I’m currently facing a really tough situation at my job that’s affecting my mental health significantly. I work in an entry-level position, and the environment has become toxic. My boss often yells and curses at me, and there’s a lot of gossip among coworkers. I even left work early today without telling my boss because I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I recently bought a house, and now I’m regretting that decision because the stress from work is overwhelming. Just last Thursday, I sat in my car for two hours crying before I could bring myself to go inside. There’s this coworker who I thought was a friend, but she’s been talking behind my back and spreading lies about my work ethic. I’ve been working hard, often putting in overtime, yet she’s claimed that I’m slow and inefficient. I tried to distance myself from her by working in another room, which my boss had approved, but now it seems like that’s backfired on me. When I reported her behavior to my boss and HR, it didn’t go well. My boss got furious, saying I was wasting her time and that I shouldn’t have gone to HR. Now I feel like I’m being targeted, especially since HR pulled in the girls I reported for questioning. I’m scared they’re plotting against me and that I could get fired. Everyone around me, including my therapist and boyfriend, is telling me to quit, but I’ve written a resignation letter and haven’t sent it yet. I feel trapped because of my new house and financial responsibilities. I’m really struggling with my mental health, dealing with major depressive disorder and severe anxiety, and I feel like I’m stuck in this job that’s making everything worse. I’m reaching out for advice on what to do next. Should I just leave this job despite my financial situation, or is there a way to navigate this toxic environment?

I've been on the job hunt for a Senior Tech position this year, aiming for a salary of at least $85K. I've applied to numerous roles at large companies across various sectors like Legal, Consulting, and Tech. I've noticed that salary ranges can vary significantly, sometimes by as much as $50K. For instance, I've seen positions listed with a range from $75K to $100K, which puts the median at $87.5K. Recently, I received an offer and was informed that I was the top candidate. However, the offer was below the median salary. This has me questioning whether I should accept a salary lower than the median, especially since the company advertised a higher range. It seems counterintuitive to me that they would lowball their top choice. I'm curious if others have been in a similar situation. Did you accept a salary below the median, or did you negotiate for something higher? I believe it's important to advocate for oneself based on the value and experience I bring to the role.

I'm feeling really stressed about my current job situation at a small tech company where I've been working as a junior analyst for a few months. The workload has become overwhelming since a senior team member left, leaving just two of us on the team alongside our manager. Management decided to cut costs by not replacing the senior position and instead pushing for AI automation, which has only added to the chaos. I find myself handling a lot of responsibilities without a clear understanding of the overall team functions, as my manager seems disinterested in learning about our tasks. They often pass off mistakes from their half-hearted reviews back to us, which adds to my frustration. Despite my grievances, I've been told I might be fast-tracked for a promotion, which would mean taking on even more responsibilities. However, I want to leave this job behind. The anxiety and dread I feel daily are unbearable. Recently, my previous employer reached out about a new full-time position they are opening, and I expressed my interest. I'm just waiting for more details, but the timing feels terrible. I feel guilty about leaving my current team in a tough spot, as they would be left with only two people to manage everything. But honestly, I’m at a point where I would consider taking a significant pay cut just to escape this situation. I know I need to prioritize my health over this job, and I think I already know what I need to do. This is more of a vent than a request for advice.

I recently found a full-time job after a year of searching, but I lost it within just 24 hours. Since graduating in 2020, I've been working as a writer and editor, initially creating content for major gaming websites before transitioning into the SaaS sector. Unfortunately, the job market took a downturn around 2024-2025, leading to the loss of most of my clients. By the end of last year, I was struggling financially and had to rely on my parents for support. Despite these challenges, I managed to earn a master's degree in behavioral sciences while freelancing. I attempted to apply for UX and research roles but had no luck. To enhance my qualifications, I completed several certifications and am on track to practice as a mental health counselor soon. However, the reality is that many people in my country cannot afford therapy, which makes it difficult for practitioners to charge what they deserve. Last week, I was thrilled when an agency contacted me for a scriptwriting role with a major gaming channel, writing scripts for one of my favorite games. I was overjoyed and celebrated with my family and friends. To top it off, I had also published a book I had been working on. It felt like a dream come true to have both a new job and a book launch in the same week. The CEO of the company informed me that they would be testing my work for two weeks, requiring 10-11 hours a day, six days a week, with a pay of around $420 a month. While this is a decent amount in my country, I was desperate for any opportunity. I dedicated an entire day to my first assignment, only to be told that my work "clearly looked like it was written by AI" without any further explanation. It was humiliating to be accused of using AI as a writer who prides themselves on originality. I tried to explain that I didn't use AI and acknowledged their concerns, promising to ensure my next assignment would not have that 'AI feel.' However, I received no response after that. Now, I'm back to being unemployed, feeling lost and heartbroken about my future as I approach my 30th birthday. This isn't how I envisioned my life turning out. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read my story. Thank you.

