Planning

I was laid off in September 2025 and have been unemployed for 12 months now, which has been really tough on me. Despite having a good number of interviews and making it to final rounds, I haven't been able to land a role. I've received feedback that I'm a perfect cultural fit, yet I keep getting passed over a week later. I've been told to follow up more, try to make the interviewers laugh, or be more engaging, but I'm just exhausted by the politics of it all. I just want a job. I have 10 years of experience as a compliance professional, specializing in AML/BSA, fraud, and risk management. My background includes work in cryptocurrency, fintech, wealth management, and banking. I've polished my resume and even my recruiters have said that my interviews went well with no negative feedback. I'm left wondering what I might be doing wrong.

I recently accepted a job offer that I'm genuinely excited about, and now I'm contemplating how much notice to give at my current job. I've been working here for 2.5 years, and honestly, I haven't enjoyed it at all. This position was never meant to be permanent; I took it as a favor for a friend who needed a replacement. During my time here, I've seen four coworkers leave, with three providing at least two weeks' notice, although they didn't stick around until their last day. One even quit on the spot. My boss has a habit of talking negatively about everyone, blaming them for issues, regardless of whether they still work here. For the last six months, I've been the only employee in the office while my boss claims he's searching for new hires. I’ve taken on multiple roles, essentially managing things without the title or proper compensation. Given all this, I feel I have no reason to stay. I do have a somewhat decent relationship with my boss, and I know he needs time to find someone to take over since he lives out of state. I'm torn between giving a two-week or three-week notice. I don't plan on returning, but I also don't want to burn any bridges completely. I feel a little bad about leaving him in a tough spot. If you were in my situation, how much notice would you give?

I had my first interview for a position at a company where I met with the General Manager, and it felt like it went really well! However, I missed the follow-up email from HR about scheduling my second interview with the Assistant General Manager. I only found it a week later, buried in my spam folder, and by that time, it had already been a week since my first interview. I quickly reached out to HR, apologized for the oversight, and expressed my willingness to work around the AGM's schedule for the second interview. Unfortunately, I haven't heard back from HR in two days, and I noticed that the job has been reposted on LinkedIn. This has left me feeling pretty bummed out, as I was really hopeful about this opportunity. I'm not sure if I should apply again or if that would be weird. I’ve been dealing with some personal issues, including a sick relative, which has made it hard for me to keep track of everything. At 27, I'm searching for my second professional job, and I could really use some advice on how to move forward. Should I just let this one go and continue applying elsewhere?

I graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor's in Health Science, focusing on Health Education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I began working as a Community Health Worker through various contract jobs until 2024. Unfortunately, I was let go from a position in May 2025, just before my three-month mark. After that, I took some time off to focus on my mental health and received unemployment benefits until early June 2026. Currently, I'm working part-time in retail, averaging about 10-13 hours a week. I'm looking to transition into a role in after-school programs, but I'm unsure how to leverage my skills since I haven't worked directly with children before. I'm also confused about how to present my resume—should I still include my high school education even though I graduated more than a decade ago? I plan to remove my Bachelor's degree if I'm applying for entry-level positions. Any advice on how to navigate this transition would be greatly appreciated!

Today was a tough day as I got fired from my role as a supervisor at a theme park, specifically overseeing a skyride attraction. The incident that led to my termination involved an ambassador on my team who failed to follow instructions and stayed in the break room instead of taking their position on the platform. Unbeknownst to me, I started the cable without him in place, which resulted in a safety issue. Unfortunately, I was held responsible for this oversight and let go. It's a frustrating situation, and right now, I just feel like jumping in a lake to clear my head. I'm trying to remind myself that this might be an opportunity to move on to something better.

I started a service to sales position at a car dealership and today I was unexpectedly pulled into the office. They informed me that I wasn't being fired, but rather being transferred to a used car dealership within the same group. They mentioned that this move would be "better for my learning process" and that they had "failed me" by placing me in service to sales too soon. I was quite taken aback by this. I had been on the sales floor for about 1.5 months after a month of shadowing, and during my first month, I managed to sell five cars, which my mentor said was a normal start for someone transitioning from service to sales. He himself had sold only four in his first month, and the average is around 15 now. A few weeks ago, I approached our training manager because I felt frustrated; my own manager was dismissive when I asked for feedback, telling me to just figure things out. I can't help but wonder if my frustrations and lack of guidance contributed to this decision. Regardless, I was informed that I would be starting at the new dealership tomorrow, so I’m trying to stay positive about this change.

