Planning

I had a second interview for a position that I initially applied for but ended up being considered for a higher role. The first interview went really well, so I was optimistic. During the second interview, which was a quick Zoom call, the interviewer asked me about my salary expectations. I was caught off guard because I had no idea what the position typically pays, especially since I couldn't find any information online. I ended up guessing a number that turned out to be on the higher end. The interviewer then proposed a lower amount, and I agreed to it, but I'm now questioning whether I should have pushed back or if I might have undervalued myself. I also mentioned needing two weeks to transition from my current job, and she advised me not to put in my notice yet since they are still finalizing job offer letters. This left me feeling a bit anxious about my chances of landing the job. I'm really hoping I get an offer soon, as I genuinely need this opportunity.

I am an entry-level ServiceNow developer from India, and I've recently completed training through the Rise Up by ServiceNow program. I hold CSA and CIS-DF certifications and I'm aiming to achieve CAD, CIS-ITSM, and CSM certifications by the end of September. Despite my efforts, I am struggling to find job opportunities for freshers like myself. I am actively seeking referrals and any suggestions that could assist me in my job search. To enhance my skills, I developed a custom application during my training and I'm planning another project to showcase my abilities. As a 2024 graduate, I feel stuck, and my career gap isn't helping my situation. However, I've been keeping busy with internships and upskilling over the past two years.

I was recently let go from my position as a sales representative at a wholesale company where I had worked for several years. My journey started as a single mother with two young kids, and after my mother unexpectedly passed away shortly after I was hired, I struggled to maintain my work schedule. My boss allowed me to come in later, but I faced significant challenges, including a hostile work environment where my colleagues tried to get me fired during meetings I wasn't even present for. Despite the difficulties, I took on a lot of responsibilities, often working from home without pay and putting in extra hours on weekends to keep up with the demands of my job. I made substantial contributions, like reorganizing our warehouse and creating a product catalog from scratch, despite having no prior experience with such tasks. However, after a corporate restructuring and the hiring of a new colleague whom I trained, I was suddenly fired. The reasons given were vague, focusing on my tardiness and alleged poor performance, which I strongly disagree with. My branch manager was supportive of my work, and even customers expressed their disappointment at my termination. On the day I was let go, I noticed that all the messages from my corporate manager that had previously been ignored were deleted from our company chat, which raises serious concerns for me. I'm considering reaching out to an employment lawyer because it feels like I was treated unfairly. I truly loved my job and put in a lot of effort to excel, so this situation is incredibly disheartening.

As a senior consultant with four years of experience at my current company, I've been reflecting on my skillset and its marketability. My main tools have been Power BI, Excel, and Knime, with a basic knowledge of SQL from my studies but no real-world application. Recently, I've taken on a project management role unofficially, leading a project alongside a teammate. However, I've been feeling anxious about my future job prospects, especially since I've been told that my skills are quite basic in today's job market. I'm planning to relocate to Dubai soon, but I'm uncertain about how to secure a job there with my current qualifications. I've attempted to learn Python to broaden my skillset, but I've struggled with motivation and lack of practical projects to apply what I've learned. I'm seeking advice on additional skills I should pursue or ways to enhance my current situation. Additionally, if anyone has insights into the job market for consultants in Dubai or KSA, I would greatly appreciate your guidance. Thank you!

I feel like I'm being replaced at my agency due to my pregnancy. I was initially told that I was being offered a direct hire role, but when it came time to sign the paperwork, they switched it to temp-to-hire, saying they hoped to hire me permanently in six months if I performed well. I took the job because I needed it and I’ve been excelling, receiving consistent praise and never taking time off. They had no idea I was pregnant since I work from home. Once I reached six months, I decided to disclose my pregnancy, as it felt deceptive to hide it any longer. I requested 8 weeks of unpaid leave starting the day before my scheduled C-section, and they agreed. However, the company I’m contracted to asked for a detailed list of all my projects and trainings, claiming it was to help make a case for my hiring to the new CFO due to budget constraints. I was supposed to submit this list by last Tuesday. On that same day, my agency boss texted me about when I would start my leave. Today, I discovered that the agency posted a job listing for my exact position, almost word for word the same as the original listing I applied to seven months ago. At no point did they mention looking for temporary maternity leave coverage for me. It feels like they’ve been dishonest about their hiring difficulties while actively searching for my replacement. I'm due in just five weeks.

