Feeling

I'm 24 years old and feeling really lost in my job search. I have some internship experience, but my grades aren't great, and I struggle with anxiety, hypersensitivity, and scoliosis, which complicates things. I've been applying to jobs but haven't received any responses, and it's really discouraging. I even considered working in fast food, but I'm worried it might be too stressful for me. Living with my mom and not being able to contribute financially makes me feel useless and like a failure. I'm trying to stay positive, but it's getting harder every day. I'm open to any advice on what I could do or where to look for opportunities.

I just received another rejection, bringing my total to five. It's really disheartening, and I'm starting to feel lost about what to apply for next. I had a feeling they weren't interested when they took longer than they initially promised to get back to me. This job search is proving to be tougher than I anticipated.

A few days ago, I applied for a new job that aligns closely with my current role, but it offers a higher salary. I found the position on Indeed and quickly got a response from a recruiter to schedule an interview. Just a day later, I received another message from a different company that also found my resume on Indeed. They have a similar job opening but with a starting pay of $23 an hour, compared to the first job's range of $18-22. I'm hesitant to cancel the first interview because I don't want to miss out on that opportunity, but I'm also worried about potentially losing the second job if I wait too long. The interview for the first job is set for Friday, and I'm trying to reschedule it for Tuesday to give the second company more time to respond. I feel like I'm overthinking this situation, and I'm not sure what the best course of action is.

I’m feeling really anxious about my job situation right now. I’m a college student and this is my first real job at a small retail business where I’ve been working since April. There are only seven of us on the team, so it’s a pretty close-knit group. I usually work on weekends and occasionally cover shifts during the week. Up until now, I’ve had no issues at work, and my supervisor has never mentioned any problems. Recently, though, they’ve started cutting my hours due to budget constraints, and I’ve noticed that my fellow weekend workers are experiencing the same thing. I’m leaving for school in another city in two weeks, and my manager had previously told me informally that I would still be employed and could pick up shifts during breaks. The work environment has always been positive, so I never thought I was at risk of losing my job. However, this morning I received a text from my manager asking if I could come in tomorrow morning, 30 minutes before opening, for a meeting. I’m not even scheduled to work tomorrow, which makes me think they might be firing me. This feels really sudden and unexpected. I genuinely enjoy working here and have a good rapport with my coworkers. If I am getting fired, I’m not sure how to handle it. I’m pretty devastated and would do anything to salvage my position, even if it meant taking a pay cut. I just hope it’s not as bad as I fear.

I just landed a new job in tech, starting next week, but I’m feeling overwhelmed about my finances more than anything else. I've been laid off a few times, and it’s really taken a toll on my budgeting. I’ve always been paid biweekly, which made budgeting straightforward for me. I split my bills into two halves of the month, and it worked well. Now, my new role pays weekly, and I’m struggling to reorganize my budget. I know it’s the same amount of money, just distributed differently, but it’s messing with my head. I’m trying to figure out how to adjust my system that I’ve relied on for years. On top of that, I’ve accumulated a significant amount of credit card debt during my periods of unemployment. I was finally getting back on track after my last layoff, but now I’m worried about how to consistently pay down that debt with my employment being so unstable. It feels like every time I make progress, another layoff happens, and I’m back to square one, using what I’ve saved to cover essentials instead of paying down my debt. I’m grateful to have a new job, but I really want to stay employed long enough to build some financial stability. I just wish I could go back to biweekly paychecks; my brain understands that system so much better. I know I should be saving more and building a larger emergency fund, but I haven’t had a long enough stretch of steady income to make that happen. It’s just incredibly frustrating trying to create financial stability when my employment keeps getting interrupted.

I've been job searching for about four months now, and this week I experienced something quite unusual. I applied for a role that I was genuinely excited about, went through a recruiter screen, and had a 45-minute interview with the hiring manager. However, just three days later, I received a standard rejection email stating that they were moving forward with other candidates whose experience better aligned with their needs. I accepted that and moved on. Then, just nine days later, I received an unexpected email from the recruiter. She mentioned that the hiring team had "recalibrated the profile" after continuing interviews and asked if I would be interested in applying again for the same job. The role has the same title, same manager, same team, and the job description is nearly identical, except a few requirements were changed from "required" to "preferred." She specifically stated that I would need to submit a new application because they opened a new requisition. I'm interested in the job, so I'm not offended by this request, but I'm left wondering what this really means. Did their first-choice candidates turn them down? Did they realize their initial requirements were unrealistic? Am I now just a backup option? More importantly, should I treat this as a fresh opportunity or should I ask the recruiter directly what changed before I restart the application process?

I recently wrapped up a two-month temporary contract as a Project and Data Support Analyst, but unfortunately, they couldn't extend my role due to a lack of work. My manager was kind enough to look for other opportunities within the company, and it seems there might be a Customer Success Manager (CSM) position opening up in about six weeks. However, I'm left waiting for confirmation, which is stressful given my visa situation and the current job market. In the meantime, I received a referral from a former teammate to apply for an HRIS Analyst position at their spouse's company. They offered me a contract role for about 120 days, with the potential for extension and full-time opportunities. The pay is great, but I'm hesitant because I've never worked in HR before. They made it clear that they need someone to take charge of their ADP system, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the responsibility. Additionally, I have an offer for a Project Coordinator role, which is a six-month contract with a chance for extension and full-time employment. This role is the most familiar to me, as I've been doing similar work throughout my career, but the pay is significantly lower. I'm feeling confused and stressed about which direction to take. The HRIS role offers great pay and a chance to learn something new, but I'm worried about my ability to succeed in that area. The Project Coordinator role feels like a safer choice, but it doesn't pay well and is more of the same. I'm really seeking any advice or insights on how to navigate this decision.

I just received a WARN notice alert for Sundqiust Fruit LLC in Washington State. I signed up for notifications to stay updated on any new layoffs, and this one just dropped. If you work there, I recommend starting your job search immediately because the deadline to find a new position is November 15th. It's a good reminder to stay proactive in these uncertain times.

I was laid off from my position as a practice manager at Abrazo on August 21. This has left me feeling extremely defeated, especially since I've never been unemployed before. I have two kids to support on my own, along with an apartment and car payment to manage. I've been actively applying for new jobs and was fortunate enough to secure an interview with Banner, followed by a second interview. However, I'm worried about a disorderly conduct charge on my record from November 2025, which stemmed from a verbal argument with my downstairs neighbor. Both of us were charged, and while I know this incident is minor, it's the first time I've had to consider how it might affect my job prospects in healthcare. I live in Phoenix, Arizona, and I'm trying to remain hopeful, but the stress is overwhelming. I just want to stay strong for my kids and find a new job soon.

I was laid off from Uber yesterday, and the reality of it is hitting me harder than I anticipated. Access restrictions kicked in immediately, and today I found myself completely locked out of my laptop, email, and Slack. It feels surreal to see my internal profile disappear just like that; my journey at Uber has come to an abrupt end. I've dedicated so much time and effort to my role, and it's tough to process this sudden change. However, I'm trying to stay focused on the future. I'm actively searching for Senior Software Engineer positions and would greatly appreciate any leads or referrals from the community. Your support would mean a lot to me right now. For context, I have 7.5 years of experience with a backend-heavy tech stack, including Java, GoLang, AWS, ReactJS, and NodeJS. If anyone knows of openings or can offer advice, please reach out. Thank you!

I recently faced a tough situation with two job offers I received. During orientation for both positions, I found myself crying uncontrollably and ultimately decided to quit before even starting. This was completely out of character for me, as I've never experienced anything like this before. I currently have a job that I enjoy, but it doesn't pay enough for my living expenses, so I need at least two jobs to make ends meet. When I received the offers, I thought it would be a positive change, but instead, I felt overwhelmed and questioned my entire existence. Thoughts like 'Is this all there is?' and 'How long will this last?' plagued me. I felt trapped in a mundane routine, and the idea of continuing in that way felt unbearable. I want to escape this feeling, but I also realize I can't isolate myself forever. It's frustrating because I genuinely want to work and improve my situation, but I keep breaking down at the very opportunities that could help me. I'm really struggling to understand what's going on with me.

