Planning

I recently received unemployment benefits in New Jersey while starting a small side gig doing AI training. I made a mistake in my weekly certification when I reported $0 in earnings for one week. I was unsure if the hours I logged would be approved and paid, and I ended up certifying incorrectly because I thought those hours might not count. Unfortunately, this led to a hold on my claim since the system saw earnings one week and none the next. After explaining my situation to an agent, the hold was released. Now, I've learned that the hours from that week were actually approved and will be paid, so I want to correct my previous certification. I'm unsure about the best way to do this. Should I call NJ Unemployment and ask them to amend it? I'm worried about potentially freezing my claim or having to fill out a questionnaire if I do. I also don't want to just add the earnings to a later week since they belong to the earlier week. If anyone has experience with this process or knows how to handle it properly, I would really appreciate your advice. I want to make sure I correct my good-faith mistake without causing further issues.

I just quit my first job ever, and honestly, I'm feeling a mix of sadness and relief. I'm a 19-year-old student who took a summer job at a cafe in a tourist area, which I got through a friend. Initially, I thought it was a decent gig, but I soon learned it was far from ideal. My boss was sexist and made offensive remarks, and I was hired on the spot without any paperwork, which was concerning. He had a strange way of interacting with employees, often bragging about his connections and career, which felt more uncomfortable than friendly. The tipping situation was also bizarre. It was a self-service cafe, so tips were usually low, but I enjoyed chatting with customers and managed to earn some decent tips. However, after not receiving my tips for weeks, I asked about the process, and my boss told me I would get them at the end of the week, which felt unusual. When I finally received my tips after two weeks, I suspected the amount was incorrect. My friend, who also worked there, hadn’t received her tips since May, and another friend who worked for just one day never got paid at all. After realizing how poorly the place was run, I decided to quit. I’m not confrontational, so I planned to make up an excuse about university commitments. But things escalated on my last day. A customer was talking to me, and my boss yelled at him to go away, making a rude comment about his nationality. I was shocked but tried to keep working. When I asked for my tips at the end of my shift, he said he would decide when I would get them, which confused me. He then got angry about my work schedule, and I just snapped. I told him that he should also pay my friend for her missing tips, and he was furious. I left the cafe feeling overwhelmed and cried afterward. I didn’t expect to feel this way, but I guess it was a lot to handle. I’m not looking for specific advice, just needed to vent about this whole experience.

I recently had an interview scheduled with a recruiter from Dev10 after passing my initial assessment and aptitude test. I was really excited about the opportunity, but unfortunately, I had to miss the interview due to a family emergency. My dad injured his eye while working on his truck, and since he couldn't drive, I had to take him to the doctor. I completely lost track of time and realized I had missed the interview only after I returned home. I received an email from the recruiter asking if everything was okay, and I promptly sent an apology explaining the situation. I expressed my continued interest in the position, but I'm now worried about how this might affect my chances with Dev10. I know that missing an interview can be detrimental, but I'm hoping that my circumstances might be taken into consideration. It's been a few hours since I reached out, and I'm still waiting for a response. I understand that these companies often need to fill positions quickly, so I'm curious if anyone has experience with how they handle missed interviews.

I was laid off in February while working in North Carolina, and I received a severance package tied to a very broad non-compete agreement. After my layoff, I attempted to take a job with a competitor in a different role, selling products that my former employer does not offer. However, I was forced to resign after receiving a cease and desist letter, which also extended my non-compete without any new consideration. I had consulted with my new employer about the non-compete, and they didn't see any issues. I even checked with my former employer before accepting the new role, and they didn't indicate that I couldn't take the position, despite me giving them the chance to be upfront about it. I'm now wondering if I've been wronged and if I should seek legal advice regarding this situation.

I received an offer for a retail position at Loblaws on September 1st, with a start date of September 5th. However, I didn't hear anything else from them until today, when I got a text from the manager confirming that I needed to attend orientation tomorrow from 12pm to 4pm. This message came just 23 hours before the orientation, which caught me off guard because I had already made plans for the long weekend. I'm feeling really torn about how to respond. My fiancé insists we stick to our plans, but I'm worried about potentially losing this job, especially since it's my first retail job in 15 years. I'm questioning if this short notice is a red flag or if I should have been more prepared given the start date. Any advice?

