So, I had an interview with the COO this morning and it went pretty well. As soon as I was done, I had this feeling that the hiring manager and the COO were going to like me, but the marketing team I presented to was not (even though it was a crap show because of the last minute notice from the hiring manager).

This afternoon, I get an email from the hiring manager specifically wanting references that can speak to how I've partnered with marketing in the past? I literally did a spit take when I read it.

Thats quite the specific request. Most people that go after a reference either verify that you worked where you said you did, or a simple character reference.

On a different subject I signed up for unemployment last year. What a headache for the little bit they provided, although I'm glad to get it.

First, it took me weeks to set up because someone stole my account back in Covid. They didn't believe who I was so had to spend a lot of effort proving who I am. Also, had to go in person to get my account reset. I still have a weird user id that some dude in Cuba or somewhere set up.

Next came the audits. First was a fairly basic one in January. Fine. I sent in the job searches I did with the paperwork.

Then a detailed audit from someone in Austin. Haven't heard from them in weeks. I had promptly submitted the questionnaire and supporting documentation. Now I get a call that they are missing information and if I don't get it to them by tomorrow I'm in trouble.

I swear - they spend more time hassling me than going after the scammers.

Sorry, had to vent a bit.

500,000ags said:

---

Got the offer today for that crazy role.

---

Nothing today makes any sense. Congrats if you accept it?

Thanks, I accepted. I could hold out for another $15k in comp, but it would likely take another 3-4 months. Just don't have that fight in me. Going to reassess in six months.

My last convos with my new boss went well. I think they just wanted to rush. They originally wanted me to start next week, but we have a vacation coming up.

I'm still in limbo. I've been doing some consulting for a chemical group in Houston but its not enough hours, typically less than 5 a week. I had a good call with a quality director with Ecolab on Monday, but they cant add headcount, but "might" be able to get me more consulting hours.

The only potential for a full time role might be a small analytical company here locally. I had lunch with the CEO last week and we seemed to click, but they still have to actually create a role before I can even apply to anything.

Im coming up on 6 months unemployed and have fallen into deep depression during this whole process. My parents treat me like a pariah now, and my wife is having to pick up extra shifts to make up the gap, so I barely see her either.

Cromagnum said:

---

I'm still in limbo. I've been doing some consulting for a chemical group in Houston but its not enough hours, typically less than 5 a week. I had a good call with a quality director with Ecolab on Monday, but they cant add headcount, but "might" be able to get me more consulting hours.

The only potential for a full time role might be a small analytical company here locally. I had lunch with the CEO last week and we seemed to click, but they still have to actually create a role before I can even apply to anything.

Im coming up on 6 months unemployed and have fallen into deep depression during this whole process. My parents treat me like a pariah now, and my wife is having to pick up extra shifts to make up the gap, so I barely see her either.

---

Indeed Langley.

Cromagnum, Keep up your sprits. Been there. Employment hunting can be painful. I know how hard this can be.

Stay positive best you can, my man. It's not just for your current psyche and relationships, but it's actually the best path forward for you to get back on your feet.

In 2017, I left a decent banking job making $115k. I wanted to start my own business pretty bad. When I quit, they offered to make me a VP making $140k. These numbers were much better pre-COVID and I was pretty comfortable and only 5 years out of A&M. I start my business, and it takes almost 12 months to get my first $ of revenue. Took 18 months to get my first organic client. After 24 months, I had 65 people paying me $30 per month. In some ways I was on cloud nine and my customer acquisition costs were getting solid, but by that point I had been a solo-preneur for almost 2 years and was getting incredibly lonely. I operate as-is for a time, growing +3-5 net users per month, until I just can't take it any longer. Decide to unwind the entire thing. This was December 2019 now. Move to Austin and want to find a FT role. Get settled in, and boom Covid hits. I was unemployed for almost 9 months, at a time when e-commerce businesses were THRIVING. I felt like the biggest idiot on the planet, until finally job postings started coming back. Even then, I had to accept a job paying $80k. Very tough times mentally. I can't speak to why your parents would make you a pariah, that's interesting, but they all love you. You're going to get passed this for sure.

