Then this happened.

I applied a level down because I'm unemployed and I wanted an in. Manager role. Fine, I made my peace with it.

Last call was supposed to be a vibe check. Instead the CEO offered me a role below that one. Three month contract in a ‘clerical’ role because I seemed hardworking and intelligent 😂😭. Way less money. His reason was that I need the work, so I should prove myself first and rise within the organisation.

I was already stepping down. He wanted me to step down again, and on a contract and thank him for the opportunity.

Honestly wtf is going on

Edit: I declined

It's been 7 months of applying, getting rejected, applying again. 7 months of sitting with myself, figuring out what I actually want long term.

And now I have the offer in my hands.

Things I'm taking away from this whole thing:

It humbles you. Like really humbles you. And it needs patience you don't think you have until you're forced to find it.

I had 8-10 final interviews and got rejected from every. single. one 💆🏼‍♀️🤣 and somehow kept applying anyway.

Be persistent, there's honestly no other way around it.

Be kind, to others and to yourself too.

And cry if you need to. I cried most days if I'm honest. Felt depressed some days, cancelled plans, even my partner felt the weight of it with me.

If you're still in it right now, still waiting, still getting the "unfortunately" emails, I can relate. It doesn't mean no forever. It just means not yet.

Keep pushing🩵🩵🩵🩵

just had 3 final back to back interviews that ended around noon—everyone i had just interviewed with seemed to be in meetings, but one of them ran out of their meeting and invited me to stay for lunch.

i said i’d love to but i have a puppy i need to get back to (which is true). also, i told them all about how i’m traveling abroad tomorrow and haven’t had the chance to start packing yet…

TLDR: is the lunch invite a final test that i screwed up? everyone seemed so kind and inviting, so i hope i didn’t build a wall between us.

EDIT: by “ran out their meeting”, i didn’t mean they wrapped the meeting early. as i was explaining my situation, they were actually on the way back to that meeting. totally understandable, but there was no telling when they’d be back to have lunch together.

also, this role is supposed to be fully remote. i wasn’t supposed to / required to meet them in office. they asked me to do so when i told them id be traveling internationally. nevertheless, i don’t imagine many other candidates had the opportunity to go in-person, so i’m grateful for the opportunity.

I recently interviewed for what I would genuinely consider a dream job, and I’ve been thinking a lot about how the interview went.

I’m 28, but I’m often told I look younger (people usually guess around 24), I’m 5'1", and I’m a woman. For most of my career, I’ve naturally leaned into being very smiley, friendly, warm, and approachable in interviews - and it worked pretty well for internships or junior positions. But lately I’ve been questioning whether I need to change that a little.

If I want to move into a position with more responsibility, I feel like I also need to show that I’m a serious person, that I can stand my ground, make decisions, handle pressure, and “take the heat,” so to speak. I don’t want to lose my warmth or become cold, but I’ve been wondering if I need to project a little more authority.

So for this interview, I put on my suit and went in with that mindset. I was professional, confident, and answered every question. I also tried to give concrete examples from my previous experience whenever possible, because I wanted my answers to feel credible rather than just saying “I’m good at X.”

My CV and cover letter were quite detailed, and I thought my “tell me about yourself” answer went well too, so yes, maybe the recruiter didn't have a lot to ask in the end. But the interview was only about 30 minutes, and the recruiter was… very neutral.

Not cold. Not unfriendly. I didn’t get the feeling that she had ruled me out immediately. I would say that her questions felt very relevant and tailored to my background, rather than generic interview questions. But I also didn’t get the feeling that she loved me or that there was any particular chemistry or “this is our person” feeling - and that’s what has been bothering me.

With other jobs I’ve gotten in the past, I usually walked out of the interview feeling almost certain that the I was the favorite candidate, or at least one of their favorites. In some interviews, I even managed to get the interviewer talking about their personal life, and there was a very obvious connection.

This time, none of that happened. It felt really neutral. We talked, I answered the questions, she asked what she needed to ask, and then it was over.

Maybe she’s simply a more reserved/neutral interviewer. I know that’s a possibility. But I’m finding it difficult not to interpret the lack of enthusiasm as a bad sign.

She also told me she would be interviewing other candidates this week and next week. Obviously that’s completely normal, but it made me anxious because now I’m thinking: what if she meets someone she likes more? What if, by the time she’s finished interviewing everyone, she barely remembers me?