I recently started a new job as a [specific role] at [company name] about four weeks ago. Initially, I felt it was a good fit because the work was independent, allowing me to manage my frequent bathroom breaks without needing coverage. However, I was informed that starting next week, I will be training in a different area that requires coverage for breaks, which I’ve learned isn’t always guaranteed. I have a medical condition that causes me to urinate frequently—about 20-30 times a day due to pelvic floor dysfunction. While it’s somewhat controlled, stress and anxiety exacerbate the issue. During my shifts, I typically need to use the bathroom every 1-2 hours, which is challenging in a role that requires constant coverage. I’m considering whether I should ask for accommodations to ensure I have access to the bathroom when needed, but I’m also worried about the implications for my health coverage due to my income level. It might be easier to find a different job rather than navigate this situation. I’m feeling quite stressed and anxious about the whole ordeal and unsure of the best path forward.

I recently received information regarding my severance pay from Centene, where I worked as a claims analyst. The severance package details were communicated to us, and I noted that the pay dates are set for September 4th. I'm currently navigating the transition and trying to plan my next steps.

I am currently preparing for a phone hearing regarding my unemployment benefits in Ohio. My former employer has been appealing my claim and has lost at every stage so far. Their written appeal was vague, simply stating that I "wasn't performing" without any evidence to back it up. The termination letter I received didn't specify a reason for my dismissal either; I was only told that "it's just not working out," which left me confused about the actual reason for my termination. I have submitted a request to obtain any information they may have provided for the hearing, but I don't expect much since I was never formally warned about any performance issues. I've noticed that they are using a third-party business service firm to handle their unemployment claims, and I'm unsure if this is a bad sign or if it's a common practice. I have to admit, I'm feeling quite nervous about the hearing as I've never been involved in anything like this before. I don't have any documentation since they were quick to let me go after informing me of my termination. I'm wondering if I need a lawyer for this process or if I can manage it on my own. Additionally, I'm considering whether I should gather any emails, texts, or witnesses that might support my case.

I’ve been working as a receptionist for about a year now, and the experience has been overwhelming. After about four months, I was unexpectedly promoted to take on a role that was previously held by someone else who was let go. I received minimal training—just an hour each day for a week—before I was expected to handle everything on my own. It was chaotic, and I felt completely unprepared. In this new role, I found myself doing accounting work, which I had no background in. I’m not an accountant, and I didn’t study for this. My bosses have a specific way of pricing, and I often have to check everything manually, which is time-consuming and prone to mistakes. Although I’ve improved somewhat, I was recently given another responsibility that has made my workload even more unmanageable. I feel like I’m constantly falling behind and it’s affecting my confidence. I dread facing my tasks and often end up leaving work without accomplishing anything. I struggle with feelings of incompetence and avoid applying for new jobs because I’m afraid I won’t be qualified. Financially, I could afford to leave this job, but I worry about how long it would take to find something new and what would happen to my current responsibilities. I feel lost and overwhelmed, and I’m not sure what to do next.

I’m thrilled to share that after sending out over 200 applications, I finally received an offer that I’m genuinely excited about! The terms are fantastic for fractional work, and there’s potential for it to turn into a full-time role. The founder has a solid business model that’s already performing well and is looking to scale, which aligns perfectly with my experience in previous positions. For anyone still on the job hunt, I’d like to offer some advice based on my experience: - Most of my interviews came through referrals. - My referrals weren’t always from people I worked closely with, but they were willing to help. - Don’t hesitate to ask for introductions; people are usually happy to assist. - It’s okay to hear 'no' sometimes, and rejection is part of the process. - Keep pushing forward; your opportunity is out there, but you have to actively seek it. - The job market is tough, so unless you have niche skills, you need to take initiative to create your own opportunities. I’m feeling optimistic and grateful for this new chapter!

I recently received an interview offer from a recruiter for a position that would significantly increase my responsibilities compared to my current role as an HR specialist for the state government, where I've been for a little over 8 months. The new role involves supporting multiple facilities, focusing on employee relations, conflict resolution, and employee retention, primarily in healthcare HR for five long-term care centers. While I understand the job description and can envision myself performing the tasks, I have concerns since I haven't worked in healthcare HR before. My current duties mainly involve document management and compliance, which differ from the strategic employee retention focus of the new role. My background includes a year as an industrial recruiter, where I handled everything from sourcing candidates to onboarding, and 4.5 years in retail management, overseeing a large team and managing employee relations. I also co-managed a restaurant for two years, but none of that experience directly translates to the healthcare HR environment. I'm torn between being rational and analyzing the potential steep learning curve versus seizing the opportunity for an interview, especially in today's job market. I’m leaning towards taking the interview, but I’d love to hear any advice or thoughts on whether I should move forward with it.

I recently graduated in May and spent four months searching for a job. I finally received an offer from a nonprofit organization in the city I've always wanted to live in. The role aligns with my career goals, and the benefits are decent, but the pay is on the lower side, and they don’t offer any relocation assistance. This has made me hesitant about moving, even though I really want to be in that city. I'm considering signing a short-term lease to mitigate the risk if I do decide to move. On top of that, I have an upcoming interview for a position in my current location. It's not my dream job, but it offers more stability and better pay. However, there's no guarantee that I will get it. I feel a lot of pressure since I'm currently staying with family, and I've been feeling like a burden. I really want to find my own place and start my career.

I was laid off two weeks ago from my position as a Business Development Manager in tech, where I was earning around $275K. Since then, I've been actively applying for jobs, networking, and reaching out to founders and hiring managers, but the uncertainty of my situation looms over me. I might get lucky and find a similar role soon, or I could be unemployed for six months. Recently, three startups from my home country contacted me. I know the founders personally, and they want me to help them expand into the US market as their go-to-market and business development person. However, they can't offer me a salary that matches the NYC tech standards. The proposed arrangement is intriguing but risky: I wouldn't have a base salary, but I would earn about 30% of the revenue I generate. Since none of these companies require a full-time commitment, I could potentially work with all three on a fractional basis. I'm grappling with the idea that commission-only work might be a huge red flag, making it feel like I'm agreeing to work for free. Yet, I wonder about the potential upside. I'm currently unemployed, so I could dedicate 30-40% of my time to these startups while continuing my job search. If I manage to close deals, I could earn some income, and if one of these ventures gains traction, it could lead to something more significant. If it doesn't work out, I can always walk away when I find another job. I'm curious if anyone has experience with this kind of commission-only work between jobs. Am I overlooking any major pitfalls?

I recently went through a tough restructuring at my company, where I work in the tech field. My department was hit hard, and most of my teammates were told they needed to reapply for new roles that none of us felt prepared for. Unfortunately, three of my colleagues were let go, and while I managed to keep my job, the atmosphere is filled with sadness and anxiety. I received a new title and a few months to learn my new responsibilities, but it feels like a hollow victory. I’ve started applying for new jobs because I don’t want to stay at this company anymore. However, after sending out around 40 applications and only landing one interview—which didn’t lead to anything—I feel trapped. I’ve adjusted my resume and cover letters multiple times, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference. The job market feels bleak, especially with so many layoffs happening in big tech companies. It’s disheartening and makes me question if I’m the problem. I just wanted to share my experience and see if anyone else feels stuck in their current job like I do. I’m hoping to find something better soon, but the current job landscape is really challenging.

I recently left my job after two years to join a new company, but I'm already feeling overwhelmed just a couple of months in. The stress from my previous role was affecting my health, so I thought a change would be good. However, every Friday at 4pm, without fail, my trainer throws a major issue my way or asks for an urgent call, adding more work to my plate right before the weekend. The first week it happened, I was annoyed but managed to communicate that my work would be completed by Monday morning. Yet, it keeps happening, and I’ve started blocking my calendar to protect my time. Despite my efforts, the urgency of these requests escalates each week, and the vibe has shifted from casual to frantic. I feel like I’m constantly on the brink of trouble, and it’s draining me. This week was particularly bad; I even had to take sick leave because the stress was so high. I reached out to a recruiter for new opportunities, but the job market seems bleak right now. I’m looking for advice on how to handle this situation, as it’s ruining my weekends and leaving me burnt out.

