I was recently let go from my retail job, and the circumstances surrounding it are quite distressing. I had been working there for about two months when my wife went into labor on June 21st. I had informed my employer well in advance about my wife's due date and my intention to take two weeks off to be with my newborn. On the day of the induction, while at the hospital, I realized I had forgotten to give another employee the store keys for opening. I took full responsibility for my oversight but was unable to drive to the store to rectify it. My boss, who is an old associate of mine, called me out in a group chat in a way that felt unnecessary and petty, leading to a heated argument. In the heat of the moment, I left the chat and blocked them to reduce my stress during such a significant time in my life. After my baby was born healthy, I unblocked my boss a few days later and expressed my readiness to return to work. However, after several attempts to reach out, I noticed that my access to company email had been revoked, which made me suspect I had been removed from their systems. Now, I’m left feeling anxious because I rely on this job for income and health insurance for my family. I live in a state where it’s illegal to fire someone during family leave, but I fear they might claim I resigned voluntarily. I’m considering my options and wondering if I should approach HR or consult a lawyer. I want to handle this situation thoughtfully, as I believe I have grounds for a lawsuit. Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

I recently attended interviews as a senior developer but found myself in situations more suited for freshers. Last week, I interviewed with Cognizant, where two HR representatives seemed to struggle with basic math during the process. I also had a technical round with Infosys, where an HR person checked my laptop multiple times to see if I was using GPT or any other background applications during the interview. It felt quite intense and a bit frustrating, considering my experience level.

I recently received an offer from Company A, a fintech firm, for a software engineering role. This is exciting, but I have to admit it's my third choice among the companies I'm considering. I graduated in December 2025, and I'm currently in the interview process with two other companies: Company B, a big tech streaming service, where I've passed the technical screen and have a virtual onsite scheduled for mid-July, and Company C, another big tech firm focused on hardware, where I recently completed a technical screen and I'm waiting to hear back about advancing. The challenge I'm facing is that Company A's offer is expected to arrive this week, while I'm still waiting on B and C to finish their processes. I'm torn because I would prefer to work at either B or C if they come through with offers. I'm looking for advice on how to handle this situation. Once I receive the offer from A, should I inform B and C about it to potentially speed up their decision-making? If so, what's the best way to frame it? I've heard that giving a hard deadline might backfire, so I'm considering saying I'm a finalist elsewhere without mentioning the actual offer or a specific deadline. What approach tends to work better? Additionally, should I ask Company A for more time to make my decision? As a new grad, what would be a reasonable amount of time to request for an extension? I appreciate any insights from those who have navigated similar situations.

I had an interview recently with a company where I was in touch with the hiring manager. After the interview, she messaged me asking if I had interviewed with her that day, to which I confirmed. However, she then went silent for about three days. When I reached out, she apologized for the delay, mentioning she had been busy. She asked about my notice period at my current job, which I still have, as I'm looking for a new position due to environmental concerns at my workplace. I took a couple of days to respond, and now I'm left waiting again for her to get back to me about informing HR of my potential start date. I'm feeling confused about the whole situation and wondering what might be going on.

I am preparing to put in my two-week notice at my retail job where I've worked for about a year and a half. The timing feels terrible because my boss's wife is about to have a baby, and he'll be taking two weeks off right after I leave. I work at a small company with fewer than 50 employees, and I know my departure will add a lot of pressure on him. I've been feeling burnt out at this job, which has been pretty awful overall, but I want to leave on good terms. I'm waiting to hear back from my new employer about starting on August 1st, which would give my boss some time to adjust. My main concern is maintaining a good reference for future opportunities, especially since I don't have many professional references from my past jobs, like DoorDash. I really don't want to burn this bridge, but I also need to prioritize my own career and well-being. I’m hoping to find a way to navigate this situation without it turning into a disaster.

I’ve been on quite the rollercoaster in my job search as a senior product designer in NYC. Over the past 15 months, I've made it to the finalist stage 9 times, which is both impressive and disheartening. Each time, I feel like I'm so close, yet I walk away empty-handed. I know I've stumbled a bit during some onsite interviews, especially with whiteboard challenges and behavioral questions, but I can't help but feel that there's something more at play. The competition is fierce, and it feels like the hardest job to land, especially when I see others who have worked at big names like Amazon and Meta seemingly moving up the ladder without much trouble. I’ve been in this industry for 7 years, and I’m starting to wonder if I’m missing something crucial in my approach. If anyone else is going through a similar struggle or has any advice, I would really appreciate it. I just want to feel validated and know that I’m not alone in this challenging job market.

