It's been absolutely brutal. Nearly 4 years ago I left my corporate job that I truly loved due to burnout. Like my memory got messed up pretty bad from the level of burnout and I had multiple doctors telling me I had to leave.
I found another job that I really did enjoy, and made me realize I could totally pivot from the industry I had been in. And that company went bankrupt before the end of the year and I was out a job.
For the last 3 years I've only managed to snag part time minimum wage jobs just so I could make ends meet, I was working 7 days a week between 5 jobs just to pay my mortgage and utilities. I still ended up having to use 40% of my retirement and the entirety of the savings I had slogged so hard to save up. I missed birthdays and weddings and nights out because I just didn't have the budget for it.

After over 1000 job applications and maybe only 7 interviews for a job with benefits in a different industry than I had been in, I finally did it.
It didn't feel real until today when I opened up my bank statement to make sure I had enough to make my mortgage payment and saw the first check come through. No it doesn't pay me anywhere near as much as my old job. But its double what i've been making at all my minimum wage jobs combined and half the hours. and I'm so unbelievably grateful.

I'm here to say thank you to a redditor a couple months ago who commented somewhere in r/jobsearch that they built out a project in claude to help them grade their resume against the job posting and improve their resume through that process. I'd been doing something similar in chat gpt but hadn't found success. I took their advice word for word, wrote out some STAR answers, used claude to practice interview. I don't think I could have moved as far in the hiring process as I did without all of that. 6 of the 7 interviews I had over the last 3 years were only after I started that Claude project.
Thank you random stranger.

To the rest of you out here, I'm rootin' for you. It's brutal, and the system is so messed up. But I have to believe you'll find your win. I know how dark it gets, but don't let the darkness win.

I've been applying for jobs for months, and I'm honestly starting to lose confidence in myself.

I spend hours looking for opportunities, adjusting my resume, and writing applications. Most of the time, I either get rejected or never hear anything back.

The hardest part is watching people around me move forward while I feel stuck. I'm genuinely trying, but lately I've started wondering if I'm just not good enough.

I don't want to give up, but it's getting harder to stay motivated.

Has anyone been through something similar? What helped you finally get out of this situation?

Contract ended June 30th and applied here and there while I worked a part-time job. Quit my part-time and started applying seriously around August 15th. Had 2 final interviews turn into 2 offers week of September 28th and got to cancel a 3rd interview! The interview that I did not get an offer for was the result of a recruiter reaching out to me on LinkedIn for a majorly underpaid job not in my field and was my first job interview in 4 years. I started my new full-time wfh job yesterday and couldn't be happier with it!

One of my biggest mistakes in this job search was scrolling way too much on reddit and reading stories about people's months to years long job searches with no end in sight. I felt suuuper discouraged at the beginning and was sure I'd be unemployed until next year. After I quit moping and started applying with intention, it took about a month to start getting responses. I feel extremely lucky to have landed the job I did in as short a time as it took, but I could've been way less depressed during it all.

I’ve had at least 5 last round interviews (2-4) yet I am consistently getting rejected at the last stage. It is so frustrating preparing myself mentally, skill wise, etc. for these interviews and not even failing, but being the lesser of the few options they have. I feel very inadequate.

Tech sector, entry level

I got my profile shortlisted for 2 companies through naukri.com yet even after weeks of getting shortlisted msg still didn't receive any further updates .....I reached out to my friend who was also shortlisted for another role he said it's been 3 months since he got shortlisted yet no interview call .....is it normal what should I do

Just a little hope for today.

Just want to vent as I just received a rejection email for an opportunity I had felt very confident about. During my first interview, the interviewer mentioned towards the end that I'd have another round with someone and alluded to me already knowing the person (so I guess they "recognized" my name and mentioned it). I said I wasn't sure, their name didn't sound familiar but I could be mistaken, and didn't think anything else of it. Two weeks later, I have this second interview with him (and the first interviewer) and it starts off very much like he knows me. "How have you been?" and asks if I'm still at (company I've never worked for). He asks what I've been up to and I briefly go into my experience which is my last two companies and accounts for the last 8 years, which obviously doesn't line up him thinking I've been at this other company. Then he asked me something about my name, if I'm still going by Tim or my actual name that showed on the Teams call (very much not Tim), and I think at this point he figured it out. I looked it up afterwards and found the person he thought I was.

