Planning

I have a chat scheduled with someone from the team I applied to, and I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. I'm really interested in this position, and I hope this conversation can help me stand out as a candidate. I want to make sure I approach it the right way, especially since I'm hoping for a referral. I've been searching for advice on what to ask, but most suggestions seem too generic, like typical coffee chat questions about hobbies or career paths. This isn't just a casual chat for me; there's a specific job opening I'm aiming for, and I want to make the most of this opportunity. I want to ask questions that will give me insights into the team dynamics and the role itself, while also sharing my background in a way that feels natural and not overly self-promotional. I'm looking for guidance on how to frame my experience without it coming off as just a pitch. Additionally, I need advice on how to bring up the possibility of a referral at the end of our conversation without making it feel transactional. If anyone has been in a similar position, I’d love to hear what questions you found effective or how you navigated these conversations.

I had my final interview for a position last week and received an email from the recruiter on Friday. They mentioned that the hiring manager is deliberating with the team over the weekend and that they would provide an update next week. I’m really interested in this job, and I’m considering whether I should respond to the recruiter. I’m thinking of sending a brief reply to thank them for the update and express my eagerness to hear back. I’ve seen advice suggesting that responding is a good idea, so I’m leaning towards that.

I'm helping my mom search for a job in hospital management, specifically for a General Manager position in the Mumbai/Thane area. She has extensive experience in hospital administration but was laid off when her previous hospital cut costs and downsized staff. We're looking for advice on where to find job openings, which platforms or recruiters are effective for hospital-management roles, and insights into the current hiring market for these positions in our region. Any tips or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

I just found out that my job as a government contractor is ending on September 22, 2026, with my last day being September 23. They only gave us one day to transition everything to the government employees taking over, which feels really unfair. I wish they could have kept us until the end of the fiscal year on September 30. It's frustrating when employers expect at least two weeks' notice but don't extend the same courtesy to their employees. I took last week off to process everything, and I'm starting my job search tomorrow. I'm feeling anxious about the current job market, especially with all the news about long unemployment periods. I have over 20 years of IT experience, but I know many people, including recent grads, are struggling to find work. For those of you who are still employed, I'm genuinely happy for you. I hope that for those of us searching, we can all find jobs that lead to happy endings, just like in the finale of The Bear. I'm crossing my fingers for all of us!

I was laid off from Oracle after 26 years, and it's been a tough adjustment. I feel disconnected from society and like I'm just taking up space. Financially, I can manage for a couple of years, but emotionally, I'm struggling. The comments I've received have been supportive, reminding me that I'm worth more than my job loss and encouraging me to take this time to recover and focus on myself. I've been reflecting on my career and questioning where things went wrong, but I know I need to move forward. The job market is challenging right now, but I'm trying to stay hopeful and consider picking up new hobbies or skills. It's hard, but I'm reminding myself that I'm not alone in this situation.

I just received a verbal offer today after a challenging job search, and I'm hopeful that a written offer will follow tomorrow. My journey started with a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) at my previous company, which was unexpected and vague in its feedback. Despite my efforts to improve, it became clear that I was unlikely to succeed, so I began applying for new jobs. I had my last working day confirmed about a month ago, and it felt like a layoff disguised as performance issues since the company handbook stated that severance is only provided for layoffs. During this time, I kept applying aggressively, using tools like ChatGPT to refine my resume to be ATS-friendly and creating multiple versions tailored for different roles. After submitting around 950-1000 applications over two months, I received callbacks from a few companies and went through several interviews. Ultimately, I got a verbal offer for a more senior position with a slight salary increase, but it comes with a 50-minute commute and is fully onsite, which is a big change from my previous remote setup. I know nothing is finalized until I sign the written offer, but I’m relieved that my unemployment may soon be over. This experience has been incredibly stressful, and it’s disheartening to see how many applications go unanswered. I learned that while some recommend a careful approach to job applications, sometimes a broader strategy is necessary, as many positions can disappear unexpectedly. I sincerely hope the job market improves soon.

I have an upcoming interview at Fogo de Chão for a position, even though I don't have any prior working experience in the restaurant industry. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, as this will be my first formal job interview. I've been researching the company and practicing common interview questions to prepare myself. I'm hoping to convey my enthusiasm for the role and my willingness to learn quickly. Any tips or advice from those who have been in similar situations would be greatly appreciated!

I graduated this past spring with a B.S. in Business Administration, concentrating in Finance. Since then, I’ve been actively applying for entry-level finance, analyst, and administrative roles, but I haven’t had much luck securing a position. My long-term goal is to work in municipal finance or corporate finance, and I’ve recently been focusing more on local government positions as I seem to get more responses there, even if they are rejections. Over the past year, I've had about four interviews with various cities, but none have led to a job offer. One internship I applied for had around 200 applicants, and while I did get an interview, I wasn’t selected. I was even open to taking an unpaid finance internship with another city, but it ultimately came down to me and another candidate, and she got the role. This experience has led me to question whether I should continue pursuing entry-level roles or consider going back to school. I’ve noticed that many finance leadership positions in government highly value or prefer candidates with a CPA. In fact, I've interviewed with city managers who hold CPA licenses. I’m now contemplating applying to graduate programs for a Master’s in Accounting for Fall 2027, potentially at USC or similar schools. My goal would be to complete the necessary accounting coursework and sit for the CPA exam. I believe this could help me gain the credential, build a stronger foundation in accounting, and open doors to internships or opportunities that might be harder to access otherwise. So, I’m at a crossroads: should I keep pursuing entry-level roles to gain experience, or should I return to school for a MAcc and CPA?

