Planning

After a long and challenging year of searching for work, I finally landed a short contract job! The job market has been incredibly tough, and finding a full-time position feels nearly impossible right now. This new role is only for 2-3 months, working on a specific project, but I'm grateful to have it. I have about a year of combined experience, and I spent two years unemployed after graduating. I was fortunate to secure this position because of my specific experience with the software required for the job. While I'm not overly excited about the short duration, I hope to gain new references and skills during this time.

It's been a while since my last update, and I wanted to share my journey. The job I had from February to May didn't work out as I had hoped. I often felt unnecessary and had to ask for tasks to do, which was frustrating. For instance, I spent time putting information into a SOW template on Canva for a potential client, but they ultimately decided not to move forward, leaving me with little to show for my efforts. I ended up doing no work for an entire month except for attending a monthly client meeting. In May, I had a check-in with my former supervisor, where I expressed my concerns about my lack of engagement. She acknowledged that the role had changed from what I was initially hired for and wished me well, which I appreciated. From May to the end of June, I focused on applying for new positions. I experienced a mix of interviews, ghosting, and rejections. At one point, I even considered applying for AI training jobs just to earn some income. On June 24th, I applied for a part-time Digital Marketing Assistant Manager position with a virtual assistant company I found on LinkedIn. The hiring process was quite extensive, involving an interview with the Digital Marketing Manager, a take-home assignment, a live Reel creation based on a prompt, and a final interview with the owner. I was aware that this was a lot of work, but the manager explained it was necessary due to past hires not performing well. I received an offer in early August and started on August 10th. So far, it’s been a positive experience. My new team is supportive, and I'm actively participating in weekly meetings and training sessions for client accounts. Although I'm earning less than my previous job, I’m now in a position that values my contributions and pays me as a contractor. While this role isn't in my desired industry, I'm determined to work hard and eventually transition back to my preferred field. I have a year before I need to secure my own health insurance, so I plan to network and apply for full-time positions between August 2025 and June 2026. If you made it this far, thanks for reading! Here's a cookie for your effort! 🍪

I’m currently enrolled in a Practicum in Entrepreneurship course, and I’m on the hunt for a job. The deadline for securing a position is this Thursday, and I submitted an application to a retail store over the weekend. I understand that it takes time for companies to respond, but I’m contemplating whether I should reach out to them for an update. I’m worried that contacting them might come off as aggressive or leave a bad impression. If I don’t hear back after the interview, I plan to ask my counselor for an extension. If that’s not possible, I may have to drop out of the course and take a local credit like office aid instead. I’d appreciate any advice on how to handle this situation.

I recently graduated with my MS by Research in June 2026 and have been on the job hunt since May. I've sent out over 1,000 applications for roles in Applied AI, Machine Learning Engineering, and Data Science, but I’m struggling to gain any traction. My background includes work with LLMs, multimodal AI, agentic systems, and ML pipelines, yet the responses have been minimal. I've been proactive on LinkedIn, reaching out for referrals, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm targeting the wrong roles, if my resume or application strategy is flawed, or if I should be focusing more on networking, projects, or interview preparation. I’m not looking for reassurance; I genuinely want honest feedback on what I should change. Am I realistically competitive for ML/AI positions as a recent graduate? Any advice on how to improve my approach would be greatly appreciated.

I recently received an offer letter for a position after my second interview last week, which I signed right away. However, today I was informed that I'm ineligible for rehire due to a "job abandonment" issue related to a position I was fired from in 2022. This situation is really confusing for me, especially since it happened four years ago and I haven't had any contact with the company since then, aside from receiving job offers from them. What’s baffling is that they extended an offer to me despite this alleged issue, and now it feels like a sudden reversal without any explanation. I'm left wondering why this would come up after they had already committed to hiring me. I’m also curious if there’s any chance this decision can be reversed. I’ve been advised to reach out to HR for clarification, as it seems like there might have been a mistake or oversight on their part. I'm considering explaining the situation regarding the no-call, no-show, which I believe was misrepresented. It’s frustrating to think that a background check could have flagged something that should have been cleared up long ago. I plan to call HR and speak with someone directly to get to the bottom of this.

I have been receiving unemployment benefits since June, but I recently had foot surgery last week. Although I am technically weight bearing, I need to minimize my activity for the first week, and since it's my driving foot, I won't be able to drive for about six weeks. I could take on remote work, which I was doing before June, but I'm unsure if I should claim that I'm too injured to work. I'm considering switching from unemployment to short-term disability and want to understand how my benefits would change if I make that switch.

