Planning

I'm a DevOps engineer with 7 years of experience working as a consultant for various large banking and insurance organizations. Recently, I've been looking to improve my chances of getting hired as the job market seems to be changing. I want to earn more and find a role that I truly enjoy. Currently, I'm based in Lugano, Switzerland, but I'm open to relocating to Zurich if necessary. My preference is for remote positions, though I'm also considering hybrid roles in either city. Up until now, I've primarily been applying for jobs through LinkedIn with a 2-3 page CV, but my efforts haven't yielded the results I hoped for. I'm seeking advice on a couple of things: 1. What other job platforms should I consider besides LinkedIn? 2. How can I polish my CV to increase my chances of landing more opportunities? I’m also interested in creating a system using AI to help me find jobs daily with a clear strategy, but I feel I need more information to navigate this process effectively. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

I recently re-applied for a position at Planned Parenthood after initially fumbling my interview. I had interviewed for a role there but was rejected. Now that the position has reopened, I decided to send an email expressing my interest in being reconsidered and submitted my application again. I'm feeling a bit anxious about whether they'll actually consider me this time or if I might be seen as blacklisted due to my previous rejection. I know the odds might not be in my favor, but I figured it couldn't hurt to try.

Today, I found myself in a bit of a dilemma regarding a job opportunity that has come up at my partner's company. I've been working in an administrative role for several years now, and while I enjoy my job and have a good work-life balance, this new position offers a significant pay increase and a unique schedule of one week on, one week off. The financial benefits would help us pay off our mortgage much faster, which is appealing. However, the role is a paid apprenticeship in a field where I have no prior experience. I’m worried about my lack of skills and knowledge—like not even knowing the difference between a flat head and a Phillips head screwdriver. I fear that if I leave my current job, I won’t be able to return, and that pressure is daunting. My partner believes I can excel in this new role, but I can't shake the feeling that it might be selfish of me to pursue it when I already have a comfortable position. I feel torn between wanting to contribute more financially and the fear of failing in a completely new environment. I reached out to the community for some reassurance, hoping someone could tell me that it’s okay to take this leap, even if I’m not entirely sure I want to. I’m trying to convince myself that I can adapt and learn, but it’s a tough mental battle right now.

I was laid off from my job in May and just recently found a new position that starts in mid-August. During this time, I faced a lot of challenges, including financial struggles and food insecurity. Thankfully, I was approved for unemployment benefits and SNAP assistance, which has helped alleviate some of the pressure. However, the experience has revealed the true nature of some of my friendships. I reached out to a few friends for a one-time $100 loan because I was short on rent, and their responses were hurtful. One friend, who I thought I could count on, berated me for asking and questioned my situation as if I was to blame for my circumstances. He was on an expensive vacation while I was struggling to afford food and medications. After that interaction, I decided to block and delete him from my life. Another friend offered to lend me the money but made it clear that he expected repayment and questioned whether I had considered applying for jobs. This was the first time in seven years that I had asked him for help, and his condescending attitude made me realize that he may not truly value our friendship. I understand that it's okay for people to decline a loan request, but it's not acceptable to shame someone during tough times. It’s been a tough journey, and I’ve learned a lot about who my real friends are.

I graduated with a 2-year diploma in IT, which covered the basics of hardware and software. While some of my classmates found jobs after graduation, I struggled to get my foot in the door. After a couple of years of searching, I decided to go back to school to further my education. Some classmates chose the co-op/internship route, and one of them landed a full-time IT job after just a couple of courses in the degree program. I wanted to follow that path, but it took me several months to secure my first co-op/internship. During that time, I opted to take one course each term to stay active as a student. The diploma program had 20 courses, and to complete the degree, I need another 20. So far, I've completed 3 courses for the degree, but the thought of finishing the remaining 17 feels overwhelming and like a huge commitment. I’m considering whether completing the degree is worth it in the long run or if I should focus on gaining experience through another co-op job and eventually applying for full-time roles in IT. I already have 8 months of experience in the field as a student, but I don’t feel confident enough to apply for full-time positions yet. I want to do another internship to learn more at a different organization. My concerns about completing the degree are significant. I need to work full-time to pay my bills, which makes it hard to take on too many courses. I can only manage 1 or 2 courses each term, which could extend my degree completion to 3-5 years. Additionally, my original credits will expire by 2028, and I need to complete those 17 courses in a year and a half. I’ve heard that the school might extend the expiry date for my first-year courses, but that’s not guaranteed. Currently, I have a weekend job as a backup since co-op positions are temporary. I can’t risk being jobless if my co-op ends, so I’m working every day. I’m also 30 years old and feel like I haven’t truly started my career yet. I barely have time to socialize, which is tough because I want to get married but haven’t found someone yet. Some people say we should enjoy our youth, but I’m not enjoying it at all due to my busy schedule. In summary, I’m torn between investing time, money, and effort into completing my degree or focusing on gaining practical experience and possibly pursuing certifications to advance in the IT field.

