I’m currently facing a tough situation at my job where I’ve been for 5 years. Recently, a new manager put me on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) after I had received no negative feedback in previous reviews. I’m planning to give my two-week notice soon, but I’m really anxious about whether they’ll ask me to leave immediately instead of letting me work through the notice period. I want to ensure I get my last paycheck, but I’m worried that being on a PIP might mean they’ll cut me loose right away. I’ve already mapped out my next steps because the anxiety from this job is overwhelming. I’ve seen mixed opinions from others; some say that if I give notice, there’s a high chance I’ll be let go immediately, especially since I’m on a PIP. Others mentioned that in larger companies, they might need to go through the paperwork and could let me stay for the full two weeks. I’m not considering taking PTO because we have unlimited PTO, which means I wouldn’t get paid out for that. I just want to know what to expect when I hand in my notice.

Today, I visited KFC after noticing a hiring poster and asked for an application. The manager came out and mentioned they didn't have any applications available, but asked if I could work at 1 AM without providing much detail about the hours. I agreed, and he quickly mentioned that he could get me started on online training. He didn't ask for my résumé or confirm my hiring status, but instead wrote down his personal Gmail address and instructed me to email him my SSN ID and void cheque information before I could begin the online training. The entire interaction lasted about five minutes, and when I inquired about interviews, he stated that they don't conduct interviews there. I'm left wondering if this is typical for fast food hiring processes or if something feels off, as everything seemed to happen so quickly. I'm not even sure if this means I'm actually hired.

I've recently been navigating a challenging job search after losing out on two promising opportunities. I realized that my work history isn't as clear as I thought it was, largely due to some past trauma that has affected my memory. To address this, I've turned to the Social Security Administration to request a detailed earnings report, as some of my older job dates might not match up on my resume. I'm concerned about how to communicate this to potential employers, especially since I've held higher security positions in the past that might not be easily verified. I'm looking for advice on the best way to inform prospective employers about the possibility of inaccuracies in my employment dates and that I'm currently waiting for the SSA inquiry results. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I've been on the job hunt for a while now, and it's been incredibly frustrating. No matter how many applications I send out or how many networking events I attend, I just can't seem to find a decent job. I've tailored my resume and cover letters for each position, but the responses have been minimal. I'm starting to feel disheartened and unsure of what my next steps should be.

I recently started a new job as a news producer at a station in California after spending three years at my previous station. My contract ended in July, and I chose not to renew it in hopes of finding a better-paying position in either broadcasting or PR. I began my new role on August 17, but I quickly realized that the hectic and unpredictable schedule is taking a toll on me. I'm contracted to produce the 8 a.m. show, which means I start work at 2 a.m. This is a huge shift from my last job, where I didn't have to be in until 2:45 p.m. The adjustment has been tough. After just two weeks, I started getting moved around to different shifts due to callouts, which has included producing the 7 a.m. show that requires a 1 a.m. start and the 9 a.m. show that starts at 3 a.m. We’re expected to check our work calendars daily, including weekends, for any last-minute schedule changes. For instance, last Sunday at 4 p.m., I received a text saying I needed to produce the 7 a.m. show because the regular producer was out. This constant uncertainty is stressful, especially since I usually need to be in bed by 5 p.m. for quality sleep. With my existing health issues, I’m genuinely worried about how this schedule is affecting me. I also regret not asking for holidays off when I started. I didn't want to seem uncommitted, but now I'm missing valuable time with my family, particularly my grandmother, who is in her 80s. I've seen two coworkers get calls from our boss for sleeping through their shifts, so I know I'm not alone in struggling with this demanding schedule. Unfortunately, there are no other positions available for later shows. I've been applying for other jobs and keeping my portfolio active. Part of me wants to stick it out for the experience and the higher salary, but I’m starting to question if it’s worth sacrificing my health and personal life.

I’ve been feeling really stuck in my job lately, and I’m reaching out for some advice and motivation. I’ve been working at this company since 2020, starting in customer service for a year before moving to the marketing department. While my pay is decent, this is the only job I’ve had since graduating college, and I’m starting to realize that the management and owners don’t align with my values at all. My manager is particularly difficult to deal with; she seems to take pleasure in putting others down, especially if they’re happier than she is. The thought of leaving terrifies me. I’ve almost finished my resume and I’m constantly browsing job sites like Indeed and Glassdoor, bookmarking opportunities that catch my eye. But every weekend, I tell myself that I’ll finally complete my resume, and then I end up making excuses to distract myself with video games or TV instead. I’m really looking for some motivation or personal stories from others who have felt this way. It’s such a big change, and I keep doubting my ability to make it happen.

