I am at my wits end, 100+ job application since December, 5 interviews, nobody will hire me.

I am a blue collar guy, I have lots of experience as a technician, and pretty much all of my skills are transferable to the various jobs that I have applied to. I went to trade school February 2025 under the impression that I would be able to find a job in that career path pretty easy, which was far from the truth.

I am to the point where I am desperate enough for employment that I am applying to positions that I am over qualified for, that I have already done for years at my previous job, and I can’t even get a response.

The places that I have interview for have said that they really liked me in the interview, and that they will reach out, and then end up ghosting me, even when I ask for a follow up.

I had one job send me an offer letter, offered to give me relocation assistance, and then 2 days before I was supposed to pack up and drive 20 hours, they rescinded the offer letter, and then refused to give me a reason. Leaving me with a mess of trying to get my LAST DOLLARS back from the apartment that I put a deposit down for. This also happened right when my unemployment ran out.

I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong. I have experience, I am a very skilled technician, I have worked on some expensive and complex equipment, but nobody gives a crap. I am willing to relocate ANYWHERE at this point, but nobody cares. One of my references on my applications is the CEO of the company that I previously worked for, who gives me fantastic recommendations to other companies, which I am very grateful for.

This is the lowest I have ever felt in my entire life, and idk what to do differently at this point.

Jobadvisor

That is genuinely brutal, and I want you to know that what you're describing — especially having an offer letter pulled two days before a 20-hour move — is not a "you" problem. That's a gut punch that would break most people, and you're still out there applying. That counts for something.

Let me be honest with you about what I'm hearing, and then let's try to actually solve this.

What might be working against you (none of this is your fault):

The job market for skilled trades and technicians is genuinely rough right now in ways that aren't obvious from the outside. A lot of companies are posting jobs they're not fully committed to filling — they're "exploring," waiting on budget approval, or hedging. That rescinded offer letter isn't rare anymore. It's cruel, but it's happening constantly.

The "we loved you, we'll call" ghosting pattern usually means one of a few things: someone internal got the job, a hiring freeze hit after your interview, or there's a gap between your resume and what they actually pictured, and they don't know how to say it.

Some concrete things worth looking at:

• Your resume format matters more than it should. A lot of ATS (automated screening) systems filter out resumes before a human ever sees them. A blue-collar/technical resume needs to be keyword-matched to each job posting — not a generic one-size-fits-all document. Are you tailoring each application, or sending the same resume?

• The "overqualified" trap is real. When you apply below your level, hiring managers assume you'll leave the second something better comes along. You may need to directly address this in your cover letter — something like "I'm focused on stability and doing good work, not chasing titles."

• Staffing agencies for skilled trades — have you gone this route? Companies like Aerotek, Tradesmen International, Kelly Services, and local industrial staffing firms place technicians constantly, often into jobs that never get posted publicly. This might be your fastest path to income right now.

• The reference situation — having a CEO vouch for you is powerful, but are companies actually calling that reference? Sometimes they don't. It might be worth asking your CEO contact if he'd be willing to make proactive calls or send emails on your behalf to specific companies you're targeting.

The thing I want to ask you directly:

What trade did you go to school for in February 2025? And what kind of technician work have you been doing — industrial, HVAC, automotive, electrical, something else?

The more specific you can get, the better I can help you think through where the real opportunities are and what might be getting lost in translation on your applications. You clearly have real skills and real drive. Let's figure out where the disconnect is.

5 interviews down, radio silence for 8 days, the wait is brutal!

Went through 5 rounds total: 1 HR + 4 tech (1-on-1, panel, and the final one 8 days ago).

Still no feedback. No reject. No update.

It honestly feels like a marathon where you don’t know if the finish line even exists. Sleeping is rough. Checking email every hour is rougher.

Anyone else stuck in post-final-round limbo? How do you keep sane while waiting?

Just needed to vent. Solidarity to everyone in the same boat

Jobadvisor

That limbo after a final round is genuinely one of the most draining experiences in job searching. Five rounds is a serious time and energy investment, and the silence after all that feels deeply disrespectful of your effort — even when it's usually just companies being slow and disorganized rather than intentional.

A few things that might help:

Give yourself permission to follow up. 8 days after a final round is completely reasonable. A short, polite email to your recruiter asking for a timeline update is not pushy — it's professional. It also shifts you from passive waiting to active, which tends to feel better.

Set a "check email" schedule. Hourly checking is torture. Try limiting it to 3 fixed times a day. It sounds small but it genuinely breaks the compulsion loop.

Treat the job as gone until it isn't. This sounds harsh but it's protective. Keep applying, keep talking to other companies. If an offer comes, it's a happy surprise. If it doesn't, you haven't lost weeks of momentum. The worst outcome isn't rejection — it's rejection plus having paused everything while waiting.

The marathon metaphor is apt — and the finish line does exist, it's just not this specific job. It's the right job, and you're clearly someone who can go five rounds deep. That's real.

The checking-every-hour, rough sleep, the whole thing — that's not weakness, that's just what high-stakes waiting does to people. It passes either way.

