Feeling

I woke up this morning to a cold email informing me that I was laid off from my position at ServiceNow. I had worked late into the night, trying to resolve an urgent issue, and thought my dedication would be recognized. Instead, I received the news at 7 AM, just hours after I had put in all that extra effort. It feels incredibly disheartening to be let go after working so hard, especially when it seems like my commitment didn't matter in the end. This experience has made me reflect on the value of my contributions and the company's priorities. I guess it's a harsh reminder that no matter how much you give, it may not be enough for the organization. Now, I need to figure out my next steps and start searching for new opportunities.

I recently passed my initial probation as a government union worker, or so I thought. Just three weeks later, during a one-on-one meeting with my manager, I was informed that my probation would be extended by three months due to some performance issues that I had previously acknowledged. I was shocked because I had been told in a team meeting that I had passed probation, and even received positive feedback shortly after. My manager expressed his belief in my potential but cited the need to clear up the performance concerns before fully moving forward. After doing some research, I discovered that this extension seems to violate our union contract, as the mechanisms for extending probation should have already passed. I reached out to my union, and they were taken aback by the situation, advising me to let them handle it formally. Now, I'm in a dilemma about whether to give my manager a heads-up about the union's involvement. On one hand, I want to maintain a good relationship with him, but on the other hand, I'm concerned that he might use this situation against me if he collects evidence of my past performance issues. It's a tricky situation, and I'm trying to navigate it carefully.

I've been on the job hunt since I was terminated from my IT role back in December, and it's been a tough road. I've only made it to two final interviews, both of which I didn't get. The lack of income is driving me a bit crazy, especially since my food stamps were recently canceled due to my unemployment. I need at least 20 hours of work per week to qualify for assistance, and I'm really feeling the pressure. I signed up for Amazon Flex, but I'm on a waitlist that could take up to six months. I'm looking for any flexible temp work that would allow me to set my own schedule. I've been applying to all sorts of part-time and full-time jobs, but I haven't heard back from any of them. My resume is heavily IT-focused, which makes it challenging to apply for non-IT positions. I know I have a solid work ethic and a diverse skill set in IT, but it feels like my background is hurting my chances of getting interviews. I'm exploring options like Fiverr for freelance work, but I know building a reputation takes time. Ideally, I'd prefer something in the real world rather than digital gigs, but I'm open to anything at this point. I'm also considering local volunteer opportunities to keep myself engaged. If anyone has suggestions for temp work or ways to leverage my IT skills, I would greatly appreciate it.

I've been on quite the job-hopping spree this year, and I'm feeling a bit lost about my next steps. I relocated from Florida to South Carolina to work as a research assistant for 3.5 years, focusing on geriatrics, which I genuinely enjoyed. However, my ultimate goal was to pursue a PhD, and despite my strong academic background and research experience, I applied for three cycles without success. After realizing that the PhD route wasn't for me, I decided to seek new opportunities, especially since my experience at the university was becoming increasingly negative due to administrative changes and funding issues. I felt it was time to move on. I'm excited to start a part-time, online MSW program soon, but my previous job was taking a toll on my mental health, even though I was making $22 an hour. I spent months searching for new roles while juggling my 8-4:30 job, which made it difficult to schedule interviews. Eventually, I accepted a receptionist position at a spine and back clinic, but it turned out to be less than ideal. The training was discouraging, the pay dropped to $17 an hour, and the commute to two different locations was exhausting. While working there, I landed a job in the ER as a registration clerk, which I’ve been doing for the past three months. The hours are tough—12-hour shifts on weekends—but the pay is $19 an hour. I feel like I perform well, but the job is draining, especially with the short staffing. Recently, I received an offer for a memory care coordinator position at an assisted living facility. The job sounds like a lot of fun and aligns with my interests, but it pays the same as my current role. I’m also considering my future internship for my MSW program, which many in my cohort do through their jobs. My current job offers flexibility during the week, which is beneficial for interviews and schoolwork. I really don’t want to continue job hopping, as I feel guilty about leaving roles shortly after being trained. I'm conflicted about whether to take the new opportunity or stick with my current role in hopes of finding something more aligned with my long-term goals in social work and palliative care.

