Planning

I'm currently employed in a dead-end job and I'm looking to leave. I've been feeling stuck and unfulfilled, and I want to find something more rewarding. I've been wondering how many job applications I should be submitting to increase my chances of landing a new position. I know it won't be a precise number, but I'm preparing myself for the possibility that it could take a lot of applications. I'm hoping to get some advice on how to approach my job search and what kind of roles I should be targeting.

I'm starting a new job next Monday and I'm currently going through the onboarding process, but I'm feeling a bit anxious. Ever since I accepted the offer two weeks ago, I haven't had any human contact—no emails or phone calls. Instead, I've just been getting automated tasks through an onboarding portal. I know there's probably someone behind the scenes managing this, but it would be nice to hear from a real person, especially since I have some questions about the process and whether my equipment for remote work is being sent. Has anyone else experienced this and still managed to start on time? I understand that automation is common in larger companies, but a little human outreach would really help ease my concerns.

I recently got hired for my first part-time job, and I'm feeling a bit lost right now. I went through the interview process, got all the details about training and pay, and even provided my shirt size. I completed all the onboarding paperwork, including tax forms and working papers. However, it's been two weeks since I was officially hired, and I've yet to hear anything. I called the place I'm supposed to work at, and the manager informed me that my working papers weren't updated. They advised me to call back on Monday, but when I did, the manager wasn't there. I tried again today, Tuesday, and still no luck. I'm feeling frustrated because I know the names of the people who are supposed to train me, along with the talent manager and HR consultant, but I wasn't given any contact information to reach out to them directly. I'm considering showing up in person tomorrow to speak with the manager, as I'm losing hope and just want to get started.

Today, I faced a tough decision regarding my job offers as a new BSEE grad. I recently signed an offer with an aerospace company for a highly technical engineering role that aligns perfectly with my long-term career goals. The position offers a great career trajectory, stable hours, and is located in a beautiful coastal area. I was genuinely excited about it. However, just a week later, I received a surprise offer from a tech startup that is about $20k higher than my signed offer. While the pay is tempting, the role comes with its downsides: it’s located in a remote area, demands crazy hours (60-80 hours a week), and would likely steer my career in a direction I’m not interested in pursuing long-term. Now, I’m grappling with whether I should reach out to the recruiter at the aerospace company to discuss the competing offer and see if they can increase my base salary by a few thousand dollars. I really want to stay with Offer A, but leaving that extra $20k on the table feels painful. I’m considering my options carefully, knowing I could always fall back on Offer B if needed, but I’m also aware of the risks involved. I was thrilled about Offer A when I accepted it, but this situation has definitely put me in a dilemma.

I recently started working at my mother's doctor's surgery on a zero-hour contract, but the work I was hired for is mostly finished. I had struggled for two years during my teenage years to find a job in retail or as a barista without success. Now that I have some actual job experience, I'm eager to secure a more permanent position at a store in the city. I'm open to any advice on how to improve my chances!

I recently found myself contemplating whether I should create a new profile for the companies I've applied to in the past. As a teacher looking to make a career shift, I've been actively applying to roles that seem like a good fit for the last 2-3 years, especially during the spring and summer months. Just last week, I applied to a position at a company where I already had a profile. After submitting my application, I checked my profile page and noticed several past applications from 2025 that had all been rejected. This made me wonder if it's worth it to start fresh with a new email and create new profiles that don't carry the weight of those rejections. I'm concerned that having a history of rejected applications might reflect poorly on me, but I'm also curious if recruiters actually pay attention to that kind of information. If anyone has insights or suggestions on this, I would greatly appreciate it!

I recently interviewed for a position at Mastercard and wanted to share my timeline and seek some advice. On June 17, I had my second-round interview with the Hiring Manager, which lasted longer than scheduled. The conversation was engaging, with plenty of follow-up questions and a discussion about the possibility of a final round with another team member. I felt positive about the interaction. On June 20, I reached out to the recruiter for an update. They responded on June 23, saying they were waiting for feedback from my interviewer before providing any updates. I followed up again on June 29 since I hadn’t heard back. Now, I’m still in the dark with no response. I’m trying to figure out if this is typical for Mastercard's hiring process. Is it normal for hiring managers to take this long to give feedback? Could it mean they are still interviewing other candidates? Also, is it common to be kept as a backup while they wait on someone else? Any insights from those who have been through this process would be greatly appreciated.

Today, I was put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) at my job. I honestly don't know how to process this. I started working here when there were three of us in the office, and now it's just me after layoffs. I've been managing the workload of three people, and now they say it's not enough. It feels incredibly unfair to expect me to maintain that pace every day without clear, measurable goals. I'm doing my best, but it seems like it doesn't matter. On top of this, my partner is currently unemployed, which adds a lot of financial stress to the situation. I've started looking for new jobs, but it's overwhelming. I refuse to sign any NDA or keep quiet about my experience here; I want to be transparent with others about what it's like to work in this environment. This whole situation has me feeling anxious, and I can't shake the feeling that I'm being set up to fail.

