Thinking

I was all set to start my new job on Monday, but now it's been pushed back to later this week. I just got laid off from my previous position after three years, which ended this past Friday. I'm wondering if it's worth it to file for EDD for just a few days of unemployment. I've heard that the first week of a new UI claim in California is an unpaid waiting week, so I'm not sure if it's even worth the hassle. Some people suggested that since my new job could be delayed again, it might be a good idea to file just in case. Worst case scenario, I don't get any benefits, but at least I tried.

I’m currently in the job search phase and feeling pretty frustrated. I’m 17 and trying to find my first job, but it seems like everyone around me has already landed a position. I've sent out over 30 applications, but I've only managed to secure three interviews. Unfortunately, two of those ended in rejection, and the third one ghosted me completely. It was especially disheartening because the interviewer seemed to like me, and I followed up multiple times only to be told that my name would be passed to the hiring manager, but nothing came of it. I’m really feeling the pinch financially and just want to find something to get started.

I’ve been reflecting on the current job market, and I truly believe it’s the worst we’ve seen in the 21st century. While it’s not as catastrophic as the 2008 financial crisis, trying to land a job feels like an impossible mission right now. For those of us who have been employed for a while, it’s hard to grasp just how tough it is to find new opportunities until you’re actually in that position. It’s a rude awakening. From what I’ve gathered, the situation seems particularly dire for active job seekers. Those who are currently employed might find their jobs stable, but for anyone looking to change roles, the hiring landscape feels almost frozen. I’ve seen comments suggesting that the competition has intensified not just from local candidates but also from international talent and AI advancements, making it even harder to stand out. Reflecting on the past, I can’t help but feel sympathy for my generation, the millennials, who faced similar challenges during the last recession. It’s disheartening to think about how many times we’ve been affected by economic downturns. I’m also reminded of my father’s struggles during that time when he lost his job; it was a tough period for our family. Now, as I navigate this challenging job market, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re in for a long and difficult road ahead.

I have an interview coming up on very short notice, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I'm not sure how to prepare effectively. I've heard that memorizing answers isn't the best approach since the questions might not even match what I've practiced. Instead, I've been advised to come up with three specific stories from my past work or school experiences: one about a time when I fixed something that was broken, another where I had to learn something quickly, and a third about working with a difficult person. Each story should be around two minutes long, which seems manageable. I've also realized that I need to brush up on the company and its mission. Understanding the problems they are trying to solve with this role is crucial. I want to think about how my experiences can help address those issues and be ready to communicate that effectively during the interview. I know storytelling can be powerful, so I plan to highlight relevant experiences that demonstrate my problem-solving abilities, even if things didn’t go perfectly. Here’s hoping I can pull this together in time!

I'm 22, soon to be 23, and I just graduated with dual bachelor's degrees in finance and management from two prestigious universities in different countries through an international program. Despite having three internships and being actively involved in student organizations, I feel lost compared to my peers, many of whom have secured jobs or are pursuing their passions. Currently, I'm working a part-time job for just 12 hours a week, which isn't enough to ease my anxiety about the future. I'm applying for full-time positions and studying for additional certifications like the FMVA and CFA, but I can't shake the feeling that I'm wasting my parents' money on something that might not lead to a job. I'm genuinely worried about whether I'm falling behind in life at my age.

I'm currently in Germany and facing a tough situation at work. I initially wanted to stabilize my life through my job, but it seems to be doing the opposite. I've lost touch with friends and can't communicate with my family, which has left me feeling isolated. Recently, I had to visit the doctor due to the bullying I've been experiencing at work, and I received a sick leave for a week. I had planned to return to work on Friday, but after my doctor's visit, I realized I needed some time off. I had a brief call with my boss on Friday and mentioned that I would get back to him on Monday, but I didn't specify how many days I would be absent, which is required by law. I wrote an email to HR regarding my sick note, but I still haven't informed my boss, and I'm avoiding that conversation. I feel lost and have been distracting myself instead of taking action. I haven't checked my personal messages, assuming no one is reaching out, which has only contributed to my isolation. The bullying at work has taken a toll on me, and I've found myself spending money on lawyers instead of focusing on my well-being. Today, it took me hours just to make breakfast, and I'm struggling with procrastination due to my ADHD. I feel like a fraud for not being able to handle this situation, and I'm unsure of how to proceed.

I recently had a panel interview for a position I was really excited about. The interview took place on a Monday, and I received an email from the recruiter on Thursday. In the email, they thanked me for my time, mentioned that they enjoyed getting to know me, and said they were working on some internal details before providing an update on the next steps. The hiring manager had previously indicated that I would hear back by the following week, so I’m trying to interpret this email. Some comments I received suggested that while it’s a good sign they reached out so quickly, it’s not a definite yes yet. I appreciate any insights on what this might mean for my candidacy.