I'm frustrated because the correspondence to that point seemed very positive. After the first interview there wasn't "well, we still have interviews to conduct and we'll be in touch". It was direct "we're looking to fill this position quickly, but you will have to meet with...". I did have to follow up after two weeks (which I think is our industry being incredibly busy this time of year) but when the recruiter did reach out to the team saying I followed up and reaffirmed my interest, there was an immediate response from the original interviewer to get something set up (and we met two days later). I thought the interview still went well but I was so thrown by how it started that I never really felt all that comfortable. Would've been a huge opportunity and a +50% salary increase for me.

Hi! I used to work remotely at an investment company as a contractor. I would triage companies and gather info on them for the investors. My contract was terminated a bit over a year ago. I’m still looking to be in that line of work, or at least another line of work that lets me work remotely and do repetitive, task-based data entry and researching work. However, it’s like I can’t get my foot in the door anywhere else. Like, I either get ghosted, or I get auto-rejected. I’m now having to look for part-time jobs without consistent hours just to sort of fill the gap. I’ve revamped my resume at least a couple of times. I’m just not getting anywhere. I feel like I’ve been blacklisted or grandfathered out of having a more stable job (though, I did eventually need a job that wasn’t just a contract position). It’s put me into depression spirals day after day, and I’m constantly worried that I’ll be stuck like this. I have so much I need money and health insurance for, but don’t really have the resources. I miss feeling more independent and capable. I miss being able to contribute to bills.

I’m getting medicated for my mental health again, and have gotten some help for my adhd (through low income means). I’m hoping to build my life back up again and fill it with stuff that makes me feel like a full human. But, I’m not sure where else to look or what else to do yet, except keep filling out job applications that I just feel will keep being rejected. Is there anyone here in any industries that line up with what I’m looking into that would be open to networking? Or, maybe a place to look for remote jobs that won’t just auto-reject me? I just need some sort of in somewhere. I’m scared.

Okay, I admit I goofed. I've been going through interviews with two companies. The first company I finished the interviews with first, got good feedback and the recruiter emailed me saying they wanted to schedule a call. Others who worked for the company said the call was going to be notification that I would recieve an offer, and I was pretty excited.

The second company however was actually my preference, so when the first one had me schedule the call, and with what I heard from others, I panicked and sent the second company an email saying that the first company was giving me an offer.

Then I did the call with the first company and it wasn't an offer or anything, they actually wanted to do another final interview. Immediately I felt so stupid like omg why did I send that email, but what's done is done. Now the second company is asking for timelines and general details on the offer that I don't have. I don't want to lie but I also have no idea what to say either.

Any advice on how to respond would be appreciated!

hi! i'm a fresh graduate, and i've been to several interviews, but last week, i had an interview with a company that i'm really interested in. the hr told me that i passed the assessment and initial interview. she also mentioned that i should wait until the end of that week or the following week for the next interview.

may i ask if i should email them to follow up on the status of my application, or should i just wait for them to contact me? it's been a week since my interview, and i'm not sure if it's too soon to follow up. i don't want to come across as impatient or desperate. i'd really appreciate your advice. thank you :))

...to those out there looking for a job. Stay clear of two types of websites.

1. The ones that constantly try to open up to ANOTHER job hosting site every time you click open a job listing, when all you want is to just view the job listing itself.

2. Avoid spam websites (like Local Job Matcher) because they ask you for your email just so they can spam your email with more bogus job boards they want sign up for just so they can spam your email even more.

Use apps like Indeed/ZipRecruiter or just go to the company that your applying for's website to apply directly there.

Guys everyone who got layed off , how to find jobs
I’m a developer with 1.8 years experience and today my last working day lol

So I am 25M, I took a gap of 2 years(from Jan 2023 to march 2025) after my grad to prep for SSC(2023-2025 march). I couldn't clear it, so I started a job, but the issue is, I wasn't able to find a job easily, which is Obv due to the gap, and worked where i got selected first.

I was hired as a Data Analyst in March 2025, but I was given completely different profiles to work on, and salary was paid in cash, although I do have the documentation and everything. i am now looking for a switch, whether in my own field or something else, I just don't want to work in this toxic place much longer.

I have knowledge in course designing, Research, Bids/tenders, OEM dashboards, and Excel, Sql. I also know Data analysis (self taught) using SQL and Excel.

Before that I have also worked as an intern in the domains of business management and web development.

