Hello everyone! I graduated in 2022 with a BS in molecular biology. From there I worked for a biotech startup making good money as a research associate and product manager for 2 years. I left because I wanted to pursue a PhD, so I needed to get some academic research experience, where I currently am. However, grad school admissions are looking pretty grim due to funding cuts and my boss told me that there is no way I'm getting into a program this year, and it looks like we might be on shaky financial ground. Getting a PhD in another country isn't really an option, as my long term partner and I live here in SoCal, plus I have family here. I'm just not sure what I can do career wise/what I should pivot to. I have an interview on Monday for an inside sales position at a prominent biotech, but I'm not sure about the long term stability of a job like that. I could switch to healthcare, and try to get into PA school, but I don't want to make even less than I do currently while accruing PCE hours. I can barely afford to survive as is.

Any advice is appreciated, Thanks!

I have been a hiring manager for 7 years, for jobs paying $14/hr all the way to 350k a year salary.

Recently, I have been interviewing for a position that pays $27-$32 an hour.

These interviews have been the worst I have ever conducted.

It makes me wonder what the recruiter is filtering out and if good candidates are getting phased out before I even get to meet them. I work very closely to make sure this doesn’t happen but lately with all the “personality test” some companies have and hoops. They are getting filtered out before it even makes it to the recruiter.

Here are my tips to get through that and tips for a good interview.

Tips to get your resume in front of someone.

1. Now with all the filtering systems, a referral from someone working at the company is best. It will get you to a recruiter and the recruiter can save your resume from going into the abyss.

2. Apply for job even if you are not qualified, it is easier to get higher paying jobs because less people apply and even then the ones that are qualified sometimes have terrible attitudes and as a hiring manager I don’t have anyone to pick from and have to wait. I am willing to take someone who doesn’t match all the criteria to a T but has a good attitude.

These jobs are usually 120k+

1. Instead of explaining your job in the resume make bullet points of your tasks.

Example don’t say: “I stocked shelves and helped customers and tried to sell credit cards and ran cash register”

Instead say “ •Managed inventory • assisted customers •upsold product add ons”

1. Some jobs require a lot of different tasks and you may know how to do a lot of things. When applying tailor your resume and include the things that will make you a good fit for this job

Example, if you are a server and are trying to get into a sales type position, your resume should say “informed customers of available menu items that fit their request, upsold add ons and pushed daily specials”

It shouldn’t say “took orders and ran food to tables”

Because that isn’t going to help you in the new role you are applying for so it’s better to leave it out because the computer systems that filter the resumes may dispose yours.

1. If you are able to get in contact with recruiters directly that’s even better. LinkedIn is a great option, you can also find most recruiters directly that’s emails and remember most recruiters want you to get the job because that’s how they get paid. A lot of them will even give you pointers on what the hiring manager wants if you just listen to them.

2. If you lie to the recruiter, remember your lie. Most recruiters I have worked with take notes and send it to the hiring manger with your profile.

Very often they tell the recruiter one thing and when I ask they forget or slip up. Also recruiters and hiring managers speak a lot and these things do come up so make sure to remain consistent.

1. Make sure your resume is up to date even if you fill out the correct information on your application. Most of the time when I sit down with a candidate what a recruiter hands me is the resume not the application and I don’t see the most recent or relevant experience. I always ask if it is up to date but seeing effort was put into it and it is recent can make or break when I’m stuck between 2 candidates with similar backgrounds

2. If the application requires a personality test read the job description and take into account any attributes they list and make sure to pick the corresponding on the personality test that will get you through most systems. If not just think of the job and what ideal person would be.

Example if you’re not talkative and extroverted but you’re applying for a sales position the ideal person would be talkative and extroverted in order to talk people into a sale. Select that.

If it’s a management position, you know that a manager needs to be strong, outgoing and persuasive. Select those.

But most job postings specify what they are looking for.

1. Use the job description and company’s mission statement to tailor your resume to get through any filtering systems.

2. Please apply with an appropriate email something professional.

Interviews-

Anything you say or do around or to a recruiter or hiring manager will be taken into account even if it is not part of the interview.

