Planning

I was laid off on June 30 after about 5.5 years with my company due to an organizational change. I received a severance package that includes six months of pay along with COBRA coverage. From what I've gathered, this seems like a solid deal. Now, I'm at a crossroads about whether I should hire an attorney to review my separation agreement. I've seen estimates of around $400 to $700 for a one-hour review, but I don't have any major concerns with the agreement itself. I'm leaning towards just signing it, but I also worry about potentially missing out on negotiating for more or overlooking something important. I'm looking for advice, especially from anyone who's been in a similar situation.

I'm currently a Patient Care Advocate at Centene and I'm contemplating whether to submit my application for the Voluntary Separation Program (VSP). With the recent hiring trends and the introduction of new positions for Quality Care Management Associates (QCMA), I'm concerned about the stability of my role. I'm seeking final advice or insights from anyone who might have experience or knowledge about how these changes could impact my position. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I graduated with a BS degree two years ago and have been struggling to find a job ever since. I've sent out over a hundred resumes and only managed to get four interviews, which has been incredibly disheartening. I've even faced rejections from places like McDonald's, which feels like a new low. Living in a rural area of Southern New Hampshire makes my job search even tougher. I have ADHD and am on the spectrum, which makes public interactions challenging for me. I also find warehouse jobs too mentally demanding, leaving me in a tough spot. I've been considering redoing my resume, but none of the online methods have worked for me, and I'm hesitant to use AI tools like ChatGPT. I really need help from a real person who can guide me through this process. The stress of this situation is overwhelming, and I'm feeling like I'm about to crash.

I've been searching for a job in graphic design and as a copy print specialist for a while now, and it's been really tough, especially since I've been unemployed for a few years. My mom is worried that I might have to wait a long time to land a job in this field because there's no guarantee of getting hired, even though I have a general studies degree. I'm wondering if it's possible to get hired as a graphic designer without much experience and if companies are open to training someone like me. I really hope to find a position soon.

I just finished my second interview for a government position as an Administrative Assistant in the audit department. They mentioned that I’m a strong candidate and to be patient as they have a few more interviews lined up. Onboarding takes some time, and I know they conduct an extensive background check, likely including a credit check, though I forgot to confirm that during the interview. My husband and I have been through a tough couple of years with serious medical issues, a high-risk pregnancy, and his restaurant closing, leaving us with $33,000 in credit card debt. We're finally getting back on track, paying between $1,800 and $2,500 monthly towards our debt. However, I'm concerned that this debt might make me appear as a liability and could jeopardize my chances of getting the job. I’m considering a few options: should my husband take out a loan in his name to pay off the credit cards? We haven't used our credit cards in over six months, so I’m not worried about accumulating more debt. I also have about $30,000 in my 401k from my current job, which I could cash out to pay off the loan once I leave. Alternatively, I could borrow $20,000 from my parents and sell my childhood Pokémon collection, which I recently discovered is worth around $10,000 to $15,000. I might need to cash out my 401k to repay my parents, and I’m unsure if they’d be okay with us paying them back over a year or two. Should I keep managing the payments as we are now, or do something drastic to pay off the debt before the background check? I appreciate any advice!

I've been working in hospitality events and event production for about 15 years, with the last 5 years focused on managing events with budgets under $400k. Recently, I've been trying to transition into more senior event planning roles at larger agencies and production companies, while also applying for mid-level positions to get back into the right environment. However, I've noticed that the interview process feels different now that I'm aiming for senior roles. In my earlier, junior positions, I never had trouble getting interviews, but now, despite being qualified, I'm struggling to gain traction. I can't tell if it's the increased competition for senior roles or if my gender is playing a role in how I'm perceived during interviews in this predominantly female industry. I've felt a noticeable shift in the vibe when I walk into these interviews. I'm curious to hear from other men who have worked in female-dominated fields like weddings, HR, nursing, or teaching. Have you experienced any differences in how you were received during interviews for senior positions compared to earlier in your career?

I was recently informed that I will be terminated in two weeks from my position in B2B sales. I've been on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) for some time, and while I've met the goals outlined in the PIP, my manager consistently marked me as off track during our weekly check-ins. We had our final update, but my manager is going on vacation and will officially terminate my employment upon their return. I'm feeling quite lost right now. I'm still expected to complete goal documentation for the second half of the year, which is due today, despite knowing that my time here is limited. I'm worried that if I don't continue to meet the PIP standards—which are already higher than the job requirements—I might jeopardize my eligibility for unemployment benefits once I'm officially let go. My role is very project-based, and I'm currently conducting site visits for potential opportunities that won't close until October. I'm unsure of how to proceed during this awkward transition period. I've received some advice suggesting that I should focus on job hunting immediately and not stress about meeting the PIP standards since I'm already facing termination. It seems like the consensus is to start looking for a new job as soon as possible and to apply for unemployment benefits right away once I'm let go.

I'm currently working in staffing and have been quite successful, earning between $250,000 and $300,000 a year, although my base salary is only $36,000. I appreciate the remote work and flexibility, but I'm feeling anxious about the future of my company. Layoffs are happening frequently, and the number of deals has significantly decreased, leading me to believe the company might not survive much longer. I've started interviewing for a position in medical device sales, which I find exciting. The role offers a $90,000 base salary with an on-target earnings potential of $150,000 to $250,000, plus a company car and fieldwork with a few overnight trips each month. I really enjoy what I've learned about the company and its products, and I've been wanting to transition into medical device sales for a while. I'm torn about whether I'm making a crazy decision by wanting to leave my current job. It feels like I'm on the Titanic, and while the pay is good now, I don't want to be left stranded if the company goes under. I'm trying to make the decision while I still have a job, but the fear of the unknown is overwhelming.

I am actively seeking new opportunities as a Data Analyst and am available to join immediately. I have experience in data analysis, visualization, and statistical modeling, and I'm eager to contribute my skills to a new team. If anyone has leads or advice on companies that are hiring, I would greatly appreciate it!

I'm currently a stay-at-home mom and have been for several years, but I'm at a point where I need to find a part-time job to contribute financially. My husband works full-time, so I've been managing the kids at home. I've started looking on job sites like Indeed, but I'm struggling to find anything suitable. I'm specifically looking for part-time positions since I want to maintain my time with family. My current availability is Monday to Friday after 4 PM and I'm fully available on weekends. I know my limited hours might make it tougher to find a job, but I'm hopeful. If anyone has suggestions for companies that hire part-time employees and are known to be good to work for, I would really appreciate the advice!

I've been feeling quite concerned about my career as a Content Writer lately. It seems like the job market is shifting away from traditional writing roles, especially with the rise of SEO-based writing and the increasing relevance of technical writing. I’ve noticed that many organizations are now relying on AI for content curation and planning, which makes me wonder if there’s still a place for writers like me. I'm based in Southeast Asia and have been struggling to find opportunities lately. I'm looking for advice on how to adapt and move forward in this changing landscape.

I haven't worked in four weeks at my part-time dishwashing job in Texas, and I haven't been given any hours during that time. I'm still technically employed, but it feels like I've been let go without any formal notice. I'm confused about what to do next. Is this legal? If not, what steps should I take? If it is, what should I do? I earn $12 an hour, and I really need to figure this out. I've considered reaching out to my employer to ask why I'm not on the schedule anymore and when I might expect to return. I plan to email them or go in person to ask direct questions, like "I haven't been on the schedule for a month now, do you know why?" and "When will I be back on the schedule? I have bills to pay." I've also thought about looking for other employment in the meantime, just in case they don't want me back. I've heard that I could file for unemployment due to lack of work, especially since I haven't received any notice of separation from my employer. I'm keeping all my previous schedules as proof. It's frustrating to be in this situation, and I just want to resolve it as soon as possible.

I recently received a job offer for a news video editor position, but I was caught off guard and verbally accepted it without fully considering the pay. The offer is actually four dollars less than what I was making at my previous job as a news photographer, and the new role involves significantly more work. I'm wondering if it's acceptable to negotiate the salary after receiving the written offer but before signing it. I feel uneasy about possibly jeopardizing the offer, but I also don't want to settle for less than I deserve. I've seen advice suggesting that until I sign, I can still negotiate, but I'm concerned about the risk of them rescinding the offer if I go back on my word.

I had a job interview yesterday for a position I'm really excited about. The interviewer mentioned they would call me later that day or today with an update. Now I'm feeling a bit anxious because if I don't hear from them by around 4 or 4:30, I'm not sure if I should reach out or just wait it out. I don’t want to seem too eager, but I also don’t want to be left hanging. I’ve read that it’s common for companies to ghost candidates, so I’m trying to prepare myself for that possibility. Some advice I've seen suggests sending a thank you email on Monday if I don’t hear back, which I think I might do. I just want to make sure I handle this the right way.

I'm currently on the hunt for a remote job and would greatly appreciate any legitimate leads or referrals. I live in Trinidad & Tobago and have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. My skills include strong communication, organization, and problem-solving, along with a reliable internet connection. I'm a quick learner and adapt easily to new systems. I'm open to various roles such as Virtual Assistant, Customer Support, Administrative Assistant, Data Entry, Research Assistant, Operations Support, HR Assistant, or any entry-level remote position. I'm available for full-time, part-time, contract, or freelance work. If anyone knows of any companies hiring or has remote opportunities, please let me know or send me a DM. I'd be happy to share my resume and LinkedIn. Thank you!

I've been job searching for a while now, and it's been really tough. I'm 21 and currently working at a local restaurant where I've been for almost four years. I started there during my senior year of high school, thinking it would just be a temporary gig while I pursued a career in radiology. Unfortunately, after getting rejected from the radiology program at my community college, I took a gap year and now I feel completely lost. I'm making $13.75 an hour, and there's no real growth potential at my job. I don't want to stay in the restaurant industry forever, but I'm starting to worry that I'll never find anything else. I've applied to numerous positions, but I often hear nothing back. The few interviews I've had felt promising, yet I still haven't received any offers. The anxiety I feel before interviews can be overwhelming, sometimes leading to panic attacks. It's disheartening to call back and find out I didn't get the job, especially after investing so much energy into the process. I keep thinking that my lack of experience, having only worked at one place, might be holding me back. It's frustrating because I can't gain more experience if no one is willing to hire me. I really want to take control of my career, but I feel stuck. I'm looking for advice on how to improve my chances of getting a job or at least securing more interviews. I've attached my resume for feedback, as I'm open to any suggestions on how to make it better.

I recently attended an open interview at Walmart, but unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to actually interview. They helped me complete my application instead, and I was told to expect feedback by Saturday. However, I'm feeling anxious about the outcome. I really need this job before school starts next month, and I'm under 18, which makes it even more pressing. I've applied to three different crew carwashes as well, but they all said there were other candidates who were a better fit. It feels frustrating, especially since these jobs are meant to provide opportunities for teenagers like me. I'm starting to wonder if my resume is too vague or plain. I don't have much extracurricular experience to list, as I don't get out much, and I'm concerned that this might be hurting my chances. Any advice on how to improve my resume or stand out in applications would be greatly appreciated.

I struggled to find a job for months, feeling like my efforts were in vain. I believed that getting hired was mostly about luck, having connections, or just sending out countless applications. Despite my hard work, I received zero interview calls. Then, I stumbled upon an HBR article that highlighted the importance of soft skills in today's job market. It hit me that I had been focusing too much on obtaining certifications while neglecting the very skills that could help me stand out. I realized I needed to improve my communication, conversation skills, teamwork, leadership, and the ability to confidently share my ideas—essential life skills that I had never been taught. I committed to working on one life skill every morning, and as I did, I noticed that recruiters began to value these skills over my certifications. Eventually, I landed a job that I genuinely enjoy. If anyone needs help identifying which soft skills they might be missing or how to develop them, I would be more than happy to assist!

I recently completed my M.S. in Medical Microbiology & Biochemistry and I'm currently teaching microbiology labs at a community college. I'm trying to transition into an industry microbiology position, so I've been applying to entry-level and lower-paying roles to gain experience. However, I've faced multiple rejections, with employers stating that I am 'overqualified.' This has left me confused because I'm willing to accept a pay cut to gain industry experience, which I value more than salary right now. I understand that I may not qualify for senior roles due to my lack of industry experience, but it's frustrating to be turned down for entry-level positions. I suspect that hiring managers think I will leave for a better opportunity as soon as it arises, which makes sense from their perspective since training someone takes time. However, I want to assure them that I'm genuinely looking for a stable, long-term role in microbiology, not just a stepping stone. Additionally, I’m pursuing a remote M.S. in Molecular Science & Software Engineering at UC Berkeley part-time, which I believe will enhance my skills without interfering with job responsibilities. I'm curious to hear from hiring managers or recruiters about this 'overqualified' issue. What can someone in my position do to alleviate these concerns? I want to improve my approach and better understand the reasoning behind these rejections.

I recently learned about a tough situation my friend, a 17-year-old, faced at her job. She had requested vacation time a month ago, which was initially denied. In search of better opportunities, she found a new job that would honor her vacation request and decided to give her two weeks' notice. Just when it seemed like things were looking up, her original employer approved her vacation days, but then unexpectedly issued her a termination letter. The reason given was that they were concerned about being short-staffed during her absence, yet they still chose to fire her. Now, she’s left wondering if there’s any chance she can get her job back or if she’s stuck in a difficult situation. It’s frustrating to see how this unfolded, especially since she has bills to pay. I’m trying to help her navigate this tough time.