I was all set to start my new job on Monday, but now it's been pushed back to later this week. I just got laid off from my previous position after three years, which ended this past Friday. I'm wondering if it's worth it to file for EDD for just a few days of unemployment. I've heard that the first week of a new UI claim in California is an unpaid waiting week, so I'm not sure if it's even worth the hassle. Some people suggested that since my new job could be delayed again, it might be a good idea to file just in case. Worst case scenario, I don't get any benefits, but at least I tried.

I recently started working at a local catering and carryout company, where I've been for a little over two months. Initially, I really enjoyed the job; the customers were great, and my coworkers were awesome. However, the past month has been incredibly challenging. My boss has been yelling at me over minor issues and things that aren't even my fault. It's frustrating because he also yells at my manager, who is really cool and supportive. One of the biggest issues is the loneliness of the job. I run the entire store almost by myself, only getting about an hour of help from my manager before I'm left alone for 3-6 hours. During that time, I handle everything from cashiering and food prep to cleaning and restocking, all for just over $10 an hour after taxes. Today was particularly exhausting. I was supposed to learn how to open the store on a day we were closed, but instead of a quick one-hour training, my boss lectured us for five hours, which could have been much shorter if he let us work. My manager and I have both noticed how difficult our boss makes things, and we're just trying to get through it together. I'm actively applying to new jobs and plan to look for delivery driver positions when I turn 18. I'm even considering putting in my two weeks' notice early, which could risk my co-op in school, but I can't keep doing this. Hearing about my classmates' easier jobs makes me realize how tough my situation is.

I have an interview coming up on very short notice, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I'm not sure how to prepare effectively. I've heard that memorizing answers isn't the best approach since the questions might not even match what I've practiced. Instead, I've been advised to come up with three specific stories from my past work or school experiences: one about a time when I fixed something that was broken, another where I had to learn something quickly, and a third about working with a difficult person. Each story should be around two minutes long, which seems manageable. I've also realized that I need to brush up on the company and its mission. Understanding the problems they are trying to solve with this role is crucial. I want to think about how my experiences can help address those issues and be ready to communicate that effectively during the interview. I know storytelling can be powerful, so I plan to highlight relevant experiences that demonstrate my problem-solving abilities, even if things didn’t go perfectly. Here’s hoping I can pull this together in time!

I'm 22, soon to be 23, and I just graduated with dual bachelor's degrees in finance and management from two prestigious universities in different countries through an international program. Despite having three internships and being actively involved in student organizations, I feel lost compared to my peers, many of whom have secured jobs or are pursuing their passions. Currently, I'm working a part-time job for just 12 hours a week, which isn't enough to ease my anxiety about the future. I'm applying for full-time positions and studying for additional certifications like the FMVA and CFA, but I can't shake the feeling that I'm wasting my parents' money on something that might not lead to a job. I'm genuinely worried about whether I'm falling behind in life at my age.

I'm currently in Germany and facing a tough situation at work. I initially wanted to stabilize my life through my job, but it seems to be doing the opposite. I've lost touch with friends and can't communicate with my family, which has left me feeling isolated. Recently, I had to visit the doctor due to the bullying I've been experiencing at work, and I received a sick leave for a week. I had planned to return to work on Friday, but after my doctor's visit, I realized I needed some time off. I had a brief call with my boss on Friday and mentioned that I would get back to him on Monday, but I didn't specify how many days I would be absent, which is required by law. I wrote an email to HR regarding my sick note, but I still haven't informed my boss, and I'm avoiding that conversation. I feel lost and have been distracting myself instead of taking action. I haven't checked my personal messages, assuming no one is reaching out, which has only contributed to my isolation. The bullying at work has taken a toll on me, and I've found myself spending money on lawyers instead of focusing on my well-being. Today, it took me hours just to make breakfast, and I'm struggling with procrastination due to my ADHD. I feel like a fraud for not being able to handle this situation, and I'm unsure of how to proceed.

