Planning

I am currently a Data Engineer with 3 years of experience, specializing in SQL, Python, PySpark, Azure, ETL, Snowflake, and DBT, primarily in the Ecommerce, Healthcare, and Consumer tech domains. My current salary is less than 12 LPA, and I'm looking to switch jobs due to low pay and a poor work culture. I want to gain exposure to larger scale projects. I've attended a few interviews but haven't been successful because my preparation wasn't sufficient. I'm not applying aggressively yet, but I'm seeking advice on how to better prepare for interviews, as I'm aiming for a salary in the range of 17 to 20 LPA. Any tips on focusing my preparation, particularly on system design and SQL optimization, would be greatly appreciated.

I just got fired from my job, and I'm really struggling with how to process it. I worked as a customer service representative at a tech company for over two years, and I thought I was doing a decent job. However, my manager called me in for a meeting and let me go without much explanation. Now I'm left wondering if I was the problem all along. I can't help but feel like I must have done something wrong. I'm trying to figure out what my next steps should be, but right now, I'm just feeling lost and questioning my abilities.

I was informed at the end of June that my position was being made redundant due to AI restructuring. I was given a one-month notice period, which means I still need to work until the end of July. The anxiety and depression from this situation have been overwhelming. My manager has been scheduling knowledge transfer (KT) sessions every day since no one else knows how to do my work, which adds to my stress. I feel like I'm carrying a heavy burden during these sessions, and afterwards, I struggle to focus on job searching. My self-confidence has plummeted, and I find it hard to even manage normal chores at home. I just want to stay in bed and avoid everything.

I'm preparing for a big move with my husband as we relocate to another state in search of a better quality of life. While I'm excited about this new chapter, I'm also facing the challenge of leaving my current job, which I really enjoy. My husband is set to enter an apprenticeship program to become a carpenter, so he's on a clearer path, but I need to find a new job in a similar field to what I'm doing now. I'm a bit anxious about my letters of recommendation since my experience is limited to my current role in an industry I had never worked in before. I have a great relationship with my bosses, and I believe a recommendation from them would significantly help my job search. However, I'm unsure if I should inform them about our relocation plans before I secure a new position. I want to be honest, but I also don't want to jeopardize my chances of getting a good reference. I'm looking for advice on whether it’s wise to discuss my move with my bosses now or if I should wait until I have something lined up. Any insights would be appreciated!

I'm feeling really overwhelmed and defeated right now. I've been unemployed for nearly 4 months and the financial burden is crushing me. I currently have around ₹2 lakh in credit card debt, ₹50,000 borrowed from various lenders, and a hefty ₹3.5 lakh education loan. To make matters worse, I was scammed by an employer who lured me to another city for a job, only to leave me unpaid after I worked for them. I'm actively searching for a Product Manager role, as I believe that's where my future lies. I have decent web development skills and could potentially take on freelance work if I can find clients. I understand product management well, but my actual full-time experience is only about 10 months. Financially, I'm in a desperate situation and need to support my family, which has led me to consider inflating my experience on my resume to show around 3 years instead. I know this is unethical, but I feel trapped with no other options. Entry-level PM positions are offering around ₹35–40k, while my last job paid me ₹50k, and I simply can't afford to take a step back financially. I'm also really worried about the background verification process. I have a couple of questions: 1. When employers check references, do they usually ask for documents from just the most recent employer, the last two, or all previous ones? 2. If I manage to get a job, work for a month, and then fail the background check, will they let me go? If so, will I still get paid for the days I've worked? I'm really looking for advice from HR professionals or anyone who's been in a similar situation. What would you do if you were in my shoes? Also, any tips on how to handle the background check process would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off from a large company last summer and spent a few months searching for my next opportunity. Eventually, I received two job offers: one from another big company with great pay but a strict in-office requirement, and the other from a smaller company that offered a good hybrid schedule, albeit with less pay and a contract-to-hire arrangement. I decided to take a chance on the smaller company, hoping the hybrid schedule would be worth it. Fast forward a bit, I received my full employment offer and mentioned to my HR rep during a casual meeting that I had a big vacation planned and would need two weeks off soon. I didn’t think it was important to mention this during the interview process since I was still a contract employee. However, after the HR partner I spoke with left the company, my online profile showed no PTO policy or balance, which made me anxious. After weeks of uncertainty, my boss reassured me that the PTO policy was provided at hiring and that as long as I entered my time off in the calendar, he was fine with it. This laid-back approach to PTO was a refreshing change for me and confirmed that I made the right choice in accepting the offer from this smaller company.

