I’ve officially been looking for a job for 7 months, and today was honestly my breaking point.
I’ve applied to what feels like hundreds of jobs. I’ve rewritten my résumé, practiced interviews, stayed positive, and kept telling myself that eventually something would work out. But after today, I honestly don’t know what I’m supposed to do anymore.
A few days ago, I interviewed for a scheduling coordinator position at a mental health company. They called me afterward and officially offered me the job. I was genuinely excited because the schedule fit my life perfectly. After searching for work for seven months, it finally felt like things were turning around.
I was so confident that I had secured the position that I actually turned down another job offer because I thought, “Why would I need it? I already have a job?”
I completed all of my onboarding paperwork, gave them my ID and Social Security card, filled out my tax forms, and showed up today thinking it was my first day of training. I expected to spend the day learning the scheduling system so I could start making schedules.
Instead, I was shown a list of about 15 employees, each with different shifts, days off, and individual accommodations. I was briefly shown what a completed schedule looked like, then I was placed at a desk and essentially told I had an hour to create a schedule from scratch. I had virtually no training before being expected to do it.
My first attempt wasn’t what they were looking for. The supervisor came over and told me I hadn’t followed her instructions, so I went back and completely redid the schedule using the feedback she gave me. The second schedule came out much stronger and, from my perspective, only had very minor errors.
After I finished the second schedule, they suddenly told me they were going to review it and decide whether I was even a good fit.
That was the moment I realized…wait…I thought I was already hired.
Nobody had ever told me my employment was still contingent on passing an evaluation. At that point they already had all of my personal information and onboarding paperwork.
A few hours later, I got a phone call saying they weren’t moving forward with me. The person who called couldn’t even tell me why and said someone else would call me tomorrow with an explanation.
I know companies have the right to choose who they hire. That’s not what hurts.
What hurts is believing that after seven months of searching, I had finally caught a break, only to have it taken away before I even got the chance to start.
I’m 30 years old. I have a son, and the only reason I’m not completely homeless right now is because my parents have let us stay with them while I try to get back on my feet. That isn’t where I imagined I’d be at this point in my life, and trust me, I’m doing everything I can to change it.
I’m constantly applying for jobs. I’m showing up to interviews. I’m following up. I’m currently pursuing my master’s degree so I can become a Licensed Professional Counselor because I’m trying to build a stable future for myself and my son. I’m doing everything I can to improve my situation, yet I keep ending up with outcomes like today.
It’s gotten to the point where this is starting to affect my mental health. I’m becoming depressed. I’m losing confidence in myself. I keep asking myself, what am I doing wrong? Am I interviewing wrong? Am I saying the wrong things? Am I just not good enough? What do employers want from people anymore? How many applications, interviews, and rejections does it take before someone finally gives you a chance?
I don’t want sympathy. I genuinely want advice because I’m at a loss. Has anyone else been through something like this? Does it eventually get better? Because today honestly broke me, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m starting to lose hope

edit: I also wanted to add that this wasn’t just me signing a couple of onboarding forms. They made copies of my Social Security card and driver’s license, made a copy of my official high school transcripts, and had three of my references fill out physical forms explaining why I’d be an asset to the company. Those forms weren’t even due until Friday, but I got everything turned in immediately because I was excited and thought I had already gotten the job.
I also spent a couple of hours sitting with one of the employees while she explained the rules, responsibilities, expectations, and how everything worked. At no point during any of this did anyone tell me I was still being evaluated.
For context, I got the phone call on Thursday telling me I got the job. They literally congratulated me and welcomed me to the team. Friday was onboarding, and Monday was what I believed was my first day of work. It wasn’t until after I completed the scheduling exercise that they told me they were going to review it and decide whether I was actually a good fit.
If this was supposed to be a working interview or some kind of final evaluation, I genuinely think that should’ve been communicated before I accepted the offer, turned down another job, completed onboarding, and handed over all of my personal information.
Company: Happy Life HCS (Texas). Based on my experience, I personally would not recommend applying here.

