Planning

I recently had a couple of interviews that went surprisingly well. After a previous post seeking advice, I interviewed with one company and they said they would get back to me next week. On the same day, I had another interview with a different company that I was initially reluctant to attend due to burnout from the job search. However, I went and met with three managers, including the one I would be working under. The interview went really well, and to my surprise, they offered me the job! I signed the offer letter and gave them permission to run a background check. HR informed me that my official start date for onboarding is July 6th, pending the background check results, which I’m confident will be clean. Now, I’m in a bit of a dilemma. I need to give my current job a two weeks’ notice, which I want to do to leave on good terms since I don’t have any issues with my manager or coworkers. However, I haven’t received a copy of the offer letter yet, and I’m worried about the possibility of having my offer rescinded. Should I wait until I have the offer letter in hand before I submit my notice? I’m anxious about this because I want to ensure everything is set in stone before I fully commit to my move.

I am currently navigating a challenging period in my life after being discharged from the hospital a month ago due to an eating disorder. I am still struggling both physically, as I am severely underweight, and mentally. While I am receiving ESA and potentially PIP, I feel a strong pressure to find work, even though I know I am not in the right state to do so. I have a job interview tomorrow for a physically demanding position that also requires a long commute. I am torn about whether I should attend the interview, as deep down, I feel I am not capable of handling it. I am seeking advice on whether it would be wise to go to the interview or if that would be unwise given my current situation.

Three months into my job search for a director-level position after being laid off from my corporate strategy team. It's been quite a shift since I haven't looked for a job in seven years, and the market has changed drastically since pre-Covid. I was promoted to a director role at my last company, so this is my first time actively seeking a director position. I'm focusing on roles in strategy and market intelligence, where I have the most experience. Although I could pivot to FP&A or product management, my resume doesn't align well with those areas anymore. I'm also unable to relocate, and my local job market is pretty sparse for these roles, which is why I’m applying mainly for remote positions. In the past two months, I've sent out about 150 applications, tailoring most of them for ATS with keyword optimization. I also try to connect with hiring managers or recruiters on LinkedIn when I can. So far, I've had one interview with a hiring manager, which I felt went well, but then I was ghosted. I've had around 4-5 interviews with HR, but things have really slowed down in the last six weeks. Currently, I’m dividing my efforts about 70% on job applications and 30% on networking and recruiter outreach. However, I’m starting to think I might need to flip those percentages, as my response rate is only about 3-4%, which feels dismal. I have a few questions: Should I really consider shifting my focus more towards networking? Are remote job applications worth my time given the competition? And should I think about stepping back to a senior manager role? I worry that my previous director title might be a barrier for those positions. If anyone has experience in corporate strategy and is willing to critique my resume, I would greatly appreciate it.

I recently received an offer for an early-career development program at Company A, which focuses on coding and business intelligence—exactly the direction I want my career to take. However, the program is only a few months long, pays minimum wage ($18-20/hr), and there’s no guarantee of a full-time position afterward, although I’ve been told the chances are good. If I do secure a full-time role there, it would pay around $60k-70k. On the other hand, I have a final interview coming up with Company B for a full-time role in marketing and advertising. This position wouldn’t provide the technical skills I’m looking for, and the salary would be about $20k less than what I could potentially earn at Company A. I really like the company culture at Company B, which is a significant factor for me, especially since Company A has had a poor reputation and my interview experience there was frustrating. I’m torn between the stability of a full-time role at Company B and the potential for growth and alignment with my career goals at Company A. I worry that taking the marketing position at Company B might lead me down a path that doesn’t align with my passion for data and BI, and I fear I won’t be utilizing my full technical skills. However, I also recognize that in this job market, especially as a recent graduate, I might not have the luxury of being too choosy. I’m considering whether I can still pivot back into BI after working in marketing if I choose Company B. I’d love to hear thoughts on this dilemma!

I’m excited to share that I finally landed a job at AbbVie last week Friday, the same day I completed my interview with them! They were particularly impressed with my work, especially my use of Power BI, which I had never used before. It's funny because I was also in the running for another position at a company I’ll refer to as Company X. For Company X, I had to complete a data task where I created a story from some messy data they provided and delivered a visualization with insights and data quality issues I found. After submitting my assignment, I didn’t hear back for about 1-2 weeks. Meanwhile, I completely forgot how I applied to AbbVie since I had been applying to so many places. When I finally had my interview with AbbVie last Friday, it went really well. I showcased the project I did for Company X, and they were impressed. They mentioned I would hear back within the week. Later that day, I received a voicemail from AbbVie, and to my surprise, they offered me the job! I was ecstatic and immediately started reviewing the contract they sent over. I wanted to take my time reading it and was also waiting to hear back from Company X, who had said they would get back to me on Monday. However, Monday came and went with no word from them. I decided to sign the contract with AbbVie on Wednesday after a couple of follow-up calls from them checking in. I did send a respectful follow-up to Company X, expressing my continued interest, but I didn't hear back from them. Just as I was about to complete my first week at AbbVie, I received an email from Company X inviting me to a final round interview. I was a bit surprised since I thought the previous interview was the last one. I replied saying I was available on Friday, but I never received an invitation for that interview. Overall, I'm really happy with AbbVie and their responsiveness. Company X, on the other hand, has been incredibly slow, which made my decision easier. I’m no longer jobless, and for anyone still searching, keep applying and stay positive! You’ll find something eventually!