I started working as the assistant manager at a thrift store about four months ago, and I've been feeling really conflicted about whether I should stay or quit. Initially, the job seemed great with a relaxed atmosphere, a decent pay of $2 over minimum wage, and a generous employee discount of 50%. I was working from 8:30 AM to 3 PM but getting paid from 8 to 3:30 in case I needed to stay late, which I never did. However, things have taken a turn for the worse. My boss's boss, who doesn't even manage the store, has been coming in and changing everything. First, my discount was cut from 50% to 20%, and then I lost the ability to shop at the store unless items had been there for 24 hours. They also changed the time card system, so now I have to actually work from 8 to 3:30 or risk losing pay. The rules keep changing, and it feels like nobody knows what they're doing. I recently let my parents know about an item we had that they were interested in, and my boss freaked out on me, even though I didn’t buy it. Now, my family can’t buy anything within the first 24 hours. Meanwhile, my boss and coworkers are allowed to take items home without paying. I feel like I'm constantly being reprimanded and that my boss doesn't trust me at all. It’s miserable; I’m not getting the training I need, and I feel like I’m doing less than I was two months ago. To top it all off, I had to clean up raw sewage from a flooded bathroom without any protective equipment, which my family is furious about. My mom wants me to get tested, but I’m worried about causing more issues at work. I also run a small business on the side, which pays me more than this job does. My boss is supposed to retire at the end of the year, and while I was initially hopeful about taking over her position, I’m starting to think that won't happen. I’m friends with another part-time manager who shares my frustrations, but she’s not willing to speak up. I’m at a crossroads: if I quit now, my friend can train my replacement, but if I stay, I feel like I’m just causing more damage. What should I do?

I accepted a job offer for a support role three weeks ago and immediately gave notice at my current job. My start date was initially set for July 8, but two days before that, the recruiter informed me that onboarding was delayed until July 15. Just yesterday, I received another email stating that the team is still finalizing headcount and may need another week. When I inquired about the guarantee of my offer, the response was vague, only mentioning that they are 'optimistic.' Since my old job has already filled my position, I can't go back. I have another interview scheduled for Friday, but I feel conflicted about continuing my job search after signing an offer. Should I keep applying until I have a confirmed start date, or wait one more week to see if things get sorted out?

I recently posted on Nextdoor offering my services in photo and video editing, as well as social media management, since I'm currently looking for ways to earn some income. I have over five years of experience in this field, even though I don't have a formal degree. A real estate agent reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in becoming his executive assistant. The role would involve organizing events, handling paperwork, and managing his social media, along with some other tasks. We’re scheduled to meet at his office tomorrow, where he will explain his expectations in more detail. He mentioned that the job would offer a flexible schedule, allowing me to work mostly online, which is perfect since I'm a stay-at-home mom with a two-year-old and another baby on the way next month. However, I'm unsure how much to charge him for my services. I would appreciate any advice on what a fair monthly rate would be for this type of work.

I was recently let go from my position at a mid-sized tech company after I raised concerns about inconsistencies in my Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) to HR. It was a tough situation, as I was just trying to advocate for myself and ensure fairness in the process. Now, the company is offering me a severance package, but it comes with the condition that I waive my legal rights. I'm weighing my options and considering whether to consult a lawyer to understand the implications of this offer. The severance amount is a significant factor in my decision-making process.

I've been working as a social worker (MSW) for almost two years now, and I'm feeling the urge for a change. The job is quite demanding, making it tough to apply for new positions while still employed. I want to focus on finding a role that is strictly therapy-related. I'm considering the option of quitting my job, taking about a month off, and then diving into the job search. However, I'm worried about how much harder it might be to get hired without a current job. One upside is that I could use my supervisors as references without the awkwardness of still being employed here. I'm looking for advice on whether this is a good strategy or if I should stick it out a bit longer.

I was fired from a job I held for only four months three years ago, and it has left a lasting impact on my confidence. I was working in a case management role that was new to the agency, and they had no clear expectations. Despite my efforts to adapt and learn, I was let go without any real explanation. This experience was devastating for me, and I still struggle with feelings of inadequacy because of it. Since then, I have worked hard to rebuild my career. I completed a successful internship with a state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, where my supervisor praised my performance. I also secured a scholarship that requires me to complete payback hours in the field. Recently, I received an offer for a full-time position, but I’m terrified that my past termination will affect my chances of being hired. I plan to be honest about my history, but I worry that it will haunt me during the hiring process. I just want to move forward and prove that I have grown since that experience.

