Planning

I'm currently in between jobs and looking to pick up a part-time position to earn some disposable income without dipping into my savings. My background is entirely in tech, and I've never held a minimum wage or 'low skill' job before, so I'm unsure how to approach this. I'm considering a few options: Should I just take my tech resume and hand it out to local stores? I've noticed that white collar jobs are usually listed on platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn, but do part-time positions also get posted there, or is it better to show up in person? Additionally, do stores typically need to have a 'hiring' sign in their window, or can I inquire even if they don't? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I've been reflecting on my work history and it feels like every job I take ends up being a sinking ship about six months in. I'm 34 now, and I acknowledge that I might be missing some red flags during the interview process. However, I've often found myself in situations where I couldn't afford to be too picky. Every job I've joined seemed solid at the start, but then things change drastically after a few months. Currently, I'm at a small company where I was hired a year ago with three coworkers in my department. Now, there's just one other person left, and management has made it clear that they have no plans to hire anyone soon. My coworker and I are overwhelmed, doing the work of two people and constantly falling behind. I've even been 'unofficially written up' twice for missing tasks. I'm about to give my notice, but I feel terrible about leaving my coworker in such a tough spot. It seems like this pattern of high turnover and lack of hiring is something I can't escape. Is it just bad luck on my part, or is this the reality of the job market now? I really wonder if companies are just not hiring when someone quits anymore.

Today, I experienced my first layoff. It was unexpected and honestly quite shocking. I had been working at my company for a few years, and I never thought I would find myself in this position. I'm still processing everything, but I'm determined to move forward and start my job search as soon as possible.

I've been working as a contractor for a tech company for the past two years, and I'm feeling stuck in what I like to call 'contractor hell.' I really want to transition into a permanent role, but I'm not sure how to go about it. I've been applying to full-time positions but haven't had much luck. I'm looking for advice on how to make this shift. Should I focus on networking within my current company or look for opportunities elsewhere? Any tips on improving my resume or interview skills would also be appreciated!

I've been struggling with the onboarding process at my new job as a shift supervisor at a retail store. I applied about a month and a half ago, but it took me three weeks just to get through all the required forms, mainly due to needing a photo ID. Last week, my manager informed me that because of the delays, they would have to start me as a store associate instead, which is a pay cut of $1.50 per hour. Today, while texting her about some login issues, she suggested that starting as a store associate would be best so I could prove myself before moving up. She also mentioned that she appreciates my questions but prefers I only text when absolutely necessary. This has caused me a lot of anxiety because I don't want to make a bad impression before even starting. I feel like I've frustrated her by asking too many questions and even overshared about my personal life, which I now realize might not have been appropriate. She asked if I could start on Thursday or Friday instead of the planned Sunday, but when I inquired about the change, she reverted back to Sunday. I’m worried I’ve already messed things up and I'm unsure how to proceed.

As a recent graduate, I've faced my fair share of challenges in the job market. I've only managed to secure seasonal part-time roles, which has been frustrating. I've worked in various workplaces that seemed promising at first, but turned out to be quite difficult in practice. This year has been a significant learning experience for me regarding workplace dynamics, and I've often felt like I'm failing in my career journey. I know that's not entirely true, but I'm eager to learn from what I perceive as failures and figure out how to move forward towards finding a permanent, full-time position.

I just got laid off for the first time in my life yesterday, and it's a strange feeling. I had a sense this was coming due to recent trends at my job in IT, where my team was getting offshored. I was let go along with another coworker as processes became more automated and we started hiring more offshore workers from South Asia. I had been at the company for about two years and had already started looking for a new job a month ago because I was getting frustrated with the direction things were heading. I wish I had begun my job search even earlier to avoid this situation. It feels surreal to be on the receiving end of a layoff, especially since I had spent the last two years deactivating accounts myself. I'm still early in my career, with only three years in IT, so this setback is tough. I know that layoffs are common in my field and given the current trends in tech, I expect this won't be the last time I face this. I'm not looking forward to diving back into the job market, especially since I've heard it's pretty rough out there. Fortunately, I have some interviews lined up, but nothing is guaranteed in this market. I just hope I can find something new soon.

