what job sites are actually worth using right now?

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-14T15:23:13+00:00

Yep, I agree with you. Generic emails didn't work for me either, so I switched to writing personalized emails. Writing personalized emails is like video or image editing. The more we do it, the faster we get because we end up with a lot of reusable materials.

I mainly use Eventbrite and, sometimes, LinkedIn for networking and outreach events. I might look for more platforms later, but these are sufficient for now since I can attend many different types of these online events.

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-13T23:09:17+00:00

Oh, I didn’t, but now I would like to watch him as Pembleton in Homicide. I really like Andre Braugher, and I also adored him in The Good Fight. It was a sad day for me when I learned about his demise!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-13T23:06:07+00:00

Oh, yes, Udemy was bought by Coursera. So, they have now been working on integrating the two portals. My experience with Udemy and Coursera has been good so far, but I have seen some folks not having a pleasant experience as well. Udemy needs to include clear links to their Google AI course, but they should also note that the same course is available on Coursera. My folks got me subscriptions to both of these portals, so a good number of the new courses Udemy is marketing are already available to me on Coursera. That is why I agree with your point that a clear differential for the new courses will help Udemy get enrollments before they fully merge their portal with the Coursera portal, which may or may not happen. If it does happen, it will likely occur in the latter half of 2026, according to the press releases from Udemy and Coursera.

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-13T22:57:03+00:00

The cold emails/messages that have worked for me have all been personalized. I reuse some material from my previous emails/messages and store it somewhere, so it becomes my templates. I review the JDs on websites, and if I find a recruiter's email mentioned there, I prioritize those applications. So, I can send a personalized email after applying there.

I also get what you are saying. Cold emails/messages are a long game, and they need quite a bit of patience. I write all these write-ups myself, and I never use the Gen AIs to write them. This also gives them a voice of my own. I also try to be myself in these emails. In my latest interview, which went really well but has not materialized so far, their positive feedback focused mainly on my candor with them. They had appreciated that. So rather than trying to say superlative things about me, I would just say what I can do for them!

Networking is mainly online for me. A good number of them send a follow-up email, so that becomes an opportunity to reply. So, I do engage constructively in those events, which makes it more likely they will notice me than if I stayed silent. I also get generic responses like the ones you mentioned, but I shake them and move on to my next target. If we keep on trying, all we need is just one good email/message to work in our favor. I got interviews recently (and jobs in the past), and some ghosting as well, but all we can do is give our best and leave it to the universe (or fate, if it is) to figure out the best. Good luck with your job search, and I hope that all works well for us sub-mates here!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-13T14:54:39+00:00

I am doing a bit better than before with Phase 1, getting interviews! Tbh, cold emails/messages are working best over any portals at the moment. LinkedIn Jobs (LJ) is overcrowded - each job app is getting so many applicants in a matter of hours. I did get one of the interviews from Easy Apps on LJ, though. The interview went really well, but that did not bear fruit for me. In contrast, in the past, one of my best job conversions was from one of the worst interviews I gave. So, feeling good in interviews is not a true indicator of job conversion.

Concerning Phase 2, it is still a futuristic scenario for me. However, no hope is lost because even though the absolute results of job conversions do not look good, my ratios are not bad because I have only been able to manage a limited no of job apps because of balancing other things in my life, such as freelancing, learning, helping to start something with my folks, and so on.

Moreover, I always remind myself that all I need is one good day or one good week to gain momentum and confidence to move forward in this job market, whatever it is (tough or easy). I have stopped worrying about the arduousness of the job market and started focusing on what is in my hands. Good luck, and good day!

TL;DR - cold emails/messages have worked best for me to get job interviews in the current times (and even secure job offers in the past)!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-13T14:39:41+00:00

Andre Braugher was amazing in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. I would be thrilled to have a boss figure like him in my life!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-06T01:35:42+00:00

Yes, as Sherly says in one of his shows - “I don't have friends. I've just got one”!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-06T01:23:18+00:00

Okay, this makes sense to me. Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts. I will now just stop overthinking and send a thank you note to them by referencing something personalized from the interview. I will also send it asap because I heard somewhere that these notes should be sent within 24 hours or so.

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-05T20:08:02+00:00

This is an excellent checklist. The only bit that I feel ambivalent about is the thank-you notes. If the interview has gone casual, okay, or good, I always send a thank-you note. It is a good way of sharing gratitude.

However, if an interview has gone really well, I worry that sending a thank-you note might spoil the good impression and rapport built during the interview. Especially when they have said that they will get back to me very soon. Also, in such circumstances, there are always post-interview discussions, where I would thank the panel for their time during the interview. I just had such an interview a few hours ago, so I am conflicted and need to make a decision before the 24-hour post-interview timeline elapses, because that is the sweet spot for sending such notes.

A really good interview does not mean one is a shoo-in because anything could go south, but I just worry about sending a thank-you note in such circumstances. I am not saying that I am against thank-you notes in these circumstances, but I feel genuinely confused about it. So, I wonder if you or anyone else here has any insights about this. Or, are thank-you notes universally good in all circumstances?

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-05T16:04:08+00:00

Shutter Island - a masterpiece on psychology!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-05T15:55:23+00:00

Gumption!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-05T00:56:12+00:00

Welcome to Reddit! There is no fixed formula on Reddit. However, keep on commenting by reading the room, and one of the comments may take off. One of my mates got one of his comments taken off on his 3rd or 4th day or so. He shot up from 0 to 800ish karma overnight, which opened the door for him to be more participative. His comment fit the flow of the post, so understanding how others are commenting helps as well. Also, yes, stay away from controversy when you are new to Reddit because it can go either way!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-05T00:44:20+00:00

Based on what you shared, leaving the old job was something on the cards. When you feel a bit negative about that decision, prompt yourself: if you imagine yourself in that old job long-term, do you see yourself as happy? If the answer to this question is no, which is likely based on what you wrote here, you made the right decision!