I recently found myself in a frustrating situation at my current job. I applied for a stocking position just to make some money before I leave to join my country's Air Force in December. However, during the hiring process, the employer suggested I take a deli/bakery role instead, which I explicitly mentioned I was not interested in. I accepted the offer because they claimed it was the only position available, but now I'm regretting that decision. The work environment is incredibly toxic, with a high turnover rate and no supervisor to guide us. The training is chaotic, and I feel like I'm just trying to survive each day. To make matters worse, I discovered they reposted the stocking job I initially applied for, which makes me feel like I was pushed into a role they couldn't fill with someone more experienced. I've started applying for other jobs because I know I can't stay in this unhealthy environment. I'm contemplating how to resign when the time comes, especially since I don’t think I owe them a two-week notice given my newbie status and lack of desire for a reference. I just want to escape this place and find something better.

I was fired from my job due to performance issues on June 17th. The HR department mentioned that they typically don't dispute unemployment claims, so I applied for benefits the very next day, on June 18th. Shortly after, I received a message regarding my monetary determination, indicating that I was eligible but had a pending eligibility issue that required no action from me. Now, I'm facing a situation where my funds are on hold, and I don't yet have a waiting week assigned. This isn't my first time requesting benefits after a performance-related termination; I've qualified before without issues. However, I'm feeling anxious about the hold status, as I don't recall encountering this in my previous experiences. I've been advised that this hold is normal in Florida and that it could take over a month to receive any benefits. I'm planning to follow up with them after 21 days to see if they need any additional information from me.

I experienced a significant identity crisis after being laid off from my role as an investment analyst at a small firm. I was informed of my layoff in April, and my last day was in early June. At just 26 years old, I had envisioned a long-term career at that company, and losing what felt like a dream job has left me feeling like I failed. After the layoff, I moved back in with my parents to focus on job hunting. Thankfully, I secured a new position within a few weeks, but it's in sales and pays about 30% less than my previous job. The benefits and PTO are also not as good, but I’m grateful to have something lined up. However, this transition has sent me into a bit of a spiral. I'm anxious about my future job security and career progression. With limited experience, I'm concerned about what I would do if I faced another layoff. I'm also contemplating going back to school for a more secure career path, like nursing. I'm curious if others have considered similar options and how to find a job that offers both security and fulfillment.

I recently lost my job as a laborer in Cairo due to my wife's critical illness. Three years ago, she was diagnosed with kidney failure, which drastically changed our lives. The commute was tough, but it became unbearable when her condition worsened and she needed regular dialysis. My employer let me go when they realized I needed to be by her side constantly. Since then, I've struggled to find work; every time I start a new job, her health takes priority, and I can't continue. I'm even considering donating my own kidney to help her. I'm desperate for a remote work opportunity that allows me to care for her while meeting our basic needs. If anyone has advice or knows of remote job openings, I would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you for your support.

I was recently laid off from my position, but I'm still on my company's payroll for the next 90 days due to the WARN act. I'm going to receive a severance payout with my final paycheck, and I'm unsure whether I should start applying for new jobs now or wait until my 90 days are up. I'm concerned that if I accept a new role before the end of this period, it might terminate my current employment, which could affect my severance and the remaining pay. I've been contemplating whether to take it easy for a month before diving into the job search or to start applying immediately. I've seen advice that suggests I should begin the job search as soon as I'm ready, since the hiring process can take a long time. Some people mentioned that their previous employers allowed them to adjust their termination date if they found a new job, while still receiving severance. Others pointed out that I should check the specifics of my separation agreement to see if I would still receive severance if I resign during the WARN period. Given the current job market, many are suggesting that it might take longer than three months to find a new position, so starting my search sooner rather than later could be beneficial. Overall, I'm leaning towards beginning my job applications now, but I still have some reservations about how it might impact my severance.

Today marks my first day of unemployment after being laid off from my role at a tech company. It's a strange and unsettling feeling, and I find myself unsure of how to fill the sudden void in my schedule. The silence is overwhelming, and I can't help but feel a bit scared about this new phase in my life. However, I'm trying to remind myself that this is just a season and not a permanent situation. My plan for today is to take a moment to rest and recharge, and then start planning my next steps tomorrow. I know I need to stay proactive, so I’m considering treating my job search like a new job itself. I've seen suggestions about filling my time with learning new skills, applying to jobs daily, and keeping a balanced routine with exercise and social activities. I’m hoping that by staying busy and focused, I can navigate this challenging time with a positive mindset.

