Thinking

I was recently placed on an unfair Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) at my job as a General Manager of two photography studios for a well-known company. I started this position at the end of March, taking a pay cut to work fewer hours and spend more time with my child. However, the company has been facing backlash due to a data breach, and the atmosphere has been tense. Training for my new role has been challenging, especially since our client sessions began to dwindle around June. My responsibilities include doing "Pull Ins" to attract customers, but most people decline to engage with me. I’m a 24-year-old woman, and many seem put off by the company's reputation. Despite my efforts, I’ve had to deal with a difficult employee who has a history of misconduct, and I’m not allowed to take disciplinary action against her. Last weekend, I faced a series of unfortunate events: I had to rush to another studio to grab batteries because the staff member on duty failed to prepare, leading to a chaotic day with no sessions booked. On Monday, my boss and I had a scheduled meeting that she missed, and when we finally connected, I was accused of lying about my performance and the technology issues we’ve been facing. They issued me a PIP due to my perceived lack of sessions and photo quality, despite positive feedback from guests. Now I’m left wondering if I should quit or wait to be fired, as the PIP requires weekly follow-ups and I fear further write-ups if I don’t meet their unrealistic expectations.

I recently experienced a life-changing event when I was involved in a traffic accident that resulted in breaking my ankle and femur. Before the accident, I had been delivering mail for about ten years and was preparing to deploy, which I had hoped would help me transition into a new career. However, now I feel completely stuck. I'm uncertain if I will ever be able to physically handle the demands of walking 12 miles a day or meet the military standards again. The emotional toll is starting to hit me, and I'm grappling with feelings of grief over my situation. I'm considering going back to school or obtaining a certification, but I'm unsure how much time I have left before I need to return to work. I just want everything to work out.

I was laid off from my first job after just two years in the workforce, and it's been a tough journey trying to find my next opportunity. With only two years of experience, I'm struggling to land interviews. It seems that my resume, which includes some well-known company names, might be intimidating to potential employers who worry I could jump ship for a better-paying position. On the other hand, I don't have enough experience for roles that require 2-4 years, which leaves me in a frustrating position. I've been job searching for about 10 months now and could really use some advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation. I'm open to suggestions on how to pivot my career or any other strategies that helped you find work.

I'm a 29-year-old stay-at-home mom (SAHM) who has been unemployed for a while now, and I’m feeling a bit ashamed about applying for fast food jobs. I've submitted hundreds of applications and gone through numerous interviews, but I haven't landed an offer yet. My background includes customer service, management, property management, hospitality, food service, sales, and office administration. At this point, I'm desperate to get back to work, so I've started applying to fast food and restaurant positions. I have a couple of interviews lined up, but I can't shake the feeling of embarrassment and failure, especially since I would be working alongside people much younger than me. Emotionally, this has been tougher than I anticipated. I feel ashamed about my age and where I am in life, and I’ve been struggling with my mental health, relationships, and overall life circumstances. I really want to become financially independent and support my family instead of relying on my husband to carry the financial burden alone. I'm trying to figure out how to stop feeling like a failure for taking whatever job I can find right now. Has anyone else had to start over in their late 20s or 30s and worked a job they felt was beneath them temporarily? I would love to hear how others changed their perspective during tough times. I'm holding onto hope that things will improve soon.

I received a voicemail this morning from a local music store regarding my application for a collections position. I'm feeling a bit uncertain about what to expect in this role, as it involves contacting customers who are behind on their payments for instruments or lessons. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has experience in music store collections or collections in general. I've heard that it can be quite challenging, especially since you're often dealing with customers who may not be happy about their situation. Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated before I respond to the store.

I recently had an interesting experience with a potential employer that I've been eager to work for. Last Friday, I received a voicemail from an agency I've applied to multiple times over the past four years. I was thrilled to hear from them, especially since I know a few people who work there. The voicemail asked me to call back, and I did so about 40 minutes later. However, after waiting through the weekend and not hearing anything on Monday, I decided to reach out again on Tuesday morning. I left another voicemail, just to confirm they received my first message and provided my email for easier communication. What surprised me was the lack of follow-up from them after the initial call, especially since I thought it was standard practice to send an email if they couldn't connect. I did some research on the number but found nothing, which added to my concern. I know this agency is competitive and that the hiring process can be lengthy, but I can't help but wonder if this is typical behavior for them. I'm hesitant to reach out again, as I don't want to jeopardize my chances, but I'm also worried that this could be a scam. In the meantime, I plan to keep applying elsewhere while I wait for a response.