I’m currently navigating a tricky situation with my job and future plans. I’m 27 and about to finish my Bachelor's in Computer Science, but I’ve been working part-time for five years at my first job, earning about $20 an hour for 28 hours a week. I’ve tried to get more hours or a full-time position, but my employer has been unresponsive to those requests. With some medical bills to manage, I need to stick to a strict budget. I’m planning to move out of state with a friend after graduation, and while I’ve been saving, I’d feel more secure if I could increase my income before the move. I’m considering applying for full-time positions that would allow me to attend my in-person class during lunch breaks, especially since some companies offer full health insurance from day one. However, when I discussed this with my mom, she expressed concern that switching jobs after only 6-7 months would look bad on my resume. I’m worried about job hopping too, but I feel like my reasoning is sound since I’m graduating and looking to enter the tech field, specifically IT. I have A+ and Network+ certifications and am working on my Security+ certification. I’m also aware that while I’d like to move in January, I need to secure a job first, especially since my friend’s lease doesn’t end until March. I’m torn between wanting to make more money and worrying about the perception of my job history. I’d love to hear thoughts on whether job hopping in this context is a bad idea or if my plans are reasonable.

I worked in North Carolina from March until the end of July, and my job is ending next week due to lack of work. I started receiving my checks in April, but I’m trying to figure out when to apply for unemployment benefits. I understand that North Carolina requires work from two different quarters to qualify. So far, I have earnings from April to June and then July. My main question is about the timing of my application: should I wait until all my earnings are reported by my employer, or can I apply sooner to ensure that both quarters are counted? I'm feeling a bit uncertain about the process.

I recently started a new job in the UK and was really enjoying it, but I’m facing a tough situation. I’m 20 years old and currently in a 3-month probationary period. Unfortunately, during my third week, I had a severe seizure that resulted in a concussion, and I had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. This led to me missing a shift, and when I returned to work, I was still feeling unwell and ended up vomiting in the bathroom, which caused me to miss another shift. I tried to communicate with my employer about my situation, but I received no response, which made me anxious. Today, I had a back-to-work meeting where I learned that I’ve been written up for missing three shifts. The manager mentioned that there’s a possibility I may not be fit for the role due to my seizure. I’ve never experienced anything like this before, and I’m terrified that I might get laid off. To make matters worse, I found out that we’re only allowed three sick days a year before they trigger an investigation, which adds to my anxiety. I’m really scared about what’s going to happen next and if I’ll be able to keep my job.

I recently went through a frustrating experience with my unemployment benefits after being let go from my job in Texas. My former employer falsely claimed to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) that I had quit, and later said I was fired for misconduct, which was completely untrue. I was terminated without any reason given. During my initial hearing, the officer assigned to my case barely documented anything, and the information he did include was confusing. As a result, TWC denied my benefits. I decided to appeal the decision and had my hearing with my former employer this week. Unfortunately, the ruling was once again in favor of the employer, despite the fact that he lied during the hearing and presented fabricated evidence without any credible details. I remained focused on the facts, believing that the burden of proof was on him, but it seems like the system is not working in my favor. I filed another appeal, but I’m feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with the whole process. It’s like I’m in Crazytown, and I’m not sure what more I can do if the system isn’t listening or doing its job.

I quit my job on June 28, 2026, primarily due to mental health issues exacerbated by a toxic work environment and bigoted coworkers. I had been facing harassment for using a different name than what was on the schedule, as I am a trans woman. The constant use of slurs and derogatory comments made my mental health deteriorate further. On the same day I quit, I submitted my application for unemployment benefits, believing that my qualifying mental health problems would not disqualify me from receiving support. I also provided my healthcare provider's capability form to support my claim. However, it's been a while, and I'm still in the 'waiting on response' stage without any updates. I'm feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what steps to take next as I struggle to manage my finances during this time.

I recently realized that I forgot to include a 1099 gig in my unemployment claim. I did a contracted social media job from March 10 to June 2, and I was paid for it on July 13. Unfortunately, I was let go from my W2 job on June 4, which is the job I filed my claim for. So far, I've only received one payment from EDD on July 23. I'm feeling stressed about this oversight and I'm unsure how to amend my claim to include the 1099 work. I can't call them today since they're closed, so I'm hoping to get some advice on what to expect moving forward.

I'm currently working in junk removal and trying to find a new job, but I'm feeling overwhelmed with the process. My work schedule is pretty demanding; I work Monday through Thursday and Saturday, starting at 7 AM, and I never know when I'll finish. This makes it challenging to dedicate time to job searching. Getting my current job took about 2 or 3 months of full-time effort. I'm looking for advice on how to quickly increase my hireability and manage the application and interview process alongside my current job. I'm not entirely sure what skills I should focus on or what specific job I'm aiming for. Before this, I was an air traffic controller, and I have applied for a few ATC-related positions, but those opportunities seem to be several months away from materializing.

I recently received an offer from Vonage for a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) position. To be honest, I had never heard of Vonage before this opportunity came up, but the role itself seems interesting to me. However, I'm feeling a bit uncertain about making the switch since the pay raise isn't significant compared to my current job. Additionally, I've been reading about the recent trends in layoffs across the market, and I've come across mixed reviews regarding work culture and growth opportunities at Vonage. I'm contemplating whether it would be wise to accept the offer or hold out for something better.

