Planning

I recently lost my summer job as a photographer at a camp, and it's been a tough pill to swallow. I'm 20 years old, and I was really enjoying the role just two weeks ago. Unfortunately, I let a few mistakes get the better of me and ended up blowing them out of proportion. I did forget some things, and when I asked why nobody reminded me, it didn't go over well with the camp admin. I understand now that my reaction played a big part in my termination. I really want to reach out to my employer again, but I want to do it professionally this time. It’s disheartening because I was working with some of my favorite people, and I miss that environment. I'm trying to figure out my next steps and how to learn from this experience, but I'm feeling a bit lost. Any advice on how to approach this situation?

I’ve been feeling really drained by my job lately. I’m a 23-year-old female working a 9-5 desk job in London since January. While the team is nice, and I do my job well, the work itself is incredibly boring and it’s sucking the life out of me. My commute is about 45 minutes, which isn’t too bad for London, and the pay is decent, but I wake up every morning feeling exhausted and miserable. I find myself on the verge of tears or sleep throughout the day, just counting down the hours until I can go home. I know everyone has their bad days, but I dread going to work so much that I sometimes hope something will happen to keep me from going in. The thought of this being my life forever is really overwhelming. I’ve been considering a career change to become a nail tech, which I currently do as a side hustle and absolutely love, but the idea of making that leap feels daunting. I’ve had similar experiences with other part-time jobs in the past, where I would wake up crying at the thought of going in. It took a year to complete all the security checks for this current job, so I’m grateful to have it, especially given how tough the job market is in London. But it’s really taking a toll on my mental health. I’m reaching out to see if anyone else has felt this way or has any advice on how to make my current situation more bearable, or how to pursue my passion on the side more effectively. Thanks for listening!

I have a working interview tomorrow for a Dental Assistant/Front Desk hybrid position, and I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. This job means everything to me, and I really need to impress them. I bring about four years of experience working at the dental front desk and an additional year as an orthodontic records tech, so I’m quite comfortable interacting with patients, managing schedules, handling insurance, and performing x-rays and scans. I also completed my DA1 certification, but I lack hands-on chairside assisting experience. The office is aware of my limited practical experience and has expressed their willingness to train the right candidate, which makes me even more determined to make a great impression. I’m reaching out for advice on how to stand out during this working interview. What are some common mistakes to avoid? If you were the dentist or office manager, what would make you decide to hire someone by the end of the day? My strategy is to stay busy, anticipate the needs of the team, ask insightful questions, be honest about my knowledge gaps, and maintain a positive attitude. I’m really hoping to secure this opportunity, especially since I’ve been unemployed for nearly two years now. Any last-minute tips or encouragement would be greatly appreciated!

I recently worked as a teacher aide for a short period, completing only four shifts before I started to feel like I might have been quietly let go. During my last shift, I received some feedback from my manager that was vague and left me confused about whether it was directed at me personally. I sought advice from another TA, but the uncertainty was stressful. After that shift, I was scheduled for more work, but then I got a text saying I wouldn't be needed anymore because a camp was canceled due to rain. I accepted that explanation, but when school holidays arrived, I lost access to my work email and received a notification that my blue card, which is essential for working with children, had been de-linked from the school. This situation has left me feeling sad, especially since I had positive interactions with the staff and felt like I fit in well. I can't pinpoint any serious issues that would have led to my termination, aside from feeling overwhelmed after working three consecutive days, especially coming from a long period of unemployment. I had even requested fewer shifts to manage my workload better. Now, I'm contemplating how to approach the school for feedback. I want to understand what went wrong so I can improve, even though the thought of it makes me anxious. One suggestion I received was to keep my inquiry factual: to confirm my employment status first and then ask for specific feedback if my employment has indeed ended. I'm considering reaching out soon.

I've been working at my current company for 20 years, and things are looking really bleak. The head office has been vague about the future, and there's a real chance that the site I work at could close down soon. I've seen them shut down other locations in the past and shift employees around, which feels like a tactic to push people to leave without paying proper redundancy. Given the financial situation, I'm worried they might not even have the funds to pay me what I'm owed if I get laid off. In the past few weeks, I've started looking for new job opportunities and have been attending interviews. There's a strong possibility that one of the companies I interviewed with might offer me a position by the end of the week. However, I'm torn because I don’t know if my current company will go under or not. I have accrued a significant amount of holiday time at my current job, and the new position would be a bit of a step back in terms of familiarity, slightly longer commutes, but it offers better pay and a much friendlier work environment that prioritizes employee welfare. Plus, there are opportunities for growth in this new role at a rapidly expanding business. I’m really conflicted about whether to stick it out at my current job, hoping for a payout for my years of service, or to take the plunge and accept the new job. I’d love to hear how others would approach this situation.

