Planning

I recently faced a major setback in my job search after being unable to pass a background check. I had hoped that working with a temp agency would help me find a position, especially since they contract with many employers. However, I was informed that no one would take me due to my felony record, which stemmed from a non-violent offense that resulted in six months in jail. I figured that since many of the positions offered by the agency were in factories and construction—jobs that typically don't involve public interaction—there might be some leniency regarding background checks. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Even though I spoke with an employer who had spent four years in prison himself, my six-month sentence flagged my background check and disqualified me from consideration. I'm feeling pretty hopeless right now, contemplating whether to file for disability or worse. I’ve seen some suggestions about exploring gig work or talking directly to small business owners, and I’m considering those options. I just wish there were more opportunities for people like me who are trying to rebuild their lives.

I'm a 17-year-old female, about to turn 18, and I'm in a bit of a tough spot regarding my job search. I'm moving to a new city for university at the end of August with my boyfriend, who is 18 and currently working weekends while he finishes school. I've been working full-time, but my job was contracted and irregular, and now I only have a few shifts left before I move—about 3-4 in the next two months. For the past six months, I've been trying to secure a proper full-time job, but I haven't had any luck. My boyfriend thinks the issue is my application approach. While I've been applying to openings on job sites like Indeed and attending hiring events, he suggests I should be more proactive by emailing every store or business in the area or going in person to ask if they're hiring. The thing is, I live in a city, and he comes from a very small town where that strategy seems to work better. I'm worried that approaching businesses directly might come off as off-putting to potential employers. Another concern is the timing. If I were to get a job today, I'd only be able to work for about eight weeks before I have to leave, which means I'd have to give my two weeks' notice after just six weeks. I feel guilty about potentially leaving my employers in a bind and worry that it would reflect poorly on me when I try to use them as references or include that experience on my resume. My boyfriend thinks I should just go for it and not worry about the consequences, but I’m really conflicted. I want to work, but I also don’t want to feel like I'm being unfair to anyone. I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this situation.

I recently accepted a job offer much sooner than I anticipated, but I’m feeling the weight of burnout already, and I haven’t even started yet. I’ve been working at a company that was acquired about a year ago, and since then, my team has faced significant attrition. We were already understaffed, but losing several key senior managers really took a toll on our workload and morale. Management chose not to backfill any positions, leaving just my director and me to manage what used to be a team of seven. On top of that, we went through layoffs a few months back and were mandated to return to the office in a different state, which added to the stress. I decided to start looking for a new job, expecting a long search given the current market conditions. Surprisingly, I had a lot of success with interviews right away, despite the crushing day-to-day workload that included over 20 hours of meetings weekly and constant fire drills. After about two months of searching, I landed a new role with a title and pay bump, plus the benefit of remote work, which I accepted last week. However, I’m facing a dilemma. I won’t have much time to rest between leaving my current job and starting the new one. My psychiatrist has diagnosed me with burnout, and while two weeks might help a bit, I’m still feeling completely drained—exhausted, unable to sleep, and struggling with appetite. Even my weekends are affected, and I find myself on edge at work, nearly in tears with every team ping. I’m excited about the new opportunity, but I’m anxious about starting already burnt out. I’m looking for advice on how to manage this transition effectively and improve my symptoms while preparing for the new role. If anyone has experienced burnout and had to switch jobs without a break, I’d love to hear how you set yourself up for success.

I have submitted over 100 job applications in the last three months, but unfortunately, I've faced a 100% rejection rate. As a soon-to-be graduating international PhD student in Materials Science, I am eager to find a position in the industry here in the USA. This process has been incredibly disheartening, especially since I am also juggling my thesis and preparing for my final defense. The stress is taking a significant toll on my mental health. I'm at a crossroads, contemplating whether I should give up and return to my home country, which is particularly difficult since I've been in the U.S. for over six years and have been in a relationship for the past 1.5 years. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has experienced a similar situation and how they coped with it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'm looking for advice regarding my mom, who is 61 and currently working in Quality Assurance for a non-profit. She's been under a lot of stress lately, especially after losing my stepfather last December and dealing with mini strokes due to that stress. Her job has been particularly tough, filled with office politics that she struggles to navigate. Recently, she came home in tears after facing another issue at work and expressed a desire to quit, but we can't afford that right now since we're still recovering from her previous unemployment and my own financial situation isn't great either. I'm considering whether it would be better for her to stick it out until she can retire in a few months or if I should encourage her to look for something else or even pursue a small business idea she had. I want to support her, but I'm unsure of the best approach.

I'm currently in a tough situation at my new job, which I started around April 30th. I completed a certification before the winter break, but now that I'm in my 6th week of a 90-day training period, I'm realizing that this role is not a good fit for me. It's a 12-hour night shift, and I've been feeling increasingly anxious about my performance. I think I might be going solo this week, and honestly, I've lost a lot of confidence. I know I can be stubborn and try to push through, but since I'm dealing with people's lives, I believe it's better to leave than risk making a mistake after training. I'm worried about how to approach quitting, as I suspect they might try to convince me to stay. Any advice on how to handle this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off from my job in California on May 29 and received three weeks of severance pay on June 2. I filed for unemployment on June 1, but when I was certifying my claim on June 14, I completely forgot to report the severance pay. I only remembered after a coworker, who was also laid off, asked if I had reported it. Now I'm worried about whether I should report the severance in my next certification period and if I might get into trouble for not mentioning it earlier. I've heard that it could affect my benefits, depending on the amount and how it's allocated. I'm feeling anxious about this situation.

