Thinking

I recently applied for a job through Indeed and was surprised when they responded with a requirement to submit a 20-minute video answering interview questions as part of their application process. If they think I'm a good fit after that, there's a follow-up Zoom interview. Given my current financial struggles, I'm going to go through with it, even though I feel that some of these application requirements are excessive. Why not just a simple phone screening? It's frustrating how the job market has evolved into this. I feel like I have no choice but to comply.

I recently completed an internal transfer at my large company after several years in my previous role. I was excited about the promotion and the chance to broaden my skills, but the transition has been more challenging than I anticipated. My old team, which I thought I had strong relationships with, reacted surprisingly cold. Throughout my time in my original group, I received positive feedback and felt supported, but after my manager left, I struggled to get the same level of engagement from my new manager. I asked for more challenging work and guidance on my career progression, but was often told there wasn’t much available. When my performance review came back suggesting I hadn’t accomplished enough, I was taken aback, especially since I had been proactive in seeking more responsibility. A senior leader I spoke with seemed surprised by my situation and supported my requests, which gave me hope. Eventually, I applied for a new internal position and was thrilled to receive an offer. I followed protocol by informing my manager during the interview process, but after accepting, I faced pushback on my transfer date. My management wanted me to delay my start, putting me in a tough spot. I reached out to HR, who confirmed that this wasn’t typical, and my new manager was supportive, allowing me to onboard while transitioning my existing work. Despite my efforts to ensure a smooth transition, I was disappointed by the lack of acknowledgment from my team when I left. There was no farewell announcement or even a simple goodbye from colleagues I thought were friends. Now that I’m still in the same building, it feels awkward seeing them, and I can’t help but feel hurt and angry. I tried to maintain professionalism and leave on good terms, but it seems like those efforts didn’t matter. On the bright side, I’m genuinely excited about my new role and proud to have earned it. However, I find myself dwelling on the way my departure was handled and questioning the strength of my relationships. I even asked my manager about a farewell acknowledgment, but he didn’t seem to think it was necessary and I never heard back. Has anyone else experienced something similar during an internal move? I’m looking for advice on how to move forward and preserve professional relationships after such a disappointing transition.

I’m a 30-year-old woman who has been working part-time at my job for about three years. My husband and I have been struggling with infertility for the past five years, and we’ve decided to sell our house to create a better environment for starting a family. After we close on the sale, we’ll be moving into a small bungalow at my mother-in-law’s house next month. I’m really torn about whether to stay at my current job. It’s the only job I’ve held for this long, and while I’m good at it, I don’t really enjoy it. My department head is great but has some control issues, and she’s made it clear that she doesn’t want me to leave since I’m the main employee with the most responsibilities. Currently, I live just 12 minutes from work, but once we move, my commute will be a two-hour round trip. I only make $16 an hour, which makes me question if it’s worth the hassle. I’m also worried about my back since I had a spinal fusion a year and a half ago, and the long commute might aggravate it. On top of that, I frequently experience panic attacks, which makes the thought of being that far from home even more anxiety-inducing. Recently, I turned 30 and feel the pressure of time constraints regarding starting a family. We also had to put down our cat two weeks ago after he was run over, and my car broke down over the weekend, so I’ve been borrowing a truck from my mother-in-law. I’m feeling mentally overwhelmed and unsure if I should stay at my current job and deal with the long commute or look for something closer. If I do decide to quit, I’m anxious about how to explain it to my boss. I could really use some advice on whether it’s worth it to stay at my current job.

I’m currently working a night shift job, and the job search has been incredibly draining. I’ve been trying to stay positive, but the last month has really taken a toll on me. It feels like the bar for job opportunities is set extremely low right now. I just wish something would come up soon. Sometimes I even find myself wishing I could go back to being a teenager, when things seemed simpler. I’m holding onto hope that something will change soon.

I'm currently facing a challenging situation at my job as a Director. My previous manager, who was the Chief of Staff, was unexpectedly fired last week, and now I'm reporting to the HR Director, who seems to have a personal issue with me. From day one, her communication has been aggressive, and she questions my work despite not being familiar with my role or department. For instance, after I recently experienced a death in my family, I reached out to her, and instead of offering support, she focused on why I might want to leave and what tasks needed to be done. This has left me feeling isolated and unsure about my position. The older colleagues in the office already undermine my authority due to my age, and with HR seemingly against me, I feel like I have no one to turn to for support. My previous manager was always supportive and never raised concerns about my performance, but now it feels like I'm under constant scrutiny. I'm worried that this new arrangement is a setup for my dismissal, even though some believe the president still has confidence in me. I'm trying to navigate this difficult dynamic, but it's tough when my new manager lacks knowledge about my department and seems disinterested in doing her job. I've been advised to document everything and keep a record of our interactions, which I hope will help if things escalate further.

