Got a Job

I started my job as an animal tech working with rodents today, and I was initially confident since I had some experience handling mice before. The role mainly involved cleaning cages and monitoring the mice for any health issues. However, things took a turn when I was transferring a mouse from one cage to another. The mouse clung to the top of the cage and wouldn't let go, which caused me to panic. I managed to get it into the clean cage but this happened three more times, and I found myself alone in a room full of mice, which heightened my anxiety. After lunch, I returned to the task feeling hopeful, but when I encountered two mice in a cage, I successfully transferred one but panicked when the second one got stuck. I had a panic attack and ran out of the room looking for help, but no one was around. The thought of the mouse escaping made it even scarier. I eventually managed to move the mouse, but the experience was overwhelming. I realized that while I can handle mice under supervision, I can't do it alone. I spoke with my supervisor after my panic attack, and they were understanding when I told them I couldn't continue in this role long-term. I feel a bit pathetic for not being able to handle it and for quitting so quickly, especially since this job was arranged through my university, and I'm worried my head of department might find out I didn't last even a day.

I recently signed an offer letter for a new job that starts at the end of this month. The background check through HireRight has been completed and approved by my new employer. I'm now waiting for my company ID and email address from them, but I haven't received those yet. I want to give my current employer three weeks' notice because I feel it's important to help transition my workload and files, especially since my colleagues have been great to work with and are a big reason I’ve stayed this long. I’m feeling a bit anxious about whether it's safe to give my notice now. The new job is with a well-established company that has been around for over 100 years, and I have no reason to believe that my offer would be rescinded. However, I still worry about the possibility of something going wrong before my start date. I've read a lot of advice suggesting that once the background check is cleared and the offer is signed, it's generally safe to proceed. Some comments even suggest that I should wait until after my first day to feel completely secure. But I really want to leave my current job on good terms and provide adequate time for my team to adjust. Should I just go ahead and give my notice now, or is it better to wait a bit longer?

I received a verbal offer for a position about four business days ago, but I haven't received any written confirmation yet. During the call, which was a bit difficult due to a thunderstorm, they mentioned a start date that is a little over two weeks from now. I'm unsure if I should follow up with an email to check on the status of the offer. I want to make sure I'm being proactive without seeming pushy. I've been advised to check my spam folder first, and if nothing is there, to send a polite follow-up email expressing my excitement about the opportunity.

I recently had a breakthrough in my job search journey. For a long time, I was stuck in a cycle of self-doubt, telling myself I needed more experience or to complete an online course before I could apply for better positions. I watched peers with similar or even less experience land jobs that I thought were out of my reach, and it left me feeling frustrated. A few months ago, I decided to change my approach. I started applying for jobs where I met only 60 to 70 percent of the requirements, thinking the worst that could happen was a rejection. To my surprise, I received more callbacks than I ever did when I only applied for roles I felt fully qualified for. It became clear that many job requirements are more of a wish list than a strict guideline. Eventually, I landed a new role that pays significantly more than my previous job and offers great opportunities for growth. This experience taught me how much I was holding myself back by waiting for a perfect moment that would never arrive. If you're hesitating to apply because you don't feel ready, I encourage you to go for it. The self-screening we often do is much harsher than what hiring managers actually consider. Has anyone else gone through a similar experience? I'd love to hear your stories!

I recently signed an offer letter for my dream job, which is an exciting milestone for me. However, I've hit a snag with the reference check process. The company is using Skill Survey and requires five references, two of which need to be from my previous managers or supervisors. Unfortunately, I've only had two jobs so far. My first job ended poorly due to a toxic environment, and I was just laid off from my second job, which has left me feeling quite frustrated. I can provide three references from colleagues, but I can't reach out to my former managers for a reference. I'm worried about how this will affect my hiring process. What happens if they don’t respond to the survey emails? Will that halt my progress? This reference situation is really stressing me out, especially since I've been working remotely and found it challenging to build strong relationships. I'm relieved I at least have a couple of contacts to provide.

I recently got accepted for a job position in the cloud tech industry after being unemployed for over a year since graduation, and I was initially thrilled about it. The role is close to home and aligns with my career goals, which made it even more exciting. However, I made the mistake of checking the company’s reviews on Glassdoor, and now I'm feeling apprehensive. The company has a rating of around 3, which is decent, but many reviews mention issues like poor work-life balance, nepotism, and bad management. Some even suggest avoiding the company altogether, claiming that the positive reviews are fake. This has left me worried about accepting the position out of desperation, fearing that I might end up overwhelmed and stuck in a bad situation with no way out. I’m curious if these kinds of reviews are typical for small companies and how much weight I should give them in my decision-making process. Has anyone else had a similar experience stepping into a less-than-ideal work environment right after college? I’m just trying to figure out if I should trust my instincts or if I should take the job and keep looking for something better while employed.

