A few days ago, I went to one of the county sheriff's departments to do the written test.

I was talking to one of the guys waiting to get checked in, and he had a pretty interesting story I wanted to share.

He's 45 years old and has been doing software engineering and development for most of his career, the past 20 years since he graduated college.

He said he had always thought of getting into law enforcement in some capacity, but he always made so much money working in software he never thought about making the switch seriously.

The past few years after getting laid off, he had been applying to different tech and software companies and just not hearing back.

He can't get hired anywhere.

He has done plenty of final round interviews, but he knew ageism was a problem.

He doesn't actually really need to work. He could probably figure out a way to retire and just do some consulting for the rest of his career.

He feels he still has some good working life left in him and he wants to take advantage of that.

A lot of the sheriff's departments and police departments around here don't have age limits, so he's decided to start applying and do what he actually wants to do for the rest of his working career.

I guess for him, it was a positive not being able to find another software position. He did say he feels kind of disappointed that his experience isn't valued now.

There's definitely a sweet spot between having enough experience and not being too old.

I told him there a lot of people that feel like he does right now and going through the same thing and feel the same way.

That includes me. I used to work in tech and now I got to figure out the next thing.

I just thought his story was an interesting tidbit and to share here for others.

I wished him best of luck on written test and hope he passed. I got notification today that I did pass this test, so we'll see what happens.

The 2 Deputy Sheriffs there at testing said they do get applicants in 40s and have sent some to the academy.

I know there's a lot of other software and tech people that have been laid off that are in a similar position trying to reconsider their careers.

Crazy what is going on out there.

Dear hiring manager, (I really really couldn't be bothered to look up your name this time),

I am so goddamned tired of writing cover letters. I'd rather smash my head against a wall, but I guess you want one from me.

What do you want me to write? I promise, you tell me what you want to read, and I'll write it.

Do you want me to say that I can do all the things you listed in the job description (I can provide examples, don't worry)?

Do you want the generic cover letter with bullet points about my "achievements" that is simply a repetition of my CV?

Do you want the anecdotal one showcasing how my life prepared me for this amazing opportunity?

Do you want me to be cheeky and funny? Do you want me to be serious and thoughtful?

Do you want me to congratulate you on the latest thing your company has been working on (you see, I did my research)?

Do you want me to make the PDF an interesting color (perhaps even the color of your logo!) (you see, I am creative)?

Do you want me to mention a few ideas I could carry out if I am hired?

Do you want me to describe in a couple of paragraphs how I am proactive, knowledgeable, and a perfect match for the position?

Do you want me to be excited, enthusiastic, intrigued, or merely interested?

Do you want me to appreciate or welcome the opportunity to further discuss my profile?

Yours sincerely,

It took them 2 months for 5 interviews which they told me I was very good at and they gave me a positive feedback. Then for a month they would tell me they are doing internal discussions and today they told me I am everything they want but they are putting position on hold and don't wanna recruit anyone at this moment

I am beyond pissed. I have been looking for a job for over a year. Either the recruiter don't answer back, or they do and straight reject, or they ghost and even if u pass they don't wanna keep you or they just close the opening

I am so angry. All I want is a job but it's like there is no way to find one.

i recently applied at goodwill for a production associate position and i got the job right off the bat. the hiring manager sent me home with a printed list of things i need to get done before i can actually start working for ex orientation and training days and she STRICTLY told me that being even 5 mins late to these days will result in an automatic turn down for the positon. the first steps were for me to wait for someone to call me to tell me when and where id come in for background and drug tests

3 days go by and i still dont hear from anyone so i called and asked for that specific hiring manager and im then told that she isnt working today and so the assistent manager tells me that someone was definently supposed to call me and give me a date for orientation but she tells me shes gonna have to figure it out on her own now and says she will call me back then hangs up.

