Miscellaneous

I'm currently a 19-year-old college student and I've recently started learning about n8n and ClaudeCode. I feel confident that I can take on entry-level jobs to earn some quick cash, but I'm struggling to find opportunities. I tried using Upwork, but I found out that it requires 'Connects' to apply for jobs, which is a bit frustrating. I'm actively searching for work and decided to reach out here in case anyone has advice or knows of opportunities. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I recently accepted a Lab Assistant position at Quest Diagnostics, with my start date set for June 15. However, I had also interviewed for a Lead Lab Assistant position at the same location before making my decision. The Lead role offers a higher salary and seems to provide more flexibility with my school schedule, which is really important to me. I haven't received an offer for the Lead position yet, but if it comes through, I would prefer to take that one instead. I'm concerned about how it might look if I accept the Lead Lab Assistant position after already accepting the Lab Assistant role. Since both positions are at Quest and in the same location, I'm wondering if HR typically manages these situations internally or if it could negatively impact my reputation with the company. Has anyone here worked at Quest Diagnostics or faced a similar situation where they switched positions before their start date? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I was terminated from my job last Wednesday after being put on suspension, which was later changed to termination. I signed the termination paperwork on May 20th and received an email the next day about my employee account being deleted. Although I'm no longer employed, the company is pushing for a grievance meeting due to how my termination was handled. I'm considering sending them an email to withdraw from the process, stating that my decision to move on should not be seen as an admission of guilt. My experience there was extremely toxic and, at times, racist. I really want nothing to do with them anymore and I'm unsure if I am required to attend this meeting.

I received a heads up that I will be laid off next week from my role at the company. While I understand it’s just business, it’s hard to sit at the happy hour with the c-suite members, knowing they can exchange pleasantries with me while they’ve made this decision that impacts my life. It feels surreal and honestly, a bit dizzying. I plan to make the most of the evening and enjoy their budget as a way to cope. I know I’ll be okay in the long run; I’m still young and have been taking advice from others in similar situations. My heart goes out to those who weren’t as fortunate to get a heads up. It’s a tough time for many of us dealing with layoffs.

Today, I received a company-wide email at 3 PM informing us that we need to check our personal emails in three hours to find out if we still have our jobs. The anticipation is unbearable, and I can't help but feel anxious as we were all told to leave the office by 5 PM, with only remote work allowed tomorrow for those who remain employed. Honestly, I’ve been unhappy in my role even after receiving a recent raise, so I wouldn’t mind being laid off. But waiting for three hours to learn my fate feels especially cruel. I worked remotely today, so I’m out of the loop on any office gossip, and it seems like Slack has been eerily quiet since the email went out. To cope, I’m having a couple of drinks while I wait for the executives to decide my future. It’s frustrating how impersonal these mass emails are. It would be more humane to have an all-hands call and deliver the news directly to those affected instead of leaving us hanging. I just hope I can gather any necessary documents or KPIs for my portfolio before the final decision is made. I’ve seen others go through similar situations, and it’s tough. I’ll update later, but right now, I’m just trying to get through this waiting game.

I was recently let go from my dream job, and it feels surreal. This was my first true well-paying position, and I loved everything about it—the people, the culture, the schedule, and the workload. I have bipolar 2 and ADHD, and I've always prided myself on being a good employee, no matter the industry. Work was the one area of my life where I felt I had control. However, over the past few months, medication changes threw me off balance, and I started to struggle significantly. I was transparent with my boss about my challenges, but despite being placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), I still fell short in many areas. Today was unexpected; I thought it was going well, but I ended up being fired. I've never faced this before, and it feels devastating. I loved the mission and everything about the job, yet I somehow managed to sabotage it. I feel an overwhelming sense of unhappiness and shame for failing at something that once brought me so much joy. I take full responsibility for my actions, but it's hard to believe this is happening. I had envisioned a long-term future there, and now I feel heartbroken and ashamed for not committing enough to make that dream a reality.

I recently lost my job and as a 19-year-old, I'm feeling the pressure to find something quickly to cover my rent and bills. I interviewed for an admin position at a real estate company, and the interviewer seemed really positive. He shook my hand and said he was happy with my application, which gave me hope. The next day, he called to confirm that I got the job and said I would receive an offer soon. However, a week later when I followed up, he told me he needed to wait until he found three more candidates before drafting contracts and starting training. I was patient, but after another week, I called again and he rudely informed me he was on vacation and to check back the following Monday. When I called on the supposed start date, he told me to call again on Monday. At this point, I'm starting to feel like he’s just stringing me along. I can't help but wonder if I’m being played here. I know I seem desperate, but I really need a job. Should I keep waiting or move on? This whole situation feels really unprofessional.

