Feeling

I was laid off after nearly 9 years at my first job, where I had grown from an entry-level position to an SDE 4 role, significantly increasing my compensation along the way. The layoff hit me hard, especially since I had invested so much of my identity into that company. I received a generous severance and had a month to transition, but that didn’t lessen the shock and devastation I felt. After the layoff in June, I treated my job search like a full-time job. I applied to numerous positions, prepared extensively, and went through a rollercoaster of interviews—some I failed, others I passed, and I faced rejections from companies I was eager to join. However, I also received unexpected offers, and after three months of intense searching, I ended up with six strong offers to choose from. The decision was tough as I had to consider various factors beyond just salary, especially with my wife and I expecting our first child in October. Ultimately, I accepted a VP Engineering role at a new company with a compensation package about 2.5 times what I was making before. This experience taught me that a layoff doesn’t define my worth or the value I created over the years. It’s crucial to stay positive, keep learning, and continue applying, even when the results aren’t immediate. I hope my journey inspires others facing similar challenges to keep pushing forward. You only need one company to say yes, and that yes can change everything.

I just received a job offer! After weeks of searching and applying, I finally landed a position that I'm really excited about. The role is in marketing at a tech startup, and I can't wait to start this new chapter in my career. I appreciate all the support and advice from everyone during my job search!

About 255 days ago, I shared my thoughts on the job market and how I found it easier to start a business than to find a job. Since then, I've made significant progress. I successfully built a small consultation firm and currently have three clients, with more on the way. My services range from design and copywriting to website updates and even interior design for one of my clients. I also managed to find a part-time job as a waitress, which helped financially while I was establishing my business. However, I recently lost that job due to the restaurant's new owner deciding I wasn't a good fit. It's frustrating, especially since the staff is divided on the decision, and it seems the owner has a personal issue with me. Despite this setback, I'm choosing to focus on the positives. Losing my job has given me more time to grow my client base, which is invaluable as I prepare for nursing school. I've realized that time is my most precious asset, and I don't want to waste it on jobs that undervalue my skills. It's been 19 months since I lost my last job in my field, and despite my extensive experience, I've faced a lot of rejection. This has led me to a crossroads: either fully invest in my business or continue searching for a job that may not come. I've learned a lot through this process, including that sometimes there isn't a perfect plan, and it's okay to admit when I don't know something. I've also learned to recognize the importance of setting boundaries with clients and to have fun with my work. Stress can hinder my ability to think clearly, so I've focused on staying calm even in tough situations. Ultimately, I'm excited about the future and the potential of my business. The job market may be challenging, but I've discovered that autonomy is what matters most to me. I want to create something meaningful rather than selling my time for little in return.

I just landed a new job at a tech company starting this Wednesday, but I’m in a bit of a dilemma. I’ve been job hunting for a while and finally received multiple offers after working as the sole marketing person at a small restaurant group for the past two years. The tech job has good pay and gets me into the industry, but it requires a long commute and I’m not entirely comfortable with the office vibe. The twist is that my dream job at a local media company has been progressing through their interview process. I completed a take-home assignment and had an onsite interview last week, which went surprisingly well. The hiring manager even kept me an extra 30 minutes and introduced me to the team, so I felt hopeful. However, instead of a final decision, I received an email saying the CEO wants to conduct one more interview. This is supposed to be the final round, and the hiring manager offered to help me prep, which feels promising. The catch is that I’m traveling until Monday night, and I’ll be starting my new job on Wednesday. I’m worried about sneaking out of my new job during the first week for an interview, especially since it takes me an hour to get back to the media company's location. I have a few questions for anyone who’s been in a similar situation: - Is the CEO interview usually a formality, or is it a genuine assessment? - How bad is it to interview or even resign during the first week of a new job? - Should I inform the dream company about my new job start date to create urgency, or would that reflect poorly on me? - Am I crazy for not being satisfied with the job I just accepted? My mind is racing with all these thoughts. I went from having no offers to juggling multiple opportunities, and I’m just trying to figure out the best way to navigate this.