I recently went through a tough 4-round interview process over 3 months for an 18-month rotational program at a company. After the final interview, where they were interviewing 4 candidates for just 2 spots, I received a call from the hiring manager a week later. Unfortunately, I wasn't selected for the program, but he mentioned that they were impressed with my performance and wanted to know if I would be interested in a different role that they believed suited my skills better. This new position is a regular job, not limited to 16 months, and offers similar or even better pay. I gladly accepted the opportunity, and the manager assured me that I wouldn't need to go through all the interviews again—just a final meeting with the department supervisor. The role isn't posted publicly, which adds a layer of uncertainty. I'm curious if this kind of situation is common and if it indicates I'm likely to secure this new position. I don’t want to get my hopes up too high after being rejected from the program.

I recently applied for a job at a company that had multiple openings in different locations. I submitted applications for two positions around late May to early June. The first location, which is closer to my home, didn't reach out to me until today for an interview. In contrast, the second location, which is farther away, contacted me within a week of my application and even sent me an offer letter last week, which I accepted. Now, I'm feeling conflicted about whether I should email the first location to either proceed with their interview or inform them that I've accepted another offer. It's worth noting that the two locations had different recruiters and hiring managers.

I recently had an interesting experience with a hotel job. After calling them for two weeks, I finally got a chance to speak with the hiring manager. We had a phone interview, and she invited me in for training the very next day. To my surprise, I was hired on the spot! I just had to sign the hotel employee policy and submit my direct deposit form. Now, I'm currently in my second week there, and I couldn't be happier. The work environment is great, and the manager mentioned that I could negotiate a raise in 90 days. Everyone has been super nice and helpful, which is a refreshing change from my previous job. I'm curious, though, how common is it to get hired this quickly? I didn't even have to go through a background check.

I recently landed a job as a graphic designer after six years of freelancing and working retail to make ends meet. I was thrilled when I got an interview at a family-owned company that seemed friendly and chill. However, three weeks into the job, I'm feeling really uneasy about the environment. There was no formal training provided; instead, I was just given a rundown of what everyone else does, which left me confused. I'm expected to understand all the company lingo and processes immediately, and when I ask questions, it feels like I'm being a nuisance. It seems like everyone else knows each other well, and I'm the first outsider they've hired, which makes me feel out of place. During a performance review, I was told I need to be more social, despite being introverted and still trying to adjust. I was also criticized for working too fast and not putting in enough effort, even though I know I'm efficient. It’s frustrating because when I ask for more work, I often get vague responses and then get reprimanded for not having enough to do. The atmosphere feels a bit cultish, with the owner pushing self-help books on everyone. I feel judged for asking questions, and it's disheartening. I need this job for financial reasons, but I'm worried about not fitting in and potentially getting fired after my probation. I'm also looking for remote graphic design opportunities, but they seem scarce. For now, I guess I’ll just keep my head down and search for something better.

After nearly 10 months of searching for a Software Engineer position, I finally received an offer last Thursday. My previous role was at a startup where I worked for two years before the entire team was laid off about 10 months ago. Initially, I was optimistic about finding a new job quickly, as I had secured my last position after just 40 applications. However, this time was different. I applied to numerous roles on various job boards, focusing on those that pulled listings directly from company career pages rather than relying heavily on LinkedIn or Indeed. I tailored my resume for each application, making sure it aligned with the job descriptions. Despite my efforts, I hardly received any responses for about 7 or 8 months. Feeling mentally drained, I decided to pause my applications a few months ago, hoping the job market would improve. I was frightened and disheartened by the lack of progress. Then, out of the blue, I got contacted by a recruiter from a startup talent network where I had submitted my resume about 5 or 6 months prior. I had completely forgotten about that application. After going through the interview process, I signed a one-year contract with a mid-sized startup, working four hours a day, four days a week. The first two weeks will be dedicated to onboarding and training, after which I'll start contributing to projects. While this job won't make me rich, it provides the financial stability I need and the motivation to keep pushing forward. I'm also considering taking on additional projects to supplement my income and avoid relying on a single employer. This experience has taught me that the job search can be frustrating and disheartening, but you never know when an opportunity might arise. I hope my story can inspire others who are in a similar situation.

I received an offer letter for a position I was really excited about. However, when I inquired about the benefits, specifically paid days off, sick leave, and unpaid days, the company unexpectedly withdrew the offer. I'm feeling quite disappointed as I was looking forward to joining the team.

I just finished my first day at a new job after being out of work for about two years. The role seems interesting, and the team is friendly, but I can't shake this feeling of unease. I've been through a lot in my previous job, which I left due to burnout, and now my mind is racing with thoughts of when things might go wrong. It's strange to be in such a calm environment after my last experience, and I find myself anticipating problems that haven't even happened yet. I'm hoping that with time, I'll be able to adjust and feel more comfortable, but for now, it's a bit unsettling. I wanted to share this experience and see if anyone else has felt similarly when starting a new job.