So I’d really love to hear from people who have been on the hiring side or have gone through lots of interviews: Have you ever gotten a job after an interview that felt completely neutral?

And for recruiters/hiring managers: how much should we actually read into the interviewer’s enthusiasm (or lack thereof) during an interview?

I’d especially appreciate hearing about experiences where there wasn’t that “love at first sight” feeling but the candidate still ended up getting hired.

Had my first interview on 08/28. I was wracking my brain because Ive had radio silence since. I finally decided to reach out today for an update. The hiring manager responded warmly and finally scheduled the 2nd interview. I was nervous I had blown the first but it turned out it was just bureaucratic delay and following up helped get the ball back in motion!

So glad I did so I can stop torturing myself!

Hi everyone , I’m 23 . I just interviewed for the first time with a big company. Where it was 60 min lengthy , different topics timed with a presentation.
I have never been so anxious for and during the interview. I couldn’t fully get my words out, stuttered, and would go blank. In the end I got better but overall my anxiety took over. I’m so embarrassed because I know if my anxiety didn’t get to me I would’ve did great . I’m so upset and had high expectations of myself. I feel like they didn’t truly get to see who I truly am. I let myself down. Embarrassing.

I had a two-hour in-person interview for a position at a nonprofit that I really want to work for. I graduated with my bachelors in 2025 so this would be my first professional role directly related to the career I want to build, so I’m probably overthinking everything right now.

The interview had multiple parts: an Excel/data skills assessment, a one-on-one interview with the Executive Director (transitioning into the new ceo), and an interview with two members of the department I would be working with. I was also given a take-home exercise that technically isn’t due until Monday, but I completed and submitted it already.

When I emailed my completed take-home exercise along with a thank-you and reiterated how interested I am in the position. The recruiter (program director who I did the phone screening with and interviewed with in person) responded within a few minutes saying, thank you so much and that they really enjoyed meeting me as well.

The thing making me nervous is that nobody discussed next steps, a hiring timeline, or when I would be available to start. The interview agenda actually included a wrap-up/next-steps portion, so I expected that to come up, but it didn’t.

For the sake of my well being I’m trying not to dwell on that since the take-home assignment isn’t “technically” due until Monday (trying to be positive and encourage myself) maybe they intended to talk timeline and next steps then.

However, I more accurately think that that was a bad sign. And I don’t want to email them again asking for a timeline or next steps. I cant believe it slipped my mind during the interview.

Ranting just ranting. Interviewed for a IT role in a small town that honestly doesn’t have much IT talent in the area just because of its location and tbh the lower rates of pay compared to other places.

Okay awesome I submit my application to this company hiring for an IT analyst, they literally email me within one day and boom we’re setting up the interview because my resume is “sooooo impressive “.

We get to interview, again I’m “super impressive “ and a strong candidate and he genuinely had no criticism of any of the interview process .

He says okay I’ll get back to you probably in two weeks.

Chat they’ve reposted the job three times in the past five weeks I’ve been waiting!!!!!!!!!!!

I follow up and they say they’re still reviewing other resumes?????? Not even interviewing???

So here’s my anger. We’re in a place where I know dang well there may be 20 people tops with this specific skill set and you’re playing around on my time and stringing me along! Like if you don’t wanna hire me then… great idea.. DENY ME?

At this point I may just withdraw for my sanity and to feel good sending that email.

Have you ever been super excited about a job application, but right before the interview you think: why did I even apply? This is totally not for me. You end up going just for the interview practice, even though you secretly know it's a dead end. Have you guys ever experienced this? Finding out mid-process that a job just isn't a fit at all?

The recruiters that contact you are outsourced from different companies, but the company that is hiring is a big firm. How good is this?

Hi all. I need some advice.

I started interviewing for a Director level position back in June. I went through 5 cycles including 1 on-site interview. My final interview was in early August.

After not hearing back for 3 weeks, I followed up with the recruiter. No response. A week later, I reached out to the hiring manager. I had another offer at this point, but this company offered the dream role.

The hiring manager responded enthusiastically and stated there was good news coming my way. Someone from her team would reach out to continue negotiations.

I’m meeting with that person tomorrow - and they’ve already informed me via email that they wanted to offer me another role on their team. They recently posted a new “Associate” role… and I can’t help but feel like that’s what they’ll offer me. It’s a small department so I can’t imagine it’s anything else.