I completed the RRK assessment for an Account Strategist position at Google this past weekend. I'm excited to share that I passed the assessment, and my application status has been updated accordingly. I'm now curious about the likelihood of moving forward to the next stage in the hiring process. If anyone has had recent experience with the hiring process for roles at Google in Dublin, I would appreciate any insights or advice. Thank you!

I am currently exploring potential federal job opportunities that I might qualify for, particularly those that reach GS 11. I've been considering investing in 15 hours of courses to meet the recent hours requirement for the VA HPSP program, with a specific interest in job series 0185 and 0644. From 2018 to 2023, I worked as a high school special education teacher, but I had to resign due to escalating student behavior issues. This situation led to significant personal challenges, including losing my home and experiencing homelessness. Additionally, I attended Navy OCS in 2025 but sustained an injury during training, resulting in an uncharacterized discharge after six months. I've undergone several C&P exams related to my injury and associated mental health issues. Before committing to further education for a specific job series, I want to investigate what options might be available to me based on my background. I hold a bachelor's degree in general studies with a 3.51 GPA, and I'm attracted to federal jobs for their pay schedules, job security, and healthcare benefits. I'm open to relocating to any city, ideally those with a lower cost of living.

I recently accepted a new job in healthcare administration, which is starting this month, but I'm really struggling with the low pay. It's frustrating because just a couple of years ago, I was earning significantly more in this field. Now, it seems like all the job listings for similar roles offer the same or even lower compensation than what I've accepted. To make matters worse, the hours are variable, and I could get called in on short notice, making it difficult to take on a second job. As it stands, my monthly expenses—rent, groceries, and bills—will completely consume my paycheck, leaving me with a deficit of a couple hundred dollars each month. I live in a rough apartment and drive an old car. I don't go out or drink because I simply can't afford it. It's disheartening to see my peers seemingly managing better, especially without family support. I have a university degree, yet I'm still struggling to make ends meet. I feel like I'm stuck in a cycle where the job market is oversaturated with people holding degrees like mine, which drives down wages. It's a tough situation, and I don't know how others are coping without additional income or support.

I recently found myself in a tough situation regarding job offers at my current university where I work in higher education. I received an offer for a position that would pay **$47,000**, which is an **$11,000** increase from my current salary. This role would expose me to new areas like administrative operations and budgeting, but it requires me to be fully in the office and handle front desk duties, which I'm not particularly excited about. They gave me until **Tuesday** to decide, but I haven't even received an official offer letter yet. The catch is that I’m also a finalist for another position at the same university that I believe aligns better with my long-term career goals. This second role is more focused on program coordination and student programming, offers a **hybrid** work environment, and has a salary range of **$52K–$62K**. After my first interview for this position, I felt disappointed because it was short and I didn’t think I showcased my skills well. However, I later learned that I’m one of the few candidates moving forward to an **in-person final round**. The timing is problematic because the final interviews for this second role will occur after my decision deadline for the first offer. My friends have advised me against burning bridges, especially since both positions are at the same university. I’m torn between accepting the first offer and potentially withdrawing from the second interview process, or risking it by turning down the first offer in hopes of landing the second one. I’m grateful for having options, but it’s a real dilemma. I want to make the right choice without jeopardizing my future opportunities at the university.

I've been struggling to find job opportunities lately, and it's really frustrating. I spend most of my free time scrolling through LinkedIn and searching on Google, but I'm lucky if I find one job to apply to in a week. I know I want to work in emergency response, ideally in fields like fire, environmental, or civil defense. I'm also open to roles in police or medical services. The last job I applied for was with the British Transport Police on Tuesday, but I got rejected just a day later. Before that, I applied to the fire service back in June and faced another rejection. I'm really hoping to find more opportunities out there, but it feels like I'm hitting a wall.

