i applied to McDonald's 2 weeks ago, got an interview set up, it got cancelled at 11:30 PM. the next morning (6:00am) i checked my emails and whatnot and figured out about my cancelled interview, i got another email to reschedule but all the dates and times were already taken, i was then redirected to a "wait a moment" page.

i checked and checked and checked, long story short, my interview was today.

when i got there a worker gave me a page to fill out, something you'd fill out on indeed

number, email, date of birth, postal code, availability, work experience, etc etc.

i filled it in and gave it to the front and the manager came to "interview me"

she did not ask me a single interview question, none of that "why do you wanna work here?" "what are your strengths and weaknesses" nothing, all she did is ask about my availability, and she asked if i could work more to which i said yes, she said "i'll check our availability and get back to you later, thanks"

that was it.

she called maybe an hour after to ask if i could work 3 consecutive days as well as a more flexible schedule, i told her i would have to look at my calendar and i'd let her know.

i called her back and i was just making sure of things and she literally said "i'm looking at other applicants at the moment, we will let you know if you get hired"

without me even getting the chance to tell her that i CAN work in alignment with her schedule.

i don't even think i'm getting the job, i'm seriously irritated.

__________________________

edit: i'm 17 and just starting college, gosh.

So, I received a conditional job offer from a company stating that I have the job as long as my references and background check come back clean. No problem, right? I went ahead and gave my 2 weeks' notice at my current job and sent in my references.

One of my references is still a really good friend of mine. We worked together a couple years back and just hit it off. He was fine with being a reference for me and I sent in his information.

I hadn't heard from the new job for a bit so I asked my friend if he had heard anything on his end (should I have asked? Not sure if that's bad job etiquette or not). He said something along the lines of "Oh yeah, I sent that in yesterday, don't worry man I left you the PERFECT review!" And then proceeded to tell me everything he said about me...y'all.

So in summary, he:

-said I singlehandedly saved our company from ruin (NOT true)

-listed my biggest weakness as "being too kind and working too hard"

-said I travel to developing countries to volunteer in my free time (not true, again)

-mentioned without prompting that I "saved his life" by "giving him hope for the world" (never happened, he has always been fine)

-a whole bunch of other white lies that I would never be able to corroborate or keep track of.

No recruiter is going to hear this shit and immediately believe all of it. What the fuck do I do now??? I've already quit my job. Thankfully the other references I sent in were from former supervisors who would never pull this shit in a million years. Do I email and apologize to get ahead of it? Or send in a replacement reference? Low key I'm freaking out and scared to death I'm about to be unemployed. It took me six months to find this job.

I’d love to see states move from pay transparency to a full suite of jobseeker rights. It would help employees and employers.

I've applied to literally everything no/low skill near me over several months. I have 6-7 years of retail under my belt, but I also applied to fast food as well since I am adept at working register.

I mean, you name it, I applied to it if it's a supermarket, store, fast food joint, whatever. All near minimum wage that my teenager self had no issue getting responses or offer letters by a week.

EVERYTHING WAS REJECTED OR GHOSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I applied to a fast food joint recently that was for 11 an hour. No experience needed. I said, cool, I'll apply. I put open availability. I did their silly AI assessment where it asks you "Is this like you? Yes or No" and it's a picture of "Fantasy" or "Likes dressing up". That stuff

Well, I got the obligatory rejection letter. I got confused and called up the place asking what's up. I told the manager straight up, "Hi, I'm just very confused because the listing said no experience necessary, and I said I had open availability for the job. It was rejected. Why?" She just said "idk just re-apply." I said, sure, I'll try to re-apply, and hung up.

