Planning

I recently learned that the restaurant where I've been working for about six years is being sold. I have until the end of September to find a new job, but I’m wondering if it’s too early to start my job search now, given that it’s mid-July. I’ve been at this small, family-owned restaurant since I was 17, and it's just me and the owners who handle everything. They’re retiring and have accepted an offer, so I know my time here is limited. I’m not overly worried about finding a new position since I have a solid reference and a good amount of experience. However, I’m trying to figure out the best time to start applying. Should I begin now, or would it be better to wait until August? As a full-time university student, I need a part-time job that allows me to manage my studies while covering my rent. Plus, I don’t have my driver’s license yet, which limits my job options. I’ve been working since I was 15, so it’s been a while since I’ve looked for a new position, and I could really use some advice on how to navigate this situation.

I’ve been with my current company for about ten years, mostly on, and I’m feeling really frustrated about my promised raise. Two years into my time here, I was moved to a different location with a new job title, but the pay adjustment didn’t happen for nine months. They eventually paid me what I was owed in a separate check, which was a relief. After that, the location I was at was shut down, and to keep me from looking for other jobs, I was verbally offered a raise of around $12,000 annually to return to my original location. I was told this raise would take effect in July 2026 and that it was already included in the budget for a contract that would be signed at the beginning of 2027. Fast forward to now, it’s been over a year since that promise, and every time I reach out to HR, I’m met with vague responses about a process that’s supposedly underway. I’ve tried contacting the regional manager who made the offer, but I either get no response or just a promise to look into it. When I see them in person, it’s the same story—just vague mentions of working on it. I’m trying to stay positive, but with each passing month, I feel more discouraged as the amount I’m owed keeps growing. I had hoped it would work out since I had a similar experience years ago, but this time it feels different. I’m on good terms with upper management, but I can’t shake the feeling that they know I’ll keep showing up for work no matter what. It’s nerve-wracking to think I could be on the chopping block just to avoid paying me what was promised. On top of this, my landlord is selling the building I live in, and I’m dealing with some financial strain from maxed-out credit cards. I really need that raise to help clear my debts and prepare for a potential move. I don’t have the promotion in writing, just some back-and-forth texts and emails that don’t provide any real assurance. If anyone has dealt with a similar situation or has advice on how to handle this, I would greatly appreciate it. I’m just trying to secure a better financial future for myself and my loved ones.

Today, I reached the end of my Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) at my job in California. I’m feeling a mix of anxiety and uncertainty about what comes next. I’ve been advised to focus on my current contract gig, which I hope will lead to more opportunities. However, I’m also aware that if this contract doesn’t pan out, I might need to file for unemployment. Since I’m working as a 1099 contractor, I need to be cautious about my earnings, as they may affect my eligibility for benefits. It’s a challenging situation, and I’m trying to navigate my options carefully.

I lost my job due to a layoff last year and have been struggling to find full-time employment since then. I did manage to secure a paid internship, but it was temporary and has now ended. As I approach the start of my new benefit year, I'm unsure if I can file another claim since I'm still not employed full-time and my financial situation hasn't improved. I remember having to lower my salary expectations after a few months of searching, but despite my efforts, I haven't received any interviews or job offers. I'm hoping to get some clarity on whether I can apply for benefits again.

I’m currently exploring three job opportunities, none of which are my ideal positions, but they will help me pay the bills for now. Role 1 involves a lot of travel and has inconsistent hours, but it offers a good pay rate and flexibility. However, I've just spent three weeks with almost no income, which has been tough. Role 2 allows me to work from home three days a week and requires two days in the office out of town. It’s a full-time customer service role, but the pay is low. I’ve never had a full-time work-from-home job, aside from our business, which has a strong client-facing element. Role 3 is a full-time, on-site customer service position that pays better than Role 2, but it lacks flexibility. I’m weighing the pros and cons of each. Role 1 is enjoyable but financially unstable, Role 2 offers the comfort of home but at a low pay rate, and Role 3 provides better pay but requires me to be onsite full-time. I’m looking for advice on what factors to consider, such as health insurance options, commute times, and potential for growth within these roles.