I was let go from my job in Illinois today, and I'm considering whether I should wait until July 5th to file for unemployment. I've done the calculations, and if I wait, my weekly benefit would increase significantly. However, I'd miss out on the first two weeks of pay, which could take over 12 weeks to recover from. I worked at my last job for about 10 months, and it paid me much better than my previous position. I'm feeling anxious about finding a new job, especially since I've only had two interviews despite applying to many places this year. As a single parent with sole custody, the extra financial support would be really helpful if I struggle to secure a decent job soon.

I've been feeling really uneasy about my job lately. I've only been with my current company for about 5 months, and now I've been put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). They’ve given me just one month to prove that I can hit my numbers, or they’ll let me go. It's been tough to watch them continuously hire and fire people, which makes the environment feel incredibly unstable. I often feel like I was set up for failure from the start, as there's little to no support when I try to ask for help or clarification on tasks. This has led me to seriously consider entrepreneurship, as I'm tired of the constant fear of losing my income. I empathize with everyone else going through layoffs; it really highlights how precarious job security can be.

I recently applied for several positions at Citi, but unfortunately, I received rejections for all of them. Now, I’ve noticed that they are looking to fill temporary roles. It's frustrating to see them seeking new hires after my applications were turned down. I'm contemplating whether I should apply for these temp positions, even though I had hoped for a more permanent role.

I recently applied for a position at a large company, and to my surprise, the director of the department I would be joining reached out to me directly for the initial conversation instead of a recruiter. He wants to schedule an hour-long meeting to discuss my background and the role in detail. While I'm excited about this opportunity, I find it a bit unusual since I typically only meet the director during the final interview stage, assuming I make it that far. In my last experience where I interacted directly with a director early on, it was with a small company that had no dedicated recruiting team, and I ended up getting the job since they were in urgent need of filling several roles. This time, I know there are multiple positions available, but it doesn’t seem like they are in a rush to hire, especially since the job listing was posted just a few days ago. I’m curious about how common this practice is and would appreciate any tips on how to effectively discuss my experience during the meeting. I often struggle with the 'tell me about yourself' question, and I suspect that has hindered my chances in the past.

I recently experienced the frustration of being ghosted after applying for a role within my own team at the company I currently work for. It's disheartening to be overlooked by a hiring manager I interact with regularly. After this disappointing experience, I've decided to shift my focus and start applying for external positions. I began my job search this week and I'm hopeful that I can move on to a new opportunity soon.

I am currently navigating a tricky situation with my job search as I am in the running for two co-op positions related to my degree. I received confirmation from Job #1 that they will be sending an offer next week, while I am in the final interview round with Job #2, where I will be meeting the Director of my department on Tuesday. My concern is the timing of these offers. I prefer Job #2 because it offers better opportunities, a closer commute, and higher pay, but I also understand the importance of securing a position, especially given the current economic climate. I am considering whether it would be unprofessional to ask the Director at Job #2 about the timeline for their hiring process, given that I have a pending offer from Job #1. I want to be transparent and express my preference for Job #2, but I am also worried that this might jeopardize my chances with them. I am contemplating whether I should accept Job #1 now to ensure I have something secured, then potentially withdraw if Job #2 comes through with a better offer. I am seeking clarity on the best approach to take in this situation.

Today, at 23 years old, I'm reflecting on my college days and how much I loved freelance writing. Back then, I was ghostwriting for clients I found on social media, and it was the happiest I’ve ever been. That work helped me cover my college fees, buy a used laptop, and even afford a cheap motorcycle, which unfortunately broke down this year. Due to family issues, I had to shift my focus away from college and eventually dropped out. After that, I took a job as a sales and marketing executive, but I got laid off two months ago along with half the marketing team. They called it "downsizing to relocate sources towards a more future-ready approach," which really just meant they were replacing us with AI. Now, I'm desperately trying to find content writing or ghostwriting jobs, but it's tough. I can't prove my experience as a ghostwriter because I didn't keep track of my work. I’m applying everywhere, willing to work overtime and even accept lower pay. I just need someone to give me a chance and help me get back into freelance writing.

