Planning

I was recently let go from my retail job, and the circumstances surrounding it are quite distressing. I had been working there for about two months when my wife went into labor on June 21st. I had informed my employer well in advance about my wife's due date and my intention to take two weeks off to be with my newborn. On the day of the induction, while at the hospital, I realized I had forgotten to give another employee the store keys for opening. I took full responsibility for my oversight but was unable to drive to the store to rectify it. My boss, who is an old associate of mine, called me out in a group chat in a way that felt unnecessary and petty, leading to a heated argument. In the heat of the moment, I left the chat and blocked them to reduce my stress during such a significant time in my life. After my baby was born healthy, I unblocked my boss a few days later and expressed my readiness to return to work. However, after several attempts to reach out, I noticed that my access to company email had been revoked, which made me suspect I had been removed from their systems. Now, I’m left feeling anxious because I rely on this job for income and health insurance for my family. I live in a state where it’s illegal to fire someone during family leave, but I fear they might claim I resigned voluntarily. I’m considering my options and wondering if I should approach HR or consult a lawyer. I want to handle this situation thoughtfully, as I believe I have grounds for a lawsuit. Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

I recently received an offer from Company A, a fintech firm, for a software engineering role. This is exciting, but I have to admit it's my third choice among the companies I'm considering. I graduated in December 2025, and I'm currently in the interview process with two other companies: Company B, a big tech streaming service, where I've passed the technical screen and have a virtual onsite scheduled for mid-July, and Company C, another big tech firm focused on hardware, where I recently completed a technical screen and I'm waiting to hear back about advancing. The challenge I'm facing is that Company A's offer is expected to arrive this week, while I'm still waiting on B and C to finish their processes. I'm torn because I would prefer to work at either B or C if they come through with offers. I'm looking for advice on how to handle this situation. Once I receive the offer from A, should I inform B and C about it to potentially speed up their decision-making? If so, what's the best way to frame it? I've heard that giving a hard deadline might backfire, so I'm considering saying I'm a finalist elsewhere without mentioning the actual offer or a specific deadline. What approach tends to work better? Additionally, should I ask Company A for more time to make my decision? As a new grad, what would be a reasonable amount of time to request for an extension? I appreciate any insights from those who have navigated similar situations.

I had an interview recently with a company where I was in touch with the hiring manager. After the interview, she messaged me asking if I had interviewed with her that day, to which I confirmed. However, she then went silent for about three days. When I reached out, she apologized for the delay, mentioning she had been busy. She asked about my notice period at my current job, which I still have, as I'm looking for a new position due to environmental concerns at my workplace. I took a couple of days to respond, and now I'm left waiting again for her to get back to me about informing HR of my potential start date. I'm feeling confused about the whole situation and wondering what might be going on.

I am preparing to put in my two-week notice at my retail job where I've worked for about a year and a half. The timing feels terrible because my boss's wife is about to have a baby, and he'll be taking two weeks off right after I leave. I work at a small company with fewer than 50 employees, and I know my departure will add a lot of pressure on him. I've been feeling burnt out at this job, which has been pretty awful overall, but I want to leave on good terms. I'm waiting to hear back from my new employer about starting on August 1st, which would give my boss some time to adjust. My main concern is maintaining a good reference for future opportunities, especially since I don't have many professional references from my past jobs, like DoorDash. I really don't want to burn this bridge, but I also need to prioritize my own career and well-being. I’m hoping to find a way to navigate this situation without it turning into a disaster.

I've been unemployed for nearly a year now, and the job search has been incredibly challenging. I have about 7 years of experience in sourcing and procurement, but the opportunities seem scarce. I’m lucky to land an interview once a month, and when I do, I'm often up against candidates with much more experience than I have. My partner has been encouraging me to consider switching careers, but I'm hesitant. I’ve explored adjacent roles without much success, and the thought of starting completely over is daunting. Recently, I earned my PMP certification to enhance my resume and keep myself busy, but I’m beginning to wonder if I should focus on gaining more certifications to justify my time off instead. Thankfully, finances aren't a pressing issue for me right now.

I've been reflecting on my situation lately as a 19-year-old immigrant living with my parents. I've always held a negative view of minimum wage jobs, thinking of them as a sort of humiliation or a form of payroll slavery, influenced by family and media. However, after facing numerous rejections from decent jobs, apprenticeships, and universities, I'm starting to feel the pressure of needing to earn money. The thought of applying for positions like cashier, waiter, or promoter really shakes my belief system. I desire personal freedom and a better future, but I find myself stuck in this dilemma. I live in a European country where labor laws are generally supportive of workers, yet I still feel hesitant about taking a minimum wage job. I'm considering whether it's worth it to take one of these jobs or if I should wait it out until college or pursue my own side hustle, like YouTube or a niche tech repair business. I could really use some outside perspective on this situation.

I’m a 24-year-old female originally from Norway, now living in Austin, Texas. I've worked in sales across various countries and have also gained marketing experience here in the U.S. Unfortunately, my work visa just expired, and I’m heading back to school. Due to my visa restrictions, I can only work part-time during my first year. I’m eager to return to sales but I'm uncertain about the availability of part-time roles in this field. I would greatly appreciate any advice or leads on part-time sales jobs!

I recently found myself in a tough spot at my current job as a line cook, feeling pretty miserable. I've worked in various roles, including retail and delivery, but I'm ready for a change. Right now, I'm in the process of interviewing for a delivery job with a local company that I really like. I have a second interview lined up, and since I've done similar work before, I feel confident about it. At the same time, I just applied for a technical support position at a software company where a friend works. It's an entry-level role, and I put a lot of effort into my resume and cover letter, even though my experience doesn't perfectly match the job description. I believe my previous roles have equipped me with the necessary skills. The challenge I'm facing is that I'm nearing the second interview for the delivery job, but I haven't heard back from the software company yet since I just submitted my application. I'm really interested in the technical support position, but I don't want to risk losing the delivery job offer without having a solid answer from the other company. I'm wondering how long I can ask the delivery company to wait while I weigh my options. I know I can communicate with them, but I'm not very experienced in these situations and could use some guidance. I really want to make the right decision without losing out on either opportunity.

I'm a 24-year-old on F-1 OPT, feeling incredibly frustrated with my job search. I hold a bachelor's degree in accounting and auditing and a master's degree in finance. I have about a year of experience in risk advisory at a Big 4 firm in my home country, along with a 10-month internal audit internship at a Fortune 500 company in the US. I'm specifically targeting internal audit roles that require 0-5 years of experience, but I'm facing constant rejections. I rarely even get to the HR phone screen, and when I do, it often doesn't progress because companies either don't want to hire someone without citizenship or a green card or they prefer candidates with more specialized experience. I'm currently preparing for my CIA part-1 exam, hoping that will improve my chances. It’s exhausting to feel like I’m stuck in a loop of applying for positions I know I can excel in, only to be auto-filtered out for internships since I'm no longer a student. Even entry-level roles (0-2/3 years of experience) are rejecting me, leaving me confused about whether I'm seen as underqualified or overqualified. I've also tried branching out into Financial Analyst and FP&A roles, as I noticed some of my peers landing these positions with no experience, but I'm not having any luck there either. I've tailored my resumes for each job application, and sometimes I even indicate that I don't need sponsorship just to see if it helps me get an HR phone screen, but it rarely leads to anything. The feedback I get is often vague, stating they've found candidates that better align with the role, even when I feel I meet the job description perfectly. I’m hesitant to spend a lot on consultancy services that promise to optimize my resume with keywords, especially when they take a large percentage of my first-year salary without guaranteeing a job. I'm open to any suggestions or advice on how to navigate this challenging job market.

