Thinking

I recently joined an audit firm in Dubai as an intern about 8 months ago, and I’m feeling quite frustrated with my experience so far. Initially, I was excited to learn and grow, but I’ve felt that my efforts and progress have gone largely unrecognized. During my first couple of months, I was mostly sitting idle due to the off-season, and I didn't receive any formal training, which left me feeling lost. After a month and a half, I finally got assigned to work with a senior, but I struggled due to the lack of guidance. I raised my concerns with my manager, expressing my need for more support without criticizing my senior. However, it seems that my feedback has been held against me, and I still feel judged for it. In the last few months, I’ve made an effort to learn and take on responsibilities beyond what’s typical for an intern. But recently, I received an official warning from my manager primarily about my attendance and breaks, which I acknowledge I need to improve. I’ve been arriving late and taking longer breaks than allowed, but I followed the lead of my colleagues who seemed to do the same. The warning escalated beyond attendance issues, with my manager questioning my output and capabilities. I felt dismissed when I tried to explain my situation, and it hurt to hear that my progress was being minimized, especially considering that I was not given much work or training for a significant part of my internship. To make matters worse, I learned that my friend’s manager labeled me as a “bad influence” because of my habits, which felt incredibly unfair. I’m earning 3,000 AED per month and balancing work with ACCA exams and personal challenges. Now, I’m at a crossroads. I know I need to improve my punctuality and adherence to company rules, but I also feel that the environment hasn’t been conducive to my growth. I’m contemplating whether to stay until I finish my ACCA exams in December 2026 or start looking for other opportunities, knowing that resigning would come with a hefty training cost and a lengthy notice period. Additionally, there’s a potential promotion in November that could lead to a slight pay increase. I’m trying to assess if I’m avoiding accountability or if this is an unhealthy work environment. Any advice would be appreciated.

I've been struggling with chronic underemployment for quite some time now, hopping from one job to another without finding a stable position that truly fits my skills and aspirations. I often feel stuck in a cycle of low-paying, part-time jobs that don't utilize my full potential. I'm looking for advice on how to break free from this pattern and find a more fulfilling and stable career path. Any tips on job searching strategies, networking, or skills development would be greatly appreciated.

I just found out that my close friend, who had been with her company for a decade, got fired yesterday. It’s been a tough year for both of us; I was unexpectedly laid off earlier this year, which really threw me for a loop, but I recently started a new job that feels like a great fit. However, hearing about her situation is really weighing on me. At 63, she was hoping to stay at her job until she could qualify for social security at 65. The stress of her role was intense, and I know that from my own experience there before I left. Now, she’s in a tough spot, and I’m worried about her financial stability. She doesn’t have much saved for retirement, and the job market is brutal, especially for someone her age. I want to help her navigate this difficult time. I’m considering scanning job boards and sending her links to relevant positions, but I’m also thinking about helping her update her resume and LinkedIn profile to make sure she stands out in today’s job market. Additionally, I’ve heard that applying for unemployment benefits could provide her with some financial relief while she looks for a new job. I really hope I can support her through this. It’s heartbreaking to see someone so capable and intelligent facing such a challenging situation.

I recently found out that I may be ineligible for unemployment benefits after being laid off from my job at a nonprofit organization. I worked out of an office in Illinois, but the nonprofit's headquarters are in Colorado. Despite being a full-time employee and paying regular Illinois taxes, it seems that my employer did not report my wages to the state of Illinois. This has left me confused and frustrated, as I had no idea that this was even a possibility. I’m now trying to figure out if there’s any way I can qualify for unemployment benefits. Is it possible for me to seek unemployment in Colorado, even though I don’t live there? Or are remote employees in similar situations just out of luck when it comes to unemployment? I’ve heard from others that since the organization has more than four employees, they should have been reporting my wages to Illinois. If they reported to Colorado instead, it seems they may have made a mistake. I’m considering filing for unemployment in Colorado, but I’m not sure if that will work since I didn’t actually work there. I’m also looking into my paystubs to see where the state taxes were reported. This whole situation is really stressful, and I just want to know my options.

