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Applying for jobs is exhausting and soul-crushing
- Thread starter Moofers
- Start date
How do people work themselves out of a funk with job hunting? I've fortunately been able to secure a string of short-term freelance jobs over the past month so I put it on hold, but jumping back into it I'm finding myself having a terrible time keeping up energy and motivation.
Most challenging is I've kind of run out of places to apply and postings have slowed down a lot...
Most challenging is I've kind of run out of places to apply and postings have slowed down a lot...
Honestly, if there's one thing I've learned during my unemployment period, it's that you can only do so much at once. You have to find a balance between not doing too little but not doing too much. Too little and you get nothing done, too much and you get demotivated. When all is said and done there's only so many jobs you'll actually find in a day or a week.
It's the only way, personally, I've found I don't drive myself crazy.
Do you at least get more money?
+5k
I just learned last week my grandfather is terminally ill, and I've decided I'd like to be closer to him and the rest of my family in Atlanta.
So I just told my boss at the TV station I work for in Seattle I'd like to leave at the end of the month. I don't enjoy the job at all, in fact it's one of the worst I've ever had, but I still feel bad putting her in a tough spot.
I've decided to take a job in St. Louis instead (just a 1.5 hr flight away from Atlanta). It will roughly be a 25% pay cut - and it's obviously not Seattle which I hate leaving - but I had a great interview there, and a really close friend of mine works at this new place, which should make the transition easier.
I really hope I'm making the right move, but it's something I feel is for the best.
Now I just have to hope my boss lets me out of my contract. :
So I just told my boss at the TV station I work for in Seattle I'd like to leave at the end of the month. I don't enjoy the job at all, in fact it's one of the worst I've ever had, but I still feel bad putting her in a tough spot.
I've decided to take a job in St. Louis instead (just a 1.5 hr flight away from Atlanta). It will roughly be a 25% pay cut - and it's obviously not Seattle which I hate leaving - but I had a great interview there, and a really close friend of mine works at this new place, which should make the transition easier.
I really hope I'm making the right move, but it's something I feel is for the best.
Now I just have to hope my boss lets me out of my contract. :
Good advice above. I'll add to keep in mind that the end of the year is sometimes a slow hiring period for many companies and things may pick up in a few weeks.
So i'm just struggling trying to find a job at the moment and it's really killing me right now. I've graduated from school this summer with a degree with IT but most places want me to have years of experience. I've even applied to programming jobs only to be asked why didn't I major in computer science.
At the moment I've been interning at a local school which is better than nothing. But I'm starting to think that I'll have to look out of state for employment.
At the moment I've been interning at a local school which is better than nothing. But I'm starting to think that I'll have to look out of state for employment.
What area are you in? What kind of jobs are you looking for?
Holy shit, this sucks. A major tech company near Seattle wants me to come in tomorrow for an interview. I don't want to leave the area, and I had given up all hope of finding a job here after 6 months, but this is something I've really wanted.
But I've already verbally committed to the job in St. Louis (haven't signed anything yet) and that would be closer to my family... I think I will at least go tomorrow, but I'd feel like a piece of shit if I ended up backing out on this guy at the last minute.
But I've already verbally committed to the job in St. Louis (haven't signed anything yet) and that would be closer to my family... I think I will at least go tomorrow, but I'd feel like a piece of shit if I ended up backing out on this guy at the last minute.
FloppyDelux
Member
Go for the interview. Tell them that you've verbally committed to a job in St. Louis at the start, and if they still want to proceed with the interview let them.
( feel free not to take my advice)
meh it's for a full-time vendor gig at Microsoft. I used to work as a freelancer and I got tired of not having benefits. Not sure I want to go that route again. I would be working for 343 / Xbox though.
toadsworth
Banned
My interview is friday. I came down with some kinda fever yesterday... I knew this would happen. I better be feeling better by then.
nero2082
Member
343...don't miss that opportunity brah
Currently in North Miami , FL and I'm looking for either programming or general IT work.
NipplesAndToes23
Member
Everybody in here keep your head up. Everything's going to be alright.
FloppyDelux
Member
So the job that I interviewed for last friday, got re-posted on indeed, should I assume that I did not get it?
I quit my job because I got tired of being exploited. I started looking for another job before quitting but I just couldn't keep going and I valued more my happiness than the lousy salary they paid me. I knew being unemployed would be a disadvantage when looking for a job but I also knew I would be able to have excellent references (it was my only work experience).
Now I've been unemployed for 3 months and a half. I had a couple failed interviews and I'm currently waiting a confirmation for a job (I had two interviews and an evaluation), they should call me tomorrow or on Friday, if they don't I'm pretty sure it's because didn't get it.
If I don't get it I'm going to start panicking. Looking for a job with 4+ months or unemployment will be an uphill battle. At least I'm finishing my accounting degree which can give me an excuse for leaving my job to study.