I recently found myself in a tough situation when my spouse unexpectedly lost his job. He was working as a contractor doing marketing and website-related tasks for a single business owner, and he was paid on a 1099. He worked full-time, about 40 to 45 hours a week, and followed the owner's instructions closely. Unfortunately, the owner decided to end the working relationship due to rising business expenses. Now, we're trying to figure out if he can qualify for regular unemployment benefits in Illinois, despite being classified as an independent contractor. I've been researching the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) website and learned that just because he received a 1099 doesn't automatically disqualify him from unemployment benefits. In fact, IDES states that many workers may have been misclassified and should apply anyway. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has had a similar experience in Illinois. Specifically, I'm curious if anyone who was paid on a 1099 successfully received unemployment benefits after being deemed misclassified by IDES. How long did the process take for you? What kind of documents did they ask for? If your initial determination showed $0, were you able to get it reviewed? Any insights or tips would be greatly appreciated, as we're trying to understand what to expect and if filing a claim is worth it. Meanwhile, my spouse has started applying for new jobs.

I am currently facing a challenging situation at my job where I've been working as a key player in my department for the past 1.5 years. I was the first hire in my team, and now our department is merging with a larger one. This transition has been difficult, especially since half of our HR team has left, and communication has been inconsistent. My current salary is 30k, and I am considering asking for a raise to 36k, which would be a 20% increase. My role has expanded significantly; I handle support work for our product, often managing around 20 support tickets a day while also running training sessions for my colleagues. I've created training materials and maintain a Slack channel to share resources, ensuring that everyone is up to speed with the new processes. Despite my contributions, I haven't received a raise in the last cycle, and many in the company, including myself, are struggling financially. With the upcoming increase in minimum wage, I will effectively be earning 20% less in real terms by January. I've expressed my concerns to my manager, who acknowledges the situation but has warned me not to get my hopes up regarding a raise. I am also aware that the bonus structure is complicated and often unattainable, making my financial situation even more precarious. I feel that my contributions are undervalued, and I am determined to advocate for a salary that reflects my work and the responsibilities I have taken on.

I had a really positive interview with HR for a position at a local store, and they mentioned that they would connect me with the store manager to set up an in-person interview. However, it’s been almost a month since that conversation, and I haven’t heard anything back. I’m considering reaching out to the HR contact again during office hours to follow up. I want to express my continued interest in the role, but I’m also aware that I shouldn’t hold my breath. I’ve seen advice suggesting that instead of just asking for a status update, I should mention how much I enjoyed our conversation and highlight how the company aligns with my career goals. I’m also thinking about inquiring if there are any other open roles I could apply for. At the same time, I know I need to keep applying elsewhere in case this opportunity doesn’t pan out.

I am currently feeling stuck in my career journey and unsure of where to go next. The instability in the job market has left me feeling paralyzed, and I really want to kickstart my career. I've held a few roles during my time at university and even went abroad to pursue my Master's degree. Now, I'm eager to make a meaningful impact but I don't know where to begin. I've been trying to get advice on my resume, but I'm not confident that it's effective. Since May, I haven't been able to land any job interviews, which has been quite discouraging.

I recently experienced a layoff from my job at a local retail store where I had been working for about 20 months. The circumstances surrounding my termination were quite frustrating and have left me feeling disillusioned about workplace dynamics. It seems that many of my coworkers were more interested in playing social games than fostering a supportive environment. I made a joke about an attractive nurse at a hospital, which I thought was harmless, but it was taken out of context and used against me. My coworkers, particularly two individuals named Aaron and Kaleb, seemed to have a vendetta against me and used this incident as an opportunity to get me fired. They claimed that I made inappropriate comments in front of multiple nurses, which was a complete exaggeration. I believe they were simply looking for any reason to undermine me because they didn't like me personally. I can't help but feel that this situation reflects a broader issue in many workplaces where group mentalities can lead to toxic environments. It feels like people are often more concerned with their social standing and how they are perceived rather than supporting one another. I had been hearing whispers and noticing a shift in behavior from my coworkers long before the incident, which led me to believe they were plotting against me. In the aftermath of my firing, I can't shake the feeling that the whole situation was unfair and driven by personal biases rather than actual misconduct. I know that I have a tendency to speak my mind, and while I don't regret my joke, I do recognize that I need to be more cautious about how my words might be interpreted in a professional setting. Moving forward, I plan to focus on finding a new job where I can work with people who appreciate authenticity and honesty. I refuse to let this experience define me, and I am determined to learn from it, even if I don't believe I did anything wrong.

