Planning

I recently started my first corporate job after leaving retail due to chronic pain. Unfortunately, the company I work for has a pretty bad public image, which makes me anxious about my future job prospects once I finish school this September. I know that many people might judge me for working at a company with a shady reputation, and I worry that my resume will be filtered out because of it. I’m trying to figure out how to present my experience in a way that highlights my skills and what I learned, without drawing too much attention to the negative aspects of the company. If I make it to an interview, I fear that the hiring manager's personal experiences with my current employer could affect their perception of me. I want to be honest about my journey but also steer the conversation towards my strengths and what I can bring to a new role. It’s a tough situation, but I’m determined to navigate it as best I can.

I’m currently facing a tough situation with my rent for the first time in my life. I’m in my mid-forties and have always managed to pay my rent on time, but due to recent layoffs, I find myself in a position where I will be late on rent. I’ve done everything I can to gather funds, including loans from friends, birthday gifts, selling books online (though one sale got complicated with a lost package), and casual babysitting work. Despite my efforts, I won’t be fully paid by the first of the month, which is incredibly stressful and makes me feel awful. This experience has made me reflect on how fragile my financial situation is. One small mishap, like a lost package, can derail everything. I feel isolated in this struggle since none of my friends have been laid off, and I can’t turn to my family for help as they are unsupportive. I’m grateful to have a new job starting in mid-August, but the anxiety of my current situation weighs heavily on me. I’m considering moving in with a roommate to cut down on rent costs, as I can’t justify living alone in this unstable job market. I’ve also realized that food insecurity is a lingering fear; just because I have some food now doesn’t mean it will last. I’m planning to avoid dining out for a year to save money. The shame of asking for help is another burden I carry, and I hope others never have to experience this level of fear.

I recently received an alert from my employer in Pennsylvania indicating that vacation pay was reported, even though I haven't used any of my PTO. I filed for unemployment after my job was shifted from full-time to part-time due to federal funding cuts, and I'm currently on week 3 of receiving benefits. My first week of benefits was from July 5-11, during which I received my last full-time paycheck on July 6, including compensation for my unused PTO that exceeded the part-time PTO cap. Since that week was a waiting week, I didn't have anything to certify, and I was paid extra for my unused PTO. However, when I went to submit my weekly claims, there was no option to report that PTO or vacation pay. I'm starting to worry that my benefits might be affected and I'm unsure if I should continue certifying while they investigate the situation. Feeling anxious about potentially losing my funds.

I recently found myself back on the job hunt after being fired from my third job this year, and I'm trying to figure out how to approach my resume and future interviews. Just last Friday, I was let go from a Project Manager role at a small construction company where I had been for less than 90 days. The circumstances surrounding my termination are complicated; I believe it was about a 70/30 split of the company's fault versus my own actions. I struggle with following directions when I disagree with decisions, and at 36, I realize this is a significant issue I need to work on. To give you some context, here’s a brief overview of my job history this year: 1. My first job was as a Manager overseeing union employees. Coming from a military background, I tried to impose structure in a chaotic environment. Unfortunately, I was labeled as 'too aggressive' and faced resistance from employees who were used to a lack of oversight. I ended up being let go due to false claims made by those employees and a lack of support from my supervisor. 2. My second job was a made-up position from a friend at his company. I failed to complete a non-essential task he wanted me to do, which led to him stopping my pay. This resulted in three months of unemployment before I found my third job. 3. In my most recent position, I was hired as a Project Manager, but the orientation raised red flags about the company's culture. I was fired after sending an email my boss had explicitly told me not to send regarding a project that was already mishandled. The official reason given was 'performance issues and missed deadlines,' but I suspect it was really about that email. Now, I'm grappling with whether to include these jobs on my resume. I had previously lied about my employment duration at my best job before these three, and I'm concerned that this might have been discovered by my last employer. I'm aware that my ego and need for control have contributed to my difficulties in these roles, but I'm scared of how my job history will be perceived at my age. Should I include these positions on my resume, or continue to omit them? I know honesty is crucial, but I'm feeling lost and unsure of the best path forward.

