Thinking

I graduated with a BS in Computer Science 10 months ago, and I'm feeling completely lost in my job search. I've applied to countless internships and entry-level positions, but most of my applications either get rejected or I never hear back. This has left me mentally exhausted and worried about my future. It seems like everyone else is moving forward while I'm stuck in the same place. I have strong English communication skills and I'm comfortable with various computer software like Microsoft Office and other productivity tools. I'm eager to learn and not expecting a high-paying job; I just want an opportunity to gain some experience and start building my career. I'm reaching out for advice on where to find internships, remote work, or entry-level jobs that are actually hiring. If anyone knows of companies looking for interns or junior roles, I would greatly appreciate any leads. Has anyone else faced this situation? How did you manage to break out of it?

I filed for unemployment in Maryland almost 30 days ago, but my decision is still on hold due to a confusing issue. My previous employer reported that I was discharged from my position, but I was fired without notice. The termination letter I received stated I was let go for "personal reasons," which doesn't indicate any misconduct. I reached out to the unemployment office to clarify, and they mentioned that the eligibility issue they are investigating is based on this report of discharge. I really don't understand how being fired, especially when it's labeled as "personal reasons," could affect my eligibility for benefits. I've already contacted my representative's office for assistance because I'm feeling pretty lost in this process. It's frustrating to think that my previous employer's vague reasoning could impact my ability to receive unemployment benefits.

I recently started using the Bandana app to search for job opportunities after applying to numerous positions without much luck. Despite revamping my resume and putting in a lot of effort, I haven't received any responses from potential employers. I'm curious if anyone else has had success landing a job through Bandana or if it's just me struggling with this platform. It's been a tough time being unemployed, and I'm eager to hear about others' experiences.

I have a phone call scheduled for tomorrow regarding a job I applied for in a new field. The hiring manager informed me that the pay is $14 an hour, which is actually less than what I'm currently making. I understand that transitioning to a new field might require some compromise on salary, but I'm considering asking during the call if there's any flexibility on the pay rate. I've read conflicting advice on whether it's appropriate to bring this up at this stage. Some sources suggest waiting until a job offer is made, but I feel that discussing it upfront could save time for both of us. The median pay for similar roles I found on Glassdoor ranges from $15 to $19, depending on experience and institution. I'm unsure if it's a good idea to ask about this now or if it might send the wrong message to the hiring manager.

I've reached a breaking point at my current job due to the toxic culture and overwhelming workload. Over the past year, my responsibilities have increased by 67%, yet my salary remains the same, and no one has been hired to fill the gaps left by departing colleagues. Today, I confronted a coworker about stepping up to help with requests from other departments, but he reacted negatively, which only added to my frustration. I've been feeling burned out for a long time, and I finally recognize that I need to leave this position. I have a job interview lined up in the same industry, but I'm anxious about the possibility of facing similar burnout in a new role.

I am feeling incredibly frustrated about the job search process my adult son has been going through. He has been actively looking for a job in his field for quite some time now and has relevant experience. During the few interviews he managed to secure, the interviewers were genuinely enthusiastic about him joining the team. They even took him on tours of the facilities and assured him that they would definitely get back to him by a specific date. However, he has not heard back from any of them, which feels like ghosting. He followed up with emails, referencing their promises, but still received no response. I am so tempted to write a letter to the CEO of the last company he interviewed with, as I know their home address, to express my concerns about how HR makes commitments to candidates and then fails to follow through. I want to do this anonymously, but I know I probably shouldn't. It's just so disheartening to see my son put in so much effort only to be ignored. I wish there was a way to hold these companies accountable for their lack of communication. It feels unfair that if I were to behave this way at my job, I would face serious consequences, yet recruiters and hiring managers seem to get away with it.

I've been struggling to find plumbing roles lately, and it's getting really tough. I've been living out of my vehicle for a couple of weeks now, which is a reliable truck, but I think my situation might be holding me back. I have six years of experience in plumbing, and I've been actively looking and traveling to different urban areas for helper roles, but I haven't received a single call or email back. I've been honest about my living situation during interviews, thinking it would help, but I'm starting to wonder if that's a mistake. Most of the plumbing companies I come across are smaller businesses, and I'm considering whether I should just walk in and ask to speak with the foreman or owner directly. Currently, I'm in Des Moines and planning to head further north soon. I'm also contemplating whether I should pivot to another job, maybe even an entry-level position, but I really want to leverage my construction background. I would love to get into heavy equipment operations, but most of the job postings I find require experience or CDLs. I'm feeling a bit lost and would appreciate any advice or thoughts on my situation.

