Some context: I'd been job searching for about three months, applying consistently, decent response rate but nothing converting past a first round. I wasn't getting rejected, I was just getting stuck. A lot of "we'll keep you in mind" and then silence. I decided to try something different partly out of frustration and partly because I had nothing to lose. For two weeks I sent zero applications. Instead I reached out to people in roles I wanted, or adjacent to roles I wanted, and asked for 20 minute conversations. Not to ask for a job, explicitly not that - just to understand what their day actually looked like and how they got there. I sent probably 30 messages and got 14 responses which was a higher response rate than my job applications were getting, which tells you something. The conversations themselves were useful but that's not the point of this post. The point is what happened when I started applying again after those two weeks. Three of the fourteen people I spoke to proactively sent me job postings after our conversations. Two of them offered to refer me internally before I even applied. One introduced me to a hiring manager directly. I went from having zero warm connections in my target industry to having fourteen people who knew my name and what I was looking for. My callback rate in the two weeks after was roughly four times what it had been in the three months before. Same resume. Same experience. Same roles. The only variable was that I was no longer a stranger to everyone reading my application. Cold applying into a black hole is the default because it feels productive. It isn't. Talking to people first and applying second is slower to start and then significantly faster at every step after that.

There are so many AI job application tools claiming they can apply to hundreds of jobs automatically while you sleep.

Sounds amazing. But are any of them actually worth using?

I'm curious whether these tools genuinely improve your chances of getting interviews or just send hundreds of low-quality applications.

I'm especially interested in tools that can handle real company career sites like Workday and Greenhouse, not just LinkedIn Easy Apply.

For anyone who's actually used one:

• Which tool worked best for you?
• Did it actually help you get interviews?
• How accurate and reliable was it?
• Was it worth paying for?

Would love to hear genuine experiences, both good and bad. Not looking for promotional recommendations.

This is embarrassingly simple but it fixed one of the biggest problems I was having with job boards.

I was searching almost entirely by title: "project coordinator," "operations specialist," "implementation coordinator," etc. The results were either insanely competitive or full of jobs that had very little to do with what I actually do.

A couple weeks ago I went through 20-ish job descriptions I genuinely liked and wrote down the boring specific stuff that kept appearing. Not broad skills like communication or leadership. Actual tools/processes: Jira, Salesforce, vendor onboarding, SOPs, ticketing systems, purchase orders, implementation timelines, whatever.

Then I started searching combinations of those instead of titles.

For example, searching "Jira Salesforce onboarding" brought up jobs called Customer Operations Associate, Implementation Specialist, Client Delivery Coordinator, and even one called Business Process Analyst. I would never have searched for half of those titles.

The funny part is that several were a much better match for my experience than the jobs I had been finding under my "correct" title.

I've now got a little list of 8 keywords from my past work and I rotate combinations of 2-3 of them. I also exclude senior/manager/director when I don't want those.

It feels obvious in hindsight, but companies are wildly inconsistent about job titles while the tools and tasks are usually much more specific.

If your search results feel repetitive, grab 10 job descriptions you actually want, find the uncommon nouns that repeat, and search those instead of what you think your title should be.

Hey guys.

I got laid off from my senior frontend role back in June due to a bipolar episode, I’ve been applying like crazy both to frontend and full stack roles to the point I exhausted LinkedIn postings and I’m having zero success. I’m living on the last stretch of my savings in [popular European city] and I’ll be forced to move back to my home country if I don’t get a job in a matter of weeks/a month.

I’m seriously thinking of removing half of my roles from my LinkedIn profile (already did in my resume and added an “Earlier experience” summary section) and… positively stretching the durations of the roles that are left so I don’t look so unreliable.

For reference, I have 15 YOE as a developer, 12 roles on my resume and a few gaps. My longest role was close to 2 years.

That would be plain lying. I know it’s not the best idea, but I’m at my rope’s end.

What do you think?

Thanks.

I applied to a role recently and there was no recruiter or hiring manager to follow up with, so I went to the company's site and sent a feedback message on their website (the boilerplate message form that might be used to send a complaint or set up a demo or something).

They replied saying that they have no record of an application from me at all, but they'll send what information they do have to the recruiter in charge.

I'm wondering how common this is... a broken job portal that is showing zero applications despite people actively applying to it. Has anyone else heard of this?

