Planning

I am a 28-year-old woman who was laid off last April and I am in a tough spot. I have completely exhausted my unemployment benefits and am currently applying for barista jobs to make ends meet, but my dad is having to help me with housing expenses. My mental health has taken a hit, and my self-confidence is at an all-time low. I had one interview in early April where I went through all four rounds of their process, only to find out I was the second choice for the role. The other candidate had direct industry experience, which I lacked, even though it wasn’t a requirement. I know I’m qualified for the positions I’m applying for, but getting my resume noticed has been a challenge. I make sure to apply early and tailor my resume to each job description. I also try to find the hiring manager or recruiter and reach out to them via LinkedIn or email, but I’ve only had success with this approach once. My LinkedIn profile is up-to-date, and I’m currently taking certifications through Coursera to enhance my skills and show that I’m being productive during my job search. I’ve also reached out to connections from college and previous jobs, but that hasn’t yielded much help either. I’m focusing on roles like operations analyst, business analyst, consultant, and junior-level project management. I really need to land a job quickly because my financial situation is dire, and I can’t handle being unemployed much longer. I’m looking for any tips or tricks that others have found helpful in their job search.

I've been job hunting for about 5 months now after graduating with a degree in computer science. While I've managed to land a few interviews, I haven't secured a position yet. The competition is fierce, and I realize that even minor missteps can lead to losing out on opportunities. I've been reflecting on the interview process and how crucial it is to present myself well. I understand that certain behaviors should be standard, like dressing appropriately (no sweatpants!), being well-groomed, arriving on time, and being prepared with knowledge about the company and relevant technical skills. I also think about how I communicate; I try to listen actively and respond concisely without rambling. However, I've noticed that there might be subtle things that I or other candidates do that could negatively impact our chances. I'm curious about what interviewers notice that might not be obvious. For instance, I've heard that being overly scripted can come off as arrogant or insincere. From my perspective, I've found that treating interviews more like conversations rather than interrogations helps me relax and communicate better. I also make it a point to prepare questions to ask the interviewer, which I think shows genuine interest in the role. Overall, I'm eager to learn more about what interviewers look for beyond the basics, especially in this challenging job market.

I'm currently in the final stages of the interview process for a marketing manager position at a tech startup. I've completed all the interviews and the hiring manager mentioned they would be making a decision soon. However, it's been a week since our last conversation, and I'm starting to feel anxious about whether I should be worried about the delay. I'm eager for the offer but can't help but think about the possibility of not getting it. Should I reach out for an update, or is it too soon?

I recently had a frustrating experience with a remote job that turned out to be a scam. After being unemployed for over a year, I finally got a response to my applications and set up a Teams meeting with a recruiter. The meeting was conducted entirely through messaging, where they asked me questions about the job and confirmed that I was comfortable with the data entry tasks required. I was thrilled when I received an official offer letter that included all the typical details like position, compensation, benefits, and even the name of my supposed supervisor. I submitted all my paperwork, including my W-4 and I-9 forms, and was instructed to download the Signal app to communicate with my new supervisor. He told me that the company would send me a check to purchase my equipment, and once it cleared, I would receive a link to buy everything on their list. However, after I deposited the check, my bank flagged it for fraud, and my account was frozen. The recruiter kept texting me, asking if the check had cleared. When I called him, he answered casually, which struck me as unprofessional. I noticed his accent didn't sound American, and I started to suspect something was off. I played along, acting naive, but it became clear to me that this was a scam. Now, I'm trying to contact the actual company to report the fraud and warn others to be cautious. This experience has left me feeling defeated and violated, and I urge everyone to double-check any job offers they receive.

I’m currently in a challenging situation with my job search. After being laid off from two positions and leaving one, I’ve found myself overqualified for many local jobs but underqualified for some national roles. I took a few years off to work as a substitute teacher and a line cook, which is outside my industry of Edtech and Medical Devices, specifically Clinical Research. Now, I’m looking at survival jobs in retail or customer service, but I’m unsure how to present my experience on my resume. Should I remove my bachelor’s degree in STEM to make my application more appealing for these roles? I’m worried about how to downgrade my professional experience without misrepresenting myself. I suspect that many local companies in biopharma manufacturing are using AI to filter resumes, and I want to avoid any dishonesty while still making my application stand out. I’m trying to tailor my resume to fit basic quality assurance or manufacturing support roles, but it’s a tough balance. Any advice on how to navigate this would be greatly appreciated!

I recently received a job offer for a marketing position at a tech startup, and I was really excited about it. However, I rushed into accepting the offer without fully reviewing the terms and conditions. After taking some time to think it over, I realized that the salary was lower than what I had initially expected and there were no benefits included. I feel like I made a mistake by not negotiating or asking more questions before accepting. Now, I'm considering reaching out to the company to see if there's any chance I can discuss the offer again. It's a tough situation, and I'm feeling a bit anxious about it.

I am an experienced QA Automation Engineer and QA Lead currently seeking international remote opportunities or positions that offer visa-sponsored relocation. With a strong background in quality assurance and automation testing, I am eager to leverage my skills in a new environment. If anyone has leads or advice on companies that are open to hiring internationally, I would greatly appreciate your insights!

I'm currently in the job search phase and feeling quite frustrated. I'm 22 years old and have a 2:1 degree in criminology, and I'm finishing up my master's degree. Over the past two weeks, I've applied to 70 jobs, but I haven't heard back from any of them. It feels like there aren't many job opportunities available right now. I'm working part-time at a café, just once or twice a week, but I'm really hoping to secure a full-time position. I'm applying to a wide range of jobs, but I'm starting to wonder if there's something wrong with my applications. My CV was crafted by my mum, who works in HR, and I tailor each application to fit the role. Yet, I'm still not getting any responses. I'm reaching out for advice on what I might be doing wrong or if there's anything I can improve in my job search.

I wanted to express my gratitude for all the support I've received on my previous post. I'm currently in a bit of a waiting game, as I was told I would receive a call this week about a potential job opportunity, but I'm still waiting and it's quite frustrating. I've reached out to follow up, but no news yet. It's tough to keep my hopes up when I'm eager to start earning money and get back on my feet. In the meantime, I'm looking for suggestions for side gigs that involve hands-on work, like cleaning jobs or similar. If anyone has ideas, I would really appreciate it!

After 8.5 years at my company, I'm contemplating what a fair severance package would look like, especially given my strong performance reviews. I'm not looking for health insurance or stock options, just trying to gauge the number of paid months that would be considered reasonable. I've seen various opinions on this topic, and it seems like there's no standard answer. One person mentioned they received 3.5 months pay after 8.4 years but managed to negotiate it up to 5 months without much trouble. Another shared their experience of getting 3 weeks plus 2 additional weeks for each year of service, along with a career coaching subscription that ended up being unhelpful due to the current job market. I'm curious if anyone has insights on what I might expect or if I should be prepared to negotiate based on my tenure and performance.

I recently came across a hiking group in the Bay Area specifically for those who have been laid off or are currently job searching. It’s a great opportunity to clear my head and connect with others facing similar challenges. This Monday, June 1st, they are organizing a hike at Marin Headlands, with a 5.3-mile loop and an elevation gain of 869 feet. I’m planning to join them at 10:30 AM and hope to meet some new people while enjoying the outdoors. It seems like a supportive community, especially since the group is growing, which is both encouraging and a bit daunting.

I just found out that my hours have been significantly cut at my job. I received my new schedule for the month, and it shows that I’m only working two days—one day this week and another the following week. I reached out to my manager via text when I noticed the change, but unfortunately, it was her day off, so I didn't get a response. I'm planning to go in tomorrow to speak with her directly since she’ll be back. Today, I even went to the job in person to ask about the situation, but the other manager had just left. My coworkers mentioned that they need extra help for the upcoming 2026 FIFA events, so I’m hoping that might open up more hours for me. I'm feeling pretty anxious about this cut in hours and really want to know how I can get my regular schedule back.

I've been in software development for several years, but the current job market has been incredibly frustrating. I spend over five hours every day applying for jobs, and I've decided to automate part of the process to make it more efficient. One of the biggest challenges I face is not having local North American work experience, which seems to be a barrier despite my technical skills. Additionally, I've encountered language barriers and age bias, which complicate things further. I've noticed some concerning trends in the job market. For instance, some companies are openly advertising unpaid positions, which feels wrong, especially when they're not student internships or volunteer roles. It seems like a normalization of unpaid work is creeping in. Moreover, some job platforms appear to be more interested in collecting resumes than actually hiring. I've applied to several high-paying jobs that seemed legitimate at first, only to find out they were just bait to get candidates to upload their information. I recently interviewed for an automation role in Delta, BC, but when I inquired about a job posting that had been live since February 2026, the HR response was vague, leaving me unsatisfied. Currently, I apply to about 20 jobs a day, but the results have been disheartening. It feels like I'm just feeding data into a machine that never responds. To tackle this, I'm building a tool that integrates with Indeed and LinkedIn to optimize my resume for each job and automate parts of the application process. My aim is to make targeted applications quicker and less painful. I'm still in the building and testing phase, primarily to solve my own job-search issues, but I would love to hear feedback from others who might be facing similar struggles. Maybe the market is tough right now, or maybe I need to adapt my approach. Either way, applying manually for hours with little to no response feels like a losing battle against an algorithm.