After months of searching for a new job in IT, I finally received an offer that came with an almost $20K raise. Initially, I was overwhelmed and applying to various positions without a clear strategy, often using the same resume for jobs I wasn't qualified for. Realizing this approach wasn't effective, I decided to pivot. I obtained several certifications, including MS-900, AZ-900, and Security+, but I soon learned that certifications alone weren't enough. I began building labs for Active Directory, Azure, and Linux, and I dedicated time to learning PowerShell. I also tailored my job applications by creating three distinct resumes targeted at different types of roles. I focused on enhancing my LinkedIn and Dice profiles and spent significant time preparing for interviews, even when I didn't have any scheduled. On average, I invested 6-8 hours daily in studying, applying, building labs, and practicing for interviews. Interestingly, the job I secured wasn't one I applied for directly; a recruiter found me through my Dice profile. While the IT job market is challenging, I learned that improving my skills and becoming a better candidate was just as important as submitting applications. You don't need every company to say yes; you just need one.

I started a new job at a franchise bar and completed my first day of training. Everything went well; I learned a lot about their menu and customer service, and I even aced my first quiz. The managers were encouraging, and I felt confident about my progress. They mentioned I would have four more days of training before being out on the floor. However, after my first day, I was told they would call me to schedule my next shift. It's now Tuesday, and I haven't received any call. I've tried reaching out twice, but the person on the other end just puts me on hold and hangs up. I'm feeling anxious and embarrassed, wondering if I did something wrong or if my appearance as a heavily tattooed and pierced person is a factor. Should I keep trying to call, or should I just go to the bar to check in? Any advice would be appreciated.

I'm in a tough spot and really need to find a job quickly. My husband runs a transportation business and makes over $200k a year, but we faced some financial hardships back in May and are just now starting to catch up on our bills. I've been a stay-at-home mom for several years, and I currently have about $20k in debt that I want to pay off as soon as possible. The challenge is that I can't afford childcare for my kids because any income I earn would go directly to that. I'm looking for job options that can genuinely help me become debt-free without the burden of childcare costs. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I am actively seeking a Front Office Manager or Hotel Manager position, ideally within an international hotel, resort, hostel, or retreat. With over 10 years of experience in customer-facing roles and business management, I have developed skills in sales, inventory management, team coordination, and customer service. I am particularly interested in opportunities located in Thailand, Bali, Maldives, UAE, or other international destinations. If anyone has leads or can provide referrals, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

Today, I learned that Ryder Trucks is planning to lay off 73 employees at their Fayetteville location. This news has been quite unsettling for everyone here, as it directly impacts our team and the community. I'm currently trying to process this information and consider my next steps, as job security feels increasingly uncertain.

I recently had a strange experience with a recruiter that left me feeling uneasy. He reached out to me via email from a Gmail account, which immediately raised a red flag. He presented an executive-level job opportunity, and I expressed my interest. After I sent him my resume, tailored bio, and an executive statement of purpose, he came back with feedback that my materials weren't quite there yet. Then, he suggested I pay someone he knows to help improve my application materials. This felt off to me, especially since I've never encountered a hiring committee outside of academia and there was no mention of an actual interview yet. I decided to back out, stating I wasn't interested unless there was an interview lined up soon. His response was vague, and it seemed like he was more focused on presenting me in the best light rather than actually helping me get the job. I'm starting to think this might be a scam, and I'm curious if anyone else has experienced something similar.

