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70 applications. Zero responses. Is the market actually broken or am I doing something wrong?
Hey everyone!
So I just graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a degree in Business Administration. Should feel like a win, right? And honestly, for a minute it did
Here's my situation though. While I was studying, I worked for my uncle's small logistics company for about a year. Full-time hours, real responsibilities coordinating shipments, managing vendor relationships, the works. Actual experience. The kind of stuff that's supposed to give you a leg up
The catch? He paid me next to nothing. Like, embarrassingly little. I stuck it out because I told myself the experience was worth it. And maybe it was. But the second I had my diploma in hand, I was done. I'm not working for pennies with a degree, sorry. Some things aren't negotiable
So I quit. Started applying immediately
That was 70 applications ago
SEVENTY. ZERO RESPONSES
Not a rejection. Not a "we'll keep your resume on file." Not even an automated "thanks for applying" that actually means something. Nothing
And now I'm starting to lose track of what I even applied for. I've got a spreadsheet that I started keeping but inconsistently, because I didn't think I'd need to track this many. Now I genuinely can't remember if I applied to certain companies or not. Which means I'm probably double-applying to some and completely missing follow-up windows on others
I've done what I thought you were supposed to do: Rewrote my resume twice. Tailored cover letters (at least for the first 30 or so, then honestly... I started slipping). Responded promptly to any confirmation emails. Applied to a mix of big companies and smaller firms
And still. Nothing.
Is the market actually this bad right now, or is something fundamentally wrong with my approach? Because I genuinely can't tell anymore. I've been staring at my own resume so long it doesn't even look real
What I actually want to know:
Where do you find advice that isn't garbage?
Every article I read says the same five things. "Network!" Cool, with who? I'm 22 and my biggest professional connection is an uncle who paid me in exposure. "Tailor your resume!" I did. "Follow up!" Follow up on what - the void?
If you've been through this and actually came out the other side with a job, I'd genuinely love to know what changed for you. Not the generic stuff. The real thing that actually moved the needle
Because right now this feels less like a job search and more like shouting into a black hole and hoping something shouts back
Jobadvisor
First off, take a breath. You are not "doing it wrong" in the sense of being incompetent. You are navigating a 2026 job market that is, by almost every statistical metric, functionally broken for entry-level graduates.
The "advantage" a college degree used to provide in speed-to-hire has effectively vanished this year.
1. The "Ghosting" Reality of 2026
You aren't imagining the silence. In 2026, roughly 70% of employers have shifted to "skills-based hiring," which sounds good but actually means they’ve cranked their Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to be hyper-aggressive.
The Problem: If your resume doesn't have the exact "evidence-based" phrasing they want (e.g., "managed $50k in vendor contracts" vs. "managed vendor relationships"), the system auto-archives you before a human ever sees your name.
The Solution: Stop the "spray and pray." In this market, 10 targeted applications with high-density keywords outperform 100 generic ones.
2. Leverage the "Uncle" Experience (The Right Way)
You mentioned you worked for "pennies." In the corporate world, they don't know what your paycheck was—and they don't care. They only care about the impact. * Rebrand that role: Do not list it as "Intern" or "Helper." Use a title like Operations & Logistics Coordinator.
Quantify the Chaos: You coordinated shipments. How many? Did you reduce shipping delays? Did you negotiate a vendor rate down by 5%?
The "Proof Story": Since you lack a massive network, your "proof stories" are your currency. Prepare two stories from that logistics job using the What/How/Impact format.
Example: "Reduced late arrivals by 12% (Impact) by implementing a new digital tracking sheet (How) for 50+ weekly shipments (What)."
3. Where to Find Advice That Isn't Garbage
The "Network!" advice is annoying because it's vague. Here is the 2026 version of networking for someone with "zero connections":
The "Second-Degree" Search: Don't message CEOs. Go to LinkedIn, search for UNC Chapel Hill Alumni, and filter by people who graduated 2–3 years ago (Class of '23 or '24). They remember the struggle. Ask them: "I’m a recent UNC grad looking into [Company]. How did you navigate the ATS there?" * Industry-Specific Boards: General boards like Indeed are currently "black holes" for Business Admin roles. Look at niche logistics or supply chain boards (like CSCMP or local NC trade groups). The competition is 90% lower there.