I've been unemployed for almost 3 months now, and it's been a perplexing journey. I frequently get shortlisted for design roles, clear interviews, and even complete design assignments, but then I hit a wall. After submitting my work, I often receive updates that my application is progressing, only to be met with disappointing news like, "the position is currently on hold" or "we're waiting for approval from senior management." Sometimes, I don't hear back at all, which adds to my frustration. This cycle has repeated multiple times, leaving me scratching my head. If my portfolio and assignments were subpar, I wouldn't be making it to these advanced stages, right? To adapt, I've started incorporating AI tools into my workflow to enhance my ideation and creative exploration, while ensuring the final designs reflect my personal style. I'm beginning to wonder if this is just the state of the design job market right now or if I'm missing something crucial. Has anyone else faced similar experiences? I'm open to any honest advice or insights.

I applied for a cashier position at a grocery store over six weeks ago, and I recently followed up on my application. The response was vague, stating that I wasn't qualified, but it didn't specify whether I was over-qualified or under-qualified. My background includes a customer service role in an office, sales experience, and a history in retail, but I only have a GED from 2021. I'm unsure if I should apply for these entry-level retail jobs without including my last two positions on my resume, as that would leave a six-year gap in my employment history. Ideally, I want to transition into a service role like cleaning or laundry, but I'm facing challenges due to my lack of specific relevant experience. I'm looking for advice on how to present myself as qualified for these roles.

I've been struggling to find a job for the past 8 months after being laid off from my unique role. Despite my efforts to improve my resume and job search strategy, I feel like I'm just getting crickets in my inbox. It's frustrating because many positions require a perfect match, and my past experience doesn't fit neatly into those boxes. I have around 2 years of experience, which puts me in a tough spot in the job market. I’m willing to learn and even relocate, but nothing seems to be working out. I often feel worthless, like my skills aren’t valued, and it’s really taking a toll on me. I’m trying my best to stay positive, but the struggle is real and I really need to find something soon.

I applied for a consultancy role two months ago, specifically for a client engagement. The process started with me creating a presentation for the hiring manager, who responded positively and even offered advice on how to utilize the presentation during my meeting with the client's hiring manager. After that, I moved to the next round, where the hiring manager continued to support me by offering coaching before my second interview. However, the process has been slow due to scheduling conflicts and the client being based internationally. It's now been almost three weeks since my final interview, and I’m still waiting for updates as the candidate review meeting has been delayed. I'm eager to hear back soon since this position promises significant career growth and a substantial pay increase.

I recently faced a tough decision regarding a job offer that could have significantly advanced my career. Currently, I'm living in a very blue area and working an unrelated job just to make ends meet, which has been draining. Even though I've built a solid routine and support network here, I felt the burnout creeping in. I received an offer for a position that promised great self-development opportunities, but my family and doctors expressed serious concerns. With my neurodivergence, they worried that the abrupt change in my environment—no walkable areas, inability to continue some medications, and no friends or support—would be detrimental to my mental health. I don't have a car, which would add another layer of stress and expense. Ultimately, I had to decline the offer despite its potential benefits, as the risks to my well-being felt too high. I'm curious if others have faced similar struggles when it comes to accepting positions due to location or political reasons affecting mental health.

I’m a burnt-out teacher currently seeking a new role outside of education. I've been applying to a variety of positions but haven’t received any interview invitations yet. I've been tailoring my CV and cover letter for each application, but it seems like I'm hitting a wall. I'm open to any tips or advice on how to improve my chances of landing an interview.

I recently applied for a role that seemed like a perfect match for my skills and qualifications, and it would have been a promotion from my current position. My manager is supportive of my career growth and referred me to the hiring team, confirming they received my resume. However, I received an automatic update this morning stating I was "Not Under Consideration". I suspect this is due to a yes/no question about having 2 years of experience in a specific niche, which I answered honestly, even though it felt risky. Given our close working relationship with the hiring team, I expected at least a courtesy interview based on my manager's referral. I'm now unsure whether I should inform my manager about the rejection, reach out to the hiring team directly, or seek another referral to improve my chances. The job market in my industry is tough, and I want to ensure I do everything possible to be considered for this opportunity.

I completed a 13-month internship at a major pharmaceutical company in Canada, where I consistently received positive feedback from my manager. After my internship ended, I was offered a 9-month extension, but when I inquired about converting to a permanent role, I was informed there was no headcount available. My manager did support me by allowing me to remove the 'intern' title from my resume for future job applications. I applied for two internal positions, following company policy which required me to inform my manager first. He was supportive and reassured me that they were working towards securing a permanent position for me, stating that if I stayed with the team long enough, I would eventually get one. Recently, a position opened up after a team member was let go, and I assumed it would be offered to me, but it ended up going to another department. While my manager is genuinely nice and supportive, I can't help but feel that I might be receiving empty promises. I am the most productive member of the team, yet I often hear comments about my age, which makes me wonder if there's some bias at play. With my internship ending in December, I have about six months left and I'm seeking advice on how to navigate this situation.