I’m currently in a tough situation with my job and my STEM OPT application. My regular OPT expired in August, and I applied for STEM OPT before it ran out, but it’s still pending with USCIS. Unfortunately, my employer has informed me that they won’t be able to continue my employment after October due to funding issues. This means I could be unemployed while waiting for my STEM OPT approval. I have about 15 out of 90 unemployment days left on my OPT, which adds to my anxiety. I’m considering applying for premium processing to speed things up, but I’ve heard that even that can take over a month. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'm quitting my toxic job as a Client Coordinator on Wednesday, and I can't shake off the guilt about it. I work in a small office with just my boss and me, and while he often refers to me as his assistant, my responsibilities go far beyond that. I'm constantly caught in the middle of conflicts, like having to deny time-off requests from the service team, which shouldn't even be my job. My work hours stretch from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM, and even breaks are dictated by his whims. Sometimes he won't let me take a break at all if he's busy, and I find myself dreading his calls throughout the day. The micromanagement is overwhelming; he scrutinizes my work and is condescending when I make mistakes, while his own errors are brushed off. He once compared my value to that of a previous VA he had in the Philippines, which was incredibly demeaning, especially since I often work overtime and am flexible with my time. On top of that, I've overheard him making racist and homophobic comments, which makes me uncomfortable as a Black and gay woman. Despite all this, he can be personable and shares details about his life, which adds to my guilt about leaving. I recently accepted a new job that pays $25,000 more, offers benefits, and has a much healthier work environment. However, the timing is tricky because he just hired a new VA who starts tomorrow, and I'm supposed to train him. I'm planning to work through Wednesday and then inform my boss that it's my last day. Part of me feels I should give two weeks' notice to help him out, but I dread going back to work and feel anxious about the situation. I know he will be stressed, and I feel guilty for leaving him in a bind, but I also realize I've been prioritizing his needs over my own well-being for too long. How do I stop feeling guilty for choosing a better opportunity for myself?

I'm currently based in Spain and actively seeking new Software Engineering opportunities. I'm open to remote, hybrid, or on-site roles across both Europe and the US. If anyone has recommendations, referrals, or knows of any job openings, I would greatly appreciate your support. Please feel free to reach out if you're hiring or have leads!

I recently accepted a junior role at a startup and was excited when they invited me to attend a company-wide event at their overseas HQ during my first week. The trip is about a week long, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet my new colleagues. However, I ran into some issues with the travel arrangements. Two weeks before my start date, I reached out to the HR manager to discuss flight options, specifically a direct flight that was available for a reasonable fare. Unfortunately, after several follow-ups, I didn't hear back for eight days, and when she finally booked my flight, it was for a much longer journey with a long layover. I felt this was unreasonable, so I requested a change. The HR manager then went out of the office the next day, leaving me unable to get any clarification. I tried contacting another HR manager and the event coordinator, but they also didn't respond. Now, with my flight scheduled for tomorrow, I'm stuck with the long itinerary they booked. I had thought about asking if I could fly out a few days early to explore the city at my own expense, but I didn't want to seem like I was taking advantage of the situation. Now, I regret not asking because I’m facing this long flight anyway. I’m also considering whether it would be reasonable to ask about changing my return flight to a shorter option, but it would cost $300 and only offer a slight improvement. I’m worried about coming across as demanding, especially since this will be my fourth request. I’m feeling really frustrated with how this has been handled, and it’s added a lot of stress before I even start my new job.

I got the job!!! After a long 10 months of applying and facing numerous rejections, I’m thrilled to share that I accepted a new job offer. I’m transitioning from retail management to an administrative role in manufacturing. Throughout this journey, I applied for 53 positions, which led to one intake, one interview, and ultimately one job offer. I knew that if I could just get to the interview stage, I would have a strong chance. The role I accepted is exactly what I was looking for, with great pay and significant growth potential. I’m really looking forward to this new chapter in my career!

I wanted to share a quick update on my job situation. A couple of months ago, I made the decision to leave my old employer without having a new job lined up. I was a bit nervous about it, but it turns out it was the right choice for me. Surprisingly, my old company is still doing okay and even found a good replacement for my role, for which I provided a solid handover. However, I've heard that they continue to make the same mistakes and employee satisfaction has actually declined since I left. On a positive note, despite the tough job market, I managed to secure two strong job offers within just over two months of a relaxed job search. I chose the one that offered better benefits and seemed to have a more manageable team dynamic. I still have a few weeks before I start my new role, so I'm taking some time off to recharge before diving back into work. For anyone considering a change, I encourage you to start looking for something new instead of just complaining about your current situation. You don't have to quit right away like I did, but exploring options can lead to better opportunities.

I had two interviews last week, and they couldn't be more different from each other. I've been job searching since April 2026 after a reduction in force at my job of 12 years in healthcare IT, where I worked as an implementation specialist and sometimes as a project manager. After a long period of silence in my job search, I finally received responses from two companies and interviewed with both. Both positions are remote, but they offer vastly different experiences. **Job 1** is a management role outside of healthcare, but it comes with a starting salary that is $10k-15k less than what I was making. A significant downside is that they require the camera to be on 90% of the time, even when I'm not on calls with clients. It feels like constant surveillance, which is quite off-putting. **Job 2**, on the other hand, is within my industry but is not a managerial position. The starting base pay is $30k less than my previous salary, but the camera policy is much more relaxed—only on for big all-hands meetings. I'm torn between these two options and would appreciate any thoughts or advice on what to consider if I receive offers from either.