I've been working at my current company for 2 years now, starting as an intern before transitioning to a full-time role after graduation. Initially, I thought it would be a safe choice given the tough job market, but the reality of the job has been far from ideal. My internship experience was lackluster, with minimal guidance and a lot of time spent alone in the office. My manager often disappears for days, leaving me without communication or support. As a result, I've had to teach myself a lot, and while I've managed to complete the simple tasks assigned to me, I've found the work unfulfilling. I did receive a small pay increase and benefits as a full-time employee, but my workload hasn't changed much since my internship. I've taken on a few additional tasks, but they don't keep me engaged or motivated. I know many would appreciate having a job right now, but I'm feeling increasingly unmotivated and it's affecting me. I'm at a crossroads and wondering if I should start looking for a new job or stick it out a little longer.

I recently faced an unemployment claim denial in Wisconsin after missing the deadline to file my weekly claims. I had been consistently filing on Saturday evenings, but the DWD website was down for maintenance on multiple occasions. While I intended to file after the maintenance, I ended up forgetting due to the demands of caring for my newborn. This happened for four consecutive weeks, and when I realized the issue, I immediately resumed filing. I understand I missed the deadlines, but I appealed the decision because I feel the circumstances weren't fully considered. I'm looking for advice from anyone who has gone through a similar appeal process in Wisconsin. What can I expect during the phone hearing? What kind of questions do they typically ask? Will they only focus on the missed deadlines, or will they take my situation into account? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I was recently let go from my remote job at a tech company just before my planned move out of state. The termination happened at the end of March, and it was attributed to performance issues, which I believe were tied to my recent short-term disability leave for a mental health crisis. I had been on disability from the end of January until early March, and just two weeks after returning, I faced issues for packing up my things instead of making calls, which was part of my job. I filed for unemployment and was initially approved for benefits, but my employer appealed the decision on the 13th day after approval. Now, I have a hearing scheduled in about a week. They cited my performance improvement plan (PIP) and my recent job performance as reasons for my termination. I’m feeling overwhelmed as this is my first experience with unemployment, and I’m seeking advice on how to present my case effectively. I want to know what documents I should gather and how to argue that the PIP alone shouldn’t disqualify me from receiving benefits. It seems like the employer is trying to contest my claim, even though I was approved initially. Any insights on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I received a surprising piece of mail the day after I was laid off from my position at Xbox. It was unexpected and added a mix of emotions to an already tough situation. Some of the comments from others in similar positions suggested that they received less favorable mail, like COBRA letters, which made me feel a bit better about my own situation. One commenter even suggested I should sell the item I received, which is something I'm considering.

I graduated in 2025 with an engineering degree and managed to secure a Software Developer role at a large enterprise company right out of school. I worked incredibly hard, dedicating myself to competitive programming and complex system design during my college years to stand out in a tough job market. Once I started my job, I gave it my all—building high-throughput event pipelines, designing multi-agent AI workflows, and optimizing core libraries to improve our delivery speed. I thought that my efforts would ensure some level of job security. However, with the current tech landscape and frequent restructuring, it feels like none of my contributions matter. The anxiety surrounding potential layoffs and shifting corporate priorities is exhausting. I’ve realized that despite optimizing systems and saving the company money, I’m just another number on a spreadsheet to upper management. Now, the thought of re-entering the job market as a junior/mid-level engineer with only about a year of experience is daunting. The competition is fierce, and the interview processes seem broken. This constant uncertainty is starting to dampen my passion for engineering. I’m reaching out to see how others are coping with this mental strain. For those who faced layoffs early in their careers, how did you stay motivated to keep practicing coding and system design when the outcome feels so unpredictable?

I recently found out that Microsoft is laying off around 4,800 employees, which is about 2.1% of their global workforce. As part of this layoff plan, they are offering severance packages that include up to 39 weeks of base pay for most US employees. I’ve seen reports that this is similar to a voluntary retirement package they offered back in June, but this time it’s not optional. The minimum severance is 60 days, which is required by federal law. While layoffs are never easy, I can't help but think that packages like this can make the transition a bit smoother for those affected. It’s a solid offer, and I hope it helps those who are impacted find their next opportunity.

I graduated in 2022 with a BS in Math from a top public university, but I've been struggling to find work for the past four years. My mental health issues affected my grades, which prevented me from securing internships during my studies. Despite my coding skills and coursework in CS and Stats, I've been mass applying to jobs—over 10,000 applications so far—and have only landed a handful of interviews. I've applied for every job I could find, including basic retail, food service, and office positions, but I haven't had any luck. I've even reached out to temp agencies without success. Networking has also been challenging; my family is from a low socioeconomic background, and they don't have connections to help me. I'm considering grad school, but I'm worried about the financial burden, my grades, and being seen as overqualified for entry-level positions. I'm looking for any advice on how to improve my situation.