I'm currently navigating the job market after moving from Brazil to Massachusetts about two years ago. I graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering and have a Green Card, so visa sponsorship isn't an issue for me. My background includes around 10 years of experience in quality management, process improvement, and project management, primarily in the construction sector. I've been applying for roles like Project Engineer, Project Coordinator, and Assistant Project Manager for about three months now, but unfortunately, I haven't landed a single interview. I'm at a crossroads and seeking advice on whether pursuing a U.S. Master's degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management would be worthwhile, considering it could cost me $20k–30k. Alternatively, I’m contemplating focusing on certifications like CAPM, PMP, or OSHA that might enhance my employability. I have questions about the impact of my foreign degree on my job search and whether I should continue pushing for positions or invest in further education first. I'm eager to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation or has insights on breaking into project or construction management with an international degree.

I accepted a job offer with Company A and I'm set to start mid-July. However, I’m currently in the interview process with Company B, which pays significantly better—about double what I’ll earn at Company A. I have a second interview with them next week, and they seem very interested in me. My concern is that Company A is flying me across the country and issuing me equipment, and I don’t want to commit to that if I might receive an offer from Company B. I’m trying to figure out the best way to handle this situation. Should I just proceed with Company A as planned and continue interviewing with Company B? I’ve heard advice suggesting to keep moving forward with A and only make a decision if B extends an offer, but I’m worried about the logistics of starting at A if B comes through. Any thoughts on how to navigate this?

Since January, I've been navigating my job application journey after making a significant career transition. Initially, I was focused on roles in a completely different industry, which made the process challenging. I revamped my resume to highlight transferable skills and tailored my cover letters for each application. I started networking more actively, reaching out to former colleagues and attending industry meetups. Over the past few months, I've applied to numerous positions, participated in several interviews, and received some rejections, but I've also had a few promising leads. I'm learning a lot about the job market and refining my approach as I go. It's been a rollercoaster, but I'm determined to find the right fit.

I'm 23 years old and have just cleared all three levels of the CFA Program. Currently, I'm working in banking operations at an overseas bank in Gurgaon, where I've gained about 1.5 years of experience. However, I'm eager to transition into a role that aligns more closely with investments, valuation, equity research, or corporate finance. I've been actively applying for jobs, but I've hit a wall since many firms prefer candidates with direct experience in these areas. I recently reached the final round of interviews at Morgan Stanley, but things took a turn when they started asking about my Python skills, which I realized I need to improve. I'm now focusing on enhancing my Python skills and financial modeling abilities. I'm reaching out to see if anyone who has successfully made a similar transition could share their insights. What skills were most impactful for you? How did you land your first investment-related role? If you were in my shoes, what would you prioritize over the next 6 to 12 months? Any advice or lessons learned would be greatly appreciated!

I’ve been on a job search grind lately, applying to around 50 to 60 positions each day. Thankfully, I’ve scored a few interviews, which is a relief since I’m worried about keeping up with my mortgage payments. Recently, I had an interview for a marketing position that seemed like a perfect fit for my skills and offered a salary that would really help my situation. The only downside is that the office is quite a distance from my home, but I’m willing to make that daily commute if it means securing a job. I had my initial interview about a week ago, and shortly after, I was invited for a second in-person interview scheduled for Thursday, the 25th. I wanted to stand out, so I prepared some mock-ups and ideas for a strategy deck, even though they hadn’t requested it. The hiring managers, including one of the co-owners, seemed genuinely impressed with my background and my proactive approach. They complimented my self-starter attitude and expressed enthusiasm about having me on board, especially since they appreciated having more women in the office. After the interview, I felt really good about my chances. However, when I asked about the timeline for feedback, they mentioned they were still interviewing other candidates and that I should expect to hear back by Tuesday, the 30th. Now, as I sit here, I haven’t received any updates, and it’s making me anxious. I’m considering sending a follow-up email tomorrow morning but I’m unsure if that would come off as desperate. I want to strike the right balance between showing my interest and not seeming overly eager. I know the job market is tough, and everyone is in need of jobs right now. Any advice on whether I should reach out now or wait a bit longer would be greatly appreciated.

I applied for a job yesterday and got a call today for a brief on-the-spot interview. They scheduled me for an in-person interview and sent me a link to complete a separate employment application beforehand. However, I'm stuck on the references section. I have very little experience and can't think of anyone to list. My first job was about five years ago, and I only worked there for a year before leaving due to surgery. I don't have my former boss's contact information, and I'm not sure she'd remember me anyway, especially since she wasn't the best at treating employees. I also thought about listing my volunteer work from years ago, but I don't have any contacts from that time, and most of the people I worked with have likely moved on. I'm unsure if I can leave the reference section blank, if all three slots need to be filled, or what the etiquette is for references in general. I know that leaving it blank could jeopardize my chances, but I really don't have anyone to provide.