Feeling

I've been feeling really down about my job situation lately. I've been with my current company for almost 11 years, and while I love my boss and team, the last year and a half has been tough. I was pushed into a new role that lacks clarity, and my bonus this year was only about 5% of what it could have been. To top it off, there are no merit increases or promotions in sight for the rest of the year. As a single parent, the financial strain is real, especially after going through a divorce two years ago. I've been actively searching for a new role and have applied to around 100 positions, all of which I feel qualified for. Recently, I finally got a screening interview for a role that seemed promising, but after following up, I learned that I was told I failed an assessment I never even received. It was incredibly frustrating to hear that the company decided to pursue other candidates. This whole experience has turned me into a cynical and angry person, which is not who I want to be. I'm trying to set better work boundaries, like not checking emails after hours, but I can't shake this feeling of bitterness. I know I should be grateful to be employed, but it's hard to stay positive when everything feels so bleak.

I was recently laid off for the first time at 23 years old. I worked in marketing for a company that decided to outsource SEO, which was my entire role. Although I didn't enjoy the job from the start, I appreciated the remote work flexibility and my supportive bosses, so I stuck it out for 11 months. Now, with severance in hand, I’m left questioning if my performance played a part in this decision, even though they didn't mention it. It feels like a significant setback for me, and I'm struggling with the emotions of it all. Is this how it always feels when you get laid off?

I came across a remote job opportunity with AQ Capital SA that seems almost too good to be true for an entry-level position. I'm feeling a bit skeptical about its legitimacy and wanted to get some feedback from others who might have insights or experiences with the company. Has anyone worked with them or heard anything about their hiring practices?

I recently received an email from American Express informing me that they are conducting a review of my account, which could lead to a reduction in my credit limit. This news hit me hard, especially given the current economic climate. I'm a 35-year-old male, and while I'm grateful to have a job, it simply doesn't pay enough to meet my needs. I've been actively applying for better-paying positions as well as part-time jobs to help supplement my income, but unfortunately, I've faced a string of rejections. It's becoming increasingly demoralizing, and I'm feeling the weight of adulting more than ever.

I recently graduated from high school and I'm currently 18 years old, living in Australia. I have some unpaid internship experience in governance and corporate settings, and I currently work as a fast food server while also tutoring. On top of that, I’m leading the creation of a startup. I’m studying politics, commerce, and economics, and I have a guaranteed pathway to law school. My academic performance has been decent, with a few scholarships, although I did experience a dip in my grades due to burnout. The main issue I’m facing is my current job at the fast food restaurant. The environment is toxic, with micromanagement and arbitrary firings, which has made my anxiety worse. I’ve been applying for jobs for over a year now, hoping to leave this position, but I’ve had no luck. My career mentor has been referring me to corporate jobs, but I keep getting rejected by HR. I’ve applied for various roles including Christmas casual positions in retail and fast food, receptionist roles in law firms, admin assistant roles, youth committee positions, entry-level parliament jobs, and even government jobs, but I haven’t received any positive responses. I even asked my internship if they could offer me a position before I left, but they opted for a more experienced candidate instead. I’m feeling quite lost and frustrated in this job market. I plan to start applying for new jobs from November 1, after my exams, and I’m working on my cover letters and resumes with advice from my university, job-seeking platforms, and my mentor. I’m really looking for guidance on what types of jobs I should be applying for next.

I worked as a Christmas Casual at JB Hi-Fi during the holiday season of 2024, but my contract ended in February 2025, and I was let go. Since then, I've been trying to get back into the electronic retail space, specifically at JB Hi-Fi. I've had experience in fast food and general retail at a bottle shop, but I discovered that I really enjoy selling electronics. I've built a solid foundation in customer service, handling difficult situations, and I feel confident in my ability to excel in that environment. The challenge I'm facing is that many people seem to get hired at JB through personal connections. Unfortunately, I don't have any close contacts there, except for a permanent team member I occasionally message. I've considered reaching out to him for advice on getting back into the company, but I'm hesitant because I don't want to come off as opportunistic, especially since we don't communicate often. I believe I have a strong resume with five years of customer service experience and a genuine passion for technology, but it feels like luck isn't on my side. I'm venting a bit here, but I'm also looking for suggestions on whether I should pursue this opportunity further or focus my efforts elsewhere.

