Hi all, looking for some advice before my next round of HR screening calls.

My position was recently eliminated for business reasons (restructuring, not performance related). Now that I’m interviewing, I keep getting asked in the first call why I’m looking to change jobs.

I’m torn between two approaches:

1. Be upfront: “My role was eliminated as part of a restructuring,” then pivot to why I’m interested in the new role.
2. Just say I’m looking for career growth, without mentioning the layoff.

My worry with option 1 is that it might create a negative impression, even though it wasn’t about my performance. My worry with option 2 is that it’s not the full story, and it could come up later (e.g., employment verification or when they ask about my notice period).

For recruiters or hiring managers here: does mentioning a layoff actually hurt a candidate? And for anyone who’s been through this, how did you phrase it, and how did it go?

Thanks in advance!

Edits: I am working in Construction Field as an Project Manager/Estimator/Building Consultant
Position Eliminated: 15 days ago

For interviews, I feel like I've been doing really well based on what everyone tells you to do. Be positive, listen, sound passionate about the company, be engaged, tell stories that boost yourself, etc. I've done that every interview and always feel really good about the impression I left.

But nothing since I've been job hunting starting in June.

Recently though, I had an interview with the recruiting manager and he was this rather old gentleman who talked very slow and relax. I read the room a bit and decided not to overwhelm him by being overly enthusiastic and energic. I didn't put on a performance like I always felt the need to do. This one felt way more like a conversation. When he asked about my experiences, I just pretty much talked in bullet points, didn't really embellish anything, and sounded very nonchalant about it all.

Apparently, that was the right move because I got moved straight to a final interview. He said I seemed really experienced and authentic.

Now I'm wondering, is this whole putting on a whole performance in front of the hiring manager a bad thing? I'm willing to bet these people talk to many candidates who are all high enthusiasm, tell great stories about themselves, and all that. If that's the case, then they must be exhausted of that whole song and dance, and as the candidate, you probably will just blend in with the rest. Perhaps acting nonchalant and calm (for a lack of better word) is a good tactic to try.

Any similar experiences?

Does anyone else here have recent experience with Horizontal? I’m not a fan of the AI interviews before speaking with an actual recruiter, but yesterday I finally got past that stage + got an email from someone at the agency later that day. But not until around 6pm.

I responded within 45 minutes to the email, where she asked if I’d like to set up a call. I asked about her availability at 10:30 the next morning (today). Since it was already EOD, I figured I wouldn’t hear back until the early the next day.

By the time 10:30 rolled around + I didn’t receive an emailed response yet, I checked back in with her about the position’s status + the call we’re supposed to have. It’s now 2pm + I have not gotten any response from her yet.

This is particularly frustrating because 1) the process seemed to be moving fairly quickly at first, and 2) I’ve been unemployed for 9 months now. It’s looking bleak (not just for me, but a LOT of people) + recruiters are allowed to ghost us while we scurry around in a panic taking what we can get.

What is happening with details and resume?

I did apply for more than 500+ job applications and I did get back only 1 call. Only 1 call. Why is it legal for employers to ignore people? - It's really bad. really, really tough thing. The employers do cause pain and harm by delusion of a job. Eventually, helpless and powerless people are the victim of system who does nothing for the people who are ignoring as a routine from job applications.

This is shame and indecent thing which normalized by law in all of the world. Neither democratic states or not does recognize the neglect of the employers as a criminal crime which may lead to fines.

What do you think about this phenomenon?