PS: I don't live in the US.
Rant: I hate how we as applicants have to be perfect, but the HR people can treat us as shit.
When I was still working I waited for a month for a job confirmation before I realized they weren't going to call me. Then when I had already quit another company also didn't call me to tell me I wasn't going to continue in the process, it wasn't so bad because I wasn't waiting for them, but it's so disrespectful.
For this last job process, I want two times to the HR consulting firm that is doing the selection, and both times they had me waiting for 20-30 minutes (counting the 5-10 minutes I arrived early), when the interviewer greeted me she never apologized. Imagine the reverse situation.
I'm also so tired about all the talk about salary expectations, I have tried everything but there's no way, I always have to tell them how much I want, and salaries vary so much from company to company that I'm always afraid of saying too much or leaving money on the table. The same position can be paid 30% more in one company compared to another.
EDIT: To add to the explanation of my quitting (which I understand will seem crazy to many people here who are unemployed against their will) I still live with my parents, I have a good amount of money saved, and when I quit they had to pay me a bit more than 3 monthly salaries because of accumulated vacation days, overtime and other things.
Now I've been unemployed for 3 months and a half. I had a couple failed interviews and I'm currently waiting a confirmation for a job (I had two interviews and an evaluation), they should call me tomorrow or on Friday, if they don't I'm pretty sure it's because didn't get it.
If I don't get it I'm going to start panicking. Looking for a job with 4+ months or unemployment will be an uphill battle. At least I'm finishing my accounting degree which can give me an excuse for leaving my job to study.
PS: I don't live in the US.
Rant: I hate how we as applicants have to be perfect, but the HR people can treat us as shit.
When I was still working I waited for a month for a job confirmation before I realized they weren't going to call me. Then when I had already quit another company also didn't call me to tell me I wasn't going to continue in the process, it wasn't so bad because I wasn't waiting for them, but it's so disrespectful.
For this last job process, I want two times to the HR consulting firm that is doing the selection, and both times they had me waiting for 20-30 minutes (counting the 5-10 minutes I arrived early), when the interviewer greeted me she never apologized. Imagine the reverse situation.
I'm also so tired about all the talk about salary expectations, I have tried everything but there's no way, I always have to tell them how much I want, and salaries vary so much from company to company that I'm always afraid of saying too much or leaving money on the table. The same position can be paid 30% more in one company compared to another.
EDIT: To add to the explanation of my quitting (which I understand will seem crazy to many people here who are unemployed against their will) I still live with my parents, I have a good amount of money saved, and when I quit they had to pay me a bit more than 3 monthly salaries because of accumulated vacation days, overtime and other things.
I wouldn't assume anything. Depending on the company it's very possible that the hiring manager has nothing to do with posting jobs online.
Syphon Filter
Member
I got two interviews coming and one of them is a dream job. Dam that feeling when you want it so bad and it would hurt if I don't get it. It would change everything for me.
I feel you. Similar circumstances.
The whole thing of jobs wanting you to have a job while you get a job strikes me as insane.
So you are telling me, you want me to have a job, so I can pursue this job with you, meaning I am half assing my current job as I take time off to seemingly interview, spend all kinds of time looking at other jobs, not focusing on my current job, so I can impress you, which when you do want to hire me, most often you are like "wanna start right away?" AKA fuck that job! BAIL FOR US!
Its insane. Trying to get a job while you have a job is the worst shit ever. Fuck this system where jobs are our Gods.
Also the "what are you looking for in terms of salary?"
Is a bullshit trick, if you answer too high they think you are too big for your britches, just go ahead and tell me what you are offering and we will go from there.
Another interview tomorrow going on 6 months of unemployment. Although with the unemployment money coming in me and my wife have actually been comfortable since we never lived in excess to begin with.
Had a great revelation moment with the recruiter for this one.
Forget the honesty bullshit. Every interview I end up telling them I was fired when they asked why I left and "oh I learned very much from the experience." No more of that.
This time it was mostly the company's fault I wasn't a good fit anymore. Don't heap blame on them but disguising the truth will likely fare me 10 times better than giving an honest assessment. Here's to getting ahead in the capitalist world the best way how. Misplaced self-confidence and on all blame stuck on others.
Might as well make the post-truth world work for me as well.
Had a great revelation moment with the recruiter for this one.
Forget the honesty bullshit. Every interview I end up telling them I was fired when they asked why I left and "oh I learned very much from the experience." No more of that.
This time it was mostly the company's fault I wasn't a good fit anymore. Don't heap blame on them but disguising the truth will likely fare me 10 times better than giving an honest assessment. Here's to getting ahead in the capitalist world the best way how. Misplaced self-confidence and on all blame stuck on others.
Might as well make the post-truth world work for me as well.