I recently lost my warehouse job due to my anger issues, which has been a recurring problem for me. This is the second time I've faced this situation, and I’m starting to feel really stuck. I graduated with a history degree six years ago, but I haven't found a way to utilize it in my career. The job market in my area seems limited to telemarketing, sales team leadership, or assistant manager roles, none of which appeal to me. I’m trying to avoid jobs that require a lot of interaction with people since I know my temper can get the best of me. I’ve been thinking about what kind of work I can do that keeps me away from constant social interaction. I’ve considered roles in physical labor or jobs that allow me to work more independently, like restocking shelves or handyman services. However, I know that to find any job, I need to learn to manage my anger better. It’s frustrating because I feel like I’m at a standstill, and I really want to make progress in my career while also taking care of my mental health.

I recently applied for a position at a small company and was surprised when they reached out the very next day to schedule an interview. I expected a standard HR screening call, but instead, I was set up with the director of the department, who would be my direct supervisor. The interview went really well, but I didn’t get to discuss basic HR-related questions, particularly about salary, because the director didn’t have that information and it felt out of place in our conversation. Now, I’m moving forward in the interview process with an executive, who I assume is the final decision-maker for the role. While I’m excited about this opportunity, I’ve never gone through a hiring process without an initial HR screening. I’m wondering if this is a red flag or if it’s common for smaller companies. I want to ensure that we’re aligned on salary expectations before any offers are made, but I’m hesitant to reach out to the HR person I’ve been in contact with because I don’t want to jeopardize my chances of getting the job. Has anyone else experienced a similar situation? How did it turn out for you?

I was recently laid off from my contractor position in New York, which came as a surprise since management had assured me just a few months prior that my role was secured for another five years. I had already booked a family vacation for the next two weeks, and now I'm in a bit of a bind since it's too late to cancel the trip. I'm currently on unemployment and haven't received any callbacks during my first week of searching for a new job. I'm unsure how to approach this if I get an interview soon; I want to be honest about my plans but also need to comply with unemployment regulations. Specifically, I'm worried about how to answer the question about availability when certifying for benefits. Any advice on how to handle this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I recently joined a new job straight out of school, but I've been feeling pretty dissatisfied with it after just four months. The responsibilities I was promised during the interview don't match what I'm actually doing, and it's been frustrating. For the past couple of months, I've left this job off my resume while applying for new positions, but I'm starting to wonder if I should include it. Some people suggest that leaving it off is fine since it's such a short time, while others think it might be better to include it to avoid any issues with employment verification later. I'm torn between wanting to be honest about my experience and not wanting to highlight a position I'm not happy with.

I recently returned to my role in program development and PR at a nonprofit after maternity leave, and my boss has proposed a "personal performance plan" for me. This came up about three months after I returned, during my first week back, which has made me a bit anxious. We have a meeting scheduled in 2-3 weeks to discuss it, but so far, no concrete plan has been established. I've learned that my boss has been implementing similar plans with other staff while I was away, which makes me feel slightly reassured that I'm not the only one in this situation. I did receive my usual cost-of-living adjustment after returning, but it didn't seem to be tied to performance. My main concern is the timing of this plan and whether it indicates any underlying issues with my performance. I haven't received any formal warnings or negative feedback, so I'm unsure if this is meant to be a developmental tool or something more serious like a performance improvement plan. I'm contemplating whether I should be worried about this and if I should start looking for other job opportunities. My boss mentioned that this plan is intended to support our mutual career growth, but I'm still feeling uncertain. Any advice or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated!

I recently ran into a frustrating situation with my unemployment benefits in New York. On August 4th, I accidentally certified for weekly benefits for the period of July 26 to August 1 while using a VPN. I had just started a free trial of Avast and didn't think it would be an issue. However, I received an error message indicating that I was trying to certify from outside the country, which I later learned was due to the VPN. I turned off the VPN and certified again without issues. The next morning, I woke up to find that all my claim payments were on hold. I was instructed to complete an out-of-country questionnaire to have my payments reinstated. I submitted the questionnaire along with proof of my VPN usage, my passport, and bank statements on August 5th, but I haven't heard back since then. Getting in touch with the unemployment claims line has been nearly impossible. I've called multiple times at different hours, but the line just hangs up on me without even offering to put me on hold. I can't send messages through their online system either, as the text box is grayed out or my messages just disappear after I hit send. I'm really anxious about this situation since I haven't received any payments in over four weeks now. I plan to visit the UI office in person this week to get an update, as I want to ensure everything is in order and that I will be paid. I’ve seen posts from others who faced similar issues, but many of those were during COVID, and I’m worried about the timeline for resolution. Any advice or insights from others who have been through this would be greatly appreciated!

I had a job interview two weeks ago for a position that I was really excited about. The following week, I was invited back to the office to meet the team and discuss the role in more detail. During my visit, I met everyone and had in-depth conversations with the two interviewers I had initially met. I also had my first meeting with the boss, where I shared more about my background and experience. It felt like a strong interaction, and I believe she hinted at offering me the job, mentioning that I seemed like a good fit and that I would receive forms to fill out soon. Now, it's been a few days since that meeting, and while I know it's reasonable to wait, I'm feeling anxious because my current boss is going on vacation for two weeks. I want to confirm the new position before I inform him that I'm leaving, but I don't want to seem pushy by following up too soon. I'm worried that maybe I misinterpreted the conversation or that they might change their mind. I’m considering sending a follow-up email to express my enthusiasm and ask about the timeline for the offer, but I want to make sure I do it in a way that doesn't come off as presumptuous. Any advice on how to approach this would be appreciated!

I recently found out that a colleague was let go about a month ago, and there hasn't been any communication regarding her replacement. She was a significant contributor to our team, but her frequent unresponsiveness via phone and Teams ultimately led to her dismissal. Now, her workload has been redistributed among the remaining team members, and we were already struggling before her departure. I'm concerned about the lack of updates from management on whether they plan to hire someone new. The stress is palpable, and with our current hourly status, we can't work overtime to manage the increased workload. I just want to ensure we keep up with our responsibilities without falling behind. It's frustrating to see no action from upper management, and I worry that this could lead to further turnover if things don't improve.

I'm a recent college graduate looking to relocate for work. I've decided to move out of my home state and have started applying for jobs in other states. Given my limited full-time experience, I know that it's unlikely any employer will cover my relocation expenses, so I’m relying on my savings to help with the move. I estimate that it will take me at least a month to find an apartment, get a car, and settle in. I'm curious about how to discuss a start date with potential employers since I’ll be relocating. What is the typical timeline between accepting a job offer and starting work? I worry that suggesting a later start date might hurt my chances against local candidates, yet I’m being transparent about my out-of-state status in my applications. I've been getting interviews, and I’m eager to hear from anyone who has successfully moved for a job early in their career. Any insights on the process and timeline would be greatly appreciated!

I’m feeling really lost in my job search right now. I’ve been working since I was 14, and I currently have two jobs, but I just can’t seem to find any balance. It seems like everyone else can manage work and still have a life, while I’m overwhelmed. I’m looking for job recommendations that offer 3 to 4 days a week with full-time hours because I still need to pay my bills. I recently started a customer service position that will eventually be hybrid, but right now it’s a lot of work and I have to wait months for the transition. I want something more laid back, but I also want to learn and grow within a company. I have a degree in digital communications, but without any internship experience, finding a job in that field has been tough. I’m really hoping for some honest opinions and advice on what to do next.

I had my final interview for a new position exactly one week ago, where I would be working with a colleague I already know well. It felt like a sure thing based on our discussions, and they even mentioned wanting to start the onboarding process today. I've been working hard to wrap up my current projects in anticipation. However, the final decision rests with a higher-up who has been dealing with a personal emergency and hasn't been in the office. They initially aimed to get back to me by the end of last week, but I haven't heard anything yet. I'm really anxious to follow up, but I don't want to come off as pushy, especially since they mentioned the start date could be pushed back due to new funding. I just want to know if it's appropriate to reach out at this point.

I've been struggling to find a job since I ran out of unemployment benefits this month. I've sent out dozens of applications daily, but I'm lucky if I hear back from 1% of them. I've utilized unemployment services, attended resume workshops, and participated in job fairs, but nothing seems to work. I have a bachelor's degree in computer science, graduating cum laude at the age of 27. My work experience includes several months as an area manager at Amazon and a year at a finance company testing their AI system before being laid off. Now, I'm applying for any job I can find, not just in tech or office roles, but even fast food positions like McDonald's, and I'm still not getting interviews. I'm currently living with my fiancé in a basement apartment, struggling to make car payments and pay off debt from my time at Amazon. My savings are nearly depleted, and while I do DoorDash in my small town, it's not enough to cover my expenses. I'm feeling hopeless and could really use some advice on how to turn this around.

Today, I had to send in my RIF documents, which was a bittersweet moment for me. The HR representative who handled my exit was the same person who initially welcomed me to the company, which made it all the more emotional. I'm relieved to be leaving behind the toxic environment created by our GM. One of my most vivid memories of him was during a team meeting when he made a deeply offensive joke about paying for permits on Tribal Land. He said something along the lines of, 'We made them walk the Trail of Tears and now they’re making us pay cash for it.' This was particularly hurtful as one of my teammates is Native American, and it was just a thoughtless and cruel comment. It’s frustrating to think that the company allows such behavior to persist. I feel like I’ve dodged a bullet by leaving, and I’m ready to move on to better opportunities.

I recently completed two interviews with a bank for a position I was really excited about. I received positive feedback and was invited to a third and final interview, but since then, I've been completely ghosted. It's been quite shocking for me, as I've never experienced this before in my job search. I'm left wondering if this is a normal part of the hiring process, especially in today's job market. I've seen others mention similar experiences, but it still feels disheartening. I thought I had a strong chance after the interviews, so the silence is really confusing. I'm considering following up soon to see if I can get any clarity on my application status.