Thinking

I've been unemployed for nearly a year now, and the job search has been incredibly challenging. I have about 7 years of experience in sourcing and procurement, but the opportunities seem scarce. I’m lucky to land an interview once a month, and when I do, I'm often up against candidates with much more experience than I have. My partner has been encouraging me to consider switching careers, but I'm hesitant. I’ve explored adjacent roles without much success, and the thought of starting completely over is daunting. Recently, I earned my PMP certification to enhance my resume and keep myself busy, but I’m beginning to wonder if I should focus on gaining more certifications to justify my time off instead. Thankfully, finances aren't a pressing issue for me right now.

I've been reflecting on my situation lately as a 19-year-old immigrant living with my parents. I've always held a negative view of minimum wage jobs, thinking of them as a sort of humiliation or a form of payroll slavery, influenced by family and media. However, after facing numerous rejections from decent jobs, apprenticeships, and universities, I'm starting to feel the pressure of needing to earn money. The thought of applying for positions like cashier, waiter, or promoter really shakes my belief system. I desire personal freedom and a better future, but I find myself stuck in this dilemma. I live in a European country where labor laws are generally supportive of workers, yet I still feel hesitant about taking a minimum wage job. I'm considering whether it's worth it to take one of these jobs or if I should wait it out until college or pursue my own side hustle, like YouTube or a niche tech repair business. I could really use some outside perspective on this situation.

I’m a 24-year-old female originally from Norway, now living in Austin, Texas. I've worked in sales across various countries and have also gained marketing experience here in the U.S. Unfortunately, my work visa just expired, and I’m heading back to school. Due to my visa restrictions, I can only work part-time during my first year. I’m eager to return to sales but I'm uncertain about the availability of part-time roles in this field. I would greatly appreciate any advice or leads on part-time sales jobs!

I recently applied for a position and my application is currently under review. However, I noticed that just 8 days after the original job listing was posted, it was refreshed with a longer title and new responsibilities added. I'm wondering if I should base my interview preparation on the original listing or the updated one. Is this a common occurrence? Did something go wrong with the original posting, or are they possibly consolidating roles? I’m feeling a bit uncertain about the situation and would appreciate any insights.

I recently found myself in a tough spot at my current job as a line cook, feeling pretty miserable. I've worked in various roles, including retail and delivery, but I'm ready for a change. Right now, I'm in the process of interviewing for a delivery job with a local company that I really like. I have a second interview lined up, and since I've done similar work before, I feel confident about it. At the same time, I just applied for a technical support position at a software company where a friend works. It's an entry-level role, and I put a lot of effort into my resume and cover letter, even though my experience doesn't perfectly match the job description. I believe my previous roles have equipped me with the necessary skills. The challenge I'm facing is that I'm nearing the second interview for the delivery job, but I haven't heard back from the software company yet since I just submitted my application. I'm really interested in the technical support position, but I don't want to risk losing the delivery job offer without having a solid answer from the other company. I'm wondering how long I can ask the delivery company to wait while I weigh my options. I know I can communicate with them, but I'm not very experienced in these situations and could use some guidance. I really want to make the right decision without losing out on either opportunity.

I'm a 24-year-old on F-1 OPT, feeling incredibly frustrated with my job search. I hold a bachelor's degree in accounting and auditing and a master's degree in finance. I have about a year of experience in risk advisory at a Big 4 firm in my home country, along with a 10-month internal audit internship at a Fortune 500 company in the US. I'm specifically targeting internal audit roles that require 0-5 years of experience, but I'm facing constant rejections. I rarely even get to the HR phone screen, and when I do, it often doesn't progress because companies either don't want to hire someone without citizenship or a green card or they prefer candidates with more specialized experience. I'm currently preparing for my CIA part-1 exam, hoping that will improve my chances. It’s exhausting to feel like I’m stuck in a loop of applying for positions I know I can excel in, only to be auto-filtered out for internships since I'm no longer a student. Even entry-level roles (0-2/3 years of experience) are rejecting me, leaving me confused about whether I'm seen as underqualified or overqualified. I've also tried branching out into Financial Analyst and FP&A roles, as I noticed some of my peers landing these positions with no experience, but I'm not having any luck there either. I've tailored my resumes for each job application, and sometimes I even indicate that I don't need sponsorship just to see if it helps me get an HR phone screen, but it rarely leads to anything. The feedback I get is often vague, stating they've found candidates that better align with the role, even when I feel I meet the job description perfectly. I’m hesitant to spend a lot on consultancy services that promise to optimize my resume with keywords, especially when they take a large percentage of my first-year salary without guaranteeing a job. I'm open to any suggestions or advice on how to navigate this challenging job market.

I was laid off today after just four hours of work, receiving the news via email. The paperwork they sent was dated for yesterday, which feels a bit ridiculous. To add insult to injury, they shorted me a day of PTO but claimed they processed a severance check 'in good faith.' However, they also want me to sign a non-sue agreement to release the severance. This company is Canadian and is shutting down their US operations, specifically in California. I’m tempted to ask for that missing day of PTO and the hours I worked this morning, but I’m worried that it might jeopardize the severance offer since they’ve made it clear I can’t pursue them legally. I’m also debating whether to apply for unemployment benefits today or wait until Sunday, as I’ve heard mixed opinions on the timing. I’m considering consulting an employment lawyer to get some clarity on my situation and to ensure I have documented evidence of my layoff and the hours I worked.

I was laid off from Meta on May 20, but my official termination date is set for July 22. During this notice period, I’ve remained on payroll, and my pay stubs indicate 'Notice Pay.' I’m currently navigating the complexities of my H-1B status and trying to figure out when the 60-day grace period starts. I’ve heard differing opinions on whether it begins from the notification date or the official termination date. Given that Fragomen informed me they would notify USCIS only 30 days from the official termination date, I’m wondering if there’s a solid argument to claim the grace period starts after July 22 instead of May 20. I’m concerned about the implications if I stay in the U.S. past July 19 while interviewing, especially if USCIS argues the grace period started earlier. I’m not looking for legal advice, just hoping to hear from others who have been in similar situations, especially fellow Meta employees or those who experienced a WARN notice.

I’ve learned a tough lesson about loyalty in the workplace. After dedicating three years to my role as a senior developer at my company, I found out that my manager decided to hire three new employees to replace me and another senior dev. It feels disheartening to realize that we’re seen as not 'sexy' enough anymore. One of the new hires is particularly toxic, being rude and micromanaging our work, yet the manager seems to support this behavior, placing the blame on us instead. Now, it seems like they want us to resign. I've spent countless sleepless nights working hard for this company, and this is the reward I get. I’m considering my options, especially after seeing advice about not resigning and pushing for a layoff instead to secure severance and unemployment.

I recently had two interviews with a company that seemed to go really well. After the second interview, the CEO even reached out to me, expressing that they felt positive about my fit for the role and asked when I could start. I responded by saying that I would need to give my current employer a two weeks' notice, but that this was contingent on receiving a formal offer letter first. I mentioned that mid-July would be the earliest I could start, as we are nearing July. Interestingly, we hadn't even discussed compensation yet, and I can't just leave my current job without knowing if the new position would offer at least what I currently make. To be honest, I don't have a strong attachment to my current job; it's not a career maker for me. However, I'm left wondering if my straightforward approach was off-putting to them. I feel like I was just being honest about my situation, but I can't help but think that maybe they were turned off by my need for an offer before resigning. It's ironic how employers expect a two weeks' notice when resigning, yet they often want candidates to leave their current jobs without any notice when hiring.

I had an interview today for a medical assistant position. During the interview, the hiring manager mentioned that they want to keep me in the running for the role and will get back to me on Monday. I'm feeling hopeful about this, but I'm also trying to manage my expectations. Is this a good sign?

I’ve been helping my boyfriend with his job search for finance roles in New York, but it's been tough. He’s been applying for months and hasn’t landed a single interview. I reached out for feedback on his resume, hoping to get some insights on how to improve it. A lot of the comments suggested that his resume is too lengthy and reads more like an essay than a concise summary of his qualifications. One commenter pointed out that his opening line about identifying a $70 million misclassification was too detailed and should be simplified. They recommended shortening every bullet point to make it easier for hiring managers to read. Another piece of advice was to include a skills section at the top that matches the job descriptions he’s applying for. It seems like he needs to focus on using buzzwords and phrases that are relevant to the positions to get past the initial screening. Some commenters also mentioned that his state school background might be a disadvantage in the competitive NYC finance scene, emphasizing the importance of networking and presenting a polished image. I’m hoping to take this feedback and help him refine his resume so he can finally get some interviews.

I just received an invitation for an in-person interview and they are flying me out from the east coast to the west coast. This is my first time going through this process, so I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. I have a general idea of what to expect during the interview, but I want to make sure I'm fully prepared. I'm looking for any recommendations on questions I should ask during the interview or any tips that could help me navigate this experience successfully.

I recently applied for a customer service position at a company called Cranford Auto Repair. I was excited when I got an email from the recruiter inviting me for an interview, but then they asked me to download an app on my computer to book the interview. This raised a red flag for me, and I wanted to check if this is a normal practice. I did some research and found that the name on the building doesn't match what I found online. I couldn't find any reviews on Glassdoor except for the job I applied for. The whole situation feels off, and I'm hesitant to proceed. I’ve been advised by others to avoid downloading anything or clicking on links. Has anyone else experienced something similar?

