Feeling

I recently started a new job as an in-room dining server at a small hotel, but it's been a frustrating experience. I've been there for about a month now, and the commute is long with pay that doesn't match the effort I put in. Tips are nearly nonexistent, and the workplace culture feels cliquish since most of my coworkers are friends outside of work. I feel like I'm not performing at the same level as them, especially since they view this job as a career while I'm just trying to make ends meet. When I informed management that I have school commitments and need certain days off, they reacted negatively, claiming I never mentioned this during the hiring process. They said they support education, but it seems like they don’t believe I can give my all to the job if I'm also focused on my studies. Just today, the manager texted me to say the hotel is slow and I don't need to come in tomorrow, which is ironic because I was told during the interview that everyone gets scheduled for five days a week, regardless of occupancy. I also have another job as a breakfast server at a different hotel, but it's not much better. They've decided to remove the automated gratuity without informing us, so my earnings there are about to take a hit too. I'm feeling really disappointed and overwhelmed trying to find a decent job that values my time and commitments.

I was laid off while on paternity leave, which has been a tough situation for me. I took a total of 16 weeks off, consisting of 12 weeks of Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) followed by 4 weeks of company parental leave. My leave started on June 1, 2026, and my PFML period ended on August 24, 2026. I was notified of my layoff on August 25, 2026, just one day after my PFML protection ended, through a personal text and call from my director. My company leave was still active until September 21, 2026, which was also my original return date. I had never been on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) and had received good reviews, so this came as a shock. It’s important to note that I wasn’t the only one affected; many people from my team were also let go as part of a larger layoff, so I don’t feel singled out. However, I am concerned about the timing of my layoff. The decision to lay me off must have been made while I was still on PFML, and it feels wrong that they waited until the day after my protection ended to inform me. I’m currently trying to understand my rights under Washington PFML, especially regarding anti-retaliation and anti-discrimination protections. I’m also curious if the fact that it was a larger team layoff has any bearing on my situation. I plan to document everything and speak to HR, and I’m considering consulting an employment attorney before signing any documents. I’m not looking for formal legal advice, just hoping to hear from others who might have had similar experiences.

I recently went through a tough experience at a marketing agency where I was put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) after receiving months of positive feedback. I had joined the company on a fixed-term contract with no prior marketing experience, but they hired me because they liked my willingness to learn. Initially, I received a lot of praise and even passed my probation period in just one month. However, things took a turn, and I found myself unexpectedly on a PIP, which ultimately led to my departure. Reflecting on my time there, I can't help but wonder if the workplace culture played a significant role in my experience. I tend to be reserved when I first join a new environment, but I can become quite social and confident once I feel comfortable. In my current role in corporate finance, I've noticed a stark contrast. Here, I have a supportive manager and great colleagues, which has helped me thrive despite having no prior experience in the field. During my time at the marketing agency, I faced some challenges, including a colleague calling me 'clueless' for asking questions and a director who had initially been friendly suddenly becoming cold. This left me confused, especially after receiving such positive feedback early on. Now, I'm anxious about future job opportunities and worry that I might find myself in a similar situation again. I wonder if certain industries, particularly marketing, are more prone to these dynamics where personality and social interactions significantly impact one's success. Can being slightly introverted truly disadvantage someone, even if they are professional and capable? Or is it more about the specific company culture and management style? These questions linger in my mind as I navigate my career.

I just found out that I have an unexpected orientation scheduled for tomorrow from 6:45 AM to 3:30 PM. The good news is that it will be paid. However, I'm concerned about how this might affect my unemployment claim. I want to make sure I report this correctly to avoid any penalties. If anyone has experience with this situation or knows the best steps to take, I would really appreciate your advice.

I recently made a second counter offer for a position I applied for, but it's been almost two days and I haven't heard back from the employer. I'm starting to feel a bit anxious about the wait. I know some people say it would have been better to negotiate before accepting the initial offer, but I really wanted to make sure I was making the right decision. Now, I'm just hoping for a positive response soon.