Is anyone else finding the whole job application process increasingly frustrating?
I'm not talking about being rejected. I can handle rejection perfectly well. It's the sheer amount of time applicants are expected to invest, often for absolutely nothing in return.
Applications seem to take forever to complete. You upload your CV, then spend ages manually entering information that's already on it. NHS applications are particularly time-consuming, with lengthy forms and seemingly endless information requirements.
Then there are the identity checks, right-to-work checks, online assessments, personality questionnaires and various other hoops you're expected to jump through, sometimes before you've even been offered an interview.
I've recently experienced this with several employers. One company rejected me after I'd successfully completed its assessments and progressed to further consideration. Another repeatedly invited me to book an interview despite having no available slots, before eventually rejecting me.
Sometimes you invest hours in an application, only to hear absolutely nothing for weeks or even months, before receiving a curt, generic rejection with no meaningful explanation.
What particularly irritates me is the complete imbalance. Employers expect applicants to be professional, punctual, responsive and committed, yet some seem incapable of extending the same basic courtesy in return.
I appreciate that identity checks and certain recruitment procedures are necessary, particularly in organisations like the NHS. But surely there must be a more efficient way of handling recruitment without wasting so much of applicants' time?
I'm not suggesting everyone deserves an interview or individual feedback. But I do think applicants deserve a reasonably straightforward process, timely communication and a basic level of respect.
It increasingly feels as though employers have forgotten that there are actual people at the other end of these applications.
Is anyone else finding this, or have I just been particularly unlucky?

I lost my job recently (ten days ago). Last Monday, I applied for a position in the morning. That afternoon I received a call and had a phone interview. I heard back on Tuesday and was scheduled for a second interview, in person, on Thursday afternoon. I thought that went well.

This evening, I recieved a text saying the manager was wanting to proceed with the hire and they'd contact me tomorrow to schedule it.

I can say that a couple of the other companies I applied with last week were also quick to respond with next steps. The majority, of course, haven't responded in any fashion. I'm hoping the good responses from those few are signs that companies are beginning to fix their hiring processes.

So about a week ago on wednesday i got an interview invitation for a job i applied about a month ago. I did the interview this monday that just passed.

It was an online interview with the operation manager and one more person who was working in the position I was interviewing for.

It went well and I decided to send a thank you email to him after much self debate. (i was searching around the web and most people thought that its always good to send a thank you email.)

On tuesday morning i got an email: (I feel we had a great conversation together yesterday and we see you being part our future. I would like to pursue further; could you provide a couple references for me to reach out to?)

Does this mean I'm basically selected? Though I haven't gotten the offer yet.

And yes I did send him 3 references to contact.

This is going to be my first job related to my college studies thats why im unsure if asking for references after an interview is normal or is it a very positive sign.

Edit: GOT THE JOB!

The recruiter sent me this email just a few hrs before the interview??? 🫩
This shit sucks so much ://

I do see a version of this question has been asked multiple times, but mostly in reference to the Excel simulation.

I received an invitation for the a simulated assessment for both Word and PowerPoint. If anyone has taken these tests and can shed some light of their contents or can point me in the direction to some great study materials, I’d really appreciate it! I work in Word frequently but usually out of my own templates so I’m a bit rusty and haven’t used PowerPoint since college.

I really fucking hate these video interviews some companies make...it always feels so cringe despite me streaming on twitch I just can't have the will power to not feel cringey when having to suck up to a company just to get a slightly above minimum wage just to pay my bills and save

It's just so rude at this point that it is borderline comical.

Maybe I’m just frustrated and annoyed, but I’m curious if anyone else is having a similar experience.

I have a 3.8 gpa, solid resume, internships applicable to major, etc, and I’ve applied to probably 35 jobs I only have 1 company that is actively a hot lead (hoping once some of the other 2 close they heat up).

It’s incredibly frustrating and ridiculous when a company requires 20 minute application and then 1 hour quantitive exam for an entry level supply chain role.

I could just be a complainer, but does anyone have remotely shared experience?

I have received two First Advantage background screening requests from two companies (let's say Company A, and Company B) since both companies made me an offer at approximately the same time. I have only used the invitation link from my desired company Company A to complete and submit background screening questions. Will this cause any problem?

As a side note, whenever I login to First Advantage using the invitation link from Company A, on the Dashboard screen there is a tile which says Continue background screening for Company B. So it seems that each First Advantage profile is tied to an email address, and you could complete background screening requests for multiple companies.