I received an unexpected call on Monday while grocery shopping, and the caller jumped straight into an interview without introducing themselves or mentioning the company. I had to ask for details about the role and the company, as I didn't recall applying for this position. After I did my usual pitch, the caller surprisingly invited me to meet the team the next day. He confirmed my email and promised to send more details, but I haven't received anything yet and the meeting is first thing in the morning. I don't even know the caller's name or position, and the number just connects to reception. I'm considering just showing up at 9:30 as planned and telling reception my name and the meeting details. Should I go for it?

I recently found myself questioning whether full-time jobs are supposed to feel this overwhelming. I'm 23 and currently working in the corporate office of an assisted living facility company, handling accounting tasks. My role involves managing 26 locations and over 1,000 accounts, processing daily deposits, and dealing with close cycles twice a month. I also manage ancillary charges like salon services and housekeeping. It's a lot of pressure, and I feel like if I slip up even a little, everything could fall apart. Despite putting in so much effort, I’m only making $60k, and it feels like no one appreciates the hard work I do. My controller is tough to work with, and the environment is draining. I often leave work feeling exhausted, both mentally and physically, and when I get home, I struggle to unwind or even move. I've had previous jobs in retail and banking, so I'm no stranger to pressure, but I thought corporate jobs would be different. Recently, I started applying for new positions and had a phone interview that lasted only 7 minutes. I was nervous it was too short, but shortly after, I received an email to schedule an in-person interview for a role in the insurance industry, which is adjacent to what I do now. This new position as an accounting assistant offers a slightly higher salary of around $70k and seems to promise a nicer work environment. Now, I'm grappling with a few questions: Are jobs really supposed to feel this draining? Does getting an in-person interview so quickly indicate I have a good chance? I’ll need to call out on Thursday for the interview, and I’m worried my manager will suspect something since there are only 15 other applicants. If I do get the job, how do I handle the situation with my current employer?

I recently got hired for a position, and my official start date is set for the 29th. However, I've reached out twice to confirm whether I need to report in on that day and what time, but I haven't received any clear answers. I'm feeling a bit anxious about it since I have another job to inform, and I don't want to leave them in a difficult situation by waiting until the last minute. I'm wondering how long I should wait before I follow up again to get the information I need.

I live in Arizona and recently received some unexpected news regarding my unemployment appeal. After two long years, I finally got an email stating that my appeal for disqualification due to my termination is valid, and I have a hearing scheduled in two weeks. The situation is a bit complicated because my former employer handled everything through Teams, so I don't have any documentation to support my case. I'm torn about whether it's worth attending the hearing after such a long time. I would love to receive the back pay since I've been employed elsewhere for the past 18 months, but I'm unsure if I should show up. I'm considering my options and would appreciate any advice.

I was unexpectedly laid off from my job at a tech company without any prior notice. It came as a shock, as I had been performing well in my role. I'm now in the process of updating my resume and starting my job search. It's a challenging time, but I'm determined to find a new opportunity soon.

I've been navigating the job search maze and found myself overwhelmed by the saved jobs across various platforms like LinkedIn, Wellfound, Lever, and Greenhouse. Each site has its own way of saving jobs, and I ended up with a chaotic mix of 4 tabs and 14 bookmarks, which made it impossible to track what I had applied for versus what I just liked. To tackle this, I started using a Chrome extension that consolidates job listings from any site into a single tracker. Now, whether I find a job on LinkedIn, Wellfound, or a company’s careers page, I can save it with just one click. This has finally made it easy to answer the nagging question of whether I’ve already applied somewhere, bringing some much-needed clarity to my job search.

I had a 20-minute initial call with a recruiter regarding a role I applied for. They covered the basics of the position and the company. Now, I've been scheduled for a 20-minute video call with the hiring manager, which is new territory for me. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves since I’ve never met with a hiring manager before. I'm curious about what to expect during this call and how to prepare for it.

I am officially leaving my job due to some frustrating corporate changes. The company decided to alter our benefits mid-year, which resulted in me losing about 10 days of vacation that I had planned and pre-approved. They shifted from an 'unlimited' vacation policy—something I know isn't truly unlimited—to a more restrictive structure where I can't take time off without losing pay. Additionally, we are now required to hold our own insurance, which I don't mind since I already have coverage. However, they won't reimburse us for insurance that is required for our jobs, which feels unfair. It's been a good run, but I regret taking this position. Just to clarify, I won't be quitting until I secure another job.