I was laid off from my position as a marketing coordinator at a tech startup almost a year ago. Since then, I've been actively searching for new opportunities, but the job market has been tough. Recently, I noticed that the company that laid me off has posted a new job opening for a similar role. It's a bit disheartening to see them hiring again after my departure, especially since I had invested so much time and effort into my work there. I'm trying to stay positive and focus on my job search, but it's hard not to feel a mix of emotions about this situation.

Almost a year ago, I experienced my first layoff due to "restructuring." I was working in a junior role at a company where I had been for just 8 months. The environment felt tense, especially with a new head coming into the department and senior members seemingly being favored over me. I was laid off while others, who were younger and had more tenure, stayed on. I received severance, was eligible for unemployment, and even got a year-end bonus, but it was disappointing to see it was half of what I had received at my previous job and came with a rating of "needs improvement," which was a first for me. I can't help but wonder if that rating was a tactic to justify my lower bonus after my layoff. The experience was tough, especially since I had left a job that wanted to keep me. Thankfully, I quickly found a new position, although it pays less, the work environment is much more flexible and pleasant. Recently, I received a notification on LinkedIn that my old role, which was supposedly eliminated, has been reposted with the same salary I was making. This has left me questioning whether my position was genuinely cut for cost-saving reasons or if it was a move to protect the management's interests during the transition. It's puzzling to think that my role was deemed unnecessary only to be filled again months later, especially after the senior manager who hired me also left the company. Did management misjudge the necessity of my position?

I haven't worked since the onset of COVID-19, and it's been a tough journey trying to find a job. I'm a 43-year-old male, and after two long rounds of job applications that left me feeling defeated, I'm gearing up to re-enter the workforce. I'm concerned about avoiding burnout when I finally land a 40-hour work week, especially since my sleep schedule has shifted to a much later time. I'm trying to adjust my sleep to an earlier time to prepare for a typical daytime work schedule. I'm looking for tips on how to ease back into a 9-5 routine without overwhelming myself. I want to be productive and not disappoint my future employer, but I'm also considering part-time work, which could limit my options. Any advice on how to manage this transition smoothly?

I'm currently applying for research and lab jobs as a formulation scientist, regulatory affairs specialist, or scientist I in the biotech sector. My focus is on lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation development and analytical chemistry techniques like HPLC and UV-Vis. I've been targeting positions in the Los Angeles, San Diego, Bay Area, and greater Boston regions, but I'm based in Southern California. I'm seeking feedback on my CV to improve my chances of getting interviews. I suspect that my location may be a factor in my application rejections, especially for roles outside of my state. I'm curious about how to tailor my CV for these out-of-state opportunities and would appreciate any suggestions on what to add, remove, or modify.

I was let go from my position as a patient registration representative at a primary/urgent care clinic this week, and I'm feeling pretty lost. The circumstances surrounding my termination were quite unfortunate. I was flagged for accessing a patient's chart, but I honestly had no idea that his address was linked to my building. The address in the system was from a different city, so it completely caught me off guard. On top of that, I had already received a strike for having six call outs due to severe illness related to weight loss shots I was taking, which were exacerbating my POTS. My manager knew about my health issues but wouldn’t allow me to submit a doctor’s note to excuse my absences. Instead, HR and my manager decided to issue a level two strike for the chart access violation, which led to my immediate termination. I submitted an appeal, but I'm not holding my breath for a reversal. This timing couldn't be worse since I just got onto work insurance and will age out of my dad's insurance at the end of the month. I'm actively searching for a new job, but most openings in my area are within healthcare. I'm wondering what other career paths I might consider, given my background in customer service and my bachelor's degree in psychology. I'm feeling overwhelmed and unsure of my next steps.

I’m currently in the job search phase and have submitted around 40 applications, mostly to local retail stores and restaurants, but I’ve only managed to land 5 interviews without any offers yet. It’s frustrating because everyone I know seems to get hired quickly, often after just one or two applications. I’m starting to wonder if my resume is the problem. I’ve received some feedback suggesting that my resume might be poorly formatted and that including a section about my future goals could be a turn-off for employers. I’ve been told to focus more on my skills and relevant experience instead of indicating that I might not stay long in the position. I’m considering simplifying my resume and using a more standard template, as well as volunteering to gain some experience. I’m really looking for any advice on how to improve my resume and increase my chances of getting hired. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

I currently work in technology at a large bank, where I started in 2022. Initially, I was performing well and was expecting a promotion by the end of 2025 based on my achievements and my manager's feedback. However, due to significant budget cuts, my previous team lost funding, and I was moved to a new team in February 2026. This transition has been challenging; I feel burned out after four years of hard work and now have to adapt to a new manager and different tools. Although my mid-year review in July was decent, my manager mentioned that I was completing tasks late, which has me worried. Recently, I overheard my coworker discussing interviews for an analyst position, which is my role, and it made me anxious about the possibility of being laid off. I'm actively applying for other positions, including one on a sister team, and I'm unsure how to approach my manager about my internal applications and my concerns about job security.

I recently experienced a significant layoff at my company, a generative AI SaaS startup where I work in marketing. Over the past five days, around 15-20 people have been laid off each day, and it seems like there are more cuts to come in the following weeks. The situation has been tough for everyone; there haven't been any performance issues, yet many of my colleagues, whom I've known for years, are now facing uncertainty in a challenging job market. It feels like the remaining team members are either here due to sheer luck, favoritism from the CEO, or because they’ve managed to throw others under the bus to stay afloat. I consider myself lucky to still have a job, but I’m not confident it will last much longer. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has job leads or projects that they need help with, as I’m more than willing to connect you with some talented individuals who have recently been laid off. I know it’s tough out there, and I’m open to advice on how to navigate this situation and what steps to take if I end up losing my job too. The job market for my role is extremely tight right now.

I’m 21 years old and I’m feeling really overwhelmed by my work history. It’s not great, to say the least. I started working in fast food at 16, but I quit when school started because I didn’t want to juggle both. At 17, I took another job but left because they wouldn’t let me take time off for my graduation. Then at 18, I had a job that I quit due to personal issues that led to depression, which resulted in me no-showing. I know that’s not an excuse, just the reality of what I was going through. Since then, I did manage to hold a caregiving job, but when my client passed away, I struggled to find new clients because they were too far away and I don’t have a license. I also took on some short gigs from Craigslist, but those were never permanent. This past summer, I interned at an office and really enjoyed it, but they couldn’t offer me a permanent position afterward. My most recent job was back in fast food at the mall, but I got fired after just two days because I couldn’t keep up with the pace. Now, I’m stuck in a rut. My work history looks terrible on applications, and I’ve been unemployed for a while. My family is starting to get frustrated with me since I’m not in school and can’t find a job. I’m really not sure what to do next. I’ve received some advice that I should downplay the short jobs on my resume and explain my resignations as prioritizing school or health issues, but I’m still feeling lost. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I've been reflecting on my job search process and the value of tracking every application and interview. After serving four years in the Navy and spending over a decade in HR, I’m now venturing into the career space myself. I’ve noticed that many people maintain a spreadsheet where they log their applications, follow-ups, and the various stages of their job search. However, I wonder if this record is truly beneficial once the search is over. Some argue that having a detailed record can serve as evidence of your efforts. For instance, if you've made it to the final rounds at multiple companies, that could be a strong point to present to a hiring manager. On the flip side, it might just become a painful reminder of rejection that no one wants to revisit. I’ve been curious about a few things: 1. Do you keep track of your applications, or did you stop after reaching a certain number? 2. Have you ever found yourself wishing you had proof of something related to your job search that you couldn't provide? 3. Would having an independent timestamped record change your perspective, or would it still feel like just a diary of rejections? I’m particularly interested in hearing why some might think keeping such records is pointless.

