Planning

I've been out of work for about 7 years now, primarily because I've been taking care of a relative's child since they were a baby. My job history is quite limited; I've only held one position, which was a seasonal, temporary role at a front desk where I mainly answered phone calls. Unfortunately, I haven't had any experience with computer work, as the systems were often down. Finding a job has been really challenging for me lately. I've encountered a lot of scams and have struggled to connect with potential employers due to their busy schedules. My resume isn't impressive, and I feel like I have nothing to show for my time spent caregiving. I'm particularly interested in finding part-time work that allows me to start early in the morning, but not having a car or a driver's license makes it even more difficult. Working from home sounds ideal, but I know my lack of skills and experience is holding me back. I feel stuck in this cycle and am looking for advice on how to break free and find a job that fits my situation.

I recently applied for a position at a large manufacturing and distribution company where I had previously gone through an initial phone interview. After that screening, I was scheduled for a final in-person interview, but I had to cancel it because I accepted another job that was closer to my home. I made sure to notify the recruiter and didn’t just no-show. Now, months later, I'm interested in a different position that has opened up at the same company and I've applied for it, stating that I am available to start immediately. My job search has been quite discouraging lately; I’ve been applying to various roles, including retail and entry-level positions, but I’ve faced numerous rejections or have not heard back at all. Given my current situation, I’m considering being more proactive. I still have the email of the recruiter who I initially spoke with, and I’m contemplating reaching out to her. I want to inform her that I've applied for another position and ask if I could be considered for an interview. However, I’m worried that my previous withdrawal might have negatively impacted my chances. I’m seeking advice from anyone in HR or recruiting: Should I reach out to the recruiter directly or just wait for the application process to unfold?

I have an interview for an overnight personal shopper position at a grocery store. I’m not familiar with what the role entails beyond the title, but I know it involves order picking during the graveyard shift. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has experience working nights in this position and whether they would recommend it. I also have another interview for a regular clerk position at a different grocery store, so I’m weighing my options. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I recently completed my initial unemployment application with the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) and received a notification that I needed to register with the Virginia Workforce Connection System (VWCS) to receive benefits. I remembered that I had an account from when I was unemployed during the COVID pandemic, so I went to the VWCS website to log in. After some trouble, I reset my password and accessed my old account. Now, I'm unsure about what further steps I need to take. Do I just need to keep my account active, or is there more I should do to ensure I receive my benefits? I'm also curious about how much of my profile needs updating beyond the mandatory fields.

I was part of a recent layoff at my company, which affected about 180 employees. I had been with the company for a year and a half, and they offered me a severance package of one week’s pay for each year of service. I've been seeing a lot of advice online suggesting that I should never sign a severance agreement and should hire a lawyer instead. This has left me confused about whether it's worth it to pursue legal action or just accept the severance. I understand that severance isn't guaranteed and is often a way for companies to avoid potential lawsuits, especially in an at-will employment situation like mine. Many comments I read suggest that since I'm part of a mass layoff, I might not have much leverage in negotiating for more. Some people even mentioned that hiring a lawyer could be costly and might not yield better results than just taking the severance and moving on. I'm considering reaching out to a few lawyers for a free consultation to see if I might have a case or if it’s better to just accept what’s being offered and start looking for a new job. It’s a tough decision, and I want to make sure I’m making the right choice.

I was laid off three months ago and since then, I've been on a relentless job search. I've applied to over 500 jobs in various companies, trying to find the right fit. In addition to job hunting, I took the initiative to build and ship a product on my own, which has been a great learning experience. Despite my efforts, I’m still looking for the right opportunity and wanted to share my journey with others who might be in a similar situation.

I've been struggling with my unemployment benefits since July. I've completed all the necessary paperwork and followed the instructions provided, but I still haven't received any assistance. I've tried calling the unemployment office multiple times, but I can never get through to anyone. Frustrated, I reached out to my senator's office for help. I'm hoping they can expedite the process. If anyone has advice on how to navigate this situation or additional steps I can take, I would really appreciate it.

I'm currently navigating the job market in Canada, and it's been quite challenging. I'm in corporate and have received an offer from a fairly new company. However, I'm hesitant because the benefits are lacking. The industry standard typically offers 3 weeks of vacation, but this company only provides the federal minimum of 2 weeks. Additionally, there's no RRSP matching and the health/dental insurance is at the bare minimum. While I understand the need to take a job just to secure employment, I can't help but feel that I would need to continue my search for a company that meets the industry standards. I’m really looking for a long-term position, but I can't see myself committing to a place that doesn't offer at least the baseline benefits. The salary is also lower than what is typical for my experience, but I guess that's the reality of the current market.

