Thinking

I started my first job at a fast food restaurant about a month ago, expecting to work a standard 40-hour week. However, after my first day, I was left in the dark about my schedule. The owner initially told me I would work Wednesdays and Fridays, but when I showed up, I learned I had missed a day because my name wasn't entered into the system. I tried reaching out to the owner multiple times, but I received no response. The managers directed me back to the owner, and despite my efforts—calling, texting, and even visiting the store—I was met with silence. After two weeks of uncertainty, I inquired about my paycheck, only to find out that I would have to wait due to a franchise issue. When checks were finally issued, I was not informed to pick mine up, and when I went to the store, they didn’t have a check for me. Now, I'm left waiting for updates on my pay while already searching for a new job. I'm starting to wonder if I did something wrong or if this situation is typical in the fast food industry. It seems like the owner may have over-hired, as there were often 6-7 people in the kitchen when only a few were needed.

I’m feeling really discouraged about my job prospects lately. I’ve had a string of short-lived jobs, getting hired and then fired within just one to two months. It’s tough because I never receive clear feedback on what went wrong; I just get told I’m not a good fit. At 21, I’ve mostly worked in food and customer service roles at places like Domino's, Chick-fil-A, and Subway. I always try to show up early, listen attentively, and complete my tasks without complaint. I’m willing to take on any responsibilities asked of me. I’m starting to wonder if I’m the problem or if I’m just overthinking it. Recently, I lost half of my jobs, and my remaining employer cut my hours in half, which has left me feeling pretty low. I could really use some advice or encouragement right now.

I was recently placed on a coaching plan at Capital One following my mid-year reviews, and I was informed that it would last for 30 days. However, this week I learned that the plan has been extended for another 30 days, despite receiving positive feedback during the initial period. I'm feeling uneasy about this extension, so I decided to research the coaching plan and discovered that it could potentially lead to a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), which I wasn't aware of and wasn't explained to me. I reached out via email to both my manager and their manager, seeking clear guidance and actionable feedback for the extension, as I feel I haven't received substantial input so far. Now I'm questioning whether sending that email was a mistake. Am I jeopardizing my position by rocking the boat, or do I have nothing to lose at this point?

I recently applied for a remote data entry position at Eumedica Pharmaceuticals AG, and I'm starting to feel uneasy about the whole situation. The pay is set at $30.75, which seems way too high for a data entry job. I did some research and found a profile of someone named Veronica Aebersold who claims to work there, but I also discovered that the email address used for communication (info@eumedicapharmaag.work) was flagged as suspicious by Gmail. I haven't shared any sensitive information yet, but they want to interview me on Teams. Writing this out has made me realize that there are several red flags, and I’m beginning to think this might be a scam. I would appreciate any outside opinions on this matter, as I couldn't find any complaints about scams related to this company.

I've been in an operations role for over four years now, focusing on onboardings, customer service, and data analysis. My experience has mostly revolved around problem-solving and connecting different parties, and while I'm familiar with SQL and some data retrieval tools, I don't code. I work for a smaller sector of my company, and I've really enjoyed the work-from-home flexibility and the great work-life balance it offers. My commute is just 15 minutes three times a week, and I can set my own hours, which has been fantastic. However, I've noticed that my salary has only increased by about 13% over these four years, and while my workload has ramped up slightly, my engagement with the work has decreased. I find myself questioning my career trajectory and wondering if I should be more proactive about seeking new opportunities. Although I've applied to several jobs in the past few months, I haven't received any responses, which has been discouraging. I'm at a crossroads: should I focus on finding new roles externally, or should I invest more effort in exploring internal opportunities? There's a new senior position opening up in my company that I plan to apply for, but I also feel a sense of complacency given my low-stress environment. I often grapple with whether I should be content with my current situation or push myself to strive for more. I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this phase of my career.

Feeling overwhelmed by the constant layoffs happening in the tech industry. It seems like every week there are more cuts, and I can't help but wonder how we're all supposed to survive this. It feels like the higher-ups are completely disconnected from the struggles we face. I'm trying to stay positive and keep my job search going, but it's tough when the job market feels so unstable.

I recently came across news that Amazon is attempting to rehire employees it previously let go, particularly in AI and cloud computing roles. It seems like the company is realizing the importance of these positions as they continue to evolve in the tech landscape. I can't help but find it ironic that they are now trying to lure back individuals they deemed expendable not too long ago. It's a reminder of how quickly things can change in the tech industry.

I started my onboarding process for a new job this morning, and it's been incredibly frustrating. The position is supposed to pay well, which is why I’m eager to get everything sorted out. However, when I tried to submit my documentation, I kept receiving an error message. I attempted to troubleshoot by using different browsers and even tried on my parents' phones and my own computer, but nothing worked. I then thought I’d try the mobile app, but that just led to another error message. After exhausting my options, I called IT for help, but they suggested I repeat the same steps I had already tried. They told me to wait a few hours, but I’m still facing the same issues. At this point, I'm considering deleting my account and starting over, but it feels like no one is taking my concerns seriously. It's really disheartening, especially since I need this job in this tough economy.

I’ve been struggling with severe corporate burnout for a while now. I quit my job in April after feeling overwhelmed by an increasing workload and my requests for a raise being ignored. They convinced me to stay with a promotion, but the reality has been far from what I was promised. My responsibilities are set to triple, and the changes are expected to take effect in November, but I’m already feeling the strain. The pressure to generate revenue has been frustrating, especially since some of our work is being handed off to other business units without any replacement coming in from sales. My boss has been unsupportive, which adds to my stress, and I find myself constantly taking on more tasks. I feel like I’m at my breaking point and often contemplate quitting again. I’m also a mom of four, so my responsibilities don’t end when I leave work. My husband has been helping out more, but I still feel completely burnt out. I’m not sure how to recover from this exhaustion, especially since I don’t see my company making any improvements. I know I’m a valuable employee, but I can’t continue feeling this way. I’ve thought about taking a week off to destress, but I worry about the mess I’ll come back to since my coworker who covers for me isn’t reliable. I’m at a loss for what to do next. Quitting wouldn’t hurt us financially, but it would impact my self-worth significantly.

I want to share my experience with Marksman Solutions in Leawood, Kansas, as a warning for others in the area. Recently, I received multiple calls and texts from them regarding a job position I supposedly applied for. The problem is, I never applied to their company at all. It started on a Monday when they first contacted me, claiming they had reviewed my application on Indeed. I ignored their messages, thinking it was a mistake. However, they followed up with another text and call on Tuesday, and I continued to ignore them. Then, I received an email about the application, and I responded, clearly stating that I was not interested and had never applied. I even blocked their email to avoid further contact. Despite this, they persisted and reached out again today, which prompted me to text them back saying no and block them once more. I just want to make sure others are aware of this situation so they can avoid the same hassle.

I’ve been on the job hunt for the past 12 weeks as an industrial sales rep, which is usually a stable field for me. Typically, I receive about two calls a week from headhunters, and when I interview with 2-5 companies, I usually end up with 2-3 offers. However, this time around, it's been an entirely different experience. I've had numerous interviews, even with C-suite executives, but each time I've faced rejection. It's been frustrating and confusing, as there are usually more job openings than candidates in my area of expertise. This has been the longest and most challenging search of my career.

I was laid off after 2.5 years as a Cloud Engineer in Canada, specifically in Mississauga, where I started my role in August 2023 after graduating with a Bachelor's in Computer Science. This was my first job post-university, and I was let go in December 2025. My experience includes working with AWS and Azure, utilizing tools like AWS CDK (Python), CloudFormation, and CI/CD practices, as well as skills in IAM, infrastructure automation, cost optimization, monitoring, and troubleshooting. Now, I'm contemplating my next steps. I'm targeting roles in Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Operations, cloud/platform engineering, DevOps, SRE, and even Linux/sysadmin/help desk positions if they are feasible. I also speak French and am open to bilingual roles or relocation opportunities. I've been actively networking, seeking referrals, and enhancing my resume, but unfortunately, referrals haven't led to any technical interviews yet. I've faced rejections even when my resume closely matched job requirements, and I've noticed many job postings are being reposted for months, which feels discouraging. I'm receiving mixed advice on how to proceed: some suggest I learn Java or full-stack development, dive into AI, get familiar with Kubernetes, pursue AWS certifications, or even consider starting over in help desk/sysadmin roles. I'm hesitant to spend time on unrelated skills without knowing if they'll actually boost my job prospects. I'm seeking guidance on a few key questions: Is pursuing a career in Cloud still viable in Canada with my experience? What adjacent roles could I consider? And would obtaining AWS certifications significantly help given my 2.5 years of experience, or should I focus on projects related to AWS, Terraform, Linux, or DevOps instead? I'm committed to putting in the effort; I just need realistic direction based on my current background.

Since January 1 of this year, I've been actively applying for jobs and going through interviews, but it's been a tough journey. I have one year of full-time work experience, and I've made it past the application stage with 16 organizations, with one more still in progress. Here's a breakdown of my experiences: 1. I completed a work test but was rejected. 2. I went through a paid work test, which also ended in rejection. 3. I had a short screener with a founder but was rejected. 4. I passed three rounds of online tests, but after the first interview, I was told that while my alignment with the role was good, other candidates were more structured and insightful in their problem-solving. 5. I had to decline an interview for a traineeship because of start date conflicts. 6. I was rejected after a first interview for a part-time job. 7. I passed a work test but was rejected after a one-way asynchronous interview. After these initial setbacks, I started training for interviews with a coach, hoping to improve my chances. I received an internship offer after three interviews but declined due to the interviewers badmouthing the company, a low hourly rate, and the fact that it wasn't a permanent position. I faced more rejections after various stages: - Rejected after a first interview with a hiring manager who hadn’t even read my resume. - I was told they would circle back for an autumn hiring cohort, but ultimately, I was rejected after an interview that ended early due to start date and location issues. - I was rejected after an HR screener. - I did well in an interview and work test, receiving praise for my written work and thoughtful responses, but they felt I would be a better fit elsewhere due to my lack of direct experience in their work environment. - More rejections followed after HR screeners and interviews. - The organization that said they would circle back ultimately rejected me after a case-style interview, stating they couldn't see the underlying analysis in my recommendations. - I passed a work test but was rejected after an HR screener. - Finally, I passed an HR screener and a work test but was rejected because they chose candidates with more experience. All of these roles were generalist, non-technical positions, and I can't help but feel that this bottlenecking is making it increasingly difficult for me to get my life off the ground.