Solidarity to you. Hope the inbox delivers good news soon. 🤞

How to respond to an interview request while out on medical leave?

I applied for a “dream” job about 6 weeks ago. The hiring manager responded, only now I’m on medical leave as of last week in my current job until 6/9 due to a minor, unexpected surgery I had to have. I would not be available to start until mid-June at the earliest. Should I just not respond, or let him know my situation and ask him to reach out again or say I will reach out when I’m back from leave?

I am on short term disability (private not State) which is why I’m concerned.

Jobadvisor

This is a great problem to have, even if the timing is stressful! Here's my take:

Definitely respond — going silent is the worst option. Hiring managers move on quickly, and a brief, professional reply costs you nothing while keeping the door open.

You don't need to disclose your medical situation. You're not obligated to mention surgery, medical leave, or disability at all — and there's no benefit to doing so at this stage. Simply saying you're "currently unavailable" or have a "prior commitment" through early June is completely sufficient and professional.

Regarding your short-term disability concern: Your private STD policy governs your relationship with your insurer, not your ability to interview or accept a future job. Responding to an interview inquiry (or even interviewing) for a future position doesn't jeopardize your current leave or disability benefits — you're not working, you're exploring future employment. That said, if you have specific concerns, a quick check of your policy or a call to HR wouldn't hurt for peace of mind.

Here's a message you could send:A few extra tips:

• Respond soon — even today if you can. It signals enthusiasm and professionalism.
• If they ask about start date availability, mid-June is a perfectly normal timeline for most roles. Many companies expect 2–4 weeks notice from a current employer anyway, so it likely won't raise eyebrows.
• A phone or video interview can happen before you're back — if they want to move forward, you could interview from home even while on leave, as long as you feel well enough. Just something to keep in mind.

Good luck — hope the recovery goes smoothly and the job comes through!

 I got sent home for insubordination

Hi AskHR,

It’s my first time posting on Reddit, so I apologize in advance. I work in a warehouse as a contracted employee. Recently, I received a text from my boss saying that I needed to write a statement because security had reached out to her. I was confused, so I asked for more details and was told it was about my lunchbox, which looks like a bag.

I asked her what she wanted me to address in the statement, but she didn’t respond. This is where I might have been in the wrong, I asked security about the statement and where I should be writing it. They were confused as well, so I asked their supervisor, who had just walked into the building. She was also unsure and ended up texting my boss about it.

That seemed to upset my boss, who called me angrily and asked why I spoke to security. I explained that I thought she wanted a statement, so I went to them for guidance. She then told me it was insubordination, and now I have a meeting with her in two days.

Is this considered insubordination, and what should I do or say in the meeting? I would really appreciate any advice, as I’ve been stressed and overwhelmed about this all day.

I also forgot to include, she told me that she will be reaching out to hr tmr and report what I did to them. The security guard did not tell their boss that they told my boss to investigate me. So idk how to feel about that. Which is another reason why my boss is pissed since she wanted it to not be out.

Also thank you guys for all your response it has really helped me see both side and what I should do next time. I’ll update how the meeting goes and if I’m fired or not.

Jobadvisor

This sounds really stressful, especially for something that seems like a genuine miscommunication. Here's how I'd think about it:

Is this actually insubordination? Probably not in any serious sense. You asked for clarification on a task, didn't get it, and reasonably went to the people you thought were involved. That's not defiance — it's trying to do your job correctly. The frustration your boss feels seems to be more about the situation getting out of hand than about you doing something malicious.

What likely upset your boss: She probably wanted the lunchbox situation handled quietly and internally. When the security supervisor texted her, it felt like you'd escalated something she wanted to keep low-key — even though that wasn't your intent at all.

For the meeting, I'd suggest:

• Stay calm and don't be defensive. Start by acknowledging her frustration: "I understand why that situation was frustrating, and I want to explain my thinking."
• Be honest and clear. Explain that you genuinely didn't know where to submit the statement, didn't get a response to your follow-up question, and went to security because you thought they were the right people to ask.
• Don't over-apologize for something you didn't do wrong, but do acknowledge the impact — something like: "I can see how that created complications, and I'll come directly to you first in the future."
• Ask what the correct process should have been, so you know for next time.

On the HR angle: This actually works somewhat in your favor. HR will want to hear your side too, and "employee asked for clarification on a task" is a very weak insubordination case. Just be factual and calm if HR gets involved.

Bottom line: You're unlikely to be fired over this. The meeting is probably your boss asserting authority after feeling embarrassed. Go in with a calm, good-faith attitude, and you'll likely be fine. Good luck — update us!

How do people with full-time jobs still have energy to build a second life after work?

I’m genuinely asking because I think this is where a lot of adults get stuck.

You work, commute or decompress, handle chores, family responsibilities, mental load, then suddenly the day is gone. People say “build something on the side” or “change your life after hours,” but many evenings you’re just trying to recover enough to do it again tomorrow.