I work in my thirties at a company where a new boss has recently taken over. Last week, a hiring freeze was announced, and now my boss is auditing each department's work. It feels like everyone is being asked to justify their roles and prove their necessity within the company. I have a gut feeling that layoffs are coming soon, possibly by August. I'm based in the European market and I'm looking for advice on negotiating severance or layoff packages with US companies. Thankfully, I have strong savings, so I’m in a better position than some, but I lack experience in navigating layoffs and negotiations. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I previously applied to a few Big Tech companies and high finance firms, but I may have exaggerated some details on my résumé. Now, I'm considering reapplying to these companies and I'm unsure if my past actions will affect my chances. I'm worried that if they check my previous applications, they might see the discrepancies. Should I be honest about my past résumé or just focus on highlighting my actual skills and experiences this time around? Any advice on how to approach this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I recently received an offer for a position as a Preventative Maintenance Technician with a salary of $56K, which is quite a significant amount for me at just 20 years old. Interestingly, the job requirements stated that candidates should have an Associate's degree in industrial maintenance and five years of experience, neither of which I possess as I'm currently a Junior studying Electrical Engineering. From what I've gathered, the company seems to have offered me this role with the intention of eventually promoting me to an engineering position once I graduate. They outlined a career progression path that starts with PM Tech, then moves to Floor Tech, Senior Tech, and finally Engineer. It feels somewhat like an apprenticeship, and they’ve assured me that they are willing to accommodate my school schedule when the time comes.

I'm currently working at a Chinese takeaway, and it's been a real struggle for me. Some days I love it, but other days, like today, I come home feeling defeated. I'm 17 and still a student, and I rely on my parents to drive me since I don’t have a car or a license. The takeaway is just 10 minutes away, but it’s in a small town, making job options limited. At work, I handle the till and have always been accurate, except when this one delivery driver, whom I’ll call Max, is on shift. Max has a reputation for being dishonest; he's been caught stealing on camera multiple times, yet my boss refuses to let him go. It’s frustrating because I end up taking the blame when the till is short, which has happened a few times now. My coworkers and I have pleaded with our boss to fire him, but nothing changes. I’m really tired of this situation and need to save money for college and a car since my parents can’t afford it. I’ve been searching for another job for a year and finally landed this one, but now I’m stuck. I’m not picky about where I work, but I’d prefer to avoid cash handling due to my anxiety. I’m reaching out for advice on how to find a new job quickly. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I was recently laid off from my position as a mid-level software developer in Ireland. It was a tough experience, but I managed to receive a couple of job offers afterward. One offer included a €5,000 annual increase from my previous salary, while the other was a larger €11,000 increase with a title upgrade, but it was from a large consultancy firm. After careful consideration, I decided to accept the €5,000 offer from a well-established services MNC. I felt this option would provide more stability and allow for saner working hours compared to my previous job, where I often worked insane hours, including weekends, under rude management. This is my first time being laid off, and I really just need some peace and a chance to recover. I'm also concerned about the potential for more layoffs in the future, and I didn't want to risk burnout or another layoff. I hope I made the right choice by prioritizing my well-being over a higher salary.

I recently applied for a retail position and I'm considering following up with a phone call. I'm unsure about the best approach to take when I call. Should I directly ask for the manager, or should I first mention that I'm following up on my application? I’ve read mixed advice online; some say that calling might not be the best move since it could come off as intrusive. I'm trying to gauge whether I should go ahead with the call or just wait for them to reach out if they're interested.

