Planning

I’m curious about the severance packages being offered by companies after layoffs in 2026. Specifically, I’m looking at organizations like Oracle, Uber, Adidas, Meta, Visa, and OakNorth. It would be really helpful for the community to share their experiences and insights regarding the severance pay they received after being laid off. I’ve heard that checking the employee handbook is a good start, and that a common practice is to offer about 2 weeks of pay for every year worked. Personally, I was laid off from a tech company in Seattle back in June. I received 2 months of notice pay, 7 months of severance, and 4 months of COBRA coverage. After 20 years with the company, I felt fortunate to find a new job within 2 months, which meant I didn’t have to rely on my severance or COBRA benefits. I was even able to claim some unemployment during that transition.

I'm currently facing a job crisis and could really use some help deciding my next steps. I've been in my current role for a few years now, but I'm feeling unfulfilled and uncertain about my future here. I'm considering a few different options, including staying put and trying to make the best of it, looking for new opportunities in my field, or even switching to a completely different career path. I would love to hear any advice or experiences from others who have been in a similar situation. How did you make your decision? What factors did you consider? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I have been unemployed since April and recently faced a major issue with my unemployment benefits in Texas. I submitted my payment request in early August, but I didn’t realize I was more than three weeks late until I checked the TWC website. I tried to call for help, but the information I needed was no longer available, and my schedule got busier once school started, making it hard to find time to resolve the issue. After weeks of trying to sort things out, I finally managed to submit my requests, only to have them denied because they claimed I could have submitted them on time. I had no idea that being late would result in nonpayment. Now, I'm working on my appeal and looking for advice on how to build a strong case.

I recently applied for a Databricks Architect position and completed an initial AI assessment. To my surprise, I received an automated request asking me to submit my professional references through a third-party platform called SkillSurvey, without having spoken to a single person at the company—no recruiter, no hiring manager, nothing. I felt it was unreasonable to ask candidates to tap into their network's goodwill before the company had even invested time in a brief conversation. So, I decided to email them and withdraw my application, explaining my reasons for doing so. Has anyone else experienced this trend where companies request references so early in the hiring process? Is this becoming the new norm for tech roles?

I recently started a temp position at a company where I was just happy to finally get some work after a long job search. The hours are decent (6:00 AM to 2:30 PM), but the commute is a pain, and I'm not sure how much I like the job since it’s only temporary until the end of the year. They mentioned it could lead to a permanent role, but the pay isn’t much better than what I’m currently making. Just three days into this job, I got an offer from another recruiter for a different position that pays $3 more per hour and has a much shorter commute. The only downside is that the hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, which means waking up earlier than I’d like. After some thought, I decided to take the new job offer since both positions are temporary, and the pay difference is significant. Now, I’m in a bit of a dilemma about how to inform my current employer that I’m leaving. I’m still in training and started just this past Tuesday, so I’m unsure about the best way to approach this. Should I tell my manager directly? How much notice should I give, considering I’m still in training? I’m feeling a bit anxious about this conversation and would appreciate any advice on how to handle it.

I am in my mid-twenties and currently on the job hunt for a position in Human Resources. After completing my undergraduate degree, I initially planned to take a year or two off to prepare for the LSAT and go to law school. However, I lost interest in that path and decided to pursue a Master's degree in HR instead. Since graduating, I've faced significant challenges in securing a job in the field. Unfortunately, my university's career services haven't been very helpful in this process. I'm reaching out for any tips or advice on how to effectively find a job in HR. I'm still exploring which specific area of HR I want to focus on, so I am open to various opportunities.

I recently had a first-round interview for an administrative position at a prestigious university. During the interview, the recruiter asked me about my minimum salary expectations. I responded by referencing the pay range listed for the position, which was between $19 and $29 per hour, suggesting I was thinking around the midpoint. To my surprise, the recruiter then suggested a specific figure of $25, which caught me off guard. I ended up agreeing to that figure, but I didn't feel comfortable with it, especially since my current salary is $50k. The interview wasn't the most awkward I've experienced, but it definitely wasn't what I expected. To make things more complicated, I will be speaking with the same recruiter again next week for another similar position at the same university. I also have another interview lined up within the same university, but in a different department. This position has a pay range of $19 to $22 per hour, with the targeted hiring pay being on the lower end. Given my experience in administrative roles, I know I bring a lot to the table, but I’m feeling uncertain about how to negotiate my salary, especially since I haven't worked in higher education before. I'm trying to figure out the best way to approach this without underselling myself.

