Feeling

I recently faced a disciplinary action at my fast-food job where I worked for two years, and I’m feeling completely devastated about it. I’ve always been a dedicated employee, mastering all stations and taking on extra shifts, even when it wasn't strictly legal due to my age. I felt like I was a crucial part of the team, especially compared to my peers. However, things changed when a new manager came in. He started treating me differently, making me stay longer to finish tasks that other coworkers were allowed to leave without completing. This was frustrating, especially since I always aimed to finish my duties on time to catch the last bus home. The situation escalated when he began to nitpick my work, especially my washing-up, rushing me and yelling when I couldn’t keep up with his demands. His wife, who also worked there, even criticized my work and took over some of my duties, claiming she was better at it. Now, after a FaceTime meeting with the general manager, I’ve been found at fault for the complaints made against me. I’m about to start university and had hoped to transfer to another location, but my request was denied due to this disciplinary action. I’m really worried about how this will affect my job prospects in the future, especially in the fast-food industry. I’m seeking advice on whether this disciplinary will impact my ability to get hired at other jobs.

Today, I received my monetary determination for unemployment benefits in Indiana, and it stated that my weekly benefit is $0. Initially, I thought there was an error with my reported wages, but it turns out the base period they are using is from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. During part of this period, I was working as a 1099 contractor, and I transitioned to a W-2 employee starting January 1, 2026. I continued in that role until August, but the base period only reflects my earnings from the first quarter as a W-2 employee. In that quarter, I earned $23,400, but Indiana's requirements state that total base-period wages must be at least 1.5 times the highest quarter's earnings. As a result, I fail to meet this criterion. If my earnings from an additional quarter of W-2 work were included, I wouldn't be facing this issue. Fortunately, I already have another job lined up and enough savings, so I'm not reliant on these benefits for survival. However, I find myself calling the Department of Workforce Development out of sheer frustration and stubbornness because it feels absurd to end up with a $0 determination. I'm curious if anyone else in Indiana has faced this situation. Is there any way to have later W-2 quarters considered, or am I just stuck with the timing of the statutory base period?

I recently received a formal offer letter for a new job, set to start on August 31. The offer came through last Friday, but I requested a salary counter, which they provided only this Wednesday. I accepted the offer and completed a drug test this morning. However, I haven't given my current employer notice yet because I wanted to wait until I had the final offer in hand. Now, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I technically have just one week left at my current job, but I'm concerned about the drug test results. What if there’s an error and I need to retest, which could delay my start date? I really don’t want to risk going even a week without pay. I’m considering whether it’s acceptable to ask my new employer for a later start date or if I should just give my current job a one-week notice. I know that in my state, two weeks isn't required, but it’s generally preferred. I feel like my new employer should understand my situation since I just received the formal offer, but I also worry about how it might reflect on me if I don’t handle the notice properly. I want to leave on good terms, but I’m feeling a bit stuck.

I recently had an experience that left me feeling frustrated about the job application process. I received a call from a recruiter who asked about my salary expectations, and after sharing my thoughts, they set me up for an interview with the director of the company. We had a lengthy conversation that lasted about an hour and a half. At the end of the interview, I reiterated my salary expectations, only to be told that they couldn't meet that figure. I was a bit taken aback, but I shrugged it off. The next day, the recruiter called to apologize, explaining that the company had already flagged my salary expectations as too high before my interview, but they hadn't communicated that to me. I understood that things happen, so I didn't dwell on it. However, today I noticed a job listing on Indeed for the same position I interviewed for, and it included all the information I had shared during our conversation. It felt like they used my insights to refine their job ad without any acknowledgment. While I'm not upset about not getting the job, I am annoyed that I spent my time providing them with valuable input that they now seem to be using for free. Part of me wishes I could invoice them for the 1.5 hours I spent consulting them. It's just frustrating.

I had a frustrating experience during a screening call with a recruiter who reached out to me on LinkedIn. He praised my seven years in data analytics and asked for a quick chat, which I agreed to despite being happy at my current job because the compensation looked appealing. During the call, I answered his questions about my current projects and when he asked why I was interested in their startup, I mentioned that I was mainly there to learn about their roadmap since he had contacted me out of the blue. He seemed taken aback by my response and told me my tone was too blunt for their collaborative environment. Then, he suggested that I would do better in these conversations if I smiled more, emphasizing that they had a very bubbly office culture. I was shocked and just sat there holding my coffee, thinking I should have hung up right then. I’m a senior analyst, not someone who needs to perform cheerfulness on demand. The call ended abruptly at the six-minute mark when he said they needed someone with a 'softer cultural fit.' It's disheartening that hiring managers still expect candidates to prioritize performative cheerfulness over professional dialogue, especially in a technical role.