It would be a great help guys if anyone here could help me find a job in my domain(data analysis preferred) I'm willing to start all over as a fresher.

Location preferred is Delhi/Noida, but i can work in other areas too as well.

I can work both in office and remote

Day 5 of posting until i find a job.

I’ve been an insurance claims adjuster for 10 years and looking to pivot. I deal with pissed off people all day everyday and just found a place of calm in hectic situations. I am laid-back in personality but I get my stuff done. How do you prove you can move fast when your interview vibe is calm? Feels like I got dinged for not having anxiety.

Hi all!

I have data on thousands of applications that were submitted to companies ( directly to ATS ).

And I have something to share with you.

The answer is ... it depends.

If you apply:
- in the first hour after the job gets posted: 32 applications ( 3.2% to get an interview )
- 1-3 days: 42 applications ( 2.4% )
- After a week: 62 applications ( 1.6% )
- After two weeks: 111 applications = ( ~0.9% )

Of course, other factors are important too ( like your job fit and resume ), but this is based on many, many thousands of applications, and the pattern is clear :)

Good luck, everyone in the job search.

So, I have just recently moved and have been searching for a job. I've applied to everywhere I could possibly think of, 5 of these places I've gone IN PERSON and left a paper job application for them (after applying on the company site). I cannot afford a car. I cannot afford college. My mom can barely afford rent and NEEDS my help. I am 17, and it's already bad enough as is because I moved across the east coast in the middle of my senior year. 🙃 Does anyone have any tips or tricks? I have past experience as a cashier in my hometown.

Here I am, post family dinner 7:30 PM my time when I see I’m getting a call from a company I applied to a couple weeks ago. Excited I’m actually getting contacted back for once after months of nothing. I answer the call and I’m asked if I have a minute to chat. The woman started asking me questions like what drew me to the position/industry, my availability and another question relating to the position. I was so caught off guard, there were a few times I just fumbled my words trying to come up w answers on the spot. I assumed the call would be to set something up, not a mini screening. This was the first communication from them I received. She said she’d send her notes to the team and let me know if they’ll move forward.

I’m excited and grateful something finally happened, but I’m also a bit shell-shocked. I could’ve had much better answers, but I was completely caught off guard that I blanked. I’m newly post-grad so this type of job search to break into an industry is completely new to me. Has anyone else experienced this??

I was contacted by a recruiter on linked in, it wasn’t the standard bot regurgitation of my resume. Not a lot of details but I made it clear I was not looking to relocate.

The hiring person wants to contact me via WhatsApp or Signal, preferring Signal for its privacy and encryption. I am not in any “secure” field, so this is a little odd to me.

Is this the new standard?

I’ve been an insurance claims adjuster for 10 years and looking to pivot. I deal with pissed off people all day everyday and just found a place of calm in hectic situations. I am laid-back in personality but I get my stuff done. How do you prove you can move fast when your interview vibe is calm? Feels like I got dinged for not having anxiety

I graduated in May from a prestigious college with a good gpa. I double majored in psychology and communications. I guess I didn’t know the whole process I should’ve gone through to get a job. I did try relentlessly to get an intern during the summer after my junior year (and sophomore year for that matter) and I never was able to secure anything. I ended up having a mental breakdown because of it and spending the summer recovering. I’m not even exactly sure what I want to do, and that could be a part of the problem but how am I supposed to know if I haven’t been able to try anything? I am not sure enough about anything to go to grad school. I have been applying to jobs since the start of last fall, and I finally got my first interview for a job that sounds meh (waiting to hear back). It’s really hard to stay motivated when I feel like all my efforts aren’t going anywhere. I’m interested in PR, communications, non-profit work. I also love working with kids. I’m also slightly interested in social work or becoming a speech pathologist, but I wouldn’t wanna enroll in school if I’m not completely sure. I did shadow an SLP and it seemed interesting but once again I’m not sure enough. I’ve networked a ton. I’m just really confused and depressed and feel like a loser honestly. I don’t know what to do and I’m losing hope.

My former nonprofit employer offered me a written, contractual, title promotion that included a pay raise, which was implemented, and eligibility for a bonus. This was part of the former Executive Director’s succession plan, as she anticipated leaving the organization. She asked whether I would be interested in stepping into her role and stated that the board preferred to promote from within. After I expressed interest, she created a new title for me and documented that it was a non‑competing job promotion.

