Planning

I have a Master's degree in Applied Mathematics and have completed several courses in Machine Learning. My English skills are decent, although I am not a native speaker. Currently, I am on the hunt for online or remote work, but I'm feeling a bit lost on where to begin. I'm open to any job that pays at least $300. I have a few questions that I hope to get some insights on: 1. What types of online jobs would be realistic for someone with my background? I'm considering options like data analysis, machine learning roles, tutoring, or freelance work, but I'm not sure what might be the best fit. 2. Which platforms or job sites have proven effective for people in similar fields? 3. Is there anything you wish you had known when you first started looking for remote work? Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

I recently had a job interview for an entry-level position and it seems like I might be getting a second chance with a potential employer. My previous job had a lot of management turnover, and I initially asked one of my old managers for a reference. They agreed enthusiastically, but unfortunately, when the potential employer tried to reach out, my ex-manager didn't respond despite multiple attempts. This left me feeling anxious about my chances. I decided to ask a more reliable manager for a reference instead, but I worry that I may have scared off the potential employer in the process. However, I noticed that the employer has contacted me twice to follow up on the reference, which gives me a glimmer of hope. I’m trying to understand if this is a good sign—after all, if they weren't interested in me, why would they go through the trouble of reaching out? During the interview, they mentioned that multiple people had left the role and discussed two positions that I would be perfect for, which makes me think I made a good impression. I’m just trying to manage my expectations and would appreciate any advice on whether this follow-up is a positive indicator.

I am a 23-year-old male who graduated from college in July last year. After graduation, I decided to prepare for an MBA application abroad, which is still 2-3 years away. It took me two attempts to achieve a decent score by the end of January. Once I felt ready, I wanted to gain some work experience, so I explored sales roles. Unfortunately, after just 1.5 months, I was laid off in early April. Since then, I've been struggling to find a job and have been applying for finance and banking positions, but I haven't had any success yet. I also had to take some time off to help with a cousin's wedding, which added to my stress. Now, it's been a month since my layoff, and I feel stuck. I graduated with a degree in economics from a decent college, and I’ve been trying to learn new concepts through online courses to improve my skills. I’m also considering pursuing the CFA, but my home environment is challenging with an anxious mother, a rude brother, and a busy father. I’m feeling overwhelmed and unsure about how to move forward.

I graduated with a BS in Computer Science 10 months ago, and I'm feeling completely lost in my job search. I've applied to countless internships and entry-level positions, but most of my applications either get rejected or I never hear back. This has left me mentally exhausted and worried about my future. It seems like everyone else is moving forward while I'm stuck in the same place. I have strong English communication skills and I'm comfortable with various computer software like Microsoft Office and other productivity tools. I'm eager to learn and not expecting a high-paying job; I just want an opportunity to gain some experience and start building my career. I'm reaching out for advice on where to find internships, remote work, or entry-level jobs that are actually hiring. If anyone knows of companies looking for interns or junior roles, I would greatly appreciate any leads. Has anyone else faced this situation? How did you manage to break out of it?

I recently filed for temporary unemployment after my hours were cut at my retail job in Texas. However, at the end of my shift last Friday, my manager unexpectedly informed me that I was being let go. I was told to leave my badge in the back room and that my final paycheck would be mailed to me. This all happened so suddenly; I initially filed for unemployment due to reduced hours, but now I’m unsure if I need to change my application since I was officially fired. I’ve heard that others in my workplace faced similar situations recently, and it seems like the company has been hiring a lot of new people while letting some of us go. It feels like a big company is cutting corners, and I'm left in a confusing situation. I haven’t received any unemployment payments yet, despite reaching out twice. Now that my employment status has changed, I’m wondering if I need to file a different application or if there’s a specific process I should follow. I guess I’ll just have to wait for a final determination on my case, but I’m feeling pretty lost about what to do next.

I got laid off about two weeks ago from my job where I had been working for almost a year. My boss told me that I didn’t meet their expectations anymore, which was disappointing to hear. On my last day, they promised me an extra week of pay, and I was thankful for that as it would help me cover my bills while I searched for a new job. However, when payday came, I didn’t receive any payment. I waited until after Juneteenth to reach out, but I still haven’t heard back from my former employer. I also applied for unemployment, which might be affecting their response, but I’m not sure. I’m really struggling now and worried I won’t be able to pay my car or other bills this month. I could use some advice on what to do next.

I have a phone call scheduled for tomorrow regarding a job I applied for in a new field. The hiring manager informed me that the pay is $14 an hour, which is actually less than what I'm currently making. I understand that transitioning to a new field might require some compromise on salary, but I'm considering asking during the call if there's any flexibility on the pay rate. I've read conflicting advice on whether it's appropriate to bring this up at this stage. Some sources suggest waiting until a job offer is made, but I feel that discussing it upfront could save time for both of us. The median pay for similar roles I found on Glassdoor ranges from $15 to $19, depending on experience and institution. I'm unsure if it's a good idea to ask about this now or if it might send the wrong message to the hiring manager.