I have been in the interview process for an administrative position at a special education school for about three weeks now. I've completed walkthroughs and met with the school's owner/principal, and I'm currently in the reference contact phase. I was informed that I should expect a decision by the end of the week. Recently, I took some time to research the role more thoroughly and came across some very negative reviews on Glassdoor from former staff members, which were posted last year. During my initial tour, I did inquire about employee turnover rates and staff satisfaction, but I'm now wondering if I should bring up these negative reviews during the final stages of the interview process. I’m curious if anyone has experience mentioning such reviews at this point.

I just received my offer letter for a new role in South Carolina, and I'm feeling a bit anxious. This will be my first salaried position, and I forgot to ask about a couple of important things during the interview process. Specifically, I need to know if I can leave early two times a week, switching from an 8-hour to a 6-hour shift. I've reached out to the recruiter for clarification but haven't heard back yet, and I'm on a tight deadline to get this sorted out by Tuesday. The company has a strict onsite policy, requiring me to be there five days a week, which is fine, but the commute is a hefty 150 miles round trip. I'm used to a more flexible schedule in my current job, and with family commitments and only one vehicle, I really need to understand their operating schedule. The pay increase from $64,000 to $87,000 is significant, but I’m starting to wonder if the long commute will offset that bump. I’d appreciate any advice on how to approach this situation.

I was recently laid off from my previous company. They informed me on Tuesday that I needed to resign, and my last day was that Friday, so I left the organization within just four days. The dates are clearly stated in the resignation acceptance letter I received. Now, I'm uncertain about how to approach my job search. Should I be upfront with HR and mention that I was laid off, or can I frame it as a voluntary resignation? I'm also worried about how this layoff might impact my job hunt moving forward.

My son-in-law has been out of work for 9 months after being laid off from his Product Manager role due to downsizing. With the holiday season approaching, he urgently needs to find a job in the SF Bay Area. He’s actively networking with past colleagues and has a solid background, including AI coursework from Stanford and experience with vibe coding. He even had his resume reviewed by a professional career coach. Despite being a finalist for several positions, he keeps losing out to internal candidates or those with more experience, which is understandably frustrating for him. I’m looking for effective strategies to help him secure interviews quickly. Some suggestions I’ve received include broadening his job search beyond just product management and considering roles in financial institutions or the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. It seems that being open to in-office positions could also increase his chances, as the tech market in the Bay Area is reportedly picking up again for those willing to work on-site. I've learned that applying to jobs is now a numbers game, especially with the influx of resumes enhanced by AI. He needs to make applying a regular part of his day. However, I’m concerned that the real issue might be converting interviews into job offers, as he may not be showcasing the strategic thinking that employers are looking for. Overall, it’s a tough market for tech roles, especially in product management, and I’m eager to hear any additional advice or strategies that could help him land a job soon.

I currently work at a non-profit in a technical role, earning $90K while living in a very high cost of living area. My commute is an hour each way, and I have a hybrid schedule of two days in the office and two remote, working a four-day week. As I prepare for the arrival of my first child in December, I'm feeling the pressure to advance my career. My wife earns $150K, but her field is at risk of being heavily impacted by AI, so we are focused on paying off our mortgage and aiming for financial independence. With my boss retiring in March, I see an opportunity to transition from my technical role to a more hybrid position that combines technical and people management as a director of operations, targeting a salary of $115K with a three-day in-office and two-day remote schedule. I plan to spend the time before his departure transferring knowledge to ensure a smooth transition. However, I've been looking for director roles externally and have faced rejections after interviews. I hold an MBA and an MPA, which I obtained for free, and I feel like I need to make a move soon. Staying in my current role means I would have to dedicate almost all my free time to studying for the LSAT, which isn't ideal as I want to be present for my family. I'm worried about a few things: 1. If I express to my boss that I can take on more responsibilities, he might either offer it without a pay increase or reduce my hours to part-time. He's difficult to read, and while I don't think he would do that, I've seen nicer people make unexpected decisions. 2. If I stay stagnant in my current role, I could be unprepared if layoffs occur due to a worsening economy. 3. I want to support my wife fully, especially with the added daycare costs of around $30K once we start that phase. We don't have family nearby who can help out more than once a week, and asking for that is a challenge. I'm seeking advice from anyone who has faced similar situations or has insights on how to navigate this.