Miscellaneous

I was terminated from my position as a Business Development Executive and Operations Executive at a fintech company where I had been working for 4.5 years. I was the first employee, joining in January 2022, and despite my consistent efforts and contributions, I didn't see much salary growth. Initially, the salary was low, but I was promised growth as the company expanded. Over the last two years, they started hiring more staff, and I even took on additional responsibilities like interviewing new candidates. I hold a B.Sc. in Computer Science and an MBA in Marketing, along with a Data Analyst certification I completed in 2024. My current salary was 32,250 per month, and I am 32 years old. At the end of May, I received a call from management informing me of my termination, effective immediately, with a notice period until June 30. After dedicating so much to the company, it feels disheartening to be let go like this. I’m now searching for new job opportunities in Pune, as I need to support my elderly parents. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I recently found myself in a challenging situation at my job as a QA Engineer for a service-based company in India. A few days ago, my Team Lead called me at around 10 PM, asking if I could join a Teams meeting in 15 minutes. I was out having dinner with my family at the time and asked if there was any urgency or production issue that required my immediate attention. My Team Lead insisted that my presence was necessary, but since no specific urgency was communicated, I requested to reschedule the meeting. Ultimately, I chose not to join. The next day, I was shocked to receive a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) from HR. This was particularly confusing for me because I had received Best Achiever awards for the past two years, and there had been no prior performance concerns raised. I have always documented my work and contributions, especially during appraisal cycles. Now, I’m trying to figure out if the timing of the PIP is just a coincidence or if my refusal to join the late-night call was indeed linked to this decision. I’m reaching out for advice on how to navigate this situation. What should I be asking my manager and HR? What should I look for in the PIP document? How can I determine if this is a genuine improvement plan or the start of an exit process? Any insights from those who have experienced a similar situation would be greatly appreciated.

I recently had my first job interview and it was quite a challenge for me. I found myself stuttering a lot and struggling to think of the right words to say. It was really frustrating, and I felt like I couldn't express myself properly. I'm reaching out for advice on how to overcome these issues during interviews. I've heard that practicing in front of a mirror and recording my voice can help, but I'm still feeling stressed. I also learned that trying to memorize a script can make my stuttering worse. I think I might try to prepare a few key stories to share instead, like times when I learned quickly or handled difficult situations. Any tips from others who have faced similar challenges would be greatly appreciated!

I recently found myself in a tough spot after being laid off from my role as a software/data engineer at a large financial company early last year. I have a CS degree from 2023 and had about two years of experience working with Python, AWS, and SQL, specifically building data pipelines. After the layoff, I struggled to land any offers despite going through several interviews. To make ends meet, I took on non-tech jobs, which I fear might make it look like I gave up on my engineering career, but that wasn’t the case. In a moment of desperation, I even started a CNA program to switch careers to healthcare, thinking it would provide stability and a sense of purpose. I completed much of the training and clinicals, but I quickly realized that patient care wasn’t for me. I was juggling two jobs and dreading the clinicals, so I made the tough decision to quit the program just before finishing. While I feel guilty about it, I also feel a sense of relief. Now, I’m determined to get back into tech, ideally as a software or data engineer, and I’m particularly interested in the emerging AI technologies. However, I feel completely lost on how to bridge the gap in my resume and catch up with the latest tools and trends. Financially, things are tight, and I’m exhausted from the constant job search. I’m considering various options: whether to pursue a master’s degree, build personal projects, keep applying for jobs, or dive into learning the new AI stack. I’m even contemplating taking a step back into an IT role, like a help desk position, just to stabilize my finances. I’m reaching out for any advice from those who have been in similar situations. How do I overcome this gap and get back into the field? Is taking a help desk job a smart move, or should I hold out for a role more aligned with my engineering background? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I accepted a new job at the beginning of the month and I'm set to start in two weeks. However, I'm facing a difficult situation as a member of my immediate family, who has been ill for nearly two years, has recently taken a turn for the worse. We're anticipating that they may pass away in the coming weeks. I'm unsure how to approach this situation with my new employer. Some advice I've received suggests that I should keep this information to myself for now and see how things unfold. It's a tough decision, especially considering that my best friend's wife was given days to live five years ago and is still with us. The unpredictability of these situations makes it all the more challenging.