I've reached a breaking point at my current job due to the toxic culture and overwhelming workload. Over the past year, my responsibilities have increased by 67%, yet my salary remains the same, and no one has been hired to fill the gaps left by departing colleagues. Today, I confronted a coworker about stepping up to help with requests from other departments, but he reacted negatively, which only added to my frustration. I've been feeling burned out for a long time, and I finally recognize that I need to leave this position. I have a job interview lined up in the same industry, but I'm anxious about the possibility of facing similar burnout in a new role.

I've been struggling to find plumbing roles lately, and it's getting really tough. I've been living out of my vehicle for a couple of weeks now, which is a reliable truck, but I think my situation might be holding me back. I have six years of experience in plumbing, and I've been actively looking and traveling to different urban areas for helper roles, but I haven't received a single call or email back. I've been honest about my living situation during interviews, thinking it would help, but I'm starting to wonder if that's a mistake. Most of the plumbing companies I come across are smaller businesses, and I'm considering whether I should just walk in and ask to speak with the foreman or owner directly. Currently, I'm in Des Moines and planning to head further north soon. I'm also contemplating whether I should pivot to another job, maybe even an entry-level position, but I really want to leverage my construction background. I would love to get into heavy equipment operations, but most of the job postings I find require experience or CDLs. I'm feeling a bit lost and would appreciate any advice or thoughts on my situation.

I recently found myself in a tough situation after starting an entry-level role at a company about a month ago. I had signed with them last October while finishing my degree and was excited to begin my career. However, I kept my options open during my final semester and recently received a job offer from another company that comes with a $12k annual salary increase and full tuition reimbursement for a master’s degree. The catch is that they want me to start immediately, and I can't negotiate the start date. I feel terrible about the idea of leaving my current job without notice, especially since my team and manager have been incredibly supportive and welcoming. It’s been a positive experience so far, and I genuinely appreciate the effort my manager has put into helping me adjust. But I also recognize that this new opportunity is crucial for my financial stability and educational advancement. I’m really worried about the potential damage to my reputation and burning bridges. I want to leave on good terms, but I’m unsure how to approach this situation without causing too much disruption. I’ve seen some advice suggesting that I could explain that I interviewed months ago and didn’t expect to hear back, but I don’t want to come off as dishonest. I’m hoping to find a way to minimize the impact of my departure while still taking this life-changing opportunity.

I'm currently on a temporary visa and seeking a job in my field while based in Melbourne. I've got several years of experience, but I'm unsure about the best approach to landing a position. I've heard mixed opinions about targeting startups versus small businesses. I would love to hear from anyone who has successfully secured a job on a student or 485 visa. If you have any tips or strategies that worked for you, please share! Also, would it be more effective to walk into companies directly or focus on online applications? Thanks in advance!

I recently found myself in a tricky situation regarding a job offer from Company B, where I've been working through a temp agency for the past year. My role is tied to Company A, which has a contract with Company B. Company A loves my work and wants to hire me full-time, but they can't do that right now. Instead, Company B offered me a full-time position with benefits at $23/hour, which I accepted as a significant pay cut from my previous role. However, I felt that I deserved more based on my experience and performance, so I countered with $25/hour. I thought this was reasonable because Company A typically starts at $25, I was costing them around $32/hour through the temp agency, and I have consistently exceeded expectations. Additionally, the external job listing suggested they could hire new candidates for $20-23/hour, which made my counter seem fair. After I made my counteroffer, the representative from Company B seemed annoyed and said he needed to discuss it with others before hanging up. I also informed my boss at Company A about the situation. This was my first time countering an offer, and I felt proud of myself for standing up for my worth, especially since I'm usually shy and go with the flow at work. However, I've heard that Company B has a bad reputation among Company A's associates, which left me feeling a bit uneasy. I’m now questioning if I was in the right for asking for more. Any thoughts?

I'm currently navigating a tough decision regarding my career. With over six years of experience in content strategy, I've found myself stuck in the nonprofit sector, and my current role as an advisor is draining. I recently reached the third round of interviews for a marketing position, but I'm feeling conflicted about whether to take it. My current job, which involves handling college applications for students and parents, has its pros and cons: I earn $59k, but the stress from parent meetings and weekend work is taking a toll on me. The new role offers a $50k salary, a hybrid work setup, and the chance to learn new skills in marketing, but I'm unsure about what to expect. I'm also considering going back to school part-time for a short certification until December, just in case things don't work out. I've applied for various positions where I felt overqualified, only to be ghosted, which makes me wonder if taking this new role is a good way to gain experience in a corporate environment. It's frustrating to see recent grads filling roles that I believe I could excel in.