I’m currently 29 and still interning, which has been weighing heavily on my mind. I’ve always struggled with knowing what I wanted to do with my life, leading me to pursue multiple degrees without a clear direction. I started interning at 23, first in PR for a startup, then in marketing for a large corporation, but neither felt right. After switching to IT and taking a year off to travel and gain new qualifications, I landed an internship at a prestigious company. Now, I find myself surrounded by younger interns, many of whom are in their early 20s, and I can’t help but feel embarrassed about my age. I’ve stopped mentioning it to avoid awkward questions about my background and education. It’s tough to connect with the other interns, especially when I sense a shift in their attitude towards me once they learn my story. I feel lonely and ashamed, questioning whether I’ve wasted my 20s while my peers advance to senior roles. I’m looking for advice on how to cope with this situation and whether others would find it strange to work with someone nearly 30 who is still interning. I just want to feel like I’m on the right path.

I recently received over 400 rejections while applying for jobs with my current resume, and I'm feeling pretty discouraged. I'm looking for advice on how to tailor my resume more effectively. I've been told that my formatting might be an issue, as it seems to be cluttered and difficult to read. Some suggestions included adding more blank space and adjusting the text size. Additionally, I've been advised to limit the number of bullet points for each role to 3-5 key accomplishments instead of listing everything I've done. I understand that I need to highlight the most relevant experiences based on the job descriptions I'm targeting. For example, as an accountant, I should definitely include 'closing the books' in my bullet points since it's a common requirement in most job listings. I'm eager to refine my resume and finally land a job.

I just had a major freakout before my interview at McDonald's. I was so excited to finally get a chance, but then I discovered that my mom used AI to create my resume without me knowing. I only realized today, right before the interview, that it says I'm still in grade 10 when I'm actually in grade 11. Plus, it has the wrong phone number because I’ve never had a cellphone before. I can't change anything because my printer is out of ink, and I'm feeling super stressed. I’ve worked hard to get to this point, and now I feel like AI has messed it all up for me. I just hope I can explain the mistakes if they come up during the interview. This whole situation is just so frustrating!

I finally got an interview after months of being stuck in a dead-end, understaffed, and underpaid job. This opportunity feels like a massive step up in terms of both salary and career growth. I'm really hopeful that I can leave my current toxic environment soon. I know many of us are in similar situations, and I wish everyone the best in their job searches. As long as there's hope, I believe we can move forward!

Today is a tough day for my family as my dad is divorcing my mom. I'm feeling the weight of responsibility because it's just me, my mom, my grandma, and my brother at home. I need to find a high-paying job to support everyone, but I have zero experience beyond working construction, which I really disliked, and stocking shelves at Walmart. My brother gets a monthly check from the VA, but he spends it quickly on drinking and smoking, leaving us in a tight spot. My mom is disabled and can't work, and my grandma is 85 years old. I'm lost on what to do next. Are there online jobs that pay well or any free classes to help me get an education? I just don't see how we can survive on my brother's check alone.

I’m currently navigating a tricky situation with my job history and need some guidance. My background is primarily in accounting and administrative roles, where I’ve excelled. However, I recently attempted to transition into the insurance industry, and it has been a poor fit for me due to my learning disability, which makes analytical tasks and the licensing exam particularly challenging. Here’s a brief overview of my job timeline: - In October 2025, my last stable job ended. - Late 2025 to early 2026, I took on two short-term insurance roles, each lasting less than a month, but they didn’t work out. - Currently, I’m in a new insurance position that I’ve held for about a month, but I must pass the licensing exam soon or face termination. Given my disability, I’m not optimistic about passing. I’m actively looking to return to a more structured accounting or administrative role before my current job ends. I have a few questions: 1. How should I present my recent job history on my resume? Should I just list my last stable job from October 2025 and claim I’ve been selective about my next role, or should I combine my current and past short-term jobs into a single entry labeled "Temporary/Contract Assignments"? 2. When applying for new jobs, should I include my current employer? If I leave them off, would that be considered dishonest? 3. I’m worried about background checks. If a potential employer uses a screening service and checks my payroll records, will omitting my short-term positions jeopardize my chances of getting hired? Do background checks just verify what I list on my resume, or do they check everything? I’m trying to maintain my employment while searching for a more stable position, but I’m concerned that my impending termination and short job stints could hinder my chances of getting back into a solid administrative role. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I volunteered at a charity shop for 8 months, hoping it would lead to a job opportunity. Initially, I was just looking for something to do to improve my mental health while job searching. I enjoyed the work and the social aspect of it. A few months in, I learned that a paid position was opening up due to an employee leaving, so I applied, thinking my experience would give me an edge. I had been doing many of the tasks already, like cashing up and handling admin duties, and I emphasized this during the interview. However, after the interview, I was rejected by the manager's manager. They cited my lack of questions at the end of the interview as a sign of curiosity deficiency, which baffled me since I had been volunteering there for months and had no questions left to ask. I also struggled to provide a specific example for one of their questions about excellent customer service. I'm feeling really down about this. I thought I had a good chance at the job, and it was a blow to my self-esteem to be turned down after all that time and effort. It feels like my dedication meant nothing to them, and I'm struggling to understand why they would choose someone else over a current volunteer who knows the ropes.