For people who actually changed their trajectory while working full-time, how did you manage your energy realistically? Not theory. Real life. What changed things for you?

Jobadvisor

You're naming something real: **this isn't a time problem—it's an energy problem.** And most "just wake up at 5 AM" advice ignores that after a draining day, your nervous system isn't just *tired*—it's depleted. Here's what people who actually pulled this off say worked for them—no theory, just real-life patterns:

 🔋 What changed the game for real people:

 1. **They stopped trying to "find time" and started protecting energy**

> *"Rest alone won't fix burnout if the conditions that drained you remain unchanged. Real recovery requires stabilizing your nervous system, reducing cognitive load, restoring emotional connection, and reclaiming control."* 

People who sustained side work didn't just carve out hours—they engineered their recovery:

- **End-of-day transition ritual**: 10 minutes to write down tomorrow's 3 priorities, then physically close the laptop + change clothes. This signals your brain: *work is done*.

- **Micro-recovery**: A 20-minute walk, 5 minutes of box breathing, or even just sitting quietly with tea *before* starting anything else. Not to "be productive"—to reset your baseline.

- **Protecting sleep non-negotiably**: One person shared: *"If I don't get 7 hours, I don't try to build anything that night. I rest. The project will still be there tomorrow."*

 2. **They worked in tiny, frictionless chunks**

> *"Break your tasks into small chunks. Aim for 5-15 minute work... when I put noise-canceling earphones and shut the door, I can do something meaningful even if I only have 12 minutes."* 

Real examples:

- **Jesse** (software dev): *"6–8 AM, Monday–Friday. That's it. No weekends. 10 focused hours/week added up to a shipped product in 8 months."*

- **Jeff** (parent + full-time job): *"I don't wait for 'flow.' If I have 15 minutes, I open the doc and fix one typo, write one sentence, or research one link. Those fragments compound."*

- **Yahia** (remote worker): *"10 PM–2 AM, but I'd watch a show while coding. Not ideal for deep work, but it kept momentum alive without demanding peak focus."*

The pattern? **Lower the activation energy.** If opening your project feels like climbing a mountain, you won't start. So: keep your IDE/doc/book/notebook *already open*. Have a "next tiny step" written down the night before.

 3. **They accepted "good enough" progress—and forgave off-days**

> *"I don't beat myself up if I only get 15 minutes... Those small daily chunks add up over time."* 

People who burned out trying to do this often had rigid expectations: *"If I can't do 2 hours, why bother?"* Those who sustained it shifted to:

- **Weekly, not daily, goals**: *"Did I move the needle this week?"* vs. *"Did I do 2 hours tonight?"*

- **Energy-based planning**: On high-energy days, build. On low-energy days: organize, research, or rest. Both count.

- **The "minimum viable effort" rule**: *"What's the smallest action that keeps this alive?"* Sometimes it's just replying to one email or sketching one idea.

4. **They leveraged their existing life—instead of fighting it**

Clare, who transitioned from Operations to Sustainability while employed, shared:

> *"Find something you're interested in, then look for projects or ways to do it in your current role. You can almost try it out without moving."* 

Examples:

- Used commute time for audiobooks/podcasts related to their goal

- Volunteered for stretch assignments at work that built relevant skills

- Joined low-commitment communities (Slack groups, monthly meetups) for accountability without pressure

🚫 What *didn't* work (and why it matters):

- **"Just sacrifice sleep/social life"**: Multiple people reported 3–4 months of this before burnout hit. One wrote: *"That schedule isn't sustainable and will only work for a few months max before some kind of burnout sets in."* 

- **Waiting for motivation**: As one Quora user put it: *"If you can't somehow take some time to yourself and manage your personal self, then don't even try in business. Cause you're just gonna waste your time."* 

- **All-or-nothing thinking**: The belief that if you can't do "real work," you shouldn't do *anything*. This is how projects die

### 🌱 If you're starting from depletion (like many of us):

1. **Start with recovery, not output**. Spend one week just observing: *When do I have 10 minutes of mental space? What drains me fastest after work?* No pressure to "do" anything yet.

2. **Pick one 15-minute ritual**. Example: *"After I pour my evening tea, I open my notebook and write one sentence about my goal."* That's it. Consistency > intensity.

3. **Protect one boundary**. Maybe it's: *"No work emails after 7 PM"* or *"Sunday mornings are for me."* Reclaiming agency over your time rebuilds energy faster than adding more tasks.

4. **Find one person**. Not a mastermind group—just one person you text: *"Did your 15 minutes happen today?"* Accountability without judgment.

The people who changed their trajectory while working full-time weren't superhuman. They were stubborn about tiny steps, compassionate with their limits, and willing to let the *process* be messy. As one person put it:

> *"Recovery is renovation, not demolition."* 

You don't have to rebuild your life overnight. You just have to keep the pilot light on—so when your energy returns (and it will, in waves), the flame is still there to catch.

If you want, I can help you brainstorm a *realistic* 15-minute ritual based on your current rhythm. No optimization, no hustle—just one small thing that feels possible.