I want to ask you, The Atlantic's audience, for something. But first I want to thank you.

A month ago, I asked readers to tell us what people don't understand or appreciate about their jobs. We were overwhelmed with responses. Hundreds of them, beautifully written, compelling, defensive, kind, sassy, and even inspiring. Here's an example from Lisa, a physical trainer:



I am a fitness professional and certified personal trainer with a college degree. I know what I am doing. I understand anatomy and physiology and biomechanics. Just because you are a big dude who likes to lift heavy weights with bad form and you have been doing it for twenty years doesn't make you right. Just because I am a petite woman doesn't mean I want you to hit on me and make obscene jokes about my profession.



And lastly, if you hired me to help you reach your fitness goals, then please please stop arguing with me about your program.



We've loved what you have to say. We want more. Keep emailing us at aboutmyjob1@gmail.com, or write your response in the comment section below to be published in the weeks ahead.

Now we're launching a related feature. We want to know: What don't people understand or appreciate about looking for a job?

If you're newly out of work, we want to hear from you. If you've been unemployed for months, we really want to hear from you. If you're in a job looking to leave, we really want to hear from you, too! And if you're in human resources or in a position to hire, tell us what you think most applicants need to know that they don't know already.

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To get things started, here's a beautiful early submission from an Ivy League-educated immigrant looking for work, who wrote to our Tumblr page: