Planning

I was recently laid off after 25 years with the same company in the media and newspaper industry. I know this industry has been struggling for a while, but it was my entire career. I started in customer service, worked my way up to management, and most recently managed offshore teams after much of the company was outsourced. Now, my position is being replaced by AI, along with many others in the company. I'm feeling completely lost. As a single woman in my late 40s with a teenage son and a mortgage, I don't have a degree and haven't applied for jobs or gone through interviews in decades. I truly don't know what to do next. I recognize that many others are in similar situations, but navigating this feels overwhelming and hopeless.

I recently shared my resume online, hoping to find job opportunities or get some advice on improving it. I'm currently in a tough spot, desperately searching for a job. I received some helpful feedback, suggesting I move my education section to the bottom of the resume and tighten up the bullet points for my work experience. They emphasized that resumes should tell a story about my career progression rather than just listing job descriptions. Some comments also pointed out that my resume could be visually improved, recommending I use powerful verbs and make it more concise. Overall, I'm eager to refine my resume and find new job prospects.

I recently completed a first-round interview for a marketing position at a casino. At the end of the interview, the recruiter mentioned that a federal background check would be conducted before hiring, and I agreed to it. Now, I'm feeling a bit anxious about what this background check might entail. I'm aware that they typically look into criminal history and credit reports, but I'm curious if there's more to it. One of my concerns is that I might have guessed some of the employment dates on my application. For instance, I wrote down 'March 1, 2010' as the start date for one of my jobs, but the actual date was 'March 17, 2010.' I'm worried that this discrepancy could raise some red flags. Additionally, since I am currently employed, I'm anxious about the possibility of the background investigator contacting my current employer. I hope that doesn't happen, as I want to keep my job while exploring this new opportunity.

I spent nearly a year looking for a job in finance, from July 2025 to June 2026. It was a long and challenging journey, marked by a total of 6 rounds of interviews for one position, only to face rejection in the end. I found it frustrating that after so many interviews, the company still couldn't make a decision. During this time, I submitted around 150 applications, but only managed to secure 8 interviews, none of which went beyond two rounds. I understand that my target roles might be less common, but it still feels disheartening. I'm trying to stay positive and keep the faith as I continue my search.

I experienced a significant layoff on May 1st, and it was an emotional roller coaster for me. I had dedicated so much to the company, working 60-70 hours a week and taking on new responsibilities as we grew from a startup of 32 employees to over 400, only to face five rounds of layoffs, with the final blow coming from a merger. I felt crippling grief, depression, and anxiety, and honestly, I spent two weeks in bed trying to process it all. After that, I decided to tackle my job search by reworking my resume and cover letters for every application. It felt insane to review my resumes from the past 30 years, but I really needed to refine everything I had done since my layoff. In just the past 48 hours, I was amazed at how going through this process helped me understand my professional journey. I created a 'Single Source of Truth' resume, which wasn't meant for applications but rather to help me accurately build tailored cover letters and resumes for specific roles. Completing that document brought me to tears; it was the first time I felt I could clearly articulate my career progression. Taking a step back to analyze my job titles and experiences was challenging, but it was a necessary exercise that most people never undertake. Now, I'm just hoping for another interview opportunity!

I recently started interviewing for a new position, and the company has requested my salary slips for the past three months as part of their hiring process. However, I work at a small startup that only provides pay slips after I serve my notice period. I'm feeling anxious about this situation because I'm worried that the potential employer might reject my application simply because I can't provide the salary slips immediately. I know that other companies usually have these documents readily available through their HR portals, but mine does not. I'm considering whether I should ask my current employer if they can provide the slips earlier, but I'm not sure how to approach that. I've heard that in many places, companies are legally obligated to provide pay slips, so I'm wondering if this could be an issue. For now, I might consider providing bank statements that show regular payments from my employer, but I would need to black out any sensitive information. Any advice on how to handle this situation would be appreciated.

I’m currently working as a courtesy clerk at Kroger, and I’m feeling really frustrated with my job situation. I’m only 16, and I’ve made it clear to my managers three times that I don’t want to work more than 30 hours a week. Despite that, they keep scheduling me for about 40 hours, which is really overwhelming. The management is terrible, and I’ve seen five new hires quit already, which says a lot about the work environment. I just want to have more freedom and not be tied down to such long shifts. I’m actively searching for other job opportunities, so if anyone has any recommendations, I’d really appreciate it!

