Planning

I've been unemployed for the past three years since I was 16, living in the UK. My job search has been incredibly challenging, and despite my efforts, I haven't had any luck finding work. I have tailored my CV for entry-level positions, but my only experience is a week in a hotel, which I had to do as part of my secondary school requirements. I dropped out of sixth form and never completed my A-levels, which has made my situation even tougher. I've applied to over a thousand jobs, called various places, and even gone in person, but nothing has worked out. I struggle with confidence and haven't considered internships or volunteering, but I realize that might be my last chance to gain some experience. I'm not interested in going back to sixth form or attending university, even though I did well in my GCSEs, achieving 7 grades at levels 5-6 (Cs and Bs). It's frustrating to feel stuck and unable to leverage my potential.

I'm currently in a tough spot after my entire department was eliminated earlier this year at my company, which forced me into a sales role. They promised a full year of salary while I trained, but the situation has been dire. The company isn't performing well, and every sales rep is struggling due to a lack of leads, relying on AI-generated outreach. Soon, I'll be switched to a commission-only structure, and I've heard from a colleague that they're already $20k in debt due to the draw system. I need to escape this job as soon as possible. I've been actively interviewing for months but haven't had much luck until recently. I applied to a large retail big box chain out of desperation and got hired on the spot, but it's part-time with low pay and grunt work. The employees were pretty candid about the poor morale and high turnover, which doesn't sound appealing at all. Currently, I'm in the interview process with another company that aligns much better with my skills. I had a recruiter screen that led to a second interview, and today, the hiring manager expressed interest in scheduling a final interview with stakeholders. While nothing is guaranteed, I feel optimistic about my chances. The retail job wants me to start this coming Monday, and I'm torn. Part of me thinks I should take it since I've been job hunting for so long with little success, but I really don't want to accept a position I might hate and then leave shortly after if I get a better offer from the other company. I'm looking for advice on what to do next.

I'm currently a student midwife in my final year studying in London, but my family is back in Wales. As part of my course, I have to complete 22-23 weeks of placement, which adds up to around 2400 hours over three years. Classes wrapped up around April-May, and now I'm in my last placement block until September. The challenge is that while most students head home for summer, I have to stay for my placement, but my university accommodation expects everyone to vacate by early August. This has been a struggle for the past few years, but this time I can't afford to pay for summer accommodation using my student finance like I did previously. My placement schedule is demanding, with 3-4 days a week, totaling 34.5-46 hours, and I often find myself waking up at 5 am and getting back to my dorm by 9:30 pm. I've been actively searching for jobs for nearly four years now, using various websites and apps, and even visiting stores and restaurants in person to hand out my CV. Just yesterday, I called over 40 stores to inquire about job openings, but unfortunately, I haven't had any luck. Finding a job that fits around my placement hours is incredibly tough, and the job market feels very competitive. I do have family in London, but none of them can accommodate me until November when I graduate. My teacher mentioned that I might need an additional six weeks of placements to meet my qualification requirements, which adds to my stress about housing. My roommates are looking for a place together, but I'm the only one without a job, making it hard to contribute to bills. I've asked them to keep an eye out for job openings at their workplaces. When I'm not at placement, writing essays, or attending classes, I'm searching for work. I'm feeling overwhelmed and would appreciate any advice or leads on job opportunities in London. Thank you.

I've been struggling with my employment for a while now, having been fired from 13 jobs since 2018. My first job was a part-time gig that lasted two years, but even that ended poorly. I can't seem to shake the feeling that I am the common denominator in this situation. I live with my mom and help out around the house, but I feel like a burden because I can't contribute financially. I've been in therapy for years, but I still find myself getting defensive and lashing out at work, which leads to being let go time and again. I recently applied for state assistance to help with my mental health challenges, but my case was denied, leaving me feeling even more hopeless. I know I need to change my approach, possibly find a new therapist, and explore different job types, like trades or construction, where emotions might be more accepted. It's tough, and I feel like I'm letting down my family and myself.

I just read about eBay's upcoming layoffs, which are set to affect 639 employees in the U.S. in 2026. It's surprising to see this news, especially since the company is also planning to hire 429 H-1B visa workers during the same timeframe. This situation raises a lot of questions about their workforce strategy. Many people are speculating about the implications of laying off current employees while simultaneously seeking new talent from abroad. It feels like a classic case of companies prioritizing cheaper labor over their existing workforce. I'm curious to see how this will unfold and what it means for those of us in the job market.

I'm facing another layoff soon, which will make it my second one within a year. I'm really struggling to cope with the uncertainty and stress that comes with this situation. To manage my mental health, I plan to focus on exercising regularly for the first few months to regain my physical health. I also intend to limit my job search to specific times to avoid burnout and will be eating on a budget to save money. I'm curious about what routines have worked for others in similar situations, as I could use some guidance on how to navigate this challenging time.

