Planning

I’m reaching out to help my brother, who is currently in a tough spot at Microsoft where he works as a principal engineer. He has over 15 years of experience and has a solid educational background, having studied computer science at NCSU and scoring 335 on the GRE from a top institution in India. However, he feels sidelined in his current role and is concerned about his job security. He is on a work visa and has a family to support, including a middle school child, so he wants to avoid any disruption in their lives. I’m looking for advice on how to best prepare him for a job search and assist him in finding a new role. Any tips or strategies would be greatly appreciated.

I recently quit my part-time job because the work environment had become unbearable. My boss was the worst, expecting me to handle the workload of three people while underpaying me. I received a $0.30 raise after a long time, which felt more like an insult than an incentive. It was frustrating to see him micromanage while I juggled multiple tasks, only to have him add more to my plate. Last Christmas, he gave me a gift that was just two Hershey kisses and an opened can of cookies, which felt incredibly thoughtless given his salary. After a particularly rough day when I was sick and had to come in because he wouldn't let anyone else cover for me, I decided enough was enough and handed in my resignation. I’m currently finishing grad school and struggling with student loans, and while I’ve been applying to jobs, I haven’t had much luck. My two weeks notice ends next week, and now I’m second-guessing my decision to leave without another job lined up.

I was let go from my first adult state job just four weeks in. At 22, I started working as a file clerk in my state's government branch, thinking it would be similar to my previous part-time role. However, the office culture was different and the longer commute added to my stress. I was quick with record searches and tried hard to keep up, but I eventually burned out. When my supervisor noticed I was overwhelmed, I opened up about my struggles. They expected me to manage calls from every county, handle Zoom meetings, and conduct record searches all at once. I expressed my desire to stay and learn, even when they suggested I might want to resign. I had a productive day and felt accomplished, but then my supervisor and the manager called me in and informed me they decided to let me go, saying I wasn't a good fit. It was heartbreaking, especially seeing my supervisor in tears. Now, I feel lost and terrible about the whole situation. I've been reflecting on what I can improve, but I’m also considering going back to my old job where my previous manager is willing to take me back.

I'm currently facing a tough situation as a community college student studying computer science. My priority right now is to find a job, but I'm feeling completely stuck. I live with abusive parents who don't support me, and I need to move out urgently. I have no work experience, but I do have my GED, a driver's license, and I've earned my CompTIA A+ certification. However, I don't have a car, and public transportation options in my rural area are very limited. I've considered renting a car, but that would leave me financially strained. I've been searching for remote job opportunities in IT and coding, but so far, I've had no luck. I'm open to any job, but ideally, I'd like something related to my field. I'm also looking for advice on how to improve my transportation situation or any skills I could learn that would allow me to work remotely.

I recently found myself in a bit of a predicament at my job. I work for a small fund, and about a week ago, our executive director announced that we would be partnering with a much larger company in the coming months. This news came with the introduction of what this new company would be "assisting" us with, and it turns out that it encompasses my entire department's workload. When I asked about what our roles would be moving forward, the response was vague, with the assurance that no one would be losing their jobs. However, I can't shake the feeling of uncertainty. How will they manage to pay both us and the new company's employees? I'm left wondering how likely it is that I might get laid off. I've seen some comments suggesting that I should start applying elsewhere, which is definitely weighing on my mind. It feels like I'm in a precarious position, and I wish I had more clarity about my job security.

I have an interview tomorrow for a deli clerk position at Save On Foods. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, especially since my last post about job searching received a lot of negativity. This time, I really want to do well and show that I can handle the responsibilities of the role. I know that this isn't a fast food job like McDonald's, so I expect a more in-depth interview process. I'm reaching out for advice on how to prepare effectively. I've heard that practicing common deli scenarios and familiarizing myself with the products could be beneficial. Any tips or insights would be greatly appreciated!

I had a final round interview on Tuesday for a position that seemed like a great fit. The team was relaxed, and the hiring manager indicated they were ready to move forward. However, today I received an email from HR requesting three references, which is pretty standard. What caught me off guard was that one of the references has to be my current manager. They specifically asked for my direct supervisor, not a former boss or coworker. I quickly replied, explaining that I haven't given my notice yet because I don't have a signed offer. Contacting my boss now would jeopardize my current job. The recruiter responded within ten minutes, stating that it's company policy to verify current performance and suggested that if I have a transparent relationship with my manager, it shouldn't be an issue. Honestly, who in their right mind would tell their boss they are looking to leave? It feels like a huge risk to put my current job on the line before I even have an offer. I’m considering using a Google Voice number to protect my current situation.