I was laid off about a month ago from Goldman Sachs, where I worked as a Software Engineer. Since then, I've been actively searching for new opportunities, but the job market has proven to be more challenging than I anticipated. I have around 2 years of experience in software engineering, having also worked at Citi. My expertise lies in backend development, distributed systems, automation, and data platforms. I'm proficient in Java, Spring Boot, Python, SQL, PostgreSQL, Angular, and cloud-native development. I'm currently looking for Software Engineer or Backend Engineer roles with 0-3 years of experience and would greatly appreciate any leads, referrals, or advice. I'm open to opportunities in product companies, fintech, startups, and enterprise software. If anyone has any suggestions or knows of openings, please feel free to DM me, and I can share my resume.

I'm feeling really lost at 26 with my degree in mechanical engineering that seems to hold little value. I graduated with a 2:2 from a decent university, but my journey has been far from straightforward. I struggled with mental health issues that led me to drop out of a master's program and take a long break at home, where I've been for over a year now. I have no paid work experience, but I've done quite a bit of volunteering, including roles as a hiking leader and conservation leader at university. Despite my efforts, I feel like I have nothing attractive to offer potential employers. I don't drive, I'm out of shape, and I worry that my degree is essentially worthless now. I'm currently with NHS Step On, but I'm having a hard time finding opportunities. I'm considering starting in retail or admin, or maybe even looking into apprenticeships, but I still feel drawn to engineering and conservation. It's frustrating not knowing where to turn next, and I could really use some advice on how to move forward.

I took a career break three years ago from my role as a mechanical designer to fully immerse myself in studying data analytics. I dedicated around 10 hours a day to learning technologies like Python, SQL, and n8n. I had enough savings to support myself initially, but after a year of intense study, I started applying for jobs and attending interviews. As my finances began to dwindle, I took on temporary jobs in bartending and warehouse work to make ends meet. Unfortunately, the AI boom significantly impacted the job market, leading to a reduction in junior positions, and I struggled to find a role in data analytics for over a year. Now, I've decided to return to mechanical design and I'm currently trying to figure out the best way to explain this career gap on my CV.

I have a quick call scheduled with a hiring manager I reached out to on LinkedIn after they accepted my connection request. I found them through a job description and decided to cold-text them, which I know is a bit unconventional. They agreed to a quick chat, but I’m feeling really nervous about it. I’m used to traditional interviews, so this feels different and a bit awkward to me. I’ve tried reaching out like this a few times before, and it often gets uncomfortable when I run out of things to say. I want to make a good impression and not just feel like I’m selling my CV. I plan to start with a brief introduction and ask about the team and what they’re looking for, but I’m unsure of what else to discuss. I’ve read that it’s important to be genuinely curious and to keep the conversation flowing rather than just going through a list of questions. I’m also worried about how to wrap up the call without coming off as pushy. I really want this job, but the nerves are definitely kicking in. If anyone has tips on how to handle this type of conversation, especially how to end it on a good note, I would appreciate it!

After submitting around 150 job applications, I realized I needed to change my approach. Initially, I was doing the typical process: uploading my resume and retyping my information for each application, which was exhausting and time-consuming. What really helped me was separating the application process into dedicated blocks of time instead of spreading it out throughout the day. I started using a tool called Simplify that handles autofill for major ATS systems, which saved me a lot of repetitive work. For the custom portals that didn’t work with that tool, I set up standard answers in Quickform, which I could easily refill in Chrome. This way, I didn’t have to tailor every single response, but it significantly reduced the amount of retyping I had to do. I also made a point to avoid applying to listings that seemed like ghost jobs, which helped me focus on more legitimate opportunities. Overall, these changes didn’t lead me to apply to more jobs, but they made the process less taxing on my time and energy. I’m curious to know what other strategies have worked for you in terms of improving the application process!

I'm considering a job opportunity with a major tech company that could significantly boost my salary from the high five figures to six figures. The catch is that the position requires me to work overnight shifts on-site in a high-pressure environment, with my days off being Monday and Tuesday. The pay increase is at least $30k negotiable, but I would have to adjust my lifestyle significantly. Currently, I have a comfortable 9-5 job that I excel at, with optional remote work, a short commute, and a $25 lunch stipend. I'm also stepping back into an industry I've been away from for a year, which adds to my uncertainty. My partner is not thrilled about the potential changes to our lifestyle, including less time together and more meals alone. Financially, I'm in a good place with no debt, a partner who earns more than I do, and savings that cover six times my current salary across various accounts. I'm torn between the allure of a prestigious role and the comfort of my current job. What would you do in my situation?

