Career development

9h

I've applied to 1,000 jobs since earning my master's and am still unemployed. I'm frustrated because I thought I did everything right.

I'm frustrated because I thought I did everything right, but I'm now focusing on freelancing.

For most of my life, I believed in a very specific formula: work hard in school, build a strong résumé, study abroad, learn languages, get a master's degree, and be globally aware.

I studied journalism and media, and I leaned into storytelling early on. I spent time abroad multiple times in Rome,... Florence, Kuwait, and Scotland. I learned how to navigate new cultures, new systems, and new expectations. I became fluent in spaces that were not designed for a first-generation student like me.

After graduating, I went on to earn my master's degree in international affairs as part of the inaugural cohort at John Cabot University in Rome (again). I focused on global justice, human rights, and representation. I contributed to research on the gig economy, attended UN conferences both in Italy and Azerbaijan, and built what I thought was a strong, competitive profile.

I completed my MA degree early, believing I had done everything right. But I still can't find a job.

Since graduating, I've applied to over 1,000 jobs.

That includes roles in Rome with UN agencies, NGOs, and humanitarian organizations. It also includes jobs across the US -- in-person, hybrid, and remote roles. I applied to communications positions, research roles, media jobs, and anything that aligned with my background in storytelling and global affairs.

I tailored résumés. I wrote cover letters that took hours. I researched organizations, memorized their missions, reached out to every connection, and prepared for interviews like they were exams.

Out of all those applications, I've gotten 15 interviews. Only two of those moved me to a second round. Less than five of the roles I interviewed for were actually filled.

For the rest, I watched the same job postings reappear weeks or months later. Were those even real positions?

It started to feel like I wasn't competing for jobs. I was competing for the possibility of a job.

Rejection is one thing. Uncertainty is another.

When you don't get a job, you can usually point to something. Maybe someone had more experience. Maybe you didn't interview well. Maybe the role just wasn't the right fit.

But what do you do when there's no outcome at all? When positions stay open indefinitely. When companies repost roles without hiring. When you make it through multiple steps and still hear nothing back.

It creates this constant loop in your mind. You start questioning everything: your degree, your experience, and the choices you made.

I did everything I was told would make me employable. Yet, I've never felt more unsure about where I stand.

At some point, I had to shift my focus from waiting to building.

During undergrad, I spent four years working in publicity and creative marketing. That became the one thing I could return to when the job market kept shutting me out.

Now, I freelance as a creative director and marketing professional. I design campaigns, create visual content, and work with clients to build cohesive brand identities. I've worked on everything from social media strategy to email marketing to photoshoots to editorial visuals.

It's not stable or the full-time role I desire for myself. But it's something I built myself.

Freelancing has taught me how to trust my skills in a different way. It's shown me that I don't need permission to create meaningful work.

Still, there's a difference between surviving and feeling secure. I'm still trying to figure out how to bridge that gap.

For a long time, I was chasing stability as it was defined for me: a full time job, steady paycheck, and clear title. But not having that has pushed me to ask a different question. What kind of work do I actually want to be doing?

The answer keeps bringing me back to storytelling.

I want to be a creative director who focuses on telling BIPOC stories with care and accuracy. I want to create media that doesn't flatten people into stereotypes or reduce cultures into trends. I want to build projects that feel honest, layered, and intentional.

That's the work I've been drawn to for years. It's also the work I kept putting off because I thought I needed something more "stable" first.

Now, I'm starting to see that maybe the path I was following was never designed to lead me there.

I don't have a clean ending to this story.

I'm still applying for jobs while freelancing, and trying to make sense of a system that feels unpredictable and, at times, impossible to navigate.

But I also know this: the effort I've put in hasn't been wasted. It just didn't lead me where I expected. Maybe that means I have to build something different instead. more

1

Joseph Cheruiyot
0m
Seems like you have concentrated on applying for high profile jobs only. Apply for small jobs as well, gain more experiences there then move for... higher profile jobs like those of UN. more
Scott Obel
2h
Start your own business OR research companies that likely have o should have someone with your skills and approach a senior officer (NEVER HR !) and... make the case. This happens so rarely that executives will take notice as they respect that initiative. If you make a really good case they could make a position for you. more

Anonymous member

Career development

3d

Im new to my field and I need to gain clients. Any suggesstions on how to do this? everyone Ive approached gives their contact information but doesn't show up for the meetings

Angel
1h
Send out reminders.
Taher Mashud
1d
Hire experts to do this on your behalf, and engage the media for advertisements

Career development

2h

The Unmasking: Why We're Trading Profiles for Anonymity - Paperblog

A cultural shift is redefining digital connection, moving from curated identity to the thrill of the unknown. Discover why anonymity is the new intimacy.

