Feeling

I just found out that I've been placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) at my current underwriting job, which has been a poor fit for my marketing background. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed as I have 5 business days to decide whether to opt in or opt out of the PIP. If I opt out, I would receive 60 days of pay while not working, followed by 12 weeks of severance. I've already started updating my resume and applying for new positions because I've been eager to leave this job for a while now. My main concern is how this decision will affect my job search. Some applications ask if I've been involuntarily terminated, and if I accept the severance, I would have to answer yes to that question. I'm worried that this could automatically disqualify me from certain opportunities or significantly reduce my chances of getting hired. On the other hand, if I choose to stay on the PIP and manage to find a new job within those 60 days, I could quit before the severance kicks in, which might look better professionally. I’m really torn and would appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation.

I’ve been on the job hunt for the past four months, and honestly, it feels like I’m just wasting my time. I keep applying to positions, but I keep hitting a brick wall with rejections or just being ghosted. It’s frustrating because I have a lot of other responsibilities to juggle, like taking care of my kids, supporting my wife, and managing my schoolwork. I’m really struggling to find the time and energy to keep applying non-stop. Am I the only one feeling overwhelmed by this? I’d love to know how much time others are spending on job applications each week.

I recently graduated with a Computer Science degree and have been actively applying for tech jobs, but I've had little success so far. Currently, I'm working in a non-tech role that pays between $120,000 and $150,000 per year. However, the hours are long, and I spend about 8 hours a day commuting, which has taken a toll on my mental well-being. I don't enjoy this job, and I feel there's no real opportunity for career growth. I'm contemplating whether I should quit my current job and dedicate a few months solely to my job search in tech. I have enough savings to support myself during this time, but I'm uncertain if this is the right decision, especially considering the current state of the tech job market. I would love to hear thoughts from others: should I stay in my current job while continuing to apply, or take the leap and focus full-time on breaking into tech? I also have a spouse and a child to consider, which adds to my dilemma.

I had my first interview today after being laid off from my job of 12 years back in April. It was for an Implementation Specialist position, and I was feeling a mix of excitement and nerves since so much has changed over the years. The interview was just a 20-minute first-round call, which was quite different from my past experiences where I would go in for a traditional interview and get the job right away. I wasn't sure what to expect, so I sought advice on potential questions I might face. I learned that these initial calls are typically short and mainly serve to confirm my qualifications and ensure there are no glaring discrepancies in my resume. I was advised to prepare for common questions, like describing a problem I encountered at work and how I resolved it, as interviewers often want to see how candidates think on their feet. Overall, it was a learning experience, and I hope to build on it for future interviews.

I recently applied for a position at Golden Entertainment, a gaming company that posted a job opening in my town. After being let go from my previous job, I've been actively searching for new opportunities and checking their website daily. I was excited to see this listing and quickly submitted my application, highlighting my 12 years of relevant experience in the industry. To my surprise, just four hours later, I received an email from their HR representative praising my resume and stating that I was a perfect fit for the role. However, she informed me that they had already made an offer to another candidate but would keep my resume on file for future openings. What’s been bothering me is that the job listing is still active on their website, which my friend mentioned could be a tactic for tax purposes. This has left me feeling anxious and paranoid, wondering if my previous employer might have influenced their decision against me. I’m trying to stay hopeful and continue applying elsewhere, but I can’t shake the feeling that I might be missing out on a chance at Golden. Should I take the HR lady's word that they filled the position so quickly, or should I just move on? Any advice would be appreciated!

I recently interviewed for a position at a company where I felt the interview went well, despite lacking some of the qualifications they were looking for. I was really motivated and didn't expect to get that far in the process. They told me I would receive feedback by the end of the week, but after a week of silence, I finally got a rejection email. They cited my lack of qualifications as the reason for not moving forward and mentioned they had already chosen another candidate. What really threw me off was that shortly after my rejection, the job was reposted on multiple platforms, including their own career portal. It felt strange to be told they were moving forward with other candidates while simultaneously seeing the same job opening up again. It made me wonder if I was just interviewed to meet a quota rather than being genuinely considered for the role. Has anyone else experienced something similar? It feels a bit disheartening.

I am currently working full-time at a startup where I've been for three years. While I value the flexibility of remote work, my role has become quite demanding with back-to-back meetings, and despite my contributions, I haven't received a promotion yet. The instability at the startup is concerning, as they tend to lay off employees whenever they face financial difficulties. Recently, I received an offer for a technical role at Fidelity on a one-year contract. The position is very appealing, and I was impressed by the longevity of the team members, many of whom have been there for over 20 years. This aligns with my desire for long-term career growth and stability. The hiring manager mentioned that contractors have had opportunities to transition to full-time positions in the past, which is encouraging. However, this role requires me to be in the office full-time, which means a 30-minute commute each way. This would be a significant change from my current remote setup. Additionally, I have a two-year-old son at home, and since my husband also works from home, he currently manages most of the childcare during my busy work hours. I'm grappling with whether transitioning from a full-time remote position to this contract role at Fidelity is the right move for both my career and my family.

