Planning

I’ve been feeling stuck in my career and am seeking a change. My background is entirely in childcare, but I’ve noticed a significant decline in my enjoyment of the job over the past year. This year has been particularly tough as I lost my unborn baby, which led me to take some time off work. During this period, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect and I’ve come to realize two important things: first, I’ve reached a point of complete burnout where I hardly recognize myself, and second, I’ve outgrown this stage of my life. I’m eager for a new challenge in a different field that I can truly enjoy. I’ve always dreamed of being self-employed because I value flexibility and freedom, but I feel lost on how to transition from my current situation to pursuing that goal. I know life is too short to remain unhappy, but I also rely on my current income to pay my bills, so quitting isn’t an option for me right now. I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

I just received an email inviting me to a group interview at Lovisa in two days, and I’m feeling really anxious about it since I’ve never participated in a group interview before. From what I’ve gathered online, I’ll need to introduce a partner, style someone for a specific occasion, and roleplay a tough customer situation. I think I can handle the roleplay, but I’m still nervous. This is my first interview in months, and I really need this job. If anyone has specifics on what a Lovisa interview is like or tips on what to say, I’d really appreciate the help!

I was recently fired from my remote position at a company based in Utah while I was working from Florida. The reason given for my termination was performance issues, but I have documentation of my evaluations and a previous verbal warning related to confidence issues. I'm feeling really confused because two different HR representatives assured me that they don't dispute unemployment benefits, which was also mentioned in my severance agreement. However, it seems like someone from HR may have provided information that contradicts that. I have submitted an appeal for unemployment benefits and am waiting for them to schedule a call with me. I included my most recent evaluation, the old verbal warning, and FMLA paperwork since my firing came shortly after I returned from medical leave. I'm worried about whether I will get approved for benefits, especially since I have evidence supporting my case. I'm considering reaching out to HR to ask why I was misled, but I want to gather more information before I react emotionally. I’m just trying to figure out my next steps and whether I have a strong case for the benefits.

I recently faced a challenging situation after moving from Virginia to North Carolina in December. I had arranged with my employer to work from home, but shortly after my move, the company closed down. When I tried to file for unemployment, I discovered that my employer had my Social Security number incorrectly listed in their system. This led to complications in my claim, and I was advised by an unemployment representative to fax my Social Security card along with a note to their office. In May, I managed to secure a new job, but just two weeks ago, I received a letter stating that I was approved for unemployment benefits. Now, I'm in the process of seeking back pay for the weeks I was unemployed. To do this, I need to submit a list of jobs I applied to during that time. I'm feeling anxious about how likely it is that I will actually receive back pay, as the period without income was incredibly tough for my family and me. I applied to numerous jobs almost every day and have a solid work history, having been employed since I was 15. This was my first experience with unemployment benefits, and I'm reaching out to see if anyone has been in a similar situation and what their outcomes were. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I just learned that Thomson Reuters is planning to cut a small number of engineering jobs, specifically up to 500 roles globally. This is about 1.8% of their total workforce, which is around 27,100 employees, and it hits their operations and technology unit particularly hard at 5.2%. The reason behind these layoffs seems to be their push to integrate artificial intelligence into their workflows to keep up with customer demands in legal, tax, and regulatory areas. Interestingly, despite these cuts, the company is also looking to hire more than 250 new engineering roles over the next two years, focusing on senior positions and talent that is well-versed in AI. This seems to be part of a larger trend in the tech industry, where companies are letting go of staff while simultaneously seeking out new hires with specialized skills in AI. It feels like a mixed message, especially when I see comments pointing out the irony of cutting jobs now only to seek out 'AI-native' developers later. The job market is definitely feeling the strain.

I have just two weeks left until I officially get laid off from my job as an e-commerce clerk at a hardware company. This was my first job after graduating, and I was responsible for managing the entire backend process, which included keying in 100-200 orders daily and reconciling invoices with payments in our accounting system. Recently, my company decided to automate the backend process to reduce stock discrepancies, which has significantly cut down my workload. I can now complete my tasks in just an hour each day instead of the entire workday. I suspect that this reduction in workload is a key reason for my impending termination. Additionally, I made mistakes on a new task my supervisor assigned me at the last minute, just two hours before the end of my shift on a Friday. He only provided minimal guidance and expected it to be done urgently for a soft opening on Monday. A week later, he blamed me for the errors, which feels unfair given the circumstances. I can't shake the feeling that he might have set me up to take the fall, possibly to impress the CEO. I don’t have a backup plan and honestly just want to take a break from job hunting for a few months to play games. Luckily, I have enough savings to last about six months, and my bills are manageable.

