Planning

I just learned that my job as a legal assistant is at risk. After 30 years in the field, working for three different lawyers, I’m facing unemployment in just six months. My journey began as a receptionist in Ohio, and I’ve been fortunate to have had fair and respectful employers who taught me a lot. However, my current boss has recently hinted at an earlier retirement than expected, and during a conversation about his plans, I realized he might be stepping away by the end of the year. I’m feeling overwhelmed and anxious about the job market, especially since I haven’t interviewed since 1996. I’m 55, and I worry about age discrimination. My appearance has changed post-cancer treatment, and I don’t feel confident about competing for jobs. I’ve been thinking about how to update my resume, especially since my current office hasn’t kept up with modern technology. I need to learn how to present my experience in a way that appeals to potential employers. I’m also considering a career change, but I’m unsure what direction to take that would still support me financially. I feel lost and scared about finding a new job in this tough market. I’m reaching out for advice on how to prepare for interviews, update my resume, and potentially pivot into a different industry. Will I ever find a job?

I am currently searching for my next job as a lawyer and noticed that in the past 24 hours, several partners at a local firm within my practice area have viewed my LinkedIn profile. Interestingly, I haven't applied to this firm, and one of the partners, whom I have a good relationship with from years ago, has checked my profile multiple times this week. I'm curious if anyone else has experienced something similar and if there are any strategies I can use to turn this interest into a job opportunity. Should I reach out to my colleague there to say hello and see how they're doing?

I've been working as a part-time freelancer for a company for the past five years, earning £26 per hour consistently. Recently, they've offered me a permanent contract on PAYE, which sounds appealing since it comes with a job title that feels like a promotion and slightly more hours, but the pay is only £19 per hour. This feels like a significant pay cut to me. While I understand the benefits of being employed, like holiday pay and a pension, I usually manage my hours flexibly and make up for any time off, so those benefits don't hold much weight for me. Plus, I've been at the same rate for years, even as the UK minimum wage has increased by 37%. Now, they want to pay me less for more hours, which limits my ability to take on other clients. I've been contemplating whether I should accept this offer or if my feelings of being undervalued are justified. It seems like they're trying to buy my availability at a discount, and I’m not sure if the benefits outweigh the pay cut. Should I counter their offer or stick with my freelance work that has been stable for so long?

I recently applied for a county government job and submitted my application documents as a ZIP file. Now, I'm worried that their firewall might have blocked my email entirely. I have a bachelor's degree and I'm currently interning at a major ISP in the area, which I thought would make me a strong candidate. I sent in my application last weekend, but I'm starting to realize that using a ZIP file could have caused my email to be dropped. I'm hesitant to follow up too soon, especially since it's a government position, but I'm also concerned that resending everything unzipped might come off as annoying if my original application actually went through. I'm really unsure about the best course of action here.

I got shortlisted for a data analyst role as a fresher on April 30 after my interview, and it's now June 28—two months later. I've been in constant communication with HR, but they keep saying that management approval is still pending. I'm starting to feel anxious about the situation. Is this kind of delay normal in the hiring process? I'm unsure of what steps to take next. Should I continue waiting or follow up more aggressively?

I’m feeling really frustrated with my job search right now. I’m currently a licensed security officer in Texas, but my hours are terrible, and I’m looking to transfer because I primarily work events. Unfortunately, I’ve had a lot of trouble with recruiters—some even canceling phone interviews last minute. I’ve tried following up via email, but it feels like I’m hitting a wall. I can’t help but wonder if being a woman is playing a role in this. I’ve applied to a wide range of positions, from security roles to retail jobs (including Costco, where my application has been sitting open forever), logistics, warehouse roles, and even fast food. Yet, I’m either getting ghosted or facing last-minute cancellations for interviews. I’m open to any job that offers solid hours and decent pay, whether it’s local or remote. I have a clean record, a current guard license, and a solid background in security, logistics, and customer service. I should have never moved to McKinney—I'm really looking forward to moving back to Dallas County when my lease is up. I could really use some advice or job referrals. I have experience working from home and would love to get back into a remote position. The jobs available in my area don’t offer solid hours and are only paying around $10, which isn’t sustainable for me.

I got fired just two months into my probation period at a mom and son mortgage brokerage where I worked as an admin assistant. After graduating, I spent four months job searching, and I was really excited to land this position. My role involved a mix of clerical and underwriting tasks, like labeling documents, sending compliance paperwork, calling clients about renewing their mortgages, and reviewing real estate documents for issues. I was genuinely proud of the work I was doing and felt fulfilled. But then, out of the blue, my managing broker came into the office, sat down, and told me she was "disappointed" with my performance. She felt I wasn’t "grasping things" and just like that, my dream job crumbled. It felt like a breakup—one moment I was excited about my future, and the next I was back in the job market, which is as tough as ever. Wish me luck as I start this search all over again!