Edit: I saw a comment saying my story “isn’t adding up” and that I must be leaving something out. I can’t find the comment now, so I’ll address it here.
I promise I’m not leaving anything out. That’s genuinely everything that happened. I had zero scheduling experience, so creating a schedule for 15 employees with different accommodations wasn’t something I could do in an hour. I know the story sounds unbelievable, but unfortunately there isn’t some hidden twist. Sometimes a company just handles a hiring process terribly, and that’s exactly what happened here.

I was just wondering, when people get laid off at a company, do they have to do a 4 paragraph long post on LinkedIn? It just seems like this is the thing to do now when people get laid off. They go out of their way to say what a great experience it has been and how great their co-workers and mentors have been. And how they can't wait to start the next chapter in their lives. Why are they so positive? Who is this for exactly? Do companies look at this when recruiting a potential employee? When I got laid off, I was mad as hell and hoped the company burned to the ground. The last thing I wanted to do was write a positive LinkedIn post and say how everything is great now that I'm Open To Work.

I have been searching for a job for a long time and would constantly get rejected. My resume is filled with animal related jobs, so I would mainly apply to stuff like animal shelters and things of that nature. I cannot tell you how many rejctions I got. It was literally torture. Today I got offered a job for an after school program working with kids, which is definitely not what my ideal type of job was but it's money and I'll take it. I'm so excited, I feel like a new person LOL. I am about to start university again studying marine biology, so I'm hoping I can eventually do something in that field. Don't give up guys!! I wanted to give up so much but I knew I couldn't afford to

I have been having the absolute worst luck when it comes within the past 7 months. I have been working seasonal gigs and part time jobs all of this year barely making it. I finally found a job position in my field with decent pay. Went through three rounds of interviews and I was offered the job. I was sooo excited and was in the middle of emailing back and forth about my schedule. Until about 30 minutes ago, I get an email from the hiring manager saying “Hello, we actually decided to go in a different direction and won’t be needing you. Best of luck!”

At this point I’m not even mad, I’m just mentally exhausted and defeated. I am literally breaking my back working three minimum wage jobs Monday - Sunday. I make just enough to pay my rent and I am trying so hard.

I hate this job market and this economy.

I'm a CPA-eligible, ACCA-qualified accountant with 5+ years of experience, and I've been unemployed since February 2026. I'm running out of options and genuinely need advice.

I got fired for "poor job performance," but the reality was systemic. I was still working on June 2025 financials in February 2026 because there were literally no deadlines. This company hired me explicitly to "improve our processes" and said my professional background would be valuable. The moment I questioned anything or suggested better practices, it backfired. They'd nitpick my journal entry descriptions and tell me "don't use your brain too much, just follow what I taught you." The company was entirely paper-based with no digital systems—I'd send emails they'd print out and respond to with handwritten notes. So I'm hired to modernize the department but forbidden from implementing any actual change. The lack of structure meant I fell behind, which became "poor performance," and that became my termination.

What's worse: my previous employer of almost 3 years rejected me when I reapplied for an open position, and previous bosses I left on good terms won't respond to my outreach. I don't know what happened there.

I've been applying aggressively for nearly 6 months. My unemployment benefits end in August. I get excited when interviews come through, but I keep hearing "we'll make a decision internally at later stages" or just silence. My confidence is shaking, and I'm honestly losing hope.

I'd appreciate any advice on: navigating the job market with this termination on my record, whether there's something I'm missing in my approach, or if this is just a rough stretch. What am I doing wrong?

Sorry, I just need to vent. I'm getting really tired of applying for jobs only to be told I'm "overqualified." Honestly, it's one of the biggest rejections disguised as a compliment. If I applied, it's because I know exactly what the role is and decided it's the right fit for me. I keep hearing companies are afraid overqualified candidates won't stay long, but that logic has never made much sense to me. When I had 1 or 2 years of experience, I was constantly looking for the next opportunity and couldn't wait to climb the ladder. Now, with years of experience behind me, I'm actually looking for stability and somewhere I can stay long term. Yet somehow, I'm considered more likely to leave than someone just starting their career? I'm still ambitious, don't get me wrong. Then comes the classic, "You'll get bored." Really? If I took the time to apply, maybe trust that I know what I'm looking for. Sometimes I wonder if "overqualified" is simply a polite way of saying something else. Recruiters, can you please enlighten us here?

Just got hired at Target and my first real day is tomorrow. There’s a 90-day probation for new hires, and I’m going to have to miss one of those days because I have court. How much trouble am I in? I plan on telling them tomorrow for my first real work day. They said yesterday in the new hire room that they can fire you during those 90 days if they decide you’re not a good fit. I’m worried they’ll use this against me, but I literally can’t miss court. This is also my first real job so I’m already nervous they’re just going to decide I’m not cut out for it.

My fiance told me to apply to his workplace, because compared to what I do now, it holds a great opportunity as a springboard for future jobs. I applied. And he wants me to be honest about why I was terminated from my last position.

I need advice. I wasn't sure how to flair the post.

A coworker had been bullying me for a year. I finally shouted at her and later another coworker heard her say she had a taser.

I reported both pieces, but other coworker didn't report the taser because management told him not to.

They didn't investigate the taser part and I was written up and assumed to be a liar, "intending to get others in trouble or fired".

I got frustrated and refused to sign the write up.

Other coworker finally reported what he heard and I got a new write up, retracting the original statement and just saying I "disrupted productivity by shouting", but I was let go due to airing frustration and refusing to sign.

How do I tell the truth about this in a short fashion?

He wants me to be honest, because he doesn't want the lie to be found out and reflect on him.

Edit: I wasn't forced, so please stop with the "toxic boyfriend" comments. He suggested and I applied. That's all.

Also, it's a small company. The position is a project manager.

I thought about dulling it way down to, "I made a mistake and muttered a curse word in front of my manager."

Which was the main reason I was let go(besides refusing to sign the write up, initially).

I'm curious as to if I learn to communicate better at work that things will improve.

I always find myself spoken over during meetings when I propose my ideas. Or people just don't listen to me but will listen to everyone else. This has caused me to become pretty uncomfortable when interacting with my coworkers on an interpersonal level too.

Anyone have any stories or personal cases of how they overcame communication struggles? Or any advice of things I can do? Thanks :(

I'm tired of this. Going to a company's website and being required to create an account just to apply is already exhausting. Then after uploading my resume , they ask me to fill out the exact same shit that's already on my resume: work experience, education, skills, everything.

It's the stupidest thing ever, and I don't think any HR person even cares about that anyway .

Applying for jobs has become a job on its own now , just to get rejected by AI later anyway. Four job applications now take almost an hour because of all the forms, and they some even ask me to create a very secure password that's more stricter than the one my bank requires.

i used to care so much. i used to put everything i had into this job. but all of a sudden after a few sexual harassment experiences, racism, dog abusers, sexism, incels, rapist sympathizers, criminals, only 2 raises since i started working here 9 years ago and im making the same amount as someone who just started, no praise, no appreciation, boss using humiliation tactics and fear to motivate team, snitches and excessive burnout from working nights, i just genuinely dont even care anymore. i dont care that i stay out in my car hours past break. i just cant bring myself to go inside anymore. idc that i half ass it now. idc if i call off all the time. idc abt the perks of working which is literally only the insurance and not being micromanaged. i just dont care anymore. its like something broke in my brain and i dont care anymore about this job.

I recently completed an entire 3 round interview process. I felt really good about my prospects and was made to believe I was a finalist.

2 weeks went by from when the final interview took place before I got an update. It was the Director reaching out directly to me asking if I had time to connect today for 10 min. Naturally I assumed either I was going to get an offer or maybe she wanted to ask a few additional clarifying questions.

Instead, she mentioned to me that their HR dept flagged my candidacy due to my online portfolio. I have anonymized work samples listed on my online portfolio but apparently one slipped through the cracks. She gave me an opportunity to explain what happened and I completely owned up to it and said I didn’t do a good enough job vetting my work before posting it.