On June 16, 2026, I experienced a layoff from Robinhood, where I worked in a marketing role. The company provided a translation of their layoff rationale, which was surprisingly clear and straightforward compared to the usual corporate jargon. I found it refreshing and thought it could set a new standard for transparency in corporate communications during layoffs. It sparked some interesting discussions among my colleagues about the need for more honesty in these situations, and I even considered creating a LinkedIn account to share these translations for others to benefit from.

I work as a mid-level manager at a large company, and recently we received a company-wide email offering voluntary separation packages. The email also mentioned that layoffs would occur if not enough employees opted for the voluntary separation. I'm in a bit of a dilemma because I want to stay with the company, but I'm concerned about the possibility of being laid off if I reject the offer. I'm trying to figure out if the severance I would receive if I chose to stay would be the same as the voluntary separation amount. Additionally, I'm curious if the company already has a list of who they plan to lay off. The decision on whether to accept the voluntary separation is due by the beginning of July, and it feels like there’s a lot of pressure. I can't help but wonder if my choice to stay or go will influence their decisions on layoffs. It feels a bit like psychological warfare. I've heard from others that companies often have a 'shadow list' of employees they plan to cut, and that voluntary packages are usually better than involuntary ones. I’m considering my options carefully, especially given the current job market. I want to make the best decision for my future.

I recently graduated with a BA and MA from Ivy League schools in the humanities, finishing my master's in 2025. During grad school, I juggled multiple part-time jobs and applied to nearly 200 positions after graduation, but only received three offers. The best one was a $65k role at a nonprofit in New York, which I accepted and have been doing well in. However, I'm feeling the urge to pivot into a different field where I can earn more and utilize a broader range of my skills. I'm concerned that my experience in the nonprofit sector might limit my options for future opportunities. Despite my strong academic performance with GPAs over 3.75, I can't help but wonder what I might have done wrong in my job search. I'm reaching out for advice on how to make this transition successfully.

I just received a job offer for a new position, and it feels like my current employer is scrambling to keep me. It's a bit of a whirlwind right now, as I can sense the urgency in their responses and attempts to retain me. I’m excited about the new opportunity but also feel a bit guilty about the situation. I’m weighing my options carefully and trying to make the best decision for my career.

I started a new job on June 8th, but on the same day, I received another job offer that I decided to accept, which starts next week. I'm currently in the process of waiting for the background check to clear and to hear about the next steps. I'm feeling anxious about what the prospective employer might see during the background check. Specifically, will they find out about my current job that I just started nine days ago if I didn't disclose that information? I'm worried about the possibility of them contacting my previous employer and learning that I quit for another opportunity. I just want this new job more than the one I took last week. This is a new situation for me, and I could use some advice on how to navigate this process.

I had my final interview for a position last Thursday, and I felt really good about it. The manager seemed positive and mentioned that I would hear back from them early the following week regarding their decision. I followed up with a thank you email on Friday, expressing how much I enjoyed our conversation. On Monday, I received a reply from the manager saying they are close to making a decision and apologized for the delay. I'm trying to stay optimistic about this, but I can't help but wonder if this is a genuine sign of interest or if they might just be stringing me along. Fingers crossed!

I recently graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from a university in Eastern Europe, and I'm feeling really down about my future. Despite putting in the effort to keep up with my coursework and pass my exams, I struggle with motivation, confidence, and social skills. I haven't found a true passion, participated in extracurricular activities, or held a job before, which makes me feel like my degree might be worthless. I'm worried that the only jobs available to me would be low-paying positions like cashier or factory worker, which I really want to avoid. I’m looking for any minimum wage jobs where my engineering background might give me an edge in getting hired. It seems like engineering roles are typically high-paying and competitive, and I fear that without landing one of those, my education won’t open any doors for me. I just want a quiet job where I can work on my personal issues without the stress of a chaotic environment. I hope to find something that allows me to utilize my degree in a less intense setting.

I started my role as a release manager at a small software company about 7 months ago. The company is in the process of sunsetting its existing platform while transitioning to a cloud solution. Currently, I’m mostly handling releases for the old platform, which only has around 15 customers. My biggest challenge is that the development process is chaotic, and the developers are overwhelmed with their workload. Unfortunately, the CEO seems indifferent to the situation, and customers are expressing their frustration. I find myself working only about 10 hours a week, yet I’m earning over $100k, which is the highest salary I’ve ever had. I've tried to take initiative by meeting with our product owner and dev lead multiple times over the past three months. Each time, I compile detailed reports and send them to my boss, but I receive no feedback or direction in return. I genuinely want to contribute more and stay with the company, but I’m beginning to wonder if that’s unrealistic. I’ve reached out to several colleagues asking if there’s anything I can assist with, but the answer is consistently no. Now, I’m contemplating whether I should start looking for a new job and possibly become over-employed. Should I keep this job while I search for something more fulfilling?

I'm currently on the job hunt and I'm looking for a tool that can alert me about new job postings as soon as they go live. I've been checking platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor, but I often find out about my ideal jobs too late—sometimes days after they've been posted, and by then there are already a ton of applicants. I'm hoping to find something that can notify me within 5 to 10 minutes of a job being posted. If anyone has recommendations or tools that have worked for them, I would really appreciate the help!

I applied for a summer server position at my local IHOP while home from college, submitting over 50 applications in total. I didn’t mention my student status on the application to improve my chances. When I called to set up an interview, the manager scheduled me for 1:30 PM the next day. I arrived on time, and the host was friendly, but then the manager got sidetracked by a surprise health inspection. Instead of rescheduling, she left me waiting in a booth for an hour and fifteen minutes. After that long wait, we finally started the interview, but the manager seemed confused about my work history despite me clearly stating my previous experience as a server. To my shock, she then informed me that I would need to go through a second interview with the regional manager, which required driving to two different cities. I felt completely disrespected after wasting so much time for a server position at IHOP, so I walked out. I’ve never felt more undervalued in a job search.

I returned from medical leave at the beginning of March, but my company still hasn't brought me back to work after three months. They keep saying they're trying to find a position for me, but it's been a frustrating wait. I’m still technically employed, but I have no income and can’t afford my bills anymore. I’m considering applying for unemployment, but I’m unsure if I’m eligible since I’m still on the payroll. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I’m currently a Senior Project Manager at a private equity-owned tech company, where I've been for about six years. Recently, our Project Management Office (PMO) was dissolved, and I can’t shake the feeling that the writing is on the wall for my position. Things started to shift dramatically about a year ago when a new CEO was brought in by the PE firm. His background is mostly in taking companies public and executing mergers, which makes me think he’s not focused on operational stability but rather on financial exits. Within three months of his arrival, every senior leader I had known was let go, replaced by his own team from a previous company that had undergone a similar gutting. One of the new roles created was a Chief Transformation Officer, which just screams that big changes are coming. A few months back, my direct boss was unexpectedly walked out, and I only realized it when a recurring meeting disappeared from my calendar. That’s when I knew things were moving quickly and without warning. Last month, the new Chief Transformation Officer’s team came in and disbanded the PMO, cutting about 10% of the staff outright and redistributing the rest. I was one of the six who got moved to engineering and given the title of Scrum Master, even though my team isn’t set up to run Scrum effectively. It feels like a placeholder role, especially since my new boss seems less informed than I am about the changes happening around us. Now, there’s a job posting for a Head of Agile Practices, which means we’re all just waiting for this new hire to decide our fates. I’ve been tracking these changes for the last 18 months, and it feels like a classic PE exit strategy: clear out the old guard, implement a transformation office, dissolve functions, and rebrand survivors into roles that don’t align with their actual work. On the positive side, I have support from two SVPs who have promised to advocate for me, and I have solid metrics showing improvements in my team’s performance. However, I’m also facing challenges, including a new manager I don’t trust and a job market that feels worse than ever. I’ve applied to nearly 100 positions since the first round of layoffs in May, but I’ve only received about four callbacks. The competition is fierce, and it feels like my resume is getting lost in the shuffle. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has experience with similar situations. How long did it take for the mass layoffs to occur after a new CEO made such sweeping changes? Did anyone else experience a rebranding that ultimately led to a real role, or was it just a cover for further cuts? For those who survived a PE exit prep, what strategies worked for you? And how proactive should I be in my job search given the current market conditions? I’m trying to balance the need for stability with the urgency of the situation, and it’s hard to plan when everything feels so uncertain. I’d appreciate any insights or shared experiences.

I was recently laid off from my position as a data scientist at Meta at the age of 24. This unexpected event has prompted me to rethink my career path entirely. While I enjoyed aspects of my role, I’m now considering a shift to something entirely different. The current job market for data scientists feels challenging, especially with advances in AI making certain tasks easier to automate. I’ve been reflecting on my experiences and realizing that perhaps I wasn’t as passionate about this career as I thought. It seems like this layoff might be an opportunity for me to explore new avenues that align better with my interests.

I was recently terminated from my position due to what the company described as 'loose talk.' I worked as a marketing associate at a mid-sized tech firm, and I believe my casual conversations with colleagues were misinterpreted. This has been a tough experience for me, as I always aimed to maintain a positive and professional atmosphere at work. Now, I'm focusing on updating my resume and reaching out to my network for new opportunities. It's a challenging time, but I'm determined to find a role where I can contribute effectively.