Thinking

I’m a 36-year-old woman currently unemployed and feeling completely overwhelmed. I have a master’s degree from abroad, but it seems to hold no value in the 2026 job market here in the USA. I’ve been stuck in this cycle of anxiety and depression, feeling like I can’t return to my previous job either. The job postings I see on LinkedIn are daunting, and the constant news about the economy is paralyzing me. I feel scared and lost, unsure of how to break free from this doom loop. I’m seeking advice on how to regain my confidence and take actionable steps toward finding a job again. Any tips would be appreciated!

I recently made it to the onsite interview stage for an "Executive Business Partner to the CEO" position at a startup, and I'm feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. The interview will be with the HR director, who was incredibly supportive during the initial stages, and the CEO, a young woman around my age, who seems a bit harder to read. The role sounds like it could be a fancy title for an Executive Assistant, but the compensation of $180K is quite appealing, especially as a recent MBA grad. I genuinely believe in the company's technology and see this as a great opportunity to potentially build equity. However, I’m nervous about the upcoming onsite interview on Monday. The past year has been tough for my confidence, and I worry about coming off as boring or awkward. I want to show confidence without being overbearing, and I’m unsure how to read the CEO's dynamic or engage in meaningful conversation outside of the formal interview. I’m also trying to figure out if this job is the right fit for me. I don’t have much mentorship since I’m a first-gen student, so I would really appreciate any advice on what to focus on during the onsite, how to stand out positively, and what common mistakes to avoid.

I recently graduated with my bachelor's degree and now I have a big decision to make in just three days. I'm weighing two very different options for my future. Option A is a $100k teaching job in a low cost of living city. The pay is great, especially since I could save around $45k to $50k a year after expenses. Plus, I get paid summers and breaks off, which is a nice bonus. However, the job isn't in my core field of interest, which is STEM, and I'm not particularly excited about the location. Still, I see it as a solid financial head start, especially in what seems to be a tough entry-level job market. I also have aspirations to teach abroad or become a professor, so this experience could be beneficial. On the other hand, Option B is a full scholarship for a master's program abroad in East Asia. It's a three-year program with no tuition fees, living stipends of about $1,000 a month, and covered flights. The experience would be incredible, allowing for language immersion and cultural exposure, plus I'd graduate debt-free. However, I'd be giving up that guaranteed $100k salary and would be living on a basic stipend. After the program, there's a risk I might end up with a low-paying job, as the degree isn't particularly reputable in the U.S. I'm scheduled to fly out for the scholarship next week, but leaving that $100k offer feels like a huge gamble, especially given the current job market. I know I could invest the money I save from the teaching job, but there's always the chance I might not go back to school later or that the degree won't lead to a good job. It's a tough choice!

I was recently forced to resign from my job of over ten years due to my disability becoming incompatible with an essential function of my role. My employer consistently rejected meaningful accommodations and ignored warnings from multiple medical professionals about the risks of what they were offering. This left me with an impossible choice: risk my health or face termination. It's devastating to think that the job I dedicated so much time to actually contributed to my disability. Now, I'm cleared to work in other positions, and I'm actively working with vocational rehabilitation, but I’m struggling to find hope for the future. I've been job hunting for over six months, and the current job market in the U.S. feels tougher than ever. I've consulted with lawyers and have a potential case, but they've advised against pursuing it for my health's sake. I find myself crying on and off, feeling incredibly low. I just want to connect with others who might have gone through something similar and know that I'm not alone in this.

I'm currently in the process of relocating from New York to Oregon, but I want to secure a job before making the move. I've updated my resume to reflect my new location with '(Relocating)' next to it, but I'm concerned that most of my education and work history still points to New York. I'm facing challenges with job applications that require my location. If I list my current location, I risk being screened out for not being local. However, if I list Oregon, I might get called for in-person interviews that I can't attend yet. I plan to be ready to move as soon as I get an offer, but I need at least three weeks to give notice at my current job and finalize my relocation. I'm looking for tips on how to navigate this situation and any general advice for securing an out-of-state position.