I recently left my job at a pizzeria where I had been working for about a month. From the very beginning, the working conditions were terrible, with issues like cross-contamination and poor scheduling. To make matters worse, they consistently withheld my pay. Despite my attempts to get paid, both the manager and owner kept dodging my requests. I reached a breaking point and researched my rights under Alberta Employment Standards, which stated that I could resign immediately since I had been there for less than 90 days. I made the tough decision to call and quit, but my boss reacted angrily and threatened to withhold my three weeks of pay. Now, he’s not responding to me at all, and I’m feeling lost about what to do next.

I’m feeling really lost in this economy right now. I graduated high school but don’t have a college degree, and most of my work experience has been in serving tables. Despite putting in a lot of effort, I’m just barely making ends meet. With rent, groceries, and bills constantly rising, it feels impossible to get ahead. I’m at a point where I’m open to doing just about anything legal for a job. I’m not looking for a dream career or to get rich; I just want something that allows me to pay my rent, cover basic necessities, and reduce my daily stress. I’m reaching out to see what others without degrees are doing for work. What fields are hiring and actually paying enough to survive? I’m genuinely looking for ideas because I feel completely stuck. I’ve heard that trade jobs like plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC are in high demand and pay well, plus many companies offer training on the job. I switched from restaurant work a few years ago, and the pay difference has been significant, along with benefits. I also know people who have found success in commercial drone piloting and have moved up in companies like FedEx. If anyone has suggestions or insights, I’d really appreciate it!

I recently went through three rounds of interviews for a position I was really excited about. After the interviews, I was asked to provide references, which I did promptly. However, three weeks later, I received the disappointing news that I didn’t get the job. They said other candidates better met their requirements. This experience has left me feeling incredibly frustrated and embarrassed, especially since I had asked my references for quick responses, believing I was a strong contender for the role. This was just one of over 2000 applications I've submitted and 20 interviews I've participated in. After this latest setback, I paused my job search because I was feeling so burnt out. Now, I realize I need to dive back into the job market, which feels like an endless journey. I’ve had my resume reviewed and even consulted with a career coach to ensure I’m presenting myself in the best light possible. Unfortunately, the feedback I’ve received has mostly been that other candidates were simply a better fit, without any specific guidance on how I could improve. It’s disheartening to feel so helpless when I’m not receiving constructive feedback. I just needed to vent a bit and share my experience.

I am currently seeking a remote job that fits my schedule as a pharmacist, available most mornings until around 3 pm EST. I am looking for something flexible that I can do from home, and while it doesn't need to pay exceptionally well, I wouldn't mind if it did. I have previously tried roles in data annotation and AI training with companies like Mercor and OutlierAI, but unfortunately, I have not had any success. My ideal job would meet the following criteria: it should be reliable and not a scam, allow me to work from my computer without any costs like packaging or shipping, and I prefer not to be on camera or videotaping myself (though I'm fine with meetings). Flexibility is key, as I can only work before 2:30 pm EST. I am open to positions in pharmacy or healthcare, but I'm also proficient with Microsoft Office and computer tasks, so I can adapt to various roles. I would appreciate an easy application process, ideally with a high chance of acceptance. Additionally, I have experience as a tutor and would be interested in part-time tutoring again, but my previous attempts with platforms like Varsity Tutors and Wyzant didn't yield any students. I am willing to take on students if I can find a more reliable way to get back into tutoring. If anyone has suggestions or questions, I would greatly appreciate your input!

I just finished my first shift at a new warehouse job, and I'm feeling really uneasy about the whole experience. I've been under a lot of stress lately due to my grandad's health issues, so I was hoping this job would be a positive change after a long job search. The pay is decent at £16 an hour, and I can handle the work itself, but the atmosphere is concerning. Right from the start, I was instructed to follow another employee and only push the trolley if asked. However, I was criticized in front of other staff for not helping out, even though I was just following orders. The supervisor also raised his voice at me when I was waiting for him to finish explaining how to bag meat products before I jumped in to help. It felt really unprofessional and made me uncomfortable. Additionally, I overheard the supervisor making inappropriate comments about non-English speakers and struggling with a colleague's name, which added to my unease. I expected a welcoming environment, especially since this is a night shift team that supposedly prides itself on being sociable, but during my break, most people sat alone and barely spoke. To top it off, another manager confronted me in front of a large group, saying she shouldn't have even interviewed me. I was late due to traffic, and I felt like I was being scrutinized unfairly. Overall, I felt disrespected and belittled rather than trained. I'm not sure if I should stick it out for a few weeks to see if things improve, raise my concerns now, or start looking for another job before I get too invested. I'm really torn about whether I'm overreacting or if this is a genuine red flag for a toxic workplace.

I recently started tracking severance packages after hearing about various layoffs in the tech industry. According to the data I've gathered from 59 severance reports since launching my project, the median severance package is currently 12 weeks of pay. Interestingly, only 3% of those who received severance negotiated for better terms. In terms of location, 46% of the reports are from US-based employees, with an even split between remote and onsite work. Looking at seniority levels, 2% were VP, 33% senior, 5% mid-level, and 2% entry-level. The roles represented include 27% software engineers, 7% designers, and 5% project managers. I'm eager to provide more insights, so if anyone has specific breakdowns or information they would like to see, please let me know!