In my case, my mom never forgave us for leaving Houston to move for a career opportunity in Austin. The job didnt work out so now she would rather pick fights with me than be supportive. Dad has to live with her, so just backs her play.

Ah, I see. I'm an only child, so I get it. My parents would have me in the same small town, in the house next door, if it were up to them.

Cromagnum said:

---

In my case, my mom never forgave us for leaving Houston to move for a career opportunity in Austin. The job didnt work out so now she would rather pick fights with me than be supportive. Dad has to live with her, so just backs her play.

---

I get it. My family acts weird as well. After being the one to provide stability for their lives they don't know how to relate. And when you talk about the mental aspects of it they just would rather not hear about it - so I stopped talking about that to them. I have friends that have been through it and they understand so I talk to them about it.

I lost my job and my father within 4 weeks of each other. I was severely anemic and had to deal with everything in November and December pretty much by myself. I never got to the point of self harm, but I understand men who do.

About a month ago a feeling came over me that said "just be still" and I've been calm, happy and optimistic since. I hope you get to that point because the lifted weight is tremendous knowing we're all going to be alright and this is just a moment in time.

500,000ags said:

---

I'm from the opinion that many of these MBA deserved to die a slow death over 5-8 years ago. It's too oversaturated out of greed (in academia which is kind of funny).

I'm also from the perspective that AI isn't coming for anything LONG-TERM. It's going to be bumpy as many large companies get more efficient (and smaller), but I don't think LLMs are going to break human innovation and entrepreneurship (or frankly sociopaths from wanting to be the center of attention).

---

I agree with this. LLMs get information from whatever exists and is very good at combining them. Search, find and combine. But it doesn't really generate anything new other than lame pictures and videos.

So humans will be needed. It will cause some turbulence in the job markets for sure.

AggieMainland said:

---

No bad interview stories. But after 7 months of unemployment, i finally got a job. So many rejections. So many interview (mostly virtual). What a beating. Good look to the folks looking.

---

It's still pretty bad out there. I am in a role with a significant pay cut and down in level. It is okay because I want remote as my last kid is going to college in the Fall so I want to be around to drop/pick and spend time rather than waste time in commute. I didn't want to move either. Post September, I am free to move and I plan to based on what happens. It's been a struggle with 8 years of high school over 2 kids.

Market still is bad. I applied for fun to a "what's in your wallet" job, I match well, let's see if they call me. That job is open for more than a year! Either a fake job or playing games with people.

Cromagnum said:

---

I'm still in limbo. I've been doing some consulting for a chemical group in Houston but its not enough hours, typically less than 5 a week. I had a good call with a quality director with Ecolab on Monday, but they cant add headcount, but "might" be able to get me more consulting hours.

The only potential for a full time role might be a small analytical company here locally. I had lunch with the CEO last week and we seemed to click, but they still have to actually create a role before I can even apply to anything.

Im coming up on 6 months unemployed and have fallen into deep depression during this whole process. My parents treat me like a pariah now, and my wife is having to pick up extra shifts to make up the gap, so I barely see her either.

---

Bro, you need to be investing (and doing it well). Please check out the business board, or I can tell you some simple stuff that don't need you to know much.

My situation was very very stressful until 2014. Single income as wife didn't work, up and down job market, bad town for jobs etc. Then I figured out my investing and I've built it up in 12 years and I am no longer worried about getting laid off in terms of paying bills or mortgage or kids college. The only thing I worry about is social settings where "so... where do you work" may come up and I am too young to say I've retired.

My kids are teen and early 20s and I gave them a sizable gift for getting into college (good colleges with "good" majors) and I invested it immediately without asking them. They should not go through the money stress that I had to and can take appropriate risks that I wasn't able to do.

TLDR; Only way to have a stress-free life as one approaches retirement is by investing. We all must be doing it. I can't help you with career but I can with investing. Once you have the money part in control, life gets much much better.

Cromagnum said:

---

In my case, my mom never forgave us for leaving Houston to move for a career opportunity in Austin. The job didnt work out so now she would rather pick fights with me than be supportive. Dad has to live with her, so just backs her play.

