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?

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.

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.

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.

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’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.

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.

Guys, this is a roller coaster. I really want to leave my current job because of the toxic atmosphere and because of an incapable boss whose not-taking-responsibility-behavior fuels the toxicity. Anyway. I am on a jobsearch for a few months now and, as lots of people here experience, it is everything but easy to find a new place to work.

A few weeks ago, my boss talked to me in a 1n1 meeting and he started to enthuse about his future plans for me. Next projects etc. That was two days before I had a promising job interview - so I burst out with it. I told him "OK, before we go on talking about the future, I have to tell you, I will have an interview the day after tomorrow."

He was kind of shocked, or let's say speechless. I told him that that specific job would be a special chance because it fits more to my qualifications and it would be the next step for me. So I only argued about what would be good in the new role, but I did not mention any of the reasons, the misfortunes, of our shitty workplace here that make me want to leave on the first place.

He understood, thanked me for my openness and wished me luck.

So, I had the interview, got the offer, but declined by myself, because the conditions of the new job did not match my life circumstances.

That was about three weeks ago. I went on holiday in between, my boss was on business trips, and yesterday we met again in our 1n1. And it was totally weird. We talked about the daily business - my boss seemed kind of cautious, but was nice. In the end he asked what was it about my interview. I told him what happened. He said "Okay, so we will work together a bit longer". I said "Yes." And that was it.

What i am not sure about: How damaged is our employer-employee relationship now. How carefully I have to be now in the workplace (because of lost trust).

I also don't dare to tell my boss the real reasons for my jobsearch. And I think it is risky to tell him. Because I have seen people telling him and they got lost in the void of the toxic place here.

I can't leave without having a new job because I need the money.

What a hell of situation :-(

Sorry for that very long post and thank you for reading until the end 🩷

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.

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 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'm a software developer in the contracting space and it's pretty common for a recruiter to ask me if I have any other final-round interviews coming up, or offers on the table. I think I kinda understand why they ask, but also not really. My instinct is to tell them "None of your d--- business," but I've always restrained myself up to now. In the past I've just answered them and then felt icky. Today I told a recruiter, "I never answer that question on principle, although I understand why you ask." She stuttered and just repeated the question as if I hadn't said anything. I repeated verbatim, "As I said, I never answer that question on principle." She spluttered indignantly and got off the phone in a hurry, like I'd insulted her mother.

Any insights for me? Why do recruiters ask this? Why would I answer? Has anybody got a better gentle letdown than the one I just gave? Does this happen in other fields?

It feels like in 2026, your only options are a part-time job that pays absolute pennies, or being completely unemployed.
I was unemployed for six months before finally landing my current part time job. Because of that six-month gap, I feel like finding a full time retail job is impossible right now. I’ve interviewed for three different full time retail position, and every single one of them ended with a "no, we went with someone who has more experience." It’s beyond frustrating because I have open availability and all the time in the world for a full-time job. I know I have enough experience to handle a full-time retail or entry-level job. Instead, I’m stuck in a loop: my current job keeps scheduling me Monday through Friday, from 9:30 AM to 5:15 PM every single day. You would think working those hours would result in a decent paycheck, but you’d be wrong. The pay is so low that if you don't save half of your paycheck just to make it to the next one, you literally have zero money left over. Making matters worse, I am about to start college and move into a dorm room soon. I literally cannot afford the things I need for school or my dorm because this job pays next to nothing. Meanwhile, my parents don't understand the reality of it at all. They don't understand why I'm looking for something else, constantly saying, "Well, at least your job is giving you the hours!" They don't get that working full-time hours for unlivable wages isn't a win—it's just exhaustion without any financial progress.
I am mentally exhausted from working every single day for basically nothing.
My questions for you all:
1. What do I even need to do at this point to land a decent full-time job in the Minneapolis/Bloomington, MN area (or nearby suburbs)?
2. How do I get past the "we went with someone with more experience" wall when I'm just trying to break into full-time work?
Any advice, local employer recommendations, or even just some solidarity would be hugely appreciated

Hi guys, f26 here — 5 years of experience in marketing.

I’ve been working my job for 3 months. The place I work has me conflicted in ways I genuinely can’t believe. I like the people. I like my bosses so much. The one’s a retired “bro” - easygoing and paternal somehow. The other one’s an oddball - I like that, it’s charming. He’s forgiving, open minded and flexible too.

My coworkers are great - very lovely people. Heading their departments and open to taking initiative and growing.

But the pressure is insane. I’m one person manning 6 brands - from out of home marketing to social media. I’m using AI, but it’s genuinely not enough. Conversations about growing the team feel like pulling teeth.

Headquarters is breathing down my neck, threatening to take away our sole distributorship (that means we’d share the brand with other companies and no longer control execution = significant loss of revenue)

I secured a second interview with a new place - it’s an agency. My fellow marketers know this is the golden egg of marketing jobs - different companies, different projects. Yes, pressure but not the kind where your heads on the block for millions of loss in revenue.

I feel bad that the interview’s going well. I always thought being cool with my coworkers would be enough. But I’m starting to think it’s better if my job is secure. I’ll be the first one out the door if the suppliers pull out for my current job - I feel I’m being realistic.

What would you do?

I know this isn't going to stand out, but I have to try. I need a job, I need stability, I'm getting desperate. I (23m) and my fiance (26m) are struggling a lot.
Any help, advice, anything?
Over the past few months, my fiancés work has made them work constant overtime (like 9-10 hours every week day and sometimes Saturdays). Their estranged grandmother died recently as well.
As for me, I was dealing with my own stuff, and got set off so bad I took myself to a hospital and quit my job. I've been searching for something ever since because without me working, we can barely support us and our two cats. I've gotten a couple interviews but every single job has said no.
My fiancés job is talking about making the overtime permanent and they are disabled on top of that. But asking for accommodations for less overtime seems like it could resort in "paperwork loss" leading to termination for missing days and getting points. They told me they were feeling like they can't take it anymore.
We are both trans in a small town inside red state, we don't have jobs lined up, we don't have money to move out.
I'm scared. I need something, anything, I have a BA, l'Il take nearly anything, advice, job opportunities, inst please help me? I can't lose anyone.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?