Thinking

I recently faced a dilemma during my job search regarding salary negotiations. When interviewers ask what wage I'm looking for, I often wonder if it would be more strategic to ask them what wage they have in mind instead. The job postings I see usually list a salary range, and I typically aim for the middle or higher end based on my skills and experience. However, I feel like I'm being put on the spot when they press for a specific number from me. I worry that if I ask, 'What wage would you be willing to hire me for?' or 'What is the realistic wage you're aiming to hire someone for?' it might come off as confrontational or disrespectful, even though my intention is purely to gather information. I genuinely want the job and don’t want to risk being seen as a smart aleck. In the past, I've tried to play it safe by saying I'm comfortable with the posted range, but interviewers often push for a more specific figure. I understand their reasoning; they want to gauge my expectations and commitment. However, I’ve also read that if I lowball myself, it could signal desperation or a lack of confidence in my abilities. In some cases, I’ve even underquoted myself, especially since I’m trying to break into a new industry where I have little experience. I’ve explained my eagerness to learn and gain experience, but it hasn’t seemed to help much. As I navigate this job search, I’m focusing on salary negotiations as a key area to improve my approach.

I recently applied for a part-time job at a supermarket and haven't received any follow-up emails after two weeks. Today, I decided to call the hiring manager, but I was informed that they were absent. I mentioned that I would call again tomorrow, but I'm feeling uncertain about the timing. I've read that Tuesday to Thursday are the best days to call, and since today is Thursday, I'm wondering if I should go ahead and call tomorrow or wait until next Tuesday. I want to strike the right balance between showing my interest and not coming off as desperate. Any advice on how to approach this call would be greatly appreciated!

I was recently laid off from my job and have been collecting unemployment benefits for a few weeks now. Every time I file my claim, I have to answer a questionnaire that includes whether I've attended school or received any training. I'm thinking about enrolling in some part-time evening classes at a university to earn a certificate in my field, which would be about 6 credit hours per semester. I'm concerned that this might affect my unemployment benefits. I still plan on actively searching for jobs while I'm in school, but I want to make sure that taking these classes won't disqualify me from receiving my benefits. I've heard that as long as I'm looking for work and available, I might be okay, but I'm not sure about the specific rules in my state.

I'm a 27-year-old woman with an associate's degree that mainly covers core subjects like English, math, and history. I've been working as a teacher's assistant for a long time, but I'm feeling burnt out and underpaid. As a type 1 diabetic, having good insurance is crucial for me, especially living in the U.S. I've been trying to find a better-paying job to escape poverty, but it's been tough. In New Jersey, entry-level admin and office assistant positions are hard to come by, and most require at least three years of experience with specific software, which I lack. I'm not very tech-savvy, but I can manage basic tasks in Google Suite. My English skills are strong, and I often communicate better than my lead teacher. However, I realize that degrees in English, history, or psychology don't lead to many job opportunities. I'm open to getting a certification or a two-year degree to gain some business skills, but nursing is off the table due to my immunocompromised status. I've applied for government jobs for years without success, and I don't drive, so real estate isn't an option either. I'm seeking advice on how to improve my situation and find a job that pays better and doesn't leave me feeling exhausted.

As a new grad in Canada, I've been struggling to find a full-time job, which led me to take on two part-time positions while I continued my search. Thankfully, I recently secured a full-time role at a bank, but I'm currently going through the background check process due to the FINRA-related requirements for the position. The situation is tough because I'm feeling completely burned out from juggling both jobs and applying to countless positions. I had hoped to take some time off to recharge and visit family before starting my new job. I've already given my two weeks' notice at one of my part-time jobs, but I'm really unhappy at my second part-time job as a teller at another bank. I've only been there for a month, and I want to quit as soon as possible instead of waiting until my new role starts. My main concern is whether quitting this job while my background check is still in progress could negatively impact my new job offer. I'm not trying to hide my employment status; I would disclose it if necessary, but I'm worried that changing jobs during the screening process might raise a red flag. Has anyone else faced a similar situation, especially in the banking or finance sector? Should I go ahead and quit now, or should I wait until the background check is completed? I'm really looking for some advice or personal experiences to help me navigate this exhausting time.

I've been on the job hunt for a while now, and I'm genuinely curious about the possibility of landing a role without a referral. With over 10 years of experience in enterprise tech at well-known companies, I thought my background would help me stand out. However, it feels like the market is oversaturated with talent, and I'm not even getting callbacks. I suspect that AI might be filtering applications, making it even harder to get noticed. I've seen some success stories where people landed offers without referrals, which gives me a glimmer of hope. One person mentioned they were contacted by a recruiter on LinkedIn after being laid off, and ended up with a better-paying contractor role that turned into a full-time position. Another shared that they received three offers at once, with one company reaching out after they sent in their resume. Hearing these experiences makes me wonder if I should be more proactive in networking or if there's still a chance for someone like me without those connections.

