I've been struggling to find a job for the past year, and it's been really tough. I never graduated from college due to disabilities that went untreated at the time, and now I'm considering whether going back to school or taking online classes would be a good move. I feel like not having a degree puts me at a serious disadvantage compared to other applicants. My partner and I could manage financially with my loans while I study, and I'm hoping that graduating could lead to better job opportunities in the future. But honestly, I'm feeling lost about what to do next.

I just completed my first job search and it was quite the experience! I had five interviews lined up in just one week. It felt intense but also exciting to be in the running for multiple positions. Each interview was with a different company, and I had to quickly adapt my approach and responses based on the role and company culture. It was a great learning opportunity for me, and I feel more confident in my interviewing skills now. I'm hopeful that one of these opportunities will lead to a job offer!

I'm feeling really down about starting my new job. I used to work at a large company in a demanding industry where I formed strong friendships with my coworkers over three years. We celebrated birthdays, New Year's, and even traveled together. After resigning earlier this year, I've been at my new company for two years now, and I can't shake this feeling of loss. It feels like a breakup; I've hardly heard from my old friends, and it seems like they've moved on without me. My new colleagues are nice, but I miss the deep connections I had before. I know it's probably not as fun for them without me as I imagine, but every day I walk into work surrounded by unfamiliar faces, and it just makes me sad.

I was laid off three weeks ago after spending four years as a Software Engineer in the fintech sector. My last day was September 1st, and although it hasn't been long, I'm already feeling quite demotivated in this challenging job market. During my time in the industry, I built and maintained banking applications, supported production issues, and worked on automated and functional testing, including performance testing for client-specific releases. My tech stack is pretty extensive, including Java, Spring Boot, REST APIs, Kubernetes, Docker, Cucumber, Jenkins, GCP, React, YAML, Bash/Shell, and Linux. In the past three weeks, I've sent out nearly 200 applications for various roles like Software Engineer, application/product support, QA/SDET, and DevOps. Unfortunately, I'm hardly receiving any calls back. It feels overwhelming to see job postings with 100+ applicants, which makes me doubt my chances of getting back into the industry. I find myself obsessively checking job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn throughout the day, even considering unrelated jobs that pay around $50k, which is concerning me. I've had two screening calls, but I was so discouraged going into them that I feel my energy was off. The worst part is the nagging voice in my head telling me I'm wasting my time applying and that I should look for something else to do. Knowing people in tech who have been searching for months only adds to my anxiety. I'm reaching out to anyone who has been laid off recently or has gone through this before: how did you manage to stay motivated? Did you eventually find another role in tech?

I recently started a new job at a company after being laid off from a high-paying role earlier this year. I took some time off, then applied to a bunch of positions and accepted the first offer I received, even though it was the lowest-paying option. Now, just under a month in, I'm feeling like I made a huge mistake. There are numerous red flags, including a lack of structure, documentation, and clear expectations, plus a culture that seems to encourage being always on. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid, and I'm regretting my decision. Conventional wisdom suggests I should stick it out for at least a few months, but I'm worried this experience will look bad on my resume if I leave so soon. I have the savings to support myself while I continue my job search, but I've never been in this situation before where I want to leave a job so quickly.

I recently got laid off from my software engineering position, and honestly, it's been really tough. My mental health has been taking a hit every day since the news broke. I came across a video from Business Insider featuring other software engineers who were laid off from FAANG companies, and it seems like they are also struggling to find new opportunities. I feel like we could really benefit from forming a community to support each other during this challenging time. It would be great to share our side projects and experiences as we navigate the job market together. Anyone else interested in creating a supportive space?

I recently faced a tough rejection from a job I was really excited about. As a recent HR graduate, I've been job searching for months and had a few interviews, but nothing has panned out yet. When I came across a People Operations Coordinator role, I felt it was a perfect match for my skills in HR, employee experience, and recruitment. I dedicated a lot of time to prepare for the interview, researching the company, understanding their mission and values, and practicing my responses to behavioral questions. I even prepared thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. During the interview, I felt a genuine connection with the interviewer, and the conversation flowed smoothly. She mentioned there would be two more rounds of interviews, which made me hopeful that I could be moving forward in the process. I left the interview feeling optimistic, thinking that this could be the opportunity I had been waiting for. However, the very next day, I received an automated rejection email stating they had chosen to move forward with another candidate. It was disheartening, especially since I had invested so much effort and truly envisioned myself in that role. I understand that rejection doesn’t always reflect my abilities; they could have found someone with more experience or an internal candidate. Still, it stings, especially when you really want the job. I know people often say to keep applying or that something better will come along, but honestly, I'm feeling drained. I've been tailoring resumes, writing cover letters, networking, and preparing for interviews, only to face rejection again. This one hit particularly hard because I could see myself thriving in that position. I just needed to vent about it.