I recently signed an offer for a new job after being at my previous company for 10 years. I was excited to make this change, but then I had to quit my job. Unfortunately, the offer was rescinded due to my driving record, which was a huge shock. I'm feeling really dejected and unsure of how to move forward. I'm looking for advice on how to rebound from this situation. I've heard that it's important to wait until all checks are completed before resigning, and I wish I had followed that advice. Some people have suggested that this could be a blessing in disguise, giving me a chance to aim for a higher-level position elsewhere. I'm hoping to find a way to turn this setback into an opportunity.

I had a phone screen with a company yesterday for a position I'm really excited about. This morning, I had a phone screen with an outside recruiting agency for the same role. I made sure to let the outside recruiter know about my internal phone screen, but I'm feeling a bit uneasy since they already have my resume. Should I reach out to the internal recruiter to let them know that I've been contacted by the outside agency? I've heard that employers usually prefer not to have the same candidate sourced from multiple places, and I'm worried about how this might affect my chances. I want to do the right thing and avoid any potential conflicts.

I recently had a preliminary phone call for a job opportunity where I was asked about my salary expectations. In a moment of panic, I blurted out that I wouldn't accept anything less than $20 an hour. Now I'm worried that I've undercut myself, especially since the job posting mentioned a salary range of $40-60k. I'm concerned that I might have limited my potential earnings before even getting to the interview stage. However, I've seen some comments suggesting that hiring managers typically have a budget in mind and might offer more if they like me. I'm hoping that I still have room to negotiate later in the process, but I can't shake the feeling that I might have messed up.

I was laid off today from my role at a mid-sized tech company. I'm currently on a family vacation, which made receiving the news even more difficult. My boss, who is an SVP, reached out to me yesterday to give me a heads-up before the official HR call. She informed me that my role was "impacted," and I learned that three other colleagues from my team are also losing their jobs. The remaining team members will be reassigned to different reporting lines. I've dedicated a lot of effort to building a cohesive team and developing a solid strategy, but unfortunately, leadership has been making poor decisions that have negatively affected our growth. I've consistently voiced my concerns about what it would take to make our business unit profitable, but my feedback has been ignored. Now, my unit is struggling financially, and it feels like my team and I are paying the price for those bad decisions. I'm feeling lost and anxious about the future, especially since I was the primary breadwinner responsible for our health insurance, daycare costs, and family vacations. I have only 11 weeks to find a new job in what seems to be one of the worst job markets in history. I'm not sure what the point of sharing this is, but I just wanted to express my feelings in a space where others might understand.

I interviewed for a role at a company on August 10 and was told my profile was still under consideration after I followed up on August 19. One of the interviewers even encouraged me, saying I was doing well and that HR would provide an update soon. However, the very next day, I noticed the company had posted the same job opening again on LinkedIn, actively promoting it with a link for new applications. This left me confused about my status; if they are still considering me, why would they be looking for more candidates? It seems like a common practice to keep the job postings fresh, but it makes me wonder if I'm still in the running or if they are just casting a wider net.

I just learned that Sanofi is planning to lay off 229 workers. This news is concerning, as it affects many of my colleagues and friends in the company. I hope those impacted can find new opportunities quickly.

I came across an article discussing the rise of 'ghost job' ads, where companies post job openings that never seem to get filled or may not even exist. As a job seeker, I can relate to the frustration this causes. It feels misleading and adds unnecessary stress to an already challenging job search. Some lawmakers are pushing to ban these practices, which I think is a step in the right direction. It’s disheartening to see roles that have been listed for years without any movement, and I’ve even interviewed for some of these positions only to be told they didn’t find a fit. It’s a tough market, and misleading ads only make it worse.

I just learned that there have been layoffs in Apple's Vision Products Group. While I'm disappointed, I can't say I'm surprised given the current market conditions and the company's recent shifts in strategy. I'm currently assessing my options and considering my next steps in the job search.

I recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and I’m navigating a bit of a career crossroads. I accepted a part-time interpreter position with my local school district, which is convenient and flexible, but the pay is low. I’m also in the interview process for a marketing role at an agency that pays between $70,000 and $90,000, which aligns much better with my background in marketing and writing. While I’m excited about the potential of the marketing job, I came across some concerning employee reviews on Glassdoor. The company has a 3.4/5 rating, with about 58% of employees recommending it. However, I noticed a pattern of negative feedback regarding leadership issues, micromanagement, high turnover, and burnout. This has me torn because while the financial benefits of the marketing role are significant, I don’t want to step into a toxic work environment. I’m also aware that the part-time job allows me the flexibility to continue applying for other positions and work on my marketing consulting business. I’m trying to weigh my options carefully, considering both the financial and work environment aspects. I haven’t received an offer from the marketing agency yet, but I’m contemplating what I would do if I did. Would I take the higher-paying job despite the red flags, or stick with the more flexible role while I search for something better? I’d love to hear from anyone who has faced a similar decision.