Some unsolicited advice: Be EXTREMELY careful not to let a negative outlook show up during a job interview. Figure out the best way to describe your departure from your last company in super positive terms and rehearse the story so you're ready to tell it during interviews. You know this but just in case: never NEVER say you left a job because of some negative aspect. Job sucked, I was bored, manager was a jackwad, whatever. Negativity will sink almost every interview before it even starts.
I know that feel. Just had one of those interviews, and I'm currently interviewing someone I'm pretty sure feels the same way. Good luck man. Try to schedule the one you don't want as much first to use it as practice.
Hey peeps just wanted to come in and say that I got into the program. The program is called COOP. Thanks again to those of you that helped me with the interview question.
privitsan02
Member
Been stuck in unemployment for about 3 months since I finished classes and graduated a month ago. I've been looking hard, but I won't lie there are times I do get lazy, especially when I had the flu for almost 2 weeks.
The problem is that my family members are putting an insane amount of pressure, stress and panic in me by saying how fresh graduates are coming in soon and I'll be stuck doing odd-jobs if I don't find anything within IT or business in the next few months. The ironic part is that they literally just went through this unemployment phase for months themselves, but of course the difference being that I'm young and not as experienced.
Getting very fed up here. I just got better and applied at over 40 places over the past 3 days and I'm getting very demotivated. I've had one offer which I declined as I didn't like the pay and the job requirements and a couple of dead ends and now I wish I took that offer. I know people are unemployed for longer periods of times, but as a graduate, I can't even enjoy my newfound free time without feeling guilty, especially when the majority of my friends are still at school and working part-time themselves.
Anyone have any helpful tips to stay motivated and calm during this time of heavy pressure?
Best wishes and good luck to the others.
The problem is that my family members are putting an insane amount of pressure, stress and panic in me by saying how fresh graduates are coming in soon and I'll be stuck doing odd-jobs if I don't find anything within IT or business in the next few months. The ironic part is that they literally just went through this unemployment phase for months themselves, but of course the difference being that I'm young and not as experienced.
Getting very fed up here. I just got better and applied at over 40 places over the past 3 days and I'm getting very demotivated. I've had one offer which I declined as I didn't like the pay and the job requirements and a couple of dead ends and now I wish I took that offer. I know people are unemployed for longer periods of times, but as a graduate, I can't even enjoy my newfound free time without feeling guilty, especially when the majority of my friends are still at school and working part-time themselves.
Anyone have any helpful tips to stay motivated and calm during this time of heavy pressure?
Best wishes and good luck to the others.
Try joining a gym.
lol yeah exactly, and one thing that I didn't know how to react to is when they call you when you are working, if you don't answer or tell them you are busy they'll probably won't like it, but if you spend 10-15 minutes talking to them it shows a lack of work ethics. I had to run out of the office each time someone called me, it wouldn't take a genius to figure out what was going on.
I have tried asking them what range were they considering, no luck. I have tried telling them that money isn't my main concern and that if the salary is according to the responsibilities then it won't be a problem, but they just insist saying they need to know so we won't waste our time.
If they really cared about not wasting our time, they would say the range they are considering (a few companies do it and include a range on the job posting), but they really want to have all the power on the negotiation.
I couldn't stand one of my supervisors, but obviously I'm not so clueless that I would tell them that lol I had thought about being honest and saying some very reasonable things like the fact that I had responsibilities way above my paygrade, but there just isn't any advantage in telling them that and it will probably have negative repercussions.
I just tell them that I liked working there and I learned and grew a lot working there, but that I felt it was time for a change because I wasn't growing as a professional and I also wanted to change sectors within the industry. Which is all true.
Pimplitosaurio
Member
Tomorrow is the last day of my current job. The company will be on vacation until january and they won't negotiate extensions or anything until the next year, so yeah, I've got a vacation without pay and without a guaranteed job next year. Meanwhile, I've still got bills to pay. Happy Christmas to me!
Time to talk to some of my older bosses, maybe they can find something fast, but I won't stop looking for jobs, but I know that no company is going to give me an interview the next two weeks
Time to talk to some of my older bosses, maybe they can find something fast, but I won't stop looking for jobs, but I know that no company is going to give me an interview the next two weeks
entremet
Member
Balance is the key.
Don't tie your identity to your job or job hunt. Do other things--have fun, hang out with friends, work out. That will give you the motivation.
As someone who went through long term unemployment/underemployment ages ago, I only got better and developed more motivation when I started to pursue more balance in my life.
Also change strategies. Don't just dump applications. Network. Join online groups. Heck, consider a part time job. Volunteer. Maybe start a side hustle.
But you don't want to stay in that rut of sending applications from your computer.
Avinexus
Member
They seem to respond well if you say something about calling them back later or on your lunch break because you don't want to talk to them about their job while on your current companies dime.