I’m currently in a tough situation with my job and my STEM OPT application. My regular OPT expired in August, and I applied for STEM OPT before it ran out, but it’s still pending with USCIS. Unfortunately, my employer has informed me that they won’t be able to continue my employment after October due to funding issues. This means I could be unemployed while waiting for my STEM OPT approval. I have about 15 out of 90 unemployment days left on my OPT, which adds to my anxiety. I’m considering applying for premium processing to speed things up, but I’ve heard that even that can take over a month. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I recently went through a lengthy interview process for an R&D Technician position at a company. I completed six interviews in total—three on-site and three virtual, which included two with HR representatives. After about two to three weeks of waiting, I received a verbal offer from the Head of HR, along with a start date. She mentioned that they were just waiting for the CEO to sign the offer letter. However, a week has passed and I still haven't received the official offer letter. This situation is incredibly frustrating, and I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar.

I recently accepted a junior role at a startup and was excited when they invited me to attend a company-wide event at their overseas HQ during my first week. The trip is about a week long, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet my new colleagues. However, I ran into some issues with the travel arrangements. Two weeks before my start date, I reached out to the HR manager to discuss flight options, specifically a direct flight that was available for a reasonable fare. Unfortunately, after several follow-ups, I didn't hear back for eight days, and when she finally booked my flight, it was for a much longer journey with a long layover. I felt this was unreasonable, so I requested a change. The HR manager then went out of the office the next day, leaving me unable to get any clarification. I tried contacting another HR manager and the event coordinator, but they also didn't respond. Now, with my flight scheduled for tomorrow, I'm stuck with the long itinerary they booked. I had thought about asking if I could fly out a few days early to explore the city at my own expense, but I didn't want to seem like I was taking advantage of the situation. Now, I regret not asking because I’m facing this long flight anyway. I’m also considering whether it would be reasonable to ask about changing my return flight to a shorter option, but it would cost $300 and only offer a slight improvement. I’m worried about coming across as demanding, especially since this will be my fourth request. I’m feeling really frustrated with how this has been handled, and it’s added a lot of stress before I even start my new job.

I wanted to share a quick update on my job situation. A couple of months ago, I made the decision to leave my old employer without having a new job lined up. I was a bit nervous about it, but it turns out it was the right choice for me. Surprisingly, my old company is still doing okay and even found a good replacement for my role, for which I provided a solid handover. However, I've heard that they continue to make the same mistakes and employee satisfaction has actually declined since I left. On a positive note, despite the tough job market, I managed to secure two strong job offers within just over two months of a relaxed job search. I chose the one that offered better benefits and seemed to have a more manageable team dynamic. I still have a few weeks before I start my new role, so I'm taking some time off to recharge before diving back into work. For anyone considering a change, I encourage you to start looking for something new instead of just complaining about your current situation. You don't have to quit right away like I did, but exploring options can lead to better opportunities.

I had two interviews last week, and they couldn't be more different from each other. I've been job searching since April 2026 after a reduction in force at my job of 12 years in healthcare IT, where I worked as an implementation specialist and sometimes as a project manager. After a long period of silence in my job search, I finally received responses from two companies and interviewed with both. Both positions are remote, but they offer vastly different experiences. **Job 1** is a management role outside of healthcare, but it comes with a starting salary that is $10k-15k less than what I was making. A significant downside is that they require the camera to be on 90% of the time, even when I'm not on calls with clients. It feels like constant surveillance, which is quite off-putting. **Job 2**, on the other hand, is within my industry but is not a managerial position. The starting base pay is $30k less than my previous salary, but the camera policy is much more relaxed—only on for big all-hands meetings. I'm torn between these two options and would appreciate any thoughts or advice on what to consider if I receive offers from either.

I recently faced a tough situation at my fast food job where I've been employed for 15 months. My manager told me to remove the establishment from my resume and to take him off as a reference because I've called out sick six times. I typically work between 1 to 4 shifts a week, and I feel like that’s not an unreasonable number of sick days, especially considering my friends think I don’t call out enough. I'm really confused about whether six sick days is too much and if my manager has the right to dictate what I include on my resume while still expecting me to work there. I'm also wondering if I can ask a different coworker to be my reference without facing any backlash from him. On top of this, I've been job hunting for over six months and had eight interviews this month but haven't landed anything. The demand for entry-level customer service roles in my area is really high, and I'm not looking to switch to a different type of work.