I'm currently seeking internship opportunities in Electrical Engineering, particularly in areas like Power Systems, Power Electronics, Electric Vehicles, Smart Grid, Automation, Renewable Energy, and Electrical Design. As a B.Tech Electrical Engineering student from a Tier-3 engineering college in India, I have a solid academic background with a CGPA of 9.17/10 and valuable research exposure. Right now, I'm a Research Intern working remotely under faculty mentorship in the EECS Department, where I utilize MATLAB for signal modeling and computational simulations. Additionally, I have hands-on experience at RRVPNL's 400 kV EHV Substation, where I've worked with autotransformers and SCADA systems, and at a 132 kV Substation focusing on relay testing and protection coordination. My experience also includes designing rooftop PV systems at a Solar PV company. I have completed projects like a Hydrogen Fuel Cell–Battery Hybrid Propulsion system for UAVs and an IoT Home Automation System. My technical skills include MATLAB, Simulink, Arduino IDE, SCADA, and programming in Python and C/Embedded C. I'm particularly interested in companies such as Siemens, ABB, Schneider Electric, and Honeywell. I know that my Tier-3 background may present challenges, but I believe my research and practical experiences demonstrate my capabilities. I'm looking for referrals to open internship roles, advice on breaking into these companies, or connections to hiring managers. Any feedback on my profile would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I’m feeling completely miserable and drained at my current job in HR. I’ve been in this role for about four years now, and honestly, I never intended to end up here. The job market is tough right now, especially since I need a hybrid schedule due to my pets. I currently work from home four days a week, but it’s not enough to keep me from losing my mind. The HR team I’m part of is incredibly dysfunctional. The behavior of my coworkers is downright disgusting and power-hungry, masked by a fake niceness. I’m managing over 60 requisitions and 70+ seats, and the workload is overwhelming. I’m stuck doing heavy administrative tasks that aren’t typical for recruitment roles, like saving email updates as PDFs and updating multiple Excel logs with duplicate information. I’m also managing references for 15-25 offers each month, but it feels like no matter what I do, it’s never enough for my manager. I make only $56,000, which feels ridiculous given my responsibilities. My direct manager constantly implies that we aren’t doing enough and dismissed my request for a raise. We’re micromanaged to the extreme, expected to have a 24-hour turnaround on tasks, and meetings are scheduled at odd hours to check if we’re at our desks. It’s exhausting. I recently requested a day off, but the HR director took forever to respond, and I ended up having to go in because I couldn’t risk losing my job. This whole situation has left me infuriated and exhausted. I feel hopeless and drained, and I’m dealing with vindictive behavior from people who seem to thrive on power plays. Despite this, I’m going to keep applying for new jobs aggressively. I have no intention of giving a two-week notice when I do leave; I wouldn’t want a reference from any of these people.

I just had a tough conversation with my agency owner, and he informed me that he won't be paying me for my work. I'm feeling frustrated and uncertain about my next steps. I've been putting in a lot of effort, and it's disheartening to hear this. I'm considering my options and trying to figure out if I should look for another job or if there's a way to resolve this situation.

I was terminated from my position as a Business Development Executive and Operations Executive at a fintech company where I had been working for 4.5 years. I was the first employee, joining in January 2022, and despite my consistent efforts and contributions, I didn't see much salary growth. Initially, the salary was low, but I was promised growth as the company expanded. Over the last two years, they started hiring more staff, and I even took on additional responsibilities like interviewing new candidates. I hold a B.Sc. in Computer Science and an MBA in Marketing, along with a Data Analyst certification I completed in 2024. My current salary was 32,250 per month, and I am 32 years old. At the end of May, I received a call from management informing me of my termination, effective immediately, with a notice period until June 30. After dedicating so much to the company, it feels disheartening to be let go like this. I’m now searching for new job opportunities in Pune, as I need to support my elderly parents. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I recently found myself in a challenging situation at my job as a QA Engineer for a service-based company in India. A few days ago, my Team Lead called me at around 10 PM, asking if I could join a Teams meeting in 15 minutes. I was out having dinner with my family at the time and asked if there was any urgency or production issue that required my immediate attention. My Team Lead insisted that my presence was necessary, but since no specific urgency was communicated, I requested to reschedule the meeting. Ultimately, I chose not to join. The next day, I was shocked to receive a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) from HR. This was particularly confusing for me because I had received Best Achiever awards for the past two years, and there had been no prior performance concerns raised. I have always documented my work and contributions, especially during appraisal cycles. Now, I’m trying to figure out if the timing of the PIP is just a coincidence or if my refusal to join the late-night call was indeed linked to this decision. I’m reaching out for advice on how to navigate this situation. What should I be asking my manager and HR? What should I look for in the PIP document? How can I determine if this is a genuine improvement plan or the start of an exit process? Any insights from those who have experienced a similar situation would be greatly appreciated.

I've been on the job hunt for about 1-2 years now, primarily looking for engineering or science roles, and it feels incredibly frustrating. I hold a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's in space systems engineering, along with around 8 years of solid work experience solving complex problems. Yet, the job market seems to be demanding an unrealistic level of expertise. It feels like companies are unwilling to recognize my potential to learn and adapt. Instead of seeing my background as a foundation for growth, they seem to prefer candidates who already fit their exact requirements. This has made the job search feel more like a ritual humiliation rather than a collaborative effort to solve problems together. I know I'm capable of learning new skills with some training, but it seems like employers are looking for a unicorn—someone who can hit the ground running without any need for development. I can't help but feel that there's a disconnect between what I can offer and what companies are willing to accept. It's disheartening to think that my qualifications and experience are being overlooked in favor of someone who may not even be as adaptable as I am.

I recently graduated and somehow made it through the initial screening for a program manager role, despite having no professional experience and less work history than the position requires. This is my first overseas job interview, and I'm feeling a bit anxious about it. I did exaggerate my work history a little; while I haven't lied outright, the experience I listed mostly comes from achievements during my college years. I'm concerned that the interviewer might think I have actual professional experience when I don't. Should I bring this up during the interview? I want to be honest, but I also don't want to jeopardize my chances.