I got laid off this morning after spending 4 years with my company. I was consistently recognized for bringing value to the team, so this news hit me like a ton of bricks. I honestly didn't see it coming and I'm still in shock. I’m trying to process everything right now. I know I need to take some time to think through my thoughts and maybe even write them down to get a clearer picture of what I’m feeling. It’s tough, but I’ve heard from others that taking a break can be beneficial before diving into the job search. I’m also considering what my severance terms might be and whether I should negotiate. I’ve read that companies often use mass layoffs to let go of employees they perceive as less valuable, and I can't help but wonder if that played a role in my situation. For now, I’m just trying to take it one step at a time.

I was laid off from my position last November. It was a tough experience, and I've been navigating the job market since then. I'm focusing on updating my resume and networking to find new opportunities.

I'm currently a junior studying electrical engineering and I'm really focused on securing a summer internship, ideally in the defense or aerospace sectors. I've applied to around 200 positions at various defense companies, but unfortunately, I haven't landed a single interview yet. I attended my school's career fair and connected with several recruiters who seemed positive about my prospects, but after that, I haven't heard anything back. I know that these fields are competitive, especially since many positions require at least a master's degree and most engineers have PhDs. I'm starting to wonder if it's too early to gauge my chances or if I need to adjust my approach. Any advice on how to improve my chances would be greatly appreciated!

I was laid off from my job in Colorado just five weeks before my due date. After 2.5 years with the company, I was shocked to find out that they are not offering me any severance pay. The layoff notice mentioned that my medical plan would remain active until the end of October, but I’m uncertain whether I need to pay for it. They did say they would reimburse me for COBRA for November, but I have no information about how much that will cost since I’ve yet to receive any details. I’ve met my deductible, which is a relief, but I’m feeling overwhelmed and stressed about what to do next. I plan to reach out to my former employer to clarify these issues, but I’m unsure if that’s the best approach or if I should seek legal advice instead. I’m hoping to connect with anyone who has been in a similar situation or who can offer guidance on the next steps I should take.

I've been on a challenging job search journey lately, having made it to the final round of interviews for 8 different positions, but unfortunately, I haven't received any offers yet. The last interview felt particularly promising; they conducted reference checks, gave me a tour of the office, and I even met some executives. I thought I was so close to landing the role, but it slipped away. Throughout this process, I've been juggling a full-time job at a warehouse, which has required me to call in sick frequently to attend interviews. My managers have been supportive, recognizing my dedication, but I worry they might eventually grow weary of my absences. To enhance my prospects, I earned a certification during this time, but it has come at a personal cost. I haven't spent time with my friends in about three months, and I feel like I'm drifting away from them. Right now, I'm feeling pretty defeated and close to giving up, but there's a part of me that urges me to keep trying, just one more time. I'm curious if anyone else has faced a similar situation and how you managed to stay motivated.

I got laid off on Monday. When I saw a Teams meeting scheduled with my manager and HR, I had a sinking feeling that something was wrong, and unfortunately, I was right. It turned out my performance was impacted by the rising mortgage rates, which led to a significant slowdown in business. With fewer people buying or refinancing, my role became redundant. Now, I'm trying to figure out what other job opportunities I can pursue that would leverage my experience in the mortgage industry. I've heard that there are transferable skills, especially in compliance and regulatory knowledge, which could be valuable in financial services roles like banking or insurance underwriting. I'm hoping to explore these options and find a new path.

I recently lost my first full-time job, which I started in late July after getting hired in June. The reasons for my termination felt odd to me, and since then, I've been feeling really down on myself. It seems like I can only find work related to kids, which isn't what I want to do right now. I feel stuck, like I'm in quicksand, and I desperately need to figure out my next steps. I need to contribute to my parents' house payments and also fund my hobbies like pageantry and dance. Currently, I babysit on the side, but my existing commitments make it hard to take on more work. I'm unsure if I should continue with these activities or focus solely on finding a new job. My confidence has taken a hit, and I'm worried about falling into a depression again. Any advice or tough love would be appreciated.