I'm currently working as an HR Generalist with three years of experience, but I'm feeling frustrated with my job. I previously worked in sales for about a year and a half at a small dealership, but I left that role due to financial constraints during Covid and to focus on my degree. Now, I'm making $55k, which isn't cutting it with two kids, and I've been struggling to find a better-paying position. I've applied to several jobs but keep receiving rejection letters. I'm considering switching back to sales, but I'm unsure if I can find a position that pays well. My educational background is a bachelor's in business with a concentration in HR, so I'm worried about my qualifications for a sales role. One of the challenges I'm facing is that while I have a lot of time off in my current job, there's little opportunity for advancement. I've tried to contribute by working on projects to automate processes, but I've faced resistance from IT and other departments. This lack of support is making me feel like I need to move on, but finding a new job is proving to be difficult.

I recently checked my unemployment benefits balance in New Jersey and noticed something troubling. A week or two ago, my remaining balance was around $10,000, but when I looked this morning, it had dropped to about $9,000. After certifying for benefits, it further decreased to around $8,800. I was expecting to receive $677, but I only got $609. It feels like I'm being scammed out of $68, and I'm really confused about why this is happening.

I've been reflecting on my job search journey lately and I think I've hit a wall. It's not just the typical work burnout that people talk about; it's job search burnout. I've spent countless hours tailoring my applications, updating my resume, and writing cover letters, only to find myself staring at an empty inbox most days. The waiting can be so exhausting and demoralizing. I feel like many of us are going through this without even recognizing it because we aren't technically employed yet. Has anyone else experienced this kind of fatigue during their job search?

I’ve been unemployed for 10 months now, and it feels like I’m losing my mind. Despite having a degree in software engineering and graduating with highest honors, I haven’t even landed an interview. The job market is brutal, and I feel like I’ve invested so much time and money into my education for nothing. Everyone tells me I have a great CV, but my confidence is plummeting. I moved back home, which has made things even harder. I haven’t seen my friends in over six months, and I feel completely isolated. I’m turning 27 soon, and I’m starting to think about pivoting to a different field, even though I really want to stick with software engineering. Life at home is tough. My parents mean well, but I have a brother with schizophrenia and a mother who is emotionally dependent. My father, while never directly saying it, makes me feel like a failure. It feels like I’m the issue because I refuse to change my career path. I can see the judgment in people’s eyes, as if my unemployment is my fault. Maybe it is. I feel like my life is falling apart. I’m reaching out to anyone who has been unemployed for this long—how do you cope with this situation?

I'm currently in a tech role at a company where I'm feeling increasingly insecure about my job stability. There's a high likelihood I could be laid off within the next two years, which has led me to seriously consider relocating to a lower cost of living city or even a different country. I've been thinking about the financial benefits of such a move, especially since I live in a very high cost of living area. I'm curious about what others are doing in similar situations. Are you moving for financial reasons? If so, what are your plans once you get there? Are you looking to study, retrain, or find local or online work? I know moving can be expensive, but staying here after a layoff seems imprudent given the costs. I'm weighing my options and would love to hear about your experiences.

I had a frustrating experience recently with a recruiter from a tech company where I had applied for a Content Strategist position back in February. After going through three rounds of interviews, I received the standard rejection email in mid-March. I was disappointed but moved on and continued my job search. Fast forward six weeks, and I get a call from the same recruiter. I thought maybe they were reaching out with good news or a change of plans. Instead, she casually checked in on my job search before pivoting to mention a junior coordinator role that had opened up. This position pays about $22,000 less than the strategist role and is two levels below what I had originally applied for. I’ve been in the content field for seven years, so I politely declined, but I was annoyed by the way she framed the call. Instead of being upfront about the role, she made it seem like a casual check-in. I appreciated her reaching out, but I wish she had been more transparent about her intentions.

