Planning

Today, I received an email from the Group Executive Committee at Barclays that laid out their vision for the future of our workforce. It was clear that they are planning significant changes, hinting at a reduction in roles as they evolve to meet the demands of technology and customer expectations. The message emphasized that while they are committed to supporting our career development, the workforce will look different by 2028, with a different mix of skills and potentially fewer positions. They mentioned investing £150 million in future skills and prioritizing internal talent for new roles, which is somewhat reassuring. However, the overall tone suggested that we should brace ourselves for changes that could impact job security. Many colleagues are interpreting this as a signal to start looking for new opportunities, and I can't help but feel the uncertainty in the air. It's a challenging time, and I hope we can navigate this transition together.

I received an email from a company called The Core Tech about a job opening, thanks to a referral from one of my dad's students. They asked for my availability for a meeting, but didn't specify the position. I'm trying to figure out if it's CoreTech Global Inc., as there are many companies with similar names. My background is in psychology and mental health, which makes me unsure about how I would fit into an IT or Data Analysis role, especially since my relevant experience is limited to some Microsoft projects from school. I've heard mixed reviews about the company, with some saying it has a toxic work environment, but I'm not sure if they're referring to the same Core Tech. Additionally, their office is in Toronto, and I live in Milton, so I'm not keen on the idea of commuting for an in-person interview. I haven't mentioned this to my dad yet, and I'm feeling a bit lost about what to do next.

Today was supposed to be payday for me at my job as a part-time employee at a local retail store. I've always picked up my check on Thursdays, as that's when payroll is processed. However, when I arrived to collect my check, I was told by one of the GMs that I wouldn't be able to get it until Friday. This was completely out of the blue for me, as I've never had an issue before. I've been asking for direct deposit since I started, but the management has refused to work with my credit union, which is incredibly frustrating. After driving 25 minutes from college, I was already feeling stressed and hungry. When I confronted the GM about the change in the payday schedule, she just shrugged it off and refused to give me my check. I was so upset that I left without arguing further, but I had already planned to quit soon anyway because I found a better job opportunity. I went back later to demand my paycheck and let them know I was resigning, but the head manager flat-out refused to hand it over. She even said it wasn’t her problem if I didn’t get paid. I feel completely disrespected and berated. I’m seriously considering just walking away and not going back. It’s infuriating to deal with such unprofessionalism, especially when I’ve been a dedicated employee. Now I'm just waiting for my new job to start.

I recently faced a tough situation while job searching. I work full-time as an inventory and shipping associate for a small distributor, earning $19/hour. For the past four months, I've been looking for better opportunities, particularly in operations and logistics coordinator roles. Two weeks ago, I landed an interview for a position that pays between $26-29/hour, which was exciting because it matched my experience and would shorten my commute. The first interview went well; the hiring manager seemed genuinely interested and praised my background. However, when I was invited for a second interview with two department managers, I hit a snag. It was scheduled for Tuesday at 10 AM, and I couldn't find anyone to cover my shift. I had to take the day off unpaid, costing me $152 in lost wages, plus additional expenses for gas and parking. I tried to reschedule the second interview to a later time or a video call, but the recruiter informed me that the managers only conducted interviews during regular business hours. I asked for alternative dates, but the only option they provided was also during my working hours. Eventually, I had to decline the interview, and I received an email stating they would be moving forward with other candidates. This experience has been frustrating. I understand that companies have their scheduling constraints, but it feels disheartening to be unable to pursue a better-paying job because the interview process itself is financially taxing. I’m still employed, so I know I’m in a better position than those who are unemployed, but it’s made me realize how costly job searching can be when you're on an hourly wage with fixed shifts. I'm now considering asking about the entire interview process before agreeing to initial meetings. I’m curious how others in similar situations manage multiple interviews without losing significant income. And for hiring managers, is it unreasonable to ask for interviews outside of standard business hours?

Today I faced my third layoff since 2024, and honestly, I don't know how to cope with this again. I'm feeling pretty numb and have this heavy pit in my stomach. The news hit my partner hard, especially since they were already stressed about our finances. Now, I'm stuck in my home office, feeling ashamed as I prepare to apply for new jobs all day. At least I was a bit proactive this time, anticipating the layoff and actively applying before it happened. I even have a job interview lined up for next week, which gives me a glimmer of hope. But still, I can't help but wonder why it has to be this way.

I applied for a sales position about two and a half weeks ago and received a response within two days for my first interview. The initial interview was a phone call, and I felt it went well enough to secure a second interview with the director of sales. That second interview took place over Zoom, although I had some technical issues with my camera. We discussed it, and he reassured me that it wasn't a problem. However, I'm starting to feel anxious because I really want this job, and I think my nerves might be getting the best of me. The second interview was on Monday night, and the director mentioned that the next step involves coming in to meet the team. He lives in Maryland, which means he has to commute about three hours to the headquarters where I would meet the staff. I assume this meeting is either the final interview or the point at which I might receive an offer. I understand that coordinating schedules for such a meeting takes time, especially if they need to discuss an offer with multiple people. Now, I'm left wondering when I should expect a response and when it would be appropriate to send a follow-up email to check on the status of my application. Any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I recently found myself in a tough situation at work. I'm a 31-year-old woman living in California, and after experiencing a pregnancy loss and discovering that my boyfriend is married with a child, I fell into a deep depression. I attempted to return to work a couple of times, but I would break down during the day, making it impossible to continue. I spoke with my boss about my struggles and expressed my desire to leave my job for good. Surprisingly, he suggested that I take a vacation to help me relax and refresh my mind. While I appreciate his concern, I’m uncertain about how long it will take for me to feel better, or if I will even be okay when I return. I’m worried about being a burden to my team, and even if I take the vacation, I still have to manage my health insurance and bills. Since July, I’ve been on leave, including maternity leave, without any income, and I’m feeling exhausted both mentally and financially. I really don't know what to do next.

I'm currently on the lookout for legitimate work-from-home (WFH) jobs that I can continue internationally. A bit about me: I'm a Canadian-Filipino, fluent in English, and currently residing in the United States on J1/J2 visas with work authorization. I had to leave my last job due to a knee injury, and now I'm hoping to find remote work that accommodates my situation. My goal is to move back to the Philippines in 2027, so I’m eager to find a position that allows me to work from anywhere, including after relocating. I have about 5 years of experience in marketing management, social media management, and content writing. I'm open to various roles, whether full-time, part-time, or freelance. I'm seeking advice on companies or platforms that hire remote workers internationally, jobs that allow relocation without losing the position, and any freelance opportunities that can help me build a stable income. If anyone has experience working remotely for a US company while living in the Philippines, I would love to hear your insights! Thanks in advance for any recommendations or tips you can share.

About 7 months ago, I was laid off from my position as an Account Executive in tech sales due to a company restructuring. I had a strong track record, winning multiple awards over my 7 years in the industry, but since the layoff, I've been stuck in a frustrating cycle of interviews. I've attended numerous lengthy interview loops, but the feedback is often that they chose an internal candidate or that hiring is on hold. It feels like I'm doing everything right—I've hired a career coach, reached out to my network, and applied to countless roles—but I keep getting to the final stages only to be passed over. Recently, I was ghosted by a company that seemed promising, which added to my frustration. After months of this, I decided to pivot and apply for local luxury retail sales positions, thinking it might be a good temporary solution. I updated my resume and started getting interviews right away. One boutique even offered me a job just a week after I interviewed. However, during that week, a tech company I had applied to earlier reached out and has been moving quickly through the interview process. I've met most of the team and received positive feedback. Now, I’m in a tough spot because I’ve accepted the boutique job offer, but there’s a chance I could get an offer from the tech company soon. I’ve been laid off three times, and while I have enough savings to cover my expenses for the next six months, I’m worried about the uncertainty of corporate roles. I don’t want to drain my savings while waiting for a tech job that may never come through. At the same time, I’m concerned about abandoning my successful AE career for a retail position. I’m really torn about what to do next.

I recently received a job offer from a fantastic company and I'm currently going through the onboarding process. As part of this, I'm completing a background check through HireRight. When I initially applied for the position, I submitted a resume that only included 2 out of the 4 jobs I've held in the past five years, leaving out the other two because they weren't relevant to the role. Now, HireRight is asking for details about all my employment in the last five years, which means I need to include those omitted jobs. I'm feeling a bit anxious about this, especially since one of those positions ended on a sour note due to some conflicts with my manager and I didn't give the standard two weeks' notice, leading to it being marked as job abandonment. I'm unsure if I should include all this information or if I can leave out the details about my previous manager. I've seen some advice suggesting that it's okay to omit certain details and just match the employment dates, but I want to ensure there are no issues with my background check.

I graduated summa cum laude in May 2024 with a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, but nearly 2.5 years later, I'm still struggling to land my first full-time job. Despite completing a summer internship in D.C. under a policy director at a political nonprofit and working on a successful political campaign, I haven't been able to secure permanent employment. I've even gone through interviews for positions, including a recent one for a ~$60K development role where I met with the CEO but ended up ghosted for over a month before receiving a generic rejection. Currently, I'm juggling a part-time hospitality job alongside my part-time nonprofit role just to make ends meet, and I lack employer-sponsored health insurance. I've tailored countless resumes, practiced interviewing, and networked extensively, yet nothing seems to translate into a stable job. I'm beginning to wonder if the political and nonprofit sectors are too competitive for a sustainable career. I've started exploring federal government positions, but I'm also contemplating whether I should switch fields entirely or even consider going back to school. It's disheartening to see friends from career-specific programs land stable jobs right after graduation while I feel stuck despite my efforts. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? I'm looking for practical advice on whether I should pivot into government work, stick with nonprofit development, or explore a different career path altogether.

I used to work as a switchboard operator at a health center for two and a half years. My role involved handling patient calls, but I often struggled to meet the high call volume expectations set by management. Despite my efforts to assist patients, I frequently faced challenges due to low call volume and the need to navigate through multiple layers of communication with nurses, which sometimes resulted in delays in patient care. My managers were unsupportive, often reprimanding me publicly for my performance, which was demoralizing. In September 2024, I was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer after experiencing persistent breast pain. I underwent surgery in February 2025 and was scheduled for radiation therapy shortly after. I informed my manager about my situation, and while he seemed to show some understanding, he had already issued a written warning against me for my performance issues. On April 15, I was informed about upcoming layoffs in our department. The next day, I was laid off right before my approved medical leave for radiation therapy was set to begin. I felt blindsided and disheartened, especially when I noticed some of my former colleagues seemingly amused by my situation. I now find myself contemplating whether I should take legal action against the company for what feels like an unjust termination, especially given the timing with my medical leave.

I recently landed an interview for an entry-level position, which is exciting as I’m a senior in college. However, the company is asking for three professional references, and I've only had one job so far. I did not misrepresent my experience; they know I’ve only worked at one place. I'm also applying to grad schools, and since those programs are quite competitive, I want to secure a job that starts in May 2027, right after I graduate, in case I don’t get into grad school. This job would be a great fallback as it offers a stable and well-paying career. I’m hesitant to ask the three professors who are writing my letters of recommendation for grad school to also be my job references. The job isn’t directly related to my grad program, and I worry it might make me seem uncommitted or confused about my future. Should I just reach out to two other professors for references instead? I’m feeling really anxious about this situation.

I'm currently based in Dubai, working in IT Infrastructure and Cloud with nearly 6 years of experience. Despite applying almost daily on LinkedIn for the past two years, I've only received one interview opportunity for a position in the UK, which ultimately went to another candidate. I have a LinkedIn Premium subscription that I utilize for my job search, but the response has been disheartening. I'm seeking advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation or has experience hiring international candidates. I have several questions: - What are the best platforms for finding IT Infrastructure and Cloud jobs in the UK and Europe, especially for overseas applicants? - Which job boards are ideal for remote IT roles that accept international candidates? - Are there companies in the UK or Europe willing to sponsor visas for candidates based in Dubai? - What strategies can I employ to improve my chances of landing interviews? Should I focus on applying directly through company career pages or connecting with recruiters and hiring managers? I'm open to remote opportunities globally and roles that could facilitate my relocation to the UK or Europe. Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