I recently interviewed for an associate-level position at PNC and went through two rounds of interviews that felt promising. The managers expressed appreciation for my background and indicated they wanted to keep me in mind for other roles if this one didn't work out. Unfortunately, I found out that the position was filled, but the same managers told me they were impressed with my performance and had shared my resume with several partners across the company who are looking for candidates for higher-level positions. They seemed genuinely excited to help me connect with other opportunities within PNC. While I'm disappointed about not getting the job, I'm trying to gauge how significant this follow-up really is. I wonder if this is a common practice at PNC to soften the blow of a rejection, or if it actually leads to real opportunities. Has anyone else had a similar experience where your resume was passed along to other departments at PNC after a rejection? If so, how long did it take before you were contacted for another role? I'm continuing my job search, but I'm curious about the likelihood of this leading to something more.

I recently helped a friend navigate a challenging situation after he received a pre-adverse action notice following a background check for a remote job at a large national company. My friend has a misdemeanor conviction for evading arrest/detention from a few years ago, which was flagged by the employer using First Advantage for the background check. Despite this, he responded to the notice honestly, taking full responsibility for his past actions and explaining why they weren't relevant to the job he was applying for. He emphasized his work history and the time that had passed since the incident. After a week of waiting, we received the good news: the background check and drug screen were successfully completed, and he was cleared to start. This experience taught me the importance of not assuming a pre-adverse notice means automatic rejection. Instead, it's crucial to respond thoughtfully and address the employer's specific concerns. If you're in a similar situation, I encourage you to be honest about your past, highlight your qualifications, and focus on how you've changed since then. Every case is unique, but I hope sharing this outcome can help someone else who might be feeling anxious after receiving a pre-adverse notice.

I recently went through an exhausting interview process that lasted three months for a role at a large tech company. After leaving my long-term job of 15 years in March, I was contacted by a recruiter in late May about this opportunity. Over the course of the next few months, I completed five interviews, including a recruiter screen, a meeting with the hiring director, a local team meeting, an interview with the senior VP, and an in-person coffee with the hiring manager. I felt confident after each step, especially when the local team expressed their intention to recommend me for the position. The senior VP also seemed impressed and indicated that they wanted to fill the role quickly, which made me optimistic. However, after my last meeting with the hiring manager, who casually mentioned that he was still considering other candidates and that the hiring process could take another month or two, I started to feel uncertain. Despite my attempts to clarify any concerns he might have had about my candidacy, he reassured me that there were no reservations. Now, ten days have passed since that meeting, and I haven't heard back. I'm struggling to interpret this situation. It feels like they've moved on, and I'm left wondering if this kind of delay is normal at this stage or if it suggests that I'm being considered as a backup candidate. The emotional rollercoaster has been tough, especially since I thought the in-person meeting was a positive sign that we were close to sealing the deal.

I was recently laid off and I'm currently seeking my next opportunity or some freelance work. I have over 5 years of experience working with React Native, primarily focused on building and maintaining production mobile applications, as well as handling backend and API development. If anyone knows of a team that is hiring or if you have connections looking for a React Native developer, I would greatly appreciate your help. I'm also open to any tips or advice on navigating this job search.

Today, I was laid off from my finance job in Montreal, just a week shy of completing my six-month probation period. The company offered me one month of base pay as severance, while the statutory amount is only two weeks. I'm unsure if I should accept this offer or if I should negotiate further. I have a week to decide, and I'm looking for advice on whether this package is reasonable given my situation.

I recently found myself in a difficult situation at my company, where I've been working for five years. They just announced a restructuring, and unfortunately, my current role is being eliminated. They've offered me a 'new' position, but it's essentially the same job with a 15% pay cut. This feels incredibly disheartening, especially since I've consistently exceeded expectations during my time here. I'm really torn about what to do. I have bills to pay and a family to support, so I can't afford to be without a job. I'm wondering if this pay cut is even legal and if anyone else has faced a similar situation. Should I negotiate for a better offer, or is it wiser to start looking for a new job right away? I'm feeling the pressure and would appreciate any advice.

I recently learned that my consulting firm will be undergoing an evaluation by an outside consulting firm to determine potential layoffs over the next few months. I'm curious about the criteria they will consider beyond just salary and performance metrics. I've heard that factors like time taken off and tenure might come into play, but I'm not entirely sure. From what I've gathered in discussions, it seems that for individual contributors, utilization rates and performance scores are key indicators, while leadership roles might be assessed based on sales metrics. It appears the main goal is to retain top performers while quickly letting go of lower performers. I'm feeling a bit anxious about this process and wondering how it will affect my position.

