Got a Job

I finally landed my dream job! About a year ago, life took a rough turn for me, and I realized it was time to get my act together. I moved back in with my parents, took up my old bartending job, and saved for a year so I could move to Florida, where most of my friends are. Once I got here, I bounced around from an Airbnb to a hotel while job hunting. I worked various roles, including a food runner at Panera, a cocktail waitress, and a beverage cart girl. After about 8 months of hard work and persistence, I was hired by a popular resort to perform in their entertainment department. I absolutely love it! The schedule is perfect for me, with 4 ten-hour days and 3 days off. I’m really proud of how far I’ve come and how much I enjoy going to work now, unlike my old jobs.

I recently accepted a position at a tech startup as a software developer, lured by the advertised salary and benefits. However, after starting, I discovered that the actual compensation was significantly lower than what was initially promised. This discrepancy has left me feeling frustrated and misled, as I had made financial decisions based on the expected salary. I'm currently considering my options, including discussing this with HR or looking for new opportunities that align with my expectations.

I recently started a 6-month contract as a Customer Service representative at a well-known medical device company, and I'm really excited about the opportunity. The company's reputation is impressive, and the work seems engaging. My goal is to transition into a permanent role after my contract ends, whether through an extension or direct hire. However, I'm a bit anxious about my status as a contractor. I'm looking for insights from anyone who has experience in the medical device industry or has started their career as a contractor. How often do contractors get converted to full-time positions? What factors do companies prioritize when deciding who to retain? Is it advisable to express my interest in a long-term position early on, or should I wait a few months? Any tips on actions I can take to stand out and improve my chances of being hired permanently would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I recently started a new job making $60K, which is actually a $10,000 pay cut from my previous position. I've been unemployed for quite some time, and now I'm trying to make ends meet for my two children, one in their teens and the other in college. With child support set to end next year, I'm feeling the financial pressure. I'm considering picking up a second job, possibly working on Saturdays, but I really want to avoid gigs like DoorDash that require a lot of driving. I'm curious about options like working in retail, specifically at a clothing store. Would they even hire someone for just one day a week? Any advice would be appreciated!

I was laid off from my software engineering position at a tech company while I was 8 months pregnant. I had been with the company for several years, often putting in unpaid overtime to meet tight deadlines. I received the news during a meeting with HR, just as I was preparing for maternity leave. They informed me that I would only be working for two more months and that my severance package was less than my maternity pay. My health insurance ended on my last day of work, which added to my stress. After giving birth, I found it challenging to apply for jobs due to the demands of a newborn and a lack of support. I managed to get a few interviews but struggled with sleep deprivation, which affected my performance. At five months postpartum, I finally enrolled my baby in part-time daycare, allowing me to focus on my job search. I sought help from a career coach who specialized in my tech stack, which was no longer in high demand. We worked on my resume, conducted mock interviews, and I studied core concepts and built a microservices project during my limited free time. Despite the challenges, including moments of despair, I persisted. After a particularly tough interview, I reached out directly to a hiring manager on LinkedIn. This proactive approach led to an interview where I felt well-prepared, and I received a job offer shortly after. Now, I’m back to work full-time and hope my experience can inspire other pregnant women facing similar challenges.

I started a new job as a digital marketing specialist about 4 weeks ago after being laid off in May. I was unemployed for a month before landing this role, but I'm already feeling like it's not the right fit for me. The position has turned out to be more focused on sales rather than the marketing work I was hoping to do, and it's also a fully in-person role, which is challenging given the traffic in the northeast. While I enjoy my team, I don't see myself thriving here. I'm considering applying for new jobs, but I'm unsure whether to include this current position on my resume since I've only been here for a short time. I'm leaning towards not including it, but I could use some advice on how to navigate this situation.

I recently accepted a job offer and sent my confirmation email on Monday. Since then, I've received access to an onboarding portal where I filled out basic information like my name, address, and social security number. The portal indicates that I should expect some emails with next steps before my start date in two weeks, which is coming up this Monday. However, I haven't received any further instructions yet. On Thursday, I reached out to the HR representative via email to let them know I completed the initial information and am waiting for the next steps. I also called and left a voicemail on Wednesday with some questions, but I haven't heard back from them. I'm starting to feel anxious because I want to give my current employer a two-week notice, but if they require a background check and drug test before I start, I feel like the process hasn't progressed enough for it being five days since I signed the offer letter. Has anyone else experienced a similar wait for next steps regarding background checks and drug tests?