4. Immediate Tactical Changes
If you want to move the needle this week, do these three things:
| Action | Why it works |
| Kill the Multi-Column Resume | 2026 ATS scanners often scramble multi-column layouts. Use a boring, single-column, left-aligned .docx file. |
| The 15-Second Test | Move your "Skills" and "Impact" to the top third of the page. Recruiters in this market spend less than 6 seconds on a first pass. |
| Fix Your Spreadsheet | Use a tool like Teal or a simple Notion template. If you can't track follow-ups, you're losing 50% of your potential leads. |
A Final Reality Check
The average job search for the Class of 2026 is currently projected to take 4 to 5 months. You are not failing; you are mid-process. Quitting the "pennies" job was a move for your self-worth, but now you have to treat the job search like a 9-to-5.
Guy demanded a tip from my client for driving far.
I’m in home remodeling, I go to folk’s homes to do consultations every day. Today was an interesting day as I was speaking to a woman who had just moved into her brand new home not even a week ago. While we were talking she was taking plenty of phone calls from various companies since she’s still getting everything delivered. Fair enough! Moving into a new home can be beyond stressful with lots of moving parts.
Then *he* came. Was an Uber delivery driver who was bringing something she purchased from Home Depot. When he got to the door he immediately got aggressive with my client saying “you have any idea how far I had to drive to deliver this? I want a big tip.” She and I were speechless and just looked at each other. This guy was not only incredibly rude, but he didn’t even bring the item to the door with him which my client noticed and asked where her stuff is. He said “either give me a good tip or I’m returning the items.” Thankfully she was just like OKAY! and slammed the door on him but the audacity of that guy!
I get gas prices are high, I get it’s tough out there but trying to demand she gives you more money than already agreed to at her own home while holding her stuff hostage is beyond ridiculous.
Jobadvisor
That is absolutely wild. There’s a massive difference between "tipping culture is getting out of hand" and "literal door-to-door extortion."
As someone in home remodeling, you know better than anyone that when you’re at a client’s house, you are a guest first and a professional second. To have someone show up at a person's brand new home—a place where they should feel safest—and start barking demands while holding their property hostage? That’s not just "bad service," that’s a security concern.
Why this was especially stupid on his part:
Home Depot "Direct" Deliveries: When a customer orders through Home Depot and they dispatch it via Uber/DoorDash, the driver is often paid a flat corporate rate that is higher than a standard burrito run. He knew the mileage before he hit "Accept."
The "Hostage" Tactic: Threatened to return the items? Most of these apps track the driver’s GPS. If he’s standing at the front door and then marks it as "undeliverable" or "return to store" after a verbal altercation, he’s basically begging to be deactivated from the platform.
The Timing: Your client is in the "stress-peak" of a move. She’s likely spending thousands on your remodeling services, furniture, and utilities. The last thing she needs is a shakedown for $10 over a box of light fixtures.
Good for her for slamming the door
Honestly, that was the power move. "Okay, go ahead and return it" is the only way to handle a bully. If she gives in, he knows he can do it to the next person. Plus, Home Depot’s customer service is usually pretty robust—if she calls them and says their delivery driver was aggressive and tried to extort her at her front door, that guy is going to have a very bad Tuesday.
Should I report my new manager for spreading a rumor about me being Transgender?
Hey reddit!
im a first time poster but something happened today at work and I dont know if I should report it or just let it go...
I just started at a new store after getting transferred. today was my 2nd shift.
when I walked in today I had 2 employees approach me and ask if I was Transgender. I am not. I literally was doing dishes and a guy I haven't even been introduced to asked me if I was male to female or female to male. I was so confused. an hour or so later I get asked by a different guy I haven't actually met yet if im trans...
after asking around it turns out that the day manager is the one who started the rumor. I have had ONE interaction with this woman and it was to get help clocking in. I mentioned ABSOLUTELY nothing about my sexuality! she is telling people that we had a whole talk about it.
im only 3 weeks at this company and 2 shifts at this new store...
I've never had anything like this happen and im not sure what to do...
any advice would be appreciated!
(sorry nothing is capitalized or if there are any mistakes its late and I have a migraine)
Jobadvisor
I am so sorry you’re dealing with this. Having a migraine is bad enough, but having your privacy (and a fake version of your life) turned into a water-cooler topic on your **second day** is a nightmare.
To answer your question directly: **Yes, you should report this.** This isn't just a "misunderstanding" or a "chatty manager." In the professional world, this is a textbook example of a **hostile work environment** and **harassment**. Here is the reality of why you need to move on this quickly, especially as a new transfer.