I was recently wrongfully dismissed from my job, and I’m feeling completely hopeless and anxious. Just a few days ago, I was called into an unexpected meeting with HR and a company director. I had no idea what it was about, and to my shock, I was told that my employment was ending immediately because it had come to their attention that I was exploring another job opportunity. This opportunity was informal and came from a colleague who plans to leave later this year to start his own business. We had a casual chat about the possibility of me working with him, but nothing was set in stone. Unfortunately, I shared this conversation with a couple of trusted colleagues, and it spread like wildfire. Now, after my dismissal, the colleague who initially approached me called to say I could still apply for the position, but it wouldn’t be a guaranteed offer anymore. He mentioned that my situation almost cost him his job, which makes me feel even worse. I’m devastated about losing my job and the security it provided. I’m dealing with severe anxiety and feeling like a failure. I just graduated from university, and this was my first real job. I was laughed at during the meeting, and I currently have a case open with the fair work department because I believe my dismissal was unlawful. I’m struggling to cope with this situation and don’t know how to move forward. Any advice on how to handle this would be greatly appreciated.

I just accepted an offer for a mid-level fashion role in London, and I start next week. It's been a long journey since I moved to the UK six months ago, primarily searching for a job in fashion. I relocated to London a month ago, realizing that most opportunities are centered here. Despite having seven years of experience back in India, including running my own clothing brand, I often feel like an imposter. During the job search, I faced discouragement with suggestions to pursue courses or internships due to the competitive nature of the UK market and the emphasis on local experience. So, landing this role feels surreal, especially since the company is known for employee retention. However, I can’t shake the feeling of self-doubt. I've gained some weight recently, and adjusting to the UK culture has made me self-conscious. I’m worried about making a good impression and not coming off as timid or unapproachable because of my introverted nature. I’m reaching out for advice or resources that could help me navigate this transition. I want to feel confident and stop second-guessing myself. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

I attended a job fair today for the first time, and I was really anxious about it. I wasn't sure what to expect and felt overwhelmed by the idea of presenting myself to potential employers. My anxiety often gets the best of me, especially in crowded environments, which made me worry about how I would handle the noise and the pressure. I was looking for advice on how to stand out and make a good impression despite my nerves. I wanted to know if there were specific strategies or tips that could help me navigate the event and feel more confident.

I was laid off yesterday afternoon after nearly 4 years at my company in the learning and development department. I had a feeling this was coming, as I had survived several rounds of layoffs before, but being the only person in my function area made me realize I would likely be next on the list. The company has been struggling for a while now, and I had already started applying for jobs, even reaching the final round in one interview. Now that I have more time to focus on my job search, I'm trying to stay positive about the situation. I know it might be harder to maintain this outlook in a few months, but I'm hopeful. Wish me luck!

I’m currently stuck in a retail job making about $25k a year after taxes, which is tough to manage in my high cost of living area. I graduated with a computer science degree two years ago, but since then, I’ve been living with my parents and struggling to find a better job. It feels like I’m trapped; I can’t support myself, can’t move out, and can’t even afford a car or have any fun. I feel like a disappointment to my family and to myself. Despite my efforts to tailor my resume and apply for jobs, I haven’t been able to land any interviews. I’ve been stuck in this retail position for two years without gaining any new skills or experience that would help me advance my career. I’ve tried applying for entry-level tech roles, leveraging my customer service experience, but I still get no responses. It’s frustrating to see younger candidates with no experience getting hired while I struggle to even get noticed. I’m at a loss for what to do next. I feel like I’ve exhausted my options for improving my skills or finding a better job. I can’t go back to school for more education, and I don’t know how to gain the experience needed to move up. The only reason I’m still working this retail job is to support my brother, who really needs me. Without him, I honestly don’t know where I’d be right now. This whole situation is pushing me to the brink, and I’m just trying to figure out how to make it work.