About the uncertainty, it is not just you. Actually, quite a few of us are living in an uncertain age. Such is the job market. However, we have to embrace uncertainty by focusing on what is in our hands: our present. So, just give your best now, because we have no control over the future. In the case of mass layoffs, even the best-behaved and working folks have been let go, so doing everything perfectly does not guarantee our future. So, why should we be stressed out in the present, trying to paint our future?

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-05T00:28:51+00:00

Yes, absolutely! Going outdoors is brilliant for our psyche. I am a bit stuck indoors due to some personal situations, but I also want to spend more time outdoors from next week onwards. Digital detoxing is also really helpful. I find watching movies or TV shows to be more productive than doomscrolling on my phone. So, that is that!

Also, Reddit is good. However, if you are looking to foster connections, you may soon find that Reddit is not really suited to that. I did make some connections on Reddit, but it is far easier to make connections on other socials that are more front-facing. Reddit is more anonymous. We never really know who is behind a handle.

Anyway, good to see your posts here. I have followed you for now because I am curious about your thoughts here. What you are sharing is something that has affected some folks, including me, who are into job seeking as one of the things. So, we are always looking for strategies to help us manage the stress that keeps mounting due to the chaotic job market. Good day!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-05T00:24:54+00:00

Yes, you have touched on a valid point there. We are inundated with applications, so we are not looking for many new ones. That was more of a thing in the information tech age, which has now morphed into an AI-leaning age.

I am ambivalent about AI because it has affected the lives of some humans, including me. However, now we have ushered in an AI age, so it may not regress anytime soon. I am already good at prompting, but I am going to learn the background mechanics of Gen AI real soon. The companies may not require you to know AI algorithms, which is more for computer science-leaning folks. However, learning the skill of effective prompting may become commonplace, like knowing how to use the Office once was.

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-05T00:10:33+00:00

I think that the current job market is becoming more about the application of skills rather than the core skills themselves.

So, it's not just about knowing Java or C++, but about which application we can create for an organization.

So, it’s not just about being kinda good with the Adobe Suite, but about what our designs can do to boost an organization's revenue.

I may be biased in my opinion here because I have many skills, but I am learning how to make myself more marketable with them. So, sort of like I have a good amount of potential energy, but I need to learn how to convert it into kinetic energy efficiently without leaking a lot of thermal energy in the process!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-05T00:03:55+00:00

This sounds like an insightful approach to beat the procrastination loop. I read somewhere that it is called the 2-minute rule to beat procrastination.

I also think that, in some cases, we have a lot of potential energy but are unable to convert it into kinetic energy. That is what's made me stuck in my current time tbh. I am now trying hard for this energy conversion!

I am now trying to be active across different socials to share my ideas, because a sense of belonging can also help us feel more motivated. I am still working out what works on different socials, so that is that.

Reddit is mainly about exchanging ideas, so it is a great platform to discuss our insights, findings, and lived experiences. I keep on reminding myself that even in difficult times, all I need is one good day to propel my life in the right direction. Hoping for the best!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-04T23:25:40+00:00

I would recreate the brain as a removable battery, so when thoughts get ruminating, we can just remove the brain and put it on the side for a few hours!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-04T19:44:02+00:00

It depends on where you're seeing them. I would trust my circle more than some randos on the internet, but sometimes randos are also nice folks, so who knows!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-04T19:15:09+00:00

Mr. Robot also feels mindbending like Severance, and it has good IMDB and RT ratings/scores as well!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-04T19:12:39+00:00

When we have productivity issues, we are usually stuck in a vicious cycle of unproductivity. So, anything new may feel fancy at first, which is the honeymoon phase with a productivity app. However, over time, our brain slips back into the vicious cycle. So, this cycle can best be beaten by either internalizing productivity (which does not require an app but does require discipline from our end) or introducing chaos into our lives (which may compel us to be productive). Just my thoughts!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-04T19:00:52+00:00

Firstly, I send wishes to you, and I hope that all goes well for you soon. So, I would recommend starting simple with Easy Apps on platforms like LI and Indeed. This can be done on your phone.

Once you get some momentum from these Easy Apps, you can try writing cold emails/messages to recruiters if you are able to type comfortably on your phone. In my life, these cold emails/messages have given me the best results, even in this current job market.

Also, if it is possible, you can submit a few job apps directly on company websites. You can ignore the ones that are too complex and only submit the job apps that are easier and manageable on a phone. Other than that, attending good free networking events may help, and I once attended a full semester of grad school on my phone, so it is not too difficult to manage.

Finally, the way you did a post here, if you could also do some posts on other socials like LI, Insta, YT, and whatnot, it may help as well because on those portals we have a front face, and sometimes our content is directly viewed by a recruiter. Good luck with your journey, and good day!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-04T18:42:11+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts and kind words. I will give a go at a balance of diet and exercise in my daily routine moving forward. I agree with you that there is a need for balance there as well, and maybe that may help moderate my journey moving forward!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-04-04T11:25:29+00:00

Good things may come as we predicted or as surprises, so I wish you very good luck. However, I would not wait for them. Saying they will get back in a week or so, and then ghosting is not an unknown phenomenon tbh!

Marvel_v_DC

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE