Feeling

I recently experienced a massive layoff at my company, which is a large multinational corporation. The number of employees affected was staggering, and I found myself in a difficult position. I had been advocating against the separation agreement clauses for quite some time, even after my official last working day. I pushed for a better severance package and additional conditions, but unfortunately, none of my demands were met. Prior to the layoffs, I had been working tirelessly, contributing significantly to the business—bringing in crores in revenue and meticulously documenting my efforts. Now, I'm left wondering if anyone else at a mid-senior level, like a Software Engineer, has ever taken legal action against a big MNC and actually succeeded. It feels like the power dynamics are always skewed in favor of the company.

I recently had a couple of interviews that went surprisingly well. After a previous post seeking advice, I interviewed with one company and they said they would get back to me next week. On the same day, I had another interview with a different company that I was initially reluctant to attend due to burnout from the job search. However, I went and met with three managers, including the one I would be working under. The interview went really well, and to my surprise, they offered me the job! I signed the offer letter and gave them permission to run a background check. HR informed me that my official start date for onboarding is July 6th, pending the background check results, which I’m confident will be clean. Now, I’m in a bit of a dilemma. I need to give my current job a two weeks’ notice, which I want to do to leave on good terms since I don’t have any issues with my manager or coworkers. However, I haven’t received a copy of the offer letter yet, and I’m worried about the possibility of having my offer rescinded. Should I wait until I have the offer letter in hand before I submit my notice? I’m anxious about this because I want to ensure everything is set in stone before I fully commit to my move.

I am currently navigating a challenging period in my life after being discharged from the hospital a month ago due to an eating disorder. I am still struggling both physically, as I am severely underweight, and mentally. While I am receiving ESA and potentially PIP, I feel a strong pressure to find work, even though I know I am not in the right state to do so. I have a job interview tomorrow for a physically demanding position that also requires a long commute. I am torn about whether I should attend the interview, as deep down, I feel I am not capable of handling it. I am seeking advice on whether it would be wise to go to the interview or if that would be unwise given my current situation.

Three months into my job search for a director-level position after being laid off from my corporate strategy team. It's been quite a shift since I haven't looked for a job in seven years, and the market has changed drastically since pre-Covid. I was promoted to a director role at my last company, so this is my first time actively seeking a director position. I'm focusing on roles in strategy and market intelligence, where I have the most experience. Although I could pivot to FP&A or product management, my resume doesn't align well with those areas anymore. I'm also unable to relocate, and my local job market is pretty sparse for these roles, which is why I’m applying mainly for remote positions. In the past two months, I've sent out about 150 applications, tailoring most of them for ATS with keyword optimization. I also try to connect with hiring managers or recruiters on LinkedIn when I can. So far, I've had one interview with a hiring manager, which I felt went well, but then I was ghosted. I've had around 4-5 interviews with HR, but things have really slowed down in the last six weeks. Currently, I’m dividing my efforts about 70% on job applications and 30% on networking and recruiter outreach. However, I’m starting to think I might need to flip those percentages, as my response rate is only about 3-4%, which feels dismal. I have a few questions: Should I really consider shifting my focus more towards networking? Are remote job applications worth my time given the competition? And should I think about stepping back to a senior manager role? I worry that my previous director title might be a barrier for those positions. If anyone has experience in corporate strategy and is willing to critique my resume, I would greatly appreciate it.

I’ve been reflecting on the current job market and how the landscape of job applications has drastically changed. It feels like just yesterday when submitting 20 to 30 applications was considered a serious effort. Now, I see people talking about applying to 100, 500, or even 1,000 jobs, and it seems like nobody is surprised anymore. I’ve noticed that the process has become less about finding the right fit and more about playing the odds, almost like buying lottery tickets. It’s disheartening to think that job searching has morphed into a numbers game where I’m just feeding algorithms and hoping my application catches the eye of a real person. I wonder when this shift happened. It feels like we’ve collectively accepted this as the norm, but I don’t think it should be. The comments I’ve read suggest that this trend is more prevalent in saturated fields, and I can relate to that. My background is in low-level e-commerce, and the competition is fierce. I remember when I was teaching; I got my first interview on my very first application because it was for a high-need school with minimal competition. Now, it seems like the odds are stacked against us, and it’s frustrating to see how companies have regained the upper hand in this job market.

I recently received an offer for an early-career development program at Company A, which focuses on coding and business intelligence—exactly the direction I want my career to take. However, the program is only a few months long, pays minimum wage ($18-20/hr), and there’s no guarantee of a full-time position afterward, although I’ve been told the chances are good. If I do secure a full-time role there, it would pay around $60k-70k. On the other hand, I have a final interview coming up with Company B for a full-time role in marketing and advertising. This position wouldn’t provide the technical skills I’m looking for, and the salary would be about $20k less than what I could potentially earn at Company A. I really like the company culture at Company B, which is a significant factor for me, especially since Company A has had a poor reputation and my interview experience there was frustrating. I’m torn between the stability of a full-time role at Company B and the potential for growth and alignment with my career goals at Company A. I worry that taking the marketing position at Company B might lead me down a path that doesn’t align with my passion for data and BI, and I fear I won’t be utilizing my full technical skills. However, I also recognize that in this job market, especially as a recent graduate, I might not have the luxury of being too choosy. I’m considering whether I can still pivot back into BI after working in marketing if I choose Company B. I’d love to hear thoughts on this dilemma!