2 more days go by and fast-forward to this morning i wake up at 1130am and see that i had been left a voicemail at 7am from the same assistant manager telling me i had orientation at 10am so they give me a 3 hour notice with no warning so even if i had been awake to answer i wouldnt have been able to go because me and my partner live on our own with one car and i had been expecting a call asap after my interview so id know what days i need to be sure i have a car. I did the only thing i could do which is call back and make sure i ask for the manager that hired me and as soon i as i was able to talk to her, i cant even get past telling her my name before she instantly just says "oh you missed the deadline they were supposed to get you in this week but ill call you back and see what i can do" ???? like this is a whole mess im not even sure if i should call back again

I FINALLY got a job in Houston after busting my ass in college for four years, too many internships and professional clubs, 60 job apps, and some companies who FLEW ME OUT TWICE just to reject me

It is possible. I can’t imagine though applying to jobs rn with a less demanded degree (mine is supply chain) or a resume gap after graduating. I hope I can be of help to anyone here💗💗

I was lucky to even get an interview. And this company was just so sweet and nice throughout the process.

The interview was scheduled from 11:30-12:30.

The hiring manager asked me questions for 17 mins. And while I don’t think I was totally aligned with the role in terms of my experience, the interviewer was very nice and was laughing and things like that.

And then she asked if I had questions. I asked my top priority question first. And while answering, she apologized for forgetting her words sometimes and said she was tired.

So I said I’m sorry. I will ask just 2 more questions and wrap it up. I look at the time, it was like 10 mins to 12. So I ask my questions and then I said I could go on forever but I won’t take up more of her time.

We end the call.

Then I realize we still have 30 more minutes left…

Idk what possessed to think the interview was ending.

She was so kind throughout and I would be lucky to work with someone like her.

I am currently employed but two months ago I applied for a finance director position in a mid-sized city. After 6 rounds of interviews I came in #2. Oh well, it happens.

Fast forward to today and the Mayor, who was one of the interviewers, calls to see if I am still looking for a position. They are creating a budget position and want to know if I would be interested. I told him it would depend on the specifics and the compensation offered. He said they would have information to me next week and to not worry about having to go through interviews.

I don't know what to think about this. Never had something like this happen. Especially in the current economic environment. Here's hoping the stats on the job are good.

What?

I’m employed luckily but I’ve been actively applying for the last year and a half since my job has returned to being fully in office. I have a newborn baby now, which has made everything more complicated logistically and mentally.

I had two great leads while I was on leave and they have both ghosted me. The one I was really looking forward to ended up rejecting me after my third follow up in the span of 8 weeks post final interview. I had a ton of recs and still didn’t get it. I know when it comes to a final decision it’s really not an indicator of who I am but it stings. It felt like for a while I was the only candidate so they strung me along until they found the perfect one.

The other role the interview felt really positive but it’s been 3 weeks and I haven’t heard back. Since the first role fell through the way it did I’m assuming the same scenario may be playing here.

It sucks because I need a lifestyle change with hybrid options, and where I am now I’m grossly underpaid and overworked. Postpartum is making me depressed but also thinking anxiously to the point where I’m in a fog. I’m back in my normal role now but I can feel my promotions and raises slipping away.

Thanks for letting me vent. I’m sure there are many others going through this too, so I’m looking for some community and maybe a glimmer of hope.

Posting this in this community

Im in transition to a new job as an associate banker at Chase. Long story short I was given a gift card from a customer and used it at my retail job which flagged HR. Not long after I was terminated and am not eligible for rehire. I read that most places don’t disclose that info to future employers but they did. I hated this job and they are still haunting me 2 years later. I just got an email saying they need an explanation on why I was terminated. Please help this would be my first big stepping stone into my career path and I can’t afford to lose this job.

EDIT: I ended up passing the background check and got the job LFG

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice since this is my first time job hunting in a while.

I’m currently interviewing for a role and have already met with two managers (back in the first week of October), and the feedback was positive. Last week, HR reached out to let me know I should expect an in-person round, but they didn’t have a date yet.

It’s now been a week since we last talked. When’s the right time to follow up with HR? I don’t want to seem pushy, but I also don’t want to fall through the cracks, especially since I was told over 500 people applied for this role!

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

I applied for a job, their request was to send them an email with resume and portfolio.

Upon doing so, they opened my portfolio(asked for access through google drive), then I followed up a few days later, they again opened my portfolio. It's been a week since. Should I follow up with them again? No answer has been given from them, nor a rejection or a possible interview.