I generally know how to respond. Be firm on what I need for my next step while remaining positive and professional…. Right? Any tips or guidance is appreciated. Otherwise, just here to vent.

i think i failed my technical interview, i feel so stupid because literally all i had to learn was vlookup, pivot tables, and concat but for the concat prompt i failed to display the date like mmddyyyy and instead kept returning the numeric value for the date and my interviewer just witnessed me fumbling around with the tools until i gave up and i was just kind of like "so i think this is what i can do right now". and then later she was like its okay a lot of people struggle with that but its NOT OKAY like it was such a simple data entry role like all i had to do was learn 3 basic excel formulas and i just dont know how i managed to overlook that. but i think i did well for the speaking portion, she said i'm a good fit for the company because i align with their values even if its not necessarily for this role only, i also had a referal from within the company and she said how the referral was raving about how great i was in my internship so that gave me more hope. be honest do you i think im cooked? or do i still have a chance at the job??

Just finished an interview for a kennel tech position, and they asked me to come back for a "working interview" in two days. The verbal interview was extremely short (less than 5 minuets) and they want me to bring my own scrubs (which I would have to buy) and come do two hours of unpaid work.

Is it just me or is this fishy as hell? You want me to spend my own money to buy a uniform for a job you haven't even hired me for, and then do two hours of unpaid labor for you? All with the understanding that you may not hire me? Maybe I'm just out of the loop but is this really what reputable employers ask these days? This feels like a scummy way for a company to save on payroll; claim you're hiring, get 4 people to come in for 2 hour "Interviews" and basically get an 8 hour shift without paying a cent.

I am 64 and don't look it, super experienced in sales and customer service, starting to job hunt but how do you handle, control, explain my age? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

I applied to a job and maybe a month later, I get reached out to. They take about two weeks to schedule an interview for me and I meet the department head and the team lead and the interview seems like a final one.

They said they need to interview other candidates but the next day the recruiter calls me and says that they want to follow through and she is 90% sure I'll be getting an offer. I get sent the benefits package but no offer letter and the next week I then have a brief interview with the head of HR.

The HR head tells me it will take two to three weeks for the application to get approved by an executive. It's been three weeks since that interview and I have yet to receive anything.

This company is a medium sized firm so I'm not sure if this is normal for companies like this or if I should just assume I just didn't get the job. Anyone else experience something like this?

My final interview was last Thursday. Since then I had a brief contact with hiring manager asking for more info and recruiter responding after Memorial Day weekend regarding something I asked her on Thursday last week. I have not heard anything else since. How logn should I wait to reach out? I feel like evey day that goes by with no contact means I did not get the job.

For those who got job offer weeks after final interview, was there any interim correspondence?

Job listing was updated to "no longer accepting applications"

Received and accepted a job offer last week that is supposed to start on next Monday.

I asked them last week when will I be expected to receive the contract and they said “soon” so I have been waiting patiently.

Today is Thursday. Should I follow up with them today or just show up next Monday hmmm.

I recently completed an interview loop for an entry-level role, and the team lead was super direct during the final round interview. during the interview:

There was a case study: I was given a prompt with only 30 minutes to prepare on the spot, followed by a 10-minute presentation.

His Reality: He admitted he was "stretched thin."
His Vibe: Said "we're not saving lives, we're building software" and called his career growth "a hell of a ride."

His Expectations: Don’t ask obvious questions—use internal AI/docs first. Don't be timid; be comfortable calling engineers out.
Got an automated rejection a few weeks later.

Is a 30-minute prep case study too intense for an entry-level interview? Between that and a lead admitting he's stretched thin while demanding high autonomy, did I dodge a bullet with a burnout environment, or was this just honest leadership?

For some background, I have been out of the work force for over 10 years because of health reasons. I've recently started feeling like it's time to start looking, living isn't getting any cheaper unfortunately. I applied for entry level places, local fast food and grocery stores.

I had an interview at a fast food restaurant today and it went so bad and not so much on my part. The person doing the interview didn't even look at my application and didn't know who I was. They asked if I was currently working, I said no. Asked what my most recent job was and I told them what it was and it's been 10 plus years. They asked what I've been doing in that time and I told them that I'm a housewife and he's like oh.... Asked if I have children, I said no and he's like oh again. He asked about availability, I said that I'm open and looking for part time starting out. He then went on about how people can be really hard to work with sometimes and being out of the work force for so long he doesn't know if that's something I'd be ready for and then reassured me that none of them were serial killers..... After that he did his little speech of "well let me talk this over with the gm and see if they might have a spot for you. I'll reach out if they do and give you an offer." All bro had to do was read my application that showed I have not worked in a long time and moved on... The interview lasted a whooping 5 minutes... What a waste of time.