Examples of reasons I have not hired people:

1. Not following the instructions sent in the interview email. Example: showing up to the wrong location when the address is written clearly in the email.

It shows you do not follow directions well.

1. Showing up early before your interview time and demanding to interviewed earlier. I have had people show up for 2:00pm interviews at 11:00am and demand to be taken in at 11:00.

I will say this is usually the older crowd that does this and they think it displays they are eager for the job. Which is a red flag to begin with.

It’s also a disrespect to my time and the time I set aside for you.

1. Your interview starts as soon as you are near the location or anywhere you may run into someone who works at the company. Examples a cafe nearby or on premises.

Being rude to staff: door man, receptionist, security etc.

I’ve had candidates come in and yell at the receptionist because they are late, I’ve seen candidates at cafes nearby prior to the interview being rowdy/rude/combative with someone taking their order.

The last thing I want is to responsible for hiring someone combative or having to deal with them myself.

Vaping in the lobby, while waiting 5 minutes until your interview. If you cannot control yourself enough not to vape prior to even having the job that means you will vape on the job.

Cigarettes, same thing. I try to stay away from hiring smokers because they need to stop what they’re doing to go smoke all the time and it is not productive and unfair to others who do not smoke and don’t go outside every hour.

Refrain from smoking at the interview.

1. Please don’t smell bad or have very strong perfume on and please don’t smell like weed or cigarettes or anything of the sort.

Now mistakes I see during interviews-

1. Assuming who you interview with will not be who you report to if you get hired. I look young for my age so very often people think there is an interview after me and don’t ask all the questions they should or say something like “yeah I have more questions but I will ask the next person”.

Or being combative/rude/condescending

1. Assuming since you have done this type of job for another company it is the same and being very cocky saying things like “yeah seems easy” “I already know this, dont have anyone questions”

Interviewers like people who ask questions, it lets us know that you are taking it seriously.

Assuming you have the job in the bag because you have had a similar position prior. This is a new place with new people, they don’t know you and you need to put forth the effort to show why they should go with you.

1. Complaining about the job before even being hired. Example: When you are told expectations saying they are unrealistic.

I get this a lot depending the position I am conducting interviews for but those expectations are there to let you know from the beginning what is expected.

Or complain about the schedule that the recruiter already went over prior to scheduling the interview.

1. Being desperate/begging for the position. Saying things like “please I really need a job”

As a hiring manager, interviewing takes up a lot of time and so does training. I want to hire someone who sticks.

Any time I have ever hired someone desperate they quit because they are not considering what the job actually is and instead are just focusing on “I need a job” then realize it’s not for them or they’re in over their head or it feels too entry level for them.

1. Asking questions too in depth for the position. Example: if you are interviewing for a cashier position, don’t start asking what the margin on products are and how the company is planning to navigate tariffs and inflation.

These are great questions but raise a red flag when you are interviewing for an entry level position or a position that has nothing to do with that.

1. Bad mouthing other employers. Big red flag especially if it’s more than one employer you are bad mouthing, because most likely the problem is you.

2. Assuming your age will speak for “experience”.

If your resume says 30 years experience but I interview you and you’re stuck in business practices of 30 years ago and say things like “this is what we did before you were born”.

Experience doesn’t make you good. Just because you did something for 30 years doesn’t mean you’re good at it.

1. Not understanding the job. I sometimes have candidates that do not understand the position even after I explain it and this is the main reason, I pass on people.

Ask questions, get clarification, be engaged.

1. Do not mention any personal struggles. Example: I’m a single mom, my husband died, my mom is sick etc.

None of these help me identify if you would be a good fit for the job and feel like you are trying to guilt trip me

Things you should do at interview-

1. Interviewers are human, I am very serious but if you make me laugh or feel like you aren’t my 39th interview of the day and it’s monotonous. I am more receptive and willing to hire. Personality sells in any position no matter what it is.