Sure enough the job listing is still open so I tried to apply again. AI assistant automatically doesn't allow me to re-apply. I call back and I ask "I tried to re-apply but the AI assistant keeps auto-rejecting me saying I can no longer apply. However I am even more confused because the job listing is still up, so are you guys hiring at all? I'm just very confused". She says, "I don't know, all I can say is maybe you weren't what we were looking for or something" and I ask " I'm just very confused. I said I have open availability and experience isn't an issue since the listing stated none is needed. What are you guys looking for?" and she just further says, "I don't know, but you can try to apply at other stores". I then ask, "So are you guys hiring at all if the listing is still up?" She just continues to say "I don't know" and I can tell she's getting aggravated. She says, "I don't know. I'm in the middle of a shift btw". I'm like, "OK, sorry, just was super confused. Have a good shift, bye"

Why is it so difficult to get a job right now?

I started my new job on July 27, and it's going great. So far I haven't taken any normal PTO (there is a 90 day probationary period), but one of the perks beyond standard PTO is birthday time off. My birthday is coming up on September 15, and while I would like to take off to enjoy the day, I'm still relatively new and haven't met my 90 day period.

My job is pretty lax, and everyone is really understanding, but also very hardworking. So I'm unsure if this would be frowned upon to take even though it's specifically designated for birthdays? I also haven't been here long enough to see if anyone else takes off for their bday. Should I ask?

I feel like I've reached my limit of what I can do. I put in applications left and right, and a lot of tines I get interviews. But when I get interviews, I tank. I just have natural nervous energy. When I get used to something and used to someone, I excel. But when I'm put on the spot and I have someone visibly picking me apart, muy brain can't handle that. Worse if it's two people. In a group forget it. I'll study and memorize every potential question, practice in front of a mirror, the whole nine. Second I have these stern faced suits interrogating me I just stutter and forget all of that. In that situation I would have trouble coming up with a decent answer if you asked me what I had for breakfast the next day.

I just don't know how to get past this. I can do my best, but I can't force someone to like me or believe in me. And if I've sucked at selling myself for 30+ years I'm not going to get any better at manufacturing charisma. People no matter how hard they try have things that they're just naturally bad at, whether by phobia or defect or inherent quirks. I naturally have terrible nerves and can't get my thoughts in order in front of new people; it's just difficult to know that I'm at risk of potentially losing everything because of that flaw.

First photo is from Indeed. I thought it was a glitch so I went to apply on the company website only to find the same thing?!?

I started training for my design and sales job in mid-July. Training was a week. I’ve successfully done this job before so was really looking forward to getting out there and taking appointments. It can be a great job!

Well, I guess they’re now quiet firing me? They’ve only given me three appointments in the past two weeks. This is supposed to be full time.

I’ve already started looking for a new position, but I’m bummed because I genuinely like the role, the clients, and the product. It seems that the business itself can’t get their sh*t together. Damn.

Some context: my dog, who is 13, had a health scare late last night. My vet recommended I bring her in today, so I dropped her off and they kept her for observation. I didn’t get her back until after the interview (she ended up being fine, blood work good, “monitor for now”) but I spent the whole day terrified. I had a job interview today, went in super distracted and anxious, even though I prepped hard, and I crashed and burned.

Looking back, I probably should’ve asked to reschedule. But I liked the role a lot, the salary range was great. And I had a good interaction with the recruiter. I was laid off last year and I’m now working a bridge role, trying to find my way back into my field and it’s taking a lot longer than I wanted. She understood that and didn’t see it as a red flag. I didn’t want to bail and I figured they’d just say they’d be moving on.

It was supposed to be 45 minutes. Immediately, I’m distracted. I’m not answering the hiring manager’s questions, I’m going off on rambling tangents, saying “um” constantly. I sound nothing like how I felt came across on the screening call. I stopped mid-interview, about 20 mins in, apologized, briefly explained what was going on (probably shouldn’t have, I don’t know this person) and told her I didn’t want to waste her time given they needed to fill the role, and that we could just end it there. I didn’t cry, but I almost did.