I recently received a job offer in Alabama, but the pay was significantly lower than what I was expecting. I'm concerned that if I turn it down, I might be disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits. I've been actively searching for jobs that align with my skills and salary expectations, but I'm unsure about the implications of rejecting this offer. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? What should I consider before making my decision?

I recently found myself unemployed and filed for unemployment benefits. In a rush to find a new job, I applied to several positions and ended up getting a call for an interview next week. However, after reflecting on it, I realized that I might not be a good fit for the role, and the starting pay is significantly lower than what I was earning before. Now, I'm worried about the implications of turning down the job if it's offered to me. I’m concerned that if I decline the offer, it could jeopardize my unemployment benefits. I’m feeling overwhelmed and anxious about this situation, and I’m seeking advice on whether turning down a job offer like this could affect my unemployment claim.

I applied to 15 part-time jobs this summer, mainly in roles like barista, waitress, and cashier, but unfortunately, I haven't been hired for any of them. I'm 17, and it seems like most of my friends landed jobs through their connections, while I'm struggling. Many places are looking for candidates with experience or those who are 18 and older. I almost secured a position through a connection, but I couldn't take it because I wasn't available to work on Sundays. I did get hired at a fast food restaurant, but the manager ghosted me after I followed up about my start date. I've included my volunteer and internship experience on my resume, but I'm also limited in where I can apply due to transportation issues. I'm feeling really frustrated and unsure of what I'm doing wrong.

I quit my job tonight after feeling completely drained for the past few weeks. I'm heading back to college soon, and I realized that staying in that position would have only led to worse outcomes for me. My manager even tried to guilt-trip me into staying, which made my decision feel even more justified. However, now that I'm home, I'm feeling a bit depressed. I know I made the right choice, but I can't shake off the feeling of loss from not having a job or income anymore. I guess it's normal to feel this way after leaving a job, especially when you've invested time and energy into it. I'm trying to remind myself that this is just a chapter in my life, and I hope to find my spark again soon.

I recently started my first job at a small catering company owned by an army vet, and I’m feeling really anxious about my performance. I’m only 17, and I’ve been there for about a month. My boss is often around, and while he and my manager seem chill, I can’t shake the feeling that they might not like me. Tonight was particularly tough; my boss had to explain basic tasks to me multiple times, which made me feel overwhelmed and like I was frustrating him. I was supposed to leave at 8 PM, but I ended up closing up and didn’t leave until 10:30 PM. I can’t help but feel like I should be better at this by now, especially since I’m working four days a week and have more hours than my coworkers. I know I’m not the best at physical tasks, especially when it comes to cooking, but I really want to improve. I’ve received some compliments on my closing, but the constant need for guidance makes me worry that I’m just a burden. I genuinely enjoy this job and want to succeed, but I’m scared that my slow learning and mistakes will lead to getting fired. I don’t want my boss or manager to see me as someone who’s always asking questions or messing up. I’m trying to figure out how to deal with this situation and hope to gain their trust and approval.

Today, I had a second-round interview for a position I was really excited about. The interviewer offered me the job during the call, which felt like a huge win. However, a few hours later, I received a call from her saying that the owner of the company wanted to discuss salary expectations. She also mentioned that the owner had interviewed another candidate without her knowledge. Now, I'm in this confusing limbo where I was initially offered the job, but now I'm being told to wait and see if it goes to someone else. The interviewer apologized for the situation and expressed hope that I would still get the position, but I can't help but feel uncertain and a bit defeated. I’m a recent graduate, and my resume is straightforward and honest, so I don't think there should be any issues on that front. The interview felt great, and she seemed genuinely excited about bringing me on board. I just don’t know how to process this sudden shift. I was told to wait until the end of next week for an update, but it feels incredibly unfair to have been offered the role and then left hanging like this. Has anyone else experienced something similar?