After two long years of unemployment, I finally landed a full-time job! It’s been a tough journey filled with countless applications and only one acceptance. I lost my career, my confidence, and at times, my identity. I did odd jobs to make ends meet while trying to stay positive for my son. Earlier this year, I even quit a job because the work environment was hostile, which left me feeling like I was back at square one. There were days I cried and wanted to give up, feeling embarrassed about my situation. But I kept believing that the right opportunity would come along. This new job means so much more than just a paycheck; it represents a fresh start and a chance to rebuild my life. I’m also excited to share that I’ve been accepted into college for healthcare administration while working as a dental assistant. My goal is to eventually manage a dental practice with my degree. To anyone feeling stuck, don’t lose hope! Your situation can change in ways you can’t imagine. Keep refining your resume, prepare for interviews, and don’t hesitate to follow up. Cheers to new beginnings!

I'm currently searching for a new job as I plan to relocate to another state due to high living costs. I've been focusing on online interviews, and I'm curious about the likelihood of receiving a job offer without ever meeting in person. I've heard mixed experiences from others, some claiming they successfully landed jobs this way. I'm just trying to gauge how realistic this is today, especially with the competitive nature of remote-only positions. Has anyone else experienced this?

I recently quit my job after just three days. I had left my previous position in May due to a toxic work environment and spent two grueling months searching for a new role. In July, I finally accepted an offer as a Brand Manager, which came with a better title and pay, and I rejected two other offers to take it. However, I severely underestimated the commute, which turned out to be four hours daily. The company had a strict biometric system for clocking in and out, and even for a short 30-minute lunch break, there was no flexibility regarding work hours or the option to work from home. On my second day, I witnessed a mass exodus of employees, and the way the founders spoke to the remaining staff made it clear there were serious culture issues. I experienced constant demeaning remarks directed at new hires, which explained why so many people were leaving. By day three, I was feeling unwell, and I thought it was just anxiety from making such a big mistake. However, I discovered I had a fever of 103 degrees and the company had a policy of no leaves for the first three months. I was still running a fever at 101, feeling terrible, and terrified of having to re-enter the job market so soon after being congratulated on LinkedIn for this new position. I really started to question my decision and what I had gotten myself into.

I've been feeling really lost lately with my job situation. I'm a 30-year-old woman who moved in with my aunt and uncle in March to save money since I had no savings and was dealing with some tough personal issues over the past decade. Since moving in, I've had five different jobs and somehow ended up $1,200 in credit card debt, even though my relatives are letting me stay rent-free. I started working at an assisted living facility for $17/hr last month and just took on a second job at a gas station for $14/hr. I've quit two jobs and was fired from one, which was a serving position that I apparently wasn't good at. My indecisiveness is really getting to me; one day I love my gas station job, and the next, I feel like walking out after a tough interaction with my trainer. She yelled at me for messing up a lottery transaction, and it made me feel really incompetent. I got a call about a budtender position for $16/hr today, and I'm seriously considering quitting the gas station for that. Plus, I'm also interested in starting an electrician apprenticeship. It's all so overwhelming, and I know my aunt and uncle are getting frustrated with my constant job changes. I just want to find stability and save money—I've done it before, but I feel like I'm wasting my chances now. I'm reaching out for some advice or empathy because I feel pretty powerless and horrible about myself right now. Has anyone else gone through something similar and managed to turn it around?

I've been reflecting on the job market and how job hopping seems to be becoming the norm. At my current job, there are so many red flags that I've started to question my loyalty. I've been here for a year and a half, and I've seen numerous colleagues leave for supposedly better opportunities. Recently, three people were let go, which adds to the negativity and unhappiness in the workplace. Despite my efforts to stay positive and engaged, I often find myself wondering if it's worth it to stick around. I've recently had a couple of job interviews that went really well. Both positions promise at least a 12% salary increase, along with hybrid scheduling and more work flexibility. One of them even seems to offer significant career growth, so I'm really hoping to land an offer. While I do feel comfortable at my current job and appreciate some of my coworkers, I can't shake the feeling that leaving might be the better option for my future. I'm looking for a company where I can stay long-term, but I'm curious if others are experiencing similar situations. Are you all job hopping? What are your reasons for leaving?

I recently completed an assessment for an office assistant position that I was really excited about, but I found the screening process quite frustrating. The e-skills test felt disconnected from the actual role I applied for. Instead of relevant questions about daily tasks, I encountered niche and advanced office software functions that I've never used in my extensive experience in office administration. It seemed like the questions were randomly generated by AI, lacking any real connection to the job. Additionally, the customer service questions leaned heavily towards sales, which is not applicable to the assistant position. There were also high-level management questions filled with jargon that the average receptionist wouldn't need to know. I was fortunate to have studied business, so I could navigate some of that, but it felt unnecessary for the role. The phrasing of the multiple-choice answers was also awkward and unnatural, making it difficult to respond accurately. I have a lot of muscle memory with software like Excel and Word, but the test didn't allow me to showcase my skills effectively. After providing feedback, I learned that the assessment was generated by HiPeople's proprietary AI, confirming my suspicions about the irrelevant questions. Now, I'm trying to figure out the best way to approach my recruiter to express my concerns without jeopardizing this opportunity. I want to voice my feedback constructively, but I'm worried about how it might be received.

I recently experienced my second layoff, which has led me to reflect on the issue of workplace nepotism. As an African woman in the tech industry, I've noticed a troubling pattern in my career. My first layoff came after three years at a startup where the company began hiring predominantly from one nationality. Over time, the management and board became filled with individuals from that same background, and recruitment followed suit. This shift led to intense micromanagement from my new manager, which took a toll on my mental health and ultimately forced me to resign. After taking six months to upgrade my skills, I joined another company, where I initially thrived. However, changes in management again led to a similar situation, with certain backgrounds dominating decision-making. Eventually, I was laid off during an organizational restructuring. I was encouraged to apply for an internal role, but during the interview process, I felt discouraged when I saw that the hiring managers were from the same background I had previously been concerned about. It made me question whether I would be evaluated fairly based on my skills or if I was at a disadvantage due to my different network. I want to clarify that my observations are not a critique of any nationality as a whole; I have worked alongside many talented Indian colleagues. My main point is that nepotism and favoritism are detrimental, regardless of who is involved. Companies should prioritize hiring based on competence and character rather than nationality or personal connections. As I move forward, I will prioritize seeking out companies that demonstrate diversity in leadership and fair hiring practices. Talent exists everywhere, and everyone deserves equal opportunities.

I've been through a tough 1.5 years, having to drop out of my master's program after working hard to get into a good college through GATE. Health issues really took a toll on me, but I'm finally starting to feel better and I'm eager to restart my career. I'm reaching out for help because I'm currently unemployed and looking for work-from-home opportunities. I'm open to various roles, including tech, non-tech, customer support, operations, or virtual assistant positions. I just need a chance to get back on my feet and escape this feeling of failure. Being an unemployed woman in a challenging environment has been really hard, but I'm determined to push through. If anyone has leads or advice on full-time WFH jobs with immediate openings, I would greatly appreciate it.

It's been two months since I was laid off from Meta on May 20th, and honestly, I still feel lost. After the layoff, I decided to leave the city and move to a smaller one, hoping for a fresh start. Back in December and January, I was actually considering quitting my 9-5 job, but then I got the offer from Meta, which seemed like a decent opportunity at the time. Getting laid off so suddenly really hit my ego hard; it felt unbelievable to be let go after just 20 days. Over time, I've managed to let go of the anger towards my hiring manager and the circumstances, but life hasn't been easy since then. In these past couple of months, I've tried a variety of things to keep myself occupied. I've dabbled in building small apps and websites, read about interesting topics, binge-watched series, and even started writing a book. I've also been applying for jobs, but it's mostly been ego-driven. I’m creating content too, but none of it brings me joy. I find myself constantly looking up tutorials and feeling frustrated that I might not have any real talents. With all this free time, I often find myself questioning everything around me, like how electricity was discovered and how it led to the modern world. It’s a rabbit hole of thoughts that just adds to my uncertainty. Overall, I'm left with a lot of questions, no clear plans, and a serious lack of motivation.