I'm currently working in tech as a SaaS support specialist, earning around $80K a year. Recently, my company has been going through a reorganization, which resulted in my manager and several senior management members being laid off. The new manager is pushing for AI initiatives and is planning to restructure our roles significantly, which might include phasing out some of our legacy products. This has left me feeling uncertain about my job security. I've received an offer for a help desk position at a large, well-known financial firm, but it comes with a substantial pay cut of about $28K. Normally, I wouldn't consider such a drastic reduction in salary, but I'm feeling uneasy about the future here and the potential for more layoffs. I'm debating whether to accept the new role or continue looking for other opportunities.

I was recently let go during my probation period at a tech startup where I was working as a junior developer. Now I'm faced with the challenge of updating my resume and preparing for interviews. I'm debating whether to omit this job entirely or to be upfront about it. On one hand, I want to present my experience in the best light possible, but on the other hand, I know that honesty is important. I'm looking for advice on how to approach this situation and whether I should address the termination directly in future job applications.

I recently started interviewing for a position at a pharmaceutical company and I'm currently on my third round of interviews. It's been a while since I've looked for a job, and my previous experiences were through an agency where I would just receive a call about job offers. I'm curious about how offers are typically communicated these days. If I were to be selected, should I expect a phone call followed by an email with the official offer letter? I'm eager to know what to anticipate in this process.

I was fired from my job about two weeks ago, and it was a pretty rough experience. My boss had been scheduling me for only two-hour shifts, which was really difficult for me since my partner had to drive me there. I don't have my own license yet, and it's a 30-minute drive each way. My partner has a genetic disability that makes it hard for her to help out, so I was really struggling with the logistics. I made $15 an hour, but with the long drive and short shifts, it just wasn't working for me. I ended up calling out because I couldn't keep doing it, but my boss had a strange rule that I had to call her and the kitchen to notify them, which she only enforced on me. I was already on thin ice with her due to constant criticism, and I think she was just looking for a reason to fire me. When she fired me, she threatened to withhold my last paycheck unless I returned work shirts she had bought for me. These shirts were around $30 each, and I felt it was unfair to tie my final pay to that. I knew that in my state, they couldn't legally withhold my paycheck like that, regardless of the circumstances. I took screenshots of my hours and waited to see if my paycheck would be approved. When it wasn't approved by the deadline, I reached out to her, but it felt like I was hitting a wall. Now I'm trying to figure out my next steps. I've been advised to contact the labor board if I don't receive my paycheck soon. It's just frustrating to deal with all this after losing my job.

I was recently laid off from my job while pregnant, and the timing couldn't have been more shocking. On the same day I discovered I was expecting, I received a notification to join a call where I, along with 300 others, was informed of the layoffs. It was surreal; I had just taken a pregnancy test and saw the positive result, only to be told I was losing my job. After facing secondary infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss, this wave of emotions is truly overwhelming. Currently, I’m still required to work until my official separation date, which has been extended for me in hopes of finding another position within the company. However, I can’t shake the anxiety of job searching while pregnant, especially considering the ethical implications of a company that lays off so many employees to offshore jobs. I worry about how this might affect my chances of being hired elsewhere, and the thought of starting new insurance during this time adds to my stress. I know I’m not alone in this situation, and I would appreciate any comfort or advice from those who have faced similar challenges.

I recently started applying for jobs after being a stay-at-home mom, and I was concerned about passing a drug test. I had posted earlier asking for advice, but I faced a lot of judgment for my situation. I had taken a small hit the morning of my inquiry, and people were very rude about it. I was just trying to figure out where I stood with passing a drug test since I know I might be tested during the hiring process. After trying a different brand of test, I saw a clearer second line, which gives me hope that I might pass. I stopped smoking about six weeks ago, but I still feel anxious about the results. I want to get a job to support myself and my daughter, especially as I plan to leave my husband. I know it might take time before I actually have to take a test for a job, but I feel more optimistic now that I might be able to pass if I get called in for an interview soon. Any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated.