I recently experienced a layoff from my first software engineering position at a startup. I joined the company with high hopes, excited to contribute to a product that was still in development. Unfortunately, just a few weeks before we were set to launch, the company faced financial difficulties and had to make the tough decision to let go of several employees, including me. It was disheartening to see all the hard work and dedication go to waste, especially since I was eager to see the product succeed. Now, I'm focusing on my job search and hoping to find a new opportunity where I can make a meaningful impact.

Today, I experienced my first layoff after 35 years in the engineering field, specifically in hardware and firmware. It feels surreal to be unemployed at 58, especially since I've navigated my career without facing this situation before. While I have had a fulfilling career, the thought of entering the job market now is daunting, particularly with the challenges that come with age. I have 12 weeks of severance, and I plan to take some time to recover and reset before I start job hunting. I've seen many posts from others in similar situations and feel a sense of solidarity with them.

I joined Microsoft about a year ago, and today I had a conversation with my manager that left me feeling uneasy. They mentioned that they had to really advocate for me to avoid being placed in LITE, which I understand is a designation for employees who may be at risk of being laid off. This has got me thinking about my job security here. I'm reaching out to see if anyone who has worked at Microsoft can share their experiences. Should I take this as a warning sign and start looking for other opportunities?

After 25 years in the tech industry, working for companies like Apple and NCR, I found myself laid off in a mass reduction. As I hit my 40s, I started feeling the sting of ageism, with my experience suddenly being deemed 'too expensive' by corporate spreadsheets. It was a tough realization that my years of hard work were reduced to a line item in a budget. In a moment of panic, I invested $9,000 into an executive transition program, hoping to get the support I needed. While the community aspect was great, the advice on branding and LinkedIn left much to be desired. I found myself trying to downplay my extensive history to fit into a corporate mold, hoping a recruiter would notice me. That was my wake-up call. I decided to completely revamp my online presence, showcasing my decades of experience as a problem-solver rather than just another employee seeking a job. This shift in perspective transformed my approach; what corporations saw as a liability became an asset that private clients began to pay for directly. While I don't think everyone should jump into entrepreneurship, I do believe it's crucial to build your own brand alongside your job search. If you've recently been laid off, don't waste your energy seeking validation from a flawed corporate system. Instead, take control of your online presence, embrace your seniority, and ensure your public profile reflects the respect you've earned over the years.

I recently came across a community focused on layoffs and job searching, and it inspired me to share my experience. After being laid off, I know how overwhelming it can be to re-enter a fast-paced job market, especially when your resume hasn't been updated in years. I've been a resume writer for three years and previously worked as a recruiter, so I understand the challenges from both perspectives. I want to help anyone who has recently faced a layoff by offering to review their resumes for free. I believe a strong resume can make a significant difference in the job application process. If you're in need of assistance, feel free to reach out to me. Just remember to redact any personal information before sending your resume.

I was laid off from my job in the healthcare sector last week, and it was my first experience with a layoff. I had only been with the company for a few months after leaving a position I held for seven years, so this was a complete shock to me. The severance package they offered was minimal, and despite my attempts to negotiate for better terms, they refused to budge. I consulted with an employment attorney who confirmed that everything seemed to be handled correctly, which was disappointing. What really infuriates me is their claim that two weeks of pay is "meaningful support for your transition." It feels absurd to say that with sincerity. As an hourly employee, I had little leverage, and since I live in a state that doesn’t require paid time off to be compensated, I feel even more vulnerable. Right now, my plan is to take some time to recover from the burnout I experienced in my previous job and reassess my next steps. I genuinely wish both companies the worst and hope their executives face some serious consequences.

Three months after being made redundant, I finally let go of the guilt associated with stepping away from my desk. When I lost my job, I dove headfirst into the job search, opening my laptop early each day to scour job boards and submit applications in a relentless cycle. However, it wasn't the job search itself that was the issue; it was the toll it was taking on my mental well-being. I found myself feeling unrecognizable, and my usual confidence had vanished. The turning point for me wasn't attending a CV workshop or receiving LinkedIn tips. It came when I started taking just twenty minutes each day to step outside, away from my desk and the constant barrage of my inbox. It might sound simple, but giving myself permission to take that break before diving into the job hunt made a world of difference. If you're feeling lost in your own job search, please reach out. I'm here to talk, no strings attached.

I finally received a job offer after four long years as a temporary employee. I'm excited but also a bit anxious about the next steps, particularly regarding salary negotiation. My previous program manager, who held the same role I'm stepping into, was making $77k this year before moving up to a manager position. Although she isn't my hiring manager, I believe her salary gives me a benchmark. I was informed that the company conducted a market analysis to determine the salary for this role, which is standard practice. Since this is my first significant job offer outside of retail, I'm unsure about what would be considered appropriate or reasonable for negotiating my salary. Any advice on how to approach this would be greatly appreciated!

I’m currently navigating a challenging situation at my first job in IT, where I’ve been working as a Technical Support employee for the past 8 months. When I joined, I was told I would need to complete a 3-month unpaid internship due to my lack of experience, which I accepted because I didn’t want to miss the opportunity. My manager, a family acquaintance, initially hired me, and I’m grateful for that chance, but my role has become increasingly confusing since I started. I was hired for Support, but soon after, a former employee returned and took over most client communications, leaving me with a smaller client that rarely had issues. I thought I would eventually transition to handling more client interactions, but instead, my responsibilities shifted to just assigning tasks, while he continued to manage the more active clients and developer coordination. To complicate matters, I was assigned to Team A officially, but I often worked with Team B, which my manager primarily oversees. The CTO would tell me to focus on Team B, while Team A's lead would direct me to prioritize Team A tasks. This back-and-forth left me feeling lost and without a clear role. Despite my efforts, my work in task assignment isn’t valued by senior management, and I’ve repeatedly heard that my role is “vague” or “undefined.” After six months, I was supposed to go through a review process, but that never happened. Recently, I expressed interest in moving into QA after a resignation, but I haven’t received any feedback from the CTO about that. What really pushed me to my breaking point was when I found out I was excluded from a new workplace policy announcement. My name was left off the list, and this isn’t the first time I’ve been forgotten. I reached out to HR and the CTO for clarification, but I haven’t heard back. I feel like I’m in a position where nobody knows where I belong, including my managers. During daily standups, I feel embarrassed when it’s my turn to update, as I have nothing meaningful to contribute. I’m currently job hunting, but it’s been tough, and I need to stay in this role to complete my semester requirements. This situation has drained my motivation and confidence, and it’s taking a toll on my mental health. I joined this company hoping to learn and grow, but instead, I’m left questioning my purpose here.

I’m currently considering applying for a position in another department within my company, and I’m unsure whether I should inform my direct supervisor about my interview. I feel a bit conflicted about disclosing this information at this stage. Some colleagues suggested that it might be courteous to let my supervisor know, as the hiring manager from the other department will likely reach out to them for a reference. They mentioned that it’s better for my supervisor to hear it from me rather than from someone else, as it could help maintain a good relationship. I’m leaning towards being upfront about it, but I’m still weighing my options.

I recently interviewed for a position and followed up with an email after the Memorial Day weekend. I received a prompt response from the interviewer, who thanked me for my interest and mentioned they would keep me posted on the "next steps" as they continue their review process. The email felt quite neutral to me, which has left me wondering about my chances. I'm really interested in this role, but I don't want to get my hopes up too high. I'm curious if anyone else has been in a similar situation and what their experiences were like. Should I expect a rejection letter, or is there still a chance?

I recently accepted a job offer and my new role starts in three weeks. I have planned PTO for next week and I'm contemplating whether I can give my two weeks' notice while I'm away. I'm considering emailing my manager to inform them of my decision and letting them know I'm available to discuss everything when I return. This is my first time navigating this situation, so I'm unsure about the proper etiquette. I've seen mixed advice online, with some suggesting that a two weeks' notice is just a courtesy and that I could resign immediately if needed. However, I want to handle this professionally.

I have an interview coming up on Wednesday for a position I'm really excited about. It's a group interview with 4-5 other candidates, and I'm feeling a bit anxious about it. In the past, I've struggled to articulate my thoughts during interviews and often find myself saying 'um' way too many times. I know I can do the job well, but the interview process tends to trip me up. I'm reaching out for any tips or tricks that might help me prepare and present myself better during this group setting. A fellow candidate mentioned that responses don't need to be lengthy, just concise and relevant, which I found helpful. If anyone has additional advice, I'd greatly appreciate it!

I am currently in the final stages of interviewing for a Quotation Renewal Associate position at a product-based company in Gurgaon, India. I've completed all the interview rounds and am now waiting for the HR to reach out for salary negotiations. My previous package was 6 LPA fixed, and I’m trying to determine what would be a fair compensation for this role given my 2 years of experience. Any advice or insights on salary expectations would be greatly appreciated!

I recently went through a frustrating job application process for a Senior Analyst position at a mid-sized fintech firm. Over the past three weeks, I felt like I was just a prop in their internal promotion theater. The initial recruiter screen went well; she told me I was the strongest candidate and that they needed someone to start immediately to address their troubled data pipeline. I was optimistic. Then came the technical round where I had to build a dashboard and explain my approach to three managers who seemed exhausted. I dedicated an entire Sunday to this project, and they praised my work, calling it insightful and exactly what they needed. After that, I had a final round interview with the VP, which felt more like an interrogation disguised as a casual chat. We discussed leadership and team scaling for an hour, and he even shook my hand over Zoom, expressing excitement about potentially working together. I was so hopeful that I even told my wife we should celebrate, thinking the offer was just a formality. However, things took a turn for the worse. I experienced two weeks of ghosting, despite following up twice. Finally, I received a generic rejection email from a no-reply address, stating they chose another candidate whose skills aligned more closely. I felt crushed, especially when I discovered that they filled the position with someone already working as a Junior Analyst at the company. It became clear they had no intention of hiring an external candidate; I was merely used to check a box for HR. I invested so much time and energy into this process, only to realize I was part of their internal promotion game. I hope their data pipeline remains broken.

I was recently faced with a troubling situation when my husband was terminated from his job while he was on FMLA leave. He had been working as a web developer for a company that was undergoing layoffs, and instead of officially laying him off, the HR department decided to terminate him over the Christmas holiday, trying to disguise it as a 'job abandonment.' They claimed he had quit, but we have all the emails proving otherwise. This decision seemed to stem from the CFO's misguided attempt to cut costs by manufacturing a termination rather than handling it transparently. Meanwhile, we learned that several other developers were laid off around the same time. The most frustrating part is that my husband was on FMLA leave to care for me during my cancer treatment and recovery, with approved leave extending through February 2026. Now, we're in a battle with Washington state unemployment to correct the classification of his separation, as the employer insists he quit. This experience has shown us just how ruthless some companies can be, willing to jeopardize the well-being of their employees even after years of service. And yes, we are considering legal action.

I recently learned that there have been some executive layoffs at Covista, where I work. As a VP, this news is concerning, and it has created a tense atmosphere within the company. I'm trying to stay focused on my responsibilities while also keeping an ear to the ground for any further developments regarding job security and potential changes in leadership.

I recently quit my job as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and started looking for remote work opportunities in various fields. I came across a company called Great Limited Import Export Inc., which offered me a position as a Procurement Assistant and Specialist with a base salary of around $165,000. They proposed a two-week promotional period instead of a traditional interview process. While the job sounds appealing, especially since it involves purchasing items for clients in Asia, Europe, and Canada, I can't shake the feeling that this might be a scam. They provided a lengthy employment offer that appears legitimate, but I still have serious doubts about the authenticity of the opportunity.

I got laid off from my marketing role at a tech startup in March, and honestly, it was a relief. I had joined the company last year, eager to pivot from my writing background into marketing, but the job quickly revealed itself to be a mismatch. The role was advertised as entry to mid-level, but they expected someone to build things from scratch without any proper training or orientation. From day one, there were red flags. My boss was often absent, and the company culture felt toxic, with an emphasis on long hours and competition. I was overwhelmed with tasks I wasn't trained for, and after my boss went on maternity leave, I was left to figure things out on my own with minimal support. I struggled for half a year, trying to keep things afloat with the help of a consultant, but it was a lonely and miserable experience. When my boss returned, I had just come back from a family emergency, and it felt like everything was stacked against me. I was let go shortly after, and surprisingly, I felt happier than I had in months. The company assured me it wasn't performance-based and offered references, but I don't think I'll need them. Now, I'm collecting unemployment and have some savings to fall back on. The job market is tough, and I've only had one phone screen since being laid off, which was for another role that raised all the same red flags. However, I'm approaching this job search with a sense of apathy rather than desperation, which is a refreshing change for my mental health. I just wanted to share my experience and see if anyone else has felt relief after leaving a bad job.

I've been feeling pretty defeated in my job search lately. I hold a Master's in Planning and have sent out over 100 applications, but I've only managed to secure 17 interviews with no job offers in North Carolina. It's been tough, especially since I’ve applied for roles in both the public and private sectors, as well as positions in related fields. To make ends meet, I've even started applying for serving, cashier, and bartending jobs. What’s really frustrating is that I had two interviews that felt promising, but both employers ended up canceling the positions altogether without hiring anyone. I can't help but wonder if the current state budget issues are causing these hiring freezes and delays. On top of that, I have a resume dilemma. I recently moved to a rural area for a city planner position, but after just two months, I was let go and they froze hiring. Should I omit that short stint from my resume? I’m worried it might raise red flags for potential employers. I’d appreciate any advice on my resume situation or insights into the job market right now.