For a decade, the digital social contract was built on profiles: the perfect photo, the witty bio, the curated list of interests. Connection was a transaction of personal data. Now, a quiet rebellion is underway. A growing segment is opting out... of the performance, choosing instead the raw, unfiltered immediacy of a masked encounter.

This isn't about hiding; it's about revealing a different kind of self. We are tired of the audition. Every swipe feels like a job interview where you are both the candidate and the hiring manager. The pressure to look successful, interesting, and available creates a heavy emotional tax.

People are craving a space where the resume doesn't matter. They want to be seen for who they are in the moment, not who they claim to be on paper. The profile economy relies on static identity. It freezes you in a specific time and place, demanding you maintain that image forever.

When you upload a photo from two years ago, you are already lying. This disconnect breeds anxiety because the real you is always catching up to the digital you. Burnout is setting in across major social networks. Users are deleting apps that require constant self-promotion just to get a response.

The fatigue is palpable in every interaction that feels forced or calculated. We are ready to drop the mask of perfection and wear the mask of mystery instead. This shift isn't a rejection of connection. It is a demand for higher quality interaction.

We want to skip the small talk and get straight to the spark. The profile is the barrier, not the bridge.

Consider the mental load of curating a feed. Every post is a calculated move to signal status or attractiveness. This constant performance drains the energy needed for actual connection. We are trading the highlight reel for the raw footage of life. It is a rejection of the influencer mindset in favor of genuine human presence.

Anonymity sounds scary to the uninitiated. It conjures images of trolls and bad actors lurking in the shadows. But for many, the lack of identity is the ultimate liberator. Without a name or a history, you are free to experiment with your personality.

Social anxiety thrives on judgment. When people know who you are, they judge you based on your past. When they don't, they judge you based on your present. This immediate feedback loop is refreshing and honest.

You are not your job title or your relationship status. The mask grants permission to play. It allows you to try on different voices and attitudes without fear of long-term consequences.

This is the essence of authentic connection. It strips away the baggage that weighs down traditional dating. Psychological safety increases when reputation is off the table.

You can be vulnerable without worrying about it appearing on your permanent record. This vulnerability leads to deeper conversations faster. The barrier to entry for intimacy is suddenly much lower.

We are seeing a resurgence of the stranger dynamic. It reminds us of the old days of meeting people in bars without asking for their LinkedIn. The thrill comes from the unknown. It forces us to listen more and perform less.

Psychologists note that anonymity can reduce the fear of negative evaluation. When the stakes of reputation are removed, people speak more truthfully. This creates a unique intimacy that is hard to replicate in face-to-face settings where social cues dominate. The mask becomes a tool for honesty rather than deception.

The mechanics of meeting have changed fundamentally. Old apps rely on algorithms that predict compatibility based on data points. This process is slow, deliberate, and often disappointing. We are moving toward a model that prioritizes chance over calculation.

Spontaneity is the new currency of attention. You do not scroll through endless galleries to find a match. You simply press a button and see who is there. This removes the friction of selection and the paralysis of choice.

Technology now supports this random encounter model through live interfaces. Platforms that facilitate video chat allow for instant visual confirmation without the need for profiles. You see the person, they see you, and the connection happens in real-time.

There is no time to overthink the first impression. You cannot edit your expression or choose the perfect angle. This raw immediacy creates a sense of presence that static images cannot match.

It feels more like being in a room together than staring at a screen. The surprise element keeps the engagement high. You never know who you will meet next.

This uncertainty triggers a dopamine response similar to gambling, but for social connection. It makes every interaction feel like a new adventure.