In August, I was laid off from a company where I had dedicated over six years of my career. It all happened unexpectedly while I was on a short vacation; a colleague reached out to tell me he couldn't find me on Slack. When I checked my phone, I was shocked to see that all my access had been revoked, accompanied by a brief email explaining the situation. Initially, I felt confident in my skills and thought finding a new job would be a breeze, despite being aware of the challenging job market. However, I quickly realized just how tough things are. Since then, I've applied to numerous positions but have yet to receive a single positive response, which has left me feeling lost and unsure of what I might be doing wrong. On top of that, my previous company had started integrating AI into our workflows, which I wasn't particularly fond of. Now, I feel like my technical skills have become a bit rusty, so I'm putting in the effort to polish them up while also trying to adapt to a job market that seems to be rapidly evolving due to AI. Honestly, this entire job search process has turned out to be more exhausting than my actual job was.

I recently submitted about 30 job applications over the last couple of weeks, but unfortunately, I haven't received any responses yet. It's quite frustrating, especially since I applied to two different positions at the same company just a couple of days ago. I have a solid amount of experience, so I'm not sure why I'm facing such challenges in getting noticed. This is the first time I've encountered this level of difficulty in my job search, and it's really starting to get to me.

Today, I learned that TomTom has laid off 200 employees. It’s surprising to see such a well-known brand in the GPS space making cuts. I remember using their products, especially my first GPS running watch, which took a while to connect to satellites but was a game-changer for my workouts. I also fondly recall their auto GPS systems; they set a standard for navigation that I still compare other tools to. It’s a tough time for many in the tech industry.

I recently made a decision that I now deeply regret. After years of applying to my dream employer, a state government position that promised great work-life balance, pension, healthcare benefits, and student loan forgiveness, I finally received an offer. However, in a moment of panic fueled by imposter syndrome and personal issues, I accepted a counteroffer from my current employer instead. This counteroffer was lower than what my dream job offered, but I was worried about leaving my coworkers with my workload and burning bridges. Now, I feel trapped in my current role, which has a salary ceiling and is causing me significant anxiety and depression. I barely sleep three hours a night, and my job performance is suffering. I’m questioning whether I should abandon my career path and seek entry-level positions with the state or quit my job before I get fired. I'm also concerned about how this situation has damaged my reputation in a small industry where everyone knows each other. I feel lost and without direction, and I’m unsure of what my next steps should be.

I was laid off a few months ago from a tech company at the age of 45, and it has been a rough journey since then. Initially, I struggled to get out of bed, feeling overwhelmed by sadness and despair. My family supported me during this time, bringing me food and helping me through the darkest moments. Thankfully, with the help of a therapist, I've started to feel a bit better and am beginning to envision a future for myself. However, I still grapple with intense anger towards my former employer. I resent them for the situation they put me in, especially considering my responsibilities as a parent and the financial pressures of a mortgage. It infuriates me that they continue to thrive while I feel like my life has been turned upside down. They even have the audacity to advertise for the very positions they eliminated, claiming to be a company that cares about its employees. I know I need to move on, but the anger is consuming me. It's affecting my mental and physical health, my marriage, and my family life. I wish I could let go of this hatred, but it's proving to be a significant challenge. I'm reaching out to see how others have managed to cope and move past similar feelings. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I had a Zoom interview last week for a role that I'm really excited about. The interview went well, and I was informed that the next steps would involve an interview with the CEO and an aptitude test before any offer could be made. The interviewer mentioned that I would hear back mid to late next week, but since Monday was a holiday, I was expecting to hear something by now. Now that it’s late next week, I’m wondering if I should send a follow-up email. I’ve seen some advice suggesting to wait until Monday to give them the full time they mentioned. If I do decide to reach out, I plan to keep it short and express my continued interest while asking for an update on the timeline for the next steps.

I recently had a frustrating experience at my part-time job where I work while attending university. I found out my exam dates are coming up in two weeks, and I wanted to request leave for those days. However, when I tried to use the UKG app to submit my request, it wouldn’t let me. Since this was my first time applying for leave, I reached out to my manager for guidance on the process. To my surprise, she responded by saying that she would rather replace me than risk me not showing up for my shifts, even though I never indicated that I wouldn’t come in. I was just trying to figure out how to ask for leave properly. After I explained my situation, she acknowledged my queries but left me feeling confused about my standing at the company. Now, I have a shift scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, and I’m torn between going in as usual or reaching out to her for clarification. I had already planned to leave the job in about a month, but her comment about replacing me has made me reconsider whether I should just resign now. It’s really disheartening to feel like I can’t ask a simple question without being treated this way. I’m contemplating whether to go to my shift tomorrow or just quit early. I’ve even drafted a message to my manager to address this, but I’m uncertain about how to proceed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I graduated last year from the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago with a degree in Spanish and a minor in International Relations. Currently, I'm working as a barista at a coffee shop, but I've been struggling to find a job in my field for about a year now. I'm really interested in humanitarian work, advertising, and areas involving children, books, and music. I'm open to both in-person and online opportunities, especially since I need to find something that can help me financially. If anyone knows of any international online jobs or companies that might be hiring, I would greatly appreciate your guidance. I'm feeling quite overwhelmed and broke, so any assistance would mean a lot to me.