---

Very sad to hear, especially if she is your birth mom as opposed to step mom. People aren't as logical as they were as they get older.

Im waiting to see what happens. The conversation with the CEO was a little over an hour last Thursday and I sent him a thank you email an hour later. He told me he needed time with the CTO to formalize a job description and would get back with me, so I'm giving him breathing room. I'll try to touch base again next week if I still haven't heard something. Everything seemed positive, but the ball is in their court to do what they said they would do.

Decided not worth talking about this. Suffice to say my extended family is a trainwreck.

Yeah, market sucks.

I work for a college. Budget cuts are affecting my division, even though we do well financially. It's affecting my specific org - doesn't make me feel too comfortable, even though I'm unlikely to lose my job.

Already applied for 3 jobs since Friday - have an interview next week.

Cromagnum said:

---

In my case, my mom never forgave us for leaving Houston to move for a career opportunity in Austin. The job didnt work out so now she would rather pick fights with me than be supportive. Dad has to live with her, so just backs her play.

---

I'm currently employed, but business hasn't been great for the company as Covid rocked our industry harder than most and it's had lasting impacts that will never really recover. That's impacted total comp to a point I really needed to leave about a year ago as it's unfortunately had negative impact on our personal finances. My experience with the market has been pretty similar to yours.

In the last 18 months I've found myself way down the road of interviews and conversation with a half dozen companies before some outrageous event or issue you can only laugh at came killed the job opportunity at the last second. Some even after a verbal offer was given. Several hundred applications and brief conversations elsewhere along the way and I'm still at it.

It's a mind ****. No other way to say it. Knowing you have a great experience and bring value, but no one is able or willing to hire for it is soul crushing. It kills your confidence, it darkens your attitude and outlook on life. When things are tough financially it hurts the ones you love and depend on you the most as well. Telling your kids no for something they want or to do that isn't anything really expensive or special hurts deep inside. As a guy it feels like the ultimate failure. And that eventually has a domino effect on the rest of the things in your life no matter how mentally tough you are.

You just have to ignore the noise out there and refocus as much as possible to stay with the grind of looking / applying for jobs, networking, and swallowing your pride to keep asking for help. It sucks, but it's the only way. Every now and then just take a couple days off from it, focus on family and exercise and then refocus back to the job search grind is all I can recommend.

People often want to help, but don't know how and can really be crass in the process. Especially since the only people who can understand the state and new reality of the AI / HR controlled job market are the ones in it at the moment. I almost pity the ones running their mouths and making comments and hope they don't find themselves in a similar situation. It will be eye opening for them on a level they can't currently comprehend.

F the haters on here and make sure you come back every now and then even it's just to rant about the latest ridiculous thing you've faced in the job market. It's the next best thing to therapy.

Good luck.

f burg ag said:

---

Cromagnum said:

---

I'm still in limbo. I've been doing some consulting for a chemical group in Houston but its not enough hours, typically less than 5 a week. I had a good call with a quality director with Ecolab on Monday, but they cant add headcount, but "might" be able to get me more consulting hours.

The only potential for a full time role might be a small analytical company here locally. I had lunch with the CEO last week and we seemed to click, but they still have to actually create a role before I can even apply to anything.

Im coming up on 6 months unemployed and have fallen into deep depression during this whole process. My parents treat me like a pariah now, and my wife is having to pick up extra shifts to make up the gap, so I barely see her either.

---

Why didn't you take the job offer you received in January? If I was in your situation, I would be happy to take a job even remotely in my field…..even if I thought comp/benefits were less than I am worth, and then once I had a reliable revenue stream, look for something more advantageous.

Whatever you do, don't follow Infinity's advice. He is FOS

---

It was a **** company and I got real bad vibes from the CEO. The guy who was trying to hire me quit two weeks later, and a lot more folks quit shortly after. I just got out of one of the most toxic jobs you can imagine and all my spidey senses were warning me about that one.

Besides ****ty comp, you weren't allowed to take any time off in the first year. How is anyone suppose to look for a job with zero hours off? Also, they would have stuck me in the cubicle farm with a big brother camera in all 4 corners of that room, so taking a private call was out too.

