Miscellaneous

I’m 27 years old, male, currently based in Kenya, and I hold a bachelor's degree in environmental studies. Ever since I graduated, I’ve been on the hunt for a job in my field, but unfortunately, I haven’t had any luck. After countless applications and no responses, I decided to try something different and worked in webcam modeling for a while. While it paid the bills, it took a toll on my mental health, so I eventually quit. With my savings, I opened a wines and spirits shop, which initially did quite well. I felt like I was finally making progress, but then the local authorities started imposing hefty fees that I couldn’t keep up with, leading me to close the shop. Since then, I’ve been applying for jobs, even looking outside of Kenya, primarily in conservation and environmental roles. It’s been a whole year of applying, yet I still haven’t received a single reply or interview. I’m feeling utterly exhausted—so much so that I’ve contemplated giving up on the idea of leaving the country altogether. I believe I have strong skills in communication, community advocacy, and social media management. I’ve grown up online, so I’m adept at navigating various platforms. I’m also flexible and willing to learn new things beyond just environmental work.

I’m a 36-year-old woman currently unemployed and feeling completely overwhelmed. I have a master’s degree from abroad, but it seems to hold no value in the 2026 job market here in the USA. I’ve been stuck in this cycle of anxiety and depression, feeling like I can’t return to my previous job either. The job postings I see on LinkedIn are daunting, and the constant news about the economy is paralyzing me. I feel scared and lost, unsure of how to break free from this doom loop. I’m seeking advice on how to regain my confidence and take actionable steps toward finding a job again. Any tips would be appreciated!

I was terminated with immediate effect from my job, and honestly, I've never felt so thrilled! I started this position about four months ago after being unemployed for eight months, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity at the time. From day one, I was praised by everyone—from the director to my colleagues. I worked hard, took on overtime, and received some of the highest evaluations my supervisor had ever given. However, it wasn't my ideal role, so I continued to look for something better. Three months in, I found a new job that paid twice as much, had a Monday to Friday schedule, and didn't require weekend shifts like my first job did. I initially planned to give my two weeks' notice, but my supervisor begged me to stay. Despite the conflict in schedules, I ended up juggling both jobs. However, my performance at the first job started to decline as I split my energy between the two. Eventually, I asked to leave early one day, which did not sit well with my supervisors, and they decided to terminate me. In a way, the termination was a relief because I had been planning to call out the next day anyway. I understand that no one wants to get fired, and I don't think employers enjoy it either. The biggest lesson I learned from this experience is to always be true to yourself and prioritize your own needs. If a company can let you go in an instant, it's crucial to have a backup plan. Cheers!

I'm a recent graduate struggling to find a job after my internship ended. I have some diagnosed disabilities that limit my ability to perform certain types of work, particularly anything involving physical labor or standing for long periods. My disability is 'invisible,' which means employers often don't know about it unless I provide documentation for accommodations. I've previously worked in physically demanding roles, but it led to serious health issues for me. I'm feeling quite desperate and have been considering Vocational Rehabilitation, as I've heard it can assist people with disabilities in securing employment. However, I have no resources or contacts for guidance, so I'm reaching out to see if anyone has experience with Vocational Rehab. Did it help you find a job? Were there any costs involved?

I've been facing a frustrating issue while applying for jobs lately. After completing an application, I receive an email prompting me to answer additional questions to finalize my submission. However, when I click the link in the email, it either leads to a broken page or loops me back to the initial application step. This has happened multiple times, and I'm starting to wonder if it's a technical glitch or if I'm somehow making a mistake. I’m based in the US, and I just wanted to share this experience in case anyone else is encountering the same problem.

I recently experienced a tough situation after being let go from my first job just five days in. I graduated from college last week and was thrilled to start an entry-level position at a marketing and charity office that organizes donation events outside stores. I started my first day in the office on a Wednesday and then hit the field on Thursday to learn how to secure donations. However, on my second day in the field, my colleague and I were told we needed to start making significant progress in getting donations, despite only being new hires. The next morning, I received a call from my recruiter informing me that I was being let go because I hadn’t generated any donations yet. It was disheartening to be let go so quickly, especially since I was under the impression that the training period was supposed to last 2-3 weeks. I feel really dejected and confused about what went wrong.

I was recently forced to resign from my job of over ten years due to my disability becoming incompatible with an essential function of my role. My employer consistently rejected meaningful accommodations and ignored warnings from multiple medical professionals about the risks of what they were offering. This left me with an impossible choice: risk my health or face termination. It's devastating to think that the job I dedicated so much time to actually contributed to my disability. Now, I'm cleared to work in other positions, and I'm actively working with vocational rehabilitation, but I’m struggling to find hope for the future. I've been job hunting for over six months, and the current job market in the U.S. feels tougher than ever. I've consulted with lawyers and have a potential case, but they've advised against pursuing it for my health's sake. I find myself crying on and off, feeling incredibly low. I just want to connect with others who might have gone through something similar and know that I'm not alone in this.

I recently applied for a position at a company and two days later, I received a LinkedIn connection request from a woman who holds the same job title as the one I applied for. She isn't a recruiter, which made the situation even more puzzling. I didn't accept the connection request right away, and later that night, I received a rejection email for the job. The next day, I accepted her request, but she didn't send any message or explanation. I'm left wondering why she would want to connect with me without any apparent reason. I'm considering removing her from my contacts since it feels pointless. I even had a fleeting thought that maybe she noticed my relevant experience and wanted to keep in touch for future opportunities. What do you think?

I recently found out that my company is offering a Voluntary Separation Program (VSP), and I'm trying to weigh my options. If I choose to accept, I'd receive a lump sum payment that includes 4 months of salary, any unused PTO, and a prorated bonus. However, if I stay and eventually get laid off, the severance would only be 2 months of pay. I'm in a relatively stable situation since I'm married and can rely on my husband's health insurance. Financially, we would be okay with the VSP lump sum while I search for a new job. I've been feeling unfulfilled in my current role, and while I like the company's culture—it's laid-back, fully remote, and offers a good work-life balance—I'm also in the interview process for an internal position that excites me more. My main concerns are the potential impact of the VSP on internal hiring and the current job market, which seems to slow down towards the end of the year. I'm also unsure if I'd qualify for unemployment benefits if I voluntarily accept the VSP. Right now, I'm leaning towards taking the VSP to give myself some breathing room and focus on finding a role that truly fits me, rather than rushing into something just to have a job. However, the uncertainty of leaving a comfortable position is daunting. I'm looking for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation or has experience with voluntary separation packages.

I recently went through a frustrating job application process with a family-run company that I really admired. I’m a 26-year-old multi-department manager at my current job, which has been quite toxic. I initially applied to this new company in June 2025 after hearing great things about them from mutual connections. I went through four lengthy interviews, a site visit, and had promising discussions about creating a new position just for me. However, after weeks of waiting, I was ghosted and eventually withdrew my application. They later hired someone else, which left me confused and disappointed. Fast forward to January 2026, I decided to give it another shot and reapplied. The enthusiasm during the interviews was palpable, and they even discussed multiple roles for me. They promised to get back to me soon, but once again, I was met with silence. After following up multiple times, they finally replied months later, stating they needed more time to ensure it was the right fit, but I never heard from them again. They ended up hiring two younger candidates, which made me question if my admission about needing some flexibility due to a health condition affected their decision. To add to the confusion, the company followed me on Instagram a few months later, which left me wondering if they still had interest in me. After a tough few months, I quit my current job in July but returned after the owner met most of my demands to stay. Now, I’m feeling trapped and uncertain about my future. The other company has reopened applications, and I’m contemplating reaching out to them for feedback on my background. I believe they could provide valuable insights, but I’m unsure if it’s appropriate to ask after everything that happened. I’m at a crossroads and really want to move forward in my career.

I just had a really eye-opening experience with HR at my company, and it left me feeling pretty disheartened. My small team recently lost a key member, which has made our workload much heavier. I thought HR was coming in to check on us, but instead, he spent the entire time lecturing me about how Gen Z feels entitled to money and that we should just take on more work without any extra compensation. I understand the concept of hard work paying off eventually, but his tone felt personally directed at my generation. When I expressed that I was feeling overwhelmed, he dismissed my feelings, suggesting that losing one person should be viewed as an opportunity to take on more responsibilities and learn. He even showed me a graph of what makes an 'A player' and told me to create a roadmap for improvement. To top it off, he said that my manager and the sales director didn't have great things to say about our team, implying that we aren't irreplaceable. He concluded with what he called 'million dollar advice.' I was honestly shocked and ended up crying in the bathroom afterward. It made me realize that I need to shift from a passive job search to an active one. I'm new to the corporate world, and I'm questioning if I misinterpreted the situation. A coworker seemed unfazed by the meeting, but I can't shake the feeling that this environment is toxic. I just needed to vent and process my emotions.

I got laid off unexpectedly on a Tuesday along with the rest of my team. The next morning, I decided to take a break from the stress and went to an art gallery. It felt necessary to decompress and surround myself with something beautiful during such a chaotic time. I realized I needed to focus on my mental health before diving back into the job search.

I've been in the job market for a couple of years now, and I've noticed a troubling trend with ghosting during the hiring process. Most of my interviews and meetings with recruiters end without any follow-up. I usually ask when I can expect to hear back, typically within three days, but about 75% of the time, I don't receive any response. I always send a thank-you email after each interview and follow up a week later if I haven't heard back, but it rarely leads to anything. Recently, I went through three rounds of interviews with a company via a recruiting firm. They even told me I was the top candidate and wanted to meet with me the next day, but then I never heard back at all. It feels like they don’t see candidates as people, and I can’t help but wonder if this has gotten worse over time. Did companies used to at least send an email to let you know you didn’t get the job, or has it always been this way?

I started a new job just three days ago after a nine-month job search. The company reached out to me and hired me quickly, which made me a bit suspicious given my past layoffs. The pay is decent and the company is small, but the disorganization is driving me up the wall. While the team is competent, their knowledge seems to be stuck in their heads. We share a single drive account that is a mess, making it incredibly difficult for me to find the data I need for my research. I've spent 45 minutes just searching for basic information, and the lack of onboarding has left me feeling overwhelmed. I was given assignments without any guidance, and every time I ask for help, it feels like I uncover even more things I don't understand. I have insurance and support from my husband, but I'm really questioning if it's worth staying in a job that's this chaotic. I've always thrived in structured environments, and this experience is unlike anything I've faced before.

I’m currently preparing for an unemployment appeal hearing in Washington regarding my separation from my previous job. I accepted a PEP (separation agreement) after being placed on a final written warning, and I’m worried that my case will be seen as a simple voluntary quit without considering the serious circumstances that led to my departure. I started my job in May 2022 after being recruited for the position. However, from November to December 2023, my husband suffered a severe medical crisis, and I became his sole caregiver. This involved taking him to numerous appointments, coordinating his care, and managing crises when he was disconnected from reality. I took FMLA leave during this time but returned to work afterward. Despite my efforts to balance work and caregiving, my husband's ongoing medical issues took a toll on my physical and emotional health. I was under significant stress and was seeing a therapist throughout this period. In August 2025, I received my first written warning for performance issues, which I discussed with HR, explaining my situation and my commitment to improving. I continued to work hard until I received a final written warning in March 2026, at which point I was offered a PEP due to my manager's belief that my strengths didn’t align with the role. I accepted the PEP on April 3, and my employment ended on April 17. I moved to Michigan shortly after and started a new job in July. I know that accepting the PEP makes this a voluntary separation issue, but I’m hoping to argue that my circumstances qualify as good cause under Washington law. I have documentation to support my case, including the PEP, written warnings, and a statement from my therapist. I’m seeking advice on several points: how the acceptance of the PEP affects the good-cause analysis, whether my FMLA leave and caregiving responsibilities support my argument, how to present these circumstances at the hearing, and how to address my previous statement of being 'laid off.' Additionally, I want to know what questions I should be prepared for from the OAH judge. I’m not looking for validation; I just want to understand my position and how to present my facts accurately.