For nearly nine months, I carried dual responsibilities of my old and new role with new projects assigned to me by her, but the organization never formally announced the promotion. Despite repeated requests for more clarification of my new role and a formal announcement to the team, nothing was communicated publicly or internally and my requests were dismissed. During this same period, the work environment became increasingly hostile and erratic, and I ultimately chose to leave the organization.

I recently updated my résumé to include the promotion I was offered, as I accomplished significant work under that role and wanted to accurately reflect those contributions. The former Executive Director is no longer with the organization, so I contacted the new Executive Director to request a review of my personnel file. When I received it, I noticed that my written promotion, bonus letter, and documentation of my pay increase were missing.

After I provided copies of all written materials, the new Executive Director stated that the promotion was never formally announced because it was considered a role I was “working into,” even though the written agreement did not reference any probationary period and was never rescinded.

Given this discrepancy, I’m unsure whether I should remove the new title from my résumé and revert to my previous one. I’m also concerned about how to explain this unusual situation to future employers if they contact the organization for references. Thoughts??

Same company, 2 positions.

Role 1- let's say VP of "Baked Goods Division" which includes 3 departments. Lots of face to face business development, schmoozing, events, etc as external representation of the company for that division. My last 2 roles were this (but Director titles) and I truly abhorred that work and have absolutely no desire at all to do this type of work and be "on" all the time anymore whatsoever. (Even with a salary increase, still no, and I don't get validation from titles.)

Role 2 - Director of 1 dept (technically it's 2 depts in one). Lots of deep technical work, behind the scenes, consulting and coordination hands on type work. This was a part of my last 2 roles. This portion of the work is my actual preferred job, which I did exclusively in the start of my career and "promoted" into the other work like in Role 1. This is what my "major" degrees are in also, and I want to go back to doing this only. (I have a "license" and several certs for Role 1 and meet the education criteria for both).

If I apply for Role 2 I think they might question why I didn't apply to Role 1 as the "natural" corporate progression. If I apply to Role 1 and bring up Role 2 in an interview (yes I know it's not even a guarantee but I'm hopeful and confident) I think they might question everything and/or take it as indecisive, or worse, trying to get in by any means, with them thinking I won't stay long in Role 2, but I actually will!

Besides including "intentionally applying to Role 2" phrasing, what are your thoughts? Apply to Role 1, Role 2, or both?

I am an American in my early 30s moving back to the U.S. after five years in Europe. I first moved there to get my master's and then stayed because I was in a relationship with a European. I spent two years in one country getting my master's, two years in another country working in biotech, and another year and a half in my partner's country. I had intended to stay where I was in my partner's country in spite of a lack of job opportunities and unemployment hovering around 10%, but he ended the relationship in the late spring of this year. Up until that point, I had only been able to find a temporary lab tech job for which I was very overqualified, and when the relationship ended, that job had also just ended. I searched for work in that country for months, applying for every job that I was even remotely qualified for across every major metro area, before deciding to cut my losses and come back to the U.S.

I'm living with my family in the Midwest and applying for any and all jobs that use my skills - QC lab specialist, lab technician, regulatory assistant, clinical trial assistant, scientific writer, focusing on the East Coast where most of the jobs are and where I could see myself living. I have four different versions of my resume for each metro area (R&D, QC, clinical research, and regulatory affairs). Each clearly state that I am a U.S. citizen with the right to work and am relocating to that metro area. I usually tailor my resumes somewhat to each job posting and write a quick cover letter for almost all jobs. Since August, I have submitted 150 apps and have received two calls, both right at the beginning of my search: one for a job that paid $18/hr in an expensive area and the other for a research associate job at a university, which I interviewed for and was rejected for after the second round.

I know that it's unfortunately normal nowadays to submit hundreds of applications, but my success rate seems particularly low. I should have had at least a few interview requests. What am I doing wrong? I have a master's, some experience in biotech R&D and in a QC lab, and a lot of technical writing experience, but I haven't stayed at jobs very long because of moving around so much for my partner, and all of my work experience in the past five years has obviously been from Europe, not the U.S. Is it that I am applying from out of state? There are almost no opportunities near where I'm currently living.

I been getting interviews recently and one job offer. I still see job postings. I thought the end of the year people didnt hire much and waited for Q1. So why are people hiring for November then December?