I'm feeling really down after being the runner-up in several job interviews lately. I'm trying to stay positive, but it's tough. I have an upcoming interview for an administrative position at a university in California, and I'm wondering if I should bring copies of my past annual performance evaluations, which show that I've received exceptional ratings. I’m not sure if it would help, hurt, or make no difference at all. I've read mixed opinions from others — some say it won't hurt to bring them but might not make a difference, while others suggest that referencing my ratings verbally could be more effective. I'm just trying to figure out the best approach to improve my chances this time.

I graduated with my bachelor's in economics in May 2024 and have been applying for jobs ever since, but I've had no luck. I completed my master's degree in October 2025, and I'm still searching for a position. To make ends meet, I've been doing Uber Eats since May 2024, but the wear and tear on my car is becoming a concern as the repairs are getting more expensive with the added mileage. It's frustrating to be in this situation, especially when I see others who graduated around the same time struggling as well. The job market seems to have worsened since 2024, and despite my qualifications, opportunities are scarce. I'm trying to stay positive and consistent in my job applications, hoping that something will come through soon.

I recently made the decision to quit my job at a clinic where I had been employed for the past five months. When I was hired, I was promised a full-time position, but for the last four months, I was only given part-time hours. To make matters worse, the clinic closed for two weeks, leaving me without work during that time. The communication from management has been terrible, and staffing issues have been a constant struggle. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was left alone to handle ten mental health clients, and management didn't seem to care at all about the situation. Fortunately, about two months ago, I started a new job that I absolutely love. The managers are incredibly supportive and have encouraged my goal of going to medical school. They've even talked about training me for additional medical responsibilities after my probation period. The communication is excellent, and I genuinely enjoy working with my new colleagues. I know it's time to quit my old job. I don't feel guilty about it; I feel like I was misled about the role and the lack of training was unacceptable. My only concern is whether this decision will affect my reputation in the field, but I plan to keep my resignation professional and straightforward. I intend to send a message stating, 'I am resigning from my position effective immediately. Thank you for the opportunity.'

I recently applied for a job at a country club alongside a friend who used to work there. When the managers saw his application, they quickly reached out to confirm his identity and hired him almost immediately due to their familiarity with his work ethic and reliability. The kitchen is currently short-staffed, with employees working around 60 hours a week, so they are actively seeking help. During a conversation with the managers about his schedule, my friend recommended me for the open position. He highlighted that I was instrumental in helping him secure his job and shared our past experiences working together. He mentioned how I covered shifts for him when he was sick and provided him rides to work, emphasizing my kitchen experience. He reassured the managers that I wouldn't require extensive training since I already know how to cook and operate in a kitchen environment; I would just need a few days to learn their specific menu and procedures. Another friend who works there also noted that they prefer hiring individuals with experience to avoid the constant cycle of training new hires who leave quickly. My friend is scheduled to meet with the kitchen manager on Thursday and plans to mention me again. He also informed me that one of the managers had already inquired about my application and wanted my name to keep an eye out for it, which he provided. I'm curious about how much weight employee referrals carry in the kitchen job market, especially at a higher-end establishment like this country club. Have any of you landed jobs due to a friend's recommendation, and how did that turn out?

I recently found myself in a tough situation at my current job, which I've been at for about 43 days now, during my 90-day probation period. I was laid off from a job I held for eight years, where I excelled, and after that, I took a position in March that was more of a temporary fix. The commute was long, and the pay was lower than I was used to. I then found a new job that was much closer to home, had better pay, and offered hours that fit my full-time university schedule. However, when I started this new role, the person meant to train us was on medical leave, leaving me with minimal guidance. I was paired with a colleague who had only been there for four months, and he was primarily focused on his own tasks. The training I received was inadequate, and I felt like I was thrown into the deep end without proper support. The supervisor has been difficult to deal with, often placing blame on me for issues that arose due to the lack of training. After realizing that I was set up to fail, I've decided to start looking for another job this week. My concern now is how to explain my short tenure at these two positions, as I've already bounced between them this year. I’ve heard that since both jobs were under six months, I might not need to list them at all, or I could combine them and say I wasn’t a good fit. I’m feeling a bit lost on how to navigate this, but I’m determined to find a better opportunity.