I've been struggling to find a job lately, and it feels like even temp agencies are no longer a viable option for me. I've applied to several positions through these agencies, but the competition is fierce. Every time I find a job that seems like a good fit, it's already been filled before I even get a chance to interview. I'm feeling really discouraged and am looking for advice on what other avenues I can explore to improve my job search. Any tips or strategies would be greatly appreciated!

I finally received a job offer today after an exhausting 7-month job hunt, and I couldn't be happier! I'm looking forward to resigning from my current position, which has been toxic and soul-sucking for the past 10 months. I've been doing the work of three people while dealing with a micromanaging manager and a colleague who was promoted to my supervisor despite being incompetent. The last eight years have been a struggle, but now I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when I hand in my resignation. I plan to give my two weeks' notice, even though they don't deserve it. Here's to a brighter future ahead! For anyone still searching, don’t give up!

Today, I reflected on my struggle with feeling entitled to a job. At 21, I live comfortably with the support of my upper middle-class family, which makes me question why I care so much about finding work. I often feel like I'm forcing myself to seek employment just to have some pocket money, but it rarely works out. Jobs I apply for sometimes get canceled, or I find that someone more in need gets hired instead. This sense of not deserving a job weighs heavily on me, especially when I see others who are truly struggling. I wish I could be content doing nothing, but I feel this pressure to advance my life and contribute somehow. I’ve been considering volunteering or picking up new skills to feel productive without the stress of traditional employment. I know I need to shift my mindset and recognize that wanting to make my own money isn’t entitlement; it’s a natural desire for independence. I just hope I can find a way to navigate this job market and feel fulfilled.

I'm starting a new job at an agency on Monday, but I'm having serious doubts about my decision. I'm a 25-year-old female, and the stress of this situation is weighing heavily on me. I accepted the offer, but after reflecting, I realize that my current job pays significantly better, and with my move-out plans, it makes more financial sense to stay put. I had actually tried to resign from my current position weeks ago, but my supervisor managed to convince me to stay at that time. Now, I'm in this awkward position where I'm still employed but also expected to start this new role in just a few days. I'm really anxious about how to handle this without burning any bridges. I want to maintain my professional reputation, especially since I'm in grad school and don't want any negative repercussions down the line. Has anyone faced a similar dilemma? I'm looking for advice on how to approach this situation professionally without jeopardizing my future opportunities.

I recently graduated with a Computer Science degree about two weeks ago, and I'm feeling really overwhelmed with the job search. I've applied to over 200 positions just in this short time and had been sending out applications throughout my senior year as well. Unfortunately, most companies either reject my applications, ghost me, or I get through the initial interview stages but then hear nothing back. I've completed two software engineering internships, so I do have some experience, but landing a full-time job has been a real struggle. At this point, I'm open to roles that aren't strictly software engineering. I'm looking for something stable, full-time, and an environment where I can grow without constantly feeling like I'm fighting for a chance. I'm curious if anyone else who graduated with a CS degree has switched career paths successfully. What entry-level roles are out there that would value my background but don't require intense live coding interviews? I'm even considering fields outside of tech, like finance, analyst positions, or business-related roles, despite not having a formal background in those areas. I'm willing to learn and start from the ground up if necessary. I'm just eager to find realistic entry-level opportunities in industries like finance, consulting, or operations, as I really want to avoid being unemployed for months.

I'm currently at a crossroads in my career. At 25, I recently graduated from college and left my previous business. After a breakup and stepping back from a friend group, I find myself feeling quite alone. I tend to get bored easily and have struggled with follow-through on projects. I received a job offer for an operations role at a debt marketing firm, which offers stability and social interaction. However, I'm also getting my insurance license this week and considering a job in insurance that provides more freedom and the opportunity to leverage my tech skills to potentially start my own agency. I already have an agency lined up for ACA with inbound leads, so I wouldn't need to worry about finding customers. I'm torn between the stability of the debt job and the entrepreneurial potential of the insurance role. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off last month from my job in Pennsylvania and was approved for unemployment benefits, but I still haven't received my first payment. I recently accepted a new job offer, which I plan to start soon, and I will end my benefits when I have my start date. However, I'm feeling anxious about the commute to this new job; it's not ideal for my family situation. I'm taking this job out of financial necessity because my unemployment benefits aren't enough to cover our expenses, especially with my son's daycare costs. Since this is my first experience with unemployment, I'm worried about what happens if I find the commute unmanageable and have to quit shortly after starting. I heard that if I leave the new job soon after being laid off from my previous job, I might still be eligible for unemployment benefits. But after reading some comments, it seems that if I quit the new job for reasons like the commute or childcare, I wouldn't qualify for benefits anymore. I understand that a voluntary quit is a tough situation in the unemployment world, and the burden would be on me to prove I had a compelling reason to leave. I'm feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about my options, especially since I've never navigated this before.