I recently faced a frustrating situation regarding a Disney Marketing internship that I had hoped to secure. After graduating from college with high honors and receiving several strong recommendations, I was working in Guest Experience at a museum and dreaming of transitioning into a business role there. However, when the internship opportunity arose, I was disheartened to learn that it was awarded to someone over 30 with more than 10 years of experience. This individual had spent 7 years at the museum and 3 years elsewhere, which left me feeling like there was no chance for a recent graduate like myself to compete. It felt incredibly unfair, especially coming from a company like Disney. This experience has only added to my growing list of frustrating job search stories.

I am currently a 5th-year architecture student, set to graduate in July 2027, and I am actively seeking part-time remote design or drafting work starting immediately. My goal is to transition into a full-time in-person role with relocation after graduation. I'm open to opportunities in Europe, Australia, and the USA. In terms of experience, I have hands-on involvement in leading both interior and architectural projects, which includes everything from creating initial mood boards and selecting materials to producing 2D technical drawings and coordinating on-site activities. I also have a background in project and operations management, where I've handled property operations, vendor coordination, and design workflows with cross-functional teams. My core competencies include technical drafting, 3D visualization, spatial planning, and material specifications. Currently, I am available for remote architectural drafting, 3D rendering, or interior design assistance while I finish my final academic year. After graduation, I am eligible for the J-1 Intern/Trainee visa program in the USA, and I plan to utilize the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa pathway in Australia. For Europe, I am open to full-time junior design roles or contract positions that offer visa support or sponsorship. If your studio is in need of immediate remote drafting support or is looking to pipeline junior talent for mid-2027, I would love to connect! My portfolio and CV are available upon request.

I recently went through a tough experience at my job where I failed my probation period after working for a company for 8 months. I was part of a team of about 45 employees, but during my time there, at least 25 people left, and I had to deal with three different managers. Unfortunately, I received very little support, and there were no regular check-ins or performance reviews to help guide my progress. When my current manager started, I raised my concerns about the lack of support and expressed my need for assistance, but that never materialized. Instead, my manager relied on me and a coworker to support him, which was frustrating. Last Friday, I was told that I would have a review, but when I arrived at the office, I found out it was actually my probation review, and I was at risk of termination due to some minor booking mistakes I had made. During the meeting, the issues raised were ones I had already addressed informally, and I had made sure those mistakes didn't happen again. I pointed out to my manager that if these issues were so critical, why were they only being brought up months later? I also highlighted that we lacked a proper booking system or helpdesk software, which contributed to the mistakes given the heavy workload. Additionally, I was tasked with handling safeguarding concerns without any training, which felt incredibly unfair. Yesterday, I learned that my probation was officially failed, and I was terminated because I allegedly did not meet their standards. When I asked my manager what those standards were and how they had been communicated to me, he couldn't provide an answer. To make matters worse, I found out he is also leaving the company due to struggling with his role and finding the company's operations strange. I'm feeling lost and frustrated. I'm considering whether it's even worth appealing this decision, given the lack of support I received throughout my time there, which made it nearly impossible for me to do my job effectively.

I recently came across an article discussing how many employers are ghosting college graduates and even rescinding job offers right before they start. This really struck a chord with me, as I have several friends who have experienced this firsthand. It's disheartening to see how many talented individuals are left in limbo after being promised a position, only to have it taken away at the last minute. The morale among my peers is really taking a hit, and it's frustrating to witness such a lack of professionalism from companies.

I was laid off from my position in Product Management at a UK-based MNC in India back in December 2025, as my role was made redundant along with several others. After over 12 years of stable work, I had hoped to take my time finding a new role, especially since my husband and I were trying to conceive. Unfortunately, in February of this year, my husband lost his job due to internal politics, just as our IVF treatment finally succeeded after two previous failed attempts. While we do have some financial runway for the year, the impending arrival of our baby has made me anxious about our financial situation. My husband has been searching for jobs in Supply Chain and FMCG, where he has over 16 years of experience, but he hasn't had much luck yet. We haven't shared this news with anyone in our circle, and it's been six months since he lost his job, which adds to my anxiety. I won't be able to actively look for a job until at least early next year. We both hold MBAs and have worked with reputable MNCs, so I’m curious if anyone else has faced a similar situation of job loss while starting a family. How long did your job search take, and what strategies helped you cope during that time? I would also appreciate insights from women on how to discuss gaps in employment.