AgLA06 said:

---

infinity ag said:

---

Cromagnum said:

---

I'm still in limbo. I've been doing some consulting for a chemical group in Houston but its not enough hours, typically less than 5 a week. I had a good call with a quality director with Ecolab on Monday, but they cant add headcount, but "might" be able to get me more consulting hours.

The only potential for a full time role might be a small analytical company here locally. I had lunch with the CEO last week and we seemed to click, but they still have to actually create a role before I can even apply to anything.

Im coming up on 6 months unemployed and have fallen into deep depression during this whole process. My parents treat me like a pariah now, and my wife is having to pick up extra shifts to make up the gap, so I barely see her either.

---

Bro, you need to be investing (and doing it well). Please check out the business board, or I can tell you some simple stuff that don't need you to know much.

My situation was very very stressful until 2014. Single income as wife didn't work, up and down job market, bad town for jobs etc. Then I figured out my investing and I've built it up in 12 years and I am no longer worried about getting laid off in terms of paying bills or mortgage or kids college. The only thing I worry about is social settings where "so... where do you work" may come up and I am too young to say I've retired.

My kids are teen and early 20s and I gave them a sizable gift for getting into college (good colleges with "good" majors) and I invested it immediately without asking them. They should not go through the money stress that I had to and can take appropriate risks that I wasn't able to do.

TLDR; Only way to have a stress-free life as one approaches retirement is by investing. We all must be doing it. I can't help you with career but I can with investing. Once you have the money part in control, life gets much much better.

---

I'm imagine you are only trying to help, but I can assure you this posts and the ones you've made similarly are tone deaf and out of place. Telling the man to invest the money he doesn't have for his mortgage is the last advice he currently needs. It comes off really wrong. We're talking phony how to flip houses motivational speaking simposium cringy.

---

Fortunately our house is paid off and we are debt free besides monthly bills. Mrs. Cromagnum is an emergency vet and there are no kiddos.

Cromagnum said:

---

f burg ag said:

---

Cromagnum said:

---

I'm still in limbo. I've been doing some consulting for a chemical group in Houston but its not enough hours, typically less than 5 a week. I had a good call with a quality director with Ecolab on Monday, but they cant add headcount, but "might" be able to get me more consulting hours.

The only potential for a full time role might be a small analytical company here locally. I had lunch with the CEO last week and we seemed to click, but they still have to actually create a role before I can even apply to anything.

Im coming up on 6 months unemployed and have fallen into deep depression during this whole process. My parents treat me like a pariah now, and my wife is having to pick up extra shifts to make up the gap, so I barely see her either.

---

Why didn't you take the job offer you received in January? If I was in your situation, I would be happy to take a job even remotely in my field…..even if I thought comp/benefits were less than I am worth, and then once I had a reliable revenue stream, look for something more advantageous.

Whatever you do, don't follow Infinity's advice. He is FOS

---

It was a **** company and I got real bad vibes from the CEO. The guy who was trying to hire me quit two weeks later, and a lot more folks quit shortly after. I just got out of one of the most toxic jobs you can imagine and all my spidey senses were warning me about that one.

---

That's why it's always tricky going from one job to another. You never really know what you're getting yourself into. He'll, I was recruited to my wife's company (which never happens), and I thought it would be fine. Worst micro-manager ever.

500,000ags said:

---

TLDR: Only way to have a stress-free TexAgs experience is to block you. Congrats, you and InfectionAg are on a select list.

---

Best feature on TA

AgLA06 said:

---

infinity ag said:

---

Cromagnum said:

---

I'm still in limbo. I've been doing some consulting for a chemical group in Houston but its not enough hours, typically less than 5 a week. I had a good call with a quality director with Ecolab on Monday, but they cant add headcount, but "might" be able to get me more consulting hours.

The only potential for a full time role might be a small analytical company here locally. I had lunch with the CEO last week and we seemed to click, but they still have to actually create a role before I can even apply to anything.

Im coming up on 6 months unemployed and have fallen into deep depression during this whole process. My parents treat me like a pariah now, and my wife is having to pick up extra shifts to make up the gap, so I barely see her either.

