Feeling

I recently applied for a new position as an inventory analyst in a different line of business at my large fintech company. I was excited about this opportunity because it offered a salary increase of 20-25k along with a yearly bonus, which would have been a significant step up from my current role. I had informal conversations with the hiring manager and potential teammates earlier this week, and I felt like I really connected with them during both calls. However, I received a call from the hiring manager today that left me feeling really disappointed. She told me that while they loved my profile and interview performance, they couldn't move forward with my application because she was being pressured to hire a friend or relative of someone high-ranking in the company who needed a job. I've been in my current role for three years without any raises or bonuses, so this opportunity felt like a perfect fit for me. It's tough to see a chance for growth slip away like this, especially when I know I could have contributed positively to the team.

I recently applied for unemployment benefits on May 17 after my hours were significantly reduced at my retail job. I was expecting my first payment by June 4, but it never came through. I realized too late that I had a notice in my inbox asking me to call and provide additional information by June 26. I finally called on June 23, thinking I was still within the timeframe. During the call, I explained my situation, including that I had been fired recently. However, I received a notice stating, "we cannot pay you benefits" because it claimed I did not contact them as requested. I did reach out, so I'm confused and worried about my claim. I'm considering calling again on Monday to clarify the situation. I know I wasn't let go for any misconduct; I was just in a low-traffic area of the store. I'm really anxious about not having a job and needing these benefits.

I’m currently on unemployment in California, receiving $405 a week. Recently, I received a job offer that pays $18 an hour with flexible hours. Now, I'm weighing my options: 1. I could work part-time (around 15-20 hours) and supplement my income with EDD benefits. 2. I could take the full-time position, which would mean losing my EDD benefits but earning more overall. 3. I could continue to stay on unemployment while searching for a better job. I’m looking for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation. What do you think is the best move? Also, if anyone has tips on reporting wages or any potential pitfalls to avoid, I’d really appreciate it!

I recently got laid off for the summer from my job in Arizona, and I'm trying to navigate the new system for applying for unemployment benefits. I applied on June 23, 2025, but only realized today, June 26, that my application wasn't completed or certified. This has been frustrating, especially since my last experience was so lengthy; I applied on July 1, 2025, and didn't get approved until August 14, 2025, after a lot of effort to reach someone on the phone. I'm curious if anyone has had a better experience with the new system implemented last September. Is it actually faster and more efficient than before? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I recently made the decision to quit my job, and I'm starting to second-guess whether it was the right move. I was feeling unfulfilled in my role as a marketing coordinator at a mid-sized tech company, and I thought leaving would open up new opportunities. However, now that I'm searching for a new position, I'm feeling anxious about my choice. I wonder if I should have stuck it out a bit longer to find a better fit within the company or to gain more experience before jumping ship. It's a tough situation, and I'm hoping to find clarity as I navigate my job search.

I started my job less than a month ago, and I've recently faced a troubling situation. During closing duties last Wednesday, while chatting with my store manager and lead about RuPaul's Drag Race, the manager launched into a rant about transgender people. They made derogatory remarks about a trans woman who frequents our store. I was horrified, especially since I'm a trans person myself, although they didn't know that. I was in shock and didn't speak up at the time, but I regret not saying anything. The next day, I texted the district manager to submit my resignation and explained the situation. He called me today, assured me that what happened was unacceptable, and said he would escalate the issue to HR. He also mentioned that I could transfer to another store, but I'm hesitant. The manager at my old store has a good relationship with the manager at the potential new store, and I'm concerned about my safety and whether word might get around about my situation. I'm torn between accepting the transfer or resigning completely. Any advice would be appreciated.

I recently had an exciting opportunity arise after meeting the CEO of a well-known company through my current job. During our conversation, I shared my professional background, and he encouraged me to apply for a position that fits my field. I took his advice and applied, and now I've been invited for an interview. While I'm thrilled about this chance, I'm also feeling a bit nervous since it seems like a significant step for my career. I'm reaching out for some interview advice, particularly from those who have been in similar situations or from hiring managers. I’m wondering how best to prepare for the interview. Should I mention that the CEO suggested I apply, or only if it comes up in conversation? Additionally, I’d like to know what kind of questions I might face for a professional/legal role. I want to make a strong impression without seeming overconfident, so any tips or insights from your own interview experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I recently applied for a job through a government jobs portal and had my first interview on Wednesday. I was thrilled to receive an invitation for a second interview scheduled for Monday! However, I realized it's been a while since I last communicated with my references, and I feel a bit guilty about that. Life has been quite hectic, and I didn't keep them updated on my job search. Now, I'm worried that I might have missed my chance to reach out and that they might be frustrated with me for not checking in sooner. I'm considering sending them an email to let them know about the interview and to confirm if they're still comfortable being contacted as references. I want to keep it short and to the point, just giving them the context they need without overwhelming them. Any thoughts on this?

I've been working full-time for about six months since graduating from college, and I'm currently seeking new job opportunities. My current role has been quite challenging due to a difficult boss who often communicates in a harsh manner. He tends to call me whenever he wants to discuss something, even when he's not in the office, and he's started scheduling unexpected meetings on my work-from-home Fridays, which has now turned into a requirement to come into the office every day. I'm feeling quite stuck and discouraged as I try to balance my job search with my 9-5. I find it hard to schedule interviews because my lunch breaks are inconsistent, and I worry that my interview skills might not be up to par, or perhaps the job market is just really competitive right now. I've also planned to take some vacation time for my mental health and to visit family back home, but my PTO is limited, and I haven't had many days off this year. I'm reaching out for any tips or strategies on how to navigate interviews while managing a full-time job. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I recently started a freelance role in tech design with a large company, but things have taken a strange turn. After my interview with the hiring manager and another tech designer, HR asked for my salary expectations, and I mentioned a range of $115-125k given my 8 years of experience. After a week of silence, I reached out, offering flexibility in negotiations. That night, HR contacted me to confirm a start date, saying the team was excited to have me on board and that I would be paid $55/hour. However, the start date got pushed back by a few days, and I felt like I was constantly chasing HR for information. On my first day, I arrived at the office but was left waiting for 20 minutes before meeting the tech designer, who seemed preoccupied with personal issues. I learned that the manager rarely comes into the office as she works from home, and I wasn't set up on a computer until the end of the day because IT had no prior notice of my arrival. The next day, I was asked to work from home but received little direction or work to do. When I reached out to the manager for access to the cloud drive, her response was delayed and curt, which felt off given the initial excitement about my hiring. After two days, I still hadn’t received any onboarding information, and when I inquired about payroll and timesheets, HR mentioned a recruitment agency would contact me, but I’ve heard nothing since. I’m feeling undervalued and am seriously considering quitting. I have another full-time job offer for $110k that has a responsive manager and HR. Although the freelance position offers hybrid work and flexible hours, the work seems boring, and I feel I could learn more in the other role. I’m torn between the two opportunities and would appreciate any advice.

I recently received a questionnaire regarding my severance after being laid off from my job in New York at the beginning of the month. I filed for unemployment immediately after my last day, which was June 1st, but I didn't mention that I was receiving severance pay because I wasn't fully aware of the process. I got my final paycheck the day after I was laid off and received severance payments on June 12 and June 26, totaling about four weeks of pay. Since this is my first time navigating unemployment benefits, I'm unsure if I will still be eligible for unemployment payments despite receiving severance. I'm worried about whether I need to repay any benefits if they determine that I should have reported the severance earlier. I haven't received any unemployment payments yet, so I'm anxious about how this will affect my claim.

I just found out that my dad got laid off from his job after over 20 years of service. He worked in a business admin role, earning around $80-90K with decent benefits. The company was recently acquired, and while he sensed changes coming, the layoff still hit us hard. I'm back home for summer vacation, and now I feel a lot of pressure since I'm the only child and my mom hasn't worked since I was born. I just returned from a semester abroad and spent most of my savings, which makes me feel guilty now. I was planning to study for the LSAT this summer, but I might have to find a job to help out financially. My dad is nearly a decade away from retirement, and I'm worried about his job prospects at his age. He only received a 6-month severance, which seems unfair given his long tenure. We're also facing a mortgage and some upcoming medical expenses that won't be covered soon. I’m really anxious about how we’re going to manage everything. My dad is trying to stay calm, but my mom is understandably upset. I’m looking for advice on how to navigate this situation and support my family during this tough time.

I recently graduated with a degree in Customs & Logistics and after sending out about 100 job applications, I finally landed my first job as an Export Operations staff at a small company. The pay is reasonable for an entry-level position, but the schedule is really tough. I have to work a 24-hour shift from 1:00 PM to 1:00 PM, followed by 24 hours off, and there are no weekends. I took the job out of desperation, thinking I could handle the crazy schedule, but after just three shifts, I'm feeling miserable. The workload is overwhelming, and I often come home exhausted, spending most of my off time just sleeping. My coworkers say that it’s just a matter of adapting to the workflow, but I'm not sure if that's true. I'm still applying for other positions, but I'm torn about whether I should quit this job if I don't find something else in the next three months. I would appreciate any advice from those who have worked similar schedules. Should I stick it out or move on?

I came across a job listing that seems suspicious. It's for a remote position paying over $20 an hour, involving interaction with children, but not directly. The listing encourages people with criminal records to apply, which feels odd to me. I think it's strange for a role like this to have such low requirements for that pay. I checked the official website of the company, but they don't have a careers section where this job is posted. I'm really torn about whether I should reach out to the company to verify this listing or proceed with caution. It just feels off, and I don't want to waste my time on a potential scam.

I recently resigned from my position as the sole scheduler and booking manager at a small events company after nearly four years. I was making $19 an hour, which I knew was significantly below market rate. I had requested a raise to $25 back in December but was offered only $20, which I declined. When I handed in my resignation two weeks ago, my manager seemed to dismiss it, saying they couldn’t accept it because of the busy spring season and that losing me would jeopardize operations. Despite reminding her daily that my last day was approaching, she kept insisting that I reconsider and stay through April, even suggesting that leaving could negatively impact my reputation in the industry, which felt like a threat. Yesterday was my last day, and I completed my shift without any fanfare. This morning, I woke up to eleven missed calls and multiple texts from my manager asking where I was. I haven’t responded to any of them. It’s frustrating to see them panic now when they had two weeks to prepare for my departure. I never signed a contract, so I know they can’t enforce any transition obligations. It’s clear they took my resignation lightly, and now they’re facing the consequences.

I recently started a new job in the trades, where I have previous experience. My employment contract states that my initial wage will be significantly lower for the first 30 days, with an adjustment based on my experience and knowledge level. However, it doesn't specify what that adjustment will be, and I'm worried about being lowballed since I didn't clearly state my expected pay during the interview process. I have a feeling that I might have to quit next week if the adjustment isn't what I anticipate. I expect to earn about $9 per hour more than my current temp rate, which was advertised as a potential wage. I realize I made a mistake by not establishing my hourly rate after the probation period during hiring. I'm prepared to walk away from this job if necessary, but I'm seeking advice from anyone who has experience with similar hiring practices and what I should expect.

I'm currently working as a summer temp in an admin department and I'm applying for a job with the state that starts in the fall after my current position ends. I'm really excited about this opportunity because it's something I would love to do and the pay is great at $58k a year! However, the application asks if they can contact my current employer, and I'm unsure if that's a good idea. Even though my role is administrative, I have some important responsibilities, and I'm worried they might think I'm trying to leave before my contract is up. I also don't want the new job to see me as dodgy. Should I mark 'no' on that question? I've heard from others that it might be fine to do so since temp positions typically end.

I recently passed the initial recruiter screening and a technical test for a promising role at a company. Just yesterday, I received an email from HR to schedule the final round of interviews, but they have a requirement that is making me uneasy. They want three professional references, and one of them has to be my current supervisor. I expressed my concerns about the risk of jeopardizing my current job by letting my boss know I'm looking for new opportunities. HR responded that this is standard procedure for them to verify active employment before moving forward. I can't help but feel that this is a risky move. Is it common practice for companies to contact current employers at this stage? It feels like a big gamble to agree to this, especially since I have no guarantee of getting the job. I'm seriously considering whether I should proceed with this opportunity or walk away.

I was recently let go from my position as the head baker at a well-known local bakery where I had worked for about seven years. I ran the kitchen, created and refined recipes, trained staff, and managed ordering and suppliers—all of which was in my head, as we never documented anything. Last spring, the owner decided to cut costs and, since I was the highest paid, I was the one who got laid off. It hurt, but I understood it was a financial decision, so I left quietly. After taking some time off to recover from years of early mornings and physical strain, I heard that the bakery was struggling. The two bakers I had trained were unable to keep up, leading to a disaster with the holiday menu. Eventually, the owner called me, asking if I would consider coming back. I initially declined her first offer, as it was barely more than my previous salary. After some negotiation, I agreed to return for twelve weeks, working three days a week, and I asked for nearly double my previous pay. To my surprise, she accepted immediately, which indicated just how dire the situation was for them. During my time back, I finally documented all the recipes, supplier contacts, and processes, and I trained a new hire. However, she struggled to grasp everything, still asking basic questions even on her last day of training. I suggested a consulting arrangement for future help, but the owner never followed up. I guess she got what she needed and moved on.

I recently learned a tough lesson about job hunting while still employed. I had confided in one coworker, someone I thought I could trust, that I was looking for a new job. I figured it was a safe space since we often shared our frustrations about work. However, within a week, that information had somehow reached my supervisor. I hadn’t even started interviewing yet, but my boss pulled me aside to ask if I was happy in my role. It was a wake-up call for me. From this experience, I realized that even if you think you have a close relationship with someone at work, the moment you share your job search, that information is no longer private. It can easily slip out, and before you know it, your position at the company can change. I noticed that I was treated differently after my boss learned about my job hunt, and I missed out on opportunities because of it. Now, I firmly believe in applying, interviewing, and accepting offers all in silence. I won’t be sharing my job search with anyone at work again. It’s clear that coworkers are not always friends, and you can’t know who will keep your confidence until it’s too late.