I am currently experiencing some issues with my unemployment benefits after being temporarily laid off from my job. I was laid off but will be returning to full-time work on August 17th. In the meantime, I go into the office once a week to help out. I started my unemployment benefits on May 26th and have been filing weekly without any problems. During the week of June 1-7, I worked on June 2 and reported that to Iowa Works. My company sent the payroll information at the end of that week. I worked again during the week of June 8-13, going in on June 8, and reported that as well. However, for the week of June 15-20, I didn’t go in because my employer didn’t need me. When I filed for that week, I received an error message stating I was missing wages, which might delay my payment. I’m unsure why I got that error, but I suspect it could be related to the payroll submission from my job for the week of June 8-19, which may have triggered the issue. They mentioned I might need to have a phone interview to resolve this, but I don’t have much information beyond that. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? If so, how did you resolve it, and how long did it take for your payment to be released? Thank you for any insights!

I recently started a new job making $60K, which is actually a $10,000 pay cut from my previous position. I've been unemployed for quite some time, and now I'm trying to make ends meet for my two children, one in their teens and the other in college. With child support set to end next year, I'm feeling the financial pressure. I'm considering picking up a second job, possibly working on Saturdays, but I really want to avoid gigs like DoorDash that require a lot of driving. I'm curious about options like working in retail, specifically at a clothing store. Would they even hire someone for just one day a week? Any advice would be appreciated!

I am currently navigating my job search and looking for entry-level positions after a few years in retail and customer service. From 2017 to 2020, I worked in retail as a cashier and on the sales floor, then transitioned to a sales role until 2022. For the last couple of years, I've been in an in-office customer service position. Now, at 29 years old with a GED obtained in 2021, I'm applying for various entry-level roles, primarily in retail but also in janitorial, housekeeping, and hospitality. I've been open to both part-time and full-time opportunities, but the response has been discouraging. I've only received one rejection and one notice about a position being closed without being filled. Most of my applications seem to go unanswered. Recently, I followed up on a cashier position I applied for six weeks ago, only to be told I was either over-qualified or under-qualified, yet the position is still listed as open after seven weeks. I'm starting to wonder if I should be applying for roles that don't require any job history at all, as I feel stuck with my current qualifications. It's frustrating not knowing how to make myself more appealing to employers.

I'm a 28-year-old female currently seeking a career change. I'm in a difficult situation, as I'm in an emotionally and mentally abusive relationship. My current salary is $50,000, which isn't enough for me to support myself and move out on my own. My partner has been managing the mortgage and other bills, but I need to find a job that allows me to be financially independent. I'm looking for suggestions on potential career paths or opportunities. I have a high school diploma and a lot of knowledge in the dental field, so I'm open to leveraging that experience or exploring new avenues for a fresh start.

I was laid off from a big tech company about 11 months ago and have been actively interviewing since then, but unfortunately, I haven't received any offers yet. I've gone through multiple rounds of interviews with various big tech firms, but the outcomes have been disappointing. I've experienced a lot of ghosting, received generic rejection emails without any feedback, and sometimes found out that the roles I applied for were either closed or filled internally. I'm currently based in British Columbia, Canada, and I'm concerned about how this 11-month employment gap might be perceived by potential employers, especially in the Data Engineering field. I'm curious if anyone else has faced a similar situation and how they managed to address the gap on their resume. Any insights or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I recently moved over a thousand miles to transfer within my retail chain and now find myself in a challenging situation. Currently, I'm working as a janitor, but my transportation options are severely limited. My main ride, my roommate, works nights, and I can only take morning shifts due to my circumstances. Unfortunately, I've been scheduled for late hours, including two shifts until 8 PM this past week and three shifts until 11 PM next week. The bus stops running before I can get home, and I can't afford Uber rides every night since I'm juggling bills, rent, and groceries. I also have a medical condition that requires me to take psychiatric medication at 9 PM, which I can't miss. I’ve been transparent with my HR about my need for morning shifts, but the situation hasn't improved. My department's boss was recently fired, and now I'm the only one on my team, which adds to my stress. I’ve submitted shift requests, but the response has been underwhelming, and I feel stuck. I'm considering applying for other jobs, including a full-time janitorial position at a nearby school that has no applicants. This seems like a better fit for my needs. I feel guilty for needing to prioritize morning shifts, but my health and well-being are at stake. I'm also unsure if I can use my current job as a reference since I’ve been advised against it. Any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I’m a 20-year-old female working full-time at a local pet store, and I’m at my breaking point. I was supposed to work all summer before heading back to college for my junior year, but the job is making me feel suicidal. I’m surrounded by wealth while struggling to pay my rent, seeing customers drop hundreds on dog treats while I worry about making ends meet. I’m forced to promote unhealthy products because we’re a boutique store, and one of my coworkers is a hoarder and animal abuser, neglecting the pets in our care. Management refuses to act on it, and I’m left to pick up the slack for her laziness while being underpaid and overworked. This week was particularly bad; with another full-timer on vacation, I was expected to manage the store alone, and I received angry messages from management when I couldn’t keep up. I’m making only $14 an hour, which is below the minimum wage in my state, while a new part-timer is earning more than me. My girlfriend is about to start a job that pays well, but I’m terrified of losing my income and being unable to support us again. I’ve started applying for other jobs, but I’m worried that I’ll face similar treatment elsewhere. I used to enjoy my job as a part-timer, but now it feels like I’m doing the work of three people with no support. I’m also disabled and concerned about finding a job that accommodates my needs. I’ve talked to my girlfriend about this, and I plan to speak with my therapist soon. I relapsed on self-harm due to the stress, and I know this job is destroying my mental health. I’m considering quitting, but I’m unsure if I should wait until the 1st of the month to ensure we can pay rent. I just want advice on what to do next.