I’ve been feeling a deep sense of despair about my job search, and it seems to consume about 85% of my time. Despite having over 15 years of experience and a strong resume, I find myself struggling to land a job. I’m intelligent, energetic, and analytical, yet my applications seem to go unnoticed. I tailor my resume and write cover letters, applying for positions even 2-3 levels below my previous role, but I still receive zero responses. I’ve reached out to my connections, but their help hasn’t led to any tangible opportunities. It feels like everyone is searching for the perfect candidate, and I’m stuck in a long line for positions that seem to be filled before I even apply. In the past, job searching was challenging but yielded results, and now it feels like an endless cycle of rejection. I’m trying to navigate this despair day by day, and I’m curious how others cope. I’ve found a few things that help me: 1. **Exercise**: I practice yoga twice a day, focusing on strength and flexibility. I also make sure to go on long hikes, which helps me release tension and feel alive. The physical activity gives me a sense of achievement and a moment of peace. 2. **Treats**: I used to find comfort in chocolate or berry pies, but that’s not working for me anymore. I guess my optimism has waned as time goes on. 3. **Family Support**: I often call my mom, who lives overseas. She’s supportive and reminds me that I’m valued beyond my job title or experience. My husband is also unemployed, which adds to the pressure. He’s been searching for three years, and I know he’s feeling the weight of my situation too. At the end of the day, I find solace on my yoga mat with my cat by my side, checking emails for a response from my mom about the cat pictures I sent her. In those moments, I feel accepted and valid, even amidst the chaos of my job search. I’m looking for ways to find my comfort zone and regain a sense of Zen in this challenging time.

I recently had a technical case interview for a software engineering position at a tech company. I felt confident about my performance during the interview, as I was able to effectively demonstrate my problem-solving skills and technical knowledge. However, it has now been over two weeks since the interview, and I haven't heard anything back from the company. I've followed up with the recruiter, but I haven't received any response. It's frustrating to feel ghosted after putting in so much effort, and I'm starting to lose hope about this opportunity.

I've been navigating the job application process and recently noticed that some roles I applied for are being re-listed with recent posting dates, even though my status still shows "application in review." This has left me in a bit of a bind since I can't reapply through the career portal while still under consideration. To tackle this, I decided to take the initiative and emailed the hiring managers at two different companies regarding these re-listed positions. One of them replied, letting me know that my email had been forwarded, which was encouraging. I wouldn't have reached out if I had received a rejection, but it feels unfair that if a job is reposted, I shouldn't have the opportunity to express my continued interest. I understand that there’s a prevailing culture that discourages candidates from advocating for themselves beyond the ATS systems, but I believe that these systems often overlook qualified candidates. If a role is reposted, I think it's only fair that previous applicants, as well as new ones, should have the chance to apply again.

After nearly two years of searching for a job, I finally received an offer after submitting over 800 applications. I started applying in January 2026, focusing primarily on remote positions, but by the end of March, I noticed that opportunities in that area were dwindling. I paused my applications for a few months, but in June 2026, I broadened my search to include remote, hybrid, and both in-state and out-of-state positions. It's been a challenging journey, and I can confidently say this is the worst job market I've ever experienced. While I have an offer now, I'm still interviewing for a few other roles just to keep my options open.