I've been on the job hunt for about four months now, applying to numerous positions without much luck. Recently, I started discussions with a potential employer who has yet to make a formal offer because I'm asking for more than they initially proposed. They mentioned they are 'crunching the numbers,' which has me a bit worried about their ability to provide consistent hours in the future. The main concern I have is that if I accept this job, the pay would be lower than my current unemployment benefits. I've learned that I might be eligible for partial unemployment benefits if I take a job that pays less than what I'm receiving now. Currently, I'm getting $738 a week from unemployment, while this job would pay around $690 gross a week, potentially even less if hours are limited. I'm trying to figure out how the transition from full unemployment benefits to partial benefits works. Specifically, would I receive the difference between my unemployment and the job's pay? And what steps do I need to take to make this transition smoothly? On the bright side, the position seems to offer a lot of growth opportunities, so I'm hopeful that this could be a stepping stone rather than a setback. I just need to make sure I can manage my finances in the meantime.

Today I had an interview with Company B for a role that aligns much better with my degrees and long-term goals. I've been working at Company A, which I've always felt embarrassed about since it doesn't utilize my skills. My boss at Company A gave me a strong recommendation, and I was hopeful about the opportunity at Company B. However, the interview was a complete disaster. I didn't like the location, the smell was off-putting, and the interviewer made me feel extremely uncomfortable. It was clear to me that this would not be a good fit. Reflecting on my past experiences, I once took a job that turned out to be a nightmare, and I still carry the emotional weight from that. After today's experience, my gut is telling me to walk away from this opportunity if offered. I left the interview feeling empty and lonely, which was shocking after I had so much hope for Company B. I really thought this could be a turning point for me, but now I'm back to feeling stuck at Company A. Has anyone else gone through something similar? Any advice would be appreciated.

I just wrapped up my second interview for a position and I'm heading into the final round. I've connected really well with both the recruiter and the hiring manager, which gives me hope. However, I made a mistake during the salary expectation discussion. The job listing had a salary range of 60k to 120k, and I panicked when the recruiter asked about my expectations. I mentioned that I currently make around 70k and said I'd like a bit more, around 72k. Now, I'm regretting that decision. I’ve realized that if they offered me 72k, I wouldn’t accept it because I’d be giving up my current benefits and work-from-home flexibility for a small increase. Honestly, to make the switch, I’d want something closer to 90k, which is in the middle of their range but significantly higher than what I initially stated. I’m not desperate for this job since I’m comfortable in my current role, but I’m worried if I should reach out to the recruiter to adjust my salary expectations or just wait until I receive an offer. I don't want to raise any red flags, but I also don’t want to end up with an offer that doesn’t meet my needs. Should I take the risk of losing the opportunity or try to negotiate now?

I recently decided to leave my job after two exhausting years working under the CFO, where I was consistently putting in 65-70 hour weeks. The toxic environment has taken a toll on my health, and at this point, I feel I can’t continue. Fortunately, I have a six-month severance package, but I’m unsure about the best way to exit without being terminated for cause. I’m in my late 50s, and while I’m considering applying for new jobs, I’m also contemplating whether I truly need to work at this stage in my life. I’m looking for advice on how to navigate this situation.

I interviewed for a position at a bank two weeks ago, where they were planning to hire multiple people for the role. My interview lasted over an hour, and I felt it went really well. They mentioned they would call me back, which I took as a good sign for a potential offer. However, my coworker interviewed the day after me and received an offer before I did. Now, it's been a week since they got their offer, and I'm starting to feel uncertain about my chances. The bank's website still shows that the decision is pending, but I can't help but worry that I might not get an offer.

I recently landed a part-time adjunct faculty position at a local community college, which I was excited about. During the interview, I learned that the role opened up due to an increase in student enrollment, leading to a need for more instructors for basic-level courses. They fast-tracked my application, and I was all set to start on August 24, the first day of class. However, just a few days before that, on August 21, I received some disappointing news. I was informed that due to low enrollment, they had to adjust the class schedules, and unfortunately, there were no sections available for me to teach. They mentioned that I would still be considered part of the adjunct faculty for future teaching opportunities, but I am left in a confusing situation. I feel stuck, as I have no classes to teach and no income coming in for the next 16 weeks. I've started applying to other universities and colleges, but I’m unsure what to do about my current situation. Is there any way I can claim anything from them since they hired me with the expectation of providing work? This whole experience feels incredibly unorthodox, and I’m not even sure what my employment status is at this point.