I recently applied for a part-time barista position as I'm taking a break before starting university and need to save some money. I was really excited to get an interview, especially since I had no prior barista experience, which made me feel lucky since many places require it. After the interview, I thought it went well and sent a thank you email right after. Five days later, I followed up and received a response from the owner saying she was in the US for her other business but would contact her colleague and get back to me the next day. Now, it's been another four days, and I'm feeling uncertain. They mentioned wanting to hire me and to get me in within a week, but it's been 2.5 weeks since the interview. I'm torn between letting it go or following up again. I don't want to seem annoying, but I also don't want to miss out on this opportunity. Should I reach out one more time or just move on and keep looking for other jobs?

Today was my first day at a new job as a barista, and I'm feeling really anxious about how it went. My manager told me that I need to be quicker, which really caught me off guard. I had prepared by memorizing the menu, but I struggled with the metric system for the drink measurements because I didn't fully understand what the numbers meant. When I asked for clarification, they said we could discuss it on my first day, but that didn't help me much beforehand. During my shift, I made some mistakes while preparing drinks since it was my first time handling the toppings. My manager seemed annoyed, and even though I eventually got the hang of it, I was still slow and sometimes messed up the quantities. I aced the quiz she gave me on the menu, but when I hesitated on one question, she suggested I shouldn't come in tomorrow. That really hit hard. They even told me I could leave early, and then asked for my uniform back, which made me think I was being let go. I still have shifts scheduled for next week, so I'm confused about what that means. I felt like I was trying my best, but the way my manager communicated made it hard to know what to do. I’m questioning if I’m just incompetent or if this is a normal experience for a first day. I really hope things improve.

I recently started a trial as a special needs teaching assistant through an agency after leaving my toxic nursery job. On my first day, I was called back for a paid full-day trial without any explanation for the sudden change in their decision. That should have been my first red flag. Now, on my lunch break, I can confidently say I absolutely hate it here. The teachers are rude, and I've been bitten, scratched, and have visible bruises and bite marks after just three hours. I mentioned to one of the teachers that I have experience in nurseries but not in schools, and instead of guidance, I was reprimanded for hugging and picking up the children. They seem to expect me to know everything already. I'm seriously considering rescinding my notice at my old job because, despite its toxicity, at least I'm familiar with the environment and the rules. I don't think I can do this job permanently.

I recently got fired from my job as a cart pusher at Walmart after just three months. I made some poor choices, like clocking in early and waiting in the break room instead of starting my shift right away, which I thought was okay since it was only nine minutes. I also climbed a pole to help my coworkers, which led to safety concerns. I was honest about my actions, but it still resulted in my termination. This was my first job, and I have clean attendance, but I'm worried about how this will affect my future job prospects. I'm planning to apply for unarmed security jobs and other entry-level positions, and I'm curious about how much this firing will hurt my chances, particularly in security roles compared to other fields. I’m also wondering if I should leave Walmart off my resume or disclose the experience. I’ve heard mixed opinions—some say it’s better to omit it since it was such a short time, while others warn that any mention could lead to questions about why I was there for only a few months. I’m anxious about whether employers will find out I was fired if I don’t mention it. Is this just a temporary setback, or could it affect my career for years to come? I really want to move forward and find a stable job.

I just decided to back out of a job I was supposed to start today. I had everything lined up: salary, location, and all the details were agreed upon. But as I lay in bed on what was supposed to be my first day, I realized that this job just isn’t for me. The timing feels off, especially since I have to be there until noon, and the location doesn’t seem safe, particularly with the festive season approaching. It feels like a high-risk, low-reward situation, and despite my initial excitement after researching the role, I can’t bring myself to go in.

I recently gave my two weeks' notice at my job as a school psychologist for a contracting firm that works with a local school. I was hired last year under less than ideal circumstances, stepping in last minute after another psychologist left. I started without a license and have been paid a student's salary since then, with no benefits, no paid vacation, and no sick days. My pay structure is based on the days I work, which means I have to work some weekends and afternoons at home without compensation. This year, I finally got my license and asked for a raise to match the going rate for psychologists in my area, but the CEO said they needed time to consider it and that I likely wouldn't get close to what I asked for. I realized I was accumulating debt just to cover fuel costs to get to work, and after calculating my expenses, I determined that I needed to leave. I submitted my notice and informed the school, which prompted a call from the CEO. They hung up on me after one ring, but the secretary called shortly after, instructing me to come to the office. I'm feeling scared and stressed about the upcoming meeting, but I know I can't accept anything less than what I asked for. Honestly, I'm better off without this job at this point.