I recently found myself at a crossroads in my career. I’m a 33-year-old married woman with no kids yet, but we’re considering starting a family next year. I’ve been a state employee for 10 years, and I’m vested with a pension and a 401k where the state contributes 2%. My current salary is around $82k, and while the job isn't overly stressful, some coworkers can make it feel that way at times. Overall, I enjoy my workplace culture. I’ve accumulated 45 annual leave days, plus I get 6 personal days and 15 sick leave days each year. Right now, I go into the office three days a week. However, I recently applied for a new position at an insurance company that piqued my interest. They’re offering $105k, which is a significant increase. The benefits, especially health insurance, are much better than what I currently have with the state. The new role also offers opportunities for advancement after a few years, and I would only need to go into the office two days a week. The downside is that I would be losing a lot of my accrued time off, although it would be paid out. I’m really torn about whether to stay in my comfortable state job or take the leap into this new opportunity. I’d love to hear any thoughts or insights from others who have faced similar decisions.

I got laid off last week from my role, and I'm facing a dilemma regarding my unvested RSUs. I have less than $8K in RSUs that were scheduled to vest in February. I'm considering whether I should reach out to my former company to see if they would be willing to accelerate the vesting or keep me on as an unpaid employee until the vesting date. I'm worried about the potential repercussions of making this request, particularly if it might affect my severance package. I've seen mixed opinions on this; some say it's unlikely they'll agree unless I have significant leverage, while others suggest I have nothing to lose by asking. I’m still debating whether to go for it or just let it be.

I've been unemployed for the past two years, and I'm in my early 30s. Most of my days are spent applying for jobs and going through interviews, but unfortunately, I haven't had any success in landing a position yet. I'm feeling quite lost and would appreciate any advice on where to look for work or how to earn some cash in the meantime. I've considered applying to a wider range of jobs, including entry-level positions in retail or food service, but I'm unsure if that's the right approach. I've also thought about reaching out to staffing agencies or temp jobs to get some income flowing. If anyone has suggestions or insights based on their experiences, I'd love to hear them.

I’ve been actively searching for a job in fast food and retail for a while now, applying to numerous places and going through multiple interviews. Unfortunately, most of the time, I’m left waiting for a call that never comes after I leave my name and number. It’s really frustrating, especially since I’m spending money on Ubers just to get to these interviews. I genuinely need a job to make some extra money, and I’m feeling stuck. I’m open to any advice or suggestions on what I can do next to improve my chances.

I am currently job searching after spending 5 years at my first corporate job post-college. I started as an associate and have taken on manager-level responsibilities while still receiving associate pay. The stress has become overwhelming; I experience daily headaches and feel like I'm becoming less efficient. Our team is small, just four of us handling everything, which adds to the pressure. I’m really burnt out and ready to move on, but I’m apprehensive about finding a new job that might be just as stressful. I wonder if it’s normal to feel this way and if it’s selfish to want a job that doesn’t come with constant headaches and grinding my teeth from stress. Any advice on how to gauge the work environment before jumping into a new role would be appreciated.

I'm currently an ACCA FIA student, set to finish my studies by early 2027, and I'm trying to navigate the entry-level finance job market in Lahore and Islamabad. I've been actively searching through platforms like Rozee, LinkedIn, and Indeed, but the results have been frustrating. Most job postings are either outdated, require several years of experience for positions that are labeled as 'entry-level', or attract hundreds of applicants for just a few spots. Even using Google search operators to find company career pages hasn't yielded much relevant information. From what I've observed, it seems that most entry-level positions are filled through personal connections and referrals before they even get advertised publicly. The public job market feels like it's just the leftovers. I'm particularly interested in how others have managed to break into prestigious firms like the Big 4 or multinationals such as Unilever, Nestle, P&G, or Shell, especially for trainee roles in audit or finance. I want to know what strategies worked for you—did you rely on referrals, direct applications, or perhaps cold outreach on LinkedIn? Additionally, are there any specific companies in Pakistan that still prioritize public applications for entry-level roles? As I'm about six months away from my ACCA qualification, I'm also wondering when the best time to start applying would be—should I begin now or wait until I’m closer to qualifying? I'm looking for genuine insights from those who have successfully navigated this path, not just generic advice. Any help would be greatly appreciated!