I’m 37 years old and have spent my entire career as a Company Director, running multiple businesses. Recently, I’ve been feeling incredibly tired and overwhelmed. Despite my successes—I've made significant sales to high-profile clients, including royalty—my companies have faced some tough challenges that led to financial instability. After experiencing multiple seven-figure years, I’m at a crossroads. I’m seriously considering stepping away from entrepreneurship and looking for a traditional job where I can earn a base salary of around 100k plus commission. I’m ready to sell something I care a lot less about in order to find some stability and happiness. It’s a tough decision, and reading about others’ experiences in similar situations has been emotional for me. I’m thinking about my future family and what’s best for them. I live in the UK and would appreciate any advice on transitioning from being a business owner to seeking employment.

I had my second interview yesterday for a position at a tech company, and I’m feeling anxious because I haven’t heard back yet. The first interview results came in just two hours after it ended, and I got the initial screening results two days after applying. However, this second interview felt like it didn’t go well, and as a foreigner, I’m unsure about how long it typically takes for American companies to respond. I’ve read that it can vary significantly depending on the size of the company—some might get back to you the same day, while larger corporations could take up to two weeks or more. I’m trying not to stress about it too much, especially since the previous responses were so quick.

I got laid off yesterday due to an organizational change at my company. It hit me hard, and I'm still in shock. I received a severance package that includes six months of pay along with COBRA health insurance, but I'm unsure if that's a good deal or if I should negotiate for something better. Right now, I feel paralyzed and unproductive, struggling to even think about job hunting. I've been advised to take some time to process what happened and focus on self-care before diving into the job search. I plan to apply for unemployment benefits and connect with friends and family to help me get through this tough time. I'm hoping that after I give myself some space to breathe, I'll be able to approach my job search with a clearer mind.

I am a 30-year-old female working in healthcare who was laid off a few months ago. Since then, I've been actively applying for jobs for nearly 8 months without any offers. I send out at least 10 tailored resumes each day and manage to secure about 5 to 7 interviews monthly. I've even attended job fairs in hopes of finding opportunities. Unfortunately, all I receive are automated rejection emails. The interviews I do manage to clear often end with the disappointing news that they have chosen other candidates for the role. This experience has left me feeling like I've lost my purpose in life, and I am struggling to see any change in my situation. I'm reaching out for suggestions or motivation to help me through this tough time.

I am currently facing an uncertain situation at work, and I'm six months pregnant. My company recently underwent a merger, which resulted in layoffs of all full-time employees while only retaining contractors like myself. Unfortunately, our contracts were reduced from two years to just three months. I was already pregnant when this happened, and I had hoped to hold on long enough to secure my maternity leave, but my job search has been fruitless so far. I am awaiting one more contract extension, but during the last round, I wasn't provided with a clear end date—just told I would be here 'through June.' Despite my attempts to get clarity, I received vague responses, and now both managers who could clarify my situation have decided to go on vacation without informing anyone. So, I continue to show up to work, uncertain if my credentials will still grant me access. It's a dreadful feeling, and I know several others in the same boat. The stress and hopelessness are overwhelming. My partner has a stable job and health insurance for himself and our baby, but he can't cover all the bills alone. I have about three months' worth of savings, and unemployment benefits in my state are quite low. I'm starting to wonder if there’s any chance of finding a job at this stage of my pregnancy. Even if I do, I worry I won't have any time to bond with my newborn, which breaks my heart. I'm feeling lost and unsure of my next steps. Has anyone else experienced a layoff during pregnancy? How did you manage?

I was laid off for the third time in five years, and this time it hit me hard. I worked on the documentation team at a tech company where leadership decided to merge our responsibilities with the PM and engineering teams. It felt like something was off when a PM started sending me their draft articles to copy edit, which was unusual. I went ahead and did it, even publishing them, only to receive the layoff news a week later. Looking back, I realize I overexerted myself, trying to complete a massive workload in a short timeframe, which probably wasn't the smartest decision. Now, I'm left feeling devastated. I have no savings and only two weeks of severance pay to get me by. I'm trying to stay calm and realistic about my next steps. I'm uncertain about pursuing another technical writing role, fearing I might just face another layoff. I'm considering other opportunities but feel overwhelmed by the options. I know I need to apply for unemployment benefits right away and might look into temporary work in AI-related tasks, like prompt drafting or reviewing, as suggested by some comments. I plan to tighten my budget and focus on necessary expenses while I update my resume to make it ATS-friendly. I also need to reach out to friends for referrals and start applying to a maximum of ten high-quality jobs each day. It's a tough situation, but I’m determined to navigate through it.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the possibility of layoffs lately, especially since I work in tech where job cuts have been significant. I’m currently employed at a mid-sized tech company and while I don’t want to dwell on the negative, I realize that it’s crucial to prepare for the unexpected. I’ve seen the numbers: over 443,000 job cuts announced in the first half of 2026, with tech alone accounting for more than 139,000 of those. It’s a stark reminder that I need to have a plan in place. I’ve started working on my layoff readiness plan, and here’s what I’ve come up with so far: 1. **Know my runway**: I calculated how long I could survive without a paycheck by listing all my must-pay expenses like rent, groceries, and insurance. This gives me a clearer picture of my financial situation. 2. **Save important documents**: I’ve begun downloading personal copies of my pay stubs, offer letters, and benefits summaries while I still have access to the company systems. I don’t want to scramble for these later. 3. **Update my resume**: I’ve started updating my resume with my current role, recent projects, and measurable impacts. I know it’s easier to do this now than when I’m under stress. 4. **Build a referral list**: I’ve made a list of people I could reach out to if I need help finding a new job. This includes former managers, coworkers, and LinkedIn connections. Networking is key. 5. **Watch for company signals**: I’ve been paying attention to any signs that might indicate layoffs are coming, like hiring freezes or budget cuts. I want to be proactive. 6. **Understand severance and benefits**: I’m researching how severance is calculated and what my options are for health insurance if I get laid off. It’s important to know what to expect. 7. **Create a 30-day emergency action plan**: I’ve drafted a plan for what I would do in the first 48 hours and the first week after a layoff. This includes updating my resume, applying for jobs, and reaching out to my referral list. I feel more empowered having this plan, and I hope to avoid the panic that comes with being unprepared. I’d love to hear any additional tips or resources others might have!

I was recently let go from my retail job, and the circumstances surrounding it are quite distressing. I had been working there for about two months when my wife went into labor on June 21st. I had informed my employer well in advance about my wife's due date and my intention to take two weeks off to be with my newborn. On the day of the induction, while at the hospital, I realized I had forgotten to give another employee the store keys for opening. I took full responsibility for my oversight but was unable to drive to the store to rectify it. My boss, who is an old associate of mine, called me out in a group chat in a way that felt unnecessary and petty, leading to a heated argument. In the heat of the moment, I left the chat and blocked them to reduce my stress during such a significant time in my life. After my baby was born healthy, I unblocked my boss a few days later and expressed my readiness to return to work. However, after several attempts to reach out, I noticed that my access to company email had been revoked, which made me suspect I had been removed from their systems. Now, I’m left feeling anxious because I rely on this job for income and health insurance for my family. I live in a state where it’s illegal to fire someone during family leave, but I fear they might claim I resigned voluntarily. I’m considering my options and wondering if I should approach HR or consult a lawyer. I want to handle this situation thoughtfully, as I believe I have grounds for a lawsuit. Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

I recently received an offer from Company A, a fintech firm, for a software engineering role. This is exciting, but I have to admit it's my third choice among the companies I'm considering. I graduated in December 2025, and I'm currently in the interview process with two other companies: Company B, a big tech streaming service, where I've passed the technical screen and have a virtual onsite scheduled for mid-July, and Company C, another big tech firm focused on hardware, where I recently completed a technical screen and I'm waiting to hear back about advancing. The challenge I'm facing is that Company A's offer is expected to arrive this week, while I'm still waiting on B and C to finish their processes. I'm torn because I would prefer to work at either B or C if they come through with offers. I'm looking for advice on how to handle this situation. Once I receive the offer from A, should I inform B and C about it to potentially speed up their decision-making? If so, what's the best way to frame it? I've heard that giving a hard deadline might backfire, so I'm considering saying I'm a finalist elsewhere without mentioning the actual offer or a specific deadline. What approach tends to work better? Additionally, should I ask Company A for more time to make my decision? As a new grad, what would be a reasonable amount of time to request for an extension? I appreciate any insights from those who have navigated similar situations.

I had an interview recently with a company where I was in touch with the hiring manager. After the interview, she messaged me asking if I had interviewed with her that day, to which I confirmed. However, she then went silent for about three days. When I reached out, she apologized for the delay, mentioning she had been busy. She asked about my notice period at my current job, which I still have, as I'm looking for a new position due to environmental concerns at my workplace. I took a couple of days to respond, and now I'm left waiting again for her to get back to me about informing HR of my potential start date. I'm feeling confused about the whole situation and wondering what might be going on.

I am preparing to put in my two-week notice at my retail job where I've worked for about a year and a half. The timing feels terrible because my boss's wife is about to have a baby, and he'll be taking two weeks off right after I leave. I work at a small company with fewer than 50 employees, and I know my departure will add a lot of pressure on him. I've been feeling burnt out at this job, which has been pretty awful overall, but I want to leave on good terms. I'm waiting to hear back from my new employer about starting on August 1st, which would give my boss some time to adjust. My main concern is maintaining a good reference for future opportunities, especially since I don't have many professional references from my past jobs, like DoorDash. I really don't want to burn this bridge, but I also need to prioritize my own career and well-being. I’m hoping to find a way to navigate this situation without it turning into a disaster.

I've been unemployed for nearly a year now, and the job search has been incredibly challenging. I have about 7 years of experience in sourcing and procurement, but the opportunities seem scarce. I’m lucky to land an interview once a month, and when I do, I'm often up against candidates with much more experience than I have. My partner has been encouraging me to consider switching careers, but I'm hesitant. I’ve explored adjacent roles without much success, and the thought of starting completely over is daunting. Recently, I earned my PMP certification to enhance my resume and keep myself busy, but I’m beginning to wonder if I should focus on gaining more certifications to justify my time off instead. Thankfully, finances aren't a pressing issue for me right now.

I've been reflecting on my situation lately as a 19-year-old immigrant living with my parents. I've always held a negative view of minimum wage jobs, thinking of them as a sort of humiliation or a form of payroll slavery, influenced by family and media. However, after facing numerous rejections from decent jobs, apprenticeships, and universities, I'm starting to feel the pressure of needing to earn money. The thought of applying for positions like cashier, waiter, or promoter really shakes my belief system. I desire personal freedom and a better future, but I find myself stuck in this dilemma. I live in a European country where labor laws are generally supportive of workers, yet I still feel hesitant about taking a minimum wage job. I'm considering whether it's worth it to take one of these jobs or if I should wait it out until college or pursue my own side hustle, like YouTube or a niche tech repair business. I could really use some outside perspective on this situation.

I’m a 24-year-old female originally from Norway, now living in Austin, Texas. I've worked in sales across various countries and have also gained marketing experience here in the U.S. Unfortunately, my work visa just expired, and I’m heading back to school. Due to my visa restrictions, I can only work part-time during my first year. I’m eager to return to sales but I'm uncertain about the availability of part-time roles in this field. I would greatly appreciate any advice or leads on part-time sales jobs!

I recently found myself in a tough spot at my current job as a line cook, feeling pretty miserable. I've worked in various roles, including retail and delivery, but I'm ready for a change. Right now, I'm in the process of interviewing for a delivery job with a local company that I really like. I have a second interview lined up, and since I've done similar work before, I feel confident about it. At the same time, I just applied for a technical support position at a software company where a friend works. It's an entry-level role, and I put a lot of effort into my resume and cover letter, even though my experience doesn't perfectly match the job description. I believe my previous roles have equipped me with the necessary skills. The challenge I'm facing is that I'm nearing the second interview for the delivery job, but I haven't heard back from the software company yet since I just submitted my application. I'm really interested in the technical support position, but I don't want to risk losing the delivery job offer without having a solid answer from the other company. I'm wondering how long I can ask the delivery company to wait while I weigh my options. I know I can communicate with them, but I'm not very experienced in these situations and could use some guidance. I really want to make the right decision without losing out on either opportunity.