Feeling

I am currently working full-time at a startup where I've been for three years. While I value the flexibility of remote work, my role has become quite demanding with back-to-back meetings, and despite my contributions, I haven't received a promotion yet. The instability at the startup is concerning, as they tend to lay off employees whenever they face financial difficulties. Recently, I received an offer for a technical role at Fidelity on a one-year contract. The position is very appealing, and I was impressed by the longevity of the team members, many of whom have been there for over 20 years. This aligns with my desire for long-term career growth and stability. The hiring manager mentioned that contractors have had opportunities to transition to full-time positions in the past, which is encouraging. However, this role requires me to be in the office full-time, which means a 30-minute commute each way. This would be a significant change from my current remote setup. Additionally, I have a two-year-old son at home, and since my husband also works from home, he currently manages most of the childcare during my busy work hours. I'm grappling with whether transitioning from a full-time remote position to this contract role at Fidelity is the right move for both my career and my family.

I recently started my first job about 4-5 weeks ago, and I’m already facing some serious issues. I’m 16 years old and the workplace has been incredibly unprofessional. One of the managers, whom I’ll refer to as B, has a reputation for being aggressive. She yells at employees and has even physically shoved me during my shifts. This isn’t just me exaggerating; she has a history of treating employees poorly. To make matters worse, I still haven’t been able to access Team Live because I never received the verification email. Without access, I can’t see my schedule or paycheck information. I haven’t been paid yet either, which is really concerning. I’ve tried to resolve this multiple times. The first time I called the store, B answered and was incredibly rude, hanging up on me before I could explain my situation. I called again when she wasn’t there, and a nicer manager took my details, promising to email me by the end of the night, but it’s been two days and I still haven’t heard anything. Communication at this store is terrible. I spoke with a coworker who mentioned that when she asked B for help, B snapped at her, showing a complete lack of respect. Customers have even noticed her behavior, and some have called her out for it. I’m really worried about the lack of professionalism, the physical aggression, and the disrespectful communication. I love being able to help out, but I’m struggling to adjust to the toxic environment. I’m unsure how to proceed, especially since my friend who works there said they probably won’t contact me about the issues I’ve raised. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I’m currently a 3rd-year Electrical Engineering student at King's College London, and I'm looking to transition from my background in hospitality and retail into part-time office or administrative work. I've gained some relevant experience, including front-desk receptionist duties, client communications, and order fulfillment, along with proficiency in Excel and Word. However, despite my efforts, I keep facing rejections for basic office roles. I have a feeling that my extensive customer service background might be holding me back. I'm seeking advice on the best agencies or job boards in London that cater to flexible part-time office positions that fit around university hours. Additionally, I would appreciate any quick feedback on my CV to help me present a more corporate and office-focused image. Thank you!

I just got laid off from my role, and honestly, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I always tried to be the go-to person in my team, putting in extra effort and making sure my manager knew how valuable I was. They often praised my work and even gave me decent raises, so I thought I was secure. But then, out of nowhere, I received a meeting invite that changed everything. In that meeting, I was informed that I was being laid off, despite my contributions and the fact that just three months ago, 25% of my team was let go with the assurance that we wouldn't be affected this year. I was shocked to learn that my name was on the list, and my manager said it came from higher-ups. It makes me wonder how they even got my name if my manager didn't suggest it. Now, I have a decent severance package, but I still have to pretend everything is fine for the next three months while I prepare for interviews. It's been two weeks since the layoff, and I'm trying to gather my thoughts and get back into the job market. If anyone has been through something similar, I would really appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation and make the most of it.

