Feeling

I’m currently preparing for an unemployment appeal hearing in Washington regarding my separation from my previous job. I accepted a PEP (separation agreement) after being placed on a final written warning, and I’m worried that my case will be seen as a simple voluntary quit without considering the serious circumstances that led to my departure. I started my job in May 2022 after being recruited for the position. However, from November to December 2023, my husband suffered a severe medical crisis, and I became his sole caregiver. This involved taking him to numerous appointments, coordinating his care, and managing crises when he was disconnected from reality. I took FMLA leave during this time but returned to work afterward. Despite my efforts to balance work and caregiving, my husband's ongoing medical issues took a toll on my physical and emotional health. I was under significant stress and was seeing a therapist throughout this period. In August 2025, I received my first written warning for performance issues, which I discussed with HR, explaining my situation and my commitment to improving. I continued to work hard until I received a final written warning in March 2026, at which point I was offered a PEP due to my manager's belief that my strengths didn’t align with the role. I accepted the PEP on April 3, and my employment ended on April 17. I moved to Michigan shortly after and started a new job in July. I know that accepting the PEP makes this a voluntary separation issue, but I’m hoping to argue that my circumstances qualify as good cause under Washington law. I have documentation to support my case, including the PEP, written warnings, and a statement from my therapist. I’m seeking advice on several points: how the acceptance of the PEP affects the good-cause analysis, whether my FMLA leave and caregiving responsibilities support my argument, how to present these circumstances at the hearing, and how to address my previous statement of being 'laid off.' Additionally, I want to know what questions I should be prepared for from the OAH judge. I’m not looking for validation; I just want to understand my position and how to present my facts accurately.

I recently applied for a position with a staffing company that partners with Blue Cross Blue Shield. The recruiter seemed very professional and provided a lot of details about the role and the hiring process, which gave me a good impression. However, towards the end of our phone call, they asked for the last five digits of my Social Security Number. I felt uneasy about this request and decided to decline. The recruiter was understanding and offered to send me a DocuSign email to provide it later when I felt comfortable. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has experienced something similar or if this is a common practice, especially with a reputable company like Blue Cross Blue Shield. Everything else about the opportunity seemed legitimate, but I'm cautious about sharing my SSN. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.

I'm currently seeking advice on how to secure a Senior Game Designer role at a reputable game company. With over 10 years of experience in game design, primarily focused on F2P casual and hyper-casual mobile games, I hold a senior position in India. However, I'm feeling the need for a change due to limited growth opportunities, lower monetary benefits, and the repetitive nature of our games that mostly follow existing market trends. I've been actively improving my skills and integrating AI tools to enhance my design workflow, but my job search has been quite discouraging. I've faced numerous rejections and instances of ghosting throughout the process, even after multiple interview rounds and technical/design tests. LinkedIn and job portals haven't yielded much success either, as finding relevant Senior Game Designer roles has proven to be a challenge. I'm beginning to wonder if there's something missing in my profile or approach, or if the current job market is simply tough. I'm looking for insights on how to improve my resume and portfolio, what types of case studies or skills are expected at the Senior level, and whether I should prioritize networking and referrals over traditional job portals. Additionally, I'm curious about specific skills, companies, or regions I should target. I'm determined to make this career transition, but after facing repeated rejections without much feedback, I'm struggling to identify what I need to change. I really want to stay hopeful, but I also want to ensure I'm focusing on the right areas.

I recently received an offer for a hybrid engineering position that requires me to be in the office three days a week. The job is located about five hours away from where I ultimately want to settle down, which is closer to my family. Currently, I work on-site in an engineering role about four hours from my desired city. The offer does include some relocation assistance, which is great, but I’m considering negotiating for a different arrangement. My plan is to propose that for the first year, I relocate to the job's city and work on-site as required. After that first year, I would like to transition to a schedule where I only need to be in the office two days a week. This would allow me to move closer to my family while still fulfilling my job requirements. The reason for this request is quite personal; my parents are aging and facing some medical issues, so being nearer to them is important to me. I believe that a two-day-per-week arrangement is feasible since I interviewed with another company during my job search that offered a similar schedule. I’m reaching out for advice from anyone who has experience negotiating hybrid work arrangements after receiving an offer. What concerns should I be aware of? Should I negotiate the two-day schedule after the first year or ask for the entire arrangement upfront? Is there anything I could offer to make my proposal more appealing? I’m also worried about the risk of jeopardizing the offer by making this request. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I've been facing a tough time lately with my job situation. I've been informed that my position is at risk, which has pushed me to start applying for new roles. Over the past four months, I've applied to more than 200 positions and managed to secure just 5 interviews. It's incredibly disheartening because during the interviews, everything seems to go well. The interviewers act as if I'm a perfect fit, but it often feels like they already have someone in mind and are just going through the motions with us. One particularly frustrating experience was a recruitment day where I was given hope after two interviews that stretched beyond the allotted time. In the end, I was told by HR that they decided to go with someone cheaper or with more relevant experience. Reflecting on my career, I realize that I've always taken on challenges and moved around rather than sticking to one role. Now, I can't help but feel that maybe I should have focused on one path instead. It's heartbreaking to think that interviewers might just be using candidates to check off boxes rather than genuinely considering them. I don't usually believe in karma, but I hope that one day those who put us through this will understand the struggles we face.

I recently faced a frustrating situation regarding a Disney Marketing internship that I had hoped to secure. After graduating from college with high honors and receiving several strong recommendations, I was working in Guest Experience at a museum and dreaming of transitioning into a business role there. However, when the internship opportunity arose, I was disheartened to learn that it was awarded to someone over 30 with more than 10 years of experience. This individual had spent 7 years at the museum and 3 years elsewhere, which left me feeling like there was no chance for a recent graduate like myself to compete. It felt incredibly unfair, especially coming from a company like Disney. This experience has only added to my growing list of frustrating job search stories.

I applied for an internal position at my company on June 11, which had been posted the day before. After completing two rounds of interviews with the manager and team by June 29, I sent out thank you emails and followed up with both the manager and the recruiter on July 20. While the manager didn't respond, the recruiter mentioned they would reach out to the team for an update. On July 28, I checked my application status on Workday, and it changed from "screening" to "offer," but I still hadn't received any communication. I reached out to the recruiter again on August 10, but they provided the same vague response. I'm feeling anxious because this position is my dream job, and I'm unsure of what to do next besides just waiting.

I recently went through a tough experience at my job where I failed my probation period after working for a company for 8 months. I was part of a team of about 45 employees, but during my time there, at least 25 people left, and I had to deal with three different managers. Unfortunately, I received very little support, and there were no regular check-ins or performance reviews to help guide my progress. When my current manager started, I raised my concerns about the lack of support and expressed my need for assistance, but that never materialized. Instead, my manager relied on me and a coworker to support him, which was frustrating. Last Friday, I was told that I would have a review, but when I arrived at the office, I found out it was actually my probation review, and I was at risk of termination due to some minor booking mistakes I had made. During the meeting, the issues raised were ones I had already addressed informally, and I had made sure those mistakes didn't happen again. I pointed out to my manager that if these issues were so critical, why were they only being brought up months later? I also highlighted that we lacked a proper booking system or helpdesk software, which contributed to the mistakes given the heavy workload. Additionally, I was tasked with handling safeguarding concerns without any training, which felt incredibly unfair. Yesterday, I learned that my probation was officially failed, and I was terminated because I allegedly did not meet their standards. When I asked my manager what those standards were and how they had been communicated to me, he couldn't provide an answer. To make matters worse, I found out he is also leaving the company due to struggling with his role and finding the company's operations strange. I'm feeling lost and frustrated. I'm considering whether it's even worth appealing this decision, given the lack of support I received throughout my time there, which made it nearly impossible for me to do my job effectively.

I recently made the difficult decision to leave my fully remote job after a couple of years. I had reached a point where there was no room for advancement, and despite my love for my team and the flexibility of working from home, the increasing workload without any corresponding increase in pay or title became frustrating. I thought a new opportunity would be the solution: a higher-paying, in-office position with a better title at a reputable company. After discussing my situation with my previous employer and receiving no effort to retain me, I felt compelled to make the switch. Now, one month into this new role, I find myself regretting the decision. I miss the autonomy and freedom I had in my previous job, and I feel overwhelmed by the demands of the corporate environment. My personal time for creative projects and family has diminished, and I’m struggling to find interest in my work. My husband reassures me that the gains will come, but right now, it feels like I’ve lost so much. I wake up each day questioning why I left a situation that offered me so much flexibility. Friends and family are dealing with tougher situations, so I feel embarrassed to express my frustrations. I know this is a transition period, and I’ve been advised to wait a few months before making any rash decisions, but I can’t shake the feeling of regret. I’m torn between the fear of quitting after only a month and the desire to find a role that aligns more with my previous work-life balance. I’m reaching out for advice on how to navigate this challenging situation.

I graduated from college in 2016 and spent nearly 10 months searching for my first job, going through countless interviews and facing numerous rejections before finally landing a position at Walmart. I worked there for a year while continuing to look for a role in my field. After a year, I secured an entry-level position related to my studies. I was able to move up in that role, but unfortunately lost it in 2020 due to the pandemic. It took me a whole year to find another job during that tough time. Fast forward to 2026, I’ve gained more experience and was able to find a new remote position after about 5 months of job searching. Reflecting on my journey, I feel like the job market was more competitive back when I first graduated compared to today. I understand that the job market is complex and competitive now, but I wonder if others have experienced something similar. I’ve heard that it can be easier to find 'a' job now, but the quality of those jobs may have declined. I’m curious about how others perceive the changes in the job market over the years.

I recently came across an article discussing how many employers are ghosting college graduates and even rescinding job offers right before they start. This really struck a chord with me, as I have several friends who have experienced this firsthand. It's disheartening to see how many talented individuals are left in limbo after being promised a position, only to have it taken away at the last minute. The morale among my peers is really taking a hit, and it's frustrating to witness such a lack of professionalism from companies.

I recently applied for an internship position with UNICEF Canada and went through two rounds of interviews. The initial interview took place on July 30th, and I was told I would hear back by the following Tuesday. When I didn’t receive a response, I followed up the next Thursday but still got nothing. Last week, I decided to call the recruiter, and they seemed surprised to hear from me, which made me think my previous emails hadn’t been received. They informed me that the HR manager was on vacation and promised to update me by the end of the week. Once again, I heard nothing. I sent one last email, but I’m starting to feel like I was led on without any consideration for my time or effort. I even adjusted my schedule and missed a class to accommodate the interview, and I believe I deserve at least a straightforward answer, whether I got the position or not. This whole experience has felt extremely unprofessional and disrespectful.

I was laid off from my position in Product Management at a UK-based MNC in India back in December 2025, as my role was made redundant along with several others. After over 12 years of stable work, I had hoped to take my time finding a new role, especially since my husband and I were trying to conceive. Unfortunately, in February of this year, my husband lost his job due to internal politics, just as our IVF treatment finally succeeded after two previous failed attempts. While we do have some financial runway for the year, the impending arrival of our baby has made me anxious about our financial situation. My husband has been searching for jobs in Supply Chain and FMCG, where he has over 16 years of experience, but he hasn't had much luck yet. We haven't shared this news with anyone in our circle, and it's been six months since he lost his job, which adds to my anxiety. I won't be able to actively look for a job until at least early next year. We both hold MBAs and have worked with reputable MNCs, so I’m curious if anyone else has faced a similar situation of job loss while starting a family. How long did your job search take, and what strategies helped you cope during that time? I would also appreciate insights from women on how to discuss gaps in employment.

I recently had a strange experience during an interview for a software engineering intern role at a startup. I applied through a cold email and was pleasantly surprised to receive a response within just 5 hours. The interview started off normally with introductions, discussions about my projects, and a review of my resume. However, at the end of the interview, the interviewer revealed something unexpected. He mentioned that he was a Full Stack developer himself, currently struggling to find a job due to his poor communication skills. To improve, he conducts fake interviews with candidates, pretending to be a recruiter. I was taken aback by this revelation and felt frustrated, especially after preparing thoroughly for the interview. While I can't change what happened, I reminded myself that at least my cold email got a response and I was able to revise my topics.

I have been working remotely for the past three years, focusing on marketing analytics, which includes attribution, reporting, performance analysis, and marketing mix modeling (MMM). However, I've hit a wall in my job search and it's been really tough. I’m legally established as an independent contractor and have been working with clients on projects that typically last between six to nine months. Unfortunately, that flow of work has dried up recently. For the last two months, I've been actively looking for full-time remote positions based in the US, but I haven't received any responses. I’ve always relied on clients reaching out to me, and I’ve never had to do outbound or cold outreach before, so this is a new challenge for me. I customize my CV for each application and selectively apply to jobs that fit my skills, but I’m not sure what else I could be doing wrong. I’m fluent in English and my rates are reasonable given that I’m offshore. I’m feeling frustrated and would appreciate any tips or advice on how to improve my chances of landing a remote job.

I recently accepted my first full-time job as a Telecommunications Engineer with a consulting company in Germany, set to start next month. My contract is full-time and unlimited, but there’s a 6-month probation period. I’ve been considered for two customer projects: one is ongoing and the other is on hold. If I opt for the ongoing project, I still need to interview with the client first. The company informed me that as a consultant, my work is heavily project-dependent, meaning if I’m not assigned to a project, there might not be much for me to do. My salary will be paid regardless, but I’m worried about what happens if I don’t get assigned to a project during my probation. Could that lead to me being let go? After 14 months of job searching, I’m anxious about returning to that situation. I accepted this role because I liked the company and the position, but now I’m second-guessing the project-based nature of consulting. I’m looking for insights from others in consulting in Germany: Is this typical? Should I be worried, or am I just overthinking it?

I recently made the tough decision to resign from my internship at a big4 company after just three days. I graduated with my bachelor's degree in June and was thrilled to land this internship in July, especially since I also accepted a fully-funded master's program in the same month. I thought I could manage both commitments since my work hours were during the day and classes were in the evening. However, I quickly realized that I was overwhelmed, even before my master's classes had started. On my first day, I was so sick that I couldn't even show up. After asking for a different start date, I returned to work on Monday, but I was still unwell. I pushed through the day, meeting the team and starting my tasks, but I was nauseous and unable to eat properly. After a rough night of vomiting and feeling weak, I called in sick the next day. My health deteriorated to the point where my family called an ambulance for me, and I ended up needing IV fluids due to starvation. After discussing my situation with my family, they suggested I quit the internship since my master's classes were starting soon and I wouldn't be able to handle both effectively. I felt guilty about leaving such a great opportunity, especially since the team was supportive and welcoming. However, I knew that prioritizing my health and education was essential. I sent my resignation email quickly, feeling embarrassed and guilty for not discussing it with anyone first. The HR representative was understanding, but I couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment in myself. I had hoped to manage everything, but it became clear that I couldn't even make it through the probation period. Now, as I reflect on my decision, I feel a mix of relief and emptiness, unsure of how to move forward. I know I made the right choice for my well-being, but I can't help but feel like I've failed at adulting.

I took a remote marketing job with a real estate company during COVID, despite the low pay of USD 1,000 a month. I was in a tough spot and needed any income. The owner, a German man, operated several real estate listing sites in different countries. Shortly after starting, a colleague discovered that our boss had a criminal background involving racketeering and fraud in the US. He had reinvented himself overseas, which I regrettably didn’t research before accepting the job. In my first month, I received about USD 900 instead of the agreed amount because he claimed I hadn’t invoiced him on time, even though I had. By the second month, I received nothing at all. I followed up repeatedly, but he always claimed the money was transferred, which it never was. Eventually, I gave up and documented everything about the company and the owner, submitting my findings to company-review sites. Despite my efforts, he continues to operate in Hong Kong and Thailand under different business ventures. This experience taught me a valuable lesson: when you're desperate for work, it's easy to skip due diligence, but that's often when you need it the most. Sometimes, the real danger lies in seemingly legitimate companies run by individuals with questionable backgrounds.

I've been on the job hunt since returning to India from the UK in February this year, and it's been quite a challenging experience. I've applied to jobs across several countries, including India, the GCC, Portugal, and Malta, but the results have been disheartening. In India, I've submitted over 300 tailored applications, but hiring managers seem to view me as a liability due to my salary expectations and lack of local hospitality experience. In the GCC countries (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia), the hiring process has been slow and selective, with only 2 interviews from more than 500 applications. On a brighter note, I had some traction in Portugal and Malta, landing around 6-7 interviews from over 400 applications. The feedback was positive, but the lengthy work visa process (3-4 months) deterred employers from waiting. Currently, I'm facing a financial crunch with 3 pending student loans totaling around INR 2,80,000 ($3000). The loan company, Avanse, has filed a legal complaint against me due to my inability to repay, despite my attempts to restructure or pause payments. I have a legal hearing scheduled for the end of this month. I'm left wondering if my CV is the issue or if it's just the tough job market. I know I have strong communication skills and a solid hospitality background, yet I've been unemployed for over 5 months despite my efforts.

I am currently in a tough situation at my apprenticeship where I've been for the past three years. I'm 19 years old and have been working as a Level 4 Improvement Specialist, but my company just informed me that by the end of September, they will be transitioning me to a full-time shift role that doesn't utilize any of my qualifications. This new position is something that anyone could easily step into, and I feel like my potential is being completely wasted. Additionally, I'm not fond of the job or the team I would be working with. I'm actively searching for another job, but I'm anxious about not finding something in time. I’m faced with the difficult choice of whether to stay in a role that I dislike or leave without having another job lined up. The shift pattern they’ve proposed is 2 days of 12-hour shifts followed by 2 nights, which I struggled with last year during a project, affecting my sleep and overall well-being.