Did I do the right thing?

If the company less interesting to you offers you a position, you should alert the other hiring manager to let him/her know that they are expecting a response in x days. (No company would expect a response on the spot; it is perfectly reasonable to take time to think about it). If they are truly interested, they will give you a decision.

I am depressed because of all the uncertainty and lack of support I am experiencing now. How do you stay motivated and not depressed when so much is out of your control?

Hello everyone, and happy Monday. Starting the week can feel heavy, especially when navigating the job search. I wanted to share something from last Friday that helped me find a little balance amidst the applications. There are days when the sheer number of job applications feels overwhelming. I've learned it's okay to recognize that feeling and allow myself to save some for later. It's a strategy I use to avoid burnout and make sure I can give each application the attention it deserves when I come back to it feeling more refreshed. Allowing myself that flexibility has been important in this process. Last Friday, after tackling some applications, I took a much-needed break. It was a truly beautiful day, feeling like real spring here in Jersey City. The weather was near perfect—no cold, no rain, the magnolia trees were in full bloom, and I could hear the birds chirping. I went to one of my favorite spots, Van Vorst Park. Sitting there, enjoying some sesame balls and golden oolong tea, I read a chapter of "Range" by David Epstein. I'm a slow reader and easily get distracted by the cute dogs walking by, but I make sure to note down parts that stand out. I keep a running list of quotes and excerpts on my phone. Two ideas from yesterday's reading really resonated with me: → Learners become better at applying their knowledge to a situation they've never seen before, which is the essence of creativity. → The more confident a learner is of their wrong answer, the better the information sticks when they subsequently learn the right answer. Tolerating big mistakes can create the best learning opportunities. These thoughts feel particularly relevant when facing new challenges or even setbacks in the job search. It's all part of the learning process. Being active and engaging online, attending webinars and events, has also led to a long list of books I want to read. Mostly non fiction, marketing, leadership, and business related. Here are a few that are on my list: ↳ "How Brands Grow" by Byron Sharp ↳ "Pepsi: 100 Years" by Bob Stoddard ↳ "The Third Gilmore Girl" by Kelly Bishop ↳ "Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter" by 50 Cent ↳ "The Opposable Mind" by Roger Martin ↳ "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Green Remember, it's okay to take a break, to feel overwhelmed sometimes, and to have a process that works for you during this time. What strategies help you cope when the job search feels like a lot?

Please, are the companies barred from employing international students on OPT ( STEM)? I have a Master's in industrial management, and I have been searching for a Buyer/Sourcing role for close to 11 months now. I have done several interviews with different companies, but when it comes to my status, they take a step back. Currently volunteering at a company without pay. But I need to pay bills and am frustrated.

I had been the program director for two supportive housing buildings, with two different sets of staff, clients, vendors, etc. Other directors' salaries were higher than mine, and they only managed one site. I had been there for a year, and it was a struggle to convince the executive director to approve funds in my budget for cameras, light bulbs, and walkie-talkies, which were necessary to operate a building. The staff was ill-equipped to do their jobs, so I implemented training and other methods to monitor their work. I had an admin. assistant who happened to come from the same company I had been with previously, and the staff, at the command of one employee in particular, who was a known troublemaker throughout the company, to complain that I had been playing favorites with my admin. assistant because she claimed we were friends. In addition, the employee threatened me (she was terminated because of that); however, they moved my admin assistant to another building and told me that that was one way of stopping the staff of accusing me of playing favorites and if I needed to meet with her, I would have to travel to the other location. I was already traveling to two sites, and now I would have to travel to another. I asked HR and the executive director to reconsider this decision. They refused and instead began, very nastily, criticizing the duties I had my admin assistant perform. The complaints and the accusations began right after I had surgery and broke my ankle, for which I spent three weeks working from home and met with my team of clinical supervisors, operations director, and admin assistant to ensure all bases were covered. While I was away, there had been some altercations between the admin assistant and the staff, and this is when the staff decided to complain.BTW, I took these issues to the board of directors with receipts and both the executive director an human resources director were terminated.

I hope you’re doing well. I am seeking advice from this network as I continue my job search journey. Over the past year, I have been actively applying for Human Resources roles in the United States. Despite refining my resume across multiple versions, tailoring cover letters for each application, and leveraging AI tools for validation, I have not yet received an interview opportunity. While I would like to believe that my background as a non-American woman of color is not a factor, the experience has been challenging and prompts me to reflect. If any of you have encountered similar obstacles and successfully navigated through them, I would truly appreciate your insights. Specifically, what strategies or changes helped you secure interview calls and ultimately land a role? Thank you very much in advance for your guidance and support.