I'm not planning to lie about it. I intend to reach out to HR to clarify the correct dates before they process anything. I already have an offer letter in hand, but I'm feeling anxious about whether this mistake will be viewed as a serious issue or if it's something that can be forgiven. I've heard from others that similar situations can happen, and they were able to resolve it without much trouble.