I just finished my junior year of high school and I'm really struggling with the idea of finding a summer job. I had hoped to land an internship or a summer program, but I missed the deadlines because I was too scared to even look into them. Now, with summer here, I realize I need to find any job to fill my time, but I feel completely paralyzed by fear. For the past two years, I haven’t had a job because of this same anxiety. I feel like I’m not capable of doing anything right. My self-doubt is overwhelming; I’m convinced that I wouldn’t deserve any job I apply for and that I’d just get rejected immediately. My resume is practically blank, and I don’t have any extracurricular activities or volunteer work to fill it out. I genuinely feel like I’ve missed the boat on summer jobs since it’s already mid-June, and I’m sure all the positions are taken. I also struggle with the lack of guidance. I’ve never been taught how to apply for a job, so I have no idea where to start. I’m terrified of the process—do I just walk into places and ask if they’re hiring? Should I bring a resume? I feel embarrassed asking anyone for help because it seems so pathetic. On top of that, I’m really worried about being judged. I used to be around people who would criticize others for making mistakes, and now I can’t shake the fear that if I get rejected, people will talk about me. Since I’m applying for jobs in my neighborhood, I worry that I’ll be recognized and ridiculed. I know I’m being my own worst enemy, and I’m trying to find a way to break out of this cycle of fear and self-doubt. I’m at a point where I really need some advice or a reality check to help me move forward.

I recently owned a family business for a year, but unfortunately, it failed. At 27 years old, I graduated with an ordinary degree in electrical engineering from the UK. Since childhood, I worked alongside my father in his construction/EPC business, which gave me about four years of experience. My responsibilities included cleaning up AutoCAD files, driving, preparing technical proposals, engaging with clients, and handling supplier communications and advertising. In 2022, I started a new business that generated no revenue initially, and by 2025, we pivoted to align more closely with my father's EPC operations due to the original business's failure and significant debt. My father managed the new venture, which I initiated using power of attorney, and we achieved around $800k in revenue from a single project. My role expanded to include working with banks on guarantees and reference letters, conducting laser measurements on-site, and more direct client engagement, alongside the usual proposal editing and contract signing. Regrettably, this new business has also failed, and I've found myself in a tough spot with cash flow issues. Over the past four years, my involvement in these family businesses has yielded little financial gain, and it seems like things would go wrong just as we started to see success. I've attempted sales roles in the past, but they weren't a good fit for me. Now, I'm considering administrative, project support, or coordination roles to help me get back on my feet. However, I'm unsure about what title to use on my CV. I've been advised to simply list "Family Business," but I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on what titles I could use, what jobs I should target, and how I can further develop my skills. I'm based in the UK, but the family business is located abroad.

I recently reached out for help with my resume because I haven't been getting any calls for interviews. I shared my resume and asked for honest feedback. I mentioned that while I may have slightly inflated some numbers, I can justify them if needed. One of the top comments I received praised my technical qualifications, highlighting my certifications like CKA, CKS, and multiple AWS associates, along with my GCP ML Engineer certification. They noted that my achievement of saving $2M annually through a MongoDB-to-Kubernetes migration would definitely catch the eye of budget-conscious recruiters. However, I also received some constructive criticism. One commenter pointed out that while my resume has the right keywords for ATS, it might be too much for a recruiter or HR person to digest. They suggested I consider how I tailor my applications and mentioned tools like free Gemini or GPT that could help me score my resume without needing to rewrite it completely. Another piece of advice was to condense my resume to one page, as it might be a bit too lengthy. Overall, I appreciate the feedback and am looking to make improvements to increase my chances of landing interviews.

I was recently fired from my job in California just before the end of my 90-day probation period. My boss, who was new to her position, was very temperamental and made my work environment quite toxic. Despite having a lot of experience and trying my best to support her, she seemed to deliberately undermine me. She excluded me from important emails and meetings, and I felt like she was sabotaging my reputation. I received two performance evaluations during my probation, both praising my work, but unfortunately, I didn't keep those documents. After I was terminated, I filed for unemployment and was initially approved without any issues. However, about three weeks ago, I received a letter from the Employment Development Department (EDD) stating that my former employer was disputing my unemployment claim, claiming I didn’t do my job as instructed and that they were downsizing. EDD determined these reasons were insufficient to deny my benefits. Just last week, I got another letter saying my former employer is filing another claim against EDD’s decision. I'm really worried because my former boss has shown herself to be vindictive and dishonest. I fear she might fabricate stories to make me look unfit for unemployment benefits, which I desperately need since I haven't found another job yet. Now, I'm waiting for a hearing date and I’m unsure what to expect. Will I be in a room with her and a judge? I have no proof to defend myself since I discarded those performance evaluations. I’m looking for any advice on how to navigate this situation and whether she can be held accountable for her actions.