I recently decided it was time for a change after being stuck in the same job for 6-7 years, earning just over $20 an hour. A friend of mine had left his position at a company that he said paid around $35 an hour and thought it would be a great fit for me. He encouraged me to apply, so I submitted my application online. However, after applying, I had a bit of an awkward interaction with my buddy. He seemed to get upset when I asked for his advice on following up with HR. I’m feeling a bit confused about whether I should reach out or just wait. Some comments I read suggested that it’s okay to check in politely, while others think I should just let it be since my friend no longer works there. I’m just trying to navigate this job search and figure out the best approach.

I'm feeling really lost in my career right now. I've been working in food service since 2019, and I'm completely burnt out. I just started a new job at a restaurant, but I had to leave early today because I was overwhelmed and started tearing up. It made me realize that my gut is telling me this isn't the right path for me anymore. I don't want to dread going to work every day. I have a BFA in illustration, but that hasn't helped me find a fulfilling job. I currently work part-time at an art museum, which I love, but it doesn't pay enough, so I took the restaurant job. However, I can't handle the high-pressure, fast-paced environment anymore, especially since I'm autistic and dealing with social exhaustion and sensory overload. I'm really interested in transitioning to a desk job or remote work, but I don't know where to start. I love working with animals, but I couldn't find a position at my local humane society because they couldn't accommodate my schedule with the museum. I really don't want to quit my museum job, but I need a more stable income and something that won't drain my mental health. I'm just feeling directionless and really want to find a job that I can enjoy.

I recently applied for a position at a company and two days later, I received a LinkedIn connection request from a woman who holds the same job title as the one I applied for. She isn't a recruiter, which made the situation even more puzzling. I didn't accept the connection request right away, and later that night, I received a rejection email for the job. The next day, I accepted her request, but she didn't send any message or explanation. I'm left wondering why she would want to connect with me without any apparent reason. I'm considering removing her from my contacts since it feels pointless. I even had a fleeting thought that maybe she noticed my relevant experience and wanted to keep in touch for future opportunities. What do you think?

I just received my offer letter for a new job, and I wanted to share my experience navigating the job market in this post-AI landscape. Over the past few months, I applied to over 200 jobs without any success, receiving zero callbacks or interviews. It was frustrating, and I realized that my approach needed a major overhaul. After reevaluating my strategy, I implemented a new method that drastically improved my results. In just three weeks, I applied to 28 jobs and received three informal callbacks, three formal interviews, and ultimately one job offer. Here’s what I changed: 1. I focused on applying only to jobs posted within the last few days, understanding that being an early applicant can significantly increase my chances of getting noticed. 2. I stopped sending out generic applications. Instead, I tailored my resume for each position, ensuring that I was a strong match for the job description. 3. I switched to a two-page resume to include more relevant information and keywords that would help me get past AI filters. 4. I added a summary section at the top of my resume to highlight key skills and buzzwords that matched the job description. 5. I leveraged AI to streamline my application process. I trained an AI agent on my work history and used it to generate tailored resumes and summaries for each application. This saved me time and helped ensure that my applications were relevant. 6. I updated my LinkedIn skills based on suggestions from my AI agent, which led to an increase in direct solicitations from recruiters. I plan to open source my AI application project soon to help others in their job search. Even if you’re not using AI, it’s crucial to read and internalize job descriptions to tailor your resume effectively. Good luck to everyone in their job search!

I've been anxiously waiting for a response from a company I interviewed with for 3.5 weeks now, and it's driving me a bit crazy. Here's the timeline of my application process: - June 8th: I submitted my application. - July 27th: I had my first interview, which I felt went well. During the interview, the HR representative mentioned they would get back to me by the end of that week, but I never heard back. - August 4th: I decided to send a follow-up email to check in. - August 5th: They replied, saying they were still finishing up first-round calls and would do their best to inform me after they debriefed with the team. Since then, I've been in limbo. I have two referrals within the company, and I even created a custom website to showcase more about myself and express my enthusiasm for the role, which they complimented. I know these efforts might not significantly impact their decision, but I thought it was worth a shot. I understand I shouldn't expect too much given the time that has passed, but this is one of my dream companies, and I'm feeling a bit lost. I'm considering sending another follow-up email soon, but I'm unsure if it's too soon.