I'm currently looking for new opportunities in Southern California, Northern California, Seattle, New York City, Atlanta, or even Madrid. I'm specifically interested in roles related to strategy & operations, go-to-market (GTM), or revenue operations (RevOps). I've been trying to break into the HealthTech and AI startup sectors, but I've hit a wall with my job search. It's been six months, and I haven't been able to get past the third round of interviews. I have 3.5 years of experience in big four consulting, and I've spent the last six months in a finance role, which I find unfulfilling. On top of that, I'm fluent in four languages and have a strong passion for AI workflows and optimizing team efficiency, including managing offshore resources. To sweeten the deal, I'm willing to offer three months of my pre-tax salary as a bonus, plus hopefully a referral bonus for you!

As a recruiter with years of experience, I've seen the job market transform, especially since COVID. It's disheartening to witness so many people struggling to navigate this complex landscape. I spend a lot of my time offering advice and support to those in need. I want to share some thoughts that might help others who are job searching. The application process is a mess right now. Candidates are inundating job postings, often with AI-enhanced resumes, while recruiters are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of applications. It's a tough situation for everyone involved. One piece of advice I often give is that networking should be a continuous effort, not just something you do when you need a job. From the moment you start your career, people are forming opinions about you—your coworkers, managers, clients, and vendors. If you're dependable and passionate about your work, those positive impressions can lead to opportunities down the line. Many companies have moved away from traditional reference checks, relying instead on informal ones. If someone in a hiring position knows your previous employer, they might ask about you. If the feedback isn’t glowing, it could cost you the job before you even get an interview. To stand out, I recommend being kind, showing integrity, and helping your teammates. If you’re currently job searching, talk to as many people as you can—friends, former colleagues, or anyone in your desired field. Every conversation could lead to valuable advice or connections. Also, consider forming a support group with others in the same boat. Share leads, practice interviews, and encourage each other. Job searching can be mentally exhausting, and having support can make a significant difference. While applying for jobs is important, don't rely solely on that method. The online application process can feel like sending your resume into a black hole. Lastly, if you know someone looking for work, reach out. Offer to listen and help however you can. Sometimes, just knowing someone is there for you can make all the difference during a challenging job search. I recently read about an unspoken code among sailors: when one capsizes, others go looking for them. It’s a reminder that we should support each other in tough times. Good luck to everyone out there!

I had a scheduled recruiter call with an e-commerce firm today at 1 PM, but the recruiter didn't show up. I reached out via email to see if there was a mix-up or if I missed any communication, but I haven't received a response. Despite this, I went ahead and rescheduled the interview for tomorrow using their scheduling link. The company has a good reputation, but I'm feeling uncertain about the professionalism of their recruiting process.

I received an interview offer for a job I applied for on Indeed, but the listing has since expired. I submitted my application about a month ago and was surprised to still get this offer. I’m wondering if this is a common occurrence. I’ve seen comments suggesting that it happens frequently due to reposts or recruiters forgetting to close listings. Given the current job market's slow pace, I’m considering responding to the interview offer despite the listing status.

I just learned that Frito Lay is shutting down their warehouse in Raleigh, which means nearly 70 of us will be laid off. It's disheartening to see a company prioritize profit over their employees. The comments from others reflect a similar frustration about rising prices and the impact on workers. I'm now facing the challenge of finding a new job in this tough market.

I recently applied for a corporate position within my current company, where I work in an on-the-ground role. The job was posted internally two weeks before I noticed it, and I jumped at the chance to apply. Now, two weeks later, I've received an email to schedule a phone screening. I'm aware that this is just the beginning of a lengthy process, likely involving multiple interviews. However, I'm feeling hopeful because the email came from a recruiter, and it mentioned that my screening will be with the hiring manager, who is also the head of the department I'm aiming to join. I'm trying to stay grounded and not get my hopes too high, but I can't help but wonder if this is a sign that they see me as a strong candidate. Any thoughts?

I've been facing a tough time with my job search lately, receiving repeated rejections despite making it to the 3rd or 4th round of interviews with various executives. It’s disheartening to put in so much effort and still not land an offer. I’ve been trying to analyze my performance during these interviews, as it seems my resume is getting me through the door, but something is off in how I present myself. I've considered recording my responses to common interview questions to identify any areas for improvement. A friend of mine mentioned they had a similar experience where they went through multiple interviews only to receive an instant rejection without any feedback. The job market feels incredibly challenging right now, and I’m starting to think about applying more broadly and tweaking my resume to increase my chances. It's frustrating to feel like I'm a competitive candidate but still struggling to secure a position.