I'm currently seeking advice on finding a second job. I've spent the last 7–10 years in finance, working my way up from Analyst to Manager and most recently, Director. Now, I'm looking to pick up a part-time position in retail or at a gym, aiming for about 10–15 hours a week to supplement my income. After being unemployed for four months, I want to rebuild my savings and tackle some debt. I'm curious if my extensive experience in finance might hinder my chances of landing a part-time role. Should I create a separate resume tailored for retail or customer service jobs, or stick with my current resume that highlights my professional titles and experience? I'd really appreciate insights from anyone who has navigated a similar situation.

I received an unexpected email from my boss asking about my first shift as a substitute counselor for the Parks & Rec summer camp program. This caught me completely off guard because I thought I hadn’t been hired for the position. I had applied to be a lead counselor this year, but due to a family trip to Europe that would make me miss the mandatory in-person training, I reached out to my boss beforehand to clarify my eligibility. She indicated that missing the training would disqualify me, so I decided to apply as an on-call substitute instead, thinking it would be a safer bet given my situation. After applying, my boss confirmed my application as a substitute, but I never received any official job offer or paperwork, which led me to believe I hadn’t gotten the job. I even moved on and found another summer job, assuming my application was a no-go. I continued to receive automated emails about the program, which I thought were just leftover notifications since I didn’t think I was hired. Now, while I’m enjoying my trip in Europe (despite a nasty sunburn), I’m faced with this email about my first shift. I’m planning to be honest with my boss and explain that I never received an official offer, so I didn’t attend any training sessions. I want to clarify my situation without sounding like I’m making excuses for not fulfilling responsibilities for a job I didn’t know I had. It’s a bit of a wild situation, but I’m hoping my experience will still count for something, even if I missed the training.

I recently started a part-time managerial position at a restaurant, expecting to earn $25/hr as advertised in the job listing. However, I was informed by the owner that I would begin at minimum wage. I accepted this because I was thrilled to secure a job. Early on, we discussed my wage, and the owner mentioned that once I got a good handle on my responsibilities, we could talk about a raise. Now that I've been working there for a while, I feel comfortable with my tasks, even though I still make minor mistakes occasionally. I'm hesitant to ask for a raise for a few reasons: first, I don't want to seem ungrateful since the job doesn't require specialized skills; second, my workload is similar to my coworkers who are also earning minimum wage; and third, business is slower right now, so I feel guilty about asking for a wage increase. The owner did indicate that they would consider raising my pay to $25/hr in September, but I would really like to discuss this sooner. My role involves kitchen responsibilities and setting up for the restaurant, which is about an hour more than what servers do, but the work is generally the same. I'm looking for advice on how to approach this situation.

I’m currently working full-time in an administration role and have started applying for new jobs that typically fall during my working hours. I’m feeling a bit stuck on how to handle interviews while still employed. Should I be open with my employer about my job search, or is it better to take time off under the guise of sick leave or personal appointments? I know that technically, they can’t fire me just for looking for another job, but I’m worried about how my boss might react if they find out. Eventually, I’ll need them as a reference, so honesty could be important, but I also don’t want to create an uncomfortable work environment. Some friends of mine are keeping their interviews under wraps and using their leave without disclosing the real reason, but I’m not comfortable with being dishonest. I’m just unsure of the best approach, especially since I’m required to provide a reason for any leave I take. By the way, I’m based in Australia, which might have different norms around this compared to other countries.

I am currently seeking entry-level IT or tech opportunities in Massachusetts or Connecticut. As a freshman studying Computer Science, I possess some technical knowledge, but I'm eager to gain practical experience in the field. Right now, I'm working in a warehouse job, which is quite mentally and physically taxing. I would prefer to transition into a role that aligns more with my career goals, such as IT support, help desk, or internships. I'm a fast learner, dedicated, and ready to put in the effort to build my skills. If anyone has any leads or advice, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

I'm currently seeking job referrals and hoping to connect with someone who works at CVS. I understand this might be a long shot, but I'm in the tech field and would greatly appreciate any recommendations or insights. Thank you!

I recently had an interview for a position and they requested that I fill out another application with three references. The challenge is that I haven't worked for the past two years and, although I just graduated from college, I wasn't particularly close with my professors. I only reached out to them when I had questions about assignments. I even asked my college advisor to be a reference, but she declined because she didn't feel she knew enough about my work ethic. Now I'm feeling confused about what to do next regarding references. I'm considering reaching out to an old high school teacher or maybe a mentor, but I'm unsure if they'll remember me well enough to provide a positive reference. I'm also thinking about using a strategy where I tell them I used my references recently for another job and they all inquired about my application status, which made me hesitant to provide them again. Any advice would be appreciated!

