Planning

I recently landed a job and was asked to participate in a four-day training program. The scheduling has been a bit tricky because I'm currently at university, but the company was accommodating and adjusted the training dates for me. Just last Friday, I received an email saying they could start the training tomorrow, which is Wednesday. However, I was at uni all day Friday and couldn't respond until yesterday. I asked for the training location, but it's now 9 PM and I haven't heard back from them yet, even though the training starts at 9 AM. I'm feeling anxious about whether I should just show up at the training location, assuming it hasn't changed from the original dates I couldn't attend. Their office hours are from 9 to 5, so I'm unsure if they were expecting me or if I would be showing up unannounced. I'm based in the UK, and I'm looking for advice on how to handle this situation.

After being unemployed for 6 months, I finally landed a new job, but it came with a $30k pay cut from my previous salary. I thought I had to make the best of it, but just 3 months in, I'm realizing this new position is just awful. Today, I found myself looking for new job opportunities again and noticed that my old employer has reposted my exact previous role, albeit for even less pay than I was making before. It's disheartening. I feel like I'm stuck in a cycle of disappointment and I'm dreading the thought of going through the job hunt process again. As I approach 40, I can't shake the feeling of failure. My spouse was also laid off recently, and it seems like this is a trend with companies these days, posting roles at lower pay levels. I’m torn about whether I should even consider going back to my old job. The thought of returning to a place that let me go feels like admitting defeat, but the current situation is weighing heavily on me.

I recently found myself in a bit of a dilemma at my job. I've been working at my current company for about a year now as a [insert role], earning $69,000 annually. I truly love my job, my boss, and my team; it's the best work environment I've ever experienced. My boss consistently acknowledges my contributions, which makes me feel valued and motivated to come to work every day. Out of the blue, a recruiter from another company reached out to me about a similar role. I wasn't actively looking for a new job, but I decided to interview just to see what was out there. To my surprise, the hiring manager indicated that the position is essentially mine if I want it, and they're preparing to send me an offer letter for $85,000. That's a significant $16,000 increase over my current salary, which is hard to ignore. However, I have some reservations about the new company. From what I gathered during the interview, it seems less organized than where I currently work, and the team is quite small, which could lead to a heavier workload until they hire more staff. I genuinely want to stay at my current company. I'm happy here, I enjoy the people I work with, and I can see myself growing with the team long-term. But that extra $16,000 is tempting. I'm contemplating whether I should approach my boss about the offer and see if there's any chance they could match or come close to the new salary. I'm not expecting them to match it exactly, but even a reasonable increase would be appreciated. I'm also concerned about how this conversation might affect my relationship with my boss since I don't want to come off as using the offer as leverage. I'm really torn about what to do. If you were in my shoes, would you bring up the offer to your boss and ask for a raise?

I was laid off from my role as an Accounts Payable Specialist in April 2025 after working for the company for about four years. I started as an Ops Assistant making $22 per hour, and within six months, I transitioned to an Ops Coordinator role with a salary of $65,000. Over the years, my salary increased to $70,000 in 2024 and then to $85,000 before my layoff. After moving from Los Angeles to New York, I've been working as a barista while also holding two office jobs—one part-time at $30 per hour and a full-time remote position that paid $80,000. I'm currently looking for new opportunities and would be comfortable starting again at $65,000 to $75,000. However, I'm noticing many job listings around $55,000, which isn't feasible for me due to my debt and cost of living. A friend and former coworker mentioned that our previous job paid well for the industry, but I'm starting to feel like my salary expectations might be out of touch.

I recently started a new contract position as a software developer after being laid off from my previous job. My background is in full-stack development, mainly focusing on web applications, APIs, and databases. However, this new role has been a struggle since it's heavily centered on infrastructure and deployment technologies, which are not my strong suit. To make matters worse, I waited about three weeks for the necessary system access, and just a month into the job, I was placed on a performance improvement plan. Although I've been making progress by completing tickets and submitting pull requests, I'm feeling absolutely miserable in this role. I've thought about quitting several times, but I don't have another job lined up, and I'm worried that resigning could jeopardize my eligibility for unemployment benefits in Indiana. I'm torn between wanting to submit my resignation at the end of this week and the financial implications of doing so. I could really use some advice on how to navigate this situation.

