Thinking

Today was my first day at a new job as a barista, and I'm feeling really anxious about how it went. My manager told me that I need to be quicker, which really caught me off guard. I had prepared by memorizing the menu, but I struggled with the metric system for the drink measurements because I didn't fully understand what the numbers meant. When I asked for clarification, they said we could discuss it on my first day, but that didn't help me much beforehand. During my shift, I made some mistakes while preparing drinks since it was my first time handling the toppings. My manager seemed annoyed, and even though I eventually got the hang of it, I was still slow and sometimes messed up the quantities. I aced the quiz she gave me on the menu, but when I hesitated on one question, she suggested I shouldn't come in tomorrow. That really hit hard. They even told me I could leave early, and then asked for my uniform back, which made me think I was being let go. I still have shifts scheduled for next week, so I'm confused about what that means. I felt like I was trying my best, but the way my manager communicated made it hard to know what to do. I’m questioning if I’m just incompetent or if this is a normal experience for a first day. I really hope things improve.

I recently got fired from my job as a cart pusher at Walmart after just three months. I made some poor choices, like clocking in early and waiting in the break room instead of starting my shift right away, which I thought was okay since it was only nine minutes. I also climbed a pole to help my coworkers, which led to safety concerns. I was honest about my actions, but it still resulted in my termination. This was my first job, and I have clean attendance, but I'm worried about how this will affect my future job prospects. I'm planning to apply for unarmed security jobs and other entry-level positions, and I'm curious about how much this firing will hurt my chances, particularly in security roles compared to other fields. I’m also wondering if I should leave Walmart off my resume or disclose the experience. I’ve heard mixed opinions—some say it’s better to omit it since it was such a short time, while others warn that any mention could lead to questions about why I was there for only a few months. I’m anxious about whether employers will find out I was fired if I don’t mention it. Is this just a temporary setback, or could it affect my career for years to come? I really want to move forward and find a stable job.

I just decided to back out of a job I was supposed to start today. I had everything lined up: salary, location, and all the details were agreed upon. But as I lay in bed on what was supposed to be my first day, I realized that this job just isn’t for me. The timing feels off, especially since I have to be there until noon, and the location doesn’t seem safe, particularly with the festive season approaching. It feels like a high-risk, low-reward situation, and despite my initial excitement after researching the role, I can’t bring myself to go in.

I recently applied to over 30 jobs and finally landed two interviews. The first interview was with a company I'll refer to as T. It was just okay; I didn't feel I performed my best, but it wasn't a disaster either. The main draw for me is that T is only a 15-minute walk from my home, which is very convenient. The second interview was with a company I'll call P, an Indian fintech firm that operates in a highly regulated space. I felt much more confident during this interview, and they have already indicated that they want to move me to the next round. However, the downside is that P is located about 30 kilometers from my home and requires a five-day work-from-office setup. I've completed one round of interviews with both companies, and P also has an additional assessment. I've also applied to several other companies that I consider dream opportunities, but I haven't heard back from any of them yet. I'm at a crossroads and would love to hear your thoughts on what I should do next.

I recently faced a stressful situation regarding my husband's job offer from a large company. He was laid off at the end of May 2026 but received severance pay through July. In an attempt to showcase his experience, I suggested he list July on his resume instead of May, thinking it would reflect four full years of work. However, he correctly stated May as his end date on his official application and background check forms. When a third-party screening company reached out about the date discrepancy, he clarified that May was the correct date. They acknowledged his explanation, but I can't shake off my worry that this two-month difference could jeopardize his offer. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I'm anxious about whether this mistake could lead to the offer being rescinded, despite the application being accurate.

I recently learned that my contract as a Software Developer in the Netherlands won't be renewed. I've been here for about a year and have 2.5 years of experience in the field. During a meeting, my manager expressed that I hadn't met their expectations, citing my slow project completion and my tendency to ask too many questions. This news hit me hard, especially given the current job market, which seems to favor candidates who speak Dutch. I'm actively learning the language and have even obtained my A1 diploma, but I know I still have a long way to go. My contract is set to end in December, but the company has offered me a 2-month extension under certain conditions. They also mentioned providing 3 months of outplacement support valued at over 2000€, but there's a clause that concerns me. It states that if I don't remain actively engaged in my duties during the extension period, I may have to reimburse the company for the outplacement support costs. I feel this clause is unfair, especially if I find another job before the extension ends. I appreciate the extra time to search for a new role, but I don't want to be penalized financially if I decide to leave early. I'm considering proposing a 2-week notice period instead of the current 1-month requirement, with no penalties if I secure a new position. I'm unsure if this is a reasonable request or if I'm asking for too much. I'm also worried about how rejecting the extension might impact my unemployment benefits. I'm reaching out for advice on whether I should negotiate these conditions, accept the extension as it is, or explore other options. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I recently found myself in a frustrating job search situation after being laid off. I have about two years of experience in purchasing and retail buying, and I'm currently finishing my bachelor's degree in supply chain, set to graduate next year. While I've gained hands-on experience in manufacturing and retail, and learned various ERP and SAP systems, I feel stuck in a limbo between being 'too experienced' and 'not experienced enough.' It's been challenging to find my next opportunity. Some job postings indicate that I have too much experience for the role, while others require more years of experience and a completed degree. I thought gaining relevant work experience while finishing my studies would help, but it seems to have complicated things instead. I can't even apply for internships because recruiters tell me I have actual experience, which limits my options for gaining more. Even when I do get interviews, I often face the same issue. I might have a great initial screening where the recruiter expresses that I'm a good fit and discusses next steps, but then I hear nothing afterward. No updates, no rejection emails—just silence. It's disheartening to receive positive feedback only to be left in the dark. Recruiter outreach has been equally confusing. Some reach out about positions that have nothing to do with my background or career goals, while others contact me about relevant roles, but then stop responding when I express interest. I can handle rejection, but the lack of communication is exhausting. It leaves me uncertain about whether I need to improve something or if the situation has changed on their end. Has anyone else experienced this type of frustration with around two years of experience, especially while still in school? I'm looking for advice on how to move forward.

After 14 years in the workforce, I recently faced a layoff and have been struggling to find a new job for over 4 months now. It's really starting to take a toll on my mental health. I've been applying to numerous positions, but the lack of responses has been disheartening. I realize I've made a few wrong career choices in the past, which might be affecting my current job search. Most of my applications seem to disappear into a void, and it’s exhausting. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has experienced a similar situation later in their careers and what strategies helped them during that tough time.

I was laid off in August and since then, I've submitted 38 applications for back-end office roles at the Director+ level in NYC. So far, I've only managed to secure 3 interviews, but unfortunately, none of them led to offers. I'm starting to feel like I'm up against a lot of competition from candidates using AI to tailor their applications, or maybe I'm just making excuses for my lack of success. In the meantime, I'm taking certifications and trying to learn more about AI to improve my chances. My biggest concern is that November and December are typically slow months for hiring, which adds to my anxiety. I recently saw a post from someone who was laid off just two weeks ago and has already sent out 6 applications without receiving any responses, which makes me feel a bit better knowing I'm not alone in this struggle.

I just accepted a job offer, but I noticed a mistake on my resume regarding the dates for one of my previous roles. I listed my employment as being from May to July 2024, when it should actually be May to August 2024. I'm concerned that this one-month discrepancy might raise red flags during the background check process. I'm hoping it won't hurt my offer, but I'm unsure how to address this issue.

I’ve been laid off a few times in my career, and it’s never easy. My first layoff hit me hard, but over time, I’ve learned to take it in stride, especially when I think about the pay I was receiving for the workload. Today, I was reflecting on the disparity in how we treat employees who leave voluntarily versus those who are laid off. Recently, a senior executive at my current company decided to leave, and the farewell was a grand affair. The email announcing his departure was filled with accolades, and we even had a celebration with food and drinks to honor his decade-long contributions. Everyone was in high spirits, wishing him well on his new journey. In contrast, I recall a vice president at my previous job who was laid off. I had spoken to him that morning about a project, but by the afternoon, I found out he was gone—security had escorted him out. There was no farewell, no acknowledgment of his years of service, just silence. It struck me how differently we treat these situations. If the senior executive had been laid off instead of choosing to leave, I doubt we would have celebrated him at all. It’s ironic to think that the contributions of those laid off are often overlooked just because of the circumstances of their departure. It feels like a huge disconnect in how we value people based on the timing of their exit rather than their actual contributions.

I’m 23 years old and have been unemployed for the past 8 months. I worked in landscaping for a year and a half but got fired because I faced bullying from my coworkers and the boss, which really hurt my confidence. Now, I’m feeling lost about my future. I’ve been contemplating becoming a chaplain because I have a strong connection to Jesus and have had some mystical experiences during prayer, but I’m not fond of church dogma and I know it requires a lot of study, which I find challenging since I tend to procrastinate. I’m also not interested in returning to landscaping as the work environment was toxic, with everyone around me smoking and not taking their jobs seriously. Social anxiety has been a significant hurdle for me, making it difficult to engage in conversations and connect with others. It feels like a heavy burden that I’ve carried for years. I see friends my age starting families and businesses, which adds to my feelings of inadequacy. I’m really unsure about my next steps and would appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation.

I was terminated earlier this week after a change in management at my company. It's really baffling because my previous manager was always pleased with my performance, but the new manager had a completely different perspective. I had been putting in extra hours, often staying up late to tackle additional tasks and projects on top of my regular workload, yet I was let go for 'not meeting expectations.' It just doesn't add up. It's frustrating to see how new management often wants to clear the board to bring in their own people and start fresh. I'm still processing this whole situation.

I'm currently in a tough spot as an international student on OPT, working as an intern at my company. I've been here for three months and I'm eligible for STEM OPT, which gives me some options moving forward. I have two potential scenarios that I'm weighing. In the first scenario, I might receive an internal referral for a full-time role at my company while also having the chance for my internship to convert to a full-time position. If that happens, I would likely prefer to stay with my current team since it aligns better with my studies and I genuinely enjoy the work. However, I'm concerned about how to gracefully decline the internal referral if I choose to stay with my team, especially since my mentor is involved in that process. I want to maintain goodwill and not jeopardize our relationship. In the second scenario, if I get the internal offer but my internship is only extended and not converted, I face a dilemma. Extended interns aren't eligible for H-1B sponsorship, which could mean missing out on this year's lottery. The referred role might offer sponsorship, but it’s not closely aligned with my career goals. So, I’m stuck between the need for visa sponsorship and pursuing work that I am passionate about. I have a few questions I’m hoping to get advice on: 1. Is it appropriate to discuss the referred role while waiting for my current team's decision? Should I inform my mentor or hiring manager about this potential offer? 2. If you were in my shoes with the second scenario, which option would you choose? Does having STEM OPT give me an advantage in this situation? 3. Has anyone successfully leveraged an internal offer to encourage their manager to convert their internship or provide sponsorship? How did you approach that conversation? 4. If I decide to take the sponsored role, how realistic is it to transfer back to a team like my current one after a year or two? No decisions have been made yet, but I want to make the best choice given my limited time in the U.S. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I think it's important for us to share more context about our backgrounds in layoff and job search discussions. I'm suggesting that we include our industry and years of experience when we post about our situations. For example, if someone has 12 years in AdTech or 20 years in biotech, it gives a clearer picture of their job search challenges. I've noticed that some people might be unemployed for a long time, but their circumstances can vary widely. For instance, I recently read a post where someone mentioned being unemployed for three years, but it turned out they were in college during that time. That detail changed the whole context of their situation. By sharing our industry and experience, we can better understand each other's struggles and successes in the job market. It would also help with knowledge sharing and benchmarking, making discussions more relevant and useful for everyone.

I recently started a new role as a technician in the aviation industry, but I'm feeling increasingly uneasy about my situation. I've been in this position for less than 90 days and have around 19 years of experience, yet my current pay is significantly below the market standard, especially considering the cost of living and the nature of the job. My employer is not well-regarded in the aviation cargo sector, which adds to my concerns. Over the past month, I've noticed some troubling signs. The tasks I'm assigned are very basic and don't align with my expertise, and I often find myself sitting idle while newer employees are given more complex responsibilities. There was even an incident where I believe I was set up to fail on a task, which resulted in me receiving a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). This was frustrating because I had to report an error that wasn't my fault, stemming from my unfamiliarity with company policies and my lead's failure to check my training records. Additionally, I feel quite isolated from my coworkers. While I'm naturally introverted and don't seek social interactions, I maintain professionalism in my work relationships. Despite this, I seem to be receiving the cold shoulder from everyone, which makes me wonder if I'm being quietly pushed out. Given these circumstances, I'm feeling stressed about my situation, especially with the mediocre pay and the overall work environment. I'm seeking advice on how to navigate this and whether I should consider looking for other opportunities.

I was laid off from a big tech company in May 2026, and it hit me hard emotionally. I had noticed some signs that things were shaky, but I never expected to wake up one day and find myself jobless. It's been a brutal five months since then, and I’m still in the job hunt. I've applied to numerous positions and even made it to the final stages of a few recruitment processes, but I haven't received any offers yet. Each time I open LinkedIn, I see posts from others celebrating their new jobs, and it just makes me feel worse. The constant comparison is draining, and I can't shake the feeling of worthlessness. I know I need to keep pushing through, but it’s tough to stay motivated when it feels like nothing is working out.

I'm currently feeling stuck in my job as a marketing associate at a mid-sized tech company. I've been unhappy for a while now, mainly due to being underpaid and having a difficult relationship with my boss. I've started interviewing for new positions, but I've hit a snag at the reference check stage. Potential employers want to contact my current employer for a reference, but I know my boss will not give me a positive review. He’s not the type to fire me, but I can sense he won't support my move to another company either. I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this situation without jeopardizing my chances of landing a new job.

I've been struggling to find a job ever since I graduated with my university degree. I'm currently in the EU and even though I'm pursuing a master's to get my medical license, it requires several additional courses that will take years to complete. I've had a few interviews, but none have led to an actual job offer. I'm feeling really frustrated and exhausted by this job search process. Recently, I've even considered the idea of going to fight in Ukraine, thinking that at least I would have some form of employment and a salary there. It's a tough situation, and I'm genuinely tired of the uncertainty.

I'm currently struggling to find a job that pays a livable wage. I'm 29 years old and have a background in artistic skills, particularly in murals and social media management. Unfortunately, I don't have a degree due to health issues, which has made my job search even more challenging. Despite my efforts to supplement my income by taking on bartending gigs, I still find it hard to make enough money to move out and become financially independent. I'm feeling quite lost and unsure about what steps to take next in my career.