I started a summer job in May, working under a 60-hour contract for three weeks. During the interview, I was assured that regardless of the contract type, I would have the opportunity to work more hours than guaranteed. My manager confirmed this when I started, saying I could work as much as I wanted if I expressed my desire for more hours. However, despite my monthly requests to increase my hours, I've consistently only received around 60-65 hours per rotation. Recently, our new schedule showed that almost every employee, including myself, has been assigned fewer hours than our contracts stipulate. This is a clear violation of our employment agreement, and I'm entitled to full pay for the contracted hours, even if the shifts aren’t provided. I spoke to a coworker about this issue, but he’s hesitant to bring it up to management, fearing it would add more stress to our already supportive managers. I understand that the company may have overhired due to expected sales increases, but I find it hard to believe that a large company in this field can't afford to honor our contracts. While I appreciate my managers and don’t want to create problems for them, I also feel the need to stand up for my rights as an employee. I wish there was a way to address this issue directly with higher management without involving my kind managers. Financially, I’m in a tough spot since I had planned to save most of my earnings for university, but now I’m struggling to cover my living expenses after moving out due to renovations at home.

I’ve been reflecting on the current climate of layoffs, and it’s alarming to see how common retrenchments have become. It used to feel like a distant concern, but now it seems like almost every day there are reports of companies letting go of employees without clear reasons. What’s particularly troubling is that even managers and higher-ups aren’t safe from these cuts. I’ve learned that there are no mandatory severance packages or requirements that companies must follow, which means that even firms that are doing well can let people go without any justification. I’ve witnessed toxic environments where employees are fired only to see the same positions filled again shortly after. It feels like loyalty has become obsolete in the workplace. Companies seem to hire without much thought and fire just as easily, without any legal repercussions to protect workers. In other countries, it’s much harder to terminate an employee, but here it’s almost too easy. Often, they’ll give you a month’s notice, or create impossible performance targets that no one could realistically meet, just to label you as underperforming. I’ve seen HR departments act in ways that are downright intimidating, threatening termination without any real basis in performance. Many of us are left feeling pressured to resign to avoid the stigma of being fired. I know colleagues who work tirelessly, going above and beyond, only to find themselves in the crosshairs of layoffs. The process can be humiliating, with accusations that are laughable yet result in their termination. It’s heartbreaking to think about the families affected and the financial burdens they face. I can’t help but wonder how many people have suffered severe consequences from these layoffs—like depression or worse—because they can’t find new jobs, especially as they get older. It’s a serious issue that needs addressing. I really hope our government steps in to protect workers from these unjust practices, ensuring that companies—both local and multinational—are held accountable for their actions.

I was fired twice within a year, and I'm starting to question if leaving a toxic job was worth the ongoing insecurity. My first job was with a local city government in a healthcare IT role. Overall, it went fine, with only a couple of minor errors that were easily corrected. However, I was feeling uneasy about the budget discussions happening two months before I was supposed to become a permanent employee. I started applying for new jobs, and just three days before my permanent status, I was let go. They claimed I didn’t work hard enough, and I left with my head held high, even though they didn’t bother to escort me out properly. After that, I thought I could start fresh with a new job. The first month went well, and my first employee evaluation showed no issues. But in the second month, my boss became frustrated with me for asking questions about my tasks, and then also for not asking enough questions. I tried to communicate my discomfort with some of the processes, and despite my efforts to address a production issue I caused, I was still blamed for it. I had a compliance ticket related to SOX that I was dinged for because the process had changed midway, but the auditor was understanding. Things took a turn when I had jury duty. I provided my boss with the court-ordered letter and went to fulfill my civic duty. I received frantic messages from my boss about a schedule, which I didn’t have since I was at jury duty. Fast forward to last Tuesday, and I was fired again. I used to be confident in my career path in IT, having worked as a contractor and a system admin for years. However, it seems like every job I take is poorly managed. I miss the days when proactive management was the norm and when people were trained and appreciated for their hard work. Now, it feels like there are too many in IT who lack the passion and understanding needed for the field. I’ve never had formal certifications or a four-year degree, but I have a wealth of experience. Unfortunately, I often feel overshadowed by those who do have degrees. I’ve decided to take some time off to focus on getting certified and to finally have the credentials to match my experience.

I recently learned that Dignity Health has laid off several top-tier employees. This news has left me concerned about the overall health of the organization and what it might mean for the future. I'm wondering if this is a sign of deeper issues within the company or if it's just a strategic move. It's unsettling to see such talent being let go, and I'm curious about the implications for those of us still employed here.

I have my final interview for what feels like my dream job on Tuesday, and I'm both excited and nervous. The interview is set to last about 3 hours, starting with a tour of the office, followed by five separate 30-minute one-on-one meetings with people from different departments. The hiring manager mentioned that this format is usually pretty relaxed rather than overly formal, which is a bit comforting. I've never experienced a final interview like this before, so I'm reaching out for advice. I'm curious about what kinds of questions I might expect during these meetings. Will each person likely ask the same questions, or do they typically focus on different aspects? I'm also wondering how best to prepare for this unique setup and if there are any common mistakes I should avoid. I usually do well in interviews, but this format is new to me, and I want to make a great impression. Additionally, I want to know if reaching this stage is a good sign that an offer is a real possibility or if it’s still anyone's game. This opportunity means a lot to me, and I really want this job. Any tips or insights would be greatly appreciated!

I just got laid off from my position at Publicis Groupe, and it's been a tough time for me. About three months ago, my fiancé left me, which has made things even more challenging. I’m living in a giant loft apartment that I can barely afford, especially now that I'm without a job. The place feels so empty without her and all her stuff, and it's hard to keep up with the rent. I was finally getting my life back on track—hitting the gym every day and cutting back on drinking during the week. But now, with this layoff, I feel like I’m back to square one. I haven't done any coding challenges in years, and I’m unsure if they’ve changed or if companies are still relying on traditional methods. I’ve heard mixed things about using AI in coding interviews, and I’m worried about how to approach my job search moving forward.

A few months ago, I made the tough decision to quit my job as a Part Time Manager at Claire's. Initially, I enjoyed my role, despite the challenges of changing signs every night. However, after the company went through bankruptcy and was bought out, the work environment turned toxic. Management was poor, and many employees were leaving. I found out from friends that I was severely underpaid at $12/hour for my position, especially when I learned that others were making more for less work. Despite my store manager's encouragement to pursue a promotion to Store Manager, I was ultimately not hired after being led to believe I would be. This was the final straw for me, and I submitted my one-week notice. My boyfriend supported my decision to focus on my hobby instead, but since quitting, I've struggled with feelings of inadequacy and a lack of purpose. I've been trying to make money from my hobby, but it's been slow, and I've also started doing DoorDash to make ends meet. However, my phone service issues complicate things. I feel like I've lost my routine and am not accomplishing anything meaningful. Now, I'm looking for new jobs, but I feel stuck. I want to earn more than $14/hour, work part-time, and preferably find something remote or within a 30-minute drive. I don’t have a degree, and I’d love weekends off, but I’m starting to wonder if my expectations are too high. I feel like I might have to lower my standards and consider full-time work or even go back to the $12/hour range. I'm reaching out for advice on whether I'm being too picky or if I'm missing something in my job search.

I dedicated all my time and resources to building my startup, pouring my heart and soul into it. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, and now I'm in a tough spot. I need to find a job quickly before my financial situation worsens. I'm reaching out for any advice or leads you might have. I really appreciate any help you can provide.

I was laid off from Deloitte after six years of relentless work that took a toll on my health and personal life. The news came in a brief 10-minute call with a partner and an HR representative, and I felt completely numb. My entire mid-20s were consumed by the demands of the firm, where I sacrificed my well-being for the sake of deadlines and client deliverables. I endured chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and anxiety, all while missing out on family gatherings and personal milestones. I kept telling myself that if I just got through one more busy season, things would improve, but they never did. Instead, I was left feeling like just another number on a spreadsheet. Now, even though the layoff was a shock, I also feel a sense of relief. For the first time in years, I don’t have to worry about utilization metrics or late-night work. I’ve decided I’m done with the Big 4 and reclaiming my life. To anyone still in the grind, please prioritize your peace; the firm won’t care about you in the end. It's time for me to heal and focus on my well-being.