I've been working at my current job for nearly five years without any issues, but recently my managers pulled me aside for a concerning conversation. They mentioned that they don't want to fire me without cause, but I've been outperformed by others and they’ve hired new staff. Due to my availability, they can only offer me one or two shifts a week. They suggested I start looking for another job and mentioned they would follow up in a month to support my transition. They also pointed out some minor appearance issues I could improve. I’m left wondering if I’m being let go or if they’re genuinely trying to help me. This is happening during a time when many colleagues are leaving, and we’re shifting from a slow to a busy season. I also want to note that I’m autistic, and while management is aware of my mental health challenges, they haven’t provided a clear answer about my job security.

I was recently laid off from a disorganized art gallery in California after they closed one of their two locations. They offered me a severance of around $400 in exchange for signing a contract that prevents me from pursuing any further claims. I signed the contract and sent it back, but now, two weeks later, they have stopped responding to my follow-ups. My ex-coworkers are still working there and continuing business as usual, but I've heard they have a reputation for not paying freelance workers, like photographers, at all. I'm considering whether to keep pursuing my severance or to take action regarding the lack of breaks I endured during my 8-hour shifts. I'm unsure how to proceed and would appreciate any advice.

I’m currently exploring work-from-home (WFH) opportunities after the pandemic and feeling a bit discouraged. It seemed like a fantastic way to work without distractions and save on commuting costs, but I’ve noticed that many companies are pushing for in-person work again. Some offer a couple of WFH days, but that doesn’t feel like a real benefit to me. I’ve been searching for remote jobs, but I keep coming across listings that seem sketchy. The companies often sound decent, and the roles appear manageable, but the reviews tell a different story. I’ve read about issues like delayed pay, unresponsive management, and unrealistic workloads. I’m genuinely curious if anyone has successfully landed a WFH job post-pandemic or if I should just give up on that dream. I really prefer working from home, as office environments can be noisy and feel more like surveillance than a productive space. I’m open to working longer hours at home if it means I can avoid the office altogether.

I’m in my mid-20s and have been struggling to find any type of work despite holding an Engineering Degree. It’s been really disheartening to see how competitive the job market is, especially for someone with my level of experience. I’ve applied to various positions, but I often feel overlooked. Some comments I received suggested that the value of a college degree has diminished due to factors like widespread cheating and the overall saturation of graduates. I also realized that my resume might not be helping my case; it’s quite sparse and I’ve been advised to highlight my degree more prominently. I’m considering updating my CV to reflect my educational background and make it clear that I’m looking for steady, local work. Hoping this will improve my chances!

I am currently in a desperate job search and feel overwhelmed. For almost three years now, since 2024, I've been looking for a position in testing, engineering, or IT. Despite my continuous applications, I often receive automated responses stating that other candidates were chosen, or I get called for interviews only to never reach the technical interview stage. I'm starting to doubt myself and feel like I don't know what else to do. I've been applying non-stop, but it feels futile at this point. As a last resort, I'm reaching out here in hopes that someone working in these fields might be able to recommend me. Thank you for considering my request; I'm truly at a loss.

I'm currently navigating a career crossroads at 27 and could really use some advice. I've been working as a commercial lender and relationship manager for five years since graduating, earning a base salary of $120K, which translates to about $6,400 per month in take-home pay. I also hold a CFA charter. Recently, my firm was acquired by a larger institution, and my role has shifted from handling bespoke, complex deals to more traditional community banking-style lending. This change, coupled with several colleagues leaving due to layoffs or voluntarily, has left me feeling unfulfilled in my work. While I appreciate the fully-remote aspect of my job, I'm not passionate about this type of lending anymore. On the side, I've taken on a part-time consulting gig that brings in an additional $2,000 to $3,000 monthly, and I have a $400,000 investment portfolio that has generated about $15,000 this year through options trading. While these are nice supplements, they don't replace my main income. I've been applying for other roles in lending and investment, with a particular interest in private credit, but the job market is tough, and there aren't many opportunities in my city. I recently completed a third-round interview for a wealth management position at another bank, which would pay similarly to my current role but requires 3-4 days in the office. To be honest, wealth management isn't where I want to go with my career; I applied out of boredom and ended up progressing through the interview stages. I might use an offer from them to negotiate a raise at my current job, but I'm also wary of the risk that my employer could let me go instead. On a personal note, my lease recently ended, so I've moved back in with my parents. I don't have significant expenses or debt, and I save about 80% of my paycheck, so I'm financially stable for now. My main concern is figuring out my next career move and avoiding stagnation or getting stuck in a role that doesn't excite me. If anyone has faced a similar situation and has insights to share, I'd really appreciate it.