I had a job interview yesterday for a dance teacher position, and it turned out to be quite an experience. I arrived on time based on the email I received, but when I walked in, the interviewer told me I was actually an hour late. I was confused because I was sure I had the time right. After I showed her the email, she apologized, and we jumped into the group interview. What I didn't realize was that I needed to prepare a dance sequence and do a solo dance demo, which I wasn't informed about beforehand. I thought it would just be some trick demos and a warm-up. Thankfully, I have a teaching background, so I managed to wing it and created a dance sequence on the spot. I think it went well, but the solo performance without any prep was a bit nerve-wracking. It was frustrating to be put in that position, especially since the other candidates seemed to have the correct information and were prepared. I was in a good headspace, but I still felt disappointed overall. I haven't heard back from them yet, so I'm just waiting to see what happens. Is this kind of miscommunication common in the dance world? It feels a bit strange.

After two months at my current job, I've been doing some serious soul-searching about my career path. I've realized that I'm not as fulfilled as I hoped to be in this role. The company culture isn't what I expected, and I'm starting to feel a bit stagnant. I'm considering whether it's time to start looking for a new opportunity that aligns better with my career goals and values. I'm weighing the pros and cons of staying versus seeking a new gig.

I've been actively applying for jobs lately, and it's been quite a rollercoaster of emotions. Each application feels like a mini-hopeful journey, but the waiting game is tough. I find myself constantly checking my email for any updates, and the silence can be disheartening. I try to stay positive and remind myself that every application is a step closer to finding the right opportunity. I'm focusing on tailoring my resume and cover letters to each position, but the uncertainty of the job market is always on my mind. I'm hopeful that something will come through soon.

I'm currently on the lookout for job opportunities that align with my unique skill set and health conditions. I have an exceptional ability to process information quickly, which I showcased in my previous role as an esthetician in Texas. I was highly regarded, even more so than some dermatologists, and I contributed to developing an advanced education program for a skincare company owned by a top dermatologist. My responsibilities included reviewing studies, selecting the most relevant ones, and creating lecture notes, albeit with some formatting issues. Unfortunately, due to various health factors, I can no longer work in esthetics, and I was laid off from my education job after Hurricane Harvey. That role was incredibly fulfilling for me, but now I'm searching for a position that allows me to leverage my cognitive strengths without the physical demands of my previous work. I'm looking for something that offers flexibility and is understanding of my disabilities. Gig work isn't suitable for me, as I thrive on mental stimulation and need a role that allows me to engage my brain fully. If anyone has suggestions for jobs that would fit a severely disabled savant like me, I would greatly appreciate it.

I was recently laid off from my job at a tech company where I had spent nearly a decade growing my career. This all happened just as I found out I was pregnant with my second child after years of struggling with secondary infertility. My first job was as a stay-at-home mom for a year, but I was fortunate enough to get into a trainee program that launched my career in tech. The layoff was part of a mass reduction when my company merged with another, and now I'm facing the daunting task of finding a new job while preparing for a new baby. I know I have transferable skills, but the reality is that many companies are looking for specific experience, and my experience is mostly with internal tools from my previous employer. Financially, we're okay for now, but the situation is weighing on me emotionally. I’ve dealt with anxiety and depression in the past, and just when I felt like I was getting back on track, this happened. My contacts, who have praised my work and even written LinkedIn recommendations, seem hesitant to connect me directly with recruiters. They’re fine with me listing them as referrals, but I feel like I need more than that. I worry about having to return to the struggles I faced before becoming a mom, like long commutes and low pay, especially since it's just my husband and me without much support. I don’t want to dip into our savings or make significant lifestyle compromises, especially since we were close to buying our first house. This baby is so wanted, but the stress of having two kids relying on us is overwhelming. I’ve always been ambitious and dedicated, and losing my job has made me question my employability, even for entry-level roles. I’m reaching out to this community for success stories because I really need some hope right now.