I've been feeling really stuck in my job search lately. I was laid off back in March when my company was acquired by a private equity firm, and since then, I've been struggling to find a suitable role. I'm in the marketing and communications field, and it seems like there are hardly any mid-level positions available. I feel overqualified for junior roles but underqualified for senior ones, leaving me in a frustrating limbo. My last job was incredibly demanding and toxic, but it forced me to gain a lot of experience in a short time, especially in niche areas that most candidates only know theoretically. Despite my extensive experience, my previous boss only allowed me to hold a junior title, even though I was essentially running the entire marketing department and had successfully developed and implemented strategies for multiple brands with great results. Now, I keep getting rejected for senior roles because of my title, and for junior roles because employers think I'm overqualified and might leave them as soon as a better opportunity comes along. It's been disheartening to hear that I'm 'too good' for these positions, especially since I'm not looking to jump ship in this tough job market. I'm curious if anyone else is experiencing this same struggle.

I quit my job at Costco 21 years ago when I was just 20 years old. Looking back, I realize how foolish I was for just stopping showing up and not even calling to explain. I’m now wondering about my chances of getting hired back there after all this time. Do companies like Costco blacklist former employees for situations like mine? Is it even worth applying again, or should I just move on?

I’m excited to share that I’m starting a new job on Monday after more than a year of searching! This past year has been the toughest job search experience of my life, and I'm 51 years old. I left my job of over 21 years in September 2024 for long-term disability, and it wasn't until last year that I felt ready to re-enter the workforce. That gap on my resume was a major hurdle. For over a year, I applied to countless positions, tailored my resumes, went through interviews, and often got ghosted. I submitted hundreds of applications. At the start of this year, I briefly worked for a terrible company that paid poorly and laid me off after three months because I was overwhelmed. This new job feels different already. They provided a structured 90-day onboarding plan that can adapt based on my progress. The offer letter was clear about expectations, and I recently had a Teams meeting where I met the small team of about 13 people. They seem very close-knit, which is a bit intimidating, but I’m genuinely optimistic about fitting in. I used to roll my eyes at all the “Don’t Give Up” posts, but here I am writing one myself. If you’re in the midst of your job search, even when it feels hopeless, don’t lose faith. Things can change. My wife and I were down to our last two months of savings, so this journey has truly tested us. I know many can relate to that pressure. There wasn’t any magic formula, but I found that using ChatGPT to tailor my resumes made a huge difference. It learned my style and helped me customize my applications more efficiently. Just remember to proofread everything to ensure accuracy. I believe if companies are using AI to evaluate candidates, we should use it to present ourselves better, as long as it’s truthful. Once I started leveraging AI, my interview opportunities increased significantly, and interestingly, I don’t even need it for every application anymore because it has improved my writing skills. Thank you to this community for being a supportive space where I could vent and find useful tips. It reminded me that even in a tough job market, there’s still hope. If anyone has questions about my job search, resume strategies, or how I used AI, feel free to reach out. Sharing is caring! 🙂

I recently came across a job offer for a tech professional position that requires a minimum of 3 years of experience, but the salary offered is only 26K. I find this quite disappointing, as it seems low for someone with that level of experience in the tech industry. I'm currently evaluating my options and considering whether to apply or continue my job search for better opportunities.

I recently got laid off from my security job at a local company after it was bought out. I had been working in security for several years, including a role at a university where I hosted events. Before that, I was a car salesman and have experience in customer service from various jobs, including fast food and restaurants. Now, I'm considering a career change to become a server. I’m not sure if I can start as a server despite my experience in related fields. I'm hoping to find a position that offers 40 hours a week or more, as my current pay of $15 an hour isn't enough to make ends meet. Any advice or insights into transitioning into the serving industry would be greatly appreciated!

I’m feeling really down and unemployed again. I’ve been through at least 7 to 10 different jobs since moving to the Pacific Northwest in 2019, and it seems like I’m stuck in a loop. I took a job as a warehouse picker to support myself while going to school, which I finished in 2024. Shortly after, I had to undergo shoulder surgery. I was eager to find a better-paying job that would utilize my skills and what I learned in school, but that’s been a nightmare since I quit my last position. I was hired in July for a new role, starting on the 6th, with a two-month training period. However, just 14 days in, I was let go because I apparently didn’t fit the role. Since then, I’ve been struggling to find work without the help of a temp agency. I’ve dedicated so much time to tailoring my applications and resumes to match job descriptions, but I still keep getting rejection emails, even for applications I submitted months ago. Since being let go last Thursday, I haven’t felt motivated to start looking for jobs again. I feel hopeless and lost, and it’s affecting my health. I’m too devastated to eat and too anxious to sleep. I used to have three cats, but I couldn’t afford to keep them, so now I’m just alone in my apartment with my thoughts, which is exhausting. Today, I finally managed to get outside for a drive, parked at a park, and ended up sobbing for a while. It’s been really tough fighting off this debilitating depression.

I'm feeling really frustrated with my job search right now. I've been applying to nearly every retail chain in my area, but I keep getting ghosted or rejected. I have 6-7 years of experience in this field, and I've even worked at some of these places before, so it's disheartening to see it being harder to land a job now compared to when I was a teenager with no experience. I reached out to HR at one store after a month of waiting since my recorded interview. The HR representative assured me that they were still hiring and would remind the hiring manager to check my application. However, today I received a rejection email, and when I checked online, the position is still open. I reapplied immediately, but I just don't understand what they are looking for. I'm more than qualified for the role, having done it for years. I'm considering calling HR again to ask why they continue to post the job but aren’t hiring anyone. I feel like I'm stuck in a loop, and I can't help but wonder if there's something I'm missing or if it's just a matter of luck. It's really disheartening, and I wish I could get some clarity.

I applied for several jobs last week through Indeed and LinkedIn, and I'm starting to feel a bit anxious about the wait. It's been a week since I submitted my applications, and while my job tracker indicates that my applications are still in progress or actively being reviewed, I haven't received any updates—no rejections or next steps. I'm wondering if it's common for recruiters to not notify applicants of rejections or if I just need to be patient. Is there a typical timeframe to expect feedback from employers?

I currently work as a W-2 contractor for a freight company, and I've been facing ongoing payroll issues with the small contracting company that hired me. The company is run by a small family—let's call the owner 'T', along with his daughter and possibly his wife. They are friends with the Senior Director of IT at my company, which is how I got this job. Every other month, it seems like there's a new problem with my paycheck. Just today, I noticed that my current paycheck is missing a week of pay. I've tried reaching out, but 'T' has been out of the office all week, so I probably won't hear back until next week. Two weeks ago, I experienced another issue where I didn't receive my paycheck on the scheduled payday, and I didn't even get a pay stub. When I followed up, 'T' responded after three hours, explaining that they sent my paycheck from their business bank account, which felt unusual. Additionally, about a month into my contract, 'T' demoted my role and cut my pay by 25% through a text message, which was quite shocking. There have been other minor issues related to hours and pay as well. With over 14 years in the workforce, including 8 years in tech and about 5 years contracting, I've never encountered anything like this before. I’m starting to wonder if any of this is even legal and how I should proceed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I recently left my position at an IT Helpdesk where I had been working for 2 and a half years, which was my first job after college. It was a tough decision, especially since I had formed great relationships with my coworkers. However, after several of them left for better-paying opportunities, I realized that my own salary was stagnating, and I needed to seek better compensation. I found a new job that offered significantly more money. When I informed my boss about my decision, he was not pleased and told me to go home the next day, offering to pay me out for the remainder of my two weeks. This abrupt ending hit me hard. I had invested so much time and effort into my old job, and being sent away without a proper farewell felt like a huge blow to my morale. Now that I've started my new job this week, things are going well, but I can't shake the feeling of missing my old workplace. Every time I encounter a different way of doing things, I feel a pang of nostalgia and a desire to return. I know this new role offers me the growth and salary I was lacking, but the emotional attachment to my past job is something I'm still grappling with. I'm hoping that with time, these feelings will fade.

I have a compliance assistant interview coming up in the UK, and I’m feeling quite nervous about it. As a recent law graduate, I want to make a good impression and showcase my knowledge effectively. I’m reaching out for any tips or recommendations that could help me prepare for the interview. I would really appreciate any advice from those who have experience in this field. Thank you!