Thinking

I’ve been out of the software engineering industry for 5 years now. I used to have over 11 years of experience and was recognized for my work frequently, even surviving multiple layoffs and mergers. In 2021, I decided to take a break due to burnout and personal issues, including my mom's illness. I thought it was a good time to step back, but now I’m realizing how tough it is to re-enter the workforce. I’ve sent out countless resumes, but it feels like they vanish into thin air. No headhunters are reaching out to me anymore, and I’m struggling to get any responses at all. I did work as a teaching assistant at a reputable university during my time off, so I know my skills aren’t completely outdated, but I feel like I’d need several months to get back up to speed. I’m really at a loss here. Has anyone else successfully returned to work after a long break? How did you manage to get back in? I’m feeling pretty discouraged with the lack of interviews and responses.

Today, I had a scheduled Zoom meeting for an interview at 10 AM. I logged in early, around 9:55 AM, and waited in the waiting room for about 18 minutes. After not hearing anything, I sent an email to HR at 10:13 AM to confirm I had the right link. I waited another 17 minutes without a response and eventually left the waiting room. Later, I received a message from HR explaining there was a "family tragedy" and they still wanted me to schedule an interview for another day. However, I also got an email from the CFO that seemed to imply I had missed the meeting. I'm really confused about the whole situation and wondering if this kind of communication is normal for them. Should I even respond to the CFO's email or just move on?

I graduated with a 2-year diploma in IT, which covered the basics of hardware and software. While some of my classmates found jobs after graduation, I struggled to get my foot in the door. After a couple of years of searching, I decided to go back to school to further my education. Some classmates chose the co-op/internship route, and one of them landed a full-time IT job after just a couple of courses in the degree program. I wanted to follow that path, but it took me several months to secure my first co-op/internship. During that time, I opted to take one course each term to stay active as a student. The diploma program had 20 courses, and to complete the degree, I need another 20. So far, I've completed 3 courses for the degree, but the thought of finishing the remaining 17 feels overwhelming and like a huge commitment. I’m considering whether completing the degree is worth it in the long run or if I should focus on gaining experience through another co-op job and eventually applying for full-time roles in IT. I already have 8 months of experience in the field as a student, but I don’t feel confident enough to apply for full-time positions yet. I want to do another internship to learn more at a different organization. My concerns about completing the degree are significant. I need to work full-time to pay my bills, which makes it hard to take on too many courses. I can only manage 1 or 2 courses each term, which could extend my degree completion to 3-5 years. Additionally, my original credits will expire by 2028, and I need to complete those 17 courses in a year and a half. I’ve heard that the school might extend the expiry date for my first-year courses, but that’s not guaranteed. Currently, I have a weekend job as a backup since co-op positions are temporary. I can’t risk being jobless if my co-op ends, so I’m working every day. I’m also 30 years old and feel like I haven’t truly started my career yet. I barely have time to socialize, which is tough because I want to get married but haven’t found someone yet. Some people say we should enjoy our youth, but I’m not enjoying it at all due to my busy schedule. In summary, I’m torn between investing time, money, and effort into completing my degree or focusing on gaining practical experience and possibly pursuing certifications to advance in the IT field.

I’m feeling really down about my job situation right now. I currently work at a hotel front desk, and honestly, I hate it. This is my first job after being a caretaker for a disabled family member, which was unpaid. I’m exhausted all the time and I get burnt out quickly. I want to quit, but I can’t find another job. I've applied to around 40 positions and only got interviews for a few, and the only job I landed was this one. The problem is, the jobs available in my area are either ones I’m unqualified for or roles that I know I wouldn’t enjoy at all. Plus, I can’t move to another city since I already relocated to get away from home. I studied history in school, but I’m not sure if I want to pursue a master’s degree, and there aren’t any history-related jobs available. It’s mostly food service or roles I just don’t qualify for. I’ve started noticing memory issues and I feel constantly drained. I think it’s because my current job isn’t stimulating or interesting enough for me. I feel like I’m losing my sharpness and I forget things more often than I used to. This is just me venting, and I’m not even sure if any of this makes sense. I just feel stuck and overwhelmed.

I’m currently navigating a tricky situation with my job and future plans. I’m 27 and about to finish my Bachelor's in Computer Science, but I’ve been working part-time for five years at my first job, earning about $20 an hour for 28 hours a week. I’ve tried to get more hours or a full-time position, but my employer has been unresponsive to those requests. With some medical bills to manage, I need to stick to a strict budget. I’m planning to move out of state with a friend after graduation, and while I’ve been saving, I’d feel more secure if I could increase my income before the move. I’m considering applying for full-time positions that would allow me to attend my in-person class during lunch breaks, especially since some companies offer full health insurance from day one. However, when I discussed this with my mom, she expressed concern that switching jobs after only 6-7 months would look bad on my resume. I’m worried about job hopping too, but I feel like my reasoning is sound since I’m graduating and looking to enter the tech field, specifically IT. I have A+ and Network+ certifications and am working on my Security+ certification. I’m also aware that while I’d like to move in January, I need to secure a job first, especially since my friend’s lease doesn’t end until March. I’m torn between wanting to make more money and worrying about the perception of my job history. I’d love to hear thoughts on whether job hopping in this context is a bad idea or if my plans are reasonable.

I recently signed an offer for a new job that marks my exit from a long career in education, which is incredibly exciting for me. However, I'm currently facing a frustrating delay with my drug test results. I submitted my urine sample at Quest Diagnostics ten days ago, and while I was informed that the results usually take 24-48 hours, I'm still waiting. First Advantage completed my background check within 72 hours, but they are now in a holding pattern waiting for the drug test results. I don't use any drugs at all, so I’m feeling anxious about the possibility of something going wrong, like an inconclusive result or a false positive, which I've heard can happen. I’m worried that a mistake on their part could jeopardize my new job opportunity. Has anyone else experienced a significant delay in drug test results that ended up being fine? How long did you have to wait before you received your results?

I recently started a new job in the UK and was really enjoying it, but I’m facing a tough situation. I’m 20 years old and currently in a 3-month probationary period. Unfortunately, during my third week, I had a severe seizure that resulted in a concussion, and I had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. This led to me missing a shift, and when I returned to work, I was still feeling unwell and ended up vomiting in the bathroom, which caused me to miss another shift. I tried to communicate with my employer about my situation, but I received no response, which made me anxious. Today, I had a back-to-work meeting where I learned that I’ve been written up for missing three shifts. The manager mentioned that there’s a possibility I may not be fit for the role due to my seizure. I’ve never experienced anything like this before, and I’m terrified that I might get laid off. To make matters worse, I found out that we’re only allowed three sick days a year before they trigger an investigation, which adds to my anxiety. I’m really scared about what’s going to happen next and if I’ll be able to keep my job.

I recently went through a frustrating experience with my unemployment benefits after being let go from my job in Texas. My former employer falsely claimed to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) that I had quit, and later said I was fired for misconduct, which was completely untrue. I was terminated without any reason given. During my initial hearing, the officer assigned to my case barely documented anything, and the information he did include was confusing. As a result, TWC denied my benefits. I decided to appeal the decision and had my hearing with my former employer this week. Unfortunately, the ruling was once again in favor of the employer, despite the fact that he lied during the hearing and presented fabricated evidence without any credible details. I remained focused on the facts, believing that the burden of proof was on him, but it seems like the system is not working in my favor. I filed another appeal, but I’m feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with the whole process. It’s like I’m in Crazytown, and I’m not sure what more I can do if the system isn’t listening or doing its job.

I recently came across a discussion about recruiters who ghost applicants after interviews, and it really struck a chord with me. I've experienced this firsthand and it can be incredibly frustrating. There's apparently a list circulating that identifies these recruiters, but I'm not sure if it's legitimate or just a rumor. Either way, I find it interesting and it could potentially help others avoid wasting their time with companies that don't follow up. It’s disheartening to put in the effort for an interview and then hear nothing back. I hope this list, if real, can help us navigate the job search more effectively.

I recently experienced a situation where I was informed by my scheduling manager that the program I was working on was closing down. This has happened to me twice now with different companies, and it has left me questioning the honesty of my managers. Are they genuinely telling me that there are no clients available in my area, or are they just trying to phase me out? It's a frustrating position to be in, and I’m trying to figure out if this is a common tactic in the industry.

I'm currently working in junk removal and trying to find a new job, but I'm feeling overwhelmed with the process. My work schedule is pretty demanding; I work Monday through Thursday and Saturday, starting at 7 AM, and I never know when I'll finish. This makes it challenging to dedicate time to job searching. Getting my current job took about 2 or 3 months of full-time effort. I'm looking for advice on how to quickly increase my hireability and manage the application and interview process alongside my current job. I'm not entirely sure what skills I should focus on or what specific job I'm aiming for. Before this, I was an air traffic controller, and I have applied for a few ATC-related positions, but those opportunities seem to be several months away from materializing.

I recently received an offer from Vonage for a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) position. To be honest, I had never heard of Vonage before this opportunity came up, but the role itself seems interesting to me. However, I'm feeling a bit uncertain about making the switch since the pay raise isn't significant compared to my current job. Additionally, I've been reading about the recent trends in layoffs across the market, and I've come across mixed reviews regarding work culture and growth opportunities at Vonage. I'm contemplating whether it would be wise to accept the offer or hold out for something better.

I'm currently working in Brazil for a global business unit, where my direct managers are based in the US. I'm expected to go into the office once a week, but I've only been managing to go about once a month. Recently, I found out that the only other person in my Marketing department in Brazil left the company, which means I'm now solely responsible for all Marketing operations here, including managing a significant media budget. I'm moving to a different state soon, and I really want to stay with the company, so I've been considering asking my manager if I can work fully remote. I have a performance review coming up on Monday, and I think this could be a good opportunity to discuss my situation. The company recently did a risk assessment and concluded that losing me would severely impact the Marketing operations in Brazil, which gives me some leverage. However, I'm unsure how to approach this conversation. I've typically been passive in negotiations, focusing more on my work than on advocating for myself. With the bureaucracy in Brazil, I know I need to present my case clearly so my manager can negotiate with HR effectively. I’m aware that other teams have flexible arrangements, so I believe it's possible. I have several reasons for wanting to work remotely, including the fact that I'm the only one handling Marketing here, the office environment isn't conducive to my needs, and my current salary is below market rate for my new city. I want to make a compelling business case without overwhelming my manager with personal details. I feel like I need to strike a balance between my personal circumstances and the business needs of the company. I hope to gather some advice on how to best frame this conversation on Monday.

I worked as a contractor for a company from December 2024 to March 2025, but they didn’t have the budget to keep me on after that. They brought me back from June 2025 until April 2026, during which my manager tried to get me a full-time position. He assured me that if they ever had the budget, I would be the first person they would approach before posting the job publicly. Fast forward to almost August, and I noticed a job posting for my position on Indeed, but no one reached out to me about it. I had received a letter of recommendation, personal references from directors, and promises from my team that they wanted to hire me full-time and stop dragging me around on contracts. Colleagues even expressed that they missed me after my contract ended. I'm trying to understand why this happened and would appreciate insights from recruiters or others in similar situations.

I'm currently working in the renewable energy sector through an outsourcing arrangement and I've noticed some concerning changes at my company. Over the past few months, there have been reports of an external investment fund coming in, several senior managers including the CFO have left, and some suppliers are experiencing payment delays. Additionally, there are plans to move to new offices around the same time the investor is expected to arrive. I'm unsure if this is a typical restructuring before growth or if it indicates potential financial difficulties or major organizational changes. As an outsourced employee, I feel like I could be more easily replaced than permanent staff, which adds to my anxiety about job security. On a positive note, I'm in the final stages of recruitment for another position that promises better pay and career progression. Given the situation, I'm contemplating whether I should start actively looking for a new job now. I would love to hear from anyone who has experienced similar situations involving acquisitions, private equity investments, or corporate restructuring. Would you consider these signs red flags? How do outsourced employees typically fare in these scenarios?

I worked as a contractor for a company from December 2024 to March 2025, but they didn't have the budget to keep me on. They brought me back from June 2025 to April 2026, and my manager even fought to get me a full-time position. Unfortunately, they couldn't secure the budget for it. My manager assured me that if they ever had the budget, I would be the first person they would approach for the role. Now, as August approaches, I've noticed a job posting for my exact position at the same company, and no one has reached out to me about it. I have a letter of recommendation and personal references from directors, including my boss, who is now the VP of operations. They all expressed that they wish they could hire me full-time and that they didn't want to keep dragging me around on contracts. I've even had colleagues reach out to me saying they miss me since my contract ended. I'm trying to understand the situation better and would appreciate any insights from recruiters or others in similar positions.

I recently completed my third interview for a position and have been anxiously waiting for a response. As a foreigner, I'm not fully aware of the typical vacation periods in the U.S., but I've read that late July to early August is a time when many people take time off. I want to send a follow-up email to check in on my application status, but I'm unsure when would be the best time to do so to ensure it gets noticed. I’m considering sending it soon, especially since I feel like I might have been ghosted regarding the results.

I've recently graduated and have been struggling to find a job. To help with my job search, I've narrowed down my options for reverse recruiting services to three. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has experience with these services and can share their thoughts. I've been getting some LinkedIn reachouts, but it's still been tough to land a position. I'm hoping to make a decision soon on which service to use.

I recently had a phone screen for a remote position at Cardinal Health and I'm feeling a bit anxious about what comes next. I'm really curious about the typical hiring process after the initial phone interview. For those who have gone through it, did the recruiter inform you right away during the call if you were moving on to the next step, like a 1:1 interview? Or did you have to wait for a follow-up email or phone call? I've read various experiences about the interview process, but I haven't found much information on the timing of feedback after the phone screen. I would appreciate hearing about your experiences and how long it took before you received any updates. Thanks!

I recently found out that my previous employer is appealing my unemployment determination here in Pennsylvania. This is my first time going through this process, and I want to make sure I’m fully prepared. I can't imagine losing this appeal, especially since I have evidence that counters their claims. They submitted four cropped screenshots of our text exchanges, which conveniently leave out important context. Luckily, I have the full conversation uploaded, which clearly shows that there was no willful misconduct on my part. In addition, a former coworker is writing a letter to support my case. I’m unsure about how much documentation I should include; I have a lot of potential evidence, but I don't want to overwhelm them with too much information. My former employer has requested a phone hearing, which I find a bit cowardly. I understand that the hearing will be conducted by a referee from the Unemployment Compensation office rather than a judge. I’m curious about the format of the hearing—should I prepare a statement? Would it be wise to upload a rebuttal to the statement my employer provided? I really want to get this right, so any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated!