Thinking

I've been on the job hunt for a Senior Tech position this year, aiming for a salary of at least $85K. I've applied to numerous roles at large companies across various sectors like Legal, Consulting, and Tech. I've noticed that salary ranges can vary significantly, sometimes by as much as $50K. For instance, I've seen positions listed with a range from $75K to $100K, which puts the median at $87.5K. Recently, I received an offer and was informed that I was the top candidate. However, the offer was below the median salary. This has me questioning whether I should accept a salary lower than the median, especially since the company advertised a higher range. It seems counterintuitive to me that they would lowball their top choice. I'm curious if others have been in a similar situation. Did you accept a salary below the median, or did you negotiate for something higher? I believe it's important to advocate for oneself based on the value and experience I bring to the role.

I'm feeling really stressed about my current job situation at a small tech company where I've been working as a junior analyst for a few months. The workload has become overwhelming since a senior team member left, leaving just two of us on the team alongside our manager. Management decided to cut costs by not replacing the senior position and instead pushing for AI automation, which has only added to the chaos. I find myself handling a lot of responsibilities without a clear understanding of the overall team functions, as my manager seems disinterested in learning about our tasks. They often pass off mistakes from their half-hearted reviews back to us, which adds to my frustration. Despite my grievances, I've been told I might be fast-tracked for a promotion, which would mean taking on even more responsibilities. However, I want to leave this job behind. The anxiety and dread I feel daily are unbearable. Recently, my previous employer reached out about a new full-time position they are opening, and I expressed my interest. I'm just waiting for more details, but the timing feels terrible. I feel guilty about leaving my current team in a tough spot, as they would be left with only two people to manage everything. But honestly, I’m at a point where I would consider taking a significant pay cut just to escape this situation. I know I need to prioritize my health over this job, and I think I already know what I need to do. This is more of a vent than a request for advice.

I recently found a full-time job after a year of searching, but I lost it within just 24 hours. Since graduating in 2020, I've been working as a writer and editor, initially creating content for major gaming websites before transitioning into the SaaS sector. Unfortunately, the job market took a downturn around 2024-2025, leading to the loss of most of my clients. By the end of last year, I was struggling financially and had to rely on my parents for support. Despite these challenges, I managed to earn a master's degree in behavioral sciences while freelancing. I attempted to apply for UX and research roles but had no luck. To enhance my qualifications, I completed several certifications and am on track to practice as a mental health counselor soon. However, the reality is that many people in my country cannot afford therapy, which makes it difficult for practitioners to charge what they deserve. Last week, I was thrilled when an agency contacted me for a scriptwriting role with a major gaming channel, writing scripts for one of my favorite games. I was overjoyed and celebrated with my family and friends. To top it off, I had also published a book I had been working on. It felt like a dream come true to have both a new job and a book launch in the same week. The CEO of the company informed me that they would be testing my work for two weeks, requiring 10-11 hours a day, six days a week, with a pay of around $420 a month. While this is a decent amount in my country, I was desperate for any opportunity. I dedicated an entire day to my first assignment, only to be told that my work "clearly looked like it was written by AI" without any further explanation. It was humiliating to be accused of using AI as a writer who prides themselves on originality. I tried to explain that I didn't use AI and acknowledged their concerns, promising to ensure my next assignment would not have that 'AI feel.' However, I received no response after that. Now, I'm back to being unemployed, feeling lost and heartbroken about my future as I approach my 30th birthday. This isn't how I envisioned my life turning out. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read my story. Thank you.

I recently had a technical case interview for a software engineering position at a tech company. I felt confident about my performance during the interview, as I was able to effectively demonstrate my problem-solving skills and technical knowledge. However, it has now been over two weeks since the interview, and I haven't heard anything back from the company. I've followed up with the recruiter, but I haven't received any response. It's frustrating to feel ghosted after putting in so much effort, and I'm starting to lose hope about this opportunity.

I've been navigating the job application process and recently noticed that some roles I applied for are being re-listed with recent posting dates, even though my status still shows "application in review." This has left me in a bit of a bind since I can't reapply through the career portal while still under consideration. To tackle this, I decided to take the initiative and emailed the hiring managers at two different companies regarding these re-listed positions. One of them replied, letting me know that my email had been forwarded, which was encouraging. I wouldn't have reached out if I had received a rejection, but it feels unfair that if a job is reposted, I shouldn't have the opportunity to express my continued interest. I understand that there’s a prevailing culture that discourages candidates from advocating for themselves beyond the ATS systems, but I believe that these systems often overlook qualified candidates. If a role is reposted, I think it's only fair that previous applicants, as well as new ones, should have the chance to apply again.

I recently went through my first salary negotiation for a job offer. I countered their initial offer of $75,000 with a request for $80,000, as they really need someone to backfill a role due to a company reorganization. The call felt a bit awkward; they started with the good news about the offer, but I had some unanswered questions from my first interview with someone who wasn't involved in the hiring process. I paused the conversation to ask about PTO and the on-call responsibilities, especially since the facility has a service contract that requires a quick response. I framed my salary request around the fact that there was a significant reduction in PTO, which I'm now second-guessing as a strategy. Regardless, I'm just waiting to see what they come back with.

I have an interview today for an office assistant position, but I'm feeling uncertain about whether I should even go. I just noticed in the job posting that they require math skills, including fractions, percentages, and some accounting knowledge. Honestly, I'm not great at math, and I'm worried that I won't meet their expectations. However, I've received some advice suggesting that it's still worth attending the interview for the experience, even if I don't feel fully prepared. I guess I could brush up on my skills using some online resources or tools, but I'm still hesitant. Should I just go for it?

I've been feeling really down about my job situation lately. I've been with my current company for almost 11 years, and while I love my boss and team, the last year and a half has been tough. I was pushed into a new role that lacks clarity, and my bonus this year was only about 5% of what it could have been. To top it off, there are no merit increases or promotions in sight for the rest of the year. As a single parent, the financial strain is real, especially after going through a divorce two years ago. I've been actively searching for a new role and have applied to around 100 positions, all of which I feel qualified for. Recently, I finally got a screening interview for a role that seemed promising, but after following up, I learned that I was told I failed an assessment I never even received. It was incredibly frustrating to hear that the company decided to pursue other candidates. This whole experience has turned me into a cynical and angry person, which is not who I want to be. I'm trying to set better work boundaries, like not checking emails after hours, but I can't shake this feeling of bitterness. I know I should be grateful to be employed, but it's hard to stay positive when everything feels so bleak.

I was recently laid off for the first time at 23 years old. I worked in marketing for a company that decided to outsource SEO, which was my entire role. Although I didn't enjoy the job from the start, I appreciated the remote work flexibility and my supportive bosses, so I stuck it out for 11 months. Now, with severance in hand, I’m left questioning if my performance played a part in this decision, even though they didn't mention it. It feels like a significant setback for me, and I'm struggling with the emotions of it all. Is this how it always feels when you get laid off?

I came across a remote job opportunity with AQ Capital SA that seems almost too good to be true for an entry-level position. I'm feeling a bit skeptical about its legitimacy and wanted to get some feedback from others who might have insights or experiences with the company. Has anyone worked with them or heard anything about their hiring practices?

I recently graduated from high school and I'm currently 18 years old, living in Australia. I have some unpaid internship experience in governance and corporate settings, and I currently work as a fast food server while also tutoring. On top of that, I’m leading the creation of a startup. I’m studying politics, commerce, and economics, and I have a guaranteed pathway to law school. My academic performance has been decent, with a few scholarships, although I did experience a dip in my grades due to burnout. The main issue I’m facing is my current job at the fast food restaurant. The environment is toxic, with micromanagement and arbitrary firings, which has made my anxiety worse. I’ve been applying for jobs for over a year now, hoping to leave this position, but I’ve had no luck. My career mentor has been referring me to corporate jobs, but I keep getting rejected by HR. I’ve applied for various roles including Christmas casual positions in retail and fast food, receptionist roles in law firms, admin assistant roles, youth committee positions, entry-level parliament jobs, and even government jobs, but I haven’t received any positive responses. I even asked my internship if they could offer me a position before I left, but they opted for a more experienced candidate instead. I’m feeling quite lost and frustrated in this job market. I plan to start applying for new jobs from November 1, after my exams, and I’m working on my cover letters and resumes with advice from my university, job-seeking platforms, and my mentor. I’m really looking for guidance on what types of jobs I should be applying for next.

I worked as a Christmas Casual at JB Hi-Fi during the holiday season of 2024, but my contract ended in February 2025, and I was let go. Since then, I've been trying to get back into the electronic retail space, specifically at JB Hi-Fi. I've had experience in fast food and general retail at a bottle shop, but I discovered that I really enjoy selling electronics. I've built a solid foundation in customer service, handling difficult situations, and I feel confident in my ability to excel in that environment. The challenge I'm facing is that many people seem to get hired at JB through personal connections. Unfortunately, I don't have any close contacts there, except for a permanent team member I occasionally message. I've considered reaching out to him for advice on getting back into the company, but I'm hesitant because I don't want to come off as opportunistic, especially since we don't communicate often. I believe I have a strong resume with five years of customer service experience and a genuine passion for technology, but it feels like luck isn't on my side. I'm venting a bit here, but I'm also looking for suggestions on whether I should pursue this opportunity further or focus my efforts elsewhere.

