Thinking

I received a WhatsApp message from a company that claimed to have hired me without any formal interview process. They want me to recruit 60 people each month and promised payment for each person I bring in. However, it feels off to me, and I suspect it might be a scam. I shared my concerns online, and many people echoed my doubts, pointing out that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Some even noted spelling mistakes in the brand name on the form they provided. I'm still contemplating whether to proceed or to walk away.

After three months of job searching, I submitted 308 applications, went through 33 interviews, and finally received 1 offer. This experience has been eye-opening, especially since I've been a full-stack developer for years and had never faced such difficulty finding a new job before. Two years ago, I only needed to apply to about 50 positions to land a job. This time, I was much more strategic, applying only to roles that matched my skills and tailoring my resume and cover letters for each application. Despite my efforts, I only received two offers—one for a solid full-time role and another for a small freelance project that I don't really count. I made it to the fifth interview with one company, feeling confident after being referred internally, but ultimately faced rejection. My days were consumed with interviews for almost three months. I shared my struggles online, thinking the job market couldn't get worse, but I was surprised to read about others who had been searching for a year or more, some sending over a thousand tailored applications without success. This really put my situation into perspective. I believe the job market has changed significantly, and companies are becoming more selective, expecting candidates to meet every requirement. If you're currently employed, I strongly advise against quitting without having another job lined up. The process can take much longer than expected.

I was laid off from my tech job a few weeks ago, and it's been a tough journey. After posting a comment seeking support, I received a lot of direct messages from others in similar situations. This motivated me to think about creating a resource or platform that could help us feel more supported during this challenging time. I'm reaching out to the community to ask what specific types of support you all are looking for. It would mean a lot to me to build something that truly benefits everyone going through this experience. Thank you for any feedback!

I had a conversation with my VP last month who advised me to start looking for a new job due to a lack of projects in the pipeline. Now, with the end of the month approaching, I feel like the layoff is imminent. Currently, I'm only about 35% billable, which I know isn't enough to keep my position secure. I've been actively applying for jobs for the past month and have had a couple of interviews, but nothing has materialized yet. The anxiety and uncertainty are really weighing on me.

I just got laid off during my probation period at a company where I was interning. Initially, everything seemed to be going well, but I was also preparing for my upcoming placements at home, which meant I wasn't able to dedicate as much time to my internship work. I thought I was managing both responsibilities adequately until I had a conversation with my supervisor. They informed me that they felt I wasn't a good cultural fit for the company and mentioned a perceived lack of dedication on my part. This left me questioning whether it was my intelligence or just bad luck that led to this outcome. It's frustrating to hear 'cultural fit' as a reason, as it feels like a vague excuse.

I was recently rejected from a job opportunity that I was really excited about. Since starting my GIS role in May 2025, I've been feeling overwhelmed and unsupported, as I'm the only person in my position and the pay is quite low. Out of the blue, a recruiter reached out to me about a role located halfway across the country that offered nearly double my current salary, plus it was in a city I’ve always wanted to live in. I prepared extensively for the interview, studying over the weekend and feeling confident going in. I felt like I nailed the behavioral questions and had a great conversation with the hiring manager, who I discovered was in my network. After the interview, I even started discussing potential neighborhoods with my recruiter, who was optimistic about my chances. However, just an hour ago, I received the news that they chose another candidate. I'm feeling crushed and uncertain about my next steps. I'm questioning whether I need to pursue graduate school, consider a coding bootcamp, or simply relocate and hope for better opportunities. Right now, I'm feeling lost.

I received an email from someone named Jessical Donovan claiming that their team’s platform was down but is now back up, and they want to schedule an interview. The email didn’t mention the company name, only a Dr. Milo Wilcytox DC. I did some digging and found a chiropractor by that name, but I’m skeptical. I never applied for a position with them, so I’m questioning the legitimacy of this outreach. I’ve read some comments suggesting that if I didn’t apply, it’s likely a scam. The misspelling in the name used in the emails raises red flags for me. I’m feeling uneasy about this whole situation and wondering if anyone else has encountered something similar.

I recently went through a frustrating job application process for a senior position at my previous employer. I had left the company a few years back and during that time, I gained a lot of experience and took on more responsibilities that I believed made me a strong candidate for the role. I even had a recommendation from the hiring director for a similar position she had last year, but I wasn't ready to make a move at that time. After applying over 3 months ago, I had to constantly push for updates throughout the process. I made it through all four interviews, including one with the VP, which I thought was a good sign for alignment. However, I just received news from the recruiter that they decided to go with an internal candidate instead. It feels like I was strung along the whole time, as if they had already planned to hire someone internally and just used me as a benchmark. I'm really frustrated that it took over 3 months to get this rejection. I can’t help but feel like I dodged a bullet, but it’s still disheartening to invest so much time and energy into a process that led nowhere.