I recently got laid off and I'm looking to connect with others in a similar situation. This Monday, August 24th, I'll be joining a hiking group at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland, California. It's a 4.5-mile loop with a 367 ft gain, and it's a great opportunity to clear my head and meet new people who are navigating their own career transitions. The hike starts at 11 am, and I love that they split into smaller groups based on pace to keep things manageable on the trail. I appreciate that this community, (un)PTO, does more than just hikes; they also offer support for job searching and other activities like co-working and social events. I’m looking forward to getting some fresh air and hopefully making some valuable connections!

I recently applied for over 110 jobs in broadcasting and a paratransit driving position. I had an interview for the paratransit job yesterday, which pays between $26-$29 an hour and is unionized in the New York City area. I’ve been working as an Amazon delivery driver for over five years, but the new Rivian vans have been tough on my ankles due to their design. During the interview, I was open about my previous experience with paratransit and my autism, emphasizing my perfect driving record. However, I feel like my chances of landing this job are only about 30%. I also have a Zoom interview for a TV meteorologist position on Monday. Despite having nearly 16 years of volunteer broadcasting experience, I’m worried about the competitiveness of the industry, estimating my chances of getting this job at only 5%. The statistics are alarming: the unemployment rate for college graduates with autism is over 40%, and when you factor in underemployment, it jumps to 85%. This is a stark contrast to the 2.5% unemployment rate for neurotypical college graduates. I’ve spent 13 years in college, including a two-year break due to the pandemic, striving to achieve more just to have a fair chance. It feels like I have to put in ten times the effort for a fraction of the results, and I’m exhausted by the systemic ableism in the job market. It’s disheartening to see that despite increased awareness, nothing seems to change for autistic individuals seeking employment.

I've been struggling to find a job since March, and now I'm facing the possibility of being kicked out of my grandma's house. My mom passed away in February, and I've been living with my dad and grandma, who has decided to sell the house by the end of next month for financial reasons. My dad isn't in a position to help me, but my grandma has offered to cover $1000 for rent. I’ve been actively job hunting, submitting around 600 applications on Indeed, handing out 300 physical resumes, and applying to 60 jobs on Craigslist within a 50-mile radius. Despite my efforts, I've only managed to land 3 interviews, and I'm still waiting to hear back. I even asked my girlfriend about moving in together, but she’s hesitant because I don’t have a job and doesn’t want to bear all the financial responsibility. I feel like time is running out for me, and I’m not sure what to do next.

I started a new admin role about six months ago in London, but it quickly turned into a sales position, which wasn't what I signed up for. I wanted to gain office experience after university, but the internal drama and high turnover in my department have made it really tough. Recently, I've been on unpaid leave for a marketing internship while still working my Saturday shifts. Today, I had a meeting with my manager who mentioned that there were rumors about me wanting to quit. I felt blindsided and anxious during the conversation, especially since they hinted at possibly changing my role to focus more on marketing. Now I'm left wondering if I should proactively resign or wait to see if they dismiss me. I'm concerned about how this situation might affect my CV and what my rights are as I navigate this stressful environment.

I was laid off from my Site Reliability Engineer position in April and have been actively searching for a new role since then. I've had a decent number of interviews, often making it to the third or fourth round, but unfortunately, I haven't received any job offers yet. In some cases, the interviewers have focused on technologies that I don't have much experience with, which has clearly put me at a disadvantage against other candidates. In other interviews, I felt I performed exceptionally well, receiving positive feedback about my approach and mindset, yet still didn't get the job because they chose someone who fit their needs better. With over 25 years in the field, primarily in Release, DevOps, and SRE roles at software companies, I'm trying to figure out what I can do to improve my chances of landing a position. I've been lowering my salary expectations to remain competitive, especially considering the current job market with over 175,000 tech layoffs this year. I've been contemplating whether obtaining certifications like AWS, Terraform, and Kubernetes would be beneficial for me. Historically, I've viewed certifications as more of a test of memorization than a true reflection of skill, but I wonder if not having them is hindering my chances given the level of competition. Currently, I'm working towards the AWS SAP and Terraform certifications, and I'm also considering the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification, though the exam fee is quite steep at $445. I’m curious to hear thoughts on whether these certifications are worth pursuing and if there are any other certifications I should consider to enhance my employability.