It's been a year since I left a toxic workplace, and reflecting on that experience has brought some important insights. When I was in that environment, I started to believe I was incompetent, which really affected my self-esteem. However, after a few months in a new job, I found that I was performing well again. It was the same skills and the same me, just in a healthier environment. The recovery process was not what I expected. I thought I would feel instant relief after leaving, but instead, I went through a rollercoaster of emotions—numbness, anger, sadness, and finally, relief. It took a lot longer than I anticipated, spanning several months. To aid my recovery, I found a few things really helpful: - **Therapy**: Talking to someone about my experiences helped me process everything that happened. - **Education on burnout and stress**: Learning about workplace manipulation and stress made it easier for me to understand my situation. - **Gentle movement**: Simple activities like walking and stretching outdoors had a surprisingly positive impact on my mental state. - **Journaling**: Writing down my thoughts helped me organize them and reduced the constant replay in my mind. One surprising aspect was realizing how much physical stress I had been carrying. After leaving, my sleep improved, my headaches became less frequent, and I felt generally less tense. Looking back, I see that it took time to adjust, but eventually, the job no longer dominated my thoughts. I keep asking myself if I did anything wrong, but I know now that I didn't.

I was laid off last week from my IT role due to a departmental restructure aimed at cost savings. This is the first time I've experienced a layoff in my career, and I'm still processing the decision to eliminate my position. I have to remind myself that this isn't a reflection of my skills or accomplishments. As a mid-50s professional with extensive experience in IT, I'm not particularly excited about starting a job search. However, I hope that my age, which I see as wisdom, along with my broad IT background, will help me stand out during interviews. I noticed that the job market appears to be improving based on recent job numbers, so I'm optimistic that this will be a short break before I find my next role. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has had success in their application or interview process and what made a difference for them. I'm wishing everyone else in the job search process the best of luck. The fear of the unknown is definitely keeping me awake at night.

Today, I learned that Credit Karma laid off 117 employees despite experiencing a surge in sales. It’s disheartening to see such decisions being made, especially when the company is performing well. I’ve been following the news closely, and it seems like Intuit's influence is a significant factor in these layoffs. While I don’t personally know anyone affected, I can’t help but feel for those who lost their jobs during what should be a prosperous time for the company.

I just found out that GitLab is cutting 14% of its workforce as part of a shift towards AI. This is the second layoff we've experienced in a row, and it affects around 350 people. It's disheartening to see the company I worked for take such drastic measures. I feel grateful for the experiences I've had here, but the frustration from my colleagues is palpable. Many are expressing their dissatisfaction with the product and the direction the company is heading. It's tough to see a place I once believed in go through such turmoil.

I recently started my first job as an art teacher at a brand new school in my country, which is still under construction. I was excited to focus solely on teaching art, as I had prepared a full curriculum and study methods. However, during a meeting with the other teachers, I was unexpectedly assigned additional roles. They asked me to also teach IT, despite my lack of experience in computing, simply because I know how to use software like Corel Draw and Photoshop. On top of that, I was appointed to handle media duties and assist with administrative work because of my skills with Photoshop. This means I now have four roles to juggle, while most of my colleagues have only three. I’m feeling overwhelmed and confused, as this was not what I signed up for. Additionally, the salary is incredibly low—less than $23 a month, which is just enough for transport and not a real salary. I was hoping to have time for self-improvement and possibly freelance work, but with all these new responsibilities, I’m worried I won’t have any time left for myself. Is this kind of situation normal in the workplace? I’m really struggling to understand the norms since this is my first job.

I recently came across some information about UMass Memorial and their hiring practices. It seems like they have a number of positions that are being advertised but may not actually be available, often referred to as 'ghost jobs.' This has raised concerns for job seekers like myself who are looking for legitimate opportunities. I wanted to share this experience to help others avoid wasting time applying for roles that might not exist.

I recently found myself contemplating a new job opportunity while still employed at a federal agency. I'm currently in a well-paying position that I enjoy, but the long commute and the desire for more engaging work have prompted me to explore other options. I came across a role at a nonprofit organization that piqued my interest. Interestingly, I had interviewed with them a few years ago for a different position but wasn't selected, which I hold no grudges about. To gauge the situation, I reached out to a contact I have within the organization, someone fairly high up, to inquire about the salary range for the new position. I made it clear that I am not willing to accept a significant pay cut. My contact was helpful and created a group text with the two individuals overseeing the hiring process. However, the response I received was quite terse, simply instructing me to send in my resume and cover letter. While I understand that they don’t owe me anything, I was hoping for a more professional interaction. Now, I'm at a crossroads on how to proceed. I could send my resume as requested, express my disinterest politely, or ask further questions. Given my background as a retired law enforcement officer who transitioned to a STEM career, I have experience in the workforce, but this situation is making me reconsider how to navigate the job application process. Any advice on how to move forward would be greatly appreciated.