I got laid off two months ago from my role as a Java developer, where I had two years of experience with Java, Spring, and Spring Boot. In these two months, I've only managed to secure three interview opportunities, with today being the third one. During the interview, I was asked about Vert.x, a framework I had never heard of until recently. I spent my limited time learning about it, but I still struggled with some advanced questions. What hurt the most wasn't the lack of knowledge but the realization that years of hard work could be dismissed in a matter of minutes due to a few unanswered questions. The offered package was lower than my previous one, and I felt like my experience wasn't valued. It seems like the interview process has changed; one wrong answer can overshadow everything I've accomplished. With more candidates and the influence of AI, my skills feel less relevant. I often question if I chose the right career path, especially when comparing myself to friends who found better-paying jobs. Being in this limbo of having exactly two years of experience makes me feel stuck. I even faced a demoralizing moment when someone questioned my English skills after my layoff, despite my background in a product-based company. I know I'll continue to learn new technologies, but it's exhausting to feel like I'm constantly proving my worth. I'm sharing this because I know many developers feel the same way, and it's tough to keep demonstrating that our skills still hold value.

Today, I learned about a really unfortunate way to handle layoffs at my family member's company. They had a company-wide call scheduled for 9 AM, and everyone was on edge because they knew something was up. The company has been struggling due to circumstances beyond their control, and during the call, they announced that they would be sending out emails at 9:45 to inform employees whether or not they were laid off. This meant that everyone had to sit there for 25 minutes, anxiously waiting to see if they would be the ones getting the ax. It felt incredibly cruel to put everyone through that. My family member ended up being laid off, which was heartbreaking. I can't help but wonder if this is a common way to handle mass layoffs, as I've never experienced anything like it myself.

I was laid off last month from a multinational company where I had built an 8-year career. This was my first job right out of college, and now in my early 30s, I find myself at a crossroads. My role was quite niche, and there aren't many openings in that area since those in similar positions are holding on tightly to their jobs. I'm considering a career pivot, but I know that if I switch to another function, even if it's adjacent, I might have to start from the bottom again. I have transferable skills, but I'm unsure how this change will impact my career trajectory. I usually think of my career as a stackable game, where each experience builds on the last. I'm worried that a course change might set me back compared to those who have a more linear path. Has anyone else experienced this? How did your transition go?

I'm currently struggling to find a job at 17 years old, and it's been quite frustrating. I'm in my senior year of high school and have been actively searching for employment since January. I know my age might be a factor, but I have a solid resume that includes work experience and a certification in business management that I earned while studying. It's disheartening to see my peers landing jobs while I keep getting turned away. I've applied to various positions, but I'm starting to wonder if my resume needs more attention or if I should be looking at smaller businesses instead of larger chains. Any advice on how to improve my chances would be greatly appreciated.

I just learned that Salesforce is cutting 59 jobs across their Seattle and Bellevue offices. This is actually the second layoff announcement from the company this week, which is quite concerning. It feels like the atmosphere here is getting tense, and I can't help but wonder how many more layoffs might be on the horizon. Some people in the comments are suggesting that they should just fire everyone, which seems extreme but reflects the frustration many are feeling right now. I'm hoping to stay informed and prepared as this situation develops.

I am currently trying to transition from a traditional K-12 teaching role to a corporate position, which feels like a big shift for me. I have six years of teaching experience, but I lack any formal experience in educational roles like instructional design outside of a school environment. I'm debating whether it's appropriate for me to apply to job postings labeled as 'early career.' I've been struggling to get responses to my applications, and I wonder if my lack of diverse experience is the reason. I am tailoring my resume to align with the language used in the job postings, but I'm still not seeing results. I've received advice that applying to early career roles is a good idea, as this typically means entry-level positions in that specific field rather than a complete lack of professional experience. My teaching background has equipped me with valuable skills like planning, communication, and managing a classroom, but I'm concerned that it doesn't translate well on paper for corporate roles.