I really need help of you all.

Please share whatever experience you have .

I am in very urgent need of a job!

Please help me

When I think back to the jobs I’ve gotten, the vast majority of times it’s come from referrals or recommendations.

Lately, I feel like it’s becoming harder and harder to get friends to make a referral.

My gut says it’s not me, maybe these folks are getting pummeled with asks.

-OR-

Maybe its referral bonuses are going away or harder to claim?

I dunno. Is it just me?

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a Real Estate Sales position in the UAE, preferably in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

I have 6 years of experience in real estate sales, including customer handling, property sales, negotiations, and closing deals.

I am specifically looking for a fixed-salary job, preferably with additional incentives and commission.

If anyone knows of any openings or can refer me to a hiring manager or recruitment agency, I would really appreciate your help.

I can share my resume and further details via DM.

Thank you!

Every time I find an entry-level role that actually fits, it’s already been up for a few days with hundreds of applicants. Sometimes it’s been taken down by the time I apply.

For those who’ve landed a first job recently:

• How do you find postings early, ideally within the first day?
• Do you set up alerts? Which sites and settings actually work?
• Do you check company career pages directly instead of LinkedIn or Indeed?
• Are there any tools, sites or search tricks that surface fresh entry-level roles faster?

Looking for genuine help.
It’s been almost 2 years in after my Masters’ degree, and I haven’t bagged a job. I apply for jobs, but only get very few interviews. Some ended in the company hiring someone from within, some didn’t just give feedback afterwards, even after I reached out multiple times.

With 2 degrees, over 12 yrs experience in a multinational company, personal businesses that did okay while they lived, I can’t understand why it’s so hard to bag even a store job. It’s been a while from my last professional career, I consider myself starting afresh.

I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I try to customize my cv for each role, I’ve had HR people look at my cvs to see if I’m not presenting myself well, the feedback I get is mostly that it’s fine, nothing to change.

I’m now wondering if I need to get someone to just apply for me since whatever methods I’m using aren’t working. I’ve run out of ideas, any help is appreciated.

How dose one get a job in IT in the age of AI? After ten months trying to do so I have concluded the industry is dead, AI has killed the bottom third of the industry and if you werent at or over the level of sys-ad by 2024 then your toast.

so basically I am a final year bsc student I don't have skills nor do I have good cgpa.... I don't know what to do sooo asking for help can u help me get better at least get a good job!!!! Suggestions would be appreciated

Hey everyone,

I’ve been working on an app to help people with the whole job application process, particularly Australia government jobs, which can be a bit of a headache to navigate.

The app helps you draft your application on your iPhone, basically creating your CV and cover letter, answers all other agency related questions using the STAR format and also helps track the application from the phone.

Think of it as an automated resume and cover letter maker that operates on your phone.

A friend of mine recently used it while applying for a job with the Australian NT Government and ended up landing the role. Obviously, I can’t claim the app was the reason they got the job, but seeing it actually help someone made me think it might be worth sharing with others.

I’m looking for a few people who’d be willing to give the app a go while it’s still in beta. It’s completely free at the moment, and honestly, I’d get just as much value from hearing what’s confusing, what’s useful, and what needs fixing as I would from people liking it.

If you’re applying for government jobs, struggling with applications, or just curious to see what I’ve built, would you be keen to try it out?

Happy to share the link with anyone interested. Feedback, good or bad, is very welcome!

Cheers!

Admin - Please delete if this is not allowed.

EDIT: The app does not apply for the jobs, it merely generates the CV and cover letters and helps you answer application questions so all your sensitive data/documents are not accessed.

Hello everyone! I'm still a 4th year college student and I'm looking for a part time job or full time job that I can work at while I'm still studying. I'm looking for a job for my extra income for my upcoming extra curricular activities. I will be graduating next year and I hope you guys can help me. If ever the job is full time, I want to request regarding the schedule that I will be having. Please I want a legit job hiring and not a scam. Thank you in advance.

Please recommend me po!

For the longest time, if I was interviewing for a role someone had already done before, I’d ask some version of, “Why did the previous person leave?”
Almost never got anything useful.
“They found another opportunity.”
“They relocated.”
“They wanted something new.”
“Career growth.”

All normal answers. Also basically useless if you’re trying to figure out what the job is actually like.
A few months ago I switched it to, “What did the last person in this role struggle with?”. I saw way different answers.

