Planning

I've been thinking about my job search strategy while working with a staffing agency. Currently, I'm in a position where I need to gain some volunteer experience in political science to help advance my career. In the meantime, I plan to take on temporary jobs to maintain some income. I'm curious about others' experiences—specifically, how many of you continued to look for jobs outside of the staffing agency, especially if the temp job was unrelated to your field? From what I've gathered, it seems like temp work is just a means to an end, and there's no real expectation of loyalty to the agency. I’ve heard that many people keep applying elsewhere while working these temporary positions, which is encouraging. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

I was terminated from my role as a computer hardware technician after about 5 months on June 29, 2026. I started this job on February 2, 2026, and this was my first layoff ever. The decision came after a long wait of nearly two months following my performance concerns that began after I completed training in March. I struggled significantly with my output, often finishing only low 20s to mid 30s of boards, while senior technicians could handle 30 to 50. I also faced customer complaints due to wrong parts being used, which was exacerbated by running out of specific parts and my tendency to be overly meticulous. I was shocked by the timing of the termination, especially since I expected a decision weeks earlier. The company seemed to be under pressure with an upcoming audit, which may have influenced their decision. I realize now that my mild autism might have impacted my ability to work efficiently in such a fast-paced environment, where I often rushed and made mistakes. On a positive note, my family is relocating closer to Houston next month, which should alleviate my transportation issues that have hindered my job search. I gained valuable soldering and repair skills during my time at this job, and I'm determined to learn from this experience to improve my soft skills. I'm hopeful that my next opportunity will be a better fit for me.

I recently lost my job and I feel completely frozen. It's hard to move forward or even think about what to do next. I worked at a tech company as a software engineer for over three years, and now I'm just stuck in this overwhelming feeling of uncertainty. I know I need to update my resume and start applying for new positions, but I can’t seem to find the motivation to do it. Has anyone else experienced this? How did you overcome it?

I was terminated today after working for 6 years in the telecom industry, specifically in conformance testing. My company decided to downsize and unfortunately, my entire team, including my lead, was let go along with several other teams. This news hit me hard, especially since I thought I was secure in my position and had even just taken out a car loan this month. I'm struggling with how to break this to my family, particularly my parents, as I have my own family to support and things are looking quite bleak right now. I'm reaching out for any job leads or openings, and I would also appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation.

I'm currently on the lookout for stipend volunteer programs in Pennsylvania. I've been trying to find opportunities that not only allow me to contribute but also provide some financial support. I remember my sister used to participate in short-term volunteering roles that came with stipends, and I think this could be a good option for me since I'm out of work right now. I've attempted to post in other subreddits focused on Pennsylvania and volunteering, but my posts were rejected, leaving me a bit frustrated. If anyone has suggestions or knows where I can find such programs, I would greatly appreciate the help!

I'm currently on the job hunt and have been using Indeed and Snagajob to find opportunities. Unfortunately, my old phone limits me from using some platforms, but I'm considering exploring other apps. Right now, I'm facing a challenge as there aren't many job postings available. Most listings require bilingual skills, specific college degrees, or relevant experience, and many positions are located far away despite my search settings being set for nearby jobs. I've thought about calling some places directly, but my past experiences haven't been fruitful, and it feels like the people on the other end are not keen on adding more competition. I'm also contemplating using a staffing agency for the first time since I'm running low on energy and motivation. I'm open to any suggestions or options that might help me secure income without relying solely on traditional job applications.

I've been unemployed for several months now, and I've recently come across a sales leadership role that offers no base salary. It's a tough decision for me to make. On one hand, it could be a great opportunity to get back into the workforce and gain valuable experience. On the other hand, I need to consider my financial situation and whether I can afford to take a role without any guaranteed income. I'm weighing the pros and cons and trying to figure out if the potential commission and growth opportunities would be worth the risk.

I graduated high school a while ago, and ever since then, I've been struggling to find a job. It feels like no matter how many applications I send out for basic positions in retail or warehouses, I just keep getting rejected. I know I'm not lazy; I genuinely want to work, but it seems like luck is just not on my side. It's really frustrating to put myself out there and not get chosen for any of the roles I apply for. I've heard that signing up with an employment agency might help, so I'm considering that as a potential next step.