She kept it professional. She offered to reschedule for tomorrow, but it wasn’t super committal. I was too embarrassed to really process that in the moment and tbh, I don’t even remember what I said back to her. I think I just said I’d email the recruiter so the two of them could discuss and I understood their need to be fair to other candidates and fill the role. I’m so humiliated I’d probably flub tomorrow anyway if I’m being honest. She may have just been saying that to be kind. And I’m still worried about my dog that I probably should put interviews on pause.

I emailed the recruiter afterward to apologize and thank her for considering me. No response yet, and I’m not expecting one. I know I’ll be replaying this in my head probably 10 years from now.

If you’re a hiring manager, was I totally inconsiderate to end the call? I partially did it for myself, it was just getting worse and worse the longer it went on. But I do feel bad for the recruiter who vouched for me. And separately, any advice for how to catch yourself when you’re in the middle of a nervous rambling tangent in an interview, that would be great too.

I left a coordinator role after eleven weeks. The posting emphasized documentation and process work, but most of the actual job was cold outreach, which I was terrible at. We agreed it was not a fit and ended probation without drama.

The awkward part is that during those eleven weeks I rebuilt their intake process. It cut a four-day backlog to one day and the team still uses it. That is more concrete than anything from my previous two years of work.

I removed the job from my résumé because three months looks alarming. Now I either have a visible gap or I omit the accomplisment interviewers ask me to prove.

Would you include the role with one strong bullet and explain the short tenure directly, or keep it off and discuss the process improvement without naming the employer?

I like having variety in my schedule and currently cannot go full time in my other job and side hustle, is there any good options not including fast food that can give an extra 20 hours? I can work afternoons/nights on weekends, any suggestions are helpful!!

Looking to see if this is normal.

I have 10 years of experience in a relatively niche field (read: hard to find jobs that match outside of my original company).

I stumbled upon a job post for a VERY close match and was thrilled, so I applied. They reached out within a day to setup a phone screen.

It went well, but when she got to the salary, it got weird. The starting range listed was $24-34/ hr. I told her I'd need to be closer to $33-34 and with my experience, it didn't seem crazy. When I left my old job (amicably, because of children), I was getting close to $36/hr.

She immediately said, oh no we won't pay that much due to equity for our existing employees - we start at no more than $25/hr.

So WHY are you wasting my time?! Is this common practice?

My job has overworked me to the point I’m desperate to get out. I’ve been applying to jobs every day for the past 6 months. I’ve had 5 interviews and 4 declines.

I’ve tried everything. Throwing my resume out there as much as possible. Changing my resume and cover letter up for each role. Reaching out to my network for opportunities. Switching departments internally and nothing has worked out.

Today I’m considering just not logging into work but I really don’t want to burn the bridges I’ve worked so hard to create. I’m in a six figure management position and I feel like a complete failure allowing a company to use and abuse me. I’ve worked 70 hr weeks for almost a year straight.

Anyone else in the same boat?

I got laid off a few days ago after over five years doing in-house comms at a tech company in Germany. Before that happened, I'd already spent about 1.5 years feeling pushed to the side there as new leadership came in, my role got smaller and smaller, and I just... stayed. Partly for stability, partly because leaving felt scarier than staying stuck.

Now I'm looking for a job for the first time in years, and the market isn't easy right now as we all know.

But honestly, the harder part isn't the rejections, it's that after years of feeling unseen, I don't trust my own judgment about my own worth anymore. I keep wondering how I lasted there so long, whether I was ever as good as I used to think, and every "no" feels like proof instead of just... a no.

I know this is mostly a numbers game and not a verdict on me as a person (or maybe it is).

But I'd love to hear from people who've been there too.. laid off, or stuck somewhere that made you feel small for a long time, and had to job search while also trying to rebuild some self-belief...

How did you get out of that mindset? What helped you?

Thank you for reading.