The algorithmic feed is designed to keep you scrolling, not connecting. It optimizes for time on site rather than quality of interaction. Random matching flips this script, prioritizing the human moment over the data point. This shift turns the user from a consumer into a participant. The unpredictability is not a bug; it is the main feature.

Not every conversation needs to last forever. Some of the best moments are the ones that fade into memory. Ephemeral interactions remove the pressure of follow-up. You do not need to save a number or send a message the next day.

The digital footprint is a burden we often forget to carry. Every like, comment, and message creates a trail that can be analyzed later. Transient connections leave no trace. They exist purely in the moment of exchange.

This design choice respects the user's privacy deeply. You can explore your desires without worrying about your digital history. It creates a safe container for exploration. The conversation ends when you want it to end.

There is a freedom in knowing nothing is permanent. It lowers the stakes and makes the interaction more playful. You can be bold without the fear of future repercussions. This is how we reclaim our digital agency.

Connection without consequence sounds risky, but it is often safer. It prevents the formation of unhealthy attachments based on digital persistence. It keeps the interaction light and focused on the present.

We are learning to value the moment over the memory.

There is a specific relief in knowing a conversation has no future. You do not need to craft a follow-up message or manage expectations. The interaction is complete in itself, a closed loop of energy that dissipates cleanly. It respects the boundaries of time and emotional bandwidth. We are reclaiming the right to disappear without explanation.

Specific platforms are building their architecture around this new desire. They understand that the tool must match the intention. A dating app designed for marriage will never work for a spontaneous encounter. The environment dictates the behavior.

These spaces prioritize speed and privacy above all else. They strip away the clutter of social features that demand engagement. The focus remains on the human element. It is a sanctuary for those who want to disconnect to connect.

Flingster is one example of a platform architecting this experience. It removes the profile step entirely to focus on the live interaction. The design encourages users to drop their guard and engage immediately.

This approach requires trust in the technology and the community. Users must feel secure knowing their identity is protected. When that security is present, the social barriers dissolve.

The result is a more fluid and natural social ritual. We are seeing a shift in how we define online spaces. They are no longer just marketplaces for attention.

They are becoming venues for genuine human experience. The architecture supports the emotional need for anonymity.

Designers are realizing that less interface means more humanity. Buttons disappear, and the camera becomes the only tool. This minimalism forces users to engage with the person rather than the platform's features. The technology recedes into the background to let the connection take center stage. It is a deliberate choice to prioritize the encounter over the ecosystem.

The future of flirtation is faceless in the best way possible. It is about the voice, the eyes, and the energy. The physical profile becomes irrelevant. What matters is the chemistry that sparks in the void.

This trend will likely influence broader digital interaction. We may see more apps adopting anonymous modes for initial contact. The profile might become a secondary feature rather than the primary one. The industry is listening to the fatigue.

Playfulness will return to the center of the online experience. We are done with the serious business of optimizing our love lives. We want to rediscover the joy of the unknown. It brings back the magic of early internet connection.

As we move forward, the definition of intimacy will expand. It will include moments that leave no trace. It will value the feeling over the record. This is a healthier way to navigate the digital world.

The mask is not a wall. It is a door. It opens to a version of ourselves that is unburdened by expectation.

We are ready to walk through it.

We are entering an era where digital presence is optional. The ability to vanish after a moment of connection is a luxury we are beginning to demand. It signals a maturity in how we navigate the online world. The screen is no longer a barrier but a window. We are learning to hold space for the transient without fear. more

Anonymous member

Career development

2d

Hi! I had a job interview and everything was going well, but I got stuck on the question about my weaknesses. If I tell the full truth, I feel like I’ll never get hired. But if I hide the negative parts and they show up later at work, that won’t be good either. What should I do? Should I be completely honest or only partly?

