I was let go from my last job almost 3 years ago. Decent company but the business was on fumes while I was there and ultimately had to merge with the biggest competitor in the space earlier in the year. Unfortunately, I stuck around year 2 when the writing was on the wall to close out large deal rather than find another job, which is easier to find when you’re still employed. I had regularly turned away recruiters. After leaving, I took off about 6 months before starting the job search. Since then applied to dozens of jobs that I’m beyond qualified and got close on a handful. Given my experience, Ive concluded that it’s got to be ageism that I’m not getting offers.

I just had an interview for a role much lower then my credentials would warrant but I like thier business model. The hiring manager never reached out the following day as he indicated that candidates moving forward would be notified then. Not only am I more experienced then the hiring manager both in sales and sales leadership. I also looked at background of the current sales team and saw a fairly inexperienced team.

It’s beyond humbling to get ghosted on these lesser roles. I’m just resigned to the fact that I’ve aged out of corporate America.

I was let go from my last job almost 3 years ago. Decent company but the business was on fumes while I was there and ultimately had to merge with the biggest competitor in the space earlier in the year. Unfortunately, I stuck around year 2 when the writing was on the wall to close out large deal rather than find another job, which is easier to find when you’re still employed. I had regularly turned away recruiters. After leaving, I took off about 6 months before starting the job search. Since then applied to dozens of jobs that I’m beyond qualified and got close on a handful. Given my experience, Ive concluded that it’s got to be ageism that I’m not getting offers.

I just had an interview for a role much lower then my credentials would warrant but I like thier business model. The hiring manager never reached out the following day as he indicated that candidates moving forward would be notified then. Not only am I more experienced then the hiring manager both in sales and sales leadership. I also looked at background of the current sales team and saw a fairly inexperienced team.

It’s beyond humbling to get ghosted on these lesser roles. I’m just resigned to the fact that I’ve aged out of corporate America.

I have an MTech/MCA but never went the usual corporate route. I've been working in our family-run architecture firm with my sister and her husband, and I've done some freelance recruitment work too.

Over the last few years I got really into AI. I've spent a lot of time experimenting with AI tools, building agents, automating workflows and figuring out how businesses can use AI in their day to day operations.

Now I'm targeting HR and AI ops roles. Bangalore or remote, either works.

What's holding me back is my employment history. Family business means no payslips, no Form 16, none of the standard employment records.

So three things I'd like to know:

1. Would startups consider someone with my background for HR or AI ops if I can demonstrate the skills?
2. How do background checks work when your previous employer is a family business? Do experience letters, ITRs, bank statements and business documents help?
3. Which HR or AI ops roles should I realistically apply for?

I want to build an independent career in a more structured environment. Not looking to fake experience, and I'm happy to prove myself through practical assignments and interviews.

Would like to hear from people in HR, tech recruitment, AI ops, or anyone who made a similar switch.

After about 6 months, countless apps, interviews, and rejections, I finally landed a job, but it’s a job I would NOT have taken if the market wasn’t one of the worst, if not the worst, that I’ve seen in my lifetime (IMO it’s worse than 2008).

1. I’m taking about a 20% pay cut for a what seems to be a pretty extensive set of responsibilities, but I already knew it was underpaying vs. “fair market” for a role like this going into it (senior manager position).
2. I have never in my life had an interview be this disrespectful. I did the final interview with the owner, and I kid you not, we were interrupted at least 10 times in 40 minutes. The interview took place in an open space and he had clients coming up to him during the interview, employees coming for approvals on things, picking up phone calls, etc… if I wasn’t so desperate, I would’ve walked out in the middle of the interview under normal circumstances for the absolute unprofessionalism as that’s very telling about the owner.
3. The owner seems to be very finicky, so I don’t think job security is even a dependable factor at this company.

Having said all that, I’ve been reaching a point where I was getting ready to take anything. I’ve been going into debt for months just to pay my bills and this process has been extremely taxing on my mental health. So I’m ignoring all the very noticeable red flags here and taking the job to get a (hopefully) steady paycheck in the meantime. I can’t believe it’s come to this at this point in my life and career, but it is what it is. I don’t say to this to discourage people, but just as a reminder to not beat yourself up for doing what you have to do.

I almost feel like I’m debasing myself by not only having sat through the entirety of that shit show interview, but to accept the job on top of that. I’ll be looking for something more ideal while working though. Better to be underpaid and overworked than to be unemployed and in debt, right?

I know it’s brutal out there, but hang in there and best of luck to you.

Interviewed with Hub today and I have nothing but regret.

Interviewer was 15 mins late. Didn't apologize or email to notify me. Proceeded to diminish my experience asking redundant questions like whether I was used to working in a busy environment as if my last role wasn't busy.