I was laid off 7 months ago and finally received two job offers this week! I wanted to share some strategies that worked for me during my job search in the tech/product/design field. Both offers came in at a slightly lower salary than my previous role, but I chose the one that aligns better with my career goals and provides the title I need for my next step. Here are a few key takeaways from my experience: 1. **Be specific on LinkedIn**: I avoided announcing that I was open to every type of role. I understand the temptation, but it can dilute your brand. Employers are looking for specialists, not generalists. 2. **Apply early**: I made it a point to apply as soon as a job was posted. I found that applications submitted within the first day received much more attention. I set up job alerts to catch new postings immediately, using Claude with Apify to streamline the process. 3. **Tailor your CV**: For each application, I customized my CV to highlight the exact expertise the employer was seeking. It’s crucial that the hiring manager sees that I’ve done precisely what they need. 4. **Broaden your search**: I looked beyond my comfort zone, even considering roles that were below my previous level. Sometimes a lateral move can lead to better opportunities. I also recommend checking out **The Skip podcast** for insights on the job market and repositioning yourself. It’s a tough job market, and it took longer than I anticipated, but I’m hopeful. Hang in there!

I recently applied for a full-time position at a company where I previously worked as a contractor for a couple of years. After submitting my application, I quickly got an interview with a recruiter, and she informed me that she would be passing my details to the hiring manager. I'm excited about this opportunity but also a bit nervous. I still have good relationships with many of my former coworkers, and my brother suggested that I reach out to them for support. However, it’s been a couple of years since we last spoke, and I'm unsure about how to approach them or what to say. I'm looking for advice on how to reconnect and potentially leverage those connections to strengthen my application.

I recently started my job search after being laid off from my position as a marketing coordinator at a tech company. It's been a challenging process, but I'm determined to find a new opportunity that aligns with my skills and interests. I've updated my resume and LinkedIn profile, and I've been applying to various roles in marketing and communications. I've also reached out to my network for potential leads and advice. So far, I've had a few interviews, but I'm still waiting for the right fit. I'm staying positive and hopeful that something will come through soon.

Today, I found myself contemplating a risky strategy to motivate my boss into discussing potential advancement opportunities at my job. I've been in my current role for over three years, and while I generally enjoy the work and the people, my boss's erratic behavior and the lack of clear paths for promotion have left me feeling stuck. I'm a 44-year-old male in a niche field, earning well compared to my peers, but I’ve hit the ceiling of my pay scale and feel like I’m not going anywhere. My boss has talked about future opportunities for advancement, but those conversations have gone nowhere. When I bring it up, he tends to be evasive or outright dismissive. This has led me to consider a plan where I create the illusion of having another job offer in order to spur him into action. The idea is to take a few personal appointments, dressed in a suit, to suggest that I might be interviewing elsewhere. I would then follow up with a call claiming I've received a job offer that pays significantly more, which would force him to reconsider my situation. I know this is a dangerous game; if he calls my bluff, I could end up losing my job or damaging my reputation. I’m aware that this could backfire, especially since my boss might decide to let me go rather than negotiate. Still, I’m not ready to leave a good-paying job without a solid opportunity lined up. I just want to avoid spending another three years waiting for something that may never happen. I’m feeling conflicted about whether this is a smart move or a foolish gamble. I’d love to hear thoughts from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

I have a degree in library and information science, but I've been struggling to find a job in that field. My friends suggested that I should take any job to build my resume, so I took their advice and have been working at a cafe for the past four months. This experience has helped me develop customer service skills and improved my confidence in communication. Now, I'm considering applying for library or archive positions again, even though my experience in that specific field is limited. The cafe job is the longest I've held, and I'm wondering if this general job experience is enough to start applying.

Today was my last working day as a developer after being laid off. I've got 1.8 years of experience, and I'm feeling a bit lost on how to find my next job. I remember how I landed my previous position, but now it feels like the job market is tougher. I've seen some advice suggesting I should approach my job search the same way I did before, leveraging my experience. I'm eager to hear any tips or strategies from others who have been in a similar situation.

I was put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) at my first job out of college just four months in, while still in training. The expectations were vague and subjective, which made me realize I needed to start job searching immediately. From the beginning, I sensed that my manager wasn't fond of me. Whenever I sought help, I was told I should already know the answers, and then blamed for not knowing. This created a toxic environment that led to panic attacks, sleepless nights, and excessive stress. I felt set up to fail from the start. Now, with the PIP ending this week, I’ve accepted that termination is likely. I'm struggling with feelings of failure and letting everyone down, especially as I face the reality of paying bills like student loans and credit cards without a job. I've been actively applying for new positions, but I'm worried this experience will hinder my chances. It’s painful to feel so incompetent and defeated.