I recently reached out to my former manager at a large oil and gas company where I used to work. I loved the culture and the team, but the pay was tough to manage, which is why I left for a new opportunity about three months ago. Unfortunately, my new job has been a nightmare, primarily due to my manager's style. I noticed that my old position was posted online, so I decided to swallow my pride and text my previous manager to see if they had filled the role yet. He responded that they are interviewing candidates and even hinted at my dissatisfaction with my current job. I expressed my interest in returning, and he mentioned he would keep me posted as he has interviews lined up next week. I'm trying to gauge whether this means he might be open to bringing me back. I left on good terms, so I'm hopeful, but I'm also aware that there may be formalities to follow. Should I remain optimistic about this possibility?

I recently completed my background check for a position at Whole Foods, and after a week of waiting, I finally got the notification that it’s complete. I'm curious about how long others had to wait for the next steps in the hiring process. What was your experience like?

I got laid off from Extreme Networks in July 2026, where I worked as a Staff Software Engineer. Since then, I've been following how other companies are adapting to AI technology, particularly in customer service roles. I recently learned about Ingka Group, which operates most IKEA stores, and their implementation of an AI customer service bot named Billie, after the iconic Billy bookcase. Billie has taken over a significant portion of simple customer inquiries, which could have led to layoffs. However, instead of cutting jobs, Ingka reskilled around 8,500 call center employees to take on more complex support cases, as well as roles in remote interior design and sales. This reskilling process took about two years to fully integrate, while new hires in this area now receive around five to six weeks of training. It's impressive to see such a large-scale effort to adapt and retain employees rather than resorting to layoffs, although I understand that layoffs have occurred elsewhere in the company unrelated to the bot's impact.

I recently started a new job in accounting after leaving my previous position of over three years due to a decline in company culture and increasing stress that was affecting my mental health. I was excited about this new opportunity, but after just one week, I'm already feeling uncertain. The company is not US-based, which has introduced some confusing nuances, and while my coworkers are nice, I'm struggling with my boss's micromanagement style. She insists on reviewing all my emails for grammar and wording, which feels excessive. Additionally, I was put off by her behavior during a team lunch where she was rude to the waitress. The commute is also a downside; it's about 50 minutes each way, significantly longer than my previous job. I can work from home occasionally, but only with my boss's permission. I know people say it takes time to adjust, but I can't shake the feeling that this job isn't a good fit for me. I've been feeling emotional about it, often crying during my commute home, and I find myself longing for my old job. I'm considering applying for positions closer to home, but I feel guilty about potentially leaving this company so soon after they invested time in training me. I'm feeling lost and confused about what to do next.

I was laid off in March 2025 and have found myself in a teaching role since then. It's been a challenging transition, and I often feel depressed and embarrassed about it. Teaching is incredibly time-consuming and demanding, making it difficult for me to focus on interviewing or upskilling for my previous career in finance. I feel trapped in this position, and with only four years since my undergraduate degree, I'm worried that my teaching career might extend longer than my finance career ever did. This thought is quite frightening for me.

I recently found myself reflecting on the severance package offered by my company after a round of layoffs. I received one month of salary and health insurance for every year I worked there, with a minimum of one month, and they round down the years of service. It feels like a decent package, but I can't help but wonder how it compares to others in the tech industry. I came across a post where someone mentioned their company offering four months of salary, six months of health insurance, and three months of coaching or headhunter support, which seems incredibly generous. They also received $1,500 for professional training or certification, which they fully utilized. I'm curious if there are caps on these packages, as it sounds like a great safety net during such a challenging time.

I’ve been thinking about my job search lately and how overwhelming it can be. I currently work a busy job, but I’m trying to explore other opportunities and see what compensation offers are out there. The problem is, applying for jobs feels like a full-time job in itself. I have to create accounts on various job sites, fill out endless forms, tweak my resume for each position, and then keep track of all my applications. It’s exhausting, especially since I have to do this on my own time, which is often limited. I was wondering if there’s a service that could help streamline this process. Something where I could provide my resume and relevant information, and they would apply for jobs on my behalf, maybe even using my LinkedIn or Indeed accounts. It would be great to have someone handle the back-and-forth communication with employers and schedule interviews, especially since many of them want to talk during my work hours. I know there are concerns about personal data security with such services, but I’m curious if anything like this exists or if there are alternatives that could make my job search more manageable.