Planning

I recently interviewed for what I thought was my dream job. The role, location, pay, and team all seemed perfect, and I felt a strong connection during the interview. Unfortunately, I didn't get the position, and I feel incredibly defeated. It feels like I've lost my only shot at something I truly wanted. I'm struggling to figure out how to recover from this setback. I know I need to move on and apply to other jobs, but it's hard to shake off the disappointment. I've read that there are many opportunities out there, but right now, it feels like nothing will compare to this one.

I'm currently navigating a job transition within my research organization and am expecting an official offer for a new position soon. The hiring manager has assured me that everything is moving forward, but there are still some HR steps to finalize before I can officially accept. I'm hoping to start around mid-September. However, I'm dealing with a challenging supervisor who's become increasingly difficult to work with over the past year. His unpredictable mood swings have made the work environment quite stressful, especially after finishing my PhD. I'm concerned that once I submit my resignation, the final two weeks could be really tough. I have about 72 hours of vacation leave and 53 hours of sick leave. If I transfer directly to the new position, I can carry over both types of leave. But if I resign and take a break, I would lose my sick leave, although my vacation would be paid out. Additionally, my brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first baby soon, and I want to help them during that time. Unfortunately, the family leave policy doesn't cover this situation, so I'd need to use my accrued leave. I'm considering using some sick leave before I resign since I've been feeling burnt out. Once the new job is official, I would give my two weeks' notice. If my supervisor is professional, I would work through those two weeks, but if he becomes hostile, I might use my sick leave to manage the situation. I'm weighing the option of taking a short break between jobs to decompress and spend time with family, but that would mean losing my sick leave. I'm looking for advice on how to balance professionalism, finances, and my mental health during this transition.

I recently resigned from my job at a boutique marketing agency due to a toxic manager. I had been there for 5 years and was laid off in 2024, but after a year of searching, I finally landed a great role with decent pay in the summer of 2025. Unfortunately, after a year, my manager changed and the new one treated me poorly, which severely impacted my mental health. I made the tough decision to resign in June and took a month off to travel overseas with my family, returning to Canada at the end of July. Now, I’m back on the job hunt and facing some challenges: the job market seems dry, and the wages offered are significantly lower than what I was making before. I regret quitting, but I know I prioritized my mental health. I feel out of touch with the latest trends in digital marketing and web/graphic design, and after my break, I’m struggling with brain fog and feel mentally sluggish. I need to find a source of income quickly, whether that means taking a full-time job or building up freelance clients, as I have some freelance experience. I don’t have a bachelor’s degree, just a higher diploma from about 5 years ago, but I do have around 7 years of experience in the field. I also still need to get my driver’s license. I have several questions: 1. How do I explain my decision to quit without a job lined up during interviews and move past my feelings of regret? 2. What can I do to regain my mental sharpness after my time off? 3. Given the current market with low wages, should I accept a pay cut for a full-time position or focus on freelancing? 4. What’s the fastest way to get back up to speed with current marketing and design practices? 5. Is pursuing an online degree while unemployed worth it, or will it just be a distraction? Are there any recognized and affordable options in Canada? Having climbed out of a lengthy job search before, I believe I can do it again, but I’m looking for direction and any honest advice would be greatly appreciated.

I recently started a new job as a [specific role] at [company name] just two months ago. I was really grateful to land this position after being on the job market for a while. My department is quite small, consisting of just my manager and me. However, I've been informed that my manager will be leaving the company soon. The workload is quite heavy, often requiring me to take work home, but my coworkers are fantastic, and the flexibility is a huge plus. I genuinely enjoy the work most of the time, although I'm still adjusting to the high stress and fast pace. Recently, I received an offer for another role at a different company that aligns even better with my career goals. This new position offers a higher salary and the advantage of being fully remote. The catch is that it’s a temp-to-hire position, which makes me a bit nervous given the current job market. I'm feeling conflicted about whether it would be professional to leave my current job after such a short time. I'm also apprehensive about the temp aspect, especially considering the uncertainty in today’s job climate. I'm seeking advice on what I should do next.