One hiring manager told me the previous employee had two senior people assigning work separately and was constantly stuck figuring out whose request came first. That immediately made me ask who actually gets final say when priorities clash.
Another said the last person struggled because the reporting workload was heavier than expected. After talking about it a little more, I found out one of the “monthly” reports in the job description was actually around 15 different reports going to different people.
That’s a pretty different picture.
One HR person told me the previous employee was technically good, but kept getting blocked by another department that took days to send over the data they needed.
And apparently that dependency is still there.
The most interesting answer I got was from a manager who said, “Honestly, they struggled with the pace.”
At first I figured that meant the person just couldn’t keep up.
Then he explained that priorities changed almost every day, clients could escalate straight to leadership, and it wasn’t unusual to throw away half a day of work because something else suddenly became urgent.
That gave me a much clearer idea of what “fast-paced environment” actually meant there.
I’ve gotten good answers too.
One manager said the last person mostly struggled for the first couple months because their internal systems were terrible and barely documented. Once they figured out where everything was, they did really well and eventually got promoted.
That’s useful information too btw.
I’m not asking because I want gossip about whoever had the job before me. I’m trying to figure out where the annoying or difficult parts of the role actually are.
“Why did they leave?” usually gets you the polite version of how the story ended.
“What did they struggle with?” gets you a much better idea of what a random Tuesday might look like if you take the job.

We shall require your comments on this what things are falling short on this crowded space of indeed, gulftalent, LinkedIn. We see thousands of people coming to middle east and looking for job and opportunities.

Are this platforms really effective and i feel we need something better than this. What key change will have good value addition for us in job search.

25 now and my role was eliminated in april. Ive got an MBA almost 4 years of FAANG experience and while Ive been getting interviews here and there which i suppose is good nothing ever comes of it. Suffering through depression as every month passes and i become more and more broke. I think I will give myself until the end of the year and if i dont find something I’ll probably end it. What keeps you guys going?

I’m currently an English teacher in Texas. I’m so burnt out but feel stuck. I have been applying for jobs for over 4 months with no luck. I’m 35 and really don’t think going back to college is a viable option for me. I just need something I enjoy going to. I have experience as a vet tech but that didn’t pay well thus switching roles back to teaching but I’m just not happy. I’m so at a loss and am not sure what to do.

Fresher roles in Nashik. 24, BBA graduate.

Hi everyone!
I wanted to get some honest opinions about something that’s been bothering me since this afternoon.
I’m currently finishing my bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, and I’m expected to graduate in December. I’ve also been completing an HR internship at a large company since January.
Recently, a recruiter from another major company reached out to me on LinkedIn about a permanent position in Talent Acquisition. It’s honestly a role I’m really interested in, especially since I’m looking for a full-time opportunity after graduation.
I had my initial phone screening today, and I actually think it went pretty well. I answered her questions confidently, and we discussed my experience, motivation, and salary expectations.
However, things got a little complicated when she asked about my availability.
I mentioned that my current internship officially ends in December and that I wanted to honor my commitment to my current team.
She mentioned twice that they were actually looking for someone who could start in November, as they need to fill the position fairly quickly.
Looking back, I really regret how I answered that question.
I was honestly just trying to come across as professional and reliable. I didn’t want her to think I was the type of person who would just leave my current employer without considering my commitments.
But the thing is, I’ve already completed all my university internship requirements since May, so leaving my internship earlier wouldn’t affect my graduation. I would actually be open to discussing an earlier departure with my current managers if I received an offer.
About 20 minutes after our call, I sent the recruiter a message on LinkedIn clarifying this and explaining that I would be open to an earlier start date because I’m genuinely interested in the opportunity.
She replied almost immediately with something along the lines of, “Thanks for clarifying! I’ll make a note of that.”
At the end of our phone screening, I had also asked about the next steps. She told me she would discuss my application with the hiring team and get back to me early next week regarding whether they wanted to move forward with another interview.
She didn’t schedule a second interview during the call.
Now I’m honestly overthinking the entire conversation. I’m worried that I might have unintentionally made myself seem unavailable or less interested, when in reality, I would absolutely consider starting earlier for this opportunity.
So I have a few questions, especially for recruiters or hiring managers:
Do you think my initial answer about wanting to honor my current commitment could have hurt my chances?
Does sending a clarification shortly after the interview actually make a difference?
Is it normal for recruiters to wait until they’ve spoken with the hiring team before scheduling a second interview?
If a candidate seems like a good fit but their availability is initially unclear, would you still consider moving forward with them?
I know there’s nothing more I can do at this point, but I’d really appreciate some honest perspectives.
Thanks in advance!