I currently work at a job that pays me $11 an hour, but I'm also juggling college and other responsibilities. While living with my mother helps me save money, I'm worried that my pay might be cut soon due to some family issues. This could force me to quit and search for another job, which is daunting given my current financial goals like saving for a car or an apartment. The challenge is that I struggle with severe mental health issues, including depression and mood swings, which I can't afford to get treated. Some days I feel okay, but on others, I can't even get out of bed. This instability makes it hard for me to keep a job, especially if it's one that I dislike. I once quit a higher-paying job because I couldn't handle the environment after a confrontation with a coworker. I want to find a job that I can stick with, but I'm worried about being upfront about my mental health during the hiring process. I have limited experience, mostly in customer service, which I really don't enjoy. I'm looking for advice on how to find a job that won't exacerbate my mental health struggles and that I can actually tolerate. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off last week at 26 years old, and I have a master's degree. Currently, I'm living at home with my parents, which provides some security, but I'm feeling uncertain about my next steps. I'm torn between taking a job outside my field, like waitressing or administrative work, or holding out for something in my area of expertise. I want to be employed, but I also worry about taking a position that won't contribute to my career growth. I've heard that being employed can make it easier to find a job, and I'm considering filing for unemployment right away. I know I need to update my resume and start applying to jobs related to my degree, but I'm also open to temporary work to keep some income coming in while I search for the right opportunity. Any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I had an interview last week for a position and received a job offer shortly after. They called me on Thursday to discuss my wage and approximate orientation dates, which made me feel confident about starting the new role. However, today I received an email from Indeed stating that I was not selected by the employer, even though I haven't heard anything directly from the company that offered me the job. I'm left wondering if they've changed their mind and this email is how I'm finding out. I'm planning to call them on Monday to clarify the situation, as it might just be an administrative issue with the status on Indeed.

I graduated two weeks ago with a degree in Computer Information Systems, focusing on data management. Since then, I've been actively applying for entry-level data entry positions, but I'm finding that many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree, which limits my options. I'm currently at the stage where I'm trying to figure out the best approach to my job search. I have a few questions: 1. Does it really matter what time or day I submit my applications? 2. Besides being ghosted, how long should I realistically expect to wait for a response after applying? 3. My resume is quite short, featuring just my education and one work experience. Is this a red flag for recruiters? I landed my previous job right out of high school, so I lack additional experience and internships. 4. Apart from data entry and data analysis, are there other job titles I should consider? 5. I'm primarily using Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor to find job postings. Once I find a listing, I try to apply directly on the company's website. Are there any other job search sites I should explore? I came across Sprouts, but I'm hesitant to pay for it. I understand the job market is tough, especially as a new graduate, and I’m trying to keep my expectations in check. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

I recently found myself in a complicated situation regarding my unemployment benefits. I quit my job in childcare back in November and stopped covering shifts at the beginning of January. I made the decision to transition into a full-time paraprofessional role, which I held until the summer break. Now, as I’m filing for unemployment during the summer, my previous employer has contested my claim, arguing that I refused or avoided work. About two weeks before the summer, while still employed as a paraprofessional, I received an email from my former childcare employer asking about my availability for summer work. They expressed excitement about having me back. I responded that I was unsure about my availability and ultimately decided not to return, informing them via email. I’ve submitted my request for information, including the relevant dates and emails, showing that I was contacted prior to my unemployment. However, I’m feeling anxious about the outcome. My former employer did not provide an official job offer, nor any details about wages or start dates—just a vague mention of a full-time position. I’m worried about the odds of being denied unemployment benefits, especially since it seems like they are claiming I had work available. I’m trying to navigate this situation and understand if I’m at risk of being deemed ineligible for benefits.

As a recent computer science graduate, I'm currently working in a chaotic environment that feels overwhelming at times. I've been contemplating whether I should stay in this job while actively applying for new positions or if I should just quit and focus entirely on my job search. On one hand, having a job provides some financial security, but on the other hand, the stress is affecting my mental health and productivity. I'm seeking advice from others who might have faced a similar situation.

I'm currently navigating the job market and actively searching for new opportunities. If anyone has suggestions for projects or skills I could work on to enhance my profile during this search, I would greatly appreciate your input!