I've been struggling with long-term unemployment and the constant stream of rejection emails has really taken a toll on my spirit. I posted about my situation before, and now I'm at a point where I'm questioning whether I deserve a break. Most people view a vacation as a reward for hard work, but when all I face is negativity and I've withdrawn from social activities, I wonder if it's okay to take a week or two off to recharge. I feel guilty about the idea, as if it might be selfish or like I'm running away from my problems. But I also recognize that a break might be what I need to come back stronger in my job search. I've seen comments suggesting that if I have the financial means, taking a break could actually help me return to the job hunt feeling less depleted. It's a tough decision, but I’m considering it.

I’m currently in a challenging situation at my job where my employer is trying to assign me leadership responsibilities without officially promoting me. They want me to take on a ‘leadership’ role while still handling my current duties, but they haven’t discussed any formal change in title or compensation. I’ve been documenting everything—emails, calls, and the extra tasks I’m being pulled into—because it seems like they’re trying to get me to do two jobs for the price of one without any acknowledgment or pay increase. I plan to address this in my next one-on-one with my manager, as I can clearly see their strategy of claiming that my salary covers these additional duties. If this continues without any formal recognition or compensation, I’m ready to ramp up my job search and consider handing in my resignation. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? How did you handle it?

I was recently laid off from my sales position, where I earned $19/hour plus commission, and I've been on unemployment for about six weeks now. I received a part-time job offer for $15.75/hour, but I'm hesitant because the hiring manager mentioned that there are no guaranteed hours. They indicated that I might only get around 12 to 18 hours a week, which is a significant drop from the 26 hours I was working previously. My weekly benefit amount from unemployment is $319, and I believe I could still qualify for partial unemployment if I take the job. My main concern is the lack of guaranteed income, and I'm not excited about this offer. I'm also worried that if I decline it, it might cause issues with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) regarding what they consider suitable work. I'm planning to reach out to IDES for guidance, but I'm also looking for advice on whether I should accept this job or if it's reasonable to pass on it given the circumstances.

I was laid off from my Social Media Marketing position five months ago, and since then, I've applied to around 250 jobs but only landed about 7 interviews. I felt really optimistic about my most recent interview, but I received a rejection today, which has left me feeling incredibly frustrated and hopeless. This is the first time I've faced such a tough job search, and it's disheartening. I've even considered switching careers, but I don't know where to start and I definitely can't afford to go back to school. It feels like I'm stuck in an endless cycle of interviews and rejections.

I’m currently working at a consulting firm where the workload has really dried up. My role involves reaching out to clients for projects, but they’re hesitant to spend money on labor right now. Recently, I’ve been warned multiple times by my boss that my current situation isn’t sustainable, and I can’t shake the feeling that they want me to quit. I’m feeling pressured and uncertain about my next steps. I’ve been late to work a few times, and I worry that this could affect my eligibility for unemployment if I decide to leave. I’m also concerned that they might track my downtime and use that against me. I don’t have another job lined up, and I honestly doubt I’ll find something soon. I’m torn between staying in a job that feels precarious and leaving without a safety net.