I recently went through my first salary negotiation for a job offer. I countered their initial offer of $75,000 with a request for $80,000, as they really need someone to backfill a role due to a company reorganization. The call felt a bit awkward; they started with the good news about the offer, but I had some unanswered questions from my first interview with someone who wasn't involved in the hiring process. I paused the conversation to ask about PTO and the on-call responsibilities, especially since the facility has a service contract that requires a quick response. I framed my salary request around the fact that there was a significant reduction in PTO, which I'm now second-guessing as a strategy. Regardless, I'm just waiting to see what they come back with.

I have an interview today for an office assistant position, but I'm feeling uncertain about whether I should even go. I just noticed in the job posting that they require math skills, including fractions, percentages, and some accounting knowledge. Honestly, I'm not great at math, and I'm worried that I won't meet their expectations. However, I've received some advice suggesting that it's still worth attending the interview for the experience, even if I don't feel fully prepared. I guess I could brush up on my skills using some online resources or tools, but I'm still hesitant. Should I just go for it?

I was recently terminated from my role as a digital pathology scanning technician, and I'm feeling uncertain about my next steps. I have an associate degree in accounting, but my career took a turn when I started working in a laboratory. My primary responsibilities involved scanning medical glass slides into a digital format using specialized equipment and ensuring they were assigned to the appropriate pathologists. I also handled sorting and archiving these slides for easy retrieval. With nearly 9 years of experience in this field, I also managed general office tasks and facilitated inter-department communication, including some computer troubleshooting. Although I have a solid understanding of lab operations, I haven't worked directly in accessioning or as a lab assistant. I'm eager to continue my career as a digital pathology technician, but opportunities in this emerging field are limited. I'm currently considering how to pivot my skill set effectively. On a positive note, I recently had a phone interview with a laboratory that's hiring for an accessioning position, and they seemed impressed with my lab knowledge.

I recently got laid off and found a great way to cope with the situation. I joined a weekday hiking group in the Bay Area, California, specifically for those navigating layoffs or job transitions. This Monday, October 19, we're meeting at Marin Headlands in Mill Valley for a hike. It's a 5.2-mile loop with a 1049 ft elevation gain, and it’s a perfect chance to clear my head and connect with others in similar situations. The group typically splits into smaller teams based on hiking pace, which helps keep things organized on the trail. We chose Mondays for our hikes since trail traffic is low, making it easier to accommodate everyone. Although hiking is our main activity, the community also engages in co-working sessions, job search support, and casual meetups like coffee hangs and bike rides. It’s a supportive environment, and I’m looking forward to meeting new people and sharing experiences. I hope to see some of you there!

I've been feeling really down about my job situation lately. I've been with my current company for almost 11 years, and while I love my boss and team, the last year and a half has been tough. I was pushed into a new role that lacks clarity, and my bonus this year was only about 5% of what it could have been. To top it off, there are no merit increases or promotions in sight for the rest of the year. As a single parent, the financial strain is real, especially after going through a divorce two years ago. I've been actively searching for a new role and have applied to around 100 positions, all of which I feel qualified for. Recently, I finally got a screening interview for a role that seemed promising, but after following up, I learned that I was told I failed an assessment I never even received. It was incredibly frustrating to hear that the company decided to pursue other candidates. This whole experience has turned me into a cynical and angry person, which is not who I want to be. I'm trying to set better work boundaries, like not checking emails after hours, but I can't shake this feeling of bitterness. I know I should be grateful to be employed, but it's hard to stay positive when everything feels so bleak.

I was recently laid off for the first time at 23 years old. I worked in marketing for a company that decided to outsource SEO, which was my entire role. Although I didn't enjoy the job from the start, I appreciated the remote work flexibility and my supportive bosses, so I stuck it out for 11 months. Now, with severance in hand, I’m left questioning if my performance played a part in this decision, even though they didn't mention it. It feels like a significant setback for me, and I'm struggling with the emotions of it all. Is this how it always feels when you get laid off?