I'm currently working in Brazil for a global business unit, where my direct managers are based in the US. I'm expected to go into the office once a week, but I've only been managing to go about once a month. Recently, I found out that the only other person in my Marketing department in Brazil left the company, which means I'm now solely responsible for all Marketing operations here, including managing a significant media budget. I'm moving to a different state soon, and I really want to stay with the company, so I've been considering asking my manager if I can work fully remote. I have a performance review coming up on Monday, and I think this could be a good opportunity to discuss my situation. The company recently did a risk assessment and concluded that losing me would severely impact the Marketing operations in Brazil, which gives me some leverage. However, I'm unsure how to approach this conversation. I've typically been passive in negotiations, focusing more on my work than on advocating for myself. With the bureaucracy in Brazil, I know I need to present my case clearly so my manager can negotiate with HR effectively. I’m aware that other teams have flexible arrangements, so I believe it's possible. I have several reasons for wanting to work remotely, including the fact that I'm the only one handling Marketing here, the office environment isn't conducive to my needs, and my current salary is below market rate for my new city. I want to make a compelling business case without overwhelming my manager with personal details. I feel like I need to strike a balance between my personal circumstances and the business needs of the company. I hope to gather some advice on how to best frame this conversation on Monday.

I'm currently working in the renewable energy sector through an outsourcing arrangement and I've noticed some concerning changes at my company. Over the past few months, there have been reports of an external investment fund coming in, several senior managers including the CFO have left, and some suppliers are experiencing payment delays. Additionally, there are plans to move to new offices around the same time the investor is expected to arrive. I'm unsure if this is a typical restructuring before growth or if it indicates potential financial difficulties or major organizational changes. As an outsourced employee, I feel like I could be more easily replaced than permanent staff, which adds to my anxiety about job security. On a positive note, I'm in the final stages of recruitment for another position that promises better pay and career progression. Given the situation, I'm contemplating whether I should start actively looking for a new job now. I would love to hear from anyone who has experienced similar situations involving acquisitions, private equity investments, or corporate restructuring. Would you consider these signs red flags? How do outsourced employees typically fare in these scenarios?

I recently completed week 4 of my outplacement experience after being laid off from my role at a tech company. The program has been quite insightful, providing resources and support as I navigate my job search. I've been focusing on refining my resume and LinkedIn profile, and I've also had the opportunity to participate in several networking events. The guidance from career coaches has been invaluable, helping me to develop my interview skills and approach potential employers with confidence. With just 8 weeks left in the program, I’m feeling hopeful and motivated to secure a new position soon.

I recently completed my third interview for a position and have been anxiously waiting for a response. As a foreigner, I'm not fully aware of the typical vacation periods in the U.S., but I've read that late July to early August is a time when many people take time off. I want to send a follow-up email to check in on my application status, but I'm unsure when would be the best time to do so to ensure it gets noticed. I’m considering sending it soon, especially since I feel like I might have been ghosted regarding the results.

I've recently graduated and have been struggling to find a job. To help with my job search, I've narrowed down my options for reverse recruiting services to three. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has experience with these services and can share their thoughts. I've been getting some LinkedIn reachouts, but it's still been tough to land a position. I'm hoping to make a decision soon on which service to use.

I recently found out that my previous employer is appealing my unemployment determination here in Pennsylvania. This is my first time going through this process, and I want to make sure I’m fully prepared. I can't imagine losing this appeal, especially since I have evidence that counters their claims. They submitted four cropped screenshots of our text exchanges, which conveniently leave out important context. Luckily, I have the full conversation uploaded, which clearly shows that there was no willful misconduct on my part. In addition, a former coworker is writing a letter to support my case. I’m unsure about how much documentation I should include; I have a lot of potential evidence, but I don't want to overwhelm them with too much information. My former employer has requested a phone hearing, which I find a bit cowardly. I understand that the hearing will be conducted by a referee from the Unemployment Compensation office rather than a judge. I’m curious about the format of the hearing—should I prepare a statement? Would it be wise to upload a rebuttal to the statement my employer provided? I really want to get this right, so any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated!

I recently hit my one-year mark at a mid-sized company in the US, which is owned by a larger Japanese firm, and I received an unexpected call from HR. They informed me that I was under investigation for theft, and they have video evidence. The situation stems from a free ice cream day the company held last month. Afterward, they stored the ice cream freezers in the cafeteria, and one of them was left unlocked with no signs or monitoring. I took a few ice creams, genuinely thinking they were still free, and I even mentioned this to my coworkers, who likely did the same. Now, I'm facing potential disciplinary action, ranging from a warning to termination, depending on HR's discretion. My manager, who has been with the company for 25 years, believes I won't face severe consequences and has expressed support for me. However, I'm terrified of being labeled a thief and the impact it might have on my coworkers. I have enough savings to get by, and I have decent qualifications, but I truly enjoy my job and the company culture. I've heard horror stories of employees being let go for minor infractions, and I'm unsure about the precedent for this type of situation at my company. I'm left wondering if I should start job hunting now or if I'm overreacting. Any advice or comfort would be appreciated.