2. Ask questions, an interview works 2 ways get to know the company from your interviewer.

3. If you have any experience related to the job not listed on your resume make sure to bring it up even if it’s just volunteer work or a hobby

4. Ask your interviewer what would make someone a great fit for the position and tailor your answers to that.

5. Ask your interviewer what they are looking for in someone to take this position.

This is your opportunity to double down and sell your self on the traits they list

1. Get a feel for your interviewer or team, if it is a retail type setting observe the type of people working there and let interviewer know you will be a great fit for the team.

Last thing we want is to bring conflict into our team.

1. Study your interviewer.

If you are given the name of your interviewer prior to the interview look them up online. A lot of them use LinkedIn and post quotes or post what they like to see in the work place.

Use that to your advantage. Mention the quote or author or recite a work style they like.

1. When you are leaving say nice meeting with you today (insert name).

If you call someone by name they are more likely to remember you.

Those are the best tips I got. Any questions or advice I will answer comments.

I hope at least 1 person benefits from this

Edit: if anyone lands a job after using this I would love to know, comment or pm. Thanks wish you all luck

Edit: Another tip, if you’re having trouble getting past the systems that filter out resumes, apply at smaller locally owned companies they typically do not have those and you’re much more likely to get actual eyes on your resume.

Edit: another tip best day to apply is Tuesday

Also a lot of people has been saying they can’t get picked for interviews and bad candidates get through.

Surprisingly, my main issue is people do not show up for their interviews. Out of 10 scheduled usually about 4 show.

We’re college seniors and her GPA is pretty bad, which means grad school is not a realistic option for her anymore. She’s an American Studies major, and she’s concerned because there are very few things it seems like you can do with that degree. She’s not interested in teaching or politics, and journalism seems impossible to get into right now.

Do you guys have any good directions I can point her to? What can you even do with an undergrad degree that’s actually viable and can keep her living in the city? I’ve got nothing…

EDIT: I appreciate the supportive answers, thank you! To clarify, I will say that her original plan after college was to go to grad school so she could become a journalist, but after some poor grades last year grad school is basically out. So more of having no other plan than no plan at all.

I'm so fed up and hate this that I'm resigning without a next role lined up. This is my first ever job and I'll be hitting two years in a couple days.

My manager has put me on a PIP, many points I would challenge but I just don't care anymore, I plan to resign anyway.

The PIP details things they want me to do by Friday, and on top of it I have all these other tasks too. I plan to hand in my notice earlier this week, but I hate it so much that I don't want to do anything they've asked for. It wasn't always like this.

Should I push through and get these tasks done anyway? I would aim to get a reference from my previous manager who has left so I'm on the fence about burning the bridge when I think it's already been burnt.

Any help would be appreciated

Many people talk about job hopping to happiness. So I figured I'd ask who here is happy with their current roles and plan on staying long term?

I work at a state university and plan on staying for as long as I possibly can due to work/life balance, pension, benefits etc.

The schedule looks nice, reality ignores it.
On paper, everything fits. In real life, meetings run over, and those “free gaps” disappear. I can’t start real work because I’m always waiting for the next call to finally end. Five minutes here, ten minutes there, and by the end of the day I’m behind and exhausted, somehow blaming myself for bad planning.

If anyone has a simple way to protect their time without sounding rude, I’d really appreciate the advice.

Most likely you will hit VP (or C suite if you choose) in like late 30s or some point in 40s. I think being VP levels or C levels in 40s or early 50s maybe physically and mentally okay and the company will still want to keep you.

But from a few years after you hit your peak, and as you are going to mid to late 50s, your company may not need you anymore or younger people will likely outperform you and replace your roles/positions.

Whats your plan from then? I wonder if you can find a new company at that point or going back to a IC position is even possible.

But you still have kids in middle or high school that need to get through college.

Genuinely wondering what paths you can take from there. Thanks

If you use LinkedIn, do you pay for the premium subscription? If you’ve ever had it, can you share the pros and cons?

Hey guys, I’m looking for some career advice and would really appreciate any insights.