After a long and challenging job search, I finally landed a position as a marketing coordinator at a mid-sized tech company. I was thrilled to have a job again after months of applications and interviews. However, now that I'm in the role, I feel more stressed and unfulfilled than I did while searching for work. The company culture is not what I expected, and I find myself overwhelmed with the workload and unclear expectations. I thought getting a job would relieve my anxiety, but instead, I feel stuck and uncertain about my future career path.

I recently received a job offer from Advantage Solutions for a position at Costco, but I'm feeling quite hesitant about accepting it. The interview experience was the worst I've ever had; it felt incredibly disorganized, and the interviewer seemed disinterested. I've also come across some concerning reviews online regarding the workplace culture, which adds to my skepticism. I really need a job, but I'm unsure if this is the right opportunity for me. I'm looking for any insights or experiences from others who have worked there.

I recently faced a challenging situation as a Product Manager while job searching. As someone with epilepsy, I find the interview process particularly daunting. It’s frustrating that recruiters often overlook the unique challenges we face. I've struggled with fumbling my words and sometimes forgetting what I've learned during interviews. The gaps in my career due to my condition make it even harder to present myself confidently. I've reached a point where I hesitate to disclose my epilepsy, fearing it will bias recruiters against me. It's disheartening to feel like I have to hide a part of myself in order to be considered for a role.

I had a really promising interview experience recently for a position that I was excited about. I went through three rounds of interviews, and I felt like I connected well with the team, especially the last interviewer who seemed to really appreciate my responses. That was on Wednesday, and since then, I've heard absolutely nothing back. I'm feeling devastated because I'm not sure how I'm going to pay my bills next month. It’s frustrating that they haven’t even sent a simple email to let me know they chose someone else. I just feel so hopeless right now and needed to vent about this situation. I really need a job soon.

I recently found myself in a tough situation after starting an entry-level role at a company about a month ago. I had signed with them last October while finishing my degree and was excited to begin my career. However, I kept my options open during my final semester and recently received a job offer from another company that comes with a $12k annual salary increase and full tuition reimbursement for a master’s degree. The catch is that they want me to start immediately, and I can't negotiate the start date. I feel terrible about the idea of leaving my current job without notice, especially since my team and manager have been incredibly supportive and welcoming. It’s been a positive experience so far, and I genuinely appreciate the effort my manager has put into helping me adjust. But I also recognize that this new opportunity is crucial for my financial stability and educational advancement. I’m really worried about the potential damage to my reputation and burning bridges. I want to leave on good terms, but I’m unsure how to approach this situation without causing too much disruption. I’ve seen some advice suggesting that I could explain that I interviewed months ago and didn’t expect to hear back, but I don’t want to come off as dishonest. I’m hoping to find a way to minimize the impact of my departure while still taking this life-changing opportunity.

I'm currently on a temporary visa and seeking a job in my field while based in Melbourne. I've got several years of experience, but I'm unsure about the best approach to landing a position. I've heard mixed opinions about targeting startups versus small businesses. I would love to hear from anyone who has successfully secured a job on a student or 485 visa. If you have any tips or strategies that worked for you, please share! Also, would it be more effective to walk into companies directly or focus on online applications? Thanks in advance!

I recently found myself in a tricky situation regarding a job offer from Company B, where I've been working through a temp agency for the past year. My role is tied to Company A, which has a contract with Company B. Company A loves my work and wants to hire me full-time, but they can't do that right now. Instead, Company B offered me a full-time position with benefits at $23/hour, which I accepted as a significant pay cut from my previous role. However, I felt that I deserved more based on my experience and performance, so I countered with $25/hour. I thought this was reasonable because Company A typically starts at $25, I was costing them around $32/hour through the temp agency, and I have consistently exceeded expectations. Additionally, the external job listing suggested they could hire new candidates for $20-23/hour, which made my counter seem fair. After I made my counteroffer, the representative from Company B seemed annoyed and said he needed to discuss it with others before hanging up. I also informed my boss at Company A about the situation. This was my first time countering an offer, and I felt proud of myself for standing up for my worth, especially since I'm usually shy and go with the flow at work. However, I've heard that Company B has a bad reputation among Company A's associates, which left me feeling a bit uneasy. I’m now questioning if I was in the right for asking for more. Any thoughts?