I was laid off in March 2024 and have been on the job hunt ever since. I've submitted hundreds of applications for Software Engineering, DevOps, and Cloud Technology roles, but the response has been disheartening. Most of the interviews I've managed to get have been brief, lasting only 4 to 5 minutes, and they rarely lead anywhere meaningful. I have nearly 3 years of experience in fintech, working with technologies like Java, XML, Spring Boot, Kubernetes, Azure, and Groovy. My full-stack experience includes JavaScript, Node.js, MongoDB, and Express. To stay sharp, I've been using AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT, and I've even deployed a React application on Netlify and full-stack apps on Heroku while contributing to open source projects. Back in 2021, I was frequently approached by recruiters, and interviews were abundant. However, the job market has changed dramatically since then, and I know I’m not the only one facing this challenge. I’ve been networking actively, attending local tech events, and posting on LinkedIn. I'm also considering opportunities in other states, including North Carolina and Texas. I'm reaching out to the community for advice. What strategies or platforms are working for you in the 2026 tech job market? Any recommendations for roles to explore or connections that could help would be greatly appreciated.

I had a really unsettling experience at my job recently. I'm currently in my probationary period as staff at an academic institution, and I received a performance appraisal that I thought was supposed to be a straightforward review. However, my manager asked me to rewrite it before she sends it to HR, which feels like it's turning into a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). During our annual review meeting, I expected to discuss my performance, especially areas where I might need improvement. Instead, my manager went through my appraisal and, even for the sections where I was rated highly, she insisted that I come up with ways to improve. For example, I was praised for processing reimbursements efficiently, but she wanted me to list actions to push beyond that, which felt absurd since it's a straightforward task. She also instructed me to remove the context I had provided about my work and her own positive feedback, which was concerning. It felt like she was trying to reframe my performance to highlight deficiencies rather than acknowledge my contributions. I'm worried that what will be sent to HR will look like a list of my shortcomings, even though I had received no negative feedback prior to this. To make matters worse, I have a meeting with the ombuds office scheduled for the afternoon after I need to submit the revised appraisal. I’m feeling anxious about whether I'm being overly paranoid or if this is genuinely a strange situation. I want to remain professional, but I'm concerned this is being used to build a case against me before my probation review.

After 16 months of searching, I finally received a job offer! I have a Master’s degree and have been focused on the nonprofit sector while living in a large city on the East Coast. The journey was long and filled with ups and downs, but I stayed persistent and kept applying. I learned a lot about networking and tailored my resume for each position. Excited to start this new chapter!

I recently applied for unemployment benefits after being let go from my job in May. I filled out the necessary forms for my most recent employer, and their statement about my termination seemed accurate. I was let go due to poor performance, but I didn’t break any rules. Now, I’ve received another claimant form from a previous employer where I worked from February to April 2025. Their statement about my termination is quite harsh and includes some inaccuracies. They claim I was hired for a temporary position and that I lacked urgency, skill, and knowledge, often played on my phone, and was not suitable for any permanent role due to my work ethic. They also stated that my negligence could have caused significant issues with clients' tax returns, which I find misleading since I only passed them off for review and didn’t file them myself. I was never warned about my phone usage or my performance; I only received some pointers for improvement. I accidentally agreed to their statements while submitting the form, but I plan to contact the unemployment office to correct my answers. I'm worried that these statements might disqualify me from receiving unemployment benefits. If that’s the case, would I need to file an appeal? Also, is their claim about potential harm accurate, given my actual role in the process?

I got approved for unemployment benefits in May and have been submitting my weekly payment requests for five weeks. However, all my previous requests showed the status "your request for payment has been received, but cannot be paid." After contacting the Department of Labor, I learned that I was missing some affidavit paperwork. Once I submitted that, they told me everything should be fine. I just checked my account and saw that I received payment for Week 5, which is my most recent request, but the first four weeks still show the same status. I'm wondering if it's normal to experience such delays in receiving backpay for previous claims or if it indicates a potential issue with my application.

I've been on the job hunt for a while now, trying to find a better-paying position in human resources. It feels like I'm putting in a lot of effort without any results, and I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it or if I should just stick with my current job. I've been applying to roles that match my skills and experience, but I rarely get callbacks. It's disheartening, and I can't help but question if the job market is really that bad or if I'm just focused on a skewed perspective from what I see online. I know that people who are doing well in their careers often don't share their experiences, which might make it seem like the market is worse than it really is.