I've been working in sales for the past five years, primarily in debt settlement sales where I usually earn around $120k a year. However, I've been feeling the burnout that comes with it, especially as the momentum tends to slow down after a year. Currently, I have three job offers on the table and I'm trying to decide which one to take. 1. The first is a home care marketer position that pays $26 an hour plus commission. It's an in-office role with a 10-minute commute, paid lunch hours, and benefits after 90 days. There's also potential for a pay bump to $28 an hour after the probation period. 2. The second option is to stay in debt settlement as a sales rep for a remote position with the fourth largest company in the industry. It offers $15 an hour plus commission, weekends off, and my preferred schedule, along with what is said to be the best commission structure in the industry. 3. The third offer is for a financial services call center rep, which pays $25 an hour plus bonuses. It's with a well-known company that would look great on my resume, but I'd need to pass three FINRA licenses to keep the job. The downside is that it has a one-hour commute and I worry about the risk of being let go if I can't meet their expectations. I have a tendency to avoid startup companies, but the pay for the home care marketer role is tempting. Although I signed the offer for the financial services job, I'm starting to rethink my decision. I’m always a top rep wherever I go, but the fear of failure is creeping in.

I'm currently navigating a challenging job search while on probation for a theft charge from Fall 2024. It's been nearly two years since the incident, but the stigma of my past continues to haunt me. I have a solid educational background, including a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, along with various internships and strong references. Yet, I'm hesitant to apply for jobs in my network because I fear burning bridges due to my probation status. I've tailored my resume to be ATS-friendly and sought professional help, but I keep facing auto-denials from companies like Kroger, Michaels, and local non-profits. My county has a notoriously competitive job market, and despite my qualifications, I feel stuck. Recently, I applied for a position that I believe I have a good chance at due to a referral, but the application asked if I had ever been arrested, which threw me into a panic. I participated in a town-hall meeting advocating for 'Ban the Box' policies, but it felt futile as the mayor dismissed our efforts. Now, I'm unsure how to approach the question on the application without jeopardizing my chances. My court-appointed attorney didn't provide much guidance during my case, and I'm left feeling overwhelmed. I'm considering reaching out to the county clerk about possibly waiving some fees or community service requirements due to my disabilities, but completing community service is already a challenge. I feel trapped in this cycle where I can't find a job because of my probation, and I can't complete my probation without a job. My probation officer is supportive and trying to help, but time is running out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have a diverse work background, currently managing in retail with over 5 years of experience. Previously, I spent 2 years at General Motors as a water quality technician and over a year at Coca-Cola as a Lab QA Tech. Additionally, I've been managing social media and website ads for myself and others for more than 8 years. I ventured into the manufacturing sector, which offered great pay, but the environment was not a good fit for me. I really enjoy retail management and backend operations, but the pay isn't satisfying. I'm looking to transition into retail corporate roles or social media management, but I've been struggling to land interviews despite applying for the past 2 months. I'm feeling stuck and could use some guidance on the next steps to take.

I was recently informed that my role at the company is being eliminated in a few months, and I will receive a severance package. While I appreciate the advance notice, I’m currently applying for other positions both internally and externally. The situation is particularly challenging because they are rescoping my role to include qualifications that I don’t meet, specifically requiring external financial consulting experience. I was aware that a new role would be created, but I didn’t expect it to be so closely aligned with my current responsibilities. It was really disheartening to see the new position posted on our internal job board, and I’m now anxious about how to respond to questions from colleagues who might be curious about the changes. Management assured me that this decision was not performance-related but rather a shift in business priorities. Despite this, it’s difficult not to take it personally. Has anyone else experienced something similar? I would appreciate any advice on managing the emotional aspect and communicating with coworkers during this transition.