Planning

I graduated with my master's degree in 2024, and after putting in eight years of hard work, I thought I was set for success. However, two years later, I find myself struggling to land a job in my field. I've tailored my resume, updated my LinkedIn profile, and reached out to numerous recruiters and professionals, but nothing seems to work. I even hired a career coach, but her advice feels outdated and unhelpful. My confidence has taken a serious hit, especially after my partner left me, claiming I wasn't trying hard enough. I'm feeling lost and unsure of how to effectively market myself to potential employers. I could really use some support right now.

I recently faced a frustrating situation with my unemployment benefits in Oregon. After receiving two presumptive payments—one for a late claim and another for my summer school employment—I thought everything was resolved. Initially, I got a notification that covered both payments, but later, I received a letter stating that my presumptive payment investigation was approved only for the summer school payment, while the late claim was denied. A month after the approval, I was shocked to get a request to repay the presumptive payment for the late claim week, which I had already spent. Now, I'm out of benefits and still unemployed. I appealed the decision once but lost, as I felt the judge didn’t fully grasp my argument. I'm considering appealing again, but I'm unsure how to strengthen my case. Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated!

I’ve been thinking about the idea of deliberately getting fired from a job to qualify for unemployment benefits while searching for a new position. I haven’t done it myself, but I’m curious if anyone else has. I’ve heard some stories where people have ‘silent quit’ their roles, like one person who mentioned they ended up getting laid off along with a large portion of their team. It seems like a risky move, especially since I know that getting fired for cause can disqualify you from receiving unemployment. I’ve also seen others who have left jobs without notice, but that was years ago. I’m weighing my options and wondering if this is a strategy worth considering.

I recently received an incredible job offer with great benefits and pay, and I passed the background check on the 16th. This morning, I got an email stating that I'll receive onboarding information to start this coming Monday. However, I'm currently working part-time in a food service role where I'm barely getting any hours and the work environment is terrible. I haven't given my two-week notice yet, but I want to provide them with a few days' notice out of respect. I'm unsure whether to quit on Friday since I'm not scheduled to work this weekend or if I should give my notice now, considering they confirmed they would contact me on Friday. I'm leaning towards just quitting since it's only a part-time job, but I want to make the right decision.

I’ve been struggling to find a job since I got laid off from my last position after the company was sold. I’ve applied for many roles, but the background check issue has been a huge barrier for me. Seven years ago, I was involved in a situation where I intervened to protect my infant child from suffocation by my ex. Unfortunately, I was labeled a violent criminal for my actions, even though I was trying to save my child. The legal system didn’t consider the context, and I ended up taking a plea deal because I couldn’t afford to fight it in court. Now, I’m facing the consequences of that decision, as it’s nearly impossible to find a job that doesn’t require a background check. I’ve reached out to legal experts, and they agree that the charges shouldn’t have been filed in the first place, but I’m still years away from being able to get this expunged. I’m actively looking for work, preferably remote since my child is now disabled, but I’m open to any job opportunities. My savings are running low, and I really need to secure something soon.

I am currently in the interview process for a nonprofit role. It started with a Zoom interview, which went well, and then I was invited for an in-person interview with four team members. After that, they reached out on very short notice asking if I could meet one-on-one with the CEO, which I did. Now, I've just received an email requesting me to come in again for a 30-minute meeting, and they've asked for my references. I'm feeling a bit confused about why they want me to come back for a third in-person meeting and what they might want to discuss. Any thoughts on how to prepare for this?

I’m currently on the hunt for a new job. I’m 24 years old and living in a small town in Wisconsin. My current position is at an adult store, which I actually enjoy because I get to help people with their sexual and health needs, but the pay is really low at just $15 an hour. I've worked in various fields like sales, retail, food service, construction, interior carpentry, and jewelry sales, but none of these roles have led to a stable career path for me. I'm looking for advice on how to find a job that pays better and doesn’t require extensive experience or a college degree. I really want to succeed and would appreciate any tips on how to navigate this job search.