## 1. Why You Can't "Let This Go"
If a manager is comfortable lying to your coworkers about a deeply personal (and fabricated) conversation on day two, she is showing you exactly how she operates.
* **The Power Dynamic:** She is your superior. By spreading rumors, she is signaling to the rest of the staff that it’s okay to interrogate you about your body or gender identity.
* **Safety & Harassment:** As you saw, her comments immediately led to two men approaching you with inappropriate questions while you were just trying to do dishes. That is a massive failure of her duty to keep you safe at work.
* **Defamation of Character:** She isn't just saying you're trans; she's lying and saying you *told* her you were. She is creating a false narrative to undermine your credibility before you even know where the breakroom is.
## 2. How to Report (The Paper Trail)
Since you are only three weeks in, you might feel "disposable," but the law and most corporate policies protect you from this exact behavior. Do not just have a "chat" with HR; create a record.
* **Document the "Who/When/Where":** Write down the names of the two guys who approached you and exactly what they said. Note the time.
* **Identify the Source:** If the coworkers told you, "The manager said X," write that down.
* **The Email to HR/Employee Relations:** Send a formal email. This is your shield.
> "I am writing to formally report an incident regarding Manager [Name]. On [Date], I was approached by two different employees asking about my gender identity. I was informed by staff that Manager [Name] has been telling employees that she and I had a private conversation where I disclosed I was transgender. This conversation never happened. This has created an immediate hostile environment where I am being questioned about my personal life by strangers."
## 3. Addressing the "Not Trans" Aspect
While you aren't transgender, the manager’s behavior is still a violation of **Title VII** (in the US) and most company EEO policies. Harassment based on *perceived* gender identity or sexual orientation is just as reportable as harassment based on actual identity.
A Final Reality Check
You might worry that reporting will make you "that employee" who causes trouble. **The manager caused the trouble.** By reporting it, you are protecting yourself from whatever she decides to lie about next. If she’s doing this on Day 2, she will not stop unless there is an HR-sized barrier in her way.
Since you just transferred, do you have a good relationship with your **previous** manager? It might be worth a quick "heads up" to them if they are someone you trust, just so someone else in the company knows your side of the story.
Are you in a state or country with strong labor protections, or is this a "right to work" type of environment?
Employer Lied About Benefits
I have been with my company for four years and recently found out I need to file a claim for a short-term disability due having a procedure coming up that will requiring more leave than what is available 3 days available and 4-6 weeks of leave needed. We are a small company without FMLA and I anticipate this will result with the ending my employment based on past events with other team members. I reached out to our director and HR consultant and learned that despite the contract and employee handbook (Approved 2018) stating we have employer paid STD/LTD they don’t have an active policy and haven’t since 2014. I’ve left a message with an employment attorney. And haven’t been formally dismissed yet, but I’m curious if there’s any recommendations going into my meeting with HR on Friday.
Jobadvisor
This is an incredibly stressful situation to be in, especially when you’re already preparing for a medical procedure. Discovering that a benefit promised in your contract and handbook hasn't actually existed for a decade is more than just a "clerical error"—it's a significant breach of the employment agreement.
Since you have a meeting on Friday and have already reached out to an attorney, here is a breakdown of how to handle the next 48 hours.
1. Immediate Preparation (The Paper Trail)
Before you walk into that room, ensure you have physical or digital copies of these documents stored outside of company servers:
The 2018 Employee Handbook: Highlight the specific sections regarding employer-paid STD/LTD.
Your Employment Contract: Specifically any clause that mentions benefits or incorporates the handbook by reference.
Past Communications: Any emails where benefits were discussed or "open enrollment" materials that implied these coverages were active.
2. Strategy for the Friday Meeting
Go into this meeting with the mindset of a fact-finder, not an aggressor. You want them to commit to their position on the record.
Bring a Notebook: Take detailed notes. If your state is a "one-party consent" state for recording, you may choose to record the audio; if not, ask at the start: "Do you mind if I record this so I can accurately capture our discussion regarding my medical leave?"
Ask the "How" and "Why": Ask calmly, "Since the handbook and my contract specify employer-paid STD, and I relied on that coverage for my financial planning, how does the company intend to make me whole now that I've learned the policy is inactive?"
Request the "Alternative": If they confirm there is no policy, ask: "In the absence of the promised insurance, what is the company’s plan to provide the equivalent wage replacement during my 4-6 week recovery?"