I had a tough experience today when I submitted my resignation as a Marketing Coordinator at my current company. During my meeting with the VP and my Director, the VP immediately expressed that I was leaving at a really bad time and was essentially screwing the team over. She even asked me to push back my start date at my new job, which I firmly declined since I signed my contract and my start date is set for the 18th. I felt that giving them 13 days' notice was more than enough, especially since I could have left with zero notice if I wanted to. The conversation felt really awkward. While she did compliment my work, it was sandwiched between her claims that I was unprofessional for discussing my departure with coworkers before formally notifying them. I acknowledged that maybe I shouldn’t have been gossiping about my Director, but honestly, the management has been problematic, and I’m not the only one who feels that way—six people have left the team in the past ten months. I didn’t expect to feel so judged during this meeting. I’ve been feeling down about potentially letting my team down, but I also recognize that I’m making the right decision for my career. It’s just frustrating to be met with such negativity when I’m trying to move on.

After 15 years at my company, I find myself in a tough situation. I started in IT and transitioned to Finance three years ago, where I worked hard to become the go-to person with great performance ratings. However, due to a reorganization, I was forced into a new team without any say in the matter. The new environment has been hostile, with my current boss publicly berating me during presentations and dismissing my concerns about the lack of support and onboarding. I've been marked as 'Not Meeting Expectations' just six months in, and every interaction feels like a trap designed to corner me. On a personal note, I've been dealing with the loss of my estranged mother to suicide, which has added to my anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. I’m currently interviewing for a different internal role within the same department, but I fear my current boss has already damaged my reputation. I'm torn between withdrawing my application to avoid potential embarrassment or pushing through despite the challenges. I appreciate any advice on navigating this internal interview process and dealing with my current manager's influence.

I've been job searching since the beginning of the year, and I'm starting to feel really discouraged. It seems like there just aren't enough jobs out there for everyone in the workforce right now. I keep hearing from people that I'll eventually find something, but my experience so far has made me question that. I wonder if anyone has actually done the math on this. It feels like the situation is only going to get worse, especially with the rise of AI and automation. It's disheartening to think about how many people might be left behind as technology advances.

I recently found myself in a precarious situation at my company after the new CEO took over following the previous one’s resignation. Since this leadership change, several senior leaders, including members of my own team, have left for what they call 'new opportunities.' This has created a cloud of uncertainty over my job security. With the business not performing well, I can’t help but feel anxious about my position. I’ve been reading a lot about how job security tends to diminish during such transitions, especially when there’s a shakeup at the top. I’ve seen advice suggesting that I should always be on the lookout for new opportunities, applying to multiple jobs each week, which is something I’m seriously considering now. It seems like there’s a general consensus that the risk of layoffs increases significantly during these times, as new leadership often wants to bring in their own teams. I’ve heard that this could be a sign of deeper issues within the company, potentially leading to downsizing or even bankruptcy. I’m planning to reach out to some former senior leaders or current employees who might have insights into what’s really going on. Overall, I’m feeling the pressure to act quickly and explore my options before things potentially get worse.

I recently took a month off work due to stress related to my job in childcare. My doctor signed me off, and while my leave is ending soon, I’m feeling really anxious about returning. I’ve been applying for new jobs like crazy, but the market is tough right now, and I’m not confident I’ll find something before I have to go back. I know I want to quit my current job, but I don’t want to make a rash decision without a backup plan. The thought of going back after this break is terrifying, especially since I’m still dealing with mental health issues. I’m considering asking my doctor for an extension on my leave, but I’m worried that won’t help my situation either. I feel stuck and unsure about what to do next.

