I was recently laid off from my job at a small startup. Things went sideways, and long story short, I suddenly found myself unemployed. I'm technically still a new grad as it’s been less than a year since I finished college. The job market has been rough, especially for people with limited experience. Needless to say, I was stressed about finding something new. I immediately started sending out applications (got bills to pay lol). One night, I came across a job posting for a company my friend works at. It was in the exact location I wanted, offered the salary I was looking for, and most importantly, it offered stability, something I didn’t have at my last job. The position was the same as what my friend does, but he works in a completely different state (It’s a very large company). If I got hired, we wouldn’t be working together or interacting at all. It would pretty much the same as when we were at totally separate companies.

The application process was super simple, just sending in a resume, so I applied without thinking much of it. To my surprise, I got invited to a phone screening the next morning, scheduled it for the following day, and it went really well!

It was only after that initial phone screening that I mentioned it to my friend. That’s when things blew up.

He was furious. He said it was weird that I’d want to work at the same company as him and was angry that I didn’t tell him I applied. I get that maybe I should’ve given him a heads-up earlier, but everything moved fast and I just didn’t think to loop him in right away.

Some important context: my friend hates this job. It’s been super stressful for him, and it doesn’t align with his interests or goals. But for me, the role actually fits with what I want to do, and I see it as a solid stepping stone to other opportunities. Plus, you know… income.

Anyway, I went through the rest of the interview process and got the offer and ended up accepting it.

Now he’s still mad. He thinks it's weird that I applied knowing how much he’s struggled, and he told me I need to “be my own person.” I’m honestly scared this might end our friendship. I don’t want to lose a friend over a job, but at the same time… I need a job, and I really believe this was the right move for me. At this point I don’t know how to move forward.

So… AITAH for accepting the job?