I recently experienced another job change at my company, and I just need to vent about it. I'm not really angry, but I am a bit annoyed. I was approached internally for a new role, and while it wasn't forced upon me, I felt compelled to accept it. It feels like a fake promotion since the organization has been laying off staff, including my predecessor who had been there for years. I suspect that I’ll end up doing both my current role and the new one, especially since there’s no one else to offload tasks to. I found out later that the company had a plan in place, and I can't help but wonder what would have happened if I had declined the offer. I went along with it, thinking it was for the best. This isn't the first time I've had to juggle two roles; it happened before, and I reminded my superiors that any issues were due to the workload from handling both jobs. Eventually, I was told which role I would keep without any input from me. I was finally at a point where I could relax a bit with everything going on in my life, and now I'm back in this situation again.

After being unemployed for 1.5 years, I found myself in a situation I never imagined. Currently, I’m working as a 1099 contractor for a solid but still new-ish company. I manage all my own taxes, contribute to my 401(k), and even set aside money for unemployment in case things go sideways. Overall, I like the job; it’s hybrid, flexible, and I started part-time with a planned transition to full-time very soon. This gives me the option to either stay where I am or move closer into town. However, the downside is that once everything is paid out, my actual take-home isn't quite where I want it to be. Since I haven’t been there long, I'm unsure how much room there is for negotiation on my pay. Now, I'm considering two other job opportunities. Job Two is a demanding role at a major hospital where I would work directly with complex patient needs every day. The workload would be heavy, but the pay is outstanding, and I would need to relocate. Job Three is a part-time position at a hospital focused on psychosocial support. It has less bureaucracy, is meaningful work, and is located in a town I used to live in and dream of returning to. It’s quieter and breathtakingly beautiful, but while the pay is decent, I’d likely need to pick up another part-time job to make ends meet. So here I am, weighing flexibility versus pay, location, and quality of life. It's a tough decision!

I was laid off from my job of five years in June, which came as a complete shock to me. Since then, I've been trying to stay positive and have taken up a full-time position as a server in a restaurant while I search for my next opportunity. However, the job market feels incredibly saturated right now. I've applied to numerous positions but haven't received a single reply, which is starting to worry me. Although I'm managing to get by as a server, working six days a week is exhausting. I'm also experimenting with AI drop shipping to generate some extra income, but so far, I haven't had much success. I'm curious to hear what others are doing to cope during this tough time.

I recently started a new job earning $85k, and I'm currently living with my parents without having to pay rent. However, I received a job offer for $115k in the DC area, which is appealing but comes with the hefty cost of living—rent there averages around $2k a month. The DC position seems to be in a more secure industry, which adds to my dilemma. I'm feeling anxious about the thought of moving, especially since I fear it might jeopardize my current job. I recognize that this is a privileged situation, especially considering I spent 12 months searching for my current role. I'm torn between the potential for a better salary and the anxiety of relocating and the financial implications that come with it.

I graduated with a BTech in Computer Science in 2026 and got placed in a service-based MNC through campus recruitment, but I still haven't received my joining date. It's been nearly 4 months since graduation, and I'm currently unemployed. I'm feeling really frustrated and losing hope as I've been actively searching for a job. I'm open to any corporate opportunity, especially in roles like Operations, Business Analyst, HR Operations, Project Coordinator, Process Analyst, and other entry-level positions. I'm not interested in sales. I'm a quick learner and adaptable, comfortable with Excel and data, and I can start immediately. I'm looking for onsite jobs anywhere in India, preferably in major cities like Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, or Chennai. If anyone knows of any openings or can refer me, I would greatly appreciate it.

