I quit a toxic job 2 months ago and immediately started interviewing but haven't gotten a single offer...

15 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 4,2022 at 4:10PM UTC

   Well I think the job market is no where near as robust as tge media and government would like us to believe. The Great Resignation is long over.

   Many companies have pulled way back on their hiring plans and have either frozen hiring or cut the roles available drastically. The recession has hit many companies profits and they are planning on waiting out the balance of the year to see how 2023 shapes up.

   So it might take much longer than expected to land a great job.

2. AnonymousAugust 4,2022 at 4:19PM UTC

   I'm in a similar position and agree with Anonymous' feedback regarding the job market. The process takes a long time so it's a numbers game. The more targeted resumes you put out there, the better odds you have.

   What I've learned through this process is that you can be a great candidate but you can only control so much. If you're prepared, researched the company and are ready for questions if asked, you've done your part. The rest is in their court.

   They might have an internal candidate, someone with more industry experience, a personal connection or a variety of reasons why you weren't selected. I've been in final rounds since leaving my last job and those ones hurt when you're not selected as you've invested so much into the process.

   That being said, don't give up and you got this! Keep trying, take time for yourself and find creative ways to connect with recruiters and hiring managers as they might provide a way into the company rather than the traditional resume submission.

3. AnonymousAugust 4,2022 at 4:23PM UTC

   That sounds really frustrating, but I am SO proud of you for quitting a toxic job! That takes courage! A better environment is out there and it's just a matter of time before you find the right place. Keep on applying! You got this!

4. RiaAugust 4,2022 at 6:10PM UTC

   It would be helpful if you either temped or took on consulting work while you job search. 2 months is not a long time. Some people land a job after nearly a year of searching. Meanwhile reach out to your contacts and let them know you're looking. Share with us what kind of position you're seeking and mayhaps one of can help you.

5. AnonymousAugust 4,2022 at 7:00PM UTC

   You sound like you may still be suffering from the side affects of that previous toxic work environment. I don't mean that as a negative, but you may just be giving off that vibe that says I am an hurt ex-employee or that vibe that says I am getting desperate after a 2 month job search. It's hard to leave one job without another job to go to and it's seems like forever waiting for a company to say yes, especially when they have shown a lot of interest in you. Please don't give up. Temp work or substitute teaching is a good way to keep a small paycheck coming in while still allowing you to job search. It will also look good on your resume that you continued to keep busy. Most states also have Career Counseling Departments that you can tap into that have job listing and free courses that you can take to brush up on resume writing, interview skill, etc. that may help you feel more confident when that next opportunity comes along.

6. AnonymousAugust 5,2022 at 12:33PM UTC

   I am sorry you are having such a hard time. I wonder if your frustration might be coming through in your interview. In your posting, as an example, you said, "the other company rejected me" -- more likely than not, they didn't reject you they chose another candidate who they believed was a better fit for the position. While this seems small -- attitude is everything in the interview process.

7. MaddiAugust 7,2022 at 1:03PM UTC

   I am sorry you are experiencing this frustration and had to deal with a toxic job. I totally agree with the others’ answers- hang in there! Reading your post reminded me of times I have been in similar situations, and I have one tip I will share that I use when I can remember- during the interview, I try to present a glowing version of myself. The real me is interviewing because it is in my field and I literally need money to pay rent and pay for my groceries and hopefully fix something in my car. The “on stage” me will not tell them that at all, but I will glow with charisma and charm about the job, the company… and also although the old job was toxic (I’ve been there) I will not trash them at an interview (only for practical reasons with the goal of getting the job.) If the new company asks about the old company I try my best to stay glowing and say something positive that is somehow at least a fraction honest, like “-Yes, their commitment to environmental stewardship really attracted me and I admire that” and I try to keep my glow… Good luck!

8. AnonymousAugust 7,2022 at 1:49PM UTC

   Consider having someone interview you on camera. Then watch your responses. How did you present not only the answers, but your body language, eye contact. It might give you some insight. You can share the video with a couple of people you trust and get feedback. As a women's empowerment coach, I can share we can learn a great deal watching ourselves with heart. Trust yourself and the Universe to be working for your highest and best good. It is often not in "our" time frame.