I’ve been laid off twice in my career, and each experience has been drastically different. The first layoff was massive, affecting over 4000 employees, and the second time it was just me and one other colleague. What really surprises me is how many people from the second company have ghosted me completely. A simple ‘hi, how are you?’ on LinkedIn seems like too much to ask. It’s baffling, especially since my biggest supporters have come from the first layoff, which happened over 15 years ago. I’m left wondering if this is survivor’s guilt, or if I’ve suddenly become contagious, or maybe they just didn’t like me all along. I can’t help but feel a bit hurt by it all. I know I’m not alone in this feeling, as I’ve seen others share similar experiences. On the bright side, this has shown me who really cares and who I can count on in tough times.

I recently faced a tough decision at my last job at a tech company where I was working as a software engineer. The company offered me a choice: leave immediately with a severance payout or enter a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). Given the circumstances, the PIP seemed almost impossible to succeed in, and I wasn't enjoying my role anyway, so I opted for the payout. Since then, I've been on the job hunt and have had several interviews. When asked why I left my last position, I explain that it wasn't a good fit and that I'm looking to take my career in a different direction, which is true. If pressed about whether I quit or was let go, I admit that I was let go. So far, the interviewers haven't seemed to dwell on this, but I still haven't secured a new job yet. Now, I'm grappling with whether I should just lie about the circumstances of my departure. I worry about the risk of being caught if they were to contact my previous employer, but I also feel uneasy about being dishonest. It’s a tricky situation, and I’m looking for advice on how to navigate this without compromising my integrity.

I have an upcoming interview for a management position at a non-profit organization, and I'm really excited about it. However, I noticed that the job posting initially listed the pay at $18/hr, but they've since reposted it without any salary information. Given my 4+ years of management experience, I feel that the pay is below average for this role in my state. I'm wondering if it's still worth negotiating the salary, especially considering the current job market. I know non-profits often have lower pay, but this position could be a significant stepping stone for my career. I'm looking for advice on whether I should attempt to negotiate or if that might jeopardize my chances of getting the job.

I was laid off in mid-July and had anticipated it, so I began applying for jobs a few months prior. By the time I received my redundancy notice, I had several leads in the pipeline. I even made it to the final round of interviews with two major companies in my industry. I was optimistic about getting hired quickly, especially after one of them verbally offered me a position. Unfortunately, they later canceled the requisition due to changes in their budget and headcount. After that setback, I intensified my job search, but it’s been three weeks since then, and I've only received one callback with no interviews. Initially, I felt confident that I would find a new job soon, but now I’m experiencing a dry spell. I'm unsure of what steps to take next.

I was laid off from my fully remote job in June due to company restructuring after five years in the role. Recently, I received an offer for a new position, but it requires me to be in the office four days a week, which means a daily commute of 90 miles. The pay increase is minimal compared to my previous salary, and I've tried negotiating with HR and the hiring manager for better terms, but they are firm on the hybrid schedule and pay. I'm feeling conflicted about whether to accept this offer or hold out for a fully remote job that might come along. The job market is tough, and I’m worried I might be too picky. Should I take this job just to get back into the workforce or keep searching for something better?

I've been working at an engineering firm for about 3-4 years and recently started looking for new opportunities as I'm hoping to relocate. I've submitted a few job applications, but I've encountered some frustrating experiences. One potential employer asked me to complete a task to demonstrate my CAD skills, which felt a bit excessive given my experience. They even mentioned wanting to see if I could draw a straight line, which honestly rubbed me the wrong way. I have a solid portfolio that showcases my skills, and I believe that should speak for itself. Additionally, the salary they offered was below my minimum requirement, so I’ve decided not to pursue that position further. I'm curious about how common it is for companies to ask for these types of exercises during the interview process, especially for second interviews.

I just started my job search and I'm feeling overwhelmed as this is my first job application. I could really use some guidance on how to approach it. Any tips on what to include in my resume or how to write a cover letter would be greatly appreciated!

I've been on the job hunt for nearly four months now, trying to secure a position as a professional driver, but I haven't had any luck so far. I hold a range of driver licenses (A, B, C, D, BE, CE, DE) and even have an international driving permit. On top of that, I've completed CACES training and obtained permits for operating various machinery, from forklifts to heavy-duty vehicles. I’m also certified as a warehouse keeper and a construction worker, along with a training completion certificate as an HSE inspector. Driving is my passion; I've been doing it both personally and professionally since 2015. I've invested a significant amount of money into obtaining these licenses and certifications, all of which I've funded myself through hard work. It’s been a financial strain, especially as I also speak four languages and recently passed the IELTS with a B2 score, which cost me around $300. It’s tough to save that kind of money in my country. Despite the ongoing discussions about a driver shortage, I find myself struggling to land a job abroad. I just needed to vent because it feels like a distant dream at this point. Wishing the best for myself and everyone else in the same situation.