I recently landed my second job using a data-backed approach to my job search, and I wanted to share my experience in hopes it helps others. I'm a data science graduate from the class of 2022. I was previously employed at a firm on the West Coast but was laid off in early 2024. After that, I spent nearly a year applying to jobs and faced a lot of rejections, which was pretty devastating. It wasn't until recently that I realized I had been applying blindly without leveraging my data science skills effectively. To improve my job application success, I developed a testing methodology that involved running a regression model to identify key factors influencing successful applications. I defined a successful job application as receiving a reply after submission. I hired two interns to help apply on platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, and I also utilized four automatic application tools for sites like ZipRecruiter and Glassdoor. Each of us applied to about 40 to 50 jobs daily, tracking our progress with unique emails. I used the free version of Breezy HR ATS to analyze which resume formats were most effective. Through my research, I discovered that tailoring a resume to a specific job role significantly impacts ATS rankings. I used an NLP web scraper to identify popular resume formats in the industry and created three versions: UniTalent, LaTeX, and RenderCV. Over 120 days, we collectively submitted about 28,844 applications, categorized by posting time: jobs posted within 24 hours, those over a week old, and those over a month old. Our overall response rate was about 5.8%, with 1,670 positive responses. The results showed that tailored resumes with relevant keywords performed best, and timing was crucial—applications submitted within the first hour of posting had the highest response rates. Interestingly, I found that the format of the resume also played a significant role in the response rate. The UniTalent format yielded the highest number of positive responses, followed by LaTeX and RenderCV. This experience has taught me a lot about the job application process and the importance of using data to inform my approach.

I recently completed an assessment interview for a position that I thought I had messed up, but surprisingly, it went better than expected. The hiring manager even asked me to give him a call to discuss onboarding preparation, which we touched on briefly. The recruiter also reached out to me regarding the next steps. Now, I’m gearing up for the final round, which is an executive interview with a senior leader. I’m feeling really nervous about it. I’m trying to balance my hope for the position while also staying focused on preparation. I’m curious for insights from anyone who has been through similar high-level interviews. What do they typically assess? Is it more of a conversational style, or should I prepare for another in-depth interview? Any tips on how to get ready would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!

I've been job hunting in HR for about 8 months now and faced a tough decision regarding how to address my survival job as an Uber driver during interviews. Initially, I left it out of conversations, worried it would make me seem desperate or disconnected from my field. However, I eventually grew tired of dodging the question when asked about what I had been doing. So, I decided to be honest about it. I explained that I kept income coming in while focusing on finding the right fit and mentioned how the candidate experience aspect of driving helped me think more critically about onboarding touchpoints. This approach made a noticeable difference in the interviews. Some hiring managers responded positively, indicating that it showed self-sufficiency, while others moved on without much thought. There was one who reacted awkwardly, but overall, being straightforward seemed to resonate better than my previous vague answers. The gap conversation is tough, and I feel many people in similar situations are advised to downplay or deflect, but my experience suggests that owning it and connecting it to relevant skills can be more effective. I'm curious if anyone else has navigated the income gap during their job search and what strategies worked or didn't work for them.

I got laid off on my birthday, which was quite a shock. It's been about 9 days since my employment with the company ended. I had spent four years in my role, where I excelled and built strong relationships with my colleagues, but unfortunately, I wasn't viewed as favorably by management. The company decided to implement a reduction in force, affecting 300 employees, and I was among those selected. It was disheartening to receive the news, and a colleague even offered to help me clear my desk to avoid having to go back into the office. Initially, I saw my severance package as a chance to relocate to a new state, especially since my lease is up in less than a month. I wanted to find new employment in a different state, but I'm starting to think that might not be the best move right now. I'm also enrolled in a medical assistant program that my previous employer funded, and I'm unsure if they'll allow me to finish it and get my certification. Despite this uncertainty, I've been keeping up with my studies and am ahead of schedule for completion. My official last day is August 7, 2026, and I plan to finish my courses before then. I usually stick to a path until I get a clear signal to change direction, at which point I reassess my options. During this transition, I've found walking and journaling to be really helpful.

I recently experienced the impact of the ongoing layoffs affecting major companies like Amazon, Walmart, and FedEx. As someone who has been following the trends in the job market, it's disheartening to see that the so-called 'low-hire, low-fire economy' is becoming a reality. While tech companies have been hit hard, it seems that other sectors are starting to feel the pressure as well. I’ve noticed CFOs are advising their boards to prepare for a potential recession, even as these companies report record profits. It feels like a mix of greed and caution, as they want to avoid being caught off guard like during previous economic downturns. This situation has made me more anxious about job security and the overall stability of the job market.

