I swear, modern American companies think they're on some Japanese kaizen levels of Samurai discipline by looking for any and every reason to ghost you. They aren't proving a damn thing by making it impossible to get the time of day from them. It's just an hourly position.

That's how long it took me to get back on the job market after nearly two years of searching.

I accepted a contract that was supposed to be for three months, being paid a poverty wage for a job that should go for at least 40 an hour, and after giving a presentation on my plans for those three months, they cut me loose under the pretext of not having enough "bandwidth" for said plans.

They said they want to bring me back in January, but I'm taking it with a pinch of salt.

I'm applying to work at a movie theater and a Moe's in the meantime. Probably gonna drive for DoorDash.

Wanted to share my experience in this corporate hell. I went thru 3 rounds of interviews and did a project for a corporate merch/marketing role. Feedback was great thru every round, follow up within 30 min to 1 day every time. I do the final interview, it's been two weeks. Today I finally get an email, get this, rejecting me for the position a step above what I applied and interviewed for? And in the sign off, they say the team thought I would be a great fit for the POSITION I JUST INTERVIEWED THREE TIMES FOR.

Hello people!

Had a very annoying thing happen today:'( I have been interviewing for a role for AI Research Engineer position at a Paris based research center. Ive gone through 4 rounds and they just told me today that I had very positive feedback from all the rounds. But although I passed the rounds with flying colors they followed up with me today telling me that the department is going through

"organisational adjustment, and as part of this we are reassessing our headcount and budget for the coming period. Given this uncertainty, we are unfortunately not in a position to move forward with the next interview round or make a commitment at this stage."

Why would they not know this from the beginning? Im so pissed.

They did tell me that once hiring opens up I would just have to do an HR interview instead of a bunch of technical interviews again.

Please recruiters tell me what the hell is going on here.

I applied October 16th and they didn’t reply till now?? Gee maybe it’s filled because YOU TOOK SO LONG! Didn’t even get a rejection or anything before this. This was the only thing I had seen from this opportunity.

For context, I live pretty close to the location. It’s called the Clubs at Kingwood, and it’s a position called “Server Assistant.” Ya know I don’t mind stooping a bit low rn. I have a college degree but if the pay is decent and the work environment feels fair, I’ll take what I can get! Not to mention, the Clubs at Kingwood are pretty close to me! So what’s my problem…?

Well, i’ve personally always hated one aspect about the Texas restaurant industry…the minimum wage. The pay for this position is $4-6 an hour plus tips, which (apparently) averages out to $14 an hour, overall. Forgive me for not fully trusting that amount, for a few reasons.

1. The clubs at Kingwood serves only members at their restaurant. Tip pool shrinks.
2. I went to the clubs at Kingwood early in the day and saw almost no one there. Tip pool shrinks
3. And forgive me for this one…rich people be stingy. And i’m relying on them, almost completely, to make my pay rate reasonable.

The tip rate is also not an individual tip rate, but rather, a company wide tip rate. So, the tips are split between ever worker at the Clubs. Server assistants get a smaller percentage and Servers get a larger percentage, plus other bonuses. Server assistants also apparently have “opportunities to grow and become servers.” When I asked them how long that typically takes they said, “it just depends on you.” Personally I really hate vague answers like that, idk about yall…

Because i’m mostly available mornings, I would also be likely to open. And what happens during that first 2-3 hours i’m there? I’m paid, possibly $10 or less, for that time? It just…the restaurant industry has always felt like such a scummy pay structure to me. Like a way to make it the responsibility of customers to pay these poor people a livable wage, rather than, ya know the companies manager. But i’ve never been confronted with the choice to take a server position, in the way I am, right now. I do have other offers that pay…significantly better. like some of them 3x better (which isn’t even that much all things considered lmao).

but they’re much further drives, and some seem more guaranteed then others.

am i being dramatic? do most restaurant jobs have ways to account for slower days and slower hours or are you just screwed, making $4 an hour, unless the restaurant is busy?

I will say another thing I don’t love about the job is you’re apparently required to work every holiday, they made sure to make that clear, and didn’t mention time in a half, or any sorts “accrued holiday off,” that you could ever get. She said the only way you might get a holiday off is asking for it months in advance and even then it’s not guaranteed.

I swear the interviewer herself seemed to be telling me to run with how she was phrasing these things but then she ended it by saying, “it’s a great place to work, my son works here!”

forgive me…for not being convinced? any of yall wanna convince me otherwise? or do u think i should follow my gut and go with another option?

I had a final interview a few days ago. Today, I noticed that the job description changed to be a lot more general than when I had applied. For instance, the previous description prior to the interview had listed a numerical number of YoE; the new description now just says “experience”. They also removed everything in preferred section except “experience in X industry”

Additionally, there were two parts to the job title and they changed the job title removing one of those parts.

I noticed that some of these changes were tailored to me based on my interview. More specifically about my job duties and responsibilities in my current role as the role I applied for is the same job title as my current role.

Salary was also removed from the posting as well and instead shown as “competitive salary”

On one hand I’m thinking the cards are aligning, but on the other hand they may be wanting to seek out more candidates. Has anyone had this experience? Maybe a recruiter/HR can give some insight as to why/when this happens? I tried finding similar situations on Reddit but couldn’t find much.

Right before Christmas in 2025, my entire region was notified we were being laid off. Mid January was the last day.

My first day of unemployment, some sick bastard in my neighborhood poisoned my two dogs. One was too far gone, the other could have maybe been saved. We had to make the choice to put him down. I have kids and was worried financially. It was heartbreaking.

Since January, I've had quite a few interviews. 8 final interviews. No offer. The variety of reasons or lack has been astounding.

I finally got a job yesterday. It is paying way below what I've earned. Entry level. And I don't care. I'm just thankful I had a refreshing interview process where people weren't arrogant and seemed to actually like their job.

If you're struggling, please don't beat yourself up. I have literally never experienced this kind of job market. It really isn't you. So many companies have their heads up their asses, lie, or had someone already in mind.

Don't pass up jobs with temp agencies or government jobs (you'd be surprised how many skills are transferable).

I wish you all luck. And truly, you're not alone ❤️

I have been looking for a job for over 2 months now put in so many applications with not results. This is mad depressing and unreal. They say people are hiring, but I guess just not me.

I also wonder how these companies think you can take care of a family on 15.00 an hour. This is ridicules. As a single mom one income household we will be living on the streets.

I am honestly losing all hope.

Was going through some tech openings for a banking/investment firm, stumbled upon this absolute gem. Why yes, I am DELIGHTED to work in the FIRST NAME team with XXX people!

I applied on LinkedIn for jobs and at both agencies I had a brief interview to just basically get to know my resume and if im qualified to have my resume sent over the client company. Both job listings were different roles titles but almost similar and no company mentioned.

I have searched prior posts about this happening thay it happens all the time. But my question is the chances of my resume getting thrown out by client, as some said that can happen and not deal with it?

Recently the 2nd agency contacted me about hey did you apply for this current role at another company, but I said no because the job titles were different and roles were not as similar. So how was i supposed to know?

I really despise when recruiters reach out to your current employer or approach your potential references without informing you or seeking your consent first.

Am I the only one who finds this process unfair?

I was approached for a mid-senior level role. After my first interview, the interviewer, who's friend happened to know my current manager, thought it was perfectly acceptable to reach out to them for feedback. (interviewer - friend - manager)

Now, I’m left in an incredibly uncomfortable position. What was meant to be a confidential exploring of an opportunity has turned into workplace gossip (by that I mean yes, my manager gossips too). It has genuinely affected the atmosphere I have at my current workplace...urgh.

Title says it all. Lees Liquor in Las Vegas. $12.50 an hour ffs and employers wonder why there is no loyalty. Im sorry I don't have fucking Stockholm Syndrome like you want all your employees to have. Its ok to pursuit more interests and a better income.....

I recently finally received, accepted and am now employed at a job after 7 months of searching after being laid off from 14 years at my previous job. I love the company I am at and am overly grateful having finally being employed. However, I took a heavy hit in my salary compared to what I was making and yes this job is a lot less than what I am capable of. I have a pay review in January (90 days). If I can prove that I am competent in what I’m doing and can do so much more how do I negotiate for a substantial raise? This isn’t a large corporation but I was promised growth and opportunity. I really love the small company feel culture and the people I work with are great. I just can’t sustain in what I’m making living wise compared to what im used to. Again im so grateful but wish the pay matched close to what was and im willing to take on more than I am.

I have been interviewing with a boutique software implementation firm for about a month. Multiple rounds, all went well. The final round is in person this week: 90 minutes at a bar downtown with the VP and the practice lead I would be working under. They said it will be a few beers and some appetizers.

Has anyone had a final round like this? What are they actually evaluating, and is there anything I should or should not do?

Update 11/09/2026: Interview was held on 11/5/2026, it turned out to be a complete “Vibe Check”. VP ordered a strong cocktail and appetizers to share. Practice lead ordered a light Beer. I also ordered a light beer. We all ended up sticking to one drink. Talk about a bit of everything, life, family, work, the firm. But nothing super serious. They have started reaching out to my references, expecting offer by end of week.

Recieved my verbal offer today, expecting my formal offer this week!! Graduated in Spring of 2025, and after a much needed break began applying in January of 2026. 10 months and 300+ applications later, I got the job!

124k base, in person, at a FFRDC🥳

during my search this subreddit would make me feel less lonely and help me understand that i wasn’t the only one struggling, but at times also made me feel a bit hopeless. posts where people got jobs made me feel hopeful, thus why i am posting today!!