I recently lost my full-time job and was on unemployment for a few weeks. During this time, I managed to secure a part-time job that has weeks off intermittently. After filing for unemployment, I included both my previous full-time job and my new part-time job on the application for one of the weeks off from the part-time position. However, my part-time employer informed me that I should only be filing under my former full-time job and not include the part-time job. This has left me feeling confused about the correct process. I thought I was allowed to report both jobs and retain my benefits during the off weeks, especially if my earnings were below the benefit amount. I've been trying to reach out to the unemployment office for clarification, but their phone lines are always busy. Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I recently accepted a job offer at School A and was set to start onboarding tomorrow at 9:30 AM. I was really excited about this opportunity, but then I received a call from School B, where I had previously worked, offering me a position just 10 minutes after I accepted with School A. After some consideration, I decided to go with School B because I enjoy the management and the work environment there. Now, I'm faced with the dilemma of how to handle the situation with School A. Friends and family have advised me to simply not show up for onboarding, but I feel that it would be more professional to formally withdraw my acceptance. I plan to call or email them to apologize and explain that a previous employer reached out with an offer that I couldn't refuse. I want to ensure I handle this respectfully, as I believe in maintaining good relationships for the future.

I recently received a poor mid-year review from my boss just four months into my role as an analyst at a financial services firm. This has been a challenging experience for me, especially since I had been getting positive feedback from the AVP I work closely with. My boss's review was surprising and felt more like a summary of the last two weeks rather than an assessment of my overall performance since I started in March. During my first few months, I was proactive and flexible, especially when the AVP and another analyst were out for three weeks. I took on a lot of responsibilities and learned quickly, but it seemed that my boss only focused on the negatives. He often got frustrated and raised his voice when I asked questions or tried to take notes, which made it difficult for me to learn effectively. In his review, he pointed out that my attention to detail, ownership, communication, and responsiveness to feedback needed significant improvement. He mentioned that I had made repeated errors in my work, which I acknowledged, but I felt that the overall context of my contributions was overlooked. The feedback included specific expectations for the remainder of the year, such as becoming proficient in Allocations and Onboarding functions, improving my attention to detail, and asking questions more proactively. It was disheartening to see my efforts not recognized, and I'm now left to navigate this development plan while trying to prove my capabilities. I’m committed to improving, but I’m also considering my options if the situation doesn’t change.

I’m currently unemployed in Texas and I’ve received notifications about needing to keep a work search log each week. I’m unsure if I actually need to submit this log or just keep it for my records. I want to make sure I’m following the requirements correctly. If anyone has experience with this, I’d appreciate guidance on whether I need to submit the log and what the deadlines are for submission each week.

I recently opened my UBS account and created a Work in Texas account as part of my unemployment application process. However, I'm feeling a bit confused about the next steps. My claim is currently under review, and I'm wondering if there's anything else I need to do while I wait for a decision. Any guidance would be appreciated!

I'm currently in my third year of engineering, specializing in VLSI Design, but I've come to realize that I'm not interested in pursuing this field anymore. I've been hearing a lot about the struggles of UI/UX designers, especially with claims that the field might be 'dead' for freshers by 2026. This has made me hesitant about switching my focus to UI/UX, despite it being the only area that truly interests me. I'm looking for honest advice on whether it's still a viable career path for someone starting from scratch. I want to know if the concerns about oversaturation and layoffs are exaggerated, and if there’s still room for newcomers in the field. If UI/UX is worth pursuing, I would appreciate a roadmap on what skills and tools I should start learning, how to build a portfolio, and any other tips for breaking into the industry. Additionally, if UI/UX isn't a good option anymore, I’d like suggestions for other careers that value skills over specific degrees, where I could realistically enter with dedication and effort. I'm open to mentorship or any personal experiences you can share.

I recently went through the interview process for a position that I thought went okay, but I wasn't overly confident about it. After a couple of weeks, I received a job offer, which surprised me since I didn't expect to hear back. The role would have provided a pay increase, but the longer commute would eat into that increase, mainly covering tolls and gas. Additionally, my current job offers more flexibility, which is important to me, especially since I need to help a family friend relocate soon. I had interviewed with several people in different locations and had committed to giving my decision at the beginning of this week. I have the phone number of the last person I spoke with, but not their email, although I could find it. I also have the email addresses of the other interviewers. I initially thought about calling to decline the offer, but I feel more comfortable sending an email to keep it concise and professional. I’m unsure about how to phrase my response since I’ve never had to decline a job offer before. I’ve received advice to keep it brief and simply thank them for the opportunity without going into too much detail about my reasons. I think I’ll go with an email to maintain clarity and professionalism.