Learned the hard way: never use your real number for job apps or marketplaces
Not sure who needs to hear this, but if you’re applying for jobs right now, just don’t use your real phone number.
I learned this the hard way.
I was job hunting and applied to a ton of roles online. LinkedIn, job boards, random company sites and I used my actual number on every application because that’s just what you’re supposed to do.
At first, nothing seemed wrong. Then a couple weeks later, my phone started blowing up.
Random calls from “recruiters” that clearly hadn’t even looked at my resume. Missed calls every day. Voicemails with vague job offers that sounded sketchy. Texts asking me to “confirm interest” in jobs I never applied for. Some calls kept coming even after I stopped job hunting.
That’s when I realized my number had basically been passed around.
Once your phone number is out there, you can’t take it back. It just keeps circulating.
I think having a temporary / second number is a must nowadays! You can use apps like TextNow, Temphone, Burner,…
If a company is legit and I actually move forward in the process, I can always share my real number later. If not, I just get rid of the temp number and move on.
Way less stress, way fewer spam calls, and I don’t dread answering my phone anymore.
Wish I knew this before I started applying. Curious if anyone else does this or learned the same lesson the hard way.
Jobadvisor
This is incredibly solid advice, and honestly, more people need to hear it—especially at 25 when you're likely applying to more roles than at any other point in your life.
The "blown up phone" isn't just a nuisance; it’s a security risk. Your phone number is a "primary key" for your identity. Scammers use it to find your social media, your home address, and even attempt to bypass two-factor authentication on your bank accounts.
Since you are heading to Japan in two months, this is the perfect time to "sanitize" your digital footprint.
Why This is Extra Important for You Right Now
The "Japan Clean Slate": You don't want to be in Tokyo or Osaka trying to enjoy your trip while getting spam calls at 3:00 AM from a "recruiter" in a different time zone.
Narrative Design/Tech Applications: In the tech and gaming world, your data is more likely to be scraped from job boards. High-tech industries are prime targets for sophisticated phishing.
Better Alternatives for Your "Clean" Job Search
If you decide to restart your job hunt after your Japan trip, here are the most reliable ways to keep your real number private:
| Tool | Best For... | Cost |
| Google Voice | A permanent second line that feels professional and has great spam filtering. | Free (US) |
| TextNow / 2ndLine | Quick, free numbers you can use over Wi-Fi (great for when you're abroad). | Free (Ad-supported) |
| Burner / Hushed | Temporary, "disposable" numbers for high-volume applying. | Paid (Subscription) |
| Local Japanese SIM | Essential for your trip. Apps like Mobal or Sakura Mobile provide numbers that help with local services. | Varies |
One More "Pro Tip" for Your CV
Since you’re already protecting your phone number, consider doing the same for your Email and Address:
Email: Use a dedicated
Name.Jobs@email.comso your personal inbox doesn't get buried in automated rejection (or spam) emails.Address: Never put your full street address on a public resume. "City, Country" is enough for the initial stage.
What certificates should I get if I want to find better jobs in NYC?
I’ve been working fast food for almost 4 years and I think it’s about time I find a new job. To summarize it best as I could, I have no college experience, only had one certificate for helping people with disabilities (didn’t land a job for that), I plan to get a food handlers certificate (been studying and using the sources posted on Reddit) for a potential bartender job, and I landed in a photography spot with zero experience in photography, but also watching videos to help me understand it. I’m not sure what exactly I want to pursue, but I do anything to help myself get a better paying job. I was thinking of perhaps something in acting, music, maybe even IT/software/graphics development could be interesting, but I hear you need to take classes and have to pay for it and what not. I so far have “quitted” my main job but if nothing goes well I may have to return or try my luck finding a new job but the market is kinda hard. Any suggestions, perhaps where I can look into?
Jobadvisor
Moving from fast food to a new career in a city like New York is a huge step, but you are actually in a great position because NYC has more free career resources than almost any other city in the world. Since you are open to different paths, here is a breakdown of certificates that lead to better-paying jobs, specifically focused on options that are free or low-cost.
1. The "Safety Net" (Immediate Income Boost)
If you need a better-paying job while you figure out your long-term career, focus on the service industry.
NYC Food Protection Certificate: You are already on the right track here. This is essential for any management or lead role in food service (which pays more than basic crew).
Alcohol Training (ATAP): If you want to bartend, getting an "Awareness Program" certificate shows bars you are serious about legal compliance.
Security Guard License: NYC always needs security. The 8-hour and 16-hour pre-assignment courses are relatively cheap and can land you a job in a week.
2. Information Technology (IT) & Software
You mentioned IT/Software but were worried about the cost of classes. Do not pay for these out of pocket yet.
Per Scholas: This is a legendary NYC-based non-profit. They offer 100% free IT training (CompTIA A+, Cybersecurity, etc.) and even help you find a job. It is rigorous, but it's the gold standard for breaking into tech without a degree.
Google Career Certificates: Available via Coursera. New York residents can often get these for free through the
NYS Department of Labor
3. Creative & Digital Arts
Since you already have a foot in the door with a photography spot, lean into that.
Adobe Certified Professional: If you want to get into graphics, getting certified in Photoshop or Illustrator is huge. You can learn the skills for free on YouTube (look for "Piximperfect") and then just pay for the exam.