I’m thrilled to share that I finally landed a new job! After months of interviews and waiting for background checks to clear, I accepted a Financial Analyst position at a Fortune 25 company. This is a big change for me as I’ve spent the last 5-6 years working at startups and nonprofits. While those roles were mentally stimulating, the stress of financial instability was always looming over me. Now, I’m looking forward to the stability that comes with a large corporation. I’m relieved to not have to worry about the company’s financial health or whether I’ll get paid on time. Plus, having a recognizable name on my resume will surely help in future job searches. Honestly, I’m just happy this job search is finally over. The anxiety of waiting for interview callbacks and the fear of rejection emails was exhausting. Here’s to new beginnings!

I recently went through a job application process that was quite unusual. I applied for two positions at direct competitors in the AI and HPC space, both through the same recruiter for my first role as a network engineer. One of the companies ended up rejecting me, but I never received a formal rejection notice. Instead, during the interview, the VP unexpectedly became very angry and ended up rage quitting the call while insulting me. I was completely taken aback and still don't understand what triggered that reaction. Thankfully, I had another interview lined up with the second company at the same time. I sent my resume, and within less than two and a half weeks, I received a job offer. Now, I've been in my new position for about a month, and I'm curious if anyone else has had a similarly swift or bizarre experience in their job search.

I recently moved out of my parents' house for the first time a few months ago and started a job at a handwash carwash in Arizona. I took the job about two months after moving out because I needed to pay rent, but I didn’t consider how brutal the summer heat would be. Now, working outside in June, I’m really regretting my decision. I like my coworkers and enjoy the tips and free carwashes, but the heat is unbearable, and my schedule has me working seven days straight every other week. My ultimate goal is to become a tattoo artist, but for now, I need a regular job to cover my expenses. I’m looking for something with more independence and a morning shift, ideally with no weekend work, and I want to avoid the food industry. I haven't put in my two weeks' notice yet, so I have some time to figure this out before the temperatures soar past 110 degrees. Any suggestions for jobs that would fit my needs?

I recently received a job offer for a position as a marketing coordinator at a mid-sized tech company, and I'm feeling excited about it. However, I also have a potential opportunity with a larger company that I am still in the interview process with. I'm not sure how to handle this situation. Should I accept the current offer and then back out if the other opportunity comes through? Or should I wait to see what happens with the larger company before making a decision? I want to make sure I don't burn any bridges, but I also don't want to miss out on a better opportunity.

I'm 24 years old and graduated two years ago. I started my first job in 2024, but after just 8 months, I realized it wasn't the right career path for me and left. Following a 3-month period of unemployment, I found a job that aligned more closely with my career goals. Unfortunately, after 4 months, the work environment became toxic, which severely impacted my mental health. I made the tough decision to quit and have been unemployed for about 8 months since then. Recently, I accepted a new job out of desperation, though I know it's not the ideal position for me. I'm seeking advice on how to navigate my current situation and what steps I should take next. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I recently applied for a hybrid position that required me to work two days in the office and three days from home. After going through a phone interview and a Teams interview, I received an offer two weeks later. However, the offer letter included a webcam policy during remote hours but did not provide the actual details of that policy for me to review. I did some research and found that the company requires live webcam streaming during remote hours, which was not mentioned in the job description or during the interviews. I reached out to the company for clarification and requested the full webcam policy before making my decision. They called me back and informed me that they couldn’t share the full policy because I wasn’t an employee yet and there were client restrictions preventing them from doing so. They explained that their monitoring system is meant to protect sensitive information and prevent theft, which felt very invasive to me, especially since I have another person working from home. Now, I’m in a dilemma. If I decide not to accept this job offer and inform IDES that I refused work due to the lack of transparency regarding the working conditions, will I lose my unemployment benefits? I’m really unsure about how this will be viewed by IDES and what my options are.

I just started a new job on Monday, working fully remote, but the help desk experience has been a nightmare. They sent me my equipment on Thursday afternoon, which was just a laptop and a charging cord—no dock, no monitor, and no instructions on how to log in. The laptop was even covered in fingerprints, which was just the icing on the cake. I had my login credentials from a week or two ago and had been logging into the remote portal without issues, but I couldn't log into the domain on the laptop they provided. I called the IT help desk, and they opened a ticket for me. I waited all afternoon and evening on Thursday, but no one called back. On Friday morning, I called again and was told my ticket had to be escalated. I asked how soon I could expect a callback since I had to go to my current job, but they couldn't give me a timeline. I ended up waiting at home for another 45 minutes before heading to my last day of work. After I got home at 2 PM, I called again. They upgraded my ticket to high priority, but I still didn’t hear back after an hour. I kept calling every 1-2 hours until 8 PM and finally gave up for the night. This morning, I got an email saying I needed to fill out a form on a platform I didn't even know about. I called again and was put on hold for over 15 minutes, only to be hung up on. After multiple calls, I finally reached someone who said the escalation team had my ticket and would contact me, but they couldn't provide a timeline. I'm really frustrated with how this company is treating me as a new employee. I've emailed my manager about the issue, but no response yet. At this point, I'm seriously considering reaching out to my former boss to see if I can get my old job back. The leadership there was poor, but at least my equipment always worked.