I recently started my first job about 4-5 weeks ago, and I’m already facing some serious issues. I’m 16 years old and the workplace has been incredibly unprofessional. One of the managers, whom I’ll refer to as B, has a reputation for being aggressive. She yells at employees and has even physically shoved me during my shifts. This isn’t just me exaggerating; she has a history of treating employees poorly. To make matters worse, I still haven’t been able to access Team Live because I never received the verification email. Without access, I can’t see my schedule or paycheck information. I haven’t been paid yet either, which is really concerning. I’ve tried to resolve this multiple times. The first time I called the store, B answered and was incredibly rude, hanging up on me before I could explain my situation. I called again when she wasn’t there, and a nicer manager took my details, promising to email me by the end of the night, but it’s been two days and I still haven’t heard anything. Communication at this store is terrible. I spoke with a coworker who mentioned that when she asked B for help, B snapped at her, showing a complete lack of respect. Customers have even noticed her behavior, and some have called her out for it. I’m really worried about the lack of professionalism, the physical aggression, and the disrespectful communication. I love being able to help out, but I’m struggling to adjust to the toxic environment. I’m unsure how to proceed, especially since my friend who works there said they probably won’t contact me about the issues I’ve raised. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I’m currently a 3rd-year Electrical Engineering student at King's College London, and I'm looking to transition from my background in hospitality and retail into part-time office or administrative work. I've gained some relevant experience, including front-desk receptionist duties, client communications, and order fulfillment, along with proficiency in Excel and Word. However, despite my efforts, I keep facing rejections for basic office roles. I have a feeling that my extensive customer service background might be holding me back. I'm seeking advice on the best agencies or job boards in London that cater to flexible part-time office positions that fit around university hours. Additionally, I would appreciate any quick feedback on my CV to help me present a more corporate and office-focused image. Thank you!

I just got laid off from my role, and honestly, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I always tried to be the go-to person in my team, putting in extra effort and making sure my manager knew how valuable I was. They often praised my work and even gave me decent raises, so I thought I was secure. But then, out of nowhere, I received a meeting invite that changed everything. In that meeting, I was informed that I was being laid off, despite my contributions and the fact that just three months ago, 25% of my team was let go with the assurance that we wouldn't be affected this year. I was shocked to learn that my name was on the list, and my manager said it came from higher-ups. It makes me wonder how they even got my name if my manager didn't suggest it. Now, I have a decent severance package, but I still have to pretend everything is fine for the next three months while I prepare for interviews. It's been two weeks since the layoff, and I'm trying to gather my thoughts and get back into the job market. If anyone has been through something similar, I would really appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation and make the most of it.

After 3.5 months of job searching, I finally landed a position! I sent out 171 resumes, faced 154 rejections or ghostings, and managed to schedule 17 interviews. Unfortunately, 2 interviews were cancelled before they even took place because the companies suddenly found other candidates. Out of the 14 first-round interviews I had, 12 resulted in rejections or ghostings. I did make it to the second round for 2 interviews, but one of them rejected me after I performed well, citing they found an internal candidate. However, the second interview went well, and I received a job offer the very next day, which I accepted. I feel incredibly lucky to have found a job in just 3.5 months, especially considering the current job market is the worst I've ever seen—much worse than during the 2008/09 financial crisis. Interviewers often seemed hostile and disinterested, asking bizarre questions that felt more like psychological tests than genuine assessments. It felt like they were looking for any reason to disqualify candidates. Building rapport was challenging, especially when interviewers were unfriendly and used trick questions. Interestingly, I discovered that both of the second-round interviews I passed were because I accidentally found common interests with the interviewers. It's disheartening to realize that so much of this process is based on luck and numbers, rather than fair assessments of skills and fit.

I recently found myself in a tough spot at work. I'm 24 years old and have been placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) due to what I believe is a toxic management situation. My manager has created a hostile environment, and it feels like she's targeting those of us who don't conform to her expectations. Last week, she initiated the PIP, and today I have another one-on-one meeting with her, which has me feeling anxious. Despite my colleagues recognizing my decent performance, it seems like there's a bias against certain team members, and I'm the last one standing after 16 people have left in just the first half of the year. I don’t have a supportive family to fall back on, and the pressure is mounting. I've been applying for new jobs nonstop, but the response has been slow, and I'm starting to doubt my chances of finding something in the next couple of months. I’m reaching out to see if anyone else has been in a similar situation with a PIP and managed to land a better job afterward. I could really use some encouragement and success stories to help me through this mentally exhausting time.

I finally received a $100k offer for my first tech job as a cloud engineer! I've been applying since February and it's been quite a journey. Last year was tough; I made a bad crypto trade that wiped out my entire net worth and left me with about $60k in credit card debt. I spent the last year freelancing, building a portfolio, and honing my skills. I even completed several certifications in just three months, which usually take years. Despite the negative narratives about the job market, I stayed positive and focused on the high-demand tech skills I was developing, particularly in AWS and Kubernetes. I went through numerous interviews, faced many rejections, and learned something valuable from each experience. One final stage interview in February didn't work out, but I kept pushing forward. The interview process for this new role was straightforward: an initial screening with a recruiter, a technical and architecture challenge on-site, and a values interview with four senior team members. From the initial screen to receiving the offer took about a month. One key takeaway for me was that thorough preparation made a significant difference. I found that when I over-prepared, I could excel in interviews and engage with interviewers more effectively. I learned to maintain a calm and confident demeanor, which helped create a comfortable atmosphere for discussion. I realized that the less I chased opportunities, the more they seemed to come my way. By applying to numerous positions, I created a sense of abundance and trust in the process. I hope my experience can inspire others to stay persistent and believe in their journey.