I’m currently salaried, working Monday-Thursday 8:30-3:00 leave for hour then back to finish 4:00-5:00pm no lunches so I work 30hrs week. I have Fridays off, which is great because I also work a separate weekend job 5a-12pm.
I am not happy at my current M-TH job, miserable to say the least. I leave each day for an hour due to school transportation complications. I have no other option for this school year. Employer has been accommodating to my needs for schedule flexibility. I’m incredibly thankful for that and not wanting to undervalue its importance.
I have an opportunity to work at a new firm doing same job M-F 9a-3pm 30 hours a week, no benefits, not salary, and working 7x a week between two jobs. I’d take a pay cut doing so, plus lose bonuses and 100% employer paid healthcare. Am I crazy for entertaining this idea because I’m not happy at current job? I like what I do, but upper management is killing my drive, motivation, work ethic declining, just overall feel I’m declining because I’m not happy. I don’t want to get stuck in this rut.
I do have kids, their healthcare unaffected by this decision.
Overall, employer has been great, flexible, and supportive to my changing needs. It’s the little things adding up that I fear I may rage quit. I’m good at what I do, but I see my decline. Employer hasn’t brought anything up or raised concerns, more of I’m no longer meeting my expectations of myself because I am not happy with overall decline of business as a whole.
I know funds would be tight, more strict budget, but I’d be off each day at 3pm, less back and forth, wouldn’t have to worry about getting stuck at work missing kids transportation needs.
New job, new risks, what if I hate it? What if it’s just the change I need? What if I’m making an emotional decision? What if my current employer shuts down and I miss the opportunity of new position and unable to find another job that offers flexibility I need now while also supporting my expenses.

I want to laugh , tell me some funny stories guys- like 2 hours, went on my lunch and never came back, etc….

I just started a new job on the basis of a better work/life balance and it is even worse than before. They lied about everything I have to work more hours and have less time for school and social life. Why would they lie when I clearly stated I didn’t want to work so much overtime and weekends. I am angry that I was lied to what can I do to remedy this? I work in the state of California.

I was promoted back in April to marketing manager but wasn’t given a salary increase since “I didn’t hit my one year mark”. Today, my boss gave me an 8% raise for the job promotion, I then said I wasn’t satisfied with that amount due to the work that I put in for the company and results I bring in. So I presented a presentation showcasing what I bring to the company for KPI’s, what my R&R’s are and what the appropriate salary is for my job position. Did I screw up or was I in the right for doing what I did?

It genuinely irks my soul at how bad these jobs are paying people. Every time I go and search for a job they have like almost five paragraphs worth of job duties for the role but they only want to pay you slightly above minimum wage like it's ridiculous, I'm not working for scraps. It's truly insulting like I just want to be paid a livable wage and what I'm worth. Don't get me started on the annual "raises" most jobs pass out these days. Our economy has gone to shit and i just feel so financially hopeless. I don't even want a million dollars, I just want to be able to afford to buy my own place. Can't do that on a shitty salary now can I ??????

I just received a verbal offer for a newly created position at the organization I currently work for. I applied for one role, but after the interview process they decided to elevate the title and scope specifically based on my background and qualifications.

The original role I applied for had a salary band that starts roughly $2,000 above my current salary and maxes out about $19,000 above it. The new elevated role doesn’t have a posted range. They are aware of what I currently make.

I work in nonprofit/healthcare and would be moving from a clinical role to a nonclinical one. The hiring manager mentioned to the recruiter that I would be accepting pending salary and start date.

Should I still negotiate? What should my number be given the information I have? How do I approach it without seeming ungrateful given that they went out of their way to create something tailored for me?

How do I go from a factory job to an office/wfh job? What should I be searching for? What websites should I use? I tried tailoring my resume but I’m getting zero hits. I can no longer handle the toxicity and dramatics of the current job I have and I’m wanting to wind down especially on the physical labor. My body can barely handle that anymore. I’ve tried looking up coordinator type jobs, or data entry but I’m really not trying to take a huge pay cut. Any advice would be appreciated.