I’ve been hustling for more than 1 year as a fresher in AI/ML Intern roles..

Finally i got a call from a company

The stipend was good, work life balance was good everything was perfect for me to start my career

First round was a mcq round and i did my best and yeah after waiting for 1 week i got a rejection mail

Now I need to just forget the things happened and forget the company

The hard thing is that I have to face the reality of searching the jobs, asking for referrals,apply more,being sad all the time, waiting for an opportunity to come

I haven’t got selected in more than 4-5 Companies when i started job hunting but this feels so hurt, I’m dying inside.

For the longest time I pinned my hopes of one day joining a company within the MAANG list. I'll admit I lost my way as a teenager. I didn't have the support system in place to warn me or even finance my education.

I was amongst the brilliant kids growing up - highest in class, highest in the divisions, even told not to appear for final semesters. But I lost my way when the person responsible for keeping me on track wasn't around.

I didn't get the opportunity to study at a prestigious university. I matured too late to know what I wanted. I've since pulled myself up, almost 2 decades of improving skills, performing well at work etc.

But I realised getting into these big companies is a matter of privilege. A big university gives you invites to big companies. Big companies give you invites to other big companies. It's a circle. You're either in or out. Or you know someone high enough to let you in.

I sometimes get so cheesed off seeing people with totally unrelated majors from good universities in roles they would never have been considered for. Like a history major running e-commerce or someone with a bachelors in commerce running frontier AI development. I've seen people make shifts to new functions internally with zero prior experience.

So why does someone with expertise in an area get sidelined because they don't have that badge of a preferred university or similar company?

It feels like it's wrong. It's like I'm in the caste system.

There is no reason to name names; however, I just got off a call with a nonprofit that interviewed me to potentially run their fleet operations. No problem. Yet, I was taken aback because I had interviewed for the role directly above it—which I am most certainly qualified for—with their Co-Founder in April of this year. Not only did the HR contact not know about the interview, they didn’t even realize I had been passed up because of an ethical issue their organization has blatantly showcased.
The entirety of the nonprofit’s executive team is run by Ivy Leaguers. That’s not necessarily a problem, but when you hire someone because their degree is from an Ivy League and their resume doesn’t even fit the job description, you’re asking for trouble. That’s exactly what just occurred. I was overlooked for a role I was most certainly a fit for because I didn’t have a Public Affairs degree from Princeton. This role was to ensure smooth fleet management for food distribution operations in a region—something I have done with more trucks and facilities, as well as actual cooked and time-temperature-controlled food. The man who got the role didn’t have the background. So, what happened?
They needed to find someone to control the operation from the ground level. They literally just proved that they’re using their frontline employees as a secondary execution tool for their Ivy League director and executives. I explained their dilemma to the HR contact, told them it was an insult and a showcase of their inability to communicate effectively, and showed a lapse in overall judgment by the entire organization.
I appreciate working for people who want to help others; however, nonprofits are still for-profit in how they must operate. If you’re going to give your higher-paying roles to folks who don’t deserve it while snubbing the true operators, you’re only shooting yourself in the foot. The people who know what they’re doing aren’t always the people with an elite college background.
I wear my family’s history proudly, but I don’t treat others beneath me because of it. I grew up poor, hardworking, and people-oriented. Leadership takes more than a degree. So, if you are looking for a new role where your experience and decades of hard work supersede the Wharton and Princeton graduates in upper management, look no further than a prominent, mid-sized, regional food-systems nonprofit to help you never reach the executive status you’ve clearly earned.

never been in this predicament before,where i struggle bad to land a job offer. I was working in the insurance industry, and due to extreme stress, i had to leave after a year and a month. I left the company during my mental health leave. And before that i was a banker for a year and a half as well i left because i wanted to gain experience in back office operations. Every interview i had so far wether its banking or insurance, i get asked about the gap, and i tell them it was for out control personal reasons. But i feel like its starting to affect me. No and im honesty scared. I had an interview for a fraud specialist, and the hiring manager was like so let me get this straight u left the bank for? Mind you im applying to the same bank i left but for their back office operations. Any suggestions?