I recently hit a staggering milestone of submitting 6,700 job applications without receiving a single response. It feels like the job market is completely dead for me. I've been questioning whether my application materials are the issue or if I'm applying for positions that I'm not actually qualified for. Despite the overwhelming number of applications, not even a single interview request has come my way. I’ve considered sharing my resume for feedback, but I’m skeptical about the responses I might receive. It’s disheartening to hear that some people think it’s a personal problem rather than a market issue. I'm starting to wonder if I need to rethink my strategy or even consider temporary work just to get by.

I recently found myself unemployed in Massachusetts and was selected for the RESEA program. I completed the initial Career Center Seminar, which turned out to be manageable; it mainly involved watching a few videos. However, I'm feeling quite anxious about my upcoming 1:1 meeting with a RESEA specialist. I received an email with the date of the meeting, but it stated that I would get the specific time on the same day, which is frustrating. I need to arrange childcare, and not having a clear time means I have to block off the entire day, potentially wasting my time. Additionally, I was given instructions to print my job search history, but the option they mentioned doesn't seem to exist, making the paperwork feel pointless. I'm really annoyed because this process seems to be taking away from the time I could be using to actively search and apply for jobs. Has anyone else gone through this? I'm curious about how long the RESEA meetings typically last and what time they usually schedule them.

I was working as a 1099 contractor while also being employed full-time as a W2 employee. Recently, I lost my W2 job and haven't done any work as a 1099 since I have no clients. I’m wondering if I should reach out to the Employment Security Department (ESD) to inform them about my 1099 status, even though I haven't earned anything from it. Additionally, I've been offered two 1099 gigs while receiving unemployment benefits, but I wouldn't be able to start earning from them for a couple of months and there's no guarantee of consistent work. I'm concerned about whether declining these offers will affect my unemployment benefits and if I need to report that I turned them down. Any advice would be appreciated!

I recently won my initial unemployment insurance hearing, which felt like a huge relief. However, I just received another notice for a second hearing, and I'm not quite sure why this is happening. I'm feeling a mix of emotions—confusion and anxiety about what to expect next. I hope this second hearing goes as well as the first one did.

I recently found out that I have a balance of $2000 in my unemployment claim, but I was never paid anything. Currently, my claim status is open, and it shows an effective date of 11/02/2025, with a maximum benefit of $2839 and a weekly benefit amount of $179. However, the amount paid so far is $0. I'm now employed, but I'm still struggling financially. I’m trying to understand what steps I need to take to actually receive this balance, if possible. I’ve read some comments suggesting that this amount isn’t really mine unless I go back on unemployment before the claim expires. I’m just looking for clarity on what I can do next.

I recently worked for a food business in Illinois for about six months, and during that time, the establishment had a significant mouse problem for most of my tenure. Initially, the issue seemed minor, but it escalated to a point where it should have warranted closure. The management addressed the problem minimally, and despite my attempts to report it to the health inspector, the situation didn't improve. Eventually, I decided to leave the job without notice because I felt there was no viable solution in sight. Now, I've received a determination from unemployment stating that I stayed long enough and accepted the risk associated with the job, which I believe is unfair. I only reported the mouse issue, but there were other significant problems as well. My appeal is set for a phone hearing next Thursday, and I'm seeking advice on how to prepare. I want to effectively argue that I didn't just sit idly by for five months; I was hopeful for a resolution during the first few months, but after the health report and my inquiries to management, I felt compelled to leave. I'm unsure if I need to gather more information or submit additional documentation beyond my statement to counter their claim. Any guidance on the next steps would be greatly appreciated.