Today, I officially became displaced from my role due to company restructuring. My department was asked to apply for new positions with increased responsibilities but no additional pay, and most required returning to the office. After evaluating the new roles, I decided they weren't for me, so I applied for just one position that I knew I likely wouldn't get, hoping it would trigger a layoff to secure my unemployment and severance benefits. Thankfully, my plan worked, and I wasn't offered the position. Recently, we received an email stating that backfill positions will be posted soon, and HR will be reaching out to discuss next steps for displaced employees. I'm anxious about this meeting—will they try to push me into one of those backfill roles? I want to know if I can refuse without risking my benefits. I hope I'm just overthinking it and that the meeting is actually about my layoff.

I spent the first three years of my college experience struggling with depression, which made it really hard to engage in my studies or seek out opportunities. Thankfully, I'm on track to graduate on time, but I feel like I've missed out on crucial experiences that would help me land a job. The entry-level job market is tough, and without internships or relevant experience, I'm finding it nearly impossible to get hired. I worked throughout college to support myself, which added to my stress and left little time for anything else, including internships. Now, with the high cost of living and looming student loans, I feel completely defeated. It seems like everyone expects you to be a perfect student, and I can't shake the feeling that my struggles have doomed me to a dead-end job, like working in an Amazon warehouse. I really don't know what to do next. I feel trapped in this dark chapter of my life and could use some advice on how to move forward.

I recently received a conditional job offer, but I'm facing a significant hurdle with the background check. My previous employer, where I worked for a few years, has closed down, and now the background check can't verify my employment there. The company's website is no longer active, and I've tried reaching out to old email addresses, but none of them work anymore. I've already sent over my contract and payslips as proof of employment, but the background check still says they are unable to verify my job. I'm really anxious about this situation. Has anyone else dealt with a similar issue? I'm worried this might delay or even jeopardize my job offer. I’ve seen some suggestions online about reaching out to former managers on LinkedIn for verification, which I might try. I’m also considering asking the screening company if they would accept alternative documents like tax records or bank statements showing my payroll deposits. I plan to inform the HR department about the closure of my previous employer so they understand the context. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I am currently navigating a two-year employment gap that resulted from my resignation due to health reasons. After leaving my job, I went to rehab for substance abuse, which was a significant step in my recovery. I was able to receive unemployment insurance for a year, but then I transitioned to state disability due to chronic joint pain that affects my mobility. My knees are in particularly bad shape, making it difficult to resume work. I'm seeking advice on how to explain this gap in my employment history to potential employers without raising concerns about my health or my past. I want to present my situation honestly while also highlighting my readiness and capability to work.

I’ve been unemployed for 11 months now, and honestly, it’s been one of the toughest experiences of my life. The constant worry about how I’m going to pay my rent and bills is overwhelming. I’ve tried to make ends meet with temp and gig jobs, but they just don’t provide enough stability or income. I left my last job primarily because my commute was costing me around $300 a week in Uber rides. The distance was just too far, and when it rained, the prices would skyrocket, which made it even worse. Now, looking back, I’m really questioning whether I made the right choice by leaving. The weight of being in survival mode for so long is really taking a toll on me, and I’m feeling pretty hard on myself about it.

I took 5 days to respond to a job opportunity that a recruiter reached out to me about. They followed up after 2 days, and I finally replied expressing my interest. I’ve been juggling a sub gig and didn’t plan on looking for something new until December, which is why I delayed my response. I do have relevant experience, but I’m worried that my late reply might make them think I’m not really interested. I’ve seen some comments suggesting that this could hurt my chances, and now I’m feeling anxious about the whole situation.

I recently made the difficult decision to quit my first job. From the very first day, I felt something was off, but I brushed it off as normal first-day jitters. After a week of onboarding, I expected some training to kick in, but it never happened. I tried to push through, showing up every day and bonding with my team. However, I started experiencing severe panic attacks, sometimes every hour, lasting around 20 minutes. I convinced myself it was just fear of the unknown. I poured my heart into the job, but every weekend was consumed by battling these panic attacks or trying to avoid them. My friends noticed something was wrong, and I often found myself crying during cab rides home. I was so exhausted from the panic that I could only sleep by passing out from sheer fatigue. I even went to the hospital twice due to high blood pressure, and they recommended I see a psychologist. I feared that quitting would mean I was failing and letting everyone down, but my loved ones reassured me that it was okay to prioritize my health. Although I'm still scared about being unemployed, I realized that living a fulfilling life is more important than a job that wasn't right for me.