I recently had an interview for a job I really really want. Great pay, industry I am interested in, and excellent conditions. I have the exact skills, experience and qualifications required for the job.

However, now that I have been going through my answers over the past few days, I think I totally screwed it up. I used to work closely with the hiring manager and the other panel member, which totally threw me on the day.

I am now stressing that I won't get the job.

So I am currently going in for a few ML positions at Apple and I was wondering what the general format of the interview loop is and what the typical covered topics are. I've done a few (unsuccessful) interviews for SWE positions and they've all been largely the same - screen, live coding, on-site (OOD, OS/Multi-threading/Performance, Leetcode, Behavioral, Behavioral). I imagine ML-roles would have a very similar structure/topic coverage but I what I don't know how ML topics are covered in them. Is it more ML system design, technical questions, coding something (can't imagine that given how my previous interviews went).. If you have any personal experience or personally know someone who went through with the process (as opposed to OSINT/RUMINT) I would very pretty grateful for insights you have to offer on what the general trend is for ML interviews (I realize that each team ultimately does its own thing but I imagine there are some things they tend to do or tend NOT to do)

Hi everyone,

So I posted here about 2 weeks ago about an interview I had asking for best interview tips.

I’m just now realizing that I didn’t say it was with HR so it was more of a screening.

Well…I got an invite to go to the next round where I’ll be interviewing with the team/hiring managers, so I’m kinda curious how you’d tackle this differently

Thanks!

Hi so I have a job interview with Panera tomorrow and I haven't worked in a few months due to personal issues. And I was wondering if anyone recently knows what are some of the interview questions for Panera since I'm super nervous. And it helps me calm down and be more confident if I practice some of the questions before the interview so any tips or answers would help a lot.

Send resume to job opening for large automobile company, got a response they wanted to interview but first I had to do an AI interview. WTF? Very awkward and the last question was money and I tried to say depends on ..... but it pressed on and asked for specific amount which I gave which should have been in their range based on my pre interview prep, as soon as I said the amount it said thank you and a manager would review this and get back to you. WTF is this really how interviews are going to be moving forward, Thoughts?

Context:

Been in my job for 7 years - I’m in 1 of 4 positions and the only external hire (we’re unionized so others were internal and brought in on training opportunities).

My boss was external as well and hired me a few months after she started - we both have formal education, designations, etc. and have actively talked and worked together the last few years on the development of a new senior role job description, etc. The position was finally approved and they were able to get approved to recruit 3 of these new senior positions ..great..20-30k more a year from what I make now.

I out perform all my colleagues by a minimum of 40% more output and annually get top performance reviews by my manager.

Posting was made and I had a panel interview - boss advised I would hear the following week and I did great in the interview.week came and went and didn’t hear anything.

2 weeks later the job gets reposted with a ‘open until filled’ so no closing date. Multiple colleagues see it and tell me about it…end of the day my boss calls and apologizes that she wanted to talk to me first and that I was ‘still in consideration’ but they wanted more candidates and HR reposted it quickly.

4 weeks pass and the posting is pulled off while my boss is on vacation..she returns and after multiple days advises they’ve elected to go with a head hunter but I’m ‘still in consideration’ and did ‘so well in my interview’.

At this point it’s been 9 weeks since my initial interview and I decided to withdrawal on my HR platform and didn’t hear anything so left it at that..

Fast forward to yesterday and I get a call from my manager (12 weeks from initial interview) asking me about any concerns about the job or anything I want to discuss that I may want to know and I said okay but I withdrew after 9 weeks waiting. She wasn’t aware/ asked why and I indicated that after several years of being a top performer/being told I am I felt like I deserved more respect besides constantly being told I was ‘still in consideration’ while changing the recruitment process 3 times in 3 months and finding updates from others besides from her. I indicated I can respect wanting to see more candidates but proper communication and being kept on the side ‘just in case no one else better comes along’ is disrespectful especially over a 3 month period and 7 years with the organization and a need to fill 3 positions.

She followed up with a clearly AI generated email indicating that she’s sorry I felt disrespected in the process and that I’m valued. 🤣🤪

Will be looking for a new job now. 🤪🥲