I'm currently navigating a tough decision regarding my career. With over six years of experience in content strategy, I've found myself stuck in the nonprofit sector, and my current role as an advisor is draining. I recently reached the third round of interviews for a marketing position, but I'm feeling conflicted about whether to take it. My current job, which involves handling college applications for students and parents, has its pros and cons: I earn $59k, but the stress from parent meetings and weekend work is taking a toll on me. The new role offers a $50k salary, a hybrid work setup, and the chance to learn new skills in marketing, but I'm unsure about what to expect. I'm also considering going back to school part-time for a short certification until December, just in case things don't work out. I've applied for various positions where I felt overqualified, only to be ghosted, which makes me wonder if taking this new role is a good way to gain experience in a corporate environment. It's frustrating to see recent grads filling roles that I believe I could excel in.

I recently applied for a Service Team Member position at Michaels through their careers website. I submitted my application over the weekend, and the job posting had only been available for about a day at that time. I'm now wondering how long it typically takes for Michaels to respond to online applications. Do they usually reach out via phone, email, or both? How many business days should I wait before I assume I wasn't selected? Also, do they generally send rejection emails, or is it common to not hear back at all? Additionally, I have a concern regarding the education section of the application. I listed my high school and college separately, but for the education level dropdown, I selected High School (HS) for both since I graduated from high school and am currently attending college without a degree yet. There wasn't an option for "currently attending college" or "degree in progress," so I felt I had to select what was available. I'm worried that this might look like a mistake and that it could negatively impact my application. Could this cause any issues, or was that the right choice given the options? Lastly, since this would be my first job if hired, I’m curious about what types of questions they usually ask during interviews at Michaels. I appreciate any insights!

I’m feeling really frustrated with my job search right now. I’m 16 and have applied to at least 30 different positions, including cafes, fast food places, grocery stores, and retail shops. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard back from anyone, which is really disheartening. The only response I got was from Panera Bread, where I had a phone interview. They even set up an in-person interview for me, but then they never sent me the date. When I called to follow up, I found out their team was already full. It feels like I'm hitting a wall, and I'm starting to feel like giving up. I know I need to keep trying, but it’s tough when it seems like no one is willing to give a teenager a chance.

Today, I had an interview scheduled, but they made me wait for 30 minutes past the agreed time. Frustrated by the lack of professionalism, I decided to walk out. In my experience, waiting that long usually means I won't get the job, so I figured it was better to not waste my time. I've had similar experiences before where long waits led to disappointing outcomes. Some people in the comments suggested that it might depend on the situation or the company, but for me, it felt like a clear sign of how they operate. I remember a time I waited 40 minutes for an interview, and even though I eventually got the job, it was a rough start. I think if a company can't respect your time during the interview process, it raises red flags about the work environment. So, I left and will continue my job search elsewhere.

I'm currently working in a higher education role that initially felt fulfilling, but has turned into a stressful job focused on meeting enrollment quotas. The pressure to enroll a certain number of students each month has made my position feel more like sales than education, which I absolutely dislike. The constant stress and anxiety are overwhelming, especially with recent layoffs making me fear for my job security. While I earn a decent salary that allows me to save and meet my needs, the job has taken a toll on my mental health. I work from home, which has its perks, like spending time with my cats and wearing comfortable clothes, but the nightmares and sleepless nights worrying about work are becoming unbearable. I recently applied for a new job that seems much more aligned with my values and is local to me. They reached out for an interview almost immediately, which is promising. However, the pay is advertised on the lower end, and I’m concerned that if they offer me the lower salary, I won't be able to make ends meet. I plan to leverage my master's degree during negotiations if they do extend an offer. I know I need to weigh the benefits of leaving my current job—like the stress relief and the chance to do something fulfilling—against the financial stability and perks I currently have, such as my spouse's free tuition. I’m trying to think this through carefully, as the job market is tough, and I want to make the right decision for my happiness and financial security.

I recently learned that the CDN office I work for in California is shutting down, and my layoff is expected to happen this week or next. I have accumulated about 5 weeks of PTO since California has a 'use it or lose it' policy. To protect myself, I've been documenting all my communications regarding my PTO balance. A couple of weeks ago, I reached out to the controller via email to get written confirmation of my PTO balance. I know they don't keep a record of employee PTO, so I provided my well-documented total to ensure clarity. While my email was acknowledged, I never received a confirmation back. They mentioned they would check their records, but I haven't heard anything since. Now I'm uncertain whether I should follow up on this or just let it go. I'm also unclear about my options for pursuing this if they back out after the closure. I'm looking for any advice or insights on how to proceed.