I’ve been struggling to land interviews for software engineering positions, particularly for new grad roles that allow me to work in the US. I’ve shared my resume with others to get feedback, but I’m still not sure what might be going wrong. Some comments suggested that my resume is too detailed and might overwhelm HR personnel. Others pointed out that I need to highlight the results of my work more clearly, like how my contributions saved time or reduced errors. I’m hoping to refine my resume and improve my chances of getting noticed.

I had an interview last week for an accounting controller position at a small manufacturing company. I felt confident going in because I meet all the qualifications: 5.5 years of experience in accounting and finance, a CPA, and Big 4 audit experience, primarily with manufacturing clients. I also have financial planning and analysis experience from a related industry, which aligned with their requirements. The only thing I lacked was experience with their specific ERP software, which I had never even heard of, as it’s not among the common ones like SAP or Oracle. After the interview, they expressed interest in scheduling a second interview and asked for my availability. However, later that same day, I received a generic email stating that I was not selected to move forward. To add insult to injury, I noticed they reposted the job listing around the same time they sent the rejection email. It seems they rejected all candidates they interviewed, which is incredibly frustrating. I've been on the job hunt for three weeks now, submitting around 60 applications and only landing three interviews, all resulting in rejections. It feels disheartening to meet 90-100% of the requirements for these roles and still face this level of rejection.

I currently work part-time at an AV company alongside my husband, who is a director of inventory control. Initially, I was unpaid for several weeks, but after the payroll manager recognized my contributions, I was hired as a 1099 contractor. Since then, my husband has become increasingly frustrated with my presence at the company, insisting that I should only be there during show prep and deprep days, unlike other 1099s who come in just for those specific tasks. I’ve been doing a wide range of responsibilities, including working with Zebra RFID scanners, testing and sorting cables, handling invoices, and conducting inventory audits. Despite my efforts, he seems to be worried about getting in trouble with upper management, even though I’ve been sending invoices for weeks and no one has raised any concerns. Other employees have their spouses working in similar roles, and I feel like my husband should advocate for me to the main boss, but he hasn’t done so yet. Now he’s threatening to prevent me from coming in, which feels incredibly frustrating since I’ve found purpose in this role and can contribute to our family financially. I’m considering reaching out to upper management myself to clarify my position as a 1099 contractor and whether I can continue working regularly. If this situation doesn’t improve, I might have to explore other AV job opportunities, even if it means longer hours and more stress. It’s disheartening to feel like my career is being controlled in this way, especially after finally feeling valued for my work.

I’m currently facing a challenge with references for my job applications. I've worked at two previous companies, but unfortunately, I didn't leave my last job on the best terms after being managed out, and it's been quite a while since I was at my first job. As I'm still early in my career, I'm finding it difficult to secure references from former managers or colleagues. I’ve been running a small business since then, but that doesn’t really help with traditional job applications. I'm considering volunteering to gain new connections who could serve as references, but I’m unsure how to navigate this situation effectively. Has anyone else been in a similar position? What did you do?

Today, I reflected on my recent layoff from my role at a tech startup. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, and I was surprised by the responses I received from my network. Much like dealing with grief, I found that some people I expected to reach out didn’t, while others I thought wouldn’t even notice my situation did. It’s interesting how people react to loss; it can be uncomfortable for them, leading to unexpected behaviors. I had one ex-colleague reach out, and it genuinely warmed my heart, especially since some of my close friends didn’t check in at all. It’s a reminder of who truly values connection during tough times.

I've been on a challenging job search for several months, constantly applying, updating my resume, and reaching out to potential employers. My background is primarily in education, with six years of experience as an ESL teacher overseas and more recently working as a paraprofessional. Despite being certified for about nine months now, I haven't had any luck landing a new position. I'm also just a month away from completing my Master's in education, which I hope will enhance my prospects. With a family to support and my wife's income being limited, I'm eager to find a better job. I've even applied for roles in different industries but haven't seen any success. I live in the Atlanta area and would appreciate any suggestions or advice in the meantime.

I recently applied for a Product Manager position at Onsemi in Bucheon, South Korea, and I might have a second interview with the NPD manager at their headquarters. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as I prepare for this opportunity. If anyone has experience with Onsemi or can share insights on what to expect during the interview process, I would greatly appreciate any advice or recommendations on how to prepare effectively. Thank you!

I'm currently on the job hunt and actively seeking new opportunities. I'm open to various roles and industries, so if anyone has leads or advice, I would greatly appreciate it!