I was recently fired from my role as a manager at a cafe inside a museum after five years of service. The reason given for my termination was 'misconduct' based on a customer's false claim that I denied them service. This incident occurred during a busy lunch rush when I was the only full-time employee, juggling multiple tasks including taking orders and preparing food for a large group of 500 students. A parent approached me to place an order, but I informed her that due to the high volume of orders, it could take up to an hour to fulfill her request. I suggested she might want to try one of the nearby restaurants since we were the only food service on campus. She misinterpreted my explanation as a refusal of service and subsequently complained about me. Despite explaining the situation to my employer, I was still terminated, and now I'm appealing the decision to deny my unemployment benefits. I had never faced any misconduct issues before this incident, and I suspect that my firing was a pretext for the cafe's closure, as the museum had been shutting down other departments leading up to my dismissal. I’m looking for advice on how to strengthen my appeal and whether I should mention the potential closure of the cafe as part of my case.

I’m currently dealing with a tough situation at my job in New York where my employer has been trying to push me out in unreasonable ways. It feels like a long saga, and I've recently learned about constructive discharge, which I believe applies to my case. I'm considering filing for unemployment based on this premise, but I'm looking for resources or recommendations to help me navigate this process. I can't afford the $450/hour that a lawyer quoted me, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have an interview for a busser position at Las Palapas on Monday. I'm feeling a bit anxious because I really need this job, but I'm not sure what to expect during the interview. I'm looking for any advice or tips that could help me prepare, especially considering I have autism and might face some unique challenges. Any insights on what the interview process might be like or how to present myself effectively would be greatly appreciated.

Today, I was supposed to have a screening call with a recruiter for a Deal Analyst position at Workday. I was really looking forward to it since she had reached out to me first and mentioned that my background was a great fit. I scheduled the call for 3:15 PM through her Calendly and planned my afternoon around it, even skipping a much-needed nap to be prepared. However, just two minutes before the call, at 3:13 PM, I received a message asking to reschedule for next week. There was no phone call, no attempt to keep the appointment—just a last-minute request to push it out several days. This has left me feeling a bit unsettled, especially since I can't find the job posting on Workday's career site. I’m now trying to figure out if this is just a case of busy recruiters or if it's a red flag about the entire process. I’m considering whether to continue with this recruiter if they apologize and reschedule, or if I should move on due to this first impression.

I recently interviewed for what I thought was my dream job. The role, location, pay, and team all seemed perfect, and I felt a strong connection during the interview. Unfortunately, I didn't get the position, and I feel incredibly defeated. It feels like I've lost my only shot at something I truly wanted. I'm struggling to figure out how to recover from this setback. I know I need to move on and apply to other jobs, but it's hard to shake off the disappointment. I've read that there are many opportunities out there, but right now, it feels like nothing will compare to this one.

I'm currently navigating a job transition within my research organization and am expecting an official offer for a new position soon. The hiring manager has assured me that everything is moving forward, but there are still some HR steps to finalize before I can officially accept. I'm hoping to start around mid-September. However, I'm dealing with a challenging supervisor who's become increasingly difficult to work with over the past year. His unpredictable mood swings have made the work environment quite stressful, especially after finishing my PhD. I'm concerned that once I submit my resignation, the final two weeks could be really tough. I have about 72 hours of vacation leave and 53 hours of sick leave. If I transfer directly to the new position, I can carry over both types of leave. But if I resign and take a break, I would lose my sick leave, although my vacation would be paid out. Additionally, my brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first baby soon, and I want to help them during that time. Unfortunately, the family leave policy doesn't cover this situation, so I'd need to use my accrued leave. I'm considering using some sick leave before I resign since I've been feeling burnt out. Once the new job is official, I would give my two weeks' notice. If my supervisor is professional, I would work through those two weeks, but if he becomes hostile, I might use my sick leave to manage the situation. I'm weighing the option of taking a short break between jobs to decompress and spend time with family, but that would mean losing my sick leave. I'm looking for advice on how to balance professionalism, finances, and my mental health during this transition.