I was laid off in February and just accepted a new job offer last week, so I wanted to share my experience and what I learned during my job search. Initially, I made a lot of mistakes in the first six weeks that ended up being costly in terms of time and effort. For instance, I found that spending more than 30 minutes on any application that wasn't with a company I truly cared about was a waste. Writing custom cover letters for large companies that use ATS was also not worth it, as well as manually filling out forms on platforms like Workday. I realized that applying to job listings that had been posted for more than three days was generally unproductive. On the flip side, I discovered that applying quickly to new job postings, ideally within 24 hours, was much more effective. Networking messages that led to internal referrals at two companies were incredibly valuable. I also treated my interview preparation as a full-time job, dedicating significant time each day to it. By week three, I started automating the application process, which freed up hours that I could invest in preparation and meaningful conversations instead of getting bogged down in manual form filling. This shift made a huge difference in my job search experience.

I recently applied for a Store Manager position at a Chinese company that is opening its first store in the U.S. Although I interviewed well, they chose an internal candidate who speaks Chinese for the role. However, they liked me enough to create an Assistant Store Manager (ASM) position specifically for me. During the interview process, it became clear that they are inexperienced in U.S. retail operations. They had numerous questions about what benefits to offer, hiring security, and other operational standards. I took the initiative to send them a detailed email outlining essential needs for the store, including a good POS system and recommendations for payroll services like ADP. I also expressed my concerns about the qualifications of the new store manager, emphasizing that ASMs typically shouldn't handle all the managerial responsibilities unless compensated fairly. Now, they've proposed that I start as a contracted employee before transitioning to full-time. I'm unsure about this arrangement and whether the pay rate would be higher. I’m seeking advice on whether I should accept this freelance offer, given my concerns about the company's understanding of U.S. retail practices and the qualifications of the store manager. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I recently signed an offer letter for a new job and completed the necessary background check paperwork and drug test. It's only been two days since I signed the offer, but I'm already thinking about when to give my two-week notice to my current employer. Ideally, I want to wait until the background check fully clears before I resign, just to be safe. However, I’m also hoping to fit in a three-week international trip to visit family between jobs, which complicates things. I’m considering my options: 1) I could give immediate notice, which would only be 1.5 weeks, to ensure I can go on the vacation, but the background check probably won’t clear for another week. 2) Alternatively, I could wait for everything to clear and then ask my new employer if I can have a delayed start date. The only issue is that the target start date is already five weeks away from when I signed the offer, so I’m not sure if that’s a feasible option. I would really appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation!

I recently received a provisional offer from BNY for a role in Pittsburgh, and I confirmed my willingness to relocate the same day. It's been about a week now, and I'm still waiting for the official offer letter. I'm curious about how long it typically takes for BNY to send out the official documents after a provisional offer. Is a week a normal timeframe, or should I reach out to HR for an update? I'd love to hear from anyone who has gone through this process.

I’m set to start a new job on Monday, July 13, but I’m feeling anxious because I haven’t received any onboarding information. The background check process was already a bit chaotic; they submitted my nickname instead of my legal name, which caused delays, and I accidentally received a pre-adverse action letter due to verification issues with a past employer. Thankfully, that was sorted out, but now, with less than a week to go, I still have no equipment, login credentials, or any onboarding details. I reached out to my recruiter, but she said my manager should be handling the next steps. I emailed him directly, but I haven’t heard back. I’m starting to worry that this might reflect a disorganized company culture or, worse, that my job offer could be in jeopardy. Should I be concerned?

I'm excited to share that I've received two verbal offers for full-time roles after my graduation! Currently, I'm interning in the industrial automation sector, and both companies are direct competitors. My goal is to find a position that offers job security and allows me to stay in or near a big city, which is where my internship is located. **Company A (Current Internship)**: - **Sector**: Power Plants - **Pros**: I'm a returning intern, which gives me a likely hire base salary range of $80-115k. The company is stable with a low risk of layoffs, and I really love the team. Plus, they have an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). - **Cons**: The role would be a supporting one instead of an engineering title due to my atypical background, but the work and salary would remain the same. I'd have to move to a smaller city for at least a year before returning to the regional office, and there are a lot of long-term field assignments, often in remote locations. Most full-time employees mention that overtime is expected, and travel outside of work hours isn't compensated. Career progression seems slower, as many people stay in entry-level roles for 3-5 years. **Company B (Competitor)**: - **Sector**: Transmission & Distribution/Substations - **Pros**: This position would allow me to stay in my current city, closer to home. The team is growing rapidly, and seniors mentioned they have been fast-tracked due to high growth, with most staying at a level for only 1-2 years. The work culture is more relaxed, and there's more diversity in the work. Additionally, there are fewer travel requirements and shorter field assignments, plus I would retain the 'Engineer' title. - **Cons**: The expected base salary is lower, ranging from $70-90k, and I'd be joining a new team. The cost of living is also higher. I'm definitely planning to negotiate with both companies, and I'd appreciate any advice on how to compare these offers!

I recently interviewed for a diesel trailer trainee position, leveraging my 2.5 years of trailer experience. The interview went well, and I was informed that I might be overqualified but they still wanted me on the team. After that, I spoke with the recruiter and completed a physical exam, where the doctor confirmed I was healthy and fit for the job. I was told that if everything went smoothly, I essentially had the job. However, after a week of waiting without any updates, I reached out to the recruiter only to find that I've been completely ghosted. It's frustrating and surprising to be left in the dark like this.