I had a job interview on Tuesday and got hired on the spot, which felt amazing! The recruiter was really nice and we discussed my new hours and pay, and she even wrote everything down. She described what a typical day would look like at the facility and mentioned when training would start. She assured me that I would receive an email by Wednesday with the next steps for onboarding. Now it's Thursday and I still haven't heard anything. I'm starting to wonder if I should call them to follow up, or if there's a chance they could take back the job offer. I'm feeling a bit anxious about the whole situation.

I’ve been feeling quite discouraged about my career lately. I have a BA in business and have spent the last 12 years in the same industry. For the past 5 years, I’ve been working at a startup where I was promoted to Manager level within my first year. Initially, I was excited about the prospect of building a team, but that plan has completely fallen apart over the last 18 months. Despite my strong performance and good relationships with both my colleagues and clients, I’ve noticed that others around me are advancing politically within the company. There are talks of structural changes that seem to be favoring my peers for promotions to director-level positions. I’ve been left out of these discussions, which makes me feel like I won’t benefit from any potential changes. It’s frustrating to see colleagues with easier client lists and less thorough work getting recognized for advancement while I’m overlooked. On top of that, I’ve been actively job searching for the past 6 months without any success. I see constant promotions and job changes on LinkedIn, which only adds to my feelings of inadequacy. I do have a couple of leads that I’m pursuing, and I’m trying to stay hopeful, but I can’t help but question why I’m not seeing the same opportunities. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and maybe this situation is pushing me to consider starting my own venture. I would appreciate any thoughts or advice from anyone who might have experienced something similar.

I had a job interview recently for a position that seemed like a great fit for my skills and experience. During the interview, the interviewer asked me the common question: "Why do you want to work for our company?" Normally, I would have given the typical answer about admiring the company’s values and being excited about the opportunity. However, this time, I decided to be completely honest. I told them that the main reason I applied was that the job description aligned perfectly with my experience, the salary was an improvement over my current job, and the role promised more opportunities for growth and learning. I also admitted that I didn’t have a lifelong dream of working there; I was simply looking for a job where I could do good work, be fairly compensated, and have room to grow. There was a moment of silence after I spoke, and then the interviewer laughed, saying, "That's probably the most honest answer I've heard to that question." From that point on, the interview felt much more like a conversation rather than a formal Q&A. We discussed what I was looking for, what the company could offer, and their expectations for the role. I’m not sure if my honesty will help or hurt my chances of getting the job, as I haven’t received a final decision yet. But it felt refreshing to be real instead of pretending to have always dreamed of working for a company I only found out about through their job posting. Maybe companies appreciate that level of honesty, or perhaps they just want us to be better actors during interviews.

I recently found myself in a tough situation at the law firm where I've been working for the past 7 months. It’s a small, family-owned business, and honestly, things have been pretty rough. The owner is difficult to work with, and there’s no HR to turn to for support. I had decided to resign because I found a better opportunity, and I planned to tell the owner that I was leaving to focus on my studies and visit family. I wanted to avoid any negotiations or attempts to keep me on board. I confided in a few close coworkers about my decision, but I made the mistake of telling a paralegal last. Unfortunately, she jumped the gun and informed the partner before I had a chance to speak to them myself. To make matters worse, she shared details about my dissatisfaction, which I never intended to disclose. I was blindsided when I received word that the owner had sent out an email criticizing me for my resignation, accusing me of not raising concerns and painting me as a gossiper. I wasn’t even included in that email, which felt incredibly unfair. Now, with my last day set for September 15th, I’m feeling really uncomfortable about finishing out the notice period. I don’t want to train the new hire, especially after being dragged through the mud like this. I’m considering leaving earlier and saying that my travel plans need to happen sooner. I know I can technically leave before the two weeks are up, but I’m worried about the implications. This has been a tough lesson in professionalism, and I realize now that I should have kept my resignation under wraps until I spoke to the owner directly. I’m just ready to move on.