I recently applied for a Service Team Member position at Michaels through their careers website. I submitted my application over the weekend, and the job posting had only been available for about a day at that time. I'm now wondering how long it typically takes for Michaels to respond to online applications. Do they usually reach out via phone, email, or both? How many business days should I wait before I assume I wasn't selected? Also, do they generally send rejection emails, or is it common to not hear back at all? Additionally, I have a concern regarding the education section of the application. I listed my high school and college separately, but for the education level dropdown, I selected High School (HS) for both since I graduated from high school and am currently attending college without a degree yet. There wasn't an option for "currently attending college" or "degree in progress," so I felt I had to select what was available. I'm worried that this might look like a mistake and that it could negatively impact my application. Could this cause any issues, or was that the right choice given the options? Lastly, since this would be my first job if hired, I’m curious about what types of questions they usually ask during interviews at Michaels. I appreciate any insights!

Today, I had an interview scheduled, but they made me wait for 30 minutes past the agreed time. Frustrated by the lack of professionalism, I decided to walk out. In my experience, waiting that long usually means I won't get the job, so I figured it was better to not waste my time. I've had similar experiences before where long waits led to disappointing outcomes. Some people in the comments suggested that it might depend on the situation or the company, but for me, it felt like a clear sign of how they operate. I remember a time I waited 40 minutes for an interview, and even though I eventually got the job, it was a rough start. I think if a company can't respect your time during the interview process, it raises red flags about the work environment. So, I left and will continue my job search elsewhere.

I'm currently working in a higher education role that initially felt fulfilling, but has turned into a stressful job focused on meeting enrollment quotas. The pressure to enroll a certain number of students each month has made my position feel more like sales than education, which I absolutely dislike. The constant stress and anxiety are overwhelming, especially with recent layoffs making me fear for my job security. While I earn a decent salary that allows me to save and meet my needs, the job has taken a toll on my mental health. I work from home, which has its perks, like spending time with my cats and wearing comfortable clothes, but the nightmares and sleepless nights worrying about work are becoming unbearable. I recently applied for a new job that seems much more aligned with my values and is local to me. They reached out for an interview almost immediately, which is promising. However, the pay is advertised on the lower end, and I’m concerned that if they offer me the lower salary, I won't be able to make ends meet. I plan to leverage my master's degree during negotiations if they do extend an offer. I know I need to weigh the benefits of leaving my current job—like the stress relief and the chance to do something fulfilling—against the financial stability and perks I currently have, such as my spouse's free tuition. I’m trying to think this through carefully, as the job market is tough, and I want to make the right decision for my happiness and financial security.

I recently learned that the CDN office I work for in California is shutting down, and my layoff is expected to happen this week or next. I have accumulated about 5 weeks of PTO since California has a 'use it or lose it' policy. To protect myself, I've been documenting all my communications regarding my PTO balance. A couple of weeks ago, I reached out to the controller via email to get written confirmation of my PTO balance. I know they don't keep a record of employee PTO, so I provided my well-documented total to ensure clarity. While my email was acknowledged, I never received a confirmation back. They mentioned they would check their records, but I haven't heard anything since. Now I'm uncertain whether I should follow up on this or just let it go. I'm also unclear about my options for pursuing this if they back out after the closure. I'm looking for any advice or insights on how to proceed.

I just landed a new job with a significant pay increase, and I start next Monday! I'm really excited about this opportunity since it's the highest salary I've ever earned. However, my current job has been a nightmare. I've been working in a high-intensity sales role for the past nine months, and I've witnessed a staggering 93% turnover rate. It's been chaotic, with constant pressure and unrealistic sales goals. I was already on a performance improvement plan and facing another sales goal, so I knew my time there was limited. I was likely going to be let go or demoted soon. Now, I'm trying to figure out how to use my remaining 40 hours of PTO next week. I want to make sure I get one last paycheck from my current job while waiting for my first check from the new role. Unfortunately, I know that if I request PTO, they might fire me before approving it. I currently have short and long-term disability coverage, so I'm considering calling in sick for a few days to use my PTO without raising any red flags. I’ve seen suggestions online about how to handle this, like taking sick days and then quitting, which might be my best bet. If anyone has any advice or strategies for exiting gracefully while maximizing my PTO, I would really appreciate it!

I recently went through a frustrating experience with a remote job offer. After several interviews, I received an offer for the role and accepted it via email. I completed all the necessary onboarding forms and a background check, which came back clean. However, I was informed that my start date was pushed back to July 6th, which was communicated to me on June 2nd. I reached out via email to ask how this delay would affect my first pay date since they operate on a biweekly payroll schedule. Unfortunately, I didn't receive any response. I followed up on June 15th with two HR contacts, but still no acknowledgment or reply. Now, I'm left feeling perplexed and concerned that I've wasted nearly a month on a job that might not even happen. It's been disheartening to experience such a lack of communication from the company, especially after having signed the offer letter and completed all required steps. I'm considering my options and thinking about how to proceed, as I haven't heard anything since the last email.

I had an interview today for a fast food position, and I’ve been searching for a job for a while now. During the interview, the manager provided me with specific instructions about the hiring process, which was a first for me. She mentioned that she would review my online application and that I would receive a call to schedule an orientation. I was also told to bring my ID and Social Security card. I’m feeling a bit anxious and wondering if this is a good sign or if I’m just overthinking it. It’s encouraging to hear about the next steps, but I know it’s not a guarantee.