I'm currently employed in a dead-end job and I'm looking to leave. I've been feeling stuck and unfulfilled, and I want to find something more rewarding. I've been wondering how many job applications I should be submitting to increase my chances of landing a new position. I know it won't be a precise number, but I'm preparing myself for the possibility that it could take a lot of applications. I'm hoping to get some advice on how to approach my job search and what kind of roles I should be targeting.

I'm starting a new job next Monday and I'm currently going through the onboarding process, but I'm feeling a bit anxious. Ever since I accepted the offer two weeks ago, I haven't had any human contact—no emails or phone calls. Instead, I've just been getting automated tasks through an onboarding portal. I know there's probably someone behind the scenes managing this, but it would be nice to hear from a real person, especially since I have some questions about the process and whether my equipment for remote work is being sent. Has anyone else experienced this and still managed to start on time? I understand that automation is common in larger companies, but a little human outreach would really help ease my concerns.

I recently got hired for my first part-time job, and I'm feeling a bit lost right now. I went through the interview process, got all the details about training and pay, and even provided my shirt size. I completed all the onboarding paperwork, including tax forms and working papers. However, it's been two weeks since I was officially hired, and I've yet to hear anything. I called the place I'm supposed to work at, and the manager informed me that my working papers weren't updated. They advised me to call back on Monday, but when I did, the manager wasn't there. I tried again today, Tuesday, and still no luck. I'm feeling frustrated because I know the names of the people who are supposed to train me, along with the talent manager and HR consultant, but I wasn't given any contact information to reach out to them directly. I'm considering showing up in person tomorrow to speak with the manager, as I'm losing hope and just want to get started.

Today, I faced a tough decision regarding my job offers as a new BSEE grad. I recently signed an offer with an aerospace company for a highly technical engineering role that aligns perfectly with my long-term career goals. The position offers a great career trajectory, stable hours, and is located in a beautiful coastal area. I was genuinely excited about it. However, just a week later, I received a surprise offer from a tech startup that is about $20k higher than my signed offer. While the pay is tempting, the role comes with its downsides: it’s located in a remote area, demands crazy hours (60-80 hours a week), and would likely steer my career in a direction I’m not interested in pursuing long-term. Now, I’m grappling with whether I should reach out to the recruiter at the aerospace company to discuss the competing offer and see if they can increase my base salary by a few thousand dollars. I really want to stay with Offer A, but leaving that extra $20k on the table feels painful. I’m considering my options carefully, knowing I could always fall back on Offer B if needed, but I’m also aware of the risks involved. I was thrilled about Offer A when I accepted it, but this situation has definitely put me in a dilemma.

I recently started working at my mother's doctor's surgery on a zero-hour contract, but the work I was hired for is mostly finished. I had struggled for two years during my teenage years to find a job in retail or as a barista without success. Now that I have some actual job experience, I'm eager to secure a more permanent position at a store in the city. I'm open to any advice on how to improve my chances!

I recently found myself contemplating whether I should create a new profile for the companies I've applied to in the past. As a teacher looking to make a career shift, I've been actively applying to roles that seem like a good fit for the last 2-3 years, especially during the spring and summer months. Just last week, I applied to a position at a company where I already had a profile. After submitting my application, I checked my profile page and noticed several past applications from 2025 that had all been rejected. This made me wonder if it's worth it to start fresh with a new email and create new profiles that don't carry the weight of those rejections. I'm concerned that having a history of rejected applications might reflect poorly on me, but I'm also curious if recruiters actually pay attention to that kind of information. If anyone has insights or suggestions on this, I would greatly appreciate it!