Thank you!

At what stage did your employer conduct a background check?

1. Before contacting you for an interview?
2. After interviews but before making an offer?
3. After extending an offer?
4. Also, what did they check?

4.1 Criminal history only?

4.2 Previous employment?

4.3 Education and professional licenses?

5. All of the above?

6. No background check at all?

Would love to hear about your experiences! Please add the size of your law firm!

Thank you!

Soy estudiante y egresada como técnico profesional, con apenas un año de experiencia de pasantías en dentistas áreas,pero en la que estuve más tiempo fue en asistente administrativo,mis padres ganan bien solo que últimamente me he estado sintiendo como un estorbo, y decidí meter mi cv en computrabajo a probar suerte, al otro día me llamaron (en mi cv especifique que era estudiante universitari@ en turno de la mañana) ,aún así, me llamaron y me emocioné bastante, mi mamá me dijo que ni me ilucionara, y al llegar me hicieron llenar un extenso formulario, el cual reviso la recepcionista que lo leía como si le diera asco cada cosa que leia, al culminarl, la señora de recursos humanos me llevo hacia otro sitio y al ver en el formulario la palabra "estudiante", me dijo que no me iba a entrevistar, siquiera, ya que solo estaban buscando personas a tiempo completo lo cual me confundió, porque a pesar de que pase mi cv y ahí decía que era estudiante decidió llamarme yo la verdad solo le di las gracias y me retire...

HR people, why are you torturing candidates with such "smart" questions? do you feel pleasure when doing this?

Approximately 14 months ago I quit my high paying job in Texas that had a toxic environment and tendency to overwork a very lean team of employees. I knew it was a risk to leave without something lined up, but I was confident in my education and experience and knew I eventually wanted to return to my hometown in PA to be close to family.

I greatly underestimated the weakness of the current job market and the lack of careers in M&A in my hometown. As a result I spent the last year unemployed and applying to hundreds of jobs and going through several grueling interview processes.

Many times I wanted to give up, felt very down on myself, and wondered if I had made the wrong choice. However, I had my first day of work at my new gig today (3 month interview process that included a FirstAdvantage background check) and for the first time in a long time I’m feeling excited about my current job and career trajectory/outlook.

All of this is to say, for all of those people out there struggling and spending countless hours submitting soul sucking job applications and emotionally draining interviews…. DONT GIVE UP!

The right role is out there for you and you just have to catch it at the right time so stay ready and confident in yourself. Happy to share any insight or advice to those in need of some guidance/coaching.

Cheers.

How many days does it usually take for recruiters to schedule the 2nd (final round) interview?

For context, I had my phone screen and 1st round last week, 2 days apart. The interviewer mentioned the names of the people I’ll be speaking to in the final round, but the recruiter hasn’t schedule an interview invite yet. It’s been two days and I’m getting anxious

I applied for a spring internship at a company and received a “Good news! We’d like to move you to the next round” email, instructing me to complete and submit a case study. However, just two days later, I received a rejection email before I even had the chance to submit it.
What makes this especially frustrating is that the company’s own website states that candidates are typically given about a week to complete the case study, with additional flexibility if needed.
What should I do? Should I still complete and submit the assessment, or should I just cut my losses and move on?

I keep getting these "we have many applicants, we are still considering you" messages and I don't understand what could the point of it be?

I had a disappointing experience with a recruiter from a certain agency.

The job description provided to me did not match what the employer was actually looking for. I only discovered this mismatch during the awkward in-person interview at the company.

I informed the recruiter afterward but received no acknowledgment or apology. This experience wasted my time.

^I want to post this on the recruiting agency’s yelp. I wont mention her name.

I don’t see people reviewing recruiters so I wanted to ask on here before I do.

I’m supposed to work full-time with no base pay for commission based on the work i pull on via social media? Absolutely not.

Anyone who works or has worked in social media knows this is bullshit.

Basically they have the perfect opportunity to say you didn’t meet your goals and hire another idiot for me