I recently resigned from my job at a boutique marketing agency due to a toxic manager. I had been there for 5 years and was laid off in 2024, but after a year of searching, I finally landed a great role with decent pay in the summer of 2025. Unfortunately, after a year, my manager changed and the new one treated me poorly, which severely impacted my mental health. I made the tough decision to resign in June and took a month off to travel overseas with my family, returning to Canada at the end of July. Now, I’m back on the job hunt and facing some challenges: the job market seems dry, and the wages offered are significantly lower than what I was making before. I regret quitting, but I know I prioritized my mental health. I feel out of touch with the latest trends in digital marketing and web/graphic design, and after my break, I’m struggling with brain fog and feel mentally sluggish. I need to find a source of income quickly, whether that means taking a full-time job or building up freelance clients, as I have some freelance experience. I don’t have a bachelor’s degree, just a higher diploma from about 5 years ago, but I do have around 7 years of experience in the field. I also still need to get my driver’s license. I have several questions: 1. How do I explain my decision to quit without a job lined up during interviews and move past my feelings of regret? 2. What can I do to regain my mental sharpness after my time off? 3. Given the current market with low wages, should I accept a pay cut for a full-time position or focus on freelancing? 4. What’s the fastest way to get back up to speed with current marketing and design practices? 5. Is pursuing an online degree while unemployed worth it, or will it just be a distraction? Are there any recognized and affordable options in Canada? Having climbed out of a lengthy job search before, I believe I can do it again, but I’m looking for direction and any honest advice would be greatly appreciated.

I recently started a new job as a [specific role] at [company name] just two months ago. I was really grateful to land this position after being on the job market for a while. My department is quite small, consisting of just my manager and me. However, I've been informed that my manager will be leaving the company soon. The workload is quite heavy, often requiring me to take work home, but my coworkers are fantastic, and the flexibility is a huge plus. I genuinely enjoy the work most of the time, although I'm still adjusting to the high stress and fast pace. Recently, I received an offer for another role at a different company that aligns even better with my career goals. This new position offers a higher salary and the advantage of being fully remote. The catch is that it’s a temp-to-hire position, which makes me a bit nervous given the current job market. I'm feeling conflicted about whether it would be professional to leave my current job after such a short time. I'm also apprehensive about the temp aspect, especially considering the uncertainty in today’s job climate. I'm seeking advice on what I should do next.

I've been struggling with long-term unemployment and the constant stream of rejection emails has really taken a toll on my spirit. I posted about my situation before, and now I'm at a point where I'm questioning whether I deserve a break. Most people view a vacation as a reward for hard work, but when all I face is negativity and I've withdrawn from social activities, I wonder if it's okay to take a week or two off to recharge. I feel guilty about the idea, as if it might be selfish or like I'm running away from my problems. But I also recognize that a break might be what I need to come back stronger in my job search. I've seen comments suggesting that if I have the financial means, taking a break could actually help me return to the job hunt feeling less depleted. It's a tough decision, but I’m considering it.

I’m currently in a challenging situation at my job where my employer is trying to assign me leadership responsibilities without officially promoting me. They want me to take on a ‘leadership’ role while still handling my current duties, but they haven’t discussed any formal change in title or compensation. I’ve been documenting everything—emails, calls, and the extra tasks I’m being pulled into—because it seems like they’re trying to get me to do two jobs for the price of one without any acknowledgment or pay increase. I plan to address this in my next one-on-one with my manager, as I can clearly see their strategy of claiming that my salary covers these additional duties. If this continues without any formal recognition or compensation, I’m ready to ramp up my job search and consider handing in my resignation. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? How did you handle it?

I was recently laid off from my sales position, where I earned $19/hour plus commission, and I've been on unemployment for about six weeks now. I received a part-time job offer for $15.75/hour, but I'm hesitant because the hiring manager mentioned that there are no guaranteed hours. They indicated that I might only get around 12 to 18 hours a week, which is a significant drop from the 26 hours I was working previously. My weekly benefit amount from unemployment is $319, and I believe I could still qualify for partial unemployment if I take the job. My main concern is the lack of guaranteed income, and I'm not excited about this offer. I'm also worried that if I decline it, it might cause issues with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) regarding what they consider suitable work. I'm planning to reach out to IDES for guidance, but I'm also looking for advice on whether I should accept this job or if it's reasonable to pass on it given the circumstances.

I was laid off from my Social Media Marketing position five months ago, and since then, I've applied to around 250 jobs but only landed about 7 interviews. I felt really optimistic about my most recent interview, but I received a rejection today, which has left me feeling incredibly frustrated and hopeless. This is the first time I've faced such a tough job search, and it's disheartening. I've even considered switching careers, but I don't know where to start and I definitely can't afford to go back to school. It feels like I'm stuck in an endless cycle of interviews and rejections.

I’m currently working at a consulting firm where the workload has really dried up. My role involves reaching out to clients for projects, but they’re hesitant to spend money on labor right now. Recently, I’ve been warned multiple times by my boss that my current situation isn’t sustainable, and I can’t shake the feeling that they want me to quit. I’m feeling pressured and uncertain about my next steps. I’ve been late to work a few times, and I worry that this could affect my eligibility for unemployment if I decide to leave. I’m also concerned that they might track my downtime and use that against me. I don’t have another job lined up, and I honestly doubt I’ll find something soon. I’m torn between staying in a job that feels precarious and leaving without a safety net.

I’m currently unemployed and navigating the job market while dealing with chronic mental health issues and some unfortunate luck. I’m 23 years old and live in Southern California, one of the largest cities in the state. Despite having over four years of experience in customer service, retail, and grocery, I haven’t been able to find a job for almost two years now. In 2022, I started working at Walmart after spending five years at Subway, but I lost that job in 2024 due to excessive absences linked to a deep depression. My mental health took a hit after a series of personal tragedies, including the loss of my grandparent and a close friend, as well as a breakup with my partner of three years. This led to a lack of motivation that kept me from even leaving the house. Since then, I’ve focused on my mental health with support from family, starting SSRIs, and attending therapy. I’ve also been selling handmade crafts and taking art commissions to keep myself busy. Now that I feel more stable and ready to re-enter the workforce, I’m struggling to even get interviews. I’ve spent hours tweaking my resume based on advice from others, but I keep receiving rejection emails. Transportation is another hurdle for me due to vision problems and a panic disorder from past accidents, so I’ve been applying to jobs within a 30-mile radius, including restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and warehouses, but I haven’t heard back from anyone. I have family and friends who help with rides, but I want to be financially independent and contribute back to them. I’m considering taking classes for a work-from-home job, but I’m unsure where to start since I’ve always been focused on working rather than studying. I’m frustrated with the job market and my ongoing mental health journey, but I’m open to exploring various options. I’m looking for job suggestions that might suit my experience and interests. I’m a creative person who enjoys crafting, digital drawing, and organizing. I’m not picky about the type of job, but I prefer roles that involve helping others or repetitive tasks that I can do without overthinking. I’d appreciate any advice on where to start looking for jobs or how to improve my chances of being hired. Any encouragement would also mean a lot. Thank you for reading.

I interviewed for a position with a large public school system two weeks ago, and I felt that the interview went well. They mentioned I would hear back from them 'hopefully next week,' but here I am, two weeks later, without any updates. My application status still shows 'Forward for consideration,' which hasn't changed since my interview. My mentor, who is from the boomer generation, has been urging me to call them to follow up, but I hesitated. Now, I'm starting to think that maybe I should reach out since it seems like they might have moved on without notifying me. I can't shake the feeling that I've been ghosted, and I'm considering my next steps in the job search.

I had a conversation with my manager today, and she mentioned that she doesn’t have many hours to offer me for next week. This has me worried about my job security, especially since I’m about to start school soon. I’m considering whether I should look for a new job, but I’m hesitant because many places might not be flexible with my school schedule. I’m aware that this time of year can be slow for retail, so I’m trying to figure out if this is just a seasonal issue or if it reflects my performance. I might reach out to my manager to see if there’s anything I can do to secure more hours, like being more flexible with my availability.