I recently found out that my company is offering a Voluntary Separation Program (VSP), and I'm trying to weigh my options. If I choose to accept, I'd receive a lump sum payment that includes 4 months of salary, any unused PTO, and a prorated bonus. However, if I stay and eventually get laid off, the severance would only be 2 months of pay. I'm in a relatively stable situation since I'm married and can rely on my husband's health insurance. Financially, we would be okay with the VSP lump sum while I search for a new job. I've been feeling unfulfilled in my current role, and while I like the company's culture—it's laid-back, fully remote, and offers a good work-life balance—I'm also in the interview process for an internal position that excites me more. My main concerns are the potential impact of the VSP on internal hiring and the current job market, which seems to slow down towards the end of the year. I'm also unsure if I'd qualify for unemployment benefits if I voluntarily accept the VSP. Right now, I'm leaning towards taking the VSP to give myself some breathing room and focus on finding a role that truly fits me, rather than rushing into something just to have a job. However, the uncertainty of leaving a comfortable position is daunting. I'm looking for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation or has experience with voluntary separation packages.

I recently had an interview with the CEO at a company I'm hoping to join, and I'm trying to make sense of the process. In my past experiences with smaller startups, the CEO interview was always the final step. However, this time, I was told that I would be interviewing with my manager again and then with the CEO. When it came time to schedule the CEO interview, it turned out to be just me and the CEO, with my manager not included. I'm not sure what that means for my candidacy. During the interview, I asked about the next steps, and the CEO mentioned he would send AI-generated notes to my potential boss and HR, advising me to expect a follow-up. Unfortunately, we ran out of time, so I couldn't ask if there would be more interviews. Interestingly, I think I accidentally received the AI notes he mentioned. While they didn't provide a score or personal feedback, they did indicate that I met all the criteria they were looking for in a candidate. So far, I've filled out a detailed HR questionnaire, interviewed with the manager, and now had this conversation with the CEO. I'm left wondering what to expect next. Do you think there will be more rounds, or is this it? What are my chances of receiving an offer? I know it's hard to gauge without knowing my competition, but if they value AI as much as they say, I feel like the AI was on my side!

I recently went through a frustrating job application process with a family-run company that I really admired. I’m a 26-year-old multi-department manager at my current job, which has been quite toxic. I initially applied to this new company in June 2025 after hearing great things about them from mutual connections. I went through four lengthy interviews, a site visit, and had promising discussions about creating a new position just for me. However, after weeks of waiting, I was ghosted and eventually withdrew my application. They later hired someone else, which left me confused and disappointed. Fast forward to January 2026, I decided to give it another shot and reapplied. The enthusiasm during the interviews was palpable, and they even discussed multiple roles for me. They promised to get back to me soon, but once again, I was met with silence. After following up multiple times, they finally replied months later, stating they needed more time to ensure it was the right fit, but I never heard from them again. They ended up hiring two younger candidates, which made me question if my admission about needing some flexibility due to a health condition affected their decision. To add to the confusion, the company followed me on Instagram a few months later, which left me wondering if they still had interest in me. After a tough few months, I quit my current job in July but returned after the owner met most of my demands to stay. Now, I’m feeling trapped and uncertain about my future. The other company has reopened applications, and I’m contemplating reaching out to them for feedback on my background. I believe they could provide valuable insights, but I’m unsure if it’s appropriate to ask after everything that happened. I’m at a crossroads and really want to move forward in my career.

I just received my first job offer after graduating, and the job search has been tough since May. I finally got my EAD card for my initial OPT, and the position is remote. They offered me a salary of $70,000 with no bonuses, which is at the lower end of the posted range of $70,000 to $90,000. I was expecting to be on the lower side since it's an entry-level role, but I did mention to the director of finance that I ideally wanted $80,000, with some flexibility around $75,000 to $80,000. Now, I'm wondering if it's worth trying to negotiate the salary given the current job market and my recent grad status. I have two co-op experiences, but I don't have extensive professional experience, which makes me hesitant. My gut tells me there's no harm in asking for more, but I also know that negotiating can be tricky, especially as a recent grad.

I just had a really eye-opening experience with HR at my company, and it left me feeling pretty disheartened. My small team recently lost a key member, which has made our workload much heavier. I thought HR was coming in to check on us, but instead, he spent the entire time lecturing me about how Gen Z feels entitled to money and that we should just take on more work without any extra compensation. I understand the concept of hard work paying off eventually, but his tone felt personally directed at my generation. When I expressed that I was feeling overwhelmed, he dismissed my feelings, suggesting that losing one person should be viewed as an opportunity to take on more responsibilities and learn. He even showed me a graph of what makes an 'A player' and told me to create a roadmap for improvement. To top it off, he said that my manager and the sales director didn't have great things to say about our team, implying that we aren't irreplaceable. He concluded with what he called 'million dollar advice.' I was honestly shocked and ended up crying in the bathroom afterward. It made me realize that I need to shift from a passive job search to an active one. I'm new to the corporate world, and I'm questioning if I misinterpreted the situation. A coworker seemed unfazed by the meeting, but I can't shake the feeling that this environment is toxic. I just needed to vent and process my emotions.

I recently had a strange interview for a position at a tech startup. The interview process was quite unconventional, and I'm left feeling uncertain about whether I should accept an offer if it comes through. The questions were offbeat, and the overall vibe of the company felt different from what I expected. I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons of taking the job, considering the potential for growth and the company culture. Any advice on how to approach this decision would be appreciated!

I recently went through a challenging eight days of job searching after being laid off from my role in finance. I was really worried about how I was going to secure my next paycheck. Fortunately, I applied for a position out of curiosity and was pleasantly surprised to receive an offer just a week later after two interviews, including one with the CEO. It felt like minimal effort compared to what I had anticipated, especially given the intense atmosphere in the job market right now. I often see discussions about how difficult it can be for mid-level professionals, especially if they lack certain skills or are looking for specific conditions like remote work. However, my experience has shown me that if you have decent soft skills and are open to opportunities, it might not be as hard as it seems. I’m relieved to have found a new role, but I know that many others are still struggling, and I empathize with them.

I haven't had a job for about two years due to my struggles with depression and mental health. Thankfully, my family has been supportive financially, but now that I'm in the slow process of moving countries, my wife and I could really use some extra income. I'm considering pushing myself to find a job again. I've been looking at positions in fields I've worked in before, mainly retail and coffee shops or bakeries. There's a job opening at a bakery where I used to work, which is conveniently close to my home. The only catch is that it requires 12-hour shifts. I've worked long hours before, and it took a toll on my mental health, but I remember this bakery being a more relaxed environment compared to my previous job. Plus, I wouldn't have to deal with a long commute like I did before. I'm torn about whether to apply for this position. I feel like I might be able to handle it mentally, but I'm concerned about my physical stamina since I haven't been active or worked in a while. I'm worried that I might embarrass myself if I can't keep up and have to quit shortly after starting. Is it worth applying for this job, or should I hold off until I feel more prepared?

Today, I spent the day trying to resolve a mistake with my unemployment benefits that has kept me from receiving payments for the last two weeks. I've been calling the Department of Labor (DOL) non-stop, around 130 times a day, but every time I try, the line is busy. It's incredibly frustrating. I heard from some sources that reaching out to the Government Office could help expedite the process. They might be able to connect me directly to an agent without the endless hold times. I’m considering giving it a try, but I’m not sure if it still works like it used to. Some people mentioned they got through in as little as five minutes, while others waited over an hour. I’m hoping to get this sorted out soon.

I have a call scheduled tomorrow for a remote CS Social Media position at Chewy. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has experience working or interviewing for this role. I would love to hear about your experiences and any insights you might have!