---

Bro, you need to be investing (and doing it well). Please check out the business board, or I can tell you some simple stuff that don't need you to know much.

My situation was very very stressful until 2014. Single income as wife didn't work, up and down job market, bad town for jobs etc. Then I figured out my investing and I've built it up in 12 years and I am no longer worried about getting laid off in terms of paying bills or mortgage or kids college. The only thing I worry about is social settings where "so... where do you work" may come up and I am too young to say I've retired.

My kids are teen and early 20s and I gave them a sizable gift for getting into college (good colleges with "good" majors) and I invested it immediately without asking them. They should not go through the money stress that I had to and can take appropriate risks that I wasn't able to do.

TLDR; Only way to have a stress-free life as one approaches retirement is by investing. We all must be doing it. I can't help you with career but I can with investing. Once you have the money part in control, life gets much much better.

---

I'm imagine you are only trying to help, but I can assure you this posts and the ones you've made similarly are tone deaf and out of place. Telling the man to invest the money he doesn't have for his mortgage is the last advice he currently needs. It comes off really wrong. We're talking phony how to flip houses motivational speaking simposium cringy.

---

Of course I am trying to help. I've been there, gone through the struggle, single income, tons of layoffs etc etc and I see some light now and am well placed wanted to share an idea that worked for me with other Aggies. Folks can take it or reject it, it is their choice.

And if doesn't have the spare cash now, they may have it later, and that is okay too. One can start with $100 and get into the habit, that is what I am promoting. Do what we can.

We have all this stress because we rely on a job as a primary income stream. We need to have other streams, and that can be a business or investing. I picked the latter as I don't have the energy to start a business right now.

My suggestion is for the long term, not short term.

(it's free advice, I don't make any money out of it. I have benefited from the Business board picks and so want to share what I learned over 25 years)

Cromagnum said:

---

AgLA06 said:

---

infinity ag said:

---

Cromagnum said:

---

I'm still in limbo. I've been doing some consulting for a chemical group in Houston but its not enough hours, typically less than 5 a week. I had a good call with a quality director with Ecolab on Monday, but they cant add headcount, but "might" be able to get me more consulting hours.

The only potential for a full time role might be a small analytical company here locally. I had lunch with the CEO last week and we seemed to click, but they still have to actually create a role before I can even apply to anything.

Im coming up on 6 months unemployed and have fallen into deep depression during this whole process. My parents treat me like a pariah now, and my wife is having to pick up extra shifts to make up the gap, so I barely see her either.

---

Bro, you need to be investing (and doing it well). Please check out the business board, or I can tell you some simple stuff that don't need you to know much.

My situation was very very stressful until 2014. Single income as wife didn't work, up and down job market, bad town for jobs etc. Then I figured out my investing and I've built it up in 12 years and I am no longer worried about getting laid off in terms of paying bills or mortgage or kids college. The only thing I worry about is social settings where "so... where do you work" may come up and I am too young to say I've retired.

My kids are teen and early 20s and I gave them a sizable gift for getting into college (good colleges with "good" majors) and I invested it immediately without asking them. They should not go through the money stress that I had to and can take appropriate risks that I wasn't able to do.

TLDR; Only way to have a stress-free life as one approaches retirement is by investing. We all must be doing it. I can't help you with career but I can with investing. Once you have the money part in control, life gets much much better.

---

I'm imagine you are only trying to help, but I can assure you this posts and the ones you've made similarly are tone deaf and out of place. Telling the man to invest the money he doesn't have for his mortgage is the last advice he currently needs. It comes off really wrong. We're talking phony how to flip houses motivational speaking simposium cringy.

---

Fortunately our house is paid off and we are debt free besides monthly bills. Mrs. Cromagnum is an emergency vet and there are no kiddos.

---

Awesome!
House paid off and debt free is HUGE. Congratulations.
Since the Mrs is a doc, I think you would be in pretty decent shape even on her salary, especially with no kids. Please think about my suggestion above. It's worked for me. I can give you more details if you like. Keep in mind, it is for the long term not short term. As we get older, we should be looking for ways to supplant our job income by other sources that we control, not anyone else.