Media & Entertainment (MOME): The NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment often runs programs like "Made in NY" for production assistants. It’s a great way to get onto film sets (acting/music-adjacent).
4. Where to Find Free Training in NYC
Instead of searching Google at large, look at these specific NYC-funded hubs:
NYC SBS (Small Business Services): They offer "Workforce1" centers across the five boroughs. They provide free training for "high-growth" jobs in healthcare, tech, and construction.
SUNY Reconnect: If you are between 25–55, SUNY is currently offering free tuition for high-demand certificates at community colleges for NY residents without degrees.
Comparison of Paths
| Career Path | Top Certificate | Cost in NYC | Avg. Entry Pay |
| IT Support | CompTIA A+ | Free (via Per Scholas) | $50k – $60k |
| Bartending | Food Handlers + ATAP | ~$150 total | $40k – $80k (with tips) |
| Production/Film | "Made in NY" PA Training | Free | $200 – $300 / day |
| Graphics | Adobe Certified | Exam fee (~$150) | $45k – $55k |
A Note on Acting/Music: These are "gig" industries. In NYC, these aren't usually found through certificates but through auditioning and networking. Use a better-paying "day job" (like IT or high-end service) to fund your headshots and acting classes at places like HB Studio (which is affordable).
Job posting changed from $70k salary to $28/h after I applied.
Exactly what the title says. I really want this job. and I also really want out of my current fuckass underpaid job with zero perks or benefits...
I applied two weeks ago, and yesterday when preparing for my phone interview, I noticed the change. Today, during said phone interview, they asked what I'm looking for in terms of compensation, and they brought up that the job posting is listed at $25-$28/h. I told her respectfully I'm looking for at least $65k-$70k considering that that's what the salary was posted at when I applied. They confirmed that they would make a note of that on my application, but that they were really looking to fill the position at $28 an hour. They also confirmed it's a full-time position, 9:30-6PM every week day.
Anyway, I got a second-round, in-person interview booked. How do I approach this situation now? Is it even legal for them to switch up like that? And genuinely, what is the point of switching from salary to hourly if I'm expected there full-time? What benefit is it to them, if I'm working 40 hours a week regardless? Someone please clue me in.
Jobadvisor
It is incredibly frustrating to feel like you finally found an escape from a "fuckass" job only to have the goalposts moved. This is a classic NYC hiring tactic, but you actually have some legal leverage here thanks to New York’s strict transparency laws.
Here is the breakdown of why they are doing this, the legality of it, and how to handle your in-person interview.
1. Is this legal? (The "Bait and Switch")
In NYC, the Salary Transparency Law requires employers to post a "good faith" salary range.
The Violation: If they knew when they posted the $70k salary that they only intended to pay $28/hr (which is about $58,240 a year), they violated the "good faith" requirement.
The Loophole: Employers can claim "market conditions changed" or "the role's scope was revised" between the posting date and the interview. However, switching the pay mid-process is a massive red flag regarding their culture.
Your Move: You can technically report this to the NYC Commission on Human Rights, but doing so now will likely end your candidacy. Save this as a "scorched earth" option if you don't get the job or decide you hate them.
2. Why switch from Salary to Hourly?
Even if the hours are the same (9:30–6:00), the benefit to them is almost always about benefits and liability:
Cutting Benefits: In many companies, "Hourly" workers are classified as "Non-Exempt." This often allows them to offer a different (cheaper) benefits package than what "Exempt" (salaried) employees get.
Avoidance of "Wage Theft" Claims: New York recently increased the minimum salary a worker must earn to be "Exempt" from overtime. If the job doesn't meet specific "executive or professional" duties, they legally must pay you hourly to avoid getting sued for unpaid overtime later.
Flexibility to Cut: If business gets slow, it is much easier to tell an hourly worker "don't come in until 12:00 tomorrow" (and not pay them for those hours) than it is to dock a salaried person's pay.
3. How to approach the In-Person Interview
Since you have a second round, they clearly like your profile. You need to pivot the conversation from "what they want to pay" to "what the role is worth."
The Negotiation Script:
"I’m very excited about the role and the team. However, I want to be transparent: I applied based on the $70k salary range, which aligned with my experience and the cost of living in the city. The current $28/hr rate is a ~17% decrease from that. Can we discuss how we can bridge that gap—perhaps through a performance review in 90 days or a sign-on bonus?"
Questions to ask them:
"Is this role eligible for overtime?" If it’s 9:30–6:00 with a 30-minute lunch, that’s 40 hours. If you work even 15 minutes over, at $28/hr, they must pay you $42/hr for that time.
"Does the change to hourly affect the benefits package (Health, 401k, PTO)?" This is the most important question. If $28/hr comes with zero benefits, it's actually a much lower offer than it looks.
4. The "NYC Math" Check
Don't let them trick you with the hourly rate.
$28/hr at 40 hours/week = $58,240/year.
$70,000/year = ~$33.65/hr.
They are asking you to take a $12,000 pay cut before you’ve even started.
My Advice: Go to the interview for the practice and the "inside look," but keep your guard up. If they are willing to bait-and-switch you on the salary before you even work there, they will likely be difficult to deal with regarding raises or time off later.