I was laid off from a mid-sized logistics company seven months ago due to a departmental restructuring. I had been with the company for nearly four years, starting in customer support and eventually transitioning to an operations coordinator role. My responsibilities included managing shipments, updating reports, resolving vendor issues, training new hires, and troubleshooting various problems that arose daily. I thought this diverse experience would help me land another role in operations or project support, but that hasn't been the case. Since my layoff, I've submitted over 300 job applications, targeting positions where I meet at least 70-80% of the requirements. I've tailored my resume for each role, shortened bullet points, highlighted achievements with metrics, removed older experiences, and even paid for a professional review. Despite my efforts, I've only secured four interviews. One company canceled the position after my second interview, another chose a candidate with more direct industry experience, and the other two just went silent. Most applications result in automatic rejections or no response at all. I've even applied for junior roles, but I've been told I'm overqualified and likely to leave for better opportunities. It's frustrating to feel both underqualified and overqualified at the same time. My resume highlights my accomplishments, such as reducing delayed orders, training eight employees, and developing new tracking procedures. However, I'm beginning to wonder if my experience comes across as too broad or generic. I'm also concerned that the title 'operations coordinator' might be misleading since different companies define it differently. At this point, I'm unsure if the issue lies with my resume, the job market, or the roles I'm targeting. I'm still applying and doing some temporary contract work, but this prolonged job search is taking a toll on my confidence. I'm seeking advice from those who have hired for similar roles: what might make you overlook a resume like mine? And for those who faced similar challenges, did adjusting your resume help, or was it just a matter of persistence until something clicked?

I just found out that the warehouse I've been working at for the past 16 years is closing down. The company announced that the plant will shut its doors at the end of September 30, 2024, affecting all shifts. Honestly, I thought I would be there until retirement, so this news has really shaken me. I've been looking for other job opportunities on and off, but I feel pretty freaked out about the whole situation. The only reason I haven't left yet is because of my benefits package, but the work environment has become increasingly difficult. Last week, for instance, I only managed to get 20 hours of work because there wasn't enough light work available. It's a tough spot to be in.

I have decided to resign from my current position, and it was a mutual decision with my employer. They have agreed to let me stay on for a short period while I search for a new job. I want to draft a resignation letter that clearly states this arrangement, as I plan to leave by the end of the month but still need the income during my job search. I'm looking for advice on how to phrase this in my letter.

I was laid off 2.5 months ago from a leadership position at a company where I envisioned building my career. Since then, I've been tirelessly searching for new opportunities, applying to around 200 positions with customized resumes, cover letters, and portfolios. I've dedicated countless hours to networking and developing relationships, hoping for referrals with every outreach. So far, I've gone through nearly 100 interviews, repeating the same questions, and some companies have put me through over a dozen interviews before ultimately rejecting me. Currently, I'm in the 'final stage' with a couple of companies that I've been engaging with throughout this entire process. However, I feel completely exhausted. My anxiety has escalated to a point where I can't even take a deep breath. My heart races, my palms are sweaty, and my hands tremble constantly. This anxiety isn't just tied to interviews or applications; it's a persistent state I find myself in every day. I feel somewhat ridiculous for how my body is reacting, especially since I'm doing well in terms of interviews and opportunities. Yet, this job search is wreaking havoc on my nervous system, and I'm worried that if I don't secure a position soon, my ability to present myself effectively will start to decline. I've never faced a situation like this before. It feels like the ground has been pulled out from under me, and the reality of my circumstances is beginning to sink in.

I've been struggling with interview preparation lately, feeling torn between two extremes that are both sabotaging my chances. On one hand, I dive deep into preparation, spending days stressing over every detail and scripting out answers. This has led me to the point of skipping meals, and when I inevitably forget a line during the interview, I completely freeze and it all falls apart. On the other hand, I try to wing it to sound more natural, but without enough prep, I lose my train of thought and end up rambling, filled with 'ums' and 'likes.' I'm searching for that sweet spot between being overly robotic and a disorganized mess. I'm curious how others prepare without memorizing every word. Do you focus on high-level bullet points instead? Also, any tips on managing the stress and avoiding the meal-skipping would be greatly appreciated!

I recently found myself in a tough situation with my job security at my current company in Saudi Arabia, where I work with Oracle Fusion. I've been actively applying for new roles but haven't had any luck so far. This is my first time reaching out for advice, and I'm wondering if my CV might be the problem. I would really appreciate any feedback on it. I've heard some suggestions that I might have too many positions listed, as I've only been in my second role since 2019. Some people advised me to remove internships and my current role from the CV. I’m also considering reaching out to former colleagues for references instead of just managers. I’m feeling a bit lost and could really use some guidance on how to improve my chances in this job market.