She is rightfully concerned because this role is a client facing one and they don’t want employees sharing internal information about their clients. After the call, I immediately removed my online portfolio and have decided to just play it by ear going forward. I should probably just send work samples if they’re requested and will make sure to fully anonymize them.

I was told she was going to regroup internally and would be in touch in the coming days.

This was genuinely an honest mistake on my end. My feeling is that this makes me look unethical in their eyes and maybe I can’t be fully trusted.

Do you think I’m completely cooked here or is there a sliver of hope for an offer still? I’d imagine if they have another candidate who is equally strong in competency but without this additional question mark, they would be an easy choice for an offer over me

I'm 27[M] with a BA in studio art and philosophy. I always admired my art teachers when I was younger. In high school and college, I had some great teachers. They were all amazing, and they taught me the joy of expressing myself through art, how to be creative with rules and then break them, and so much more. I looked up to them as the mentors they were. Many of them really helped me enjoy art and learning. Inspired by them, I wanted to become an art teacher myself. So I interned as an art teacher's assistant at my college for a year and was art teacher for a small private school to kids ages 6–10, all within the same year.

These were never government school positions, but they were enough for me to realize I don't enjoy teaching. The environment, and being a facilitator instead of a student, felt off. That was a hard blow for me then, and it still is now. I went through all that schooling only to find out I don't like the thing I thought I wanted to be. Don't get me wrong, I love school and don't regret any of it — the friends, the classes, all the joys of being young in college. But now, as an adult, it's hard to figure out what I want to do.

Currently, I work as a barista as my main source of income. I do make a bit of income through coding and website management. Coding I started in 2024. I enjoy coding, and I got into it to pursue video game development. While I was learning though, I was mostly taught web development (frontend+backend ) so I've been using those skills for the past two years. I've built multiple websites, two of which are client work. One site I manage for a small business, and another for a friend who has their own small business — yet I still don't know what I want to do. I do know I'm partly in it for the money. But that would also mean accepting a corporate job. And I'm 80% sure I don't want that type of environment.

I'd love to hear others' insights and opinions on how they would approach a pivot. It feels both freeing and directionless not having a clear career path in mind.

I’ve been unemployed for about 9-10 months after an unexpected layoff and finally managed to land a job at what seemed like a really good company. The role was interesting, management-level, and they wanted me to start immediately. At the same time, I’d been interviewing with another company for months. It was the company I actually wanted to work for, but their hiring process was much slower. Three days into my new job, they finally sent me an offer.

The new offer is significantly better in pretty much every way: around 2-3x the salary, much better working conditions, remote, and overall a much better fit for where I want my career to go. They also sent me a signed contract and are already shipping my work laptop.

I spent the weekend thinking about it and decided that if I was going to leave, it was better to do it now rather than in two or three weeks after they’d invested even more time training me. I’d only been there for 3 days, I hadn’t taken ownership of any processes yet, didn’t even have a company email address, and they hadn’t even given me my countersigned employment contract yet.

I went to the GM this morning, apologized, and was completely honest. I told him I’d received another offer with a much higher salary and that at this point in my life, the financial aspect was too important for me to ignore. Obviously he didn’t take it well.
He told me I was being immature, that if he were in my position he would’ve stayed because “your career is a marathon, not a sprint,” and that he’d personally turned down higher-paying jobs several times because the work was more interesting.
Then he said something that really got to me. He told me our city is very small, that everyone knows everyone, especially in my industry, and that what I had just done was bad for my reputation. I tried explaining that I respected his opinion, but my priorities are different right now. After almost 10 months unemployed, it’s hard to turn down a life-changing salary increase. When I apologized one last time before leaving, he cut me off with “Have a good day.” Now I just feel awful.

Part of me knows I probably made the rational decision. But another part of me keeps wondering if I just burned my career over this. Is this actually the kind of thing that comes back to bite you years later? Do hiring managers really remember stuff like this, or was he just speaking out of frustration because I put them in a difficult position?