I have an upcoming panel interview for a Sales Manager position with Altria next week. The interview will include a business case study and a mock sales role play, which has me feeling a bit nervous. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has experience with this interview process and can share what it was like. Any tips or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Feeling lost in my job search lately. I don’t have a degree, just a higher diploma in Creative Media, which is equivalent to an Associate Degree in the UK. I’ve spent the last 10 years working in multimedia design, focusing on graphic design for food and beverage and video editing. After leaving my last full-time designer role in 2022 due to a terrible experience, I shifted to freelance gigs, but it’s been tough. Many potential clients ghost after asking for prices, which has made it hard to secure consistent work. In an effort to pivot, I enrolled in four courses related to VR and app development, earned certificates, and even landed a decent gig as a beginner app developer. Unfortunately, that client also ghosted me at the end of the project. Now, I’m back to job hunting, but the sheer number of applicants for design and UX/UI roles is intimidating. I’m an introvert and dislike interviews, so competing against so many people feels overwhelming. I’ve been trying to pursue a bachelor’s degree to build on my higher diploma, but my CGPA isn’t strong enough for the top universities, so I might have to settle for a less prestigious one. Coming from a low-income family, with my dad living on a pension and my savings dwindling, I’m questioning whether getting a degree would really improve my situation. I’m seeking advice on whether a degree is worth it and what steps I should take next.

I recently received a job offer after applying for the same position four times at a company I really want to work for. The first time I applied, I went through two interviews but ultimately got rejected because they had limited openings. They advised me to apply again in the future. I noticed they kept reposting the job on Indeed every few weeks, so I applied again a few weeks later but didn’t hear back at all. A month later, I applied once more and got a notification that my application was reviewed, but again, nothing came of it. I almost gave up on it. However, last week they posted the position again, and I applied thinking it would be ignored like before. To my surprise, yesterday morning, I received a message from them saying they want to offer me the job if I'm still interested. Now, I'm feeling hesitant about accepting it. After being rejected and ignored so many times, it feels like a red flag. I'm seeking advice on whether I should take the offer or hold out for something better.

I’ve been struggling to find a job that matches my educational background, and it’s led me to start yet another degree. I now hold five degrees, including two master’s, all in related fields that should ideally make me an attractive candidate. However, the reality is that I’m still unemployed. With this wealth of knowledge, I find myself in positions that don’t utilize my expertise, and it’s creating a sense of intellectual arrogance in me. I catch myself frequently mentioning my degrees or citing research, especially in workplaces where I feel underqualified. I know it’s not a great way to connect with others, but there’s this urge to validate my opinions with my credentials. I’m curious about how others deal with long-term underemployment or feeling intellectually unchallenged. How do you manage the frustration of having knowledge that isn’t recognized or valued? I want to express my expertise without coming off as a know-it-all, but it’s a struggle. I’ve noticed that when I try to share my insights, it often doesn’t land well, and I worry about sounding arrogant. I’d love to hear from anyone who has faced similar challenges and how you’ve navigated the social dynamics of underemployment.

I had an interview today for a paralegal/legal assistant position at a law firm. This was my first time interviewing at a law firm, and I was feeling quite nervous since I don't have any legal experience, only a background in customer service. I reached out for advice and got some great tips. I learned that I need to clearly articulate what a paralegal does, including managing calendars, filing deadlines, and communication with the legal team. I also realized the importance of having strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication abilities. Overall, it was a valuable experience, and I'm hoping for the best!

I recently completed a bootcamp with EY GDS and I'm still waiting for my offer letter. It's been a bit frustrating as I was expecting to receive it by now. I know others in my cohort have received theirs, and I'm starting to feel a bit anxious about the situation. Has anyone else experienced a similar delay? I would appreciate any insights or advice on how to handle this.

I recently received a job offer from Lululemon, and I was ecstatic to finally land a position with a company I admire. However, I made a huge mistake on my CV by lying about my employment history. I exaggerated my experience at a well-known company, and now that they're conducting background checks, I'm filled with anxiety. I know I shouldn't have done this, and I regret it deeply. I was desperate after applying over 20 times in the past six months and felt like I had no other choice. I'm seeking advice from anyone who has faced a similar situation and can share how it turned out for them. What should I do now?

I'm currently searching for a job that allows for minimal human interaction and lets me use headphones. I understand the job market is tough right now, but my situation is quite specific. I have hyperacusis, which makes it extremely difficult for me to work in noisy environments like warehouses or restaurants where headphone use is often prohibited. This has led to conflicts with coworkers and has cost me jobs in the past. My anxiety and depression are also significant factors that impact my ability to work in such settings. I've been trying to get the necessary documentation to find a solution, but my psychologist and primary doctor haven't been able to assist me. I'm feeling quite desperate and overwhelmed by the lack of options.