I've been unemployed for nearly a year now, and the job search has been incredibly challenging. I have about 7 years of experience in sourcing and procurement, but the opportunities seem scarce. I’m lucky to land an interview once a month, and when I do, I'm often up against candidates with much more experience than I have. My partner has been encouraging me to consider switching careers, but I'm hesitant. I’ve explored adjacent roles without much success, and the thought of starting completely over is daunting. Recently, I earned my PMP certification to enhance my resume and keep myself busy, but I’m beginning to wonder if I should focus on gaining more certifications to justify my time off instead. Thankfully, finances aren't a pressing issue for me right now.

I've been reflecting on my situation lately as a 19-year-old immigrant living with my parents. I've always held a negative view of minimum wage jobs, thinking of them as a sort of humiliation or a form of payroll slavery, influenced by family and media. However, after facing numerous rejections from decent jobs, apprenticeships, and universities, I'm starting to feel the pressure of needing to earn money. The thought of applying for positions like cashier, waiter, or promoter really shakes my belief system. I desire personal freedom and a better future, but I find myself stuck in this dilemma. I live in a European country where labor laws are generally supportive of workers, yet I still feel hesitant about taking a minimum wage job. I'm considering whether it's worth it to take one of these jobs or if I should wait it out until college or pursue my own side hustle, like YouTube or a niche tech repair business. I could really use some outside perspective on this situation.

I’m a 24-year-old female originally from Norway, now living in Austin, Texas. I've worked in sales across various countries and have also gained marketing experience here in the U.S. Unfortunately, my work visa just expired, and I’m heading back to school. Due to my visa restrictions, I can only work part-time during my first year. I’m eager to return to sales but I'm uncertain about the availability of part-time roles in this field. I would greatly appreciate any advice or leads on part-time sales jobs!

I recently applied for a position and my application is currently under review. However, I noticed that just 8 days after the original job listing was posted, it was refreshed with a longer title and new responsibilities added. I'm wondering if I should base my interview preparation on the original listing or the updated one. Is this a common occurrence? Did something go wrong with the original posting, or are they possibly consolidating roles? I’m feeling a bit uncertain about the situation and would appreciate any insights.

I recently found myself in a tough spot at my current job as a line cook, feeling pretty miserable. I've worked in various roles, including retail and delivery, but I'm ready for a change. Right now, I'm in the process of interviewing for a delivery job with a local company that I really like. I have a second interview lined up, and since I've done similar work before, I feel confident about it. At the same time, I just applied for a technical support position at a software company where a friend works. It's an entry-level role, and I put a lot of effort into my resume and cover letter, even though my experience doesn't perfectly match the job description. I believe my previous roles have equipped me with the necessary skills. The challenge I'm facing is that I'm nearing the second interview for the delivery job, but I haven't heard back from the software company yet since I just submitted my application. I'm really interested in the technical support position, but I don't want to risk losing the delivery job offer without having a solid answer from the other company. I'm wondering how long I can ask the delivery company to wait while I weigh my options. I know I can communicate with them, but I'm not very experienced in these situations and could use some guidance. I really want to make the right decision without losing out on either opportunity.

I'm a 24-year-old on F-1 OPT, feeling incredibly frustrated with my job search. I hold a bachelor's degree in accounting and auditing and a master's degree in finance. I have about a year of experience in risk advisory at a Big 4 firm in my home country, along with a 10-month internal audit internship at a Fortune 500 company in the US. I'm specifically targeting internal audit roles that require 0-5 years of experience, but I'm facing constant rejections. I rarely even get to the HR phone screen, and when I do, it often doesn't progress because companies either don't want to hire someone without citizenship or a green card or they prefer candidates with more specialized experience. I'm currently preparing for my CIA part-1 exam, hoping that will improve my chances. It’s exhausting to feel like I’m stuck in a loop of applying for positions I know I can excel in, only to be auto-filtered out for internships since I'm no longer a student. Even entry-level roles (0-2/3 years of experience) are rejecting me, leaving me confused about whether I'm seen as underqualified or overqualified. I've also tried branching out into Financial Analyst and FP&A roles, as I noticed some of my peers landing these positions with no experience, but I'm not having any luck there either. I've tailored my resumes for each job application, and sometimes I even indicate that I don't need sponsorship just to see if it helps me get an HR phone screen, but it rarely leads to anything. The feedback I get is often vague, stating they've found candidates that better align with the role, even when I feel I meet the job description perfectly. I’m hesitant to spend a lot on consultancy services that promise to optimize my resume with keywords, especially when they take a large percentage of my first-year salary without guaranteeing a job. I'm open to any suggestions or advice on how to navigate this challenging job market.