I’m currently unemployed and navigating the job market while dealing with chronic mental health issues and some unfortunate luck. I’m 23 years old and live in Southern California, one of the largest cities in the state. Despite having over four years of experience in customer service, retail, and grocery, I haven’t been able to find a job for almost two years now. In 2022, I started working at Walmart after spending five years at Subway, but I lost that job in 2024 due to excessive absences linked to a deep depression. My mental health took a hit after a series of personal tragedies, including the loss of my grandparent and a close friend, as well as a breakup with my partner of three years. This led to a lack of motivation that kept me from even leaving the house. Since then, I’ve focused on my mental health with support from family, starting SSRIs, and attending therapy. I’ve also been selling handmade crafts and taking art commissions to keep myself busy. Now that I feel more stable and ready to re-enter the workforce, I’m struggling to even get interviews. I’ve spent hours tweaking my resume based on advice from others, but I keep receiving rejection emails. Transportation is another hurdle for me due to vision problems and a panic disorder from past accidents, so I’ve been applying to jobs within a 30-mile radius, including restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and warehouses, but I haven’t heard back from anyone. I have family and friends who help with rides, but I want to be financially independent and contribute back to them. I’m considering taking classes for a work-from-home job, but I’m unsure where to start since I’ve always been focused on working rather than studying. I’m frustrated with the job market and my ongoing mental health journey, but I’m open to exploring various options. I’m looking for job suggestions that might suit my experience and interests. I’m a creative person who enjoys crafting, digital drawing, and organizing. I’m not picky about the type of job, but I prefer roles that involve helping others or repetitive tasks that I can do without overthinking. I’d appreciate any advice on where to start looking for jobs or how to improve my chances of being hired. Any encouragement would also mean a lot. Thank you for reading.

I interviewed for a position with a large public school system two weeks ago, and I felt that the interview went well. They mentioned I would hear back from them 'hopefully next week,' but here I am, two weeks later, without any updates. My application status still shows 'Forward for consideration,' which hasn't changed since my interview. My mentor, who is from the boomer generation, has been urging me to call them to follow up, but I hesitated. Now, I'm starting to think that maybe I should reach out since it seems like they might have moved on without notifying me. I can't shake the feeling that I've been ghosted, and I'm considering my next steps in the job search.

I had a conversation with my manager today, and she mentioned that she doesn’t have many hours to offer me for next week. This has me worried about my job security, especially since I’m about to start school soon. I’m considering whether I should look for a new job, but I’m hesitant because many places might not be flexible with my school schedule. I’m aware that this time of year can be slow for retail, so I’m trying to figure out if this is just a seasonal issue or if it reflects my performance. I might reach out to my manager to see if there’s anything I can do to secure more hours, like being more flexible with my availability.

I recently received a call from a plant manager at Linde regarding a driver position I applied for. The manager, D, informed me that while there are no openings at the specific location I applied to, there are two positions available at another location. He encouraged me to reach out if I was still interested in pursuing a job with them. I'm feeling a bit hesitant, though. I'm currently employed in the utility field, working with propane, and I'm concerned about jumping from one potentially bad situation to another. I want to make sure that this opportunity is worth it before making any decisions.

I'm currently working at a restaurant and I've reached a breaking point. I've been there for a few weekends, and my mental health has taken a serious hit due to personal issues and the toxic work environment. My boss communicates in a really unprofessional way, often using a group chat to call out mistakes instead of addressing them privately. This has made me feel belittled, especially as one of the youngest staff members at just 18. There was a recent incident where I was on holiday, and despite informing my boss that I had limited signal, she continued to berate me in the group chat for not sending a bank statement. It feels like they don't like me, and I've even caught them whispering about me while I'm right there. I feel completely isolated from the rest of the staff, and I don't know who to talk to about this without risking my job. I'm seriously considering quitting immediately, but I'm unsure if that's a valid reason or what the consequences might be. I'm exhausted and just want to escape this situation.

I'm currently in a tough situation and feeling quite stuck in my life. I've been unemployed for the past three months, and I really only have about two to five months left before I need to secure a job. If I can't find a good opportunity soon, I risk being kicked out of my father's house. I have two years of experience as a software engineer, primarily in data engineering and backend engineering. I'm specifically looking for backend roles, preferably using Python with FastAPI, but I can also work with Node.js and Express. I'm hoping to turn things around quickly.