I recently had an interview for a role in the UK, and although I was really excited about the opportunity, I didn’t ask any questions at the end. I only inquired about the contract type and the possibility of transitioning to a permanent position after the fixed term. Now, I'm worried that not asking more about the role might have negatively impacted my chances of landing the job. I know that having no questions can leave a bad impression, as it may suggest a lack of preparation or interest. I’ve read that while it might not completely ruin my chances, it could lower them compared to other candidates who were more engaged. I really want this job and I’m starting to second-guess my performance.

I graduated with a computer science degree just two months ago and have been diligently applying to software engineering jobs every day. Despite having completed two SWE internships, my job search has been incredibly disheartening. I've received very few rejections, but mostly, it's been silence—no interviews and no feedback. I keep seeing new job postings pop up, but I'm starting to question their authenticity. Are these companies genuinely looking to hire, or are they just collecting resumes and ghosting applicants? It feels like many of these roles might be filled internally or that the hiring process is taking an eternity. I understand that job searching can be tough, and I've seen some comments about others being unemployed for a year or more, but I really don't want to end up in that situation. I’m just trying to grasp the reality of these job postings and figure out what I might need to change in my approach. It's frustrating to feel like I'm putting in so much effort for little to no return.

Today, I was laid off from my tech job in Massachusetts, receiving a standard severance package of three months. The decision was made by my director, who had to choose one person from our team to let go due to business pressures, and unfortunately, I was the one selected. I can't help but feel frustrated since I have more tenure and stronger skills than some of my colleagues who were retained. I suspect that my neurodivergence played a role in this decision, as my performance reviews have included comments from my manager that seemed to relate to this aspect of my identity. It's documented in my HR profile, which makes me wonder if I have grounds to negotiate for a better severance package. I'm not looking to start a legal battle, but I want to ensure I receive a fair payout without jeopardizing the three months already offered. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has had similar experiences negotiating severance under these circumstances. How did it go for you? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I just got fired again, and it's been a rough ride. As a college student, I've now lost two jobs in the last nine months. My first job was a part-time position in a small retail shop where the owner was quite aggressive. He had a gun on him all the time and would threaten us if we made mistakes. After two months, he decided I wasn't a good fit and let me go. My recent job was as a bartender, but I was fired after just two shifts. The pace was overwhelming for me, and I didn’t mesh well with the café manager. I do have a job related to my field of study, which is great, but the pay is low. I was hoping to find something in retail to earn more. I think my introverted nature makes it hard for me to learn quickly and perform well under pressure. Right now, I feel like a total loser and could really use some encouragement.

I'm currently on the hunt for a remote job due to some medical issues that make it difficult for me to work outside of the home. I've been applying to various positions, but it feels like most of the listings I come across are either scams or not legitimate. I'm feeling a bit lost on how to effectively search for and apply to remote jobs. If anyone has tips or resources that helped them find their remote positions, I would greatly appreciate it!

I recently received a job offer for $78,000, which is a significant increase from my current salary of $67,000. While I'm excited about the opportunity, I've noticed that the vacation time is considerably lower than what I currently enjoy. At my current job, I have 120 hours of vacation, but this new position only offers 80 hours, and it will be prorated for the year, meaning I might end up with even less than that. I'm contemplating whether I should negotiate for an additional $2,000 to compensate for the reduced vacation time. I have a feeling they might not be flexible on vacation days due to company policy, but I'm curious if it's worth asking for the extra salary. I’ve seen mixed advice online; some say to accept the offer as is since it’s still a substantial raise, while others suggest that negotiating is always a good idea. I want to make sure I approach this correctly.

I recently had an interview where the CEO personally endorsed me for a role at the company. I felt really positive about the interaction and was hopeful for a quick response. However, it's been a week since the interview, and I've heard nothing back. I'm starting to wonder if this is normal in the hiring process or if I should be concerned. Has anyone else experienced a similar situation?

I recently received an email regarding a position I applied for at Broan-NuTone, and I'm feeling uncertain about its legitimacy. The email came from hr@broannutone.com, which raised some red flags for me since the company's official domain is broan-nutone.com. I usually have a good sense for spotting scams, but this one has me second-guessing. The email was quite lengthy, praising the company and detailing the role, which felt off. I’ve seen advice suggesting that legitimate opportunities always address candidates by name, and this email just referred to me as 'Candidate.' I'm considering reaching out directly to their HR department to verify if this is a genuine communication. In the meantime, I’m keeping track of all my job applications to ensure I can reference them if needed.

I recently experienced a quick and unexpected job transition. I (M26) was hired on the spot for a job at Company #1 after just one interview. It seemed like a decent opportunity at first, but shortly after, I received a call from Company #2 with a job offer that was significantly better in terms of pay, benefits, and overall work environment. After careful consideration, I decided to accept the offer from Company #2. When I informed my boss at Company #1 about my decision, she reacted negatively and told me that my time there was over, insisting that I leave immediately. This left me feeling uneasy, especially since I had only been there for a week and was concerned about not getting paid for that time. Looking back, I wonder if I dodged a red flag with Company #1. They hired me so quickly, which I've heard can be a warning sign in corporate roles. In contrast, Company #2 had a more structured interview process, which made me feel more secure about my decision. I’m curious to hear thoughts on whether I made the right choice or if I’m just trying to rationalize my feelings about the abrupt end at Company #1.