I’m currently struggling to find a job that aligns with my experience in the food and nutrition industry. I have worked in a culinary studio and a teaching kitchen, where I assisted in teaching adults how to cook through private and public classes. Additionally, I have experience with Snap nutrition education, where I taught nutrition lessons to elementary school kids, incorporating cooking and gardening into the curriculum. I have also served as a WIC nutritionist, providing nutrition counseling to pregnant and postpartum mothers and children up to five years old. My skills include front of house operations, food preparation, extensive food knowledge, food safety practices, and I am bilingual in Slovak. I also have experience in public speaking and one-on-one counseling, with a solid background in nutrition and public health. I would appreciate any insights or suggestions on other roles or job types I could apply for with my background. I’ve been advised to consider positions in community health, wellness program coordination, or corporate wellness, as my skills seem to be transferable. I’m also thinking about reaching out to local non-profits or educational programs for potential job openings.

I recently applied for a position at a nonprofit organization and received a rejection just three days later. It felt like my application wasn't genuinely reviewed, which was frustrating because I meet all the listed qualifications. The only potential issue could be a gap in my employment history due to taking time off to care for a family member. I'm concerned that this gap might have triggered an automated screening process that prevented my resume from being seen by a real person. Now that the job posting is still active, I'm contemplating reapplying with an updated resume and cover letter that better addresses this gap. I'm curious if anyone else has had success in similar situations or if reapplying is usually a waste of time. I'd appreciate any insights or experiences related to overcoming these types of application hurdles.

I recently received a job offer and I'm feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. The company suggested that I put in my two weeks' notice on Monday so I can start my new role on August 31. However, I'm worried about a couple of things: what if my current employer decides to let me go as soon as I hand in my notice, or what if the new job offer falls through? It's been a while since I've had to navigate this process, especially since Covid, and the uncertainty is definitely weighing on me. I know I need to trust the process, but the 'what ifs' keep creeping in. I’m trying to evaluate my situation and weigh my options carefully.

I recently went through a frustrating experience while searching for a job. I was eager to secure a position and didn't question the process when I was offered what they called "job training." I went in thinking I was being hired, only to find out that I had to complete two weeks of unpaid training before they would even decide if I was a fit for the role. During those two weeks, I spent hours working on the cash register and assisting customers, which felt like actual work to me. After two hours on my first day, I realized this was not right and decided to walk out. Looking back, I wish I had asked more questions upfront about the nature of this training. It made me reflect on how desperation for a job can cloud our judgment and lead us to accept situations that are not normal or fair. I’ve learned my lesson and will definitely be more cautious in the future. I also wonder if others have faced similar situations and how they handled them.

I work for the public school system in Michigan, and this summer has been a complete nightmare regarding unemployment issues. There have been significant clerical problems between my employer and the Michigan unemployment insurance agency. One major issue is that my employer improperly filed a work search waiver extension. Instead of extending the waiver, they implemented a waiver for registering with Michigan Works. This means I don't have to search for work through Michigan Works specifically, but I still need to complete three work searches. This was not how it was supposed to be handled. I've been in constant communication with my HR department, and they are now advising me to apply for other positions within our own company. However, the work searches were supposed to be registered during the week I file my claim, which complicates things further. To make matters worse, every employee in our company in Michigan is facing issues because our 4th quarter earnings have not been reported. I feel overwhelmed and confused about the situation. I'm worried about the possibility of getting audited if I follow my HR's advice on how to document my work searches. What should I do next?

I'm currently searching for a job and facing some challenges in finding roles that align with my experience. I have a background in the food industry, having worked in a culinary studio and a teaching kitchen where I assisted in teaching both private and public cooking classes for adults. Additionally, I've been involved in Snap nutrition education, where I taught nutrition lessons to elementary school children, incorporating cooking and gardening activities. My experience also includes working as a WIC nutritionist, providing nutrition counseling to pregnant women, postpartum mothers, and children up to five years old. In terms of skills, I have expertise in front of house operations, food preparation, food safety, and a solid knowledge of food. I'm bilingual in Slovak, which I believe could be an asset. I also have strong public speaking abilities and experience in one-on-one counseling, along with a background in nutrition and public health. I would greatly appreciate any insights or suggestions on other job roles I could apply for with this experience.

I recently joined a layoff support hiking group in the Bay Area, California. We meet on Mondays to hike and connect with others who are also navigating job transitions. This coming Monday, August 17, we're heading to Mt. Tamalpais State Park in Mill Valley for a 4.6-mile loop with an elevation gain of 879 feet. It's a great way to clear my head and meet others in similar situations. The group splits into smaller ones based on hiking pace, which helps keep the trail manageable. I appreciate that we can also participate in other activities like co-working and casual meetups beyond just hiking. It's nice to know that even those who are still employed can join, as long as they are supportive of those currently looking for jobs. I'm looking forward to this hike and hope to connect with some new friends!