A few days ago, I applied for a new job that aligns closely with my current role, but it offers a higher salary. I found the position on Indeed and quickly got a response from a recruiter to schedule an interview. Just a day later, I received another message from a different company that also found my resume on Indeed. They have a similar job opening but with a starting pay of $23 an hour, compared to the first job's range of $18-22. I'm hesitant to cancel the first interview because I don't want to miss out on that opportunity, but I'm also worried about potentially losing the second job if I wait too long. The interview for the first job is set for Friday, and I'm trying to reschedule it for Tuesday to give the second company more time to respond. I feel like I'm overthinking this situation, and I'm not sure what the best course of action is.

I just landed a new job in tech, starting next week, but I’m feeling overwhelmed about my finances more than anything else. I've been laid off a few times, and it’s really taken a toll on my budgeting. I’ve always been paid biweekly, which made budgeting straightforward for me. I split my bills into two halves of the month, and it worked well. Now, my new role pays weekly, and I’m struggling to reorganize my budget. I know it’s the same amount of money, just distributed differently, but it’s messing with my head. I’m trying to figure out how to adjust my system that I’ve relied on for years. On top of that, I’ve accumulated a significant amount of credit card debt during my periods of unemployment. I was finally getting back on track after my last layoff, but now I’m worried about how to consistently pay down that debt with my employment being so unstable. It feels like every time I make progress, another layoff happens, and I’m back to square one, using what I’ve saved to cover essentials instead of paying down my debt. I’m grateful to have a new job, but I really want to stay employed long enough to build some financial stability. I just wish I could go back to biweekly paychecks; my brain understands that system so much better. I know I should be saving more and building a larger emergency fund, but I haven’t had a long enough stretch of steady income to make that happen. It’s just incredibly frustrating trying to create financial stability when my employment keeps getting interrupted.

I'm currently trying to figure out the best way to track the headcount from the recent layoffs at my previous company. I'm looking for tips on how to gather this information while keeping it discreet enough to share publicly. I wonder if anyone has suggestions on how to get an accurate count without raising any flags. I’ve heard of websites like layoffs.fyi, but they seem to focus mainly on tech companies. Any advice would be appreciated!

I recently wrapped up a two-month temporary contract as a Project and Data Support Analyst, but unfortunately, they couldn't extend my role due to a lack of work. My manager was kind enough to look for other opportunities within the company, and it seems there might be a Customer Success Manager (CSM) position opening up in about six weeks. However, I'm left waiting for confirmation, which is stressful given my visa situation and the current job market. In the meantime, I received a referral from a former teammate to apply for an HRIS Analyst position at their spouse's company. They offered me a contract role for about 120 days, with the potential for extension and full-time opportunities. The pay is great, but I'm hesitant because I've never worked in HR before. They made it clear that they need someone to take charge of their ADP system, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the responsibility. Additionally, I have an offer for a Project Coordinator role, which is a six-month contract with a chance for extension and full-time employment. This role is the most familiar to me, as I've been doing similar work throughout my career, but the pay is significantly lower. I'm feeling confused and stressed about which direction to take. The HRIS role offers great pay and a chance to learn something new, but I'm worried about my ability to succeed in that area. The Project Coordinator role feels like a safer choice, but it doesn't pay well and is more of the same. I'm really seeking any advice or insights on how to navigate this decision.

I just received a WARN notice alert for Sundqiust Fruit LLC in Washington State. I signed up for notifications to stay updated on any new layoffs, and this one just dropped. If you work there, I recommend starting your job search immediately because the deadline to find a new position is November 15th. It's a good reminder to stay proactive in these uncertain times.

I was laid off from my position as a practice manager at Abrazo on August 21. This has left me feeling extremely defeated, especially since I've never been unemployed before. I have two kids to support on my own, along with an apartment and car payment to manage. I've been actively applying for new jobs and was fortunate enough to secure an interview with Banner, followed by a second interview. However, I'm worried about a disorderly conduct charge on my record from November 2025, which stemmed from a verbal argument with my downstairs neighbor. Both of us were charged, and while I know this incident is minor, it's the first time I've had to consider how it might affect my job prospects in healthcare. I live in Phoenix, Arizona, and I'm trying to remain hopeful, but the stress is overwhelming. I just want to stay strong for my kids and find a new job soon.