I recently started a trainee position at a multinational company in a field where I have significant expertise, but it's been a waking nightmare. My background is in construction management, and I've developed a strong skill set in this other area over the years, which I can't disclose due to the small nature of the field and the risk of my coworkers identifying me. After being unemployed like many others, I thought this role would be a stepping stone to utilize my knowledge, but instead, I'm stuck doing warehouse work that feels beneath my capabilities. The practices here are questionable at best, and they blatantly disregard employment laws. To make matters worse, my experience is treated with skepticism, and I often find myself being mocked for it. Despite breaking company production records on my third day, my achievements go unnoticed. The management seems oblivious to the economic factors impacting our work, and when I try to warn my boss about potential issues, my advice is ignored until it's too late. I feel trapped; if I didn't need this job to pay my bills, I would have left after the first week. Instead, I'm left watching this company waste potential while I struggle with anxiety every week. It's incredibly frustrating, but I know I need to keep applying for other jobs and find a way to leverage this experience on my resume.

I recently accepted a job offer for what I consider my dream position after leaving a toxic work environment. I'm currently waiting for the background check to be completed. However, I find myself in a bit of a dilemma. When I applied for the job months ago, my resume was accurate, but after submitting it, I took on a short-term role for about 2.5 months, which I resigned from just yesterday. During the interview process, I relied on my original resume and didn't mention this short-term job. When asked about my last job, I explained why I left and mentioned taking a break to find the right fit. In my final interview, I was specifically asked when I left my last company, and I stated I left in 2025, omitting the short-term role entirely since I was concerned it might negatively impact my chances of getting the job. Now, I'm worried about the background check. I checked my TWN report, and the short-term job is listed there. My main questions are: should I disclose this 2.5-month position if the background check asks for my employment history, even though it wasn't on my resume? Also, will the employer see everything I provide in the background check form, or just the final outcome? I know I could have approached this differently, but I'm trying to do the right thing moving forward. I really need this job and would appreciate any guidance.

I recently accepted a job as an Administrative Assistant after being out of work since May 2025. The pay is quite disappointing, dropping from my previous salary of $73k plus bonuses to just $34k. My husband was also laid off in March, which adds to the stress. Although our cost of living is low, I can't help but feel sad about the pay cut after submitting over 300 applications and going through 50 interviews. I'm trying to stay positive, hoping that this position at a small college will allow me to finish my master's degree and that it will be easier to find a better job in a year. I'm also considering doing part-time virtual assistant work on the side while managing this new job.

I had a scheduled phone interview with State Farm that left me feeling really confused and frustrated. I waited around for two hours past the interview time, hoping to receive a call, but nothing came through—no call, no text, and no email. I even sent a courtesy email to check if the time was inconvenient for them, but I still haven't heard back. They had my correct phone number since it was included in the reminder email, which makes it even more puzzling. The last text I received from them was just after midnight, notifying me that I missed the interview, which feels really unprofessional considering I never got a call or voicemail. Now, I'm unsure whether I should cancel the other interview I scheduled after this one, as I don't want to jeopardize that opportunity.

I recently started a full-time position at a Fortune 500 company as an IT professional after working there for three years as an intern. Initially, I relocated for this new role, which is hybrid, but my manager has indicated that the team plans to work together in the same office. However, I’m considering requesting to move back to my previous office for several reasons. Firstly, the cost of living in my current location is extremely high. Owning a home here could take me 3-5 years, and expenses like auto insurance and property taxes are overwhelming. Secondly, my family is relying on me financially since my dad recently lost his job, and it’s been tough to manage high rent while supporting them. Lastly, I don’t have any family in this new area, and my partner and I are planning to have kids. It would be challenging to raise children without family support nearby. I want to discuss this with my manager, but I’m unsure how to approach the topic, especially since they seem to expect me to stay in the current location. I know it’s common for employees to work remotely across states in this company, which gives me some hope. I’d appreciate any advice on how to frame my request for relocation.

I recently applied for a position at a doughnut shop called Rodeo Doughnuts, which is trying to introduce coffee to their menu. I've gone through two interviews and they want me to come in for a trial shift. However, I'm feeling a bit hesitant about it because the company had a troubled past; they had to rebrand after controversy over taking ideas from a Black-owned business and treating their staff poorly. The new reviews are mixed—some say it's improved, but there are still many old negative ones from when they were known as Doughnut Time. On the plus side, the job offers 50% off doughnuts, one free coffee during shifts, decent pay, and the possibility of using my phone, although I'm not sure how strict they are about that. The downsides include working alone, uncertainty about toilet breaks, no designated lunch breaks (I’d have to eat while working), and closing at 1 AM. I'm particularly concerned about the management's attitude; I've heard they might not allow me to take breaks or use my phone while working alone, which could be really stressful. I'm torn about whether to go to the trial shift and accept the job if offered. I’d love to hear thoughts on whether I should take the plunge or hold off.

I recently found myself unemployed for three months after leaving my previous job as a marketing coordinator in late April due to a change in management. Unfortunately, I went through a severe depressive episode shortly after quitting, which made job searching quite challenging. Now that I'm ready to re-enter the workforce, I'm concerned about how to address this gap in interviews. I did some gig work with Doordash during that time just to make ends meet, but I'm hesitant to bring that up in interviews. I know I can't just say I was depressed, so I'm considering framing it as taking time to focus on finding the right opportunity. I've read that three months isn't a significant gap and that I shouldn't overthink it, but I still want to be prepared for any questions about my unemployment. I'm thinking of saying something like, "I took some time off to focus on finding the next opportunity that was right for me," which feels like a safe approach. I hope that will suffice and help me move forward in my job search.

I just received a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) notification from my manager at Microsoft IDC. I feel it's completely unfair, as I was put on a lite cycle this time, which my manager claims triggered the PIP option. He insists that he tried to prevent this and that neither he nor the higher-ups were aware that being on lite would lead to a PIP under the new HR policy. He reassured me that this is just a formality and suggested that I should take the PIP option. I'm in a tough spot and looking for advice on whether to trust him or to opt for the GVSA (Voluntary Separation Agreement) instead. If I choose the GVSA, I want to know if I will receive four months of base pay or just my basic pay. The feedback from others is leaning towards taking the GVSA, as they believe that the company might be hoping I take the PIP just to get four months of work out of me before letting me go. They suggest that the GVSA would give me the financial cushion to look for a job where I'm valued. I’m really torn about this situation and would appreciate any guidance on the best course of action.

I'm currently working as a kitchen assistant at a large hospitality company that owns various establishments. While I appreciate the company, I'm feeling really burnt out with my current role. I hold a BA in Illustration and I'm about to graduate with an MA in Digital Design, but finding jobs related to my field has been incredibly disheartening. I've been considering approaching upper management to discuss the possibility of switching to an internal role, perhaps as a junior designer, digital marketer, or content creator. I plan to showcase some of my recent work, like rebranding concepts, menu designs, and social media content that I've created during my MA program. I’m curious if anyone has successfully made a similar move within their company or if I would be overstepping by asking. I don't want to embarrass myself, but I believe I could bring valuable ideas to the table. I've heard of others in my company being given new roles when circumstances changed, which gives me some hope. However, I'm also aware that if I express my desire to move on, the gossip around the office could spread quickly, making things uncomfortable.

Today marks the beginning of my new job, but I'm already facing a significant issue. The employer provided me with my tax documents, but when it came time to sign the I-9, they refused to accept my social security card and driver's license. As a U.S. citizen, this raises a major red flag for me, and I'm feeling hesitant about moving forward with this position. I've reached out for advice, and it seems like many agree that this is not standard practice. Some suggested that I ensure I'm being classified as a W-2 employee rather than an independent contractor, and others pointed out that the documents I provided should be valid. I'm really unsure about what to do next and whether I should report this situation or seek clarification from them.