9. AnonymousAugust 7,2022 at 2:12PM UTC

   Hi! Same thing happened to me. 2 months of interviews totaling 4 interviews including a presentation that took a few hours to plan. I followed up with the company asking for feedback. Maybe do the same?

   Keep looking! Best of luck.

10. AnonymousAugust 7,2022 at 5:46PM UTC

    I also had the same thing happen.
    A recruiter reached out to me several times and I finally agreed to review the job description and ultimately interviewed for a role that sounded like a perfect fit for me. After three months of progressive interviews with executive leaders, I was asked to put together a presentation demonstrating how I would develop a new product for the company, creating new revenue streams for new industries, and develop a supporting marketing plan. I told the recruiter my plan was to present something high level, outlining my process (3-4 hours work) versus a detailed full scale product and marketing plan that the hiring company could implement without hiring someone (free consulting). The recruiter agreed that this made sense and said the hiring team was more interested in the understanding the candidates thought process than the actual presentation. The recruiter also kept telling me how much the team really liked me and how excited they were about me and an offer would follow shortly after the presentation. I spent 5 hours on research and developing the slides and presented to a panel of 4 exec leaders and a consultant. After 5 days and no feedback from the company, I reached out to the recruiter and learned that the position was awarded to someone who put together a full scale product and marketing plan. While I’m disappointed I didn’t get the job offer, I wish I had known this was what the company was looking for as I would have removed myself from the process.

11. Lisa MarieAugust 7,2022 at 2:26PM UTC

    The reality is: some companies move quickly so as to nab the best candidate presented at the time, others go through their "song and dance" process of multiple interviews to "ensure they choose the *right* candidate."

    You need to tell yourself to be patient. Otherwise, you will frustrate yourself.

    Only at the end of the first interview/screening you may find out what their pace is, so always be prepared to:

    1) keep looking, applying, and interviewing UNTIL you go start your first day in any new job

    2) As much as the saying is "many jobs are available right now" don't expect to find another job in 2-4 weeks. Depending on your industry and role in an organization, that could be an unrealistic wish.

    On the other hand, you may be lucky and the organization(s) you apply to *may* be one that has a policy to "move quickly and snap up every viable talent before the talents take other jobs"

    Good luck in your search, and br prepared for this: *after* you've accepted an offer or right after you start your new job, there eill be many other opportunities presenting to you. This is the way these things work sometimes.

12. Lenore KaibelAugust 7,2022 at 2:37PM UTC

    For detail, I’d make sure that your explanation for leaving your last position sounds positive and plausible. I’ve personally interviewed people who’s stories about their last position made me think they were hiding a term for cause, or who just sounded so negative on their previous company it was an instant turn off.

    It sounds obvious, but it happens. Next, I agree with those who are saying that two months in not a long time. If you are talking about any mid or higher level role, I would say 3-4 months is average in most parts of the country. Even with cut backs, hiring is still pretty robust but not THAT robust for these roles.

13. Jennifer TaylorAugust 7,2022 at 3:04PM UTC

    Keep applying and networking on LinkedIn. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is optimized so recruiters can find you. In the big picture, two months is not that long for a job search. I worked contract roles for over a year during my two year job search.

14. AnonymousAugust 7,2022 at 6:26PM UTC

    2 mths is normal to experience this. Sometimes it can take 6 mths to a yr

15. AnonymousAugust 8,2022 at 6:47PM UTC

    Avoid rushing. Two months is a shorter than average wait (I know, it doesn’t feel short!). Since you’ve “left a toxic workplace”, I would suggest applying and interviewing with calm and careful deliberation. What are you really looking for in your next role? What type of professional growth are you looking forward to that you couldn’t access in your old job? What are your priorities for the new position? I tend to make a “wish list” of what I want in my next role. And then I apply and interview with companies and in roles that will get me most of those things. While you are waiting, explore consulting and/or volunteer jobs with your local non-profits. That type of work makes for a great resume boost and sometimes leads you in a professional direction you might not have considered before.