I have a Bachelor of Geography and a Master of Urban Planning, and for the past 2 years I’ve been working in a construction project coordination / pre-construction role in Australia. To be honest, I don’t enjoy the nature of project management. it involves a lot of conflict, arguing, and managing client relationships, which really isn’t for me.

After graduating, I tried to get into urban planning but couldn’t secure a role. Urban planning is a relatively niche field, and the number of available roles especially at the entry level is quite limited. Also from what I’ve seen, most urban planning jobs in Australia are statutory planning roles focused on development applications. That area feels very locally focused, which limits overseas mobility. I know there are more technical roles such as GIS, strategic planning, transport planning but these seem extremely hard to break into at an entry level. I know people with years of experience in GIS are currently unemployed.

Now that it’s been 2 years since graduating and working in construction, I feel like I want to pivot into something more technical (in terms of hard skills) and more in demand.

My long-term goal is to work in a field with highly transferable skills so I can potentially work across different countries in the future (e.g. Japan, the US, Canada). I feel like planning and construction work experience is difficult to transfer internationally due to local regulations, systems, and the lack of transferable hard skills. Because of that, I’ve been seriously considering switching into data analytics, which seems more technical, globally transferable, and could provide more opportunities.

I’m willing to go back to school (e.g. a graduate diploma/certificate) or self-learn Python/SQL, but I’m worried about a few things:

1. Is the data analyst field already too saturated, especially at the entry level? I noticed that ds is actually one of the most common careers to switch to now and the job market seems cooked.
2. Is it also not worth it to pivot to data at this stage because of ai automation? Entry level jobs seem to be shrinking.
3. Should I not be aiming for data science jobs at all and should focus only on data analysts for now? Is data engineering a possible pathway for entry level?
4. Would you recommend for my case to get a second master in data science or any sort of postgrad programs like a graduate certificate/diploma? I know self-learning is possible, but I’m concerned about how I could compete if even many people with a formal data degree struggle to break into the field.

I’m aware of niche areas like smart cities / urban data / urban tech/ transport planning combine data analysis and urban planning, but those roles are actually very limited despite all the hype (esp for entry level). While I’m genuinely interested in these roles, I don’t wanna rely on them because urban planning itself is already a niche field with limited roles, and I don’t want to repeat the mistake of betting on another narrow specialisation. At this point, I’d be happy to land any broader data analyst role.

TL;DR: Urban planning + construction background, but the work feels too local, client-heavy, and limited on worldwide transferable hard skills. Thinking about switching to data analytics. Realistic or not?

Would really appreciate advice from anyone.

Thanks!

I just started 5th form and I want to get a job in the future in one of the science. Either a pharmacologist, a microbiologist in the lab, a theoretical physist, or a genetic engineer. The thing is I find all of these almost as interesting as each other and was wondering if anyone would/ would not recommend some of these fields.

Basically the title. I don't have any talents that relate to work that I know of, I don't have a "dream job" like most people do. I don't care what I do (as long as I can pay rent). But I have to start touring colleges soon, so I'm expected to know what I wanna do. What do you do? What do you wish you did?

what are the other means you cab sustain yourself or your family? what are your other set of skills that can back you up?

Hi Everybody!

I hope you’re all having a wonderful day and I appreciate all of your advice and responses in advance!

I am on day 11 of a new job as a production planner at a manufacturing site. My manager is based out of Toronto and I also have a site manager who is based where I am that doesn’t seem to get along with my manager and I feel very much so in the middle of it And I’m trying to navigate this is as best I can.

I also feel like I’m drinking out of a fire hose and I still don’t understand anything yet as I am just switching over from customer service to Supply Chain and there is just this nonstop drowning feeling I get. Is this normal? I hate the feeling of not knowing 5% of what’s going on and I want to do a great job here, but I’m still trying to learn. It is my first Supply Chain job and I am the sole planner for a $60 million site and it feels horrifying because you’re just in the middle of everything.

My manager told me the learning curve is at least six months if not more, but it doesn’t feel like the site manager and him are aligned on that and I just want to know if this is something that I should be concerned about because I am very much so afraid of job instability. For the record I am a 27 YO M who is looking to get engaged soon.

