Planning

I was laid off twice this year, which has been quite a rollercoaster. The first layoff happened in early January when my entire team was let go due to an acquisition after I had spent about four years with the company. After that, it took me four months to find a new job, and I finally started a new position in April. Unfortunately, I was laid off again at the end of August due to budget cuts. My boss was really upset about it, and I was too, especially since I had seen others who had just joined being let go and thought I was safe. Currently, I have both positions listed on my resume, with '(layoff)' noted next to the end date for each. I'm unsure if this is the right approach or if I should just remove those jobs altogether. I'm still early in my job search and have had one phone screening that I thought went well, but I received a rejection just two days later. The company had a small HR team, and while the recruiter mentioned she would talk to the hiring manager, I’m left wondering what went wrong. I'm trying to manage my expectations and not get too excited about potential opportunities anymore.

I recently applied for a mid-level role at my local city government in a rural town with a population of about 100,000. I submitted my application early on a Monday morning, right when I noticed the listing. I wasn't sure how late I was to apply since the posting was only on their site and the date wasn't mentioned. To my surprise, by 1pm that same day, I received an email confirming that my application had passed the initial screening and was forwarded to the department manager for further review. They mentioned I should expect to hear back in about 1-2 weeks. This is a significant improvement from a few months ago when I applied for a very entry-level position with the same city and was completely ghosted. At that time, I was still finishing up my bachelor's degree. Since then, I've graduated and completed a 12-week internship, which I hope strengthens my application. I'm aware that competition might be tough, especially since it's a college town, but I'm feeling optimistic about the possibility of getting an interview. It was nice to receive a personalized email updating me on my application status, which definitely makes the process feel more engaging. I'm looking forward to potentially scheduling an interview next week!

I recently found out that I'm getting laid off from my job. While I'm not looking for advice on the specifics of the layoff, I'm trying to figure out how to spend my time effectively once I'm unemployed. I have a severance package and Employment Insurance that will last me close to 18 months, so I'm not immediately worried about finances. Aside from job searching and reskilling, I'm curious about what other activities I could engage in during this period. I'm looking for suggestions on how to stay productive and make the most of my time.

I've been struggling in the job market for the past year, applying for 15 different positions, including multiple interviews and pre-interview exams. One of the most frustrating experiences was spending 6 hours on unpaid exams for a part-time children's English tutor role. It feels like companies are taking advantage of our desperation. Despite having a bachelor's degree and two years of professional experience, the only job I've landed is a food service position at a bar. This has been my biggest win this year, and I only got it after six months of searching. I've had to move an hour away from my current jobs due to the high cost of living, and I constantly juggle my time between work and interviews that often lead to rejections. I feel hopeless and trapped in this system, where it seems like we're barely above being slaves.

Today marks one year since I completed my PhD in Human Geography with a focus on Regional Development. I've been struggling to secure a job since then, and I'm open to any role that can help me make ends meet. My background includes a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning and over 7 years of experience in research, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement, particularly in areas like spatial and environmental planning, climate change adaptation, sustainability, and transnational regional development. I'm currently based in South Africa and feeling quite frustrated with the job search process. I'm even considering roles outside my field, like delivery jobs, just to get some income.

I recently found myself in a bit of a dilemma after quitting a minimum wage job just two days in. Today, I reached out to see if I could come back, and to my surprise, they said yes. However, I've since found another job opportunity that I would prefer to take. I'm unsure how to communicate this to the first employer without coming off as flaky or unprofessional. I want to be honest but also maintain a good impression. Any advice on how to handle this situation?

I graduated in May and have been actively searching for jobs since March. So far, I've only landed one interview, which was for a networking position at Dell. My primary focus has been on applying for Software Engineering roles, as I completed two experiential classes in that field. However, I'm starting to feel like I might be overlooking other job types that could be more open to hiring someone without professional experience, since it seems like every listing emphasizes that requirement. I'm considering whether my previous experience at AMC could be leveraged, as I've heard companies often prefer to rehire former employees who are familiar with their operations. I'm hoping to find a path that allows me to gain the necessary experience while also aligning with my skills.

I was recently fired from my job at a large company in Massachusetts after applying for a second ADA-accommodated leave for surgery. I've been with the company for 6 years, and this situation has left me feeling frustrated and hurt. After having a baby in late 2025, I took my state paid leave and bonding time. Unfortunately, I developed a condition that required surgery on both of my hands. My first surgery took place in July, and I had applied for a second leave under ADA for my upcoming surgery scheduled for early September. While my first leave was approved, I was shocked to learn that my second request was denied. I only found out about the denial after contacting the third-party leave administrator, as my employer had not informed me. In the days following the denial, I reached out to HR, my boss, and the leave administrator, but received no clear answers. Eventually, I was invited to a Zoom meeting where I was told that I had exhausted my leave options and that my current leave was denied because the office was busy and they needed to fill my position. They mentioned that I could reapply for my job next month. I suggested postponing my surgery to return to work, but they insisted that I could not come back and would have to reapply. They ended the meeting without providing any concrete answers about my employment status. I feel like after all my hard work, I was treated unfairly, and I'm questioning the legality of their actions. It seems like they should have made an effort to find a solution rather than terminating my employment outright. I sent an email to everyone involved to confirm my employment status, but the only response I received was a vague acknowledgment.

I was laid off after 13 years with my employer due to a restructuring on Tuesday morning. I've spent 22 years in the same industry, and this change has hit me hard, especially since I'm based in Western Canada. Just six months ago, I settled my divorce, which left me with significant spousal and child support payments that are quite high given my previous income. Thankfully, the severance package I received is generous enough to sustain me for about a year without needing to rely on employment insurance. However, the fear and anxiety I'm feeling are overwhelming. I have a nine-year-old son, and while I have a good co-parenting relationship with his mother, the thought of providing for him during this uncertain time terrifies me. I've started applying for jobs, but it’s only been a few days since the layoff, and the weight of this situation is heavy. I'm sending positive thoughts to everyone else facing similar challenges.

I called a local dispensary yesterday because I heard they were hiring. They took my name and number, promising to pass it along to the hiring team. I'm really eager about this opportunity since it's exactly what I'm looking for, especially as I'm trying to secure a mortgage after some complications. I'm considering following up soon, but I'm not sure when the best time would be. I received some advice suggesting to wait two working days, so I’m thinking about reaching out again on Tuesday morning. I just want to make sure I handle this correctly.

I was laid off just three months into my new role as a senior hire at a very small company. Honestly, I'm still in shock. From the start, I sensed that the founder wasn't fully convinced about my fit for the position, and I never really got the senior-level visibility into projects that I expected. It felt more like I was just an individual contributor, primarily supporting my manager's career rather than leading my own initiatives. Now, I'm left unsure about how to position myself for future roles and what steps to take next.

I recently completed a background check through ScreeningOne as part of my job application process. The online form was a bit confusing; it required me to list my address history for the past seven years. However, I've lived at my current address for much longer than that. The form didn't have an option for 'current' or 'N/A' for the move-out date, which forced me to enter a specific month and year. I ended up putting yesterday's date as my move-out date, and now I'm feeling anxious that this might raise a red flag and jeopardize my job offer. I hope everything turns out okay.

I recently faced a significant change at my job when my company decided to relocate from California to Texas. I chose not to move with them, and now I'm contemplating my next steps. I'm considering asking my employer to classify my departure as either a retirement or a voluntary resignation. I'm aware that retirement might allow me to access certain benefits, but I'm unsure how either option would affect my eligibility for unemployment benefits. It's frustrating because I would have stayed with the company if they hadn't made the decision to relocate.

I was let go from my entry-level purchasing job after only six weeks, and I'm trying to make sense of it all. At 27, I thought I had a decent shot at building a career in procurement, especially since I enjoyed the tasks like negotiating with vendors and managing purchase orders. However, I had no prior experience in purchasing when I was hired, and I was still in the training phase, learning everything from the computer system to vendor communication. The work environment was quite chaotic, with a boss who had been there for decades and a culture that included yelling and inappropriate jokes. I felt like the training was more about being shown things once and then expected to pick them up quickly, rather than having a structured onboarding process. I knew I wasn't as fast as the seasoned employees, but I thought I was still within the normal learning curve. Things took a turn when I called out sick one day, and later that same day, I was terminated. The reason given was that I wasn't progressing at the expected pace, and there were concerns about my performance. I was surprised, especially after a sympathetic conversation with HR, who acknowledged that I was still learning. Afterward, I spoke with a former employee who had similar experiences with the training and environment, which made me question whether my termination was entirely about my performance. I recognize that I need to hold myself accountable too, as this isn't the first job that hasn't worked out for me. Moving forward, I plan to actively seek feedback from my manager in the early weeks of my next job instead of assuming everything is fine. Now I'm wondering if six weeks is a reasonable timeframe for someone with no prior experience to get up to speed in a purchasing role. What should I ask in future interviews to ensure that the company has a solid training program and realistic expectations for new hires?

I am currently seeking a referral for a position at Databricks. I found an opening that aligns with my skills, and I'm curious if getting a referral is more advantageous than applying directly through the company website. If anyone who works at Databricks could assist me with a referral, I would greatly appreciate it.

I’m a 22-year-old male with a B Tech in Computer Science, and I recently lost my job as a trader in the money markets after 1.5 years due to two quarters of poor performance. Since being laid off last month, I've been actively job hunting and applying to as many positions as I can find. I’ve also taken the CFA Level 1 exam, but I’m still waiting for the results. In the meantime, I’ve built several financial models, conducted a sector analysis report, and created a couple of equity research reports to keep my skills sharp. The challenge I’m facing now is that interview preparation doesn’t take up my entire day, and I’m feeling a bit lost about what to do with my time until I secure my next job.

I was laid off about three months ago from my position as the Branch Manager at a major electronics retailer in Hyderabad. In my role, I was responsible for the full P&L of the store, overseeing a team of over 85 sales and operations personnel, and consistently maintaining a multi-crore monthly revenue run-rate. My background includes extensive experience in B2B sales, growth, and digital marketing across various companies prior to my time in large-format consumer electronics retail. The job search since May has been incredibly challenging. I've been applying to dozens of positions every week, but most responses have been automated rejections or notifications of hiring freezes after initial recruiter screenings. I've noticed that many recruiters have difficulty bridging the gap between large-format retail operations and the needs of modern D2C, e-commerce, or tech-enabled businesses. With monthly expenses piling up and my emergency fund dwindling, I'm eager to return to a role where I can make a significant impact. I bring a wealth of experience in large-scale retail and electronics operations, including P&L ownership, inventory control, and driving high-ticket sales. I've successfully managed and trained a diverse team of retail associates and have a strong background in omnichannel strategies, digital marketing, and CRM management. I'm targeting roles in Retail Operations Leadership such as Area Manager or Store General Manager, as well as opportunities in E-commerce and Quick Commerce like City Head or Hub Operations Lead. I'm also interested in positions with electrical and electronics D2C brands, focusing on offline retail expansion. Currently, I'm based in Hyderabad but I'm open to on-site roles immediately and would also consider opportunities in Bangalore or remote/hybrid positions across India. If anyone has leads, referrals, or connections with hiring managers in retail operations, e-commerce, or consumer tech, I would greatly appreciate your help. I'm happy to share my resume and LinkedIn profile.

I've applied to over 800 developer jobs and I'm honestly feeling broken. Despite having a solid tech stack that includes React, Next.js, Node.js, Express, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Redis, WebSockets, TypeScript, Docker, Git, Cloudflare, Jest, and Turborepo, I haven't had much luck. I'm currently building a real-time multiplayer quiz app that features rooms, a lobby, ready states, and real-time gameplay, but it seems like my efforts aren't translating into job offers. I'm reaching out for honest feedback on my resume and GitHub project because I genuinely don't know what I'm doing wrong. I’m not looking for motivation; I just need constructive criticism to improve my chances.

I'm currently facing a tough decision regarding a job offer. I graduated with a degree in microbiology two years ago and have been struggling to find a position in my field. My resume only reflects two part-time jobs as a barista, and I'm currently earning minimum wage. Recently, I received an offer for a three-month contract as a lab assistant, which pays $25 an hour, but it's only part-time, requiring me to work 2-3 hours a day from Monday to Friday. The commute is an additional challenge, as it takes me 30 minutes each way, plus I have to pay a toll for the bridge. I'm considering this opportunity mainly to gain relevant experience to enhance my resume, but I'm conflicted about whether it's worth it given the limited hours and the commute costs.

I recently went through a confusing and upsetting experience during my training for a medical office administrator position. After a promising interview with the manager, Samantha, I was invited to start training immediately, with the understanding that it would be paid. However, things took a turn when I was informed that my training would extend beyond the initial days planned. From the start, my assigned trainer, Veronica, seemed unfriendly and passive-aggressive. Her demeanor made me uncomfortable, and I often felt belittled by her comments, despite my efforts to perform well. I managed to complete all assigned tasks and even worked ahead, feeling confident in my abilities. However, on the last day of my training, I approached Samantha to discuss the employment contract, as we had previously agreed. Her reaction was unexpectedly negative, and after speaking with Veronica, she told me I was "not qualified" for the position. This was shocking to me, especially since I had been performing well and received no prior negative feedback. Walking out, I felt disappointed and confused about how things had escalated so quickly. It was disheartening to see Veronica suddenly friendly with others while I was left feeling dismissed. I can't understand how I went from being in a paid training program to being told I was not a fit, especially after successfully completing my tasks.