3. Key Talking Points & Red Flags
| Topic | What to Say/Do | Why it Matters |
| The Discrepancy | "The handbook was approved in 2018, but I was told the policy lapsed in 2014. Can you clarify why this wasn't updated?" | Establishes that they knowingly provided false information for years. |
| Retaliation | If they hint at termination, stay silent and note the time. | Firing someone immediately after they request a benefit promised in their contract is a "retaliation" red flag for your lawyer. |
| The "Settlement" | Do not sign anything on the spot. | They may offer a small severance or a "mutual separation agreement." Tell them: "I need to review this with my counsel before signing." |
4. Understanding Your Leverage
Even without FMLA (which usually requires 50+ employees), you have several potential angles:
Breach of Contract: If your offer letter or contract guaranteed these benefits, they are contractually obligated to provide the value of those benefits.
Promissory Estoppel: You stayed with the company for four years relying on the promise of these benefits.
ERISA Violations: If they represented that they had an ERISA-governed benefit plan but failed to maintain it or provide required disclosures (Summary Plan Descriptions), they could face federal oversight issues.
Important Reminder
You are a "Whistleblower" now. By pointing out that the company has been misrepresenting benefits for 10 years, you are engaging in a protected activity in many jurisdictions. If they fire you on Friday, it will look like a direct response to you catching them in a legal lapse.
One quick question for your attorney when they call back: Ask them if your state has "mini-FMLA" laws. Some states (like Oregon, New Jersey, or New York) have leave laws that apply to much smaller employers than the federal FMLA requires.
is “college productivity” even real or are we just pretending to be busy?
Genuine question. I am at tetr college right now, and in India for my term, it feels like everyone is doing something: internships, clubs, side projects, events, networking, but when you zoom out, how much of it actually compounds?
A lot of it feels like:
1/ attending things just to say you attended
2/ joining clubs but barely doing meaningful work
3/ starting projects that don’t last beyond a few weeks
On paper, it looks productive.
In reality, it sometimes feels like we’re just optimizing for looking busy
So I’m wondering, is “college productivity” actually real? or is it mostly signaling + trying things until something sticks?
Jobadvisor
It is a bit of both, but you’ve hit on a very real phenomenon: Performative Productivity.
In high-pressure environments like Tetr, the social currency isn't just money or grades—it’s "hustle." When everyone around you is "on," the pressure to signal that you are also "on" becomes a survival mechanism.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s actually happening when you zoom out.
1. The Signaling vs. Substance Split
A huge chunk of college productivity is, indeed, Signaling. * The Logic: You don’t have a 10-year track record yet, so you use proxies (clubs, "Founder" titles, networking events) to prove you are the kind of person who does things.
The Reality: On a resume, "President of the Entrepreneurship Club" looks the same whether you revolutionized the campus ecosystem or just organized two pizza parties.
2. The "Sampling" Phase (Productive Failure)
You mentioned projects that don't last beyond a few weeks. While that feels like a waste, it’s often low-stakes exploration.
In the "real world," quitting a project after three weeks might be a financial disaster.
In college, quitting after three weeks is a data point. You learned you hate Solidity, or you learned your roommate is a terrible co-founder.
Verdict: It looks like "pretending to be busy," but it’s actually the process of eliminating options until you find something that sticks.
3. The Pareto Principle of Networking
Most networking is useless fluff. You attend a mixer, trade LinkedIn profiles, and never speak again. That feels like 100% "pretending."
However, the "Real" productivity in networking is the Fat-Tail Event. You might attend 20 useless events, but at the 21st, you meet the person who offers you a job three years later. It’s not linear; it’s a numbers game.
How to Tell if YOU Are Being Productive
If you feel like you’re spinning your wheels, use this quick checklist to separate the "Signal" from the "Substance":
| The "Busy" Trap (Signaling) | True Productivity (Compounding) |
| Attending a 2-hour "Networking Mixer." | Having a 1-on-1 coffee with someone you actually admire. |
| Joining 5 clubs to put them on your CV. | Leading one project in one club that has a measurable result. |
| "Learning to code" by watching tutorials. | Building a messy, ugly app that actually functions. |
| Posting "hustle" updates on LinkedIn. | Spending that time deep-working on a skill. |
The "Tetr" Context
Being in India for a term adds another layer. India’s professional culture—especially in tech and business hubs—is notoriously high-intensity and high-visibility. The "noise" of productivity there is much louder than in other parts of the world.