In August, I was laid off from a company where I had dedicated over six years of my career. It all happened unexpectedly while I was on a short vacation; a colleague reached out to tell me he couldn't find me on Slack. When I checked my phone, I was shocked to see that all my access had been revoked, accompanied by a brief email explaining the situation. Initially, I felt confident in my skills and thought finding a new job would be a breeze, despite being aware of the challenging job market. However, I quickly realized just how tough things are. Since then, I've applied to numerous positions but have yet to receive a single positive response, which has left me feeling lost and unsure of what I might be doing wrong. On top of that, my previous company had started integrating AI into our workflows, which I wasn't particularly fond of. Now, I feel like my technical skills have become a bit rusty, so I'm putting in the effort to polish them up while also trying to adapt to a job market that seems to be rapidly evolving due to AI. Honestly, this entire job search process has turned out to be more exhausting than my actual job was.

I recently submitted about 30 job applications over the last couple of weeks, but unfortunately, I haven't received any responses yet. It's quite frustrating, especially since I applied to two different positions at the same company just a couple of days ago. I have a solid amount of experience, so I'm not sure why I'm facing such challenges in getting noticed. This is the first time I've encountered this level of difficulty in my job search, and it's really starting to get to me.

I recently applied for the 18-month Graduate Program at Julius Baer, specifically in the compliance track. A while ago, I received an email stating that they are still reviewing applications, but I haven't heard back since then. I'm curious if anyone else who applied has received any updates or has progressed further in the selection process.

I recently made a decision that I now deeply regret. After years of applying to my dream employer, a state government position that promised great work-life balance, pension, healthcare benefits, and student loan forgiveness, I finally received an offer. However, in a moment of panic fueled by imposter syndrome and personal issues, I accepted a counteroffer from my current employer instead. This counteroffer was lower than what my dream job offered, but I was worried about leaving my coworkers with my workload and burning bridges. Now, I feel trapped in my current role, which has a salary ceiling and is causing me significant anxiety and depression. I barely sleep three hours a night, and my job performance is suffering. I’m questioning whether I should abandon my career path and seek entry-level positions with the state or quit my job before I get fired. I'm also concerned about how this situation has damaged my reputation in a small industry where everyone knows each other. I feel lost and without direction, and I’m unsure of what my next steps should be.

I was laid off a few months ago from a tech company at the age of 45, and it has been a rough journey since then. Initially, I struggled to get out of bed, feeling overwhelmed by sadness and despair. My family supported me during this time, bringing me food and helping me through the darkest moments. Thankfully, with the help of a therapist, I've started to feel a bit better and am beginning to envision a future for myself. However, I still grapple with intense anger towards my former employer. I resent them for the situation they put me in, especially considering my responsibilities as a parent and the financial pressures of a mortgage. It infuriates me that they continue to thrive while I feel like my life has been turned upside down. They even have the audacity to advertise for the very positions they eliminated, claiming to be a company that cares about its employees. I know I need to move on, but the anger is consuming me. It's affecting my mental and physical health, my marriage, and my family life. I wish I could let go of this hatred, but it's proving to be a significant challenge. I'm reaching out to see how others have managed to cope and move past similar feelings. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I had a Zoom interview last week for a role that I'm really excited about. The interview went well, and I was informed that the next steps would involve an interview with the CEO and an aptitude test before any offer could be made. The interviewer mentioned that I would hear back mid to late next week, but since Monday was a holiday, I was expecting to hear something by now. Now that it’s late next week, I’m wondering if I should send a follow-up email. I’ve seen some advice suggesting to wait until Monday to give them the full time they mentioned. If I do decide to reach out, I plan to keep it short and express my continued interest while asking for an update on the timeline for the next steps.

I recently had a frustrating experience at my part-time job where I work while attending university. I found out my exam dates are coming up in two weeks, and I wanted to request leave for those days. However, when I tried to use the UKG app to submit my request, it wouldn’t let me. Since this was my first time applying for leave, I reached out to my manager for guidance on the process. To my surprise, she responded by saying that she would rather replace me than risk me not showing up for my shifts, even though I never indicated that I wouldn’t come in. I was just trying to figure out how to ask for leave properly. After I explained my situation, she acknowledged my queries but left me feeling confused about my standing at the company. Now, I have a shift scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, and I’m torn between going in as usual or reaching out to her for clarification. I had already planned to leave the job in about a month, but her comment about replacing me has made me reconsider whether I should just resign now. It’s really disheartening to feel like I can’t ask a simple question without being treated this way. I’m contemplating whether to go to my shift tomorrow or just quit early. I’ve even drafted a message to my manager to address this, but I’m uncertain about how to proceed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I recently applied for a part-time barista position as I'm taking a break before starting university and need to save some money. I was really excited to get an interview, especially since I had no prior barista experience, which made me feel lucky since many places require it. After the interview, I thought it went well and sent a thank you email right after. Five days later, I followed up and received a response from the owner saying she was in the US for her other business but would contact her colleague and get back to me the next day. Now, it's been another four days, and I'm feeling uncertain. They mentioned wanting to hire me and to get me in within a week, but it's been 2.5 weeks since the interview. I'm torn between letting it go or following up again. I don't want to seem annoying, but I also don't want to miss out on this opportunity. Should I reach out one more time or just move on and keep looking for other jobs?