I just signed up for a job fair called "Better Together" that's being held at a church. It feels a bit strange to me, but I'm in need of a job, so I figured I’d give it a shot. I'm curious if anyone else has attended one of these events and if they found it helpful or worthwhile. I’ve heard from a few people that churches often serve as venues for these fairs because they have the space and it’s cost-effective, especially in smaller towns. I hope it’s not too awkward, but I’m willing to overlook the setting if it leads to job opportunities.

I recently discovered that I qualify for a Pell Grant, and I'm considering whether giving up my current job to attend trade school for welding would improve my job prospects. Right now, I'm struggling to get hired anywhere and my annual income is under $9,200. I'm managing to survive by living with family, who help me pay my bills, and I rely on online donations and SNAP for food. I also have Medicaid to cover my health needs. I’ve received some encouraging advice from others suggesting that pursuing trade school could lead to better financial stability in the long run. They pointed out that while my current income is essentially part-time, getting trained as a welder or electrician could significantly increase my earning potential. Some comments emphasized the importance of gaining additional certifications in different types of welding, which could further enhance my job opportunities. However, I also need to consider the physical demands of welding and the potential for long-term career sustainability. I’m weighing my options carefully, but I'm leaning towards making this change to secure a better future.

I recently lost my job as a Marketing Manager, and it’s been a tough transition. One moment I was deep in strategy meetings, analyzing campaigns, and the next, I received a call from HR informing me of organizational changes. My company email was shut down, my laptop was taken back, and I was left to explain my sudden unemployment to my team. I find myself scrolling through LinkedIn, looking at job postings for roles like *Growth Lead* and *Digital Marketing Manager*, only to be discouraged by the requirements that seem to demand more than what I feel I have to offer. Despite having over five years of experience, a proven track record, and skills in managing budgets and leading teams, I feel lost. I’ve poured my heart into my work—nights and weekends spent crafting campaigns, defending ideas, and collaborating with my team. Now, I’m grappling with the reality of how to pay my bills next month. However, I’m trying to remind myself that being laid off doesn’t erase my experience. I’ve successfully turned around struggling campaigns and navigated complex projects. Those skills are still with me, and I need to focus on what I can build from here. I’ve seen others pivot into consulting, start their own agencies, or move into different roles like product marketing or business development. I know I need to update my CV, reach out to former colleagues, and perhaps even explore new avenues I hadn’t considered before. It’s a challenging time, but I’m determined to turn this setback into an opportunity for growth.

I am about to start interviewing again, and I can't help but feel nervous. In 2025, I went through a long stretch of interviews for numerous positions, and I realized that my anxiety affected my performance, especially for the roles I really wanted. I still feel disappointed about missing out on some of those opportunities. Now, I'm preparing for interviews again, including some with companies I previously interviewed at. I'm grateful for the chance to try again, but the pressure to perform well is weighing on me. I would appreciate any advice or encouragement as I navigate this challenging time.

I was recently laid off from my job and my company is relocating to Chicago, which means they are letting go of the entire staff. They've offered severance for those affected, but they also presented me with an opportunity to move to Chicago for a new role. The catch is that the new position comes with a title change and a salary of $69,000, which is actually $1,000 less than my current salary of $70,000. I'm feeling really uncertain about my next steps, especially since I have a newborn at home. To complicate matters, I recently made an offer on a house and I'm set to close in the next few weeks. The new job would start sometime next month, but I'm questioning if I should even consider it given the circumstances.

I'm in my mid-20s and part of Gen Z, with about 5 years of work experience across various fields. I was raised with the belief that if I focused on my education, learned as much as I could, and mastered English, I'd secure a good job. I have two degrees and several vocational certificates, but now I feel like my education is a disadvantage. It's frustrating to see that the job market is flooded with senior roles requiring 10+ years of experience or entry-level positions that only ask for a high school diploma. I’ve been applying to both types of jobs, but I keep getting rejected. I suspect my qualifications might be working against me, as many employers don't provide feedback. It’s disheartening to think that my passion for learning and diverse background might be viewed as overqualified or misaligned with what they need. I still believe in the value of education and experience, hoping that someday an employer will recognize the unique perspective I bring. I write personalized cover letters, hoping they’ll see the effort I put in, but I worry that they’re not even being read. I know I could save time by using AI to generate applications, but I want to present myself authentically. Am I being too idealistic? Should I consider downplaying some of my qualifications to get noticed? It feels like a double-edged sword, where what was once seen as an advantage now feels like a hindrance. I’m at a loss for what to do next.

I recently learned that The Trade Desk has laid off 15% of its staff following a disappointing performance in Q2. As someone who has been closely following the company's developments, this news is quite concerning. The layoffs seem to be a response to the challenges the company is facing in the current market. I'm currently assessing my own situation and considering my options in light of these changes.

I'm currently off sick from my job at a retail company, and I've just received an offer for a new position. I'm unsure about what this means for my notice period. I was genuinely planning to see my GP before I got the new job offer, so I don't feel guilty about taking sick leave. I've heard that I can resign while on sick leave, but I'm not clear on how my notice period will work in this situation. I plan to speak with my GP and HR to clarify whether they might agree to shorten my 4-week notice period. I want to make sure I handle this properly.

I was laid off at the end of July due to not getting along with my new manager, which was a tough situation to navigate. After that, I jumped straight into the job market and was fortunate enough to land a new position with a £10k pay rise. This new role starts in two weeks, and I signed the contract just last week. I'll be reporting directly to the Finance Director, who has assured me that he will give me the autonomy I desire. However, during the waiting period for my job offer, I connected with another recruiter who presented me with my ideal job: a hybrid role in central London, with only one direct report and direct access to the CFO. This role is very appealing compared to my new job, which is a four-day hybrid position in north London, where I will be managing an outsourced finance team. Now that the CFO is back from paternity leave, my recruiter has asked if I want to proceed with the interview for this ideal position. I said yes, but I’m feeling a lot of guilt about it. What if I do well in the interview and decide to take that job instead? I would hate to let down my new employer, especially since I’ve already signed a contract. I’m really torn because I value having fewer layers in the organization for more control and decision-making ability, as well as a good relationship with my manager. I’m seeking advice on what to do in this situation.

I was laid off from Uber after just three months as a Software Engineer I, following a pre-placement offer I received during my internship. It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when I had just started my career. I joined Uber as an intern, successfully delivered projects, and was thrilled to secure a PPO in April. After completing my internship in June, I jumped straight into my role as SWE I and had already wrapped up my first project in two months, with my second project also progressing well. However, everything changed one evening while I was deploying my code. I received an email stating my job had been impacted and I needed to leave. At first, I thought it was a phishing attempt; it felt unreal. After discussing with my manager, I realized it was true—my time at Uber had come to an abrupt end. I felt lost and confused, unsure of what to do next. There were no clear answers as to why this happened to me. I packed my belongings and left, grappling with uncertainty about my future. This experience taught me that layoffs can happen unexpectedly, and it’s a harsh reality that can affect anyone, regardless of how well they perform. I’m trying to stay positive, believing that everything happens for a reason. I’m now actively searching for new opportunities as a Software Engineer I, with about a year of experience in Go, Python, Java, C#, SQL, Backend, and AI/ML.

I just started a new job at my fourth firm in private practice, but I received a response from a company I've been wanting to join for a long time for an in-house role. I'm excited about the opportunity, but I'm unsure about how to approach the situation since they will likely conduct a background check. Should I be upfront about recently wrapping up my last role and taking some time to consider my next move? I could explain that while I was contemplating a career break, I couldn't pass up the chance to apply for this in-house position. Or should I pretend I'm still employed at my previous company? I'm leaning towards honesty, as I’ve heard that lying could lead to complications later on, especially if they confirm my employment dates. Any advice would be appreciated!

I recently applied for a position at a different company within the same parent corporation where I currently work. I was considering reaching out to the recruiter via Slack since we're in the same workspace. I'm unsure if messaging them would actually help my application. I’ve seen some advice suggesting that a brief message could be beneficial, so I’m thinking of saying something like, "Hey, I applied for [role] and noticed you’re recruiting for it. Happy to send anything else that would be useful." I want to keep it casual and not too pushy, but I also want to make sure my application gets noticed. Any thoughts on whether this is a good approach?