I've been on the job hunt for about two months now, and honestly, it feels like a second full-time job. I've been applying for roles in my field, but the effort required just to get a rejection or silence is overwhelming. Tailoring resumes has become standard, but the multi-step application processes are exhausting. For instance, I recently applied for an entry-level position that required me to upload my resume, manually fill out every detail from it, answer 15 screening questions, and even record a one-way video interview with just 30 seconds to prepare for each prompt. Last week, I spent almost two hours on an application that included a personality assessment, a skills test, and three short essay responses about hypothetical scenarios. And guess what? I never heard back. I understand companies want to filter candidates, but the process feels bloated and discouraging, especially for those who might actually be a good fit. I'm investing 20-30 hours a week just applying, and it often feels like my efforts are vanishing into a void. To keep track of everything, I've started using a spreadsheet because I genuinely can't remember where I applied anymore. Is this the norm now, or am I missing something? It's tough to stay motivated when the application process itself feels designed to wear you down before you even get a chance to speak with someone in person.

I've been on the job hunt for about a month now, and unfortunately, I've faced a string of rejections. I'm really anxious to find a new job quickly, and I'm starting to wonder if my resume is the issue. I've reached out for feedback and would appreciate any tips or insights anyone might have. Some comments suggested that I should include my college name, while others pointed out that the structure of my resume might need some adjustments. I've also been told that my job titles seem misaligned. I know a month isn't a long time in this tough job market, but the rejections are really getting to me. It seems like the economy is affecting everyone right now.

I’ve been feeling quite lost lately regarding my career path. I chose to study marketing because I found it interesting and, honestly, I had poor high school grades, so it was a way to get into college without heavy math requirements. I ended up doing well and even completed a master’s degree in marketing. However, I’ve been struggling to land an entry-level job for some time now. Currently, I’m working part-time for a small local theatre company in a marketing role that I initially started as a volunteer. While the pay is minimal, I managed to turn it into a paid position, which is good for gaining experience and enhancing my CV. But the role is quite basic and lacks the challenge I was hoping for. Lately, I’ve been feeling disheartened by the negative narratives I see in marketing communities online, where many people express regret about their career choices in this field. I understand that some of this negativity might stem from the U.S. job market, but as someone based in the UK, I can’t help but feel uncertain about my future in marketing. I have a friend who took a different path—he studied math, secured an internship, and now works as an actuary with good pay and job security. I admire that clarity in his career, but I know that I wouldn’t excel in a STEM field like that. I’ve always been drawn to areas like marketing strategy, consumer insights, and business analysis, but I struggle with the math involved. Despite my degrees and being young, I’m starting to question whether I made the right choice in pursuing marketing. I’m reaching out for any thoughts or advice on how to navigate this situation.

I'm currently in the process of relocating to Oregon from New York, but I want to secure a job before making the move. I’ve removed my current location from my resume and replaced it with the new Oregon location, adding (Relocating) next to it. However, most of my education and work history still reflects New York, so I’m concerned about whether this change will help. I'm facing challenges with job applications that ask for my location. If I list New York, I risk being screened out for not being local, but if I put Oregon, I might get called for in-person interviews that I can't attend yet. I plan to be ready to move as soon as I get a job offer, but I’ll need about three weeks to give notice at my current job and organize the move. I'm looking for tips on how to navigate this situation and any general advice for getting hired for a position out of state.

I recently learned that Diageo has implemented layoffs affecting their North American business unit. As someone who has been following the company's developments closely, this news is quite concerning. I'm currently assessing how this might impact my role and the overall job market in the beverage industry. It's a tough time, and I'm hoping to connect with others who might be going through similar challenges.

I recently started a new job as a trainee, but after just two weeks, I've realized it's not the right fit for me. The work environment is extremely slow and I find myself mostly alone during my shifts, which isn't what I was looking for. Fortunately, I've already secured another position that offers similar hours and pay but in a much better atmosphere. I’m in a bit of a dilemma about how to resign. I won’t see my manager face-to-face for a few days since I'm still in training and can't work independently yet. I considered texting my manager to quit, but I'm unsure if that's appropriate. I feel uncomfortable making a phone call to discuss it, but I also don’t want to come off as unprofessional. I’ve read that it’s generally better to resign in a more formal manner, like through a phone call or email. I just want to handle this situation respectfully, but I also want to move on quickly since I have a better opportunity lined up.