I'm currently at a remote job making around $103k, and I've received an offer for an in-person role that pays $130k. However, I'm weighing my options carefully. My current job has faced layoffs for the past three years, and I've been here for almost three and a half years, so I'm familiar with my role. Staying remote means I have fewer expenses and no commuting costs, plus I'm living with family, which helps financially. My current employer wants me to get an AI vendor certification, which I find pointless since I haven't seen many job listings asking for it. They seem to want it to enhance their service offerings in my consulting role for cloud migrations. On the other hand, the new role would be as an in-house SRE for a manufacturing company in Birmingham, and I'd have to relocate from Georgia. The new company is spinning off, and while the hiring managers claim it's due to growth, I can't help but feel uneasy about it. Their Glassdoor rating is 3.3, and I've heard mixed reviews about layoffs, with some saying they only let go of underperformers. The recruiter insists that the new role is more stable than my current tech consulting job, but I worry about the lifestyle changes, like commuting and adjusting to a new city. After taxes, the difference in salary might only be about $6,000, which doesn't seem worth the added expenses and stress. I'm torn between the comfort and familiarity of my remote job and the potential growth of the new position. Should I stay remote or take the leap for the in-person role?

I was recently laid off from my remote position at a California company while on parental leave in Washington State. I took a total of 16 weeks off, which included 12 weeks of Washington Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) and an additional 4 weeks of company parental leave. My leave started on June 1, 2026, and my PFML protection ended on August 24, 2026. I was notified of my layoff on August 25, 2026, just a day after my PFML ended, through a personal text and call from my director. The layoff affected not just me but many others on my team, indicating it was part of a larger reduction in force. My last working day is set for September 21, 2026, which is also the end of my approved company leave. I have never been on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) and have consistently received good reviews, so this came as a shock. I am concerned about the timing of the layoff decision, as it seems it was made during my protected PFML period, yet I was only informed after that protection ended. I am currently trying to understand if the anti-retaliation and anti-discrimination protections under Washington law still apply since the decision was made while I was on leave. I plan to document everything and discuss my situation with HR and possibly consult an employment attorney before signing any documents. I would appreciate any insights or similar experiences from others who may have gone through something like this.

I’m Tori, 28 years old, currently working at Taco Bell making $13/hr while pursuing my bachelor's degree in education online. My goal is to complete my degree in 2.5 years so I can get my certification and start teaching. However, I work overnight shifts from around 6-7 PM to 3:30-4 AM, and honestly, I’m struggling with these hours. I used to handle it well when I was younger, but now with a two-year-old son, it's taking a toll on me both physically and mentally. I’m actively job searching to get into a school district here in East Texas, but it’s proving to be more challenging than I expected. I want a position that’s more stable than substituting, and without prior experience, I’m not sure I can land a para role, although I’ve applied anyway. I’m reaching out for advice on how to break into a job or company that offers regular hours and isn’t in food service. I feel burnt out from fast food and really need a better schedule for both my well-being and my son's. If anyone has tips on getting responses from school districts or other avenues I should explore, I’d really appreciate it! Thank you!

I'm feeling completely overwhelmed by my unemployment situation. At 28, I've been without a job for over a year now, and it's starting to take a toll on my mental health. Recently, I had an interview with an NGO that seemed like a perfect opportunity to enhance my resume, even if it was just for a few months. I made it to the second round, which was a panel interview, and I really thought I had a shot. However, despite following up three times, they completely ghosted me. This experience has left me feeling frustrated and crushed, as I genuinely believed this could have been my way out of this rut. I'm actively searching for other opportunities, but it's tough to move on when I feel so stuck. Watching others progress in their careers only amplifies my feelings of inadequacy. I can't help but feel like I'm going insane, and sometimes I just want to scream out of sheer frustration.

I was laid off two months ago from a small service-based company where I had been working for three years. Our main clients were from the Middle East and Canada, but due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, our work from those clients came to a halt, and the company's revenue took a significant hit. I was ultimately asked to resign, and since there was no severance mentioned in my offer letter, I left without any financial cushion. Since then, I've been applying for jobs non-stop, but unfortunately, I haven't received any callbacks. It's been really tough on my mental health, and my savings are starting to dwindle. I'm feeling lost and unsure of what to do next. In terms of my technical skills, I have experience with Nest, TypeScript, React, Flutter, and Laravel, along with AWS services like SQS, SES, Lambda, and S3. I also have some exposure to GCP and have worked on minor projects using React Native, Angular, and Vue. I'm hoping to find a new opportunity soon.

I was laid off two years ago, and it took me ten months to find a new job. I've been working as an IT Manager at my current company for a year now, but I can't shake the fear of being laid off again. Recently, I received feedback that I need to learn the functionality of the company better, which has left me feeling anxious. I was hoping to get a promotion by next year, but the PTSD from my last layoff keeps creeping in, making me doubt my chances. I worry that I might not only miss out on a promotion but also face another layoff.

I’ve been reflecting on my job search journey and how challenging it has been lately. It feels like finding a decent job is harder than it should be. I often wonder what the biggest hurdle is right now—whether it’s getting interviews, the lack of replies after applying, or just the overwhelming competition in the market. From my experience, getting past the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) is incredibly tough, especially for roles where hundreds of candidates are applying. I’ve also noticed a frustrating trend where companies post attractive job descriptions with competitive compensation and location, only to lowball offers or change the location when it comes time to present the offer. It’s disheartening. I’m grateful that I landed a job a couple of weeks ago after being laid off last September, but I still feel the pressure. As a software engineer, I started receiving more interview opportunities around April, but the stress of the new role is weighing on me. I often think about how many irrelevant job postings are out there, and when I reach out about them, I’m told they’re no longer available. It’s been a rollercoaster, and I’d love to hear what others find to be the hardest part of their job search.

Today, I was laid off from my position in the Engineering, Product, and Design (EPD) team at Pinterest Mexico. It was a tough day as all EPD employees in Mexico were let go, although the office will still be operational for non-EPD staff. I’m uncertain about the total number of layoffs, but it feels disheartening to see my colleagues and I affected by this decision.

I've been feeling really frustrated with LinkedIn lately. It just seems like a platform filled with AI-generated posts and a lot of self-promotion that doesn't resonate with me. It's become a source of stress and anxiety, much like Facebook did before I decided to cut that out of my life. I’ve actually taken a step back from LinkedIn altogether. For my last three job applications, I went old school and mailed in my CV and cover letter instead of applying online. It feels more personal and I think it might help me stand out in a sea of digital applications. I just wish there were more effective ways to connect with potential employers without all the noise.

I recently faced a challenging situation after being diagnosed with long COVID, which led to me losing my job late last year. Now that I’m feeling better and ready to jump back into the workforce, I’m struggling with the year-long gap on my resume. It feels like finding a job is nearly impossible due to this absence. I’m seeking advice on how to effectively address this gap during my job search. I’ve heard suggestions about being honest and framing the gap positively, like mentioning that I was focusing on my health and skill development during that time. I’d appreciate any tips or personal experiences that could help me navigate this situation.

I recently applied for a job that seemed promising and was excited when the owner reached out to discuss my availability. I confirmed that I could work the specified days and hours, but then I was left hanging with no further communication. The next day, I checked my application status only to find it marked as "withdrawn"—and I definitely didn't do that. I'm starting to feel really frustrated with the job search process. I put in my resume and cover letter, answered an automated skills question, and yet it feels like I'm hitting a wall. The job listing is still active, which adds to my confusion. I'm wondering if I should reach out to the company to ask about the withdrawal or just move on and focus on other opportunities. It's tough out here, especially when I know I have the experience they're looking for.

I am currently on the job hunt as my savings are quickly depleting. I've noticed that most positions in my industry take at least three months to process, which is quite frustrating. With so much free time on my hands, I'm eager to find some quick cash opportunities. I used to live in Massachusetts, where part-time jobs were abundant, but I'm struggling to find similar options in New York. Additionally, I don't drive, which limits my options even further. Any suggestions on where I might find some immediate work would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off in March after a strong performance, receiving my full bonus. It's been over five months now, and I'm still on the hunt for my next job. During interviews, I've been upfront about my layoff, but I've received mixed advice. Some suggest I shouldn't mention it at all and act as if I'm still employed, while others say honesty is the best policy. I'm really torn on how to approach this in interviews. Has anyone else faced this dilemma? How did you handle discussing a layoff? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

I'm currently working in Austin, Texas, and I'm facing a tough situation at my job. My supervisor has put me in a position where I feel forced to choose between accepting a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) or resigning. It seems like she has already made up her mind about my performance and doesn't want to document it officially. I recorded our conversation to have a clear record of what was discussed. I'm unsure how this will affect my eligibility for unemployment benefits in Texas if I end up resigning. I've heard that resigning when you still have the option to work can disqualify you from getting unemployment. I'm considering taking the PIP while I search for a new job, but I'm feeling really stressed about the whole situation.

I’ve been struggling with interviews lately. Despite applying to numerous positions, I often get interviews but end up tanking when it’s time to perform. I feel this overwhelming nervous energy that just takes over. I know my stuff and can excel once I’m comfortable, but when I’m in front of interviewers, especially if there are multiple people, my mind goes blank. I can practice potential questions and rehearse in front of a mirror, but the moment I’m faced with stern interviewers, I stutter and forget everything. It’s frustrating because I know I have the skills, but my nerves get the best of me. I’ve accepted that I might just be naturally bad at this, and it’s hard to cope with the idea that my anxiety could cost me everything. I’m looking for ways to improve, but it feels like an uphill battle.