1

CherylAnn Farrell
6h
As a college instructor who sometimes taught employment skill classes, I would tell students to use some of their strengths as the foundation for... weaknesses in that --- any strength taken too far, becomes a weakness. As pointed out above: Strength - team player willing to take on taskes/weakness - sometimes take on more than I should. But what I have learned to do is prioritize and evaluate my time management before accepting new tasks. Another example: As a team player i am able to forge strong relationships with others, but sometimes people see me as open so they end up sharing personal information and spend time talking with me. I have learned to be both open and yet create enough of a boundary that I don't become too involved with people. Take any strength, carry it to an extreme and it becomes a weakness, but always add how you've learned not to fall into that trap. more
Kenneth Nwala
1d
The best approach is to be strategically honest. Choose a real weakness, but frame it in a way that shows self-awareness and growth. For example,... instead of saying “I’m disorganized,” you could say, “I used to struggle with prioritizing tasks, but I’ve been improving by using project management tools and setting clearer deadlines.” This way, you’re not hiding the truth, but you’re showing that you take responsibility and actively work on improving. Employers value honesty combined with problem-solving and self-development. more
1

Career development

7h

Navigating Your Strengths and Weaknesses for Career Success

Understanding what are your strengths and weaknesses answer can be crucial in personal and career development. Identifying these traits allows you to align with career opportunities and address areas for growth. This article will guide you through recognizing your strengths, acknowledging your weaknesses, and how to answer this common interview question effectively.

What Are Your Strengths and... Weaknesses Answer

Being self-aware of your strengths and weaknesses is not just about improving in your career. This awareness can also improve your education and personal life. Employers often ask this question to gauge your introspection and personal development. Here's how you can craft a compelling response:

Understanding Your Strengths

Your strengths are the positive attributes you naturally excel at. These could be skills like problem-solving, time management, or communication. To identify them, take note of tasks you enjoy doing and often receive compliments for. A self-assessment or feedback from peers can also illuminate your strengths.

For example, if you thrive in team settings and frequently help synchronize work among group members, one of your strengths may be teamwork or leadership. Highlighting these abilities can significantly impact your career trajectory.

Recognizing Your Weaknesses

Weaknesses are areas where you may struggle or need improvement. These should not be feared but rather acknowledged as part of your growth journey. To discover your weaknesses, reflect on tasks that challenge you or seek constructive criticism from colleagues.

Approaching weaknesses proactively, such as seeking training or mentorship, can be seen as a strength in itself. For instance, if public speaking is a challenge, participating in workshops can build confidence and skill, turning a weakness into a newfound strength.

Crafting Your Answer

When addressing this question in an interview, it's vital to balance honesty with positivity. Frame your strengths in a way that aligns with the job description. For weaknesses, describe what steps you're taking to overcome them.

Consider this example: "One of my strengths is effective communication, which has helped me succeed in teamwork projects. A weakness of mine was time management, but I've been using scheduling tools to improve." This answer demonstrates both self-awareness and a proactive approach.

Tools for Self-Assessment

Numerous tools are available to help you assess your strengths and weaknesses. Personality tests, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or StrengthsFinder, can provide valuable insights. Engaging in reflective practices like journaling can further deepen your understanding.

Online resources and courses can provide structured frameworks for improving upon weaknesses and leveraging strengths to their fullest potential. Additionally, discussing your findings with mentors or career coaches can offer new perspectives and guidance.

For comprehensive career advice beyond self-assessment, consider reading how to craft the perfect personal statement for scholarship success to holistically enhance your professional profile.

The Importance of Self-Awareness in Career Development

Self-awareness is a continuous journey that positively impacts various life areas, including career success. It can lead to improved decision-making, career satisfaction, and increased resilience to challenges.

Organizations value employees who are aware of their strengths and weaknesses as they can effectively contribute to team objectives while understanding areas for growth. This awareness also empowers individuals to take proactive steps in developing their careers.

Exploring career development strategies can be enriched by resources such as the Career Development Wikipedia page, offering insights into personal and professional growth trajectories.

Understanding what are your strengths and weaknesses answer effectively is not only key to excelling in job interviews but also crucial for long-term career success.

* Identify strengths that align with your professional goals.

* Recognize weaknesses as opportunities for growth.

* Employ tools and resources for accurate self-assessment.

* Frame answers positively in professional settings.

* Cultivate continuous self-awareness for career advancement.

What are some examples of strengths to mention in an interview?

Examples of strengths include effective communication, leadership, problem-solving skills, and adaptability. These can vary based on your unique experiences and the job you are applying for.

How should I handle discussing weaknesses in an interview?

Discuss weaknesses by acknowledging them honestly and highlighting the proactive steps you are taking to address them. This demonstrates growth and self-awareness.

Why is self-awareness important for career success?

Self-awareness helps you align with roles that suit your capabilities, facilitates personal growth, and enhances your ability to contribute effectively in the workplace.

What role does feedback play in identifying strengths and weaknesses?

Feedback offers external insights into your abilities and areas for improvement. It provides a balanced view of your performance and can help guide your personal development.

Are there specific tools to help identify strengths and weaknesses?

Yes, there are various tools like personality assessments and self-reflection journals that aid in this process. Engaging with a career coach can also provide professional evaluation and advice. more

Career development

7h

41 Times People Got Creative And Sometimes Sneaky To Successfully Get A Job

Career development

9h

The Claude backlash is here: Anthropic's Opus 4.7 draws complaints

Business Insider tells the global tech, finance, stock market, media, economy, lifestyle, real estate, AI and innovative stories you want to know.

Anthropic says its new AI model, Opus 4.7, should feel "more intelligent, agentic, and precise." Some users aren't feeling the joy.The backlash to the new Claude model -- a relatively rare occurrence for an AI product many view... as the gold standard in AI -- has gained traction on social media.

Anthropic is coming off months of widespread public celebration. The technical chops of Claude Code and Claude Cowork have boosted the company's image, and chatbot fans have long admired Claude's writing abilities. After the company's fight with the Department of Defense, Claude went No. 1 in the App Store.But hot on the heels of Anthropic users fretting that the previous model, Opus 4.6, had been "nerfed," the early reactions to 4.7 indicate Anthropic has a growing Claude backlash on its hands.There are examples of supposed Opus 4.7 flubs across social media.One Reddit post titled, "Claude Opus 4.7 is a serious regression, not an upgrade," has 2,300 upvotes. An X user's suggestion that Opus 4.7 wasn't really an improvement over Opus 4.6 got 14,000 likes.In one informal but popular test of AI intelligence, Opus 4.7 appears to say that there were two Ps in "strawberry." Another user screenshot shows it saying that it didn't cross reference because it was "being lazy." Some Redditors found that Opus 4.7 was rewriting their résumés with new schools and last names. Multiple X users posited that Opus 4.7 had simply gotten dumber.Claude Opus 4.7 has achieved AGI pic.twitter.com/hAtdkZComHSome X users have suggested the culprit is the AI model's reasoning times. Anthropic says the new "adaptive reasoning" function lets the model decide when to think for longer or shorter periods. One user wrote that they couldn't "get Opus 4.7 to think." Another wrote that it "nerfs performance.""Not accurate," Anthropic's Boris Cherny, the creator of Claude Code, responded. "Adaptive thinking lets the model decide when to think, which performs better."In other cases, Anthropic has acknowledged there's room for improvement.After one user specifically flagged issues with the adaptive reasoning on the Claude website, an Anthropic product manager responded that the team was "sprinting on tuning this more internally and should have some updates here shortly."Gergely Orosz, the writer of the "Pragmatic Engineer" newsletter, posted a screenshot of Claude not knowing what OpenClaw was. Cherny chimed in to ask whether he had "web search" enabled. He hadn't, it turned out, but Orosz wrote that he had never "touched it" before.Orosz also said he found the model "surprisingly combative." Others found that the model refused to code certain prompts or put up safety flags on simple images.opus 4.7 is the first time i've thought "anthropic may be moving too fast". just feels sloppy.every interaction i'm having with 4.7 across every input ...they're all having substantial issues that 4.6 simply doesn't encounter.Opus 4.7 can also use up a whole lot more tokens. The model has a new tokenizer, which means that one input can cost roughly 1.0-1.35x as many tokens as it would with a previous model.After its release, one X user said that Claude Pro subscribers could ask only three questions before hitting their limit. Another user noticed that Opus 4.7 was priced at a 7.5x premium in GitHub Copilot until the end of April. "Yeeaaah I'll stick to 4.6 for now," they wrote.Cherny later announced that Anthropic was increasing subscriber rate limits "to make up for it."Those upset with Opus 4.7 may look back to an old model like 4.5 -- only to find that it's gone. One Reddit thread is full of self-described "heartbroken" and "grieving" fans of 4.5.It's not unusual for AI companies to face user pushback when depreciating an older model that proved popular -- look no further than when OpenAI took away GPT-4o.As was the case with OpenAI's popular 4o model, some fans have turned to trying to bargain with Anthropic."Please open back support for Opus 4.5," one Redditor wrote under Anthropic's post. "4.6 is unusable and 4.7 eats usage like nuclear reactor."Anthropic did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.Not everyone is put off by the resulting pricing. "Opus 4.7 is burning through tokens like nobody's business, but it's gooooooooood," one X user wrote.Anthropic says that 4.7 is "a notable improvement on Opus 4.6 in advanced software engineering, with particular gains on the most difficult tasks.""Users report being able to hand off their hardest coding work -- the kind that previously needed close supervision -- to Opus 4.7 with confidence," the AI company wrote in its announcement.While some users threaten to leave for OpenAI's models, others are singing Opus 4.7's praises. Startup founder Jeremy Howard described it as "the first model that 'gets' what I'm doing when I'm working."Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan wrote that he's using it for his OpenClaw, and Cursor designer Ryo Lu said he uses it for planning.when someone says opus 4.7 is dumb, i just assume they are dumbFor those still skeptical of Opus 4.7, Anthropic seems to be tinkering amid the feedback."A lot of bugs that folks may have hit yesterday when first trying Opus 4.7 are now fixed," Anthropic staffer Alex Albert wrote on Friday. "Thanks for bearing with us."