I came across a remote job opportunity with AQ Capital SA that seems almost too good to be true for an entry-level position. I'm feeling a bit skeptical about its legitimacy and wanted to get some feedback from others who might have insights or experiences with the company. Has anyone worked with them or heard anything about their hiring practices?

I recently received an email from American Express informing me that they are conducting a review of my account, which could lead to a reduction in my credit limit. This news hit me hard, especially given the current economic climate. I'm a 35-year-old male, and while I'm grateful to have a job, it simply doesn't pay enough to meet my needs. I've been actively applying for better-paying positions as well as part-time jobs to help supplement my income, but unfortunately, I've faced a string of rejections. It's becoming increasingly demoralizing, and I'm feeling the weight of adulting more than ever.

I recently graduated from high school and I'm currently 18 years old, living in Australia. I have some unpaid internship experience in governance and corporate settings, and I currently work as a fast food server while also tutoring. On top of that, I’m leading the creation of a startup. I’m studying politics, commerce, and economics, and I have a guaranteed pathway to law school. My academic performance has been decent, with a few scholarships, although I did experience a dip in my grades due to burnout. The main issue I’m facing is my current job at the fast food restaurant. The environment is toxic, with micromanagement and arbitrary firings, which has made my anxiety worse. I’ve been applying for jobs for over a year now, hoping to leave this position, but I’ve had no luck. My career mentor has been referring me to corporate jobs, but I keep getting rejected by HR. I’ve applied for various roles including Christmas casual positions in retail and fast food, receptionist roles in law firms, admin assistant roles, youth committee positions, entry-level parliament jobs, and even government jobs, but I haven’t received any positive responses. I even asked my internship if they could offer me a position before I left, but they opted for a more experienced candidate instead. I’m feeling quite lost and frustrated in this job market. I plan to start applying for new jobs from November 1, after my exams, and I’m working on my cover letters and resumes with advice from my university, job-seeking platforms, and my mentor. I’m really looking for guidance on what types of jobs I should be applying for next.

I worked as a Christmas Casual at JB Hi-Fi during the holiday season of 2024, but my contract ended in February 2025, and I was let go. Since then, I've been trying to get back into the electronic retail space, specifically at JB Hi-Fi. I've had experience in fast food and general retail at a bottle shop, but I discovered that I really enjoy selling electronics. I've built a solid foundation in customer service, handling difficult situations, and I feel confident in my ability to excel in that environment. The challenge I'm facing is that many people seem to get hired at JB through personal connections. Unfortunately, I don't have any close contacts there, except for a permanent team member I occasionally message. I've considered reaching out to him for advice on getting back into the company, but I'm hesitant because I don't want to come off as opportunistic, especially since we don't communicate often. I believe I have a strong resume with five years of customer service experience and a genuine passion for technology, but it feels like luck isn't on my side. I'm venting a bit here, but I'm also looking for suggestions on whether I should pursue this opportunity further or focus my efforts elsewhere.

In August, I was laid off from a company where I had dedicated over six years of my career. It all happened unexpectedly while I was on a short vacation; a colleague reached out to tell me he couldn't find me on Slack. When I checked my phone, I was shocked to see that all my access had been revoked, accompanied by a brief email explaining the situation. Initially, I felt confident in my skills and thought finding a new job would be a breeze, despite being aware of the challenging job market. However, I quickly realized just how tough things are. Since then, I've applied to numerous positions but have yet to receive a single positive response, which has left me feeling lost and unsure of what I might be doing wrong. On top of that, my previous company had started integrating AI into our workflows, which I wasn't particularly fond of. Now, I feel like my technical skills have become a bit rusty, so I'm putting in the effort to polish them up while also trying to adapt to a job market that seems to be rapidly evolving due to AI. Honestly, this entire job search process has turned out to be more exhausting than my actual job was.

I recently submitted about 30 job applications over the last couple of weeks, but unfortunately, I haven't received any responses yet. It's quite frustrating, especially since I applied to two different positions at the same company just a couple of days ago. I have a solid amount of experience, so I'm not sure why I'm facing such challenges in getting noticed. This is the first time I've encountered this level of difficulty in my job search, and it's really starting to get to me.