I’m excited to share that I finally landed a job at AbbVie last week Friday, the same day I completed my interview with them! They were particularly impressed with my work, especially my use of Power BI, which I had never used before. It's funny because I was also in the running for another position at a company I’ll refer to as Company X. For Company X, I had to complete a data task where I created a story from some messy data they provided and delivered a visualization with insights and data quality issues I found. After submitting my assignment, I didn’t hear back for about 1-2 weeks. Meanwhile, I completely forgot how I applied to AbbVie since I had been applying to so many places. When I finally had my interview with AbbVie last Friday, it went really well. I showcased the project I did for Company X, and they were impressed. They mentioned I would hear back within the week. Later that day, I received a voicemail from AbbVie, and to my surprise, they offered me the job! I was ecstatic and immediately started reviewing the contract they sent over. I wanted to take my time reading it and was also waiting to hear back from Company X, who had said they would get back to me on Monday. However, Monday came and went with no word from them. I decided to sign the contract with AbbVie on Wednesday after a couple of follow-up calls from them checking in. I did send a respectful follow-up to Company X, expressing my continued interest, but I didn't hear back from them. Just as I was about to complete my first week at AbbVie, I received an email from Company X inviting me to a final round interview. I was a bit surprised since I thought the previous interview was the last one. I replied saying I was available on Friday, but I never received an invitation for that interview. Overall, I'm really happy with AbbVie and their responsiveness. Company X, on the other hand, has been incredibly slow, which made my decision easier. I’m no longer jobless, and for anyone still searching, keep applying and stay positive! You’ll find something eventually!

I was let go from my job in Illinois today, and I'm considering whether I should wait until July 5th to file for unemployment. I've done the calculations, and if I wait, my weekly benefit would increase significantly. However, I'd miss out on the first two weeks of pay, which could take over 12 weeks to recover from. I worked at my last job for about 10 months, and it paid me much better than my previous position. I'm feeling anxious about finding a new job, especially since I've only had two interviews despite applying to many places this year. As a single parent with sole custody, the extra financial support would be really helpful if I struggle to secure a decent job soon.

I've been feeling really uneasy about my job lately. I've only been with my current company for about 5 months, and now I've been put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). They’ve given me just one month to prove that I can hit my numbers, or they’ll let me go. It's been tough to watch them continuously hire and fire people, which makes the environment feel incredibly unstable. I often feel like I was set up for failure from the start, as there's little to no support when I try to ask for help or clarification on tasks. This has led me to seriously consider entrepreneurship, as I'm tired of the constant fear of losing my income. I empathize with everyone else going through layoffs; it really highlights how precarious job security can be.

I got laid off for the second time this year. I've been a graphic designer for 10 years at my previous company, but they liquidated my position. On the bright side, they provided a really good severance package. After three months of searching, I found a new job, but it turned out to be incredibly challenging. It was a remote position, but there was no support, structure, or guidelines in place. The company lacked any real induction process or a supportive work culture; it was all about doing a lot of work quickly. I tried my best to adapt, but I quickly burned out in that environment. I thought I was performing well given the circumstances, but it wasn't enough, so now I'm back to job searching again, starting next week.

I recently applied for several positions at Citi, but unfortunately, I received rejections for all of them. Now, I’ve noticed that they are looking to fill temporary roles. It's frustrating to see them seeking new hires after my applications were turned down. I'm contemplating whether I should apply for these temp positions, even though I had hoped for a more permanent role.

I recently applied for a position at a large company, and to my surprise, the director of the department I would be joining reached out to me directly for the initial conversation instead of a recruiter. He wants to schedule an hour-long meeting to discuss my background and the role in detail. While I'm excited about this opportunity, I find it a bit unusual since I typically only meet the director during the final interview stage, assuming I make it that far. In my last experience where I interacted directly with a director early on, it was with a small company that had no dedicated recruiting team, and I ended up getting the job since they were in urgent need of filling several roles. This time, I know there are multiple positions available, but it doesn’t seem like they are in a rush to hire, especially since the job listing was posted just a few days ago. I’m curious about how common this practice is and would appreciate any tips on how to effectively discuss my experience during the meeting. I often struggle with the 'tell me about yourself' question, and I suspect that has hindered my chances in the past.

I had an interview last week with a team that seemed really positive about our discussions. They mentioned that they enjoyed getting to know me, which felt encouraging. I was informed that they are still conducting a few more interviews over the next week. I'm waiting for further updates and potential next steps once they finish the interview process. I appreciate the communication and am hopeful about the outcome.

I recently experienced the frustration of being ghosted after applying for a role within my own team at the company I currently work for. It's disheartening to be overlooked by a hiring manager I interact with regularly. After this disappointing experience, I've decided to shift my focus and start applying for external positions. I began my job search this week and I'm hopeful that I can move on to a new opportunity soon.

I had an interview for a sales assistant position on Wednesday, but it felt really off. The interviewer barely asked me any questions and instead spent most of the time talking about how successful the company is. I was expecting to learn more about the role, but there wasn't much information provided. I've never worked in sales before, so I was unsure what to expect. Later, they invited me and a few others back for a meeting where they revealed that the job involved door-to-door sales and mentioned a commission of £45 per sale, but they didn't discuss any base pay at all. They talked about sending employees on trips to attend sales talks abroad, which sounded appealing, but I still felt uneasy. It seemed like the interviewer was more focused on selling us the job rather than evaluating us as potential employees. They didn't ask about my work experience or what I'm like as a worker, which left me feeling unsettled. Everyone there was friendly, but I can't shake this weird feeling about the whole situation. I'm a broke student, so I need to take whatever I can get, but I'm not sure if this is the right fit for me. I should find out today if I got the job.

I am currently navigating a tricky situation with my job search as I am in the running for two co-op positions related to my degree. I received confirmation from Job #1 that they will be sending an offer next week, while I am in the final interview round with Job #2, where I will be meeting the Director of my department on Tuesday. My concern is the timing of these offers. I prefer Job #2 because it offers better opportunities, a closer commute, and higher pay, but I also understand the importance of securing a position, especially given the current economic climate. I am considering whether it would be unprofessional to ask the Director at Job #2 about the timeline for their hiring process, given that I have a pending offer from Job #1. I want to be transparent and express my preference for Job #2, but I am also worried that this might jeopardize my chances with them. I am contemplating whether I should accept Job #1 now to ensure I have something secured, then potentially withdraw if Job #2 comes through with a better offer. I am seeking clarity on the best approach to take in this situation.

Today, at 23 years old, I'm reflecting on my college days and how much I loved freelance writing. Back then, I was ghostwriting for clients I found on social media, and it was the happiest I’ve ever been. That work helped me cover my college fees, buy a used laptop, and even afford a cheap motorcycle, which unfortunately broke down this year. Due to family issues, I had to shift my focus away from college and eventually dropped out. After that, I took a job as a sales and marketing executive, but I got laid off two months ago along with half the marketing team. They called it "downsizing to relocate sources towards a more future-ready approach," which really just meant they were replacing us with AI. Now, I'm desperately trying to find content writing or ghostwriting jobs, but it's tough. I can't prove my experience as a ghostwriter because I didn't keep track of my work. I’m applying everywhere, willing to work overtime and even accept lower pay. I just need someone to give me a chance and help me get back into freelance writing.

I've been unemployed for almost 3 months now, and it's been a perplexing journey. I frequently get shortlisted for design roles, clear interviews, and even complete design assignments, but then I hit a wall. After submitting my work, I often receive updates that my application is progressing, only to be met with disappointing news like, "the position is currently on hold" or "we're waiting for approval from senior management." Sometimes, I don't hear back at all, which adds to my frustration. This cycle has repeated multiple times, leaving me scratching my head. If my portfolio and assignments were subpar, I wouldn't be making it to these advanced stages, right? To adapt, I've started incorporating AI tools into my workflow to enhance my ideation and creative exploration, while ensuring the final designs reflect my personal style. I'm beginning to wonder if this is just the state of the design job market right now or if I'm missing something crucial. Has anyone else faced similar experiences? I'm open to any honest advice or insights.

I applied for a cashier position at a grocery store over six weeks ago, and I recently followed up on my application. The response was vague, stating that I wasn't qualified, but it didn't specify whether I was over-qualified or under-qualified. My background includes a customer service role in an office, sales experience, and a history in retail, but I only have a GED from 2021. I'm unsure if I should apply for these entry-level retail jobs without including my last two positions on my resume, as that would leave a six-year gap in my employment history. Ideally, I want to transition into a service role like cleaning or laundry, but I'm facing challenges due to my lack of specific relevant experience. I'm looking for advice on how to present myself as qualified for these roles.

I've been struggling to find a job for the past 8 months after being laid off from my unique role. Despite my efforts to improve my resume and job search strategy, I feel like I'm just getting crickets in my inbox. It's frustrating because many positions require a perfect match, and my past experience doesn't fit neatly into those boxes. I have around 2 years of experience, which puts me in a tough spot in the job market. I’m willing to learn and even relocate, but nothing seems to be working out. I often feel worthless, like my skills aren’t valued, and it’s really taking a toll on me. I’m trying my best to stay positive, but the struggle is real and I really need to find something soon.