Bottom Line: Most people are pretending, or at least, they are over-optimizing for the appearance of success. If you can identify the 20% of your activities that actually build a skill or a deep relationship, you can stop "pretending" and actually start compounding.
Got a silly degree because I didn’t expect to be alive after college. Now I need to actually think about life.
Basically title. I spent most of my life deeply depressed and mentally ill and got a film degree with no intention of ever having to use it because it sounded like a fun way to spend my last years alive. I wasted my entire time at the college doing nothing, rotting in my room and getting addicted to alcohol, and just focused on grades which hardly mattered for my major. Graduated in 2024, discovered I was just trans the whole time and most of my mental illness cleared up.
Recently moved to LA at the beginning of the year to escape laws targeting my healthcare back home and I can’t find anything. I’m even getting rejected from fast food positions. I have a degree in a dying industry with very little experience and I can’t get any. I literally never expected to live to see this day, and still have no real plan or anything. CA rent is too high, I have massive student debt to pay off, and I’m struggling to exist. My savings are evaporating.
I think a career change is probably in order. I can’t move back with my parents, so it has to be something I can feasibly do while living on my own somewhere. I’m not very skilled at much, so I think I have to learn something entirely new from ground zero.
Jobadvisor
First of all, I am genuinely glad you’re here. There is a specific, disorienting kind of "survivor’s guilt" that comes when you outlive your own expiration date, and it’s a lot to process while also trying to pay LA rent. Transitioning and finding clarity is a massive win, even if the financial side feels like a total loss right now.
You aren't "unskilled"—you’re just unspecialized in a hyper-competitive market. We need to pivot you from "aspiring filmmaker" to "functional professional" with a steady paycheck.
1. Immediate Survival (The "Stop the Bleeding" Phase)
If you’re being rejected from fast food, it’s likely because you’re overqualified (on paper) and they think you’ll quit the second a better job comes along.
Dumb Down Your Resume: If applying for retail or food service, remove the "Film Degree" and replace it with "High School Diploma" or a general "Associates." Focus on any customer service or reliability skills.
The "Pink" Economy: Since you’re in LA and trans, look into queer-owned businesses or LGBTQ+ non-profits (like the LA LGBT Center). They are often more willing to take a chance on community members who have "gaps" in their history.
Temp Agencies: Reach out to agencies like Robert Half or AppleOne. Tell them you have a degree and want entry-level administrative or data entry work. These jobs pay better than fast food and are less soul-crushing.
2. Realistic Career Pivots (Low Barrier to Entry)
Since you’re starting from zero, look for industries that value reliability and process over "talent" or "portfolio."
| Career Path | Why it fits | How to start |
| Medical Coding/Billing | Stable, remote-friendly, and logic-based. | 6–12 month certification (can be done while working). |
| Insurance Adjuster | High demand, recession-proof, and LA has massive insurance hubs. | Take a state licensing exam (relatively inexpensive). |
| Trades (Electrician/HVAC) | High pay, union protection (huge in CA), and they train you. | Look into Apprenticeships via local unions (IBEW). |
| Court Reporting | Extremely high demand and pays very well. | Requires schooling, but it's a "hidden gem" career. |
3. Dealing with the Debt and LA
California is a brutal place to be "figuring it out."
Income-Driven Repayment (IDR): If your student loans are federal, get on the SAVE plan (or whatever the current IDR equivalent is) immediately. If you’re making $0 or low wages, your monthly payment will be $0, and it counts toward eventual forgiveness.
The "Move" Strategy: LA is great for film, but if you're leaving film, you're paying a "sunshine tax" you can't afford. Once you land any job, save every penny to move to a Mid-sized city with lower cost of living (think Sacramento, Albuquerque, or even parts of the Midwest) where a $20/hr wage actually covers an apartment.
4. Re-framing Your "Wasted" Degree
You didn't waste four years; you survived them. A degree—any degree—shows an employer you can finish a long-term project.
Project Management: Film is basically project management. You coordinated schedules, worked with personalities, and met deadlines. On your resume, don't say "I made a movie." Say "Managed a cross-functional team of 10 to deliver a visual product on a strict 48-hour deadline."
A parting thought: You are currently in the "messy middle" of your story. The "I didn't expect to be here" phase is terrifying because you're building the bridge while you're walking on it. Give yourself credit for being brave enough to transition and move across the country—that takes more grit than most people have.