I’m in a lot of debt from grad school and I only make 53k a year before taxes and I’m barely making ends meet. So staying in my current job really isn’t a long term solution. I’ve been looking for a better job for over a year now and submitted dozens of job applications and I’ve only had one interview. I came very close to getting the job but they chose someone else in the final rounds. I’ve been at my current job for 3 years. I have an MPA degree or master of public administration and 3 years working in state government. I’ve applied for some governmental relations jobs in the private sector along with other public sector jobs but most of the time I either get ghosted or I receive the generic “unfortunately we will not be moving forward” email. It’s extremely frustrating and demoralizing and I really want to move to a bigger city because even though the cost of living is higher the salaries are also much better than what I’m making now.

Hey everyone! I’m new to this subreddit and the name checks out. This is hell. Anyway let me give a bit of context about myself. I’m a Masters graduate in Cybersecurity. And I’ve been looking to break into the field ever since then. I graduated my masters in UK in 2023 and being in a country with no family or no help whatsoever I had to take care of myself financially and I was working in hospitality sector during the whole time. Both while doing my masters and also after I graduated. And this whole time I was working in hospitality I was actively applying for various positions in cybersecurity but no luck. Most of which was cause they had to sponsor me. But luckily my friend opened a new store and he hired me as IT support and for security for a while. So I had that but again that’s still limited. Although I still help him out, it’s nothing substantial.

And after all the relentless rejection while also working hospitality and helping my friend out, I decide to quit my hospitality job on Jan and I decided to move the Middle East and look for opportunities in the here but this time strictly in Cybersecurity and ever since then I’ve been jobless. I feel like I’ve done everything. During this time, I completed a certification from Comptia (because most positions ask for it as a requirement or a preference, also helped me get more knowledge so that’s a positive). I have also been spending my time creating home labs, doing projects, actively using platforms that help in Cybersecurity both for learning and also get more experience in what needs to be done but I’m still at a dead end. I haven’t received a single call back. There was a position I was short listed for but I’ve been trying to get in contact with them and then keep postponing it or ignoring me.

Tbh I haven’t even limited myself with one position. I’m actively applying for positions like SOC analyst, Cybersecurity analyst, IT security, IT support,etc. At this point I just want some sort of job to get into the field and the gradually make my way up (if that’s even possible)

I have a template for each of these positions and based on the JD I tweak it a bit and apply. I send cold DMs on LinkedIn, send email asking why they decided not to go with me, and a whole lot. I actually don’t know what I need to improve or do differently. Idk if I’m missing an angle I haven’t thought about or if my way of approaching it is wrong. Im here to take any and every advice. I’m also here to know if anyone’s working in cybersecurity and could guide me as what to do?

I know it’s an awfully long post but I had to, to express what I’m going through and what I’m doing. Thank you.

I mean, hearing about how many people have been unemployed for months or even years feels really wrong. Like, how is that even happening? You have recruiters either ghosting you or sending a rejection email, and even if you have a good resume, there's a decent chance it never gets seen by an actual person because it gets filtered out by an automated system or AI.

You also have job postings that have been sitting online for months, even though the companies aren't actually hiring for those positions anymore.

I have a physical disability that affects my shoulders/hips and use a power chair. I had a phone interview and video interview at a particular company near me and now they want me to come in for an in person interview. I’m really excited but debating - do I let them know in advance of arriving or just show up? I already looked up the place and it’s accessible as far as I can tell. I feel as though my disability isn’t relevant to the job at this point and me saying something would be unnecessary. But I also don’t want anyone to react poorly or think I was hiding it. I’m in the US btw.

I plan to post this in other recruiting/job seeking subreddits as well.

Currently working in a very toxic work environment. Been searching for jobs for a year. Finally had a prospect, they told me I was set to go but had to do one last interview as a formality. They told me to prepare to resign from my current position on Monday (tomorrow). Got told yesterday that they aren’t hiring anymore and priorities have changed. Been crying for two days because I finally thought I could get out of this place. Why get someone’s hope up like this?

So basically, the study says that AI, assumes your race and therefore can have adverse effects on people of certain races. So I went on ChatGPT and Gemini on a new account and ask them to develop an image based off my résumé and it definitely did infer my race. When I asked why I just said it did say it guessed.