I'm currently feeling anxious about my job due to recent company restructuring. My company has changed directors, and I've been hearing from my manager that the new director isn't fond of our division, which has led to several layoffs in the past. Every major meeting brings warnings about potential layoffs, and while nothing has happened yet, the uncertainty is really weighing on me. I have a financial goal to reach in about 5 months: my house construction will be finished, and I'll have enough emergency savings to feel more secure. Until then, I just need to keep my job and not let this anxiety affect my performance. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has been in a similar situation and how you managed to cope with the anxiety of "what if" scenarios while focusing on your work. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I've been searching for a new job for over 3 months now, and I finally have two offers on the table, but neither feels quite right. I'm currently an SDE with 1.3 years of experience. The first offer is from a big4 company through a staffing agency. The pay is ₹4.8 lpa, and it's supposed to be an 18-month contract role. However, there's been a lot of confusion about the nature of the job. Initially, I was told it would be 80% support work and 20% development, but then the recruiter said it’s actually a development role. They mentioned that after 18 months, I could be absorbed as a permanent employee, and even possibly made full-time right away. However, I still haven’t received an official offer letter despite asking multiple times, and all discussions have been informal, mainly over WhatsApp. This whole situation has left me feeling uneasy, especially when the recruiter warned me that backing out could blacklist me from the company in the future. The second offer is from a startup, which is a bit concerning for me since I've had bad experiences with startups in the past. This role starts as an intern with a stipend of ₹12k per month for the first 4 months, after which I could potentially convert to full-time based on my performance, with a full-time salary of around ₹3.2 lpa. This is actually lower than my previous compensation, but the role seems more aligned with software development. I'm torn between the two options. The big4 offer comes with a strong brand name and a confirmed salary, but the lack of clarity and the contract nature raises red flags. On the other hand, the startup role seems more suitable for my skills, but it would mean a significant pay cut and starting as an intern despite my experience. I'm worried about making the wrong choice since I've already been out of work for a while.

I am resigning from my position at my current company due to a toxic work environment. My last day will be Monday, August 3, as I have accepted a new job that starts the following day. I had initially enjoyed my role and the team, but over time, the situation deteriorated significantly. The team became understaffed, the workload increased, and I felt overwhelmed and stressed. Despite taking on more responsibilities, my pay remained stagnant, and during my annual review, I felt gaslighted when I only received a 3% raise without the promotion I was expecting. The culture turned toxic, with rampant gossip and micromanagement, leading me to seek other opportunities. Now, as I prepare to submit my resignation, I'm unsure whether to be honest about my new job or to cite personal reasons for my departure. I want to leave without causing drama but also want to maintain professionalism.

I have two interviews lined up for tomorrow for entry-level positions as a medical/front-desk receptionist. If I get an offer, this would be my first job, which is exciting! However, I have two prior commitments in August that were planned months ago, from the 13th to the 16th and from the 27th to the 29th. I'm unsure whether I should bring this up during the interviews. I’m leaning towards waiting until I receive an offer before mentioning it, especially when they ask about my preferred start date. Any advice on how to handle this?

I recently had a frustrating experience with a company that scouted me for a design role. About a month ago, a former client reached out to see if I was interested in a position at their current company. I connected with the hiring manager, and we scheduled a 90-minute interview, but they didn't show up. After a week of silence, they apologized, claiming they were on vacation, and we arranged another call. This time, we had a great conversation about my work and the role, and I felt optimistic. However, when it came time to discuss compensation, they ghosted me again. We rescheduled, and I had another productive chat, but the offer changed significantly—lower responsibilities and reduced pay. Despite this, I accepted the position. After confirming my responsibilities and compensation, I was set to meet the team. They sent me a calendar invite just ten minutes before the call, and once again, they failed to show up. Now, they aren't responding to my emails. I never even applied for this job, and yet I've been treated like an afterthought. This isn't just an issue with the economy or my resume; it's about the lack of professionalism and respect from hiring managers. Their behavior is damaging their own reputation and reflects a troubling culture in the corporate world.