Today, I faced a heartbreaking situation regarding my job at a local company where I recently started as a temporary employee. I was thrilled to join this team just two months ago, as the pay was great, the hours were flexible, and the work environment was fantastic. I genuinely loved going to work every day and felt a strong connection with my bosses and colleagues. However, I received some devastating news from my doctor yesterday. After some tests, it turns out that I am very unwell and will need to be hospitalized for an extended period due to my condition. This news has left me feeling completely devastated, as I had hoped to work through the summer while finishing my studies. Now, I find myself in the difficult position of needing to quit a job that I truly love, and the thought of disappointing my bosses is weighing heavily on me. I want to handle this situation professionally and communicate to them that this decision is entirely out of my control. I plan to request a private meeting to explain my circumstances honestly and respectfully. I am reaching out for advice on how to approach this conversation and ensure I leave on good terms, as I would hate to burn any bridges. Any suggestions on how to navigate this would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off today after just four hours of work, receiving the news via email. The paperwork they sent was dated for yesterday, which feels a bit ridiculous. To add insult to injury, they shorted me a day of PTO but claimed they processed a severance check 'in good faith.' However, they also want me to sign a non-sue agreement to release the severance. This company is Canadian and is shutting down their US operations, specifically in California. I’m tempted to ask for that missing day of PTO and the hours I worked this morning, but I’m worried that it might jeopardize the severance offer since they’ve made it clear I can’t pursue them legally. I’m also debating whether to apply for unemployment benefits today or wait until Sunday, as I’ve heard mixed opinions on the timing. I’m considering consulting an employment lawyer to get some clarity on my situation and to ensure I have documented evidence of my layoff and the hours I worked.

I was laid off from Meta on May 20, but my official termination date is set for July 22. During this notice period, I’ve remained on payroll, and my pay stubs indicate 'Notice Pay.' I’m currently navigating the complexities of my H-1B status and trying to figure out when the 60-day grace period starts. I’ve heard differing opinions on whether it begins from the notification date or the official termination date. Given that Fragomen informed me they would notify USCIS only 30 days from the official termination date, I’m wondering if there’s a solid argument to claim the grace period starts after July 22 instead of May 20. I’m concerned about the implications if I stay in the U.S. past July 19 while interviewing, especially if USCIS argues the grace period started earlier. I’m not looking for legal advice, just hoping to hear from others who have been in similar situations, especially fellow Meta employees or those who experienced a WARN notice.

I’ve learned a tough lesson about loyalty in the workplace. After dedicating three years to my role as a senior developer at my company, I found out that my manager decided to hire three new employees to replace me and another senior dev. It feels disheartening to realize that we’re seen as not 'sexy' enough anymore. One of the new hires is particularly toxic, being rude and micromanaging our work, yet the manager seems to support this behavior, placing the blame on us instead. Now, it seems like they want us to resign. I've spent countless sleepless nights working hard for this company, and this is the reward I get. I’m considering my options, especially after seeing advice about not resigning and pushing for a layoff instead to secure severance and unemployment.

After 18 months of job-searching hell, I can finally say it's over. I sent out around 1,000 applications and went through 130 interview rounds. It was a tough journey, especially after dealing with one withdrawn offer. But all the hard work paid off, and I’ve just signed a contract with my dream company!

I recently had two interviews with a company that seemed to go really well. After the second interview, the CEO even reached out to me, expressing that they felt positive about my fit for the role and asked when I could start. I responded by saying that I would need to give my current employer a two weeks' notice, but that this was contingent on receiving a formal offer letter first. I mentioned that mid-July would be the earliest I could start, as we are nearing July. Interestingly, we hadn't even discussed compensation yet, and I can't just leave my current job without knowing if the new position would offer at least what I currently make. To be honest, I don't have a strong attachment to my current job; it's not a career maker for me. However, I'm left wondering if my straightforward approach was off-putting to them. I feel like I was just being honest about my situation, but I can't help but think that maybe they were turned off by my need for an offer before resigning. It's ironic how employers expect a two weeks' notice when resigning, yet they often want candidates to leave their current jobs without any notice when hiring.

I had an interview today for a medical assistant position. During the interview, the hiring manager mentioned that they want to keep me in the running for the role and will get back to me on Monday. I'm feeling hopeful about this, but I'm also trying to manage my expectations. Is this a good sign?

I was recently terminated from my role as a content marketer at a marketing agency due to issues with my internet connection. During a weekly meeting, my manager asked me to share my screen, but it took me two minutes to get it set up. By the time I started speaking, he was already upset and asked me to leave the meeting. Shortly after, I received an email stating that I was terminated for not meeting the remote work requirements. It's frustrating because the company never provided any internet equipment and only paid me $140 a month, which barely covered my expenses. I feel incredibly unfairly treated and now find myself jobless and feeling hopeless.