Got an email today from a company I applied to requesting to look at my online portfolio, but I am still under an NDA from my freelance work so all I can show them right now is school work which isn't polished. I doubt it will get me a job, but I might as well take a shot.
I just keep hitting one obstacle after another in my job hunt.
I just keep hitting one obstacle after another in my job hunt.
Polish some stuff up then. How would you expect to get a job if you can't show any of your actual work?
Also: Ask the company you have an NDA with if you can get an exemption for an interview.
I had always planned on it. I just don't know how much time I have to prepare anything before this company starts looking elsewhere.
I only have 1 freelance project under my belt since I'm a recent grad. It's technically still being worked on by others, it's just my portion of it that was finished and will be iterated over by them so none of my work will be there in the end, just my ideas.
The interview went fine! We basically just chatted for an hour about games.
Afterward, I emailed the manager and explained the situation I have going on with quitting my current job and the offer I have in St. Louis, and that I'll need to make a decision in the next 4 weeks. She immediately thanked me for the transparency and asked if I can come back and meet with someone else on her team tomorrow!
I'll get to wear my other tie! lol
EDIT: Oh wow! The guy I'm meeting with tomorrow edited a ton of Forza trailers!
NeOak
Member
toadsworth
Banned
So the flight that they paid for got delayed and I can no longer make it to the interview. I emailed them as soon as I got home but they haven't responded. My interview would have been in 7 minutes... Fuck this sucks.
privitsan02
Member
I've been away from the gym since I had an arm injury this past spring but I plan to go back soon.
Thanks, really appreciate the input. I do hang out with more family friends lately as they judge me far less (given we all grew up together) than my usual group of friends during university. It's almost condescending in the manner they point out how I'm still looking for a job while they finished a semester and it's becoming irritating, which is why I don't bother with them too much. My other circle of friends have been busy with school too, so its a weird situation where I got out too early.
I've widen my search for more part-time jobs, and might consider volunteer work soon as well. Been doing some side projects with some friends but had to put that on hold. Honestly with my family putting more pressure lately, it's been hard to have fun while even gaming because it's on the back of my mind constantly. Just got 3 rejections in the past hour, but I'm happy to take those than no responses at all.
That being said, yeah. I'm planning on going out a bit more now, just wish my family would stay off my back regarding this.
Best wishes.
lol I came back yesterday from an interview like that.
I better lower my expectations
I've had a similar interview once before and I ended up getting the position so it depends on the level of competitiveness. This was for a single position at a big company for which they received 1000+ applications. My profession is not the greatest to be in where I live (at least if you're inexperienced like me).
NeOak
Member
They had two openings, but I have no idea how many people have interviewed lol.
I say it because I bombed the quiz they gave me (I studied more advanced stuff in the day or so I had) and everyone reassured me it wasn't really important. As in it seemed like they got the impression I was too worried about it affecting my chances (when it was just a matter of pride because I had forgotten those things)
Another was when the boss of the manager that got me there questioned me that he was worried I couldn't keep up with the industry. I ended up defending myself, and I am worried I was too aggressive in my defense.
Too bad because I did like what they work on.
Meh, onwards to keep applying. I guess I have time to make that Maker/IoT thread I've been working on.
entremet
Member
Your family is just concerned. They just don't know how to communicate it without you feeling they're being antagonistic.
Are you talking about your job search with them?
NeOak
Member
privitsan02
Member
Not always, but when I do, I feel like there's an air of panic. It also doesn't help that those who have been through this in my family stopped being supportive so quickly. Their commentary of how unsuccessful my job search has been over the past 3 months is just fueling more fire to my parents, who are getting extremely panicky and afraid of my future. This in returns makes me feel like absolute crap and really demotivates me from doing anything due to the lack of support.
I'm not entirely sure about how I should communicate this with them, especially given how they've been pretty distant with me over the past few weeks. I'm just hoping I get some new calls soon after the insane amount of applications I've sent out this week. I feel like that would get them off of my back for a little bit. I hate that line of thinking personally.
FloppyDelux
Member
thanks for the info!
__________________
Also has anyone scheduled a had a phone interview with someone, but the person never called at the time they were suppose to?
Friend of my sister's who works at a company I applied for was supposed to meet with me two weeks ago and never got back to me (12 days to be exact). Only just responded saying she forgot because of "fire drills" and wants to setup a meeting now, lol.
I haven't heard back about the job anyway so I'm not super impressed or interested at this point... How are people so unprofessional?
I haven't heard back about the job anyway so I'm not super impressed or interested at this point... How are people so unprofessional?
NeOak
Member
What did you get? Next time you could ask whoever will cut your hair about what would be a professional look, and see.
It's December. Most people are rushing to finish things for the year and be able to get out on vacations.