I recently left my job because my manager wasn't treating me or my coworkers well, and I've been on the hunt for part-time positions for about a month now. So far, I've only heard back from Walmart, which is great news. However, my older brother, who works there full-time, is really against me taking the same role in online pickup and delivery. He gets visibly upset when I mention my interview with them, claiming that the manager is bad and that I wouldn't enjoy the job. This has left me puzzled because we generally have a good relationship at home. I decided to hold off on accepting the job offer because I don't want to cause tension between us, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm making the right choice. I could really use some advice on why he might be reacting this way and whether I should just go for the job regardless.

After three and a half months of applying for jobs with no responses, I am thrilled to share that I am finally employed! I applied for a position at a local hospital in early July, which stated that no experience was necessary. Almost two weeks later, I received a text and an email from their AI hiring assistant to schedule a phone interview. I picked the earliest slot available, which was a week later. The phone interview went well; the recruiter walked me through the job specifics to ensure I understood the role, including the location, hours, and pay. They also asked a few standard interview questions. At the end of the call, I was scheduled for an in-person interview and informed about the expected timeline for a decision. The in-person interview took place just two days after the phone interview, and it followed a similar format—confirming job details and discussing duties. The recruiter mentioned that they typically make hiring decisions within 48 hours. My in-person interview was on a Thursday, and by the following Monday, I received a call with a job offer! I connected with the recruiter on Wednesday, signed the offer letter, and now I have a start date. I feel a mix of nerves and excitement, but mostly gratitude. I won't have a car after this month, which adds some stress to my situation, so I'm currently searching for an apartment near my new job that will accept my offer letter as proof of income. Thank you to everyone who has supported me during this journey!

After my recent interview for a marketing coordinator position, I received a rejection just a few hours later. Initially, I felt disappointed and started to replay my answers in my head, wondering what went wrong. However, I remembered that a quick rejection often indicates that there was a specific gap they identified. I took some time to reflect on the interview and made a note of the key requirements they kept emphasizing, such as experience with a particular marketing tool and familiarity with their target customer base. I realized that my background might not have aligned perfectly with those needs, which could explain the swift decision. I also noted that during the interview, my responses became less detailed when they asked about my experience with that specific tool. This made me think that perhaps they were looking for someone who had immediate expertise rather than someone they would need to train. While a quick rejection stings, I found it more helpful to analyze the situation rather than dwell on whether they liked me or not. It’s clear that understanding where the interview narrowed can provide valuable insights for my future applications.

This week, I encountered a frustrating issue while trying to certify my unemployment claim in New Jersey. After receiving backpay for three weeks, I got an error message stating 'Unable to certify - reopen your application.' I currently work part-time in EdTech, but I was a full-time in-school teacher last year. I'm wondering if anyone else has faced this problem with an active NJ claim and if they were able to resolve it by speaking with an agent over the phone, without having to go through the adjudication process again. Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated!

I have been working in IT Support in Saudi Arabia for about a year, but my contract was not renewed due to the downturn in the market caused by the war situation. My company gave me a few months to find another job, but despite applying to numerous positions on LinkedIn, Gulf Naukri, and other job portals, I didn't receive a single interview call. I tailored my CV for different roles and shared it with friends and relatives in Dammam, Jeddah, Mecca, and Riyadh, hoping for leads. I even joined WhatsApp groups for job seekers, but nothing seemed to work. After months of searching, I started to doubt my abilities. Eventually, I received a job offer through a reference, but the new company wanted me to work under my previous employer's sponsorship, which is not legal. They kept delaying the transfer of my sponsorship, while my previous employer pressured me for confirmation. The stress took a toll on my health, and when I informed the new company I couldn't start due to illness, they canceled my offer. I feel like I did everything possible, but nothing worked out.

I recently took on a second job in retail on Sundays to help make ends meet while my partner is in trade school. I’m currently onboarding and training for this role, but circumstances have changed quite a bit. Right after I got hired, my partner received an assistantship that could lead to a full-time position once they graduate in about a month. Now, I'm questioning how to handle this situation. I have a full-time salaried job, and my field values relevant experience over a long work history, so I'm not overly concerned about any professional repercussions. However, I’m still unsure if I should keep this second job or let it go. I've received some advice suggesting I stick with it through the holiday season, as I might be able to pick up extra hours leading up to Christmas. This makes sense since my partner's future earnings are uncertain, and I want to ensure we have some financial stability. I appreciate the input from others and will likely keep the job for now.