I recently interviewed for a residential appraisal role in NYC, which is a pivot from my current position in commercial appraisal. There were 30 applicants, and I felt a strong connection with the hiring manager during our interview, which ran about 15 minutes over time. Shortly after our conversation, the job posting was removed, leading me to believe I might be a strong candidate. I followed up with a thank-you email and reiterated my interest in the role. The hiring manager responded positively but expressed concern about the job's stability and my ability to make ends meet in NYC. I assured him I had a solid plan in place for the move and that this opportunity aligns perfectly with my long-term goals. He appreciated my response but mentioned needing a few days to discuss it internally. Interestingly, a few hours later, the CEO viewed my LinkedIn profile, which I take as a good sign. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as I await their decision, and I'm hoping for some insight or advice from others who might have been in similar situations.

I recently made the tough decision to leave my job after nearly two years due to the overwhelming stress it was causing me. My health took a hit, and I had to seek medical advice, which revealed I might need further treatment. While stepping away from this role has alleviated some immediate stress, I’m still navigating my mental health and considering therapy for the future. I’ve been applying for new jobs every day, but the waiting game has been frustrating, as I keep hearing that my applications are still under consideration. I realize that I need to secure a position with benefits, especially since I’m living with my parents and need to take care of my health. I’m also looking into filing for unemployment but I'm unsure about the process. If anyone has advice on how to approach this or what steps I should take next, I would really appreciate it.

I'm currently on the hunt for a remote job since there aren't many opportunities in my area that fit my skills. I'm curious about where others have found remote positions and how to distinguish between legitimate jobs and scams. I've seen a lot of listings, but it's overwhelming and I want to make sure I'm applying to the right places. Some advice I received suggested using LinkedIn and job boards, but I feel a bit lost. I really need a desk job and would appreciate any tips or experiences from those who have successfully navigated this process.

I recently received a written offer for a role in a new industry, which is exciting but also a bit daunting. I plan to counter-offer, as I believe my skills can bring a lot to the table. The offer came from the HR team, but I would be reporting directly to the person who interviewed me. I'm unsure if he is the actual hiring manager or not. I’m contemplating whether to send my counter-offer to him, the HR team, or both. Given that I only had one interview and they offered me just five days later, I feel they see me as a strong candidate. I’m leaning towards reaching out to both to keep everyone in the loop and show my seriousness about the position.

I’ve been unemployed for a bit now after getting laid off from my software development job, where I worked for about 3.5 years. The unemployment benefits here aren't great, so I'm looking to secure a part-time position, ideally something like receptionist or front desk work. My previous job, which was about 4 years ago, was more aligned with the type of work I’m seeking now. I’m trying to figure out how to tailor my resume for these part-time roles. I was thinking of creating a section titled 'Relevant Experience' to highlight my earlier job that relates to receptionist work, and then another section called 'Other Experience' where I could include my software development role along with my career break. I’m a bit torn about whether to leave the software development job off entirely since I don’t want to give the impression that I’ll jump ship as soon as I find something else. But at the same time, I want to show that I haven’t just been idle for the past 3.5 years. I’d love to hear any advice on this or if anyone has gone through a similar situation.

I recently received a job offer from a company through a temp agency after applying for bookkeeping and administrative roles. Currently, I work at a small business where I handle multiple responsibilities, but I'm underpaid and there's a rumor that my position might be downsized by the end of the year. I've been job hunting for about a month and a half, and while I got this offer, I'm feeling uneasy about it due to the lack of clarity in the terms. The temp agency offered me $24 an hour for the first 90 days, with the promise of a pay increase afterward, but they won't provide any written details until after that period. The salary range for the position was advertised as $25-30/hr, yet they only confirmed that I wouldn't earn less than $24 during the probation. They also couldn't specify the 401k matching rate or what metrics would determine if I’d be hired permanently after 90 days, which makes me uncomfortable. Additionally, the company seems to be in a precarious situation, with most of their staff nearing retirement and the person who would train me going on leave soon. They mentioned combining the accounting assistant role with HR duties, which raises further concerns about workload and job security. I’ve built good relationships at my current job over the past six years, and with a colleague undergoing surgery soon, it feels like the worst time for me to leave. I'm worried that if I decline this offer, I might be left without a job when my position is cut, but I also don’t feel confident in this new opportunity. Ideally, I want to be excited about my next role, but the current job market makes it hard to feel secure in my decision.

Today, I found myself in a challenging situation regarding my job at a nonprofit in the Bay Area. With the announcement that my organization is being acquired by a larger nonprofit in January, I was presented with two options: accept a severance package of 6 weeks' pay and 3 months of health insurance, or take on temporary employment with the new organization for 6 months, with no promise of a permanent position afterward. As the sole member of our Development Team, I've been managing a wide range of responsibilities, including donor communications, marketing, volunteer management, community partnerships, and event planning, all with limited oversight since April. Given my unique position and contributions, I am considering whether it would be appropriate to negotiate the severance package, especially if I decide to stay on temporarily. I have no prior experience navigating this type of situation, so I'm eager for advice on how to approach this negotiation.