I currently work at a vape shop in Michigan and have been facing numerous issues related to my job. I have endometriosis, which I disclosed during the hiring process. Due to this condition, I've had to call in sick multiple times for medical appointments and even a miscarriage, all of which I have documentation for. Initially, my employer was understanding, but recently when I called in for a non-medical reason, they demanded a doctor's note. Since I couldn't provide one, they transferred me to a different location with significantly lower commission, cutting my hours in half. When I arrived at the new store, I discovered a serious cockroach infestation. There were dead roaches everywhere, including in the food stock and fridge. I documented everything with pictures and had to throw away food I had purchased. Thankfully, I was moved back to my original store, but I felt it necessary to inform my bosses about the roach situation, which they brushed off. Additionally, I have concerns about the store's practices, such as selling to minors and encouraging employees to do the same, as well as illegal sales of nitrous tanks. They also take deductions from our commission for 'inventory shrinkage' without any signed agreement from us. I've reported the infestation and wage theft, but I'm hesitant to escalate the situation further because I fear losing my job, especially since I rely on the commission. I have everything documented, but I'm unsure if my case is strong enough to pursue further action.

I'm currently seeking remote job opportunities and would love some advice on my career path. I have over 9 years of experience in behavioral health, crisis intervention, leadership, and customer service. My background includes working for 3 years with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, where I also had remote work experience. I've held roles such as Lead Mental Health Technician and Interim Supervisor in various settings, including hospitals and residential treatment facilities. Additionally, I spent 4 years as a Behavioral Health Technician in a school district and have experience in customer service and team leadership at a small business. My strongest skills are in crisis intervention, team leadership, customer support, documentation, training, conflict resolution, and remote communication. Due to transportation limitations, I'm specifically looking for fully remote work and am open to exploring fields beyond behavioral health. I've considered roles in remote customer support, community management, trust & safety, gaming industry support, healthcare administration, and operations. Despite submitting hundreds of applications over the past year, I've had little success. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has recommendations for job titles, industries, or companies that might value my experience. Any leads or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I recently applied for a position at a local boba shop by sending my resume via email, as instructed on their website. Since I don't have prior job experience, I'm feeling a bit uncertain about the application process. I came across some advice on social media suggesting that many applicants miss out on jobs because they don't follow up with a call after applying. Now, I'm regretting that I didn't include a more personal message in my email—just my resume was attached. I'm considering whether I should call the shop to inquire about my application status or if that might annoy them. I'm not sure what I would even say if I did call. I've read mixed opinions on this; some say it's better to drop by in person and show interest, while others warn that calls can be unwelcome. I could really use some guidance on the best approach here.

I am currently facing a difficult situation at my job as an administrative support member on a small sales team. My senior lead has a strong personal dislike for me, which I believe is leading to my potential termination. Last year, I was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PiP) without prior warning, and while some of the issues were valid, many stemmed from my coworkers' mistakes that my manager seems to overlook. Despite my efforts to improve and adapt to the team's dynamics, I feel like an outsider, especially since most of my colleagues are long-time employees. I’ve worked hard to understand our internal processes, but I still struggle with some tasks that I haven't been adequately trained on. Recently, I faced a significant challenge with a process that was not even included in our training manual, which resulted in complaints from project managers. My boss told me I haven't improved, yet he only provided a few examples of my mistakes over the last three quarters. I find it frustrating that my coworkers continue to make the same errors I was penalized for, and I am left with a disciplinary record for issues that are still occurring. I want to leave this job on my own terms, ideally after securing a new position, but I am anxious about the possibility of being terminated instead of laid off. This experience has been emotionally taxing, especially considering my chronic back problems that limit my job options. I feel trapped in a toxic environment that combines micromanagement with inadequate training and discriminatory treatment. I just want to be treated fairly and given the same opportunities as my coworkers.

I've been dealing with a frustrating situation regarding my partner's job transfer from Arkansas to Colorado. He was approved for the transfer and moved here, but the company has been incredibly slow to provide any updates. It's been weeks, and he's had to constantly follow up with both the Arkansas and Colorado locations, but it feels like there's no urgency on their end. He was supposed to start work the week of the 8th, but now they're saying it might not happen until the 22nd at the earliest. I'm feeling lost about what to do since he hasn't actually worked in Colorado yet. Should he file for unemployment benefits in Arkansas or Colorado? I've seen some comments suggesting he should apply in Arkansas because that's where his wages were earned, but there's a concern that the employer might claim he voluntarily quit due to the move. We're keeping all documentation of his transfer approval, but I honestly don't expect this to end well.