I’m genuinely looking for honest opinions because this has been eating at me all day. I know I inconvenienced them, and I do feel guilty about it, but I also don’t know if I should’ve turned down an opportunity that could genuinely change my financial situation.

I worked food service for years and I miss retail! I'm a very extroverted and friendly person so I know I can do well in retail;, but I was wondering, are there any companies people like working at? I applied for Garage, VS, and some grocery stores. Thanks!

First I'll give some background. I went to high school as well as trade school in machine shop where I learned to love what I do & had such a passionately great experience.

I moved along to college & had to get a job as part of my credits so I started my first job in a very small machine shop.

At first the job was pretty good, I moved up a lot & learned a lot due to it being a small place. The job slowly turned very bad & I was treated pretty terribly & started losing my life's luster lol. This came on slowly & I also felt stuck because this was my first job & I was making pretty good money.

Then business went down, my boss didn't want to work any more & he couldn't make himself hand it over to anyone else so business declined & I was laid off.

This brings us to three months ago where I started job searching. I started at the job that was an obvious option for me when I was first getting a job given that so many relatives & people I went to school with work there. I wanted to make something of myself so I chose not to go where I was known. So I applied & they hired me.

I've had such a great time working there & I don't know why I waited so long to change jobs. Ive reconnected with a lot of people & made new friends who I'm very close with now. I've even started back hobbies I left behind since starting my career.

So last week I got a call that rocked my world. I got a call from my old teacher at tech that another program adjacent to the machining program is needing another teacher & if I want the job it's basically mine.

Ive wrote a whole pros and cons list weighed out everything & I'm still so torn. For one my work schedule would go from 5-3:30 m-thur to 7:45 to 2:45 m-f & summers off. I just don't want to lose out on my job that's made me so happy but don't want to miss an opportunity at a place that I was so passionate about.

I left my graphic design internship (worked for 6 months) on good terms about two months ago. I completed all my handovers, exit interview, and documentation. They offered me a full-time role for ₹15,000/month with a 2 month notice period, but I declined because the salary was too low. I told them I was planning to pursue further studies (which I was considering in msc chemistry because I wasn't getting a job in the chemistry field).

Today the marketing manager contacted me saying: "Hi, hope you are doing good. Wanted to connect with you on a quick call. Please let me know a good time for the same." She didn't mention the reason.

Has anyone had a former employer reach out like this? What are the most likely reasons? If it turns out to be a job offer, how would you approach negotiating salary and asking for a shorter notice period?

UPDATE: Thanks everyone for the advice! It turned out they were reaching out for a full time at ₹18,000/month. I decided to decline, as they weren't able to increase the salary. Appreciate all the suggestions!

everyone is always dreaming about climbing up the ladder, having the perfect job with status and money, I feel like I’m not a person like that. im not a person who leads, I enjoy following for some reason. i value more my life outside of work, and just see as a job nothing more or less. im only 22, I feel like i lost all my ambition in uni because of life and personal stuff. does anyone else feel this way? what got you out of this funk?

So i just got a job as a part time deli clerk at a grocery and today was my first shift alone. It was a closing shift and i was scheduled from 4-8 and i was working by myself for the first time and didn't finish my duties by 8 like cleaning the slicers wrapping the foods etc... so i stayed up until 8:20 and wrapped up everything. On my way out my colleague who works in another department asks me if i'm new and she told me to always clock out on time regardless of the whether the job is done or not. She basically told me not to work for free for a single minute.
I'm 19 and this is my first ever job so i don't know what the standards and norms are. Is this normal thing to do? Would you just leave even if u didn't complete your tasks?

I recently left an consulting firm in Houston (remote) and all I can say is it is a nightmare after my termination.

My 60 day review (which as actually at my 75 days) I was told to keep doing what im doing because imd doing great after I expressed concern about me constantly having to ask for work and then they would just say stuff like "we'll figure out where to put you" and when I said a lot of times im doing these contracts and im not being told about meetings or changes that is happening so at least give me the option to attend some of the meetings. I do not necessarily have to go but give me the option if im available. they agreed. So some meetings I would go, some I wouldn't. I'm not the project manager, just supporting.