I recently started a casual job at the airport, and I'm feeling overwhelmed by my schedule. During the interview, I clearly expressed my desire for a stable position with consistent shifts, and the interviewer agreed. However, my roster for the next two weeks includes back-to-back day and night shifts, which is really taking a toll on me. One day I’m working from 3am to 11am, and the next I’m on from 7pm to 3am, and it feels like a never-ending cycle. I do have a few days off, but I’m struggling to understand how I’m going to manage my sleep and overall health with this schedule. I’ve been searching for a job for months, and this opportunity was my only option to pay my bills and eat. I have a university degree, a solid cover letter, and I interview well, but the job market is tough right now. Since the position is casual, I’m not sure if there’s any room for negotiation, but I feel blindsided by the lack of stability I was promised. I’m also on new medication that affects my sleep, which adds to my concern for my health. Has anyone else experienced something similar? What should I do?

I'm currently weighing an internal job offer at my company. I'm in a bit of a dilemma because while the new role seems promising, I'm not entirely sure if it's the right move for my career. I've been in my current position for over two years, and although I enjoy the work, I've been looking for new challenges. The internal offer comes with a slight increase in salary and the chance to work on more impactful projects, but I'm concerned about leaving my current team and the relationships I've built. I’m seeking advice on how to make this decision. Should I take the leap or stay put?

I was recently laid off from a tech company in Berlin during the Z layoffs, and I'm grappling with whether to keep my work laptop. I've heard mixed opinions on this. Some people mentioned that in the US, companies often report stolen equipment and can even deduct its value from your final paycheck if you don't return it. Others said that if the laptop is tagged or has company software, they might send a box for you to return it. In my case, I know the risks of keeping it, but I'm curious if anyone has actually done it without facing serious consequences. I’ve only kept a work laptop once when it was given to me as a 'gift' after a company sale, but usually, I’ve returned anything that was tagged. I’m considering the possibility of keeping it since I’ve already received my last paycheck, but I’m unsure about the potential legal issues. I’d love to hear from anyone who has navigated a similar situation.

I was recently laid off from my position at Oracle during the early morning layoffs at 6 AM. It was a shock to receive the news, and I found out that the severance package offered has a cap of only 26 weeks. To make matters worse, any unvested stock that I had is now canceled, which adds to the financial strain. I'm trying to figure out my next steps and how to navigate this unexpected situation.

I recently found myself in a tough spot after leaving my job at USPS due to health reasons. I can no longer work outdoors, especially in the desert heat, which has limited my options significantly. My background is primarily in retail management and my time at USPS, but I'm struggling to find roles that match my experience. I've been applying to various indoor positions, but so far, no one has reached out for interviews. I'm looking for advice on what types of jobs I might qualify for, especially considering my situation. I don't have any trades under my belt, and I'm currently in debt, so I need realistic ideas that don’t require extensive training or relocation. Any suggestions or insights from others who have been in a similar position would be greatly appreciated.

I recently received a job offer from a company in a Gulf country after going through several interview rounds. Initially, they confirmed my salary expectations twice via email, so I felt confident about my asking amount. However, when the formal offer came through, it was about $2000 less per month than what I requested. This discrepancy is significant for my potential lifestyle there, and I'm currently well-employed, so I don't necessarily need to make a move unless it's worthwhile. I'm contemplating whether I should negotiate for my original salary since they never explicitly said they couldn't meet it. The current offer is decent, but I’m already living comfortably in my current role. I need to respond by tomorrow, and I'm seeking advice on whether it's worth it to push for the salary I initially asked for.

I am currently in the UK and facing challenges in my job search. I'm specifically looking for opportunities as a deckhand on fishing boats, but I've encountered a significant hurdle. The few listings I've found all require a minimum of six months of experience, which I do not have. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has advice or knows of any opportunities, including apprenticeships or even unpaid work experience, that might help me get my foot in the door in this field.

I was recently laid off from my position at Biz2Credit, where I had been recruited to join. I left a stable job to take this opportunity, and it feels like a gut punch to be let go just a few months in. On Friday, during a Teams meeting, the chief people officer informed me that they were parting ways, offering only two weeks of severance. I feel angry and betrayed, especially since I met and exceeded all performance requirements. They didn't provide a clear reason for my termination, just that they had decided to go in a different direction. This is the second time I've experienced a layoff, and it has taken a toll on my self-esteem. I'm now faced with the challenge of searching for a new job in a tough market. Thanks for listening.