I recently landed my first job after two years of searching, and while I'm excited, I'm also feeling a bit uneasy. I’m working part-time and earning $10 an hour, which is below the legal minimum wage of $17. Despite this, I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn new skills. However, a family friend warned me that my boss has a history of not paying employees, which made me question the situation. During my first week, I only made $100 because I had to leave early and the three days of training were unpaid. When I mentioned to my boss that I couldn't make it on payday, he agreed to give me the money next paycheck. This week, I earned $140, so I expected to receive $240 for the two weeks, but he only paid me $100. He explained that employees get paid for the previous week’s work, which I wasn’t informed about prior to being hired. Now I'm torn because my mom and partner think I might be getting scammed, and they suggest I quit. They believe that if I were to be fired unexpectedly, I wouldn't get paid for the work I did that week. I'm feeling grateful for the job and the skills I'm learning, but I'm also confused and worried about the pay situation. Are they overreacting, or is there something I should be concerned about?

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 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 recently graduated from Michigan Technological University with a BS in Robotics Engineering and have been searching for entry-level jobs. Unfortunately, I couldn't secure an internship during college due to my lack of effort and a less-than-ideal GPA (I graduated with a 2.66). My only work experience comes from two years of part-time work at Walmart. Yesterday, I received a job offer for an "Automation Maintenance Technician" position. The job pays $29.50 per hour and requires me to work Sunday through Thursday. However, the company is located in a rural town with a population of about 9,000, which is a 12-hour drive from my home city of 70,000. I'm torn about whether to accept this offer or hold out for something closer to home or in a larger city. On one hand, I feel that taking this job could provide me with valuable experience, especially given the current job market and my lack of industry experience compared to my peers. It could serve as a stepping stone, allowing me to gain practical skills while I figure out my career path. On the other hand, my parents are strongly against me taking this position. They believe that being in such a remote area could limit my options if I end up disliking the job or facing layoffs. They feel that staying closer to home would give me a better support system and more job opportunities related to my degree. They also think that since I received this offer, I should be confident in my ability to secure another job in the future, although I'm not entirely convinced. Financially, I estimate that I would take home around $2,000 a month after taxes and bills, which I could save a portion of. If I wait for a job closer to home, I could save more since I wouldn't have living expenses. However, I have no idea how long that might take. I'm reaching out for advice or insights from anyone who has faced a similar situation. Should I take the job and gain experience, or wait for something better that might come along?

I recently received an entry-level job offer for a tech consulting role at a Big 4 company based in New York City. However, I'm feeling quite frustrated because the salary is significantly lower than I anticipated. To make matters worse, the company has given me less than 48 hours to accept the offer, and my start date is just three weeks away. They informed me that there would be no possibility for salary negotiation, no relocation support, and no sign-on bonus. This means I have to find housing in a completely different state within the next two weeks, which feels overwhelming. Given the current job market, I'm unsure how to proceed and would appreciate any advice on how to handle this situation.

I recently received a job offer from a new company that comes with a base salary increase of about 10% compared to my current salary. When factoring in the bonus, the total compensation could be 28-32% higher than what I currently make. They are also offering a $3,000 sign-on bonus, which is tempting. I've been with my current employer for a couple of years now, and I've really enjoyed the stability. I get yearly merit increases and an annual bonus of about 3-5% of my salary. The work-life balance is excellent, as I work fully remote with flexible hours. There are no rigid 9-5 requirements, and I don't have to worry about overtime. The company culture is great, and I love the people I work with. I have a four-month-old newborn, and I was fortunate to have 3.5 months of fully paid parental leave. The new company only offers one week of paid leave and six weeks of FMLA, which is a significant downgrade in terms of family support. While the new offer is enticing, especially with the ESOP and year-end bonus, I'm hesitant about the work-from-home policy. My current job allows me to be home with my baby, which I value immensely. If I switch to the new role, I would have a 1.5-hour commute each way, totaling three hours daily. This means I would get home around 6:30 PM, just in time for my baby’s bedtime at 8 PM. Financially, the new job would give me an extra $1,000 monthly, but I am torn about whether that is worth sacrificing precious time with my newborn. I worry about missing out on moments that I can never get back. Plus, I think about the future and how things might change if I have more kids. I’m really struggling to decide if I should take the new job for the higher pay or stay where I am for the time with my family. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.