I recently found myself in a bit of a dilemma regarding a job offer. I was looking at a position in Oregon that advertised a pay range of $17 to $24 an hour, depending on experience. Given my qualifications, I felt confident that I could negotiate for a higher rate, ideally around $22 an hour, which is the minimum I need to cover my bills and survive. My boyfriend advised against applying, but I thought it was worth a shot to see how the process unfolded. However, I started to worry about the implications of potentially denying a job offer if it came in below my expectations. I’m currently receiving unemployment benefits, and I’m concerned about how turning down a job offer might affect my eligibility. I’ve heard mixed opinions on this, especially regarding audits and the rules surrounding unemployment. It seems like a tricky situation where I need to balance my financial needs with the requirements of the unemployment program. I’m still trying to figure out the best course of action.

I just learned that Johns Hopkins in Baltimore is planning to lay off 110 employees because of federal funding cuts. It's really disheartening to see such a significant number of jobs being affected. I hope those impacted can find new opportunities soon.

I've been struggling to find a part-time job since December, and it's really starting to get to me. I'm 17 and have applied to countless places, but all I've received are rejection letters. It's frustrating to see my friends working hard at their jobs while I'm stuck here, feeling like I'm wasting my summer. I've updated my resume multiple times and can't figure out what's wrong with it. I have decent skills, I'm fluent in several languages, and I know I have the work ethic to succeed, yet I still can't land a regular job. I'm considering reaching out to family friends and teachers for networking opportunities, as I've heard that can really help. I just hope something comes through soon.

I recently made a significant career change that has left me feeling both excited and anxious. I was working as a project manager from 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM, and honestly, I was absolutely miserable. After going back to school for this role, I realized it wasn't my dream job at all. So, I decided to quit and return to banking, even though it meant taking a pay cut. The reason for this shift is that the benefits in banking are infinitely better, and I’ll be working in person again instead of being holed up in my room. Plus, I’ll have a normal 9-5 schedule and, best of all, I won't have to work weekends anymore! However, I’m grappling with the financial implications of this decision. I moved back home after feeling really depressed in my previous job, and now I'm concerned that I won't be able to move out again without a raise or a roommate. I’m still battling some depression, and while I crave my freedom, I’m not sure if I made the right choice by sacrificing some financial stability. This is a huge change for me, and I’m just trying to figure out if it was worth it.

I've been actively searching for a new job lately, and I've noticed a concerning trend: it seems like work-from-home (WFH) and hybrid positions are becoming less common. The fully remote jobs that are available feel extremely competitive, which adds to my stress. Currently, I enjoy my job, but the toxic atmosphere created by some colleagues makes it challenging to stay positive. I do have some flexibility with one WFH day, and my hours are somewhat manageable, but the pay isn't great, and there's little room for growth. The benefits are just okay, but at least I have some. As I apply for new positions, I'm really hoping to find a workplace with a supportive culture. I'm torn between the idea of pursuing a higher salary and career development in a fully in-office role versus trying to maintain my current work/life balance with its drawbacks. The negativity I encounter daily at my job weighs heavily on me, and as someone who values positivity, it's tough to keep my spirits up when the environment is so draining. I'm left wondering if it would be worth it to sacrifice my supposed work/life balance for a more rewarding position.

I recently graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a minor in Sociology, and I'm feeling really lost in my job search. I'm 23 and living in the Midwest suburbs near Chicago. After graduating, I worked as a program coordinator at a day camp, which I loved, but then I took a nanny/household manager position that burned me out in just six months. Now, I'm feeling overwhelmed and anxious about finding a job that aligns with my degree and pays above $20 an hour. I'm open to various roles related to psychology, including lab work, human services, administrative positions, and work in hospital settings or child welfare/domestic violence. I prefer not to be an ABA therapist or an early childhood teacher, but I'm interested in behind-the-scenes work with children or those with developmental disabilities, like directing or scheduling. I thrive in environments with lots of paperwork and a structured routine. I lost my father in 2022, and he was my biggest supporter and guide. I often visit his grave and find myself crying, seeking his advice during this challenging time. I feel stuck while my peers seem to have their careers figured out, and I’m struggling with indecision. I’ve even thought about going back to school for nursing because I enjoy the healthcare setting, but I feel lost on how to start. If anyone has advice or suggestions for roles that could help me leverage my psychology degree or temporary positions that could lead to further education, I would greatly appreciate it. I just want to feel fulfilled in my work.