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Anthropic launches Opus 4.7 with 13% higher vision resolution and stronger codingAnthropic's Claude Opus 4.7 focuses on reliability, improving coding performance, vision capabilities, and safety controls.

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Anthropic releases a new Opus model amid Mythos Preview buzzAnthropic released Claude Opus 4.7, its newest model and its most powerful "generally available" one. But Mythos Preview beat Opus 4.7 on every evaluation.

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Anthropic Updates Claude Opus 4.7 with Enhanced Coding and Image Analysis, Reduces Cybersecurity FocusAnthropic has launched Claude Opus 4.7, an updated version of its widely available AI model, boasting improvements in software engineering, coding, and higher-resolution image analysis. This release follows the limited deployment of its more advanced 'Mythos' model, which had its cybersecurity capabilities intentionally reduced due to its potent vulnerability discovery potential. Opus 4.7 is designed to follow user instructions more closely and handle complex tasks with less supervision, while also incorporating safeguards against high-risk cybersecurity uses to inform future broader releases of advanced models like Mythos.

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OpenAI's big Codex update is a direct shot at Anthropic's Claude CodeCodex can now use your macOS apps on its own.

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Anthropic Releases Claude Opus 4.7 to Remind Everyone How Great Mythos IsBold strategy to promote your new release as 'less broadly capable' than other options.

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Anthropic launches Claude design to simplify visual creation with AITech Product Reviews, How To, Best Ofs, deals and Advice

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Maria Peres

Career development

1d

I work as a waitress in a small restaurant. When another waitress job opened, I suggested hiring my 19-year-old daughter. She needs a part-time job while studying. But the manager said no. He thinks we might be dishonest and cheat him. I don’t understand how we could do that or why it’s a problem when my daughter works with me. Can you explain?

Uma Aggarwal
11h
Many companies avoid hiring relatives. There are several reasons. Collusion and theft is one possibility. When one is disciplined, the other may also... get upset. When one is sick, the other may stay home to help but the company is now short 2 persons.
I am sure you will come up with many other possibilities and the companies prefer to avoid it. Good luck to your daughter. more
1
Henry Edeghere
12h
Fantastic stuff
1

Emil Kaminsky

Career development

6d

Hi! Need some advice. There’s a woman in my team who has a difficult life situation - she has two kids and takes care of her elderly mother. She often makes mistakes in her reports. I’ve been quietly fixing them and not criticizing her.
But lately I’ve been thinking about replacing her with someone who makes fewer mistakes. I know this would really upset her.
What would you do in my place?

1

Jeannette Uwingabire
12h
Try to listen her and you discuss on the points which must be improved for getting the best results of what your are doing.
2
Taher Mashud
1d
As she makes mistakes and you always correct them, you are part of her problem-solving. Engage her in conversation with a little criticism, and she... may change, instead of sacking her to sorsen her plight. more
2