I recently interviewed for a position at Mastercard and wanted to share my timeline and seek some advice. On June 17, I had my second-round interview with the Hiring Manager, which lasted longer than scheduled. The conversation was engaging, with plenty of follow-up questions and a discussion about the possibility of a final round with another team member. I felt positive about the interaction. On June 20, I reached out to the recruiter for an update. They responded on June 23, saying they were waiting for feedback from my interviewer before providing any updates. I followed up again on June 29 since I hadn’t heard back. Now, I’m still in the dark with no response. I’m trying to figure out if this is typical for Mastercard's hiring process. Is it normal for hiring managers to take this long to give feedback? Could it mean they are still interviewing other candidates? Also, is it common to be kept as a backup while they wait on someone else? Any insights from those who have been through this process would be greatly appreciated.

Today, I was put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) at my job. I honestly don't know how to process this. I started working here when there were three of us in the office, and now it's just me after layoffs. I've been managing the workload of three people, and now they say it's not enough. It feels incredibly unfair to expect me to maintain that pace every day without clear, measurable goals. I'm doing my best, but it seems like it doesn't matter. On top of this, my partner is currently unemployed, which adds a lot of financial stress to the situation. I've started looking for new jobs, but it's overwhelming. I refuse to sign any NDA or keep quiet about my experience here; I want to be transparent with others about what it's like to work in this environment. This whole situation has me feeling anxious, and I can't shake the feeling that I'm being set up to fail.

I recently found myself in a frustrating situation at my current job. I applied for a stocking position just to make some money before I leave to join my country's Air Force in December. However, during the hiring process, the employer suggested I take a deli/bakery role instead, which I explicitly mentioned I was not interested in. I accepted the offer because they claimed it was the only position available, but now I'm regretting that decision. The work environment is incredibly toxic, with a high turnover rate and no supervisor to guide us. The training is chaotic, and I feel like I'm just trying to survive each day. To make matters worse, I discovered they reposted the stocking job I initially applied for, which makes me feel like I was pushed into a role they couldn't fill with someone more experienced. I've started applying for other jobs because I know I can't stay in this unhealthy environment. I'm contemplating how to resign when the time comes, especially since I don’t think I owe them a two-week notice given my newbie status and lack of desire for a reference. I just want to escape this place and find something better.

I was fired from my job due to performance issues on June 17th. The HR department mentioned that they typically don't dispute unemployment claims, so I applied for benefits the very next day, on June 18th. Shortly after, I received a message regarding my monetary determination, indicating that I was eligible but had a pending eligibility issue that required no action from me. Now, I'm facing a situation where my funds are on hold, and I don't yet have a waiting week assigned. This isn't my first time requesting benefits after a performance-related termination; I've qualified before without issues. However, I'm feeling anxious about the hold status, as I don't recall encountering this in my previous experiences. I've been advised that this hold is normal in Florida and that it could take over a month to receive any benefits. I'm planning to follow up with them after 21 days to see if they need any additional information from me.

I experienced a significant identity crisis after being laid off from my role as an investment analyst at a small firm. I was informed of my layoff in April, and my last day was in early June. At just 26 years old, I had envisioned a long-term career at that company, and losing what felt like a dream job has left me feeling like I failed. After the layoff, I moved back in with my parents to focus on job hunting. Thankfully, I secured a new position within a few weeks, but it's in sales and pays about 30% less than my previous job. The benefits and PTO are also not as good, but I’m grateful to have something lined up. However, this transition has sent me into a bit of a spiral. I'm anxious about my future job security and career progression. With limited experience, I'm concerned about what I would do if I faced another layoff. I'm also contemplating going back to school for a more secure career path, like nursing. I'm curious if others have considered similar options and how to find a job that offers both security and fulfillment.

I recently lost my job as a laborer in Cairo due to my wife's critical illness. Three years ago, she was diagnosed with kidney failure, which drastically changed our lives. The commute was tough, but it became unbearable when her condition worsened and she needed regular dialysis. My employer let me go when they realized I needed to be by her side constantly. Since then, I've struggled to find work; every time I start a new job, her health takes priority, and I can't continue. I'm even considering donating my own kidney to help her. I'm desperate for a remote work opportunity that allows me to care for her while meeting our basic needs. If anyone has advice or knows of remote job openings, I would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you for your support.