I've been a software developer at my current company for 9 years, and a couple of months ago, my amazing manager left for a new opportunity. He reached out recently to let me know that his new company is hiring and asked if I would be interested in joining his team. I would love to take this chance, but I have a significant hurdle: I'm not very good at interviews. I tend to get nervous, and I know that preparing for technical interviews, especially for leetcode and system design, would take me at least 2 or 3 months. While I understand that having my former boss on the inside gives me an advantage, I still want to make a good impression on the rest of the team during the interviews. I'm worried that if I take too long to prepare, this opportunity might slip away. I'm looking for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation. Should I just go for it, or should I take the time to prepare? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

I recently went through a layoff at my previous job as a marketing coordinator at a tech startup. When I received my severance package, I realized I had no idea that I could negotiate it. I wish I had known that negotiating severance was an option because I felt overwhelmed and just accepted what was offered. I later learned from friends that many people successfully negotiated for better terms, like extended health benefits or a larger payout. If I could go back, I would definitely push for more clarity on the terms and ask for additional support, like career coaching or outplacement services. For those currently in negotiations, I recommend researching common practices and being prepared to advocate for yourself. Hearing real experiences from others would have made a huge difference for me.

I recently learned that Agoda laid off around 50 employees in Singapore in 2025, including someone I know. What's particularly concerning is that the company allegedly warned affected staff against reporting these layoffs to government agencies. They even included a clause in their severance agreements that threatened to revoke severance pay if anyone reached out to the Ministry of Manpower or other related bodies. This tactic seems to be a blatant attempt to intimidate employees into silence, despite it being illegal under Singapore's Employment Act. It feels like they are banking on the fact that most people won't challenge them due to the high costs of legal action.

Today was a tough day for me as I faced two rejections within just three hours. It’s disheartening, especially considering I have my MBA and a bachelor's in supply chain management, along with over seven years of experience in the field. The first rejection hit hard; I invested $750 out of my own pocket to travel for the interview, and after waiting nearly two weeks, I received a generic response that felt like a corporate brush-off. It really makes you question the values of the company. The second rejection was equally frustrating. I took a cognitive test that I know I passed based on my previous experiences with Wonderlic tests. However, it seems I was marked down on the behavioral sections, despite the instructions stating there were no right or wrong answers. It feels like I was misled, and it’s incredibly frustrating to deal with such inconsistencies. This experience has left me feeling disillusioned with the corporate culture in this country. Something definitely needs to change. I appreciate the support from others who understand the struggle; it’s a tough job market out there.

I recently received a rejection email from a company I had interviewed with for a marketing position. What struck me as particularly odd was a typo in the email. Instead of saying 'We appreciate your interest in the role,' it said 'We appreciate your interest in the roll.' I couldn't help but chuckle at the mistake, but it also made me wonder about the professionalism of their hiring process. It's been a tough job search, and this just added a strange twist to my experience.

I'm preparing for a job loss in 30 days as my employer has informed me that my last day will be on 8/21. I've been with this company for a while, and it's tough to face this reality, especially since they are the largest employer in my town of about 120,000 people. I plan to update my resume and start sending it out, but I'm also taking a hard look at my finances. I'm revisiting my budget to see how I can cut costs, like finding cheaper car insurance and canceling unnecessary subscriptions. I just renewed my lease for another year, and while I could potentially break it due to my situation, I'm hesitant to spend my energy on relocating, especially since my credit isn't great and finding a new place without a job would be challenging. I know I can apply for internal positions within the company, but I’m concerned about the limited job market outside, as many positions won't match my current pay, which is already below what I should be earning given my qualifications. On top of that, I've just started repaying my student loans, and I want to explore options to lower my payments given these circumstances. I appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation, especially regarding personal preparations I should consider.

I recently signed an offer with a software company that has around 200 employees. After accepting, I was informed about a potential 2-week onboarding trip to their London office. While the company will cover the trip, it involves a significant commitment, including a 15-hour flight each way, and I would need to rearrange a lot at home. My wife has work commitments as well, which adds to the complexity of this situation. I was surprised that this trip was only mentioned after I signed the offer, and it raises some concerns for me. I’ve had a previous onboarding experience that ended with a layoff, so I’m feeling a bit cautious about this. I’m wondering if it’s common for companies, especially smaller ones, to spring such plans on new hires after the offer is signed. For those who have joined international companies, do you think this is a good sign or a red flag? I’m also curious if this type of onboarding trip is typically presented as a benefit during the recruitment process. I’d appreciate any insights or advice on how to handle this situation.