I'm currently working in childcare, but I'm feeling burnt out and underpaid. I've been considering switching to a retail management position since I have some prior experience in that field. I've noticed that retail managers in my area are making significantly more than I do right now, with one of my younger family members earning $6-$7 more per hour as a grocery store manager. I'm really struggling to make ends meet with my current wage, and I'm contemplating whether it's worth it to transition back into retail. I'm curious if stores are open to hiring external candidates for manager roles or if I would have to start as a sales associate again. Additionally, I hold an art degree, but I feel like it hasn't been beneficial for my career lately. My ultimate dream is to return to art and earn a livable wage from it, but that doesn't seem realistic at the moment. I'm reaching out for advice and insights from anyone who has experience in retail management or has made a similar career switch.

I had a second interview today for an admin role at a small, local factory. During my first interview, I spoke with the owner's wife and the head of administration. They seemed pleased with my background and provided a lot of details about the job and what to expect after being hired. At the end of our conversation, they asked if I could return tomorrow morning to meet the owner and complete a drug test. I understand that the owner has the final say on hiring decisions, which makes me wonder if this means I'm close to getting the job or if this is just a standard part of the process. I'm feeling a bit uncertain about what to expect and how to prepare for this next meeting.

I recently landed a higher paying job after being laid off! I worked at a reputable company for 4.5 years until I was laid off at the end of June due to a company-wide reduction in force (RIF) linked to decreased consumer spending. Experiencing this firsthand was a jarring reminder that all the late nights and hard work don't matter unless you have a close relationship with upper management. I spent 4 months unemployed, attending three job fairs and four online events. I had a few final round interviews, but unfortunately, none resulted in offers. Then, out of the blue, a recruiter contacted me about a different role. After going through four interviews, including a grueling 5-hour onsite, I finally received an offer with a salary that is 30% higher than what I was making before! My advice for anyone in a similar situation is to identify your strengths and target roles that align with them. It’s crucial to tailor your resume and have a convincing narrative for why you're transitioning between domains. For instance, I shifted from the telecom industry to a pure software engineering role, which is where the money is. To prepare, I dedicated the last two months to practicing leetcode, system design, and behavioral interview questions. I also highlighted my unique background in networking, which I believe set me apart from other candidates. On a personal note, being unemployed was quite humiliating. At the in-person job fairs, I felt a mix of embarrassment and powerlessness, as if we were all just begging for jobs. Now, with my new salary, I plan to accelerate my journey towards financial independence.

I successfully made it to the second stage of the interview process for an Infrastructure Operations Engineer position. I'm feeling optimistic about the opportunity and looking forward to showcasing my skills in the next round.

I just learned that Airtable's new owner is planning to lay off a significant portion of the team. As someone who has been following the company closely, this news is quite concerning. It seems like this is part of a broader trend with their new management approach. I’m anxious about what this means for my role and the future of the company.

I'm currently working at a medium-sized MNC in a support role, but I'm feeling quite stuck. My tasks are repetitive, and there's no room for improvement or growth. Unfortunately, my manager isn't supportive either, which adds to my frustration. I really want to switch careers, especially since I haven't had the chance to participate in any projects. Most of the higher-ups in my team take the lead on projects, while I only handle the basic data touch-ups. It's disheartening because I do the groundwork, but others take credit for the final product. I've learned SQL, Power BI, and advanced Excel before joining, and I'm trying to master these skills further. However, I'm worried that without any projects to showcase my contributions, it will be tough to transition to a business analyst role, which is my target. I have two years of experience here and I'm open to moving to a new company. I'm looking for suggestions or feedback from anyone who has faced a similar situation.

I was recently laid off from my position as a Senior Software Engineer in Cairo, Egypt, where I had over 6 years of experience, primarily focusing on .NET, Cloud, and AI technologies. My last role was with Geidea in the fintech sector, but I've also worked in PropTech and the Public Sector. My tech stack includes C#, .NET 8/9, Node.js, Angular/React, PostgreSQL, Redis, RabbitMQ, Docker, and both AWS and Azure. Although the job market is quite tough right now, especially for remote positions, I'm trying to stay positive and view this as an opportunity to find a role that truly fits my skills and aspirations. I've been actively applying to positions for a few weeks, but the competition is fierce. To stay relevant, I'm currently enhancing my expertise in AI orchestration with LangGraph. I'm reaching out for any advice on where to find reputable remote-first companies that are hiring Senior .NET/AI engineers. Additionally, I'd appreciate feedback on my resume, particularly regarding my recent shift into AI and Automation—does it stand out enough? If anyone has leads or referrals, that would be incredibly helpful as well. Thanks for taking the time to read my post! I'm open to discussing anything related to fintech or AI integration in .NET.

I turned down a job offer a few months ago, and I'm now reconsidering my decision. I'm wondering if it would be appropriate to reach out to the recruiter who initially presented the opportunity. I'm not sure if they would still be interested in me or if the position is even available anymore. I want to know if it's common to go back to a recruiter after declining an offer and if it could potentially hurt my chances in the future.