I'm currently in a bit of a dilemma regarding my job situation. I have an offer from LTI for a position, but I haven't received my joining date yet. Meanwhile, I've applied for a Graduate Engineer Technician role at another company and have an interview scheduled for July 4th. However, this interview has been postponed, and I have travel plans that will conflict with it. The role description for this new position seems more like a technician role rather than the engineering role I was hoping for, but the salary is significantly better at 5.5 compared to LTI's 4.05. I'm really torn about whether I should prioritize the interview or just enjoy my trip. By the way, I'm an Electronics and Communication student.

I recently completed a final round interview for a position and was contacted by the HR department to fill out a background check shortly after. I submitted the necessary information, but I still haven't received an official offer yet. The timeline is stressing me out because I need to find a new place to live in my current city in less than two weeks if I don't get this job. I've communicated my situation to the company, and they seemed understanding. I'm just anxious about the possibility of being rejected after the background check, as I've heard mixed experiences from others. I'm trying to figure out when to follow up with HR, especially since many people are out of the office this Friday. Any advice on how to handle this situation would be appreciated.

I’m feeling pretty lost right now in my career journey. I graduated with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Computer Science two years ago, but I’ve had no luck landing a job in the tech industry. Despite having a decent GPA, I’ve been ghosted or rejected from every application I’ve submitted. Currently, I’m working full-time as a barista just to make ends meet. This Fall, I’m going back to school for another master’s degree, this time in Analytics, in hopes of improving my prospects. I plan to pursue an internship while studying, although I’m not quite sure how I’ll manage that yet. I’m reaching out for advice on how to transition back into tech as a software engineer or data analyst, especially with my resume mostly filled with academic projects and no real-world experience. I know I could have tried harder to secure a job after graduation, and I feel a bit ashamed about it. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

I’m currently working in a corporate HR outsourcing company, and I’m feeling really overwhelmed about my job situation. Over the past few months, my performance has been declining, and my manager has already warned me that my upcoming performance review won’t be good. I know I’m lacking some of the basic competencies expected for my role, and there’s a real chance I could get fired. What’s really bothering me isn’t just the possibility of losing my job, but the fear of what my coworkers will think. I’ve struggled with mental health issues for a long time, and criticism or judgment really affects me. I don’t even particularly like this job; it doesn’t pay well, and the company is moving towards replacing many roles with AI. I had actually planned to leave in a couple of months to go to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, so I’m not too concerned about the job itself. However, the thought of being fired makes me feel ashamed. I dread the idea of having that conversation, of walking out and knowing everyone will see me as a failure. This fear has made me feel trapped, and at times, it has led to self-harming behaviors. I’m reaching out to see if anyone else has felt this way—more scared of the shame and judgment from others than the actual job loss. It’s a tough place to be.

I've been working as a manager at a retail store for the past four years, and honestly, I'm really unhappy with how things are going. The company has changed direction a lot, and I feel disrespected, especially since I've been the longest-tenured employee at my location. I've started to feel like I might get pushed out or even fired for no good reason, despite always being on time and doing my job well. Since the beginning of the year, I've been applying for new jobs and finally landed an interview with a company that seems to align with my values. The only downside is that it comes with a potential $40,000 pay cut. My mom is really concerned about this decision, telling me I'm going backwards in life. I understand her worries, especially since I live at home and have a car payment of $715 a month, which is my only major expense aside from student loans while I finish my degree in computer science. I see this new job as a way to escape the negativity of my current workplace and to bridge the gap until I can transition into my new career. However, the tension with my mom has made things difficult, and we aren't really speaking at the moment. I just want to find a place where I feel respected and valued.

I graduated from a small liberal arts college in May with a BA in History, and I'm currently struggling to find any employment. It's been a month since graduation, and despite applying for full-time, part-time, and even temporary positions, I've faced rejection after rejection. I'm based in West-Central Illinois and feel like I'm running out of options. My work experience is limited to a few tuition hours at a thrift store, janitorial work during breaks, and lot work at Home Depot. I'm starting to panic about my financial situation and the looming student loans. I'm really unsure about what steps to take next and feeling quite hopeless.

I was laid off this morning for the second time after just 9 months at my new job in marketing. I'm feeling really down about it. After losing my first job at a marketing agency back in July 2025, I was thrilled to land a new position at another agency in October 2025, where I was doing similar work but with a better salary. The team was amazing, and I felt like I was making great contributions, especially after receiving positive feedback in my recent performance review. However, today at 9:30 AM, I was unexpectedly pulled into a meeting with HR and my two direct bosses. In just four minutes, I was informed that I was laid off, with no clear explanation given. I feel completely blindsided and overwhelmed with sadness and fear. I think I might be the only one laid off, which makes it even harder to process. The job market seems really tough right now, and I'm scared about having to search for a new job again so soon. I have a supportive network of family and friends, but right now, I just want to take a break and focus on my hobbies for the rest of the day. I know I need to get back out there eventually, but it's hard to shake off this feeling of uncertainty. Thanks for reading.

I had an interview today for a position I'm really excited about, but now I'm facing a challenge. They want to do an oral mouth swab drug test next Monday, and I'm worried because I smoke daily—about 3-4 times a day using a small bong. I smoked this morning before the interview to calm my nerves, which now feels like a mistake. I'm trying to figure out if I can stop smoking now and still pass the test in six days. I've read that mouth swab tests have a shorter detection window than urine tests, but I'm still anxious. I've heard mixed advice from friends and online, with some saying if I can abstain for a few days, I might be okay. I'm considering drinking hibiscus tea and using mouthwash to help, but I'm not sure if that will be enough. Any tips or experiences would be greatly appreciated!

I am currently unemployed and have been actively applying for jobs, ensuring my resume is posted on various job sites, including my state's workforce site. Recently, I received an email from a recruiter at Bettson Group regarding a remote job opportunity. However, I am feeling skeptical about it because everything seems too good to be true, especially since they reached out to me without any prior contact. The email mentioned my resume from the workforce site, but I still have doubts about the legitimacy of the offer. I'm curious if anyone else has had experience with Bettson Group or if they think this could be a scam.

After my recent layoff from a customer success role at a B2B software company, I realized that my first instinct was to jump onto LinkedIn and start applying for every job I could find. However, I took a step back and decided to follow a more structured approach to protect myself and my future opportunities. First, I gathered all the important documents I had access to, including my offer letter, separation agreement, severance terms, and any relevant performance reviews. I made sure to note down critical dates, such as my last working day, when my benefits would end, and deadlines for severance and unemployment eligibility. I also reminded myself not to rush into signing the severance agreement without fully understanding it. I read it once, set it aside, and then reviewed it again to ensure I wasn't missing anything that could affect my future, like non-compete clauses or unpaid wages. As soon as I could, I filed for unemployment benefits, knowing that any delays could cost me valuable time and resources. To manage my finances during this transition, I created a 30-day cash map to outline my essential expenses and identify areas where I could cut back. I reached out to a couple of former colleagues to ask if they would be comfortable serving as references while our relationships were still fresh. Additionally, I crafted a clear target sentence for my job search to help narrow down my focus: "I am looking for customer success roles at B2B software companies where my support and onboarding experience is useful." Instead of creating multiple tailored resumes right away, I focused on building a solid base resume first, which I could then adjust for specific roles. I learned that while the job search is important, the first day after a layoff is crucial for ensuring I don't lose options or make hasty decisions.

I’ve been feeling incredibly discouraged lately about my job search. I live in a high cost of living city and have been out of work for nearly a year after being laid off from my engineering role. Despite having a diverse background and experience in tech, I’ve sent out over 1000 tailored resumes and have recently started applying for non-tech jobs like retail and customer service, which I used to do. Unfortunately, I’m getting little to no response, and even after interviews, I often get ghosted. I’ve had a few positive experiences, like a test shift at a production line where I performed well, but I still haven’t heard back about a hiring decision. It’s frustrating because I feel like I could get hired much faster if I were an inexperienced college student rather than someone in my early 30s with a varied background. I’ve been trying to network, but the connections I’ve made haven’t led to much. The only job opportunity that came up was with someone I’m dating, which I’m hesitant about due to the potential complications. I feel stuck because my experience doesn’t seem to fit neatly into either tech or non-tech roles, and I’m losing my savings as I continue to search for work. I’ve considered going back to school, but it feels like a long shot at this point, especially since I’d need strong letters of recommendation that I’m struggling to obtain. I know I need to keep pushing forward, but it’s hard to stay motivated when I feel so fundamentally flawed in the eyes of potential employers.

I was laid off from a Fortune 500 consulting firm in March, and since then, I've been actively interviewing for new roles. I've made it to the final rounds with three different companies, but unfortunately, I haven't received any offers yet. To navigate the employment gap on my resume, I've been listing my last position as my current job to avoid potential discrimination and to improve my chances of getting through ATS screening. I've received mixed advice from friends and family about whether to keep it that way or to update my resume to reflect that my employment ended in March. Part of me thinks that if I do get to the background check stage, I could always clarify my actual employment dates then. However, I'm also considering being more transparent and updating my resume to show the end date. Some people suggested that I could list freelance consulting or even a ‘stay-at-home dad’ role during this time, but I’m unsure about that approach. I’ve noticed that having an end date on my last job has led to solid referrals from colleagues who wanted to help me out, so I'm leaning towards honesty. I’m curious about what the best approach would be in this situation.