I’m 26 and currently looking for work after being laid off from my tech job earlier this year. I was making $60k a year, but the company wasn't profitable, leading to mass layoffs. I live in an at-will state, so I was let go without much warning. Thankfully, I still have a part-time job where I can pick up shifts, which helps a bit financially. My daily routine consists of applying for jobs in the mornings, running errands in the afternoons, and going to bed early like I did during my 9-5. I’ve reached out to former professors and managers for feedback on my strengths, which seem to be my friendliness and reliability. However, my parents are worried about my finances since they’re nearing retirement and we still have an $80k mortgage. I’m trying to secure at least $1,000 in take-home pay, so I’ve been applying to part-time jobs that pay $15 or more while also targeting full-time positions. I’ve noticed that job applications can be competitive, with over 100 applicants for some roles on LinkedIn. I feel a bit lost since my experience is mostly in retail and one tech role. I’ve signed up for a job fair and am exploring freelance or gig work options, but I’m unsure if that’s the right path. I’m also hesitant about driving jobs due to my anxiety and medication side effects. Overall, I’m trying to stay positive and keep my options open, but I’m feeling the pressure to find something soon.

I recently went through a lengthy application process for an Automation Software Engineer position at a large company, which lasted about two months. I had two technical interviews with the hiring manager that went really well, and we had great chemistry. I made it clear that I was open to business travel, but only for short and occasional trips, and they seemed fine with that. Yesterday, my recruiter reached out to say that the company wanted to consider other candidates before making a final decision. She reassured me that she hadn’t found anyone with better skills than mine and asked me to wait a few days. I thought that was reasonable. However, today I noticed that the same job ad was reposted on LinkedIn as 'Promoted', and it was eerily similar to my profile. They even included a line about travel that matched my exact boundaries. It feels like they are using my feedback to attract someone else while keeping me on the hook. I’m planning to address this with them on Monday, but I'm really unsure how to interpret this situation. Is it normal for companies to sponsor ads while they’re still in the decision-making process? I feel like I’m being used as a backup plan.

I’ve been struggling to find a full-time job since returning to the US after spending 10 years abroad. I’ve been unemployed since March 2025 and despite having a degree from a top university, I feel like my work experience overseas is a major hurdle. I’ve mostly worked as a copywriter and currently have a portfolio, but I’m worried that my international experience is being viewed negatively by recruiters. To keep myself active, I’m doing pro bono work with a nonprofit to enhance the design section of my portfolio. However, the only positions I’ve been able to secure lately are seasonal, thanks to a former connection I had before moving abroad. I also realize that I have virtually no professional network here, which makes things even tougher. I’m feeling quite desperate and would appreciate any advice or tips from anyone who’s been in a similar situation. It seems like the gap in my US work history is a significant issue, and I’m looking for ways to frame my international experience as an asset rather than a drawback.

I've been on the job hunt for about 3.5 years since graduating, and it's been a tough road. I worked as a hotel supervisor for two years, but I eventually burned out and left that role. Since then, I've been interviewing at various places, hoping to land a decent job, but I've faced numerous rejections despite having recommendations from higher-ups. It's really starting to feel pointless, and I can't shake the feeling that something about my approach or vibe is off. I've heard the advice to keep trying, but after the eighth rejection, it just doesn't resonate anymore. It’s disheartening to see my friends thriving in their careers while I struggle to even secure an entry-level position. I’ve thought about going back to a front desk job, but I really disliked that role, and I doubt it would lead me to the career I want. I’m open to different opportunities, but I want to make sure I'm not being taken advantage of by a boss. It's a frustrating place to be.

I was recently laid off and lost my insurance unexpectedly, which has left me feeling really lost. I'm planning to email my psychiatrist to discuss how to safely taper off my medications and inquire about the costs of appointments and meds, as I might have to pay out of pocket now. This is my first experience being uninsured, and I’m feeling overwhelmed. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has suggestions for additional questions I should ask my psychiatrist. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I was recently laid off from a fintech company after just 6 months due to what they called "team realignment." Initially, I felt devastated as this was my first experience with a layoff. However, I quickly decided to take proactive steps to get back on my feet. First, I updated my LinkedIn profile and even signed up for a free trial of LinkedIn Premium. This turned out to be beneficial as several recruiters reached out to me through the platform. In fact, I landed my new job thanks to a recruiter who contacted me directly. Next, I made sure my resume was current and included relevant keywords. I learned that many companies use AI tools to screen resumes, so I took the time to ensure mine would pass through those filters. I even used ChatGPT to help enhance my resume with the right keywords. Lastly, I focused on my mental health. I didn’t rush into the job search; instead, I took some time to relax and recharge. I went for walks, spent quality time with friends and family, and allowed myself to enjoy some much-needed downtime. I want to share this experience to give hope to others who might be going through a similar situation. It's definitely possible to find a new job after a layoff, and there is always light at the end of the tunnel.