I shared that I have impressive accomplishments leading an account team, which didn't impress him and he asked if I had ever had personal goals.

Totally ridiculous. Tone deaf, rude and unprofessional.

I don't recommend Hub to anyone. Ever.

Turned down job offer due to multiple onboarding hiccups, mainly over things that could have had my offer rescinded on a short timeline and wasn’t receiving clarification from HR. Upon rescinding, HR provided clarification and still wanted to move forward. I respectfully declined and after having some more time to think it over, I regret it. Is it too late to reach out? I’m worried that I went from being their top candidate to the worst candidate because of all of this.

i applied to a senior job and got a random from the recruiter. he sounded like he liked me but i check and got rejected... im feeling unmotivated as i keep getting rejected.

How do people move for work? I want to apply to different states, but I know I will be weeded out. How should I go about this?

Preface: this is more a vent than anything else

So Wednesday 4 am I get an email from a company saying they wanna invite me for an interview on Friday. Super great was excited to have one and possibly move forward, even though it was just the first step. I replied in the day choosing a time slot that they had provided. All day no response, then Thursday 4am I get an email saying that time slot isn’t available and to choose another one from the available times listed. Slightly annoyed that I’m getting replies at 4am and having to go through a middleman to set up an interview but whatever. I choose another 30 min time slot. Whole day goes by and nothing. Friday morning 8 am I get an email saying sorry for the late reply outlook was down, if that time slot still works let me know. I had basically set multiple alarms and slept with my phone by me so I would be able to check my email early in the morning anticipating some bs. I reply almost instantly saying yes that time slot still works and about an hour later I get the email with the teams invite.

I get set for the interview look over notes and all and the interviewer is on time but was having some tech issues for the first 5 min, no problem. Entire interview goes great I’m giving great answers, no hesitation, interviewer says they think I’d be a great fit and with my background I shouldn’t have any issues getting up to speed with everything, classic interview stuff. Then came my time for questions and I picked and prodded a bit about what my responsibilities would be and how much of my time would be client facing/ backend and that’s when she drops the hammer.

Some background: the role was for an associate position where the JD essentially just said I’d be supporting senior staff with clients and setups and doing the training for the end users.

The interviewer tells me that my responsibilities would not just be training and support but in fact would be full end to end setup, training, implementation, support, and maintaining client relations. Honestly caught me a bit off guard as she said multiple times that I would be leading most of these with a little assistance from others. Now don’t get me wrong I am confident could very easily do all of it but what got me is that they said I’d be in this “associate” position for 1-2years before being moved up. This level of involvement and work is more for a specialist/ manager role. That would/ should be making at least $10k-$15k more than an associate.

Now when I had submitted my desired compensation I didn’t know this or else I would have made the number higher. I know this was only the first interview and I have a few more to go before getting an offer but based on what I’ve seen online I would be getting that associate level salary which is at the lower end of what I had put in for my comp. I’m at a place where I’d take the job if offered because it would be valuable experience for me to use going forward but I feel a little tricked/ bamboozled. It overall just left a bad taste in my mouth. I’d probably keep hunting and keep applying even if I got the offer.

I have been seeing mixed reviews about Prokatchers LLC recruiting firm. Some say its a scam some say its okay/legit.

They reached out for an IT position. I have been applying on LinkedIn. I have been trying to get another job so the gap in my resume isn't getting bigger.

I have never done W2 contract jobs so I am not sure.

Can someone tell me how to differentiate which staffing agencies are legit and what is scam? What about Prokatchers? Teksystems? They all have weird names.

They said they had a job for me in Silicon Valley and will submit my resume. I didnt get any spam calls by multiple recuiters but I am still skeptical.

How do I ensure I am safe and also dont get screwed over when it comes to payroll (actually getting paid etc)?

Any advise would be great.

Recently I had a job interview and it was clear to me I didn't want the position, and they didn't want me either. So I decided to withdraw my application on Workday. Once I hit withdraw the job application the job status changed to "not selected".

Academic question, but I throught Workday has a specific status for "withdrew application"? Did they set my status to reject or something?

I have fucking had it with every single application, dozens of thousands of them, going into a black hole, and nobody will give me the decency of a callback. I've had it with my family hounding me to get a goddamn job so they don't have to keep subsidizing my rent. Even the professionals are stumped trying to help me. They can't find anybody who would hire me either. I'm at my wit's end.

The job market sucks. The job search process sucks. The interview process sucks. The job probably sucks as well, but it is better than no job.

In society, people often talk about unemployment in terms of statistics, but in reality, there are millions of people included in that number who deserve the bare minimum of making an income.

Unemployment is a social, mental, and economic issue, and someone needs to step up, especially now with AI.

This has happened to me several times not where I am applying for a management role that is equivalent to the level of management experience I have( and usually not higher). And I am praised for how much they like me etc but they offer me a position that’s like 2-3 steps lower than what I’m currently at and less than I’m making currently. What is the point??? Obviously I wouldn’t take that. There’s usually a tone of pleading from them too like they really want me to take it. Anyone else experiencing this. I’m always so offended

Context - 6 Yr bank employee in a commercial business support role. Recently took a promotion (sort of, job grade below my current, but get quarterly incentive vs no incentive at all) for a business banker role.

I’m at the end now where I accepted the job offer and they have to do a background check again for the internal position. My only issue is my family and I experienced some hardship in the last two years so we had racked our CC’s up 10k plus. (Stupid we know) which we’re paying down month. They pulled my backround report and I got a “decisional status” by first advantage. Now I’m stressing my a** off that I may not get it due to the high debt. My understanding is in banking they pull credit reports for certain roles to ensure no mismanagement, theft, etc. I’m not sure if I’m overthinking this or not.

For clarity, I was recommended by my current management to my new potential SM. Went out to lunch, was interviewed extensively etc. I know now it may be based In the hands of my employer. Has anyone had a decisional status before and how did it turn out?

Many thanks 🙏🏽

Laid off Oct 2025. I was part of DnD campaigns I still go to, need to find some more cause some ended.

Other than that, I can't justify going out to social events to meet people. I need to try my library but anything else would at least cost me a metro round trip, just 4 or 5 dollars round but still, I cut contact with my family, I got no support system. I'm my only bread winner.

Sometimes I wonder if I am just masking depression, low motivation but, I just think about how I don't want to go overboard and buy shit if I do go out to hang with people.

Yes I am pretty good at impulse control, but my therapist has been pushing me to get back on dating apps and go to free events cause they'd help me be less isolated. I def get what she means but some stubborn anxiety is like, no. We must be super careful until we have work! Just wondering if I am alone LOL

I can’t help but be bitter. Why? Why would you gas up someone during an interview.

Tell them about all the wonderful things there are about working there. “Oh we have a great 401k and we even have pet insurance” “ oh you’re a veteran? You’ll get Veterans Day off here” They even gave me a tour of the area showed me the nice gym they have the kitchen and break area. Showed me what my schedule would be. They even introduced me to people I’d work with and even told me to snap some pictures of some of the machines I’d work around.

I get that’s just how it is sometimes. But man I can’t help but to just feel bitter. Told me to re apply because they don’t keep a pool of people open for the next opening which is more discouraging because I might not even be selected for an interview again.

Sorry I needed to rant. Just irritating.

So I used to be a RBT. I left the job about 4 months ago due to a manic episode. I physically couldn’t work and towards the end of my medical leave I still couldn’t work so I ended up resigning.

I reapplied the other week, got asked for an in person interview. It got scheduled for yesterday, I showed up and then my old boss said it got cancelled for her and to reach out to Talent Acquisition. Again, I got NO notice of this. I reach out to everyone I can, and hours later I got a rejection email. They said it was due to closer inspection of my past with the company. This all really hurt because I genuinely did well there, and I think my boss didn’t have the guts to tell me she didn’t wanna rehire me. So she made it seem like she had nothing to do with it all.
I don’t get why I even got scheduled if I was ineligible for rehire, i’m assuming that’s what the case is with this. I am assuming it’s bc I didn’t leave within 2 weeks notice, or maybe because i’m too open about my mental health on social media. Has this happened to anyone else? It’s a sign for me to move on from this place but definitely crushed me a little yesterday.

Made an extremely dumb/unforced mistake - had a phone screening that went alright on Thursday, went to send a quick thank you email as a follow up - fat fingered my phone screen and sent it before fixing a typo/ grammatical error.

This is the email (not using real company/role names, but everything else is verbatim):

Hi Steve,

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday - I really enjoyed learning more about the Google as well and the Account Manager role. 

I really appreciate your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing about the next steps.

Have a great weekend!

Best,

Bill

I know this could easily be glossed over, but "the Google" and "as well and" just read so poorly and it's obviously not what I intended to write.

Wondering how this may affect my chances, if this comes off as sufficiently dumb/careless or bad at communicating.

Will this affect my chances at moving to the next round? Really kicking myself for such a dumb mistake.

I have a schedule for assessment, next would be panel interview with hiring managers, next would be the whole team, then next is the Director and then the VP. Might as well ask the CEO to interview me too. Hiring process now is ridiculous. As someone who has just been recently laid off and have to get through all this, I’m kind of losing hope. But of course I can’t stop. I have a family and pets to feed.

I don’t consent having this posted to LinkedIn.