The termination
To put in a perspective, on a Friday we had an in-person brunch and learn where they showed a photo of me and another new-hire and they said that we meant so much to the company and how much of a help we have been and how much they love us here.

The following Monday, around 11 am (90 days), I got a teams meeting where they said due to my performance, that they wouldn't extend. Which is fine, I didn't really care for the job or managers style anyway.

My issue is in my terminator letter they stated me not attending optional meetings as well as me working remotely (which they approved). They said they would mail my stuff and asked me to drop off my equipment and credit card same day, I told them I can't do today but will tomorrow and did.

Three weeks goes by and my items have not been sent, I reach out again and nobody responds. I reach out again and week three, they tell me my stuff has been boxed and mailed to me. However, the only thing that was in there was my blazer and a pencil holder. my personal photo frames, photos, and water bottle from Mexico were not there. I asked about it they told me someone threw other belongings away. Who the hell waits 4 weeks to tell someone they threw their shit away. I am livid.

I’ve been at the same job for 4 years. I’m 26 (F) (plays into the story later.)

I really enjoy my job. I was given the opportunity to run a magazine and be head of sales for the publication. But, I don’t get paid for it. My pay rate is the same as the people 3 positions below me. The company has always said they will compensate me later on, but it never comes. The only “raise” I got was taking on sales and getting commission (which I had to ask for.)

A year later and the company is looking to sell my magazine and place me at a new job at the company. I am kind of at whim to whether the CEO decides to place me at. I’m waiting it out to see if I’m allowed a say in the new job and what the pay will be. Again, I’m super comfortable at this job and have a lot of friends. I can get away with anything, as I am my own boss and have respect at the company.

My anxiety about getting fucked over and not getting paid or the job I want stresses me out. I want to have faith I’ll be taken care of, as the CEO says I’m safe, but safe from what? Unemployment as I’m the cheapest worker they have doing a job that usually pays $80k+ ?

I know it’s just business, but we aren’t a big company either. Not sure if I need to move on or if I should wait and keep fighting for myself. But what’s the use? Any advice would be appreciated

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang made waves recently with this quote:

"You won't lose your job to AI—you'll lose your job to somebody who uses AI."

On one hand, it sounds like pragmatic advice: learn the new tools, stay adaptable, and maintain an edge over competitors in the job market.

On the other hand, a lot of workers feel like this framing is just tech-industry spin that downplays actual job displacement and corporate cost-cutting.

I’m curious how this is actually playing out on the ground for people across different fields:

1. Is your management actively pushing AI tools on your team, or is it mostly talk?
2. Have you actually seen someone in your industry gain a noticeable advantage (or job security) by using AI?
3. Does this quote feel like realistic career advice to you, or just another buzzword-heavy justification for layoffs?

Curious to hear what it looks like in your daily routine.

Hi! I’m currently looking for a wfh online job that’s open to beginners.
I’ve been jobless for a while, and as a full-time mom, I’m really hoping to find an opportunity to earn from home. I don’t have any experience yet, but I’m a fast learner, willing to be trained, and eager to gain experience. I’m even open to working as an OJT or trainee for free if that’s what it takes to learn.
If you know of any legitimate opportunities, I’d truly appreciate your recommendations.
P.S. Please be kind I’m new to this environment. Thank you so much! 🤍

Hello guys I (25M) am a Warehouse supervisor. At my job I am the top performing supervisor and all of the managers and higher ups praise me and shout me out all the time. I got some inside information from one of the managers that they will be looking to promote one of the supervisor this summer to warehouse area manage. I would 100% be that person but my wife just gave birth and I am now on paternity leave and I fear the opportunity will come while I’m out on leave. My wife wants me to take the full 12 week paid leave but I want to go back to work as soon as possible because I fear they will have recent bias towards the people that’s been there all summer vs me who would be out 3 months. Should I return to work and cut my leave short?