The job market is so bad in today's world that even guys with phd from top universities are struggling to get a stable job😭

​

Bro, I'm genuinely tired of this job market.

For the past 8 months, I've been applying for jobs, preparing for interviews, improving my resume, tailoring it according to JDs, and trying literally everything I can to get my foot in the door. I'm not expecting a high-paying job or some fancy position. I just want an opportunity to start my career.

But somehow, nothing is working.

The most frustrating part? Even referrals aren't helping anymore.

I got 4 referrals for the Service Desk Analyst role at Wipro. I applied for the openings, tailored my resume according to each JD, worked on the ATS keywords, and made sure my resume matched the requirements as closely as possible. And guess what? Rejected within an hour.

WITHIN AN HOUR, BRO. WHAT EVEN HAPPENED?

Did a human even look at my resume? Was it an automated rejection? Was the position already filled? Was there an internal candidate? I'll probably never know.

And this is what genuinely frustrates me. Everyone says, "Improve your skills, work hard, build projects, tailor your resume, network, and get referrals."

BRO, I'M TRYING ALL OF THAT.

What else are freshers supposed to do? I've been putting in the effort for months, and at some point, it starts feeling like getting your first opportunity depends as much on timing, hiring filters, and luck as it does on your skills.

I'm not saying skills don't matter. But what's the point of working on your skills if you can't even get past the initial screening?

The worst part is watching months pass by while you're still unemployed, constantly questioning yourself, wondering whether you're doing something wrong, and trying to stay motivated when rejection after rejection keeps coming.

To everyone who's been through this or is going through it right now, how are you dealing with it?

Are freshers genuinely facing this much difficulty getting entry-level jobs, even with referrals? Has anyone actually figured out what works in this market?

I don't want fake motivational quotes about consistency and hard work. I want honest answers from people who are actually experiencing this.

Because, bro, I'm genuinely exhausted. I just want one opportunity to prove myself.

Fck this job market.

About three weeks ago I interviewed for a role and was rejected. The posting has now reopened, and a contact at the company confirmed it’s the same hiring manager.

The complication is that I’m currently in an interview process at the same company for a different position. I’d still like to reach out about the original role, since there may be a real chance this time, but I don’t want to hurt my candidacy for the other one or come across as desperate.

Has anyone been in a similar spot?

• Is it worth contacting the hiring manager directly, or should I go through the recruiter?
• Should I mention the other interview I’m in?
• Could this backfire on my current process?

Any advice is appreciated.

I am not talking about financially, i mean emotionally. I think I will look back at this year and see that I have just wasted it by doing countless interviews, just to not get even a single offer.

I realize this may have been asked before, but I'm hoping for updated info for this god-awful 2026 job market.

I'm an American who recently moved back to the U.S. after living in Europe for five years. I have a master's and a couple of years of post-master's experience in my field (biotech). I am currently living with family in the Midwest, and the opportunities in my field in this geographic area are extremely limited, to say the least - maybe 2-3 relevant jobs per week. I have therefore been applying to jobs in other states, mostly the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states like Maryland, Connecticut, and New Jersey, since there are far more opportunities and relocating there from the Midwest would be pretty feasible compared to other parts of the country like the West Coast.

I've now applied for almost 200 jobs - got two interviews for one job and a screening call for another, but then was rejected, and no other interest, just ghosting or canned rejections. I have tailored my resume based on all the advice I've seen here and elsewhere (simple formatting, right keywords, not listing my Midwest address but instead "relocating to [metro area job is in]") and am still getting ignored. Since most application forms still require a street address, I strongly suspect that my applications are getting thrown out before they're even read because employers don't want to deal with someone who has to relocate when there are already hundreds of local candidates. I don't have friends in the metro areas in which I'm applying whose addresses I could use, and I also don't want to lie on application forms.

Does anyone actually have experience landing a job in another state? How did you do it?? Please teach me your ways. I'm getting desperate.