Today, I faced a heartbreaking situation regarding my job at a local company where I recently started as a temporary employee. I was thrilled to join this team just two months ago, as the pay was great, the hours were flexible, and the work environment was fantastic. I genuinely loved going to work every day and felt a strong connection with my bosses and colleagues. However, I received some devastating news from my doctor yesterday. After some tests, it turns out that I am very unwell and will need to be hospitalized for an extended period due to my condition. This news has left me feeling completely devastated, as I had hoped to work through the summer while finishing my studies. Now, I find myself in the difficult position of needing to quit a job that I truly love, and the thought of disappointing my bosses is weighing heavily on me. I want to handle this situation professionally and communicate to them that this decision is entirely out of my control. I plan to request a private meeting to explain my circumstances honestly and respectfully. I am reaching out for advice on how to approach this conversation and ensure I leave on good terms, as I would hate to burn any bridges. Any suggestions on how to navigate this would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off today after just four hours of work, receiving the news via email. The paperwork they sent was dated for yesterday, which feels a bit ridiculous. To add insult to injury, they shorted me a day of PTO but claimed they processed a severance check 'in good faith.' However, they also want me to sign a non-sue agreement to release the severance. This company is Canadian and is shutting down their US operations, specifically in California. I’m tempted to ask for that missing day of PTO and the hours I worked this morning, but I’m worried that it might jeopardize the severance offer since they’ve made it clear I can’t pursue them legally. I’m also debating whether to apply for unemployment benefits today or wait until Sunday, as I’ve heard mixed opinions on the timing. I’m considering consulting an employment lawyer to get some clarity on my situation and to ensure I have documented evidence of my layoff and the hours I worked.

I’ve learned a tough lesson about loyalty in the workplace. After dedicating three years to my role as a senior developer at my company, I found out that my manager decided to hire three new employees to replace me and another senior dev. It feels disheartening to realize that we’re seen as not 'sexy' enough anymore. One of the new hires is particularly toxic, being rude and micromanaging our work, yet the manager seems to support this behavior, placing the blame on us instead. Now, it seems like they want us to resign. I've spent countless sleepless nights working hard for this company, and this is the reward I get. I’m considering my options, especially after seeing advice about not resigning and pushing for a layoff instead to secure severance and unemployment.

I recently had two interviews with a company that seemed to go really well. After the second interview, the CEO even reached out to me, expressing that they felt positive about my fit for the role and asked when I could start. I responded by saying that I would need to give my current employer a two weeks' notice, but that this was contingent on receiving a formal offer letter first. I mentioned that mid-July would be the earliest I could start, as we are nearing July. Interestingly, we hadn't even discussed compensation yet, and I can't just leave my current job without knowing if the new position would offer at least what I currently make. To be honest, I don't have a strong attachment to my current job; it's not a career maker for me. However, I'm left wondering if my straightforward approach was off-putting to them. I feel like I was just being honest about my situation, but I can't help but think that maybe they were turned off by my need for an offer before resigning. It's ironic how employers expect a two weeks' notice when resigning, yet they often want candidates to leave their current jobs without any notice when hiring.

I’ve been helping my boyfriend with his job search for finance roles in New York, but it's been tough. He’s been applying for months and hasn’t landed a single interview. I reached out for feedback on his resume, hoping to get some insights on how to improve it. A lot of the comments suggested that his resume is too lengthy and reads more like an essay than a concise summary of his qualifications. One commenter pointed out that his opening line about identifying a $70 million misclassification was too detailed and should be simplified. They recommended shortening every bullet point to make it easier for hiring managers to read. Another piece of advice was to include a skills section at the top that matches the job descriptions he’s applying for. It seems like he needs to focus on using buzzwords and phrases that are relevant to the positions to get past the initial screening. Some commenters also mentioned that his state school background might be a disadvantage in the competitive NYC finance scene, emphasizing the importance of networking and presenting a polished image. I’m hoping to take this feedback and help him refine his resume so he can finally get some interviews.

I just received an invitation for an in-person interview and they are flying me out from the east coast to the west coast. This is my first time going through this process, so I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. I have a general idea of what to expect during the interview, but I want to make sure I'm fully prepared. I'm looking for any recommendations on questions I should ask during the interview or any tips that could help me navigate this experience successfully.

I'm currently a university student studying Computer Science, and I've been struggling to find a job that fits my schedule. Employers seem to prefer candidates who are available without any restrictions, which has made my search really challenging. As a result, I decided to take a serving job at Olive Garden, but the pay is really low compared to the effort I put in. Now, I'm actively looking for another job that would allow me to transfer to a location closer to my school, Illinois State University (ISU). I'm hoping to find something better soon!

I was laid off in March 2024 and have been on the job hunt ever since. I've submitted hundreds of applications for Software Engineering, DevOps, and Cloud Technology roles, but the response has been disheartening. Most of the interviews I've managed to get have been brief, lasting only 4 to 5 minutes, and they rarely lead anywhere meaningful. I have nearly 3 years of experience in fintech, working with technologies like Java, XML, Spring Boot, Kubernetes, Azure, and Groovy. My full-stack experience includes JavaScript, Node.js, MongoDB, and Express. To stay sharp, I've been using AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT, and I've even deployed a React application on Netlify and full-stack apps on Heroku while contributing to open source projects. Back in 2021, I was frequently approached by recruiters, and interviews were abundant. However, the job market has changed dramatically since then, and I know I’m not the only one facing this challenge. I’ve been networking actively, attending local tech events, and posting on LinkedIn. I'm also considering opportunities in other states, including North Carolina and Texas. I'm reaching out to the community for advice. What strategies or platforms are working for you in the 2026 tech job market? Any recommendations for roles to explore or connections that could help would be greatly appreciated.

I had a really unsettling experience at my job recently. I'm currently in my probationary period as staff at an academic institution, and I received a performance appraisal that I thought was supposed to be a straightforward review. However, my manager asked me to rewrite it before she sends it to HR, which feels like it's turning into a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). During our annual review meeting, I expected to discuss my performance, especially areas where I might need improvement. Instead, my manager went through my appraisal and, even for the sections where I was rated highly, she insisted that I come up with ways to improve. For example, I was praised for processing reimbursements efficiently, but she wanted me to list actions to push beyond that, which felt absurd since it's a straightforward task. She also instructed me to remove the context I had provided about my work and her own positive feedback, which was concerning. It felt like she was trying to reframe my performance to highlight deficiencies rather than acknowledge my contributions. I'm worried that what will be sent to HR will look like a list of my shortcomings, even though I had received no negative feedback prior to this. To make matters worse, I have a meeting with the ombuds office scheduled for the afternoon after I need to submit the revised appraisal. I’m feeling anxious about whether I'm being overly paranoid or if this is genuinely a strange situation. I want to remain professional, but I'm concerned this is being used to build a case against me before my probation review.

I recently applied for unemployment benefits after being let go from my job in May. I filled out the necessary forms for my most recent employer, and their statement about my termination seemed accurate. I was let go due to poor performance, but I didn’t break any rules. Now, I’ve received another claimant form from a previous employer where I worked from February to April 2025. Their statement about my termination is quite harsh and includes some inaccuracies. They claim I was hired for a temporary position and that I lacked urgency, skill, and knowledge, often played on my phone, and was not suitable for any permanent role due to my work ethic. They also stated that my negligence could have caused significant issues with clients' tax returns, which I find misleading since I only passed them off for review and didn’t file them myself. I was never warned about my phone usage or my performance; I only received some pointers for improvement. I accidentally agreed to their statements while submitting the form, but I plan to contact the unemployment office to correct my answers. I'm worried that these statements might disqualify me from receiving unemployment benefits. If that’s the case, would I need to file an appeal? Also, is their claim about potential harm accurate, given my actual role in the process?

I worked at a non-profit organization for nearly three years and was consistently praised and promoted during that time. However, in August 2025, I faced a significant relapse in my mental health, which led me to enter a day program to adjust my medications. I took two weeks off work for this, but HR repeatedly denied my requests for FMLA. When I returned, I was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). Shortly thereafter, my dad and grandpa were diagnosed with cancer, and I was ultimately fired in December 2025. My dad passed away in January, which hit me hard. In February, I started working part-time to make ends meet, but my grandpa's health worsened due to heart failure and complications from a fall. I struggled with my mental health and often called in sick to my part-time job, sometimes unable to even get out of bed. Eventually, I stopped going to that job altogether. Now, I'm worried about losing my benefits and feel like I'm at a breaking point. I’m unsure about what my next steps should be.