I started a part-time program management position three weeks ago and I'm already contemplating quitting. Before this, I was a stay-at-home mom with my toddler and took this job as my severance pay was running out and my daughter was starting daycare. However, the role has not been what I expected. It was advertised as a support position, but I quickly realized I’m expected to manage independently, making decisions that I don’t feel qualified to make. On my first day, I found out that I wouldn’t have a proper handover from the previous employee, who went on maternity leave just before I started. This has left me scrambling to catch up and understand her decisions, with no guidance from anyone else. My manager has been on PTO since my second week and won’t return for three weeks, leaving me without support. I’ve reached out to him for help, but he admitted he doesn’t know much either. My husband believes we can manage on his salary while I figure things out, but I’ve never quit a job this quickly before and I’m worried I might be making a hasty decision. I’d love to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

I’m organizing a hiking group for those who have been laid off or are currently job searching. This Monday, July 13, I’ll be leading a hike at Wildcat Canyon in El Cerrito, CA. It’s a great opportunity to clear your head and connect with others in similar situations. We’ll be hiking a 5-mile loop with a 1,070 ft elevation gain, starting at 10:30 am. If you're interested in joining, let me know!

I recently found myself in a tough situation and need to secure a well-paying job within the next year to keep my pets. A few weeks ago, my life took an unexpected turn, and I had to put my pets in a foster situation. My goal is to find a job that pays around $50,000 to $60,000 a year, as I need to pay off debts and find an apartment that costs about $1,300 in rent. I'm open to almost any job, except for trades and coding, as I want to avoid physically grueling work. I'm looking for options that require only a few months of schooling or minimal experience. So far, I've only been close to securing jobs that pay around $20 an hour, which isn't enough. Any advice or suggestions on career paths or certifications that could help me achieve my goal would be greatly appreciated.

I’m a 26-year-old male living in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, and I’ve been struggling to find a job. I’ve applied to numerous positions across the city but have received little to no responses, and the few I did get ended in rejection. My background includes security experience and retail roles at Home Depot and AT&T. I’m particularly interested in customer service positions, but I’m feeling lost on how to improve my chances of landing a job. I would really appreciate any advice or tips on what steps I should take next. Thank you!

I recently faced a frustrating situation where a job offer I received was rescinded after I was informed that I did not pass the drug screen and background check. I am confident that I am clean and do not engage in any substance use; I don't smoke or drink. I had signed all the necessary documents and was excited about the opportunity, but just a few days later, I received an email stating that the offer was withdrawn due to these tests. It left me completely bewildered. I'm considering reaching out to the company that conducted the background check to see if I can obtain a copy of the report, as I suspect something may have gone wrong there. It's incredibly disheartening to think that my clean record might be misrepresented.

I had a Zoom interview this morning for a position at a corporate office. During the interview, I was offered a follow-up in-person interview for tomorrow, but I was told I would receive a confirmation email with the time and location. It's now the end of the day, and I still haven't received that email. I did some research and found the office location, and I know a time was mentioned during the interview, but nothing official has come through yet. I reached out to the recruiter for clarification, but I haven't heard back. I'm torn on whether I should just go to the office tomorrow without the confirmation. It's frustrating not having that official communication.

I was laid off today after nearly 20 years in the tech industry as a software developer. I’ve been in this field since the early 1990s and spent about 16 of those years with a fantastic privately-owned company. The CEO, who was also the owner, treated us well, and even though we were paid below market rates, I loved my job and the people I worked with. Unfortunately, everything changed when the company was sold to private equity about three years ago. Just 12 hours ago, I received the news via a Zoom meeting, joining many of my colleagues who have faced layoffs in waves over the past 36 months. I can’t shake the feeling that a storm is brewing in the tech industry. I have a strong suspicion that when the AI bubble bursts, it could be more catastrophic than the dot-com crash or even the 2008 financial crisis, as the hype is now deeply rooted in various sectors including tech, finance, and energy. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time for me to step away from the tech industry and explore what’s next. I still have many working years ahead of me, and I’d prefer to invest that time in building a new path rather than waiting for the next corporate restructuring or acquisition. My experience in tech has been invaluable, but it has also made me realize the importance of moving on.

I got fired today without any warning, and I’m still reeling from it. The emotions are all over the place—betrayal, hurt, anger—you name it. I’ve cried multiple times because I loved working with the kids and it breaks my heart that I didn’t get to say goodbye to them. The way they handled my termination was unprofessional and just plain messed up. I was a full-time college student doing this job for extra income, but it turned into a nightmare. They had us working 17 hours a day but only paid us for 7, which was exhausting. I was barely eating, struggling to get in 700 calories a day, and I was only getting about 4-5 hours of sleep. I can’t seem to shake this awful feeling off my mind. I know I’m not alone in this, but it still feels so heavy. I plan to update this entry tomorrow with more details about what happened. Right now, I just need to process everything.