I recently accepted a job offer at Company A after being unemployed for nearly 1.5 years. I was eager to get back to work and didn't want to risk losing this opportunity, even though I was in the final stages with several other companies. I negotiated a start date about two months out, which gave me the chance to continue pursuing other opportunities. Just yesterday, I completed an extensive final round interview with Company B, which included multiple assessments and six rounds of interviews. They informed me that an offer would be extended soon. I’m set to start at Company A in about a week, and I'm now faced with a tough decision. Job A offers a salary of $225k, with good room for advancement and a supportive team that values my contributions. The cost of living in the city is low to medium, but it’s not the most exciting place to live. On the other hand, Job B is offering between $300k and $310k, but it comes with a smaller, scrappier team where I would be the third member. While the pay is significantly higher, the team’s function seems more like a side project within the organization, which could limit resources and advancement opportunities. The city for Job B is medium cost of living but offers a more vibrant lifestyle. The compensation difference is weighing heavily on my mind. I genuinely believe that in five years, I could potentially earn more at Job A, but there’s also the risk that I might leave before then. Job B would add a prestigious name to my resume, which could open doors for future opportunities. I’m really struggling with the idea of reneging on my accepted offer, but the financial incentive is hard to ignore. I’m looking for advice on what to do next.

Today, I took some time to reflect on my journey with severe anxiety during my period of unemployment. It's been really tough to cope with the stress of job searching while dealing with overwhelming feelings of anxiety. I’ve been applying for various roles and trying to stay positive, but some days it feels impossible. I’m reaching out to see if anyone else has faced similar challenges and found ways to overcome their anxiety during this difficult time. Any advice or stories of hope would mean a lot to me right now.

I'm currently facing a tough decision between two job offers in the tech/SaaS industry. I'm in my mid-20s, have an MBA, and five years of experience in sales compensation. I decided to leave my current job due to low pay and limited career growth. I accepted an offer from an established public SaaS company (Job A) with a $120k base salary and $37k in RSUs, which I thought would provide the stability and growth opportunities I need. I'm scheduled to start in a week and the team seems great, with a smooth hiring process and a flexible in-office schedule. However, I recently received another offer from a late-stage startup (Job B) that pays $142k base and is fully remote, which is appealing. While Job B seems like a plug-and-play role since it aligns with my current experience, I'm concerned about the potential workload and stability of a fast-growing startup. The interview process for Job B was a bit off, especially with the hiring manager not allowing me to ask questions. Job A offers a senior-level title and the chance to expand my skill set into quota administration, which could be beneficial for my long-term career. Job B, on the other hand, promises higher pay and a more comfortable work environment, but I worry about the risks associated with a startup. I feel terrible about potentially backing out of Job A after they've already sent me a laptop, but I'm really torn between the long-term benefits of Job A and the short-term gains of Job B. If anyone has been in a similar situation, I would appreciate your thoughts on which offer I should choose.

I recently experienced my first layoff, and it's been a tough pill to swallow. I was working at a company where I had built strong relationships and had never faced any performance issues. However, this year has been incredibly challenging for me personally. I lost my home due to a disaster early in the year, which has left me feeling displaced and stressed. I tried to keep my personal struggles separate from work, but I can’t help but think that my mental state may have affected how my team viewed my value. A few months ago, things started to unravel when my direct manager was out, and communication within our team fell apart. I noticed my colleagues were frazzled too; one even mentioned getting yelled at, while another acknowledged the chaos we were all experiencing. When my manager returned, she unexpectedly yelled at me and wrote me up, which was shocking since we had been friends outside of work. This incident put me on edge, and I felt like I was walking on eggshells. Then, just a few days ago, I was called into a meeting with my manager's manager and HR. They informed me that my position was being eliminated due to company-wide cutbacks, and it had nothing to do with my performance. I appreciated their transparency, but I can't shake the feeling that my personal struggles might have contributed to my situation. I worry that my stress and anxiety may have created a negative perception of me, leading to this layoff. Now, I'm left feeling lost and anxious about the future. My life feels like it's in shambles after losing my home and now my job. I'm seeking advice on whether my concerns are valid or if stress can indeed lead to someone being targeted in a layoff. It's hard to shake the feeling that if I hadn't gone through such a tough time, I might still have my job.