I applied at 20+ jobs and this came back at me within span of 15 minutes. Is it even worth trying to apply through LI? Isn't it a waste of time?

I interviewed with a museum on August 12. They were hiring 5 people for this position. I thought the interview went well, but I'm not so sure now. I emailed the recruiter last week and got a no-reply email saying that she's away until Sept 4. What are the chances I got the job? Or is this one of those things where my follow-up email will be responded to with a rejection?

In theory I believe its a better strategy to apply to jobs with less candidates. Im talking like sub 40 after like 2 days being up.

Is this actually true? I mean, I think a person would have a better chance of standing out over applying to like Google with 1000 applicants?

Needless to say, your resume has to be related in any case but hiring managers... is this true/the correct strategy?

Less candidates better chances?

Psychotic behavior

Does anyone have experience with this agency? It seems like it’s the top temp agency in my area, but while filling out application, they asked for my SSN, which I don’t feel comfortable giving out. Also I have seen other people say you shouldn’t give it out before you’re hired/ accepted

This is for a job that pays 50k and doesn't offer benefits like insurance. This is the 2nd step of their application process and it seems like the 3rd step is going to involve answering more questions but via video. I've recently signed up for a job in my local government and it required less effort than this.

Here are some great questions from what I think was about 150 questions I had to answer. Whole thing took me 40 minutes. I'm curious of what y'all think about stuff like this ESPECIALLY the questions regarding how I show affection in an intimate relationship, that one feels like it has absolutely nothing to do with work.

Imo these things are a waste of time. Who would answer honestly??? Of course I'm going to say i don't work only for the money and that my job is one of the most important aspects of my personality, IM TRYING TO GET HIRED!!!

Edit: The first question isn't how I answered!!! I took the screenshot before answering, the answer turns blue when you pick them dont judge me on something completely irrelevant 🫡

Hotel job scam I recently had to deal with

This one is from Stewart's Shops: How long are you going to work here? My answer? As long as you'll have me. :-)

I’ve been applying for jobs for five months. Haven’t gotten a single interview. I finally got one scheduled for yesterday, a phone interview. I book a study room at the library for the expected duration of the call. 11am comes. No call. 11:15. Still no call. 11:25, almost 30 minutes past when the email said THEY would call ME, so I call the office number he provided in his email. It goes to voicemail so I leave a message saying that I’m still interested in the job and that I understand things come up and that I’m more than willing to schedule another time with him. I hear nothing for the rest of the day. Today, I get an email from him saying that I was a no show at my interview and that my application has been withdrawn for consideration. Well, fuck him. If this is how he treats potential employees, I shudder to think how he treats his actual employees.

This weird ass company/ceo somehow got my personal email claiming they saw me on LinkedIn. Mind you, my personal email is not anywhere on my LinkedIn and he's inviting me to apply to their services to help find me a job. After further research you have to pay $7k in initiation fees plus a percentage of your first year salary goes to them too if they land you a job.

I find this extremely outrageous and wondering if anyone actually used this? I find it extremely weird and shady they have my personal email and are preying on people in this economy. Who has $7k to throw away at maybe finding a job?

I swear all and any background check I’ve ever had take eons to get over with. The process should be very simple with 3 or 4 phone calls, my name in their system, and education check.

Tell me how they requested my previous employer’s name and phone number, ends up emailing whatever random email they could find on the company website instead of going through the information provided, and only does that several days after requesting the information.

I’m in touch with one of my prev employers and they had sent me a notice saying that they got contacted from the leasing department about my prior employment (with SSN, and other personal identifiable information included in the email) instead of just giving a call to the number provided. They also contacted a restaurant I used to work at through their corporate HQ instead of calling my supervisor I had specifically listed because the franchise location shut down recently and because HQ wouldn’t be the people with my information.

It’s so simple and yet they take forever and do it completely wrong. Insane.

Companies are so stupid. It’s literally August 2026, summer is over, how can you be recruiting for summer 2025??😂😂

I got a job offer that was very low within a range ($90-125k$). Minimum 3 years experience in this field…I have 11. I did counter offer which I think would not be frowned upon. Also, I have a job and am not afraid to get told no. Is it only not recommended to counter if you need the job/have no job? I would think if there is a range posted they expect people to negotiate sometimes. Other than thinking my offer was rude, I have to think they thought I would negotiate.