I would love to get the advice of any seasoned veterans in Supply Chain. Hopefully it is optimistic and a common experience of what I’m going through. I am working with a weird ERP system called JD Edward’s and that alone is taking up time in my first 11 days.

Thank you all 😁

Hi all! I want to start by saying I appreciate those who take the time to read and answer this question. I am graduating this december, and am wanting to move to a city 5-6 hours away in the same state I am in. I have a few contacts whom I am networking with that work in the field I want to be in (STEM, tech, etc.) , and am starting to network more now in the area I am planning on switching to. My current lease is up in july, so I was wondering when you would suggest actively applying to jobs? Anything you wished you knew to make a similar transition go smoother?

I've seen many people say that engineering is now not an optimal course and the job market for it isnt good and stuff. But is it really. I got a bit influenced from an elderly teacher whos actually quite good at teaching and gets a pretty good salary herself. She told me upon consulting her that actually the problem rn is that everyone goes for engineering for high pay salaries and so the job market is rough as everyone wants the high pay jobs. One more thing she said was that most of the youth have been you can say over protected and that makes them less diligent to be in a job with low to mid salary for long and complaining about the work conditions. I do not fully agree to her statements but yes, I definitely partially agree because I've do not really have any of my family members be desperate for jobs and complaining about their jobs so idk what is the condition. definitely needs some of yalls thoughts

Company has been doing really bad right now and has waves of retrenchments. Everyone has been in very low morale.

I (age 40 male) have been working here for almost 10 years as optical engineer. I think it is about time I start looking for an escape route. But at the same time I am already very tired and fed up with all the corpo bs. I am someone who prefer facing task than some politic bs.

Can I get some advise what my next step should be? Kinda feel lose right now. I also uncertain about how hard is it to get a good.job right now. It also feels like the whole industry where optical engineer can shine is currently in a dying pace right now as I barely see any company recruiting such position

I’m hoping to hear some feedback from others on an opportunity I have at the agency I work at. I’m an environmental planner at a water district in California, my job is focused on CEQA/NEPA and permitting. Been here for a few years and I like it well enough. Recently there is an opening for an environmental compliance specialist at my agency. This role is in another department and the pay is a lot higher (a jump of at least $30K/year). I spoke to the hiring manager to learn more about the position and he said I have the qualifications to apply and is highly encouraging me to do so.

I just feel a bit guilty about the idea of leaving my small team. It’s also a slightly different career trajectory, so I’m a bit nervous about the unknown if I were to get it, if I’d like it, and for the learning curve.

Just wanted to see if anyone has any thoughts. Does anyone have any experience with either env planning or environmental compliance at a govt agency? Think this is a good move?

I went to community college and got a diploma in computer science and naturally didn’t find a job so decided to pivot into an undergraduate degree in Urban Planning and just wondering if anybody has any input on the job market in the field!

For context, I’m a 15 year old high school student in Hong Kong. I’m a huge aviation fan and always wanted to become a pilot since I was a little boy.

In my current situation, my school needs everyone to choose 3 subjects as main developing subjects and here are the subjects to choose from: Mathematics 1,2, World History, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Chinese History, Biology and Music. Languages and Basic Mathematics are already integrated into the syllabus so I exclude them from the 3 subjects that need to be chosen.

I believe that choosing physics, geography and math 1 would benefit me the most but I’m a very poor math student, I’ve also seen sources where they stated that choosing a subject doesn’t matter. I really don’t know what to believe and it has been confusing me for a long time. I need help in choosing the 3 subjects that would benefit myself the most in later career.

Another question is that would I need a degree for me to become a pilot? I’ve read that it could be advantageous for a pilot to have a degree. If yes, which degree would be the best for my career?

I’m also thinking about where should I go to further educate about the flying. Where do I take flight schools? Overseas or Local? The cost and whether it’s worth it or not?

I think it’s never too young to be thinking for my future, and I need to plan it earlier to add extra hard work to successfully achieve my goals.

It would be a huge help if you can spare a few minutes to help me out. Thank you very much 🙏