After 3.5 months of job searching, I finally landed a position! I sent out 171 resumes, faced 154 rejections or ghostings, and managed to schedule 17 interviews. Unfortunately, 2 interviews were cancelled before they even took place because the companies suddenly found other candidates. Out of the 14 first-round interviews I had, 12 resulted in rejections or ghostings. I did make it to the second round for 2 interviews, but one of them rejected me after I performed well, citing they found an internal candidate. However, the second interview went well, and I received a job offer the very next day, which I accepted. I feel incredibly lucky to have found a job in just 3.5 months, especially considering the current job market is the worst I've ever seen—much worse than during the 2008/09 financial crisis. Interviewers often seemed hostile and disinterested, asking bizarre questions that felt more like psychological tests than genuine assessments. It felt like they were looking for any reason to disqualify candidates. Building rapport was challenging, especially when interviewers were unfriendly and used trick questions. Interestingly, I discovered that both of the second-round interviews I passed were because I accidentally found common interests with the interviewers. It's disheartening to realize that so much of this process is based on luck and numbers, rather than fair assessments of skills and fit.

I recently found myself in a tough spot at work. I'm 24 years old and have been placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) due to what I believe is a toxic management situation. My manager has created a hostile environment, and it feels like she's targeting those of us who don't conform to her expectations. Last week, she initiated the PIP, and today I have another one-on-one meeting with her, which has me feeling anxious. Despite my colleagues recognizing my decent performance, it seems like there's a bias against certain team members, and I'm the last one standing after 16 people have left in just the first half of the year. I don’t have a supportive family to fall back on, and the pressure is mounting. I've been applying for new jobs nonstop, but the response has been slow, and I'm starting to doubt my chances of finding something in the next couple of months. I’m reaching out to see if anyone else has been in a similar situation with a PIP and managed to land a better job afterward. I could really use some encouragement and success stories to help me through this mentally exhausting time.

I finally received a $100k offer for my first tech job as a cloud engineer! I've been applying since February and it's been quite a journey. Last year was tough; I made a bad crypto trade that wiped out my entire net worth and left me with about $60k in credit card debt. I spent the last year freelancing, building a portfolio, and honing my skills. I even completed several certifications in just three months, which usually take years. Despite the negative narratives about the job market, I stayed positive and focused on the high-demand tech skills I was developing, particularly in AWS and Kubernetes. I went through numerous interviews, faced many rejections, and learned something valuable from each experience. One final stage interview in February didn't work out, but I kept pushing forward. The interview process for this new role was straightforward: an initial screening with a recruiter, a technical and architecture challenge on-site, and a values interview with four senior team members. From the initial screen to receiving the offer took about a month. One key takeaway for me was that thorough preparation made a significant difference. I found that when I over-prepared, I could excel in interviews and engage with interviewers more effectively. I learned to maintain a calm and confident demeanor, which helped create a comfortable atmosphere for discussion. I realized that the less I chased opportunities, the more they seemed to come my way. By applying to numerous positions, I created a sense of abundance and trust in the process. I hope my experience can inspire others to stay persistent and believe in their journey.

I've been a software developer at my current company for 9 years, and a couple of months ago, my amazing manager left for a new opportunity. He reached out recently to let me know that his new company is hiring and asked if I would be interested in joining his team. I would love to take this chance, but I have a significant hurdle: I'm not very good at interviews. I tend to get nervous, and I know that preparing for technical interviews, especially for leetcode and system design, would take me at least 2 or 3 months. While I understand that having my former boss on the inside gives me an advantage, I still want to make a good impression on the rest of the team during the interviews. I'm worried that if I take too long to prepare, this opportunity might slip away. I'm looking for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation. Should I just go for it, or should I take the time to prepare? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

I recently went through a layoff at my previous job as a marketing coordinator at a tech startup. When I received my severance package, I realized I had no idea that I could negotiate it. I wish I had known that negotiating severance was an option because I felt overwhelmed and just accepted what was offered. I later learned from friends that many people successfully negotiated for better terms, like extended health benefits or a larger payout. If I could go back, I would definitely push for more clarity on the terms and ask for additional support, like career coaching or outplacement services. For those currently in negotiations, I recommend researching common practices and being prepared to advocate for yourself. Hearing real experiences from others would have made a huge difference for me.

I recently learned that Agoda laid off around 50 employees in Singapore in 2025, including someone I know. What's particularly concerning is that the company allegedly warned affected staff against reporting these layoffs to government agencies. They even included a clause in their severance agreements that threatened to revoke severance pay if anyone reached out to the Ministry of Manpower or other related bodies. This tactic seems to be a blatant attempt to intimidate employees into silence, despite it being illegal under Singapore's Employment Act. It feels like they are banking on the fact that most people won't challenge them due to the high costs of legal action.

Today was a tough day for me as I faced two rejections within just three hours. It’s disheartening, especially considering I have my MBA and a bachelor's in supply chain management, along with over seven years of experience in the field. The first rejection hit hard; I invested $750 out of my own pocket to travel for the interview, and after waiting nearly two weeks, I received a generic response that felt like a corporate brush-off. It really makes you question the values of the company. The second rejection was equally frustrating. I took a cognitive test that I know I passed based on my previous experiences with Wonderlic tests. However, it seems I was marked down on the behavioral sections, despite the instructions stating there were no right or wrong answers. It feels like I was misled, and it’s incredibly frustrating to deal with such inconsistencies. This experience has left me feeling disillusioned with the corporate culture in this country. Something definitely needs to change. I appreciate the support from others who understand the struggle; it’s a tough job market out there.

I recently received a rejection email from a company I had interviewed with for a marketing position. What struck me as particularly odd was a typo in the email. Instead of saying 'We appreciate your interest in the role,' it said 'We appreciate your interest in the roll.' I couldn't help but chuckle at the mistake, but it also made me wonder about the professionalism of their hiring process. It's been a tough job search, and this just added a strange twist to my experience.

I'm preparing for a job loss in 30 days as my employer has informed me that my last day will be on 8/21. I've been with this company for a while, and it's tough to face this reality, especially since they are the largest employer in my town of about 120,000 people. I plan to update my resume and start sending it out, but I'm also taking a hard look at my finances. I'm revisiting my budget to see how I can cut costs, like finding cheaper car insurance and canceling unnecessary subscriptions. I just renewed my lease for another year, and while I could potentially break it due to my situation, I'm hesitant to spend my energy on relocating, especially since my credit isn't great and finding a new place without a job would be challenging. I know I can apply for internal positions within the company, but I’m concerned about the limited job market outside, as many positions won't match my current pay, which is already below what I should be earning given my qualifications. On top of that, I've just started repaying my student loans, and I want to explore options to lower my payments given these circumstances. I appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation, especially regarding personal preparations I should consider.

I recently signed an offer with a software company that has around 200 employees. After accepting, I was informed about a potential 2-week onboarding trip to their London office. While the company will cover the trip, it involves a significant commitment, including a 15-hour flight each way, and I would need to rearrange a lot at home. My wife has work commitments as well, which adds to the complexity of this situation. I was surprised that this trip was only mentioned after I signed the offer, and it raises some concerns for me. I’ve had a previous onboarding experience that ended with a layoff, so I’m feeling a bit cautious about this. I’m wondering if it’s common for companies, especially smaller ones, to spring such plans on new hires after the offer is signed. For those who have joined international companies, do you think this is a good sign or a red flag? I’m also curious if this type of onboarding trip is typically presented as a benefit during the recruitment process. I’d appreciate any insights or advice on how to handle this situation.

I've been really struggling in the job market as an engineer. This month, I applied to three positions and managed to land interviews for all of them, but unfortunately, I faced rejection each time. I even took a day off from my job at the post office to attend one of the interviews. During one interview, the interviewer was so impressed that they thought I was using AI to answer questions. I was taken aback by that but assured them I wasn't. They mentioned moving me to the next round with the regional sales manager, but then I was ghosted completely. I checked my application status and saw I was not selected, and despite reaching out for an update, I didn't get any response. It hit me hard, and I shed a few tears over it. But reflecting on it, I realized that getting three interviews in such a short time is a sign that I'm on the right track. I just need to keep refining my approach and applying more. The job market feels like a numbers game, and I'm determined to keep pushing forward. Tomorrow, I plan to use tools like Claude to help tailor my applications and apply to even more jobs. Additionally, I applied for a pre-apprenticeship program specifically for women, which is unpaid but offers valuable trade skills. I tested into the program and received an email for a physical assessment, which I'm grateful the post office allowed me to take another day off for. This program could significantly improve my chances of getting a job with the Illinois Department of Labor. I refuse to go back to school and take on more loans after my experience with my mechanical engineering degree. Instead, I'm pursuing this trade route, which only takes three months and offers certifications like OSHA 10 and First Aid/CPR. This is my Plan B if I can't find a job soon.

Today, I finally received a job offer after 10 long months of searching and submitting over 300 applications. It's a part-time role at a credit union, and while it's not a high-paying position or a significant step up in my career, I'm just relieved to have an offer. The start date was initially set for August 3rd, but I had to inform the manager that I already have a paid vacation planned for that week. She checked with HR, and the new start date is August 17th. However, I just realized that I have another event on August 21st that requires me to fly out of town. I need to figure out how to communicate this to my new employer without jeopardizing the offer. I don't want to cancel this event, as I've already paid for the tickets and flight. I feel stuck because I already asked to push back the start date once, and I don't want to seem like I'm making excuses. I remember how I regretted canceling a previous commitment for a job that I ended up losing shortly after. I want to maintain a balance between my personal life and my new professional responsibilities. I plan to approach HR and explain that it was an oversight on my part and that I have to travel out of town for this event. I hope to suggest making up the hours earlier in the week or the following week. I'm just anxious about how this will be received.

I've been working as a valet for the past three years while attending HVAC school. Recently, my boss has been on a power trip, cutting everyone's hours and sending out an email regarding time off requests. I had always taken time off without issues, but after requesting time off for September, I received a somewhat aggressive response. Currently, I only work 1-2 days a week, and he often asks me to come in on days I have classes, which I've done out of goodwill. However, I’m now actively job hunting for a better position in the HVAC field since I recently obtained my EPA certification. I'm really frustrated with the situation and looking for advice on how to handle my boss and this job while I search for something better.

I received a call from a recruiter today regarding a final loop interview for a position I applied for. After not hearing back for over a week, I was surprised to learn that the hiring manager wants to move the interview up by a week. The recruiter explained that the hiring manager initially planned to have the interview after returning from travel but changed their mind while away. They mentioned that both the hiring manager and the team are excited to have me on board. Additionally, they are waiving a time-sensitive essay requirement, allowing me to submit it before the interview instead of three business days prior. I've had interviews pushed back before, but this is the first time one has been moved up, especially with the hiring manager traveling. I'm wondering if this is a positive sign.

I recently left my job at a large engineering company where I had worked for two years after graduating. My wife got accepted into a school in a different state, and I didn't think I would be able to keep my job. Before I left, my interim manager offered me a chance to work remotely for about eight months, which was unexpected and generous, but I was still looking for long-term work in our new state. I ended up accepting a new job offer about two months later, despite some concerns about a pay cut and a long daily commute. Now, just two weeks into this new role, I'm feeling significant regret. The workload has been heavier than I anticipated, and I've learned that the company's compensation practices are concerning. The chaotic work environment is adding stress to my life, which is making me reconsider my decision. I'm contemplating reaching out to my old manager to see if there's a chance I could return to my previous position. I know it's only been a short time since I left, but I'm worried that waiting too long might make it harder to get my old job back. I'm torn between the fear of seeming unprofessional and the desire to find a more suitable work situation. Should I reach out now or give it some time?

I was laid off from my job as a host at a local restaurant due to an overstaffing issue. It was tough to hear that I was one of the chosen ones to go, and I felt a mix of anger and disappointment towards my boss. However, I believe there’s no bad blood between us, at least from his perspective. Now, I’m contemplating whether it’s okay to return to the restaurant as a customer because they have the best gelato and french fries. I'm worried about how awkward it might be, and I’m wondering how soon is too soon to go back after being laid off. Some friends suggested giving it a month, while others said I should just go enjoy the food without stressing about it. I really just want to avoid any uncomfortable interactions.