After 2 and a half months of searching, I finally secured a job as a technician helper for a local business. It's an overnight position, but I'm just relieved to have found work after such a long time. In addition to that, I'm also working at a Chili's in the Tampa Bay Area.

I was recently terminated from my job in New Jersey due to performance issues. My termination paperwork clearly stated that my separation was performance-related, with no mention of any misconduct. After filing for unemployment benefits, I received an email from the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) requesting additional information regarding my separation, specifically mentioning a potential performance issue and/or misconduct connected with my work. This has left me confused because my paperwork did not indicate any misconduct; only the performance-related reason was checked. I'm unsure why the NJDOL is considering misconduct when my employer's documentation does not support that claim. I understand that the NJDOL reviews work separations to determine eligibility, but I'm worried this misunderstanding might affect my unemployment claim.

I'm currently at a crossroads regarding my job situation. I've been working at my current job, which I'll call Job A, for over a year now. Recently, I received an offer from a new position, Job B, and I'm torn about whether to stay at A or make the switch to B. Job B is appealing because it's much closer to my home, which would save me commuting time. However, the schedule for Job B is a bit unpredictable; while I usually work morning shifts, there are times I’d have to cover afternoon or evening shifts, and I'm concerned that this could negatively impact my health. Both jobs offer similar benefits, like health and dental insurance, but Job A provides more paid time off compared to Job B. Although the pay at Job B is slightly higher, Job A has the advantage of a fixed schedule, which I appreciate. Given the current job market, which isn't the best, I'm hesitant to turn down Job B, but I'm also unsure if it's the right move for me. I'm really struggling to make a decision and weighing the pros and cons of both options.

I recently graduated college and moved back home after working as a mortgage loan originator for a big mortgage company. While the salary was great, the 60-70 hour work weeks left me with no quality of life. My goal is to work in housing, particularly for the government, and I had an interview last month with my desired agency, but unfortunately, I wasn't hired. I'm still actively applying for positions there. Currently, I'm working at a restaurant just to cover my student loan payments and maintain my savings. I recently received an offer for a teacher's assistant position with the city government, which pays $21.50 per hour and includes benefits—something my restaurant job lacks. However, I'm torn because I don't see this role as a long-term career and plan to leave as soon as I can secure a position with the housing agency. I'm seeking advice on whether I should accept this teacher's assistant job or stay in my current role at the restaurant.

I find myself in a tough situation after spending over 16 years at my current job in marketing. Unfortunately, I've lost all my references due to various circumstances, including the passing of my previous references during and after Covid. My department head is willing to provide a reference, but since I'm still working under her, I feel it's not the best option. The person I report to has also become untrustworthy, and I believe they would rather keep me stuck in my current role than support my move to a new opportunity. I realize that the industry I'm in is declining, and I need to diversify my experience. I've been stuck in the mindset of staying long and working hard, thinking it would lead to rewards, but I now see that the job market favors those who switch jobs every few years. I've been feeling a bit low, reflecting on how I've let my career stagnate, and I'm eager to change that despite the current job market challenges. My main concern is how to secure references moving forward. I volunteer my time, but I work directly with clients rather than the organization staff, which complicates things. I don’t have close friends who could act as references either. I’m considering reaching out to local businesses to offer my time in exchange for a reference, or perhaps pursuing freelance clients, but I worry that these options might take too long to yield results. I’m really looking for advice on how to navigate this predicament and find a way to get solid references.

I received a significant amount of RSUs instead of a salary increase last year, which kept me motivated in my role. However, with the recent layoffs at my company, I'm left wondering if my RSUs are now essentially worthless since they won't vest for another two years. I feel like this situation has turned what was meant to be a benefit into a cruel joke. I'm curious if there's any way I can claim anything from these RSUs or if I'm just out of luck. I've seen comments suggesting that I might not be entitled to anything since they haven't vested yet, but I also heard that some companies have policies that allow for automatic vesting if you are laid off. I'm trying to navigate this uncertainty.

I recently had a final stage lunch interview for a product marketing position at a well-regarded company. During this interview, the team barely asked me any questions and instead focused on discussing non-work related topics. This was reminiscent of my previous interview with the team lead, where she spent a significant amount of time talking about the company and then went off on a tangent about her vacation. I didn’t want to interrupt her, so I let her continue, but it left me feeling uncertain about how I performed. I was surprised to make it to this final round, but now I’m worried that it might be just for show and that they already have someone else in mind. Alternatively, it could indicate that the team lacks structure and direction. The team lead struggled to explain their work, and I found myself asking multiple times for clarification on their roles and how they differ from other functions. Overall, while the company has a great reputation, the unstructured interview process has raised concerns for me about their vetting and understanding of their own work.

I recently had a 30-minute HR interview for a position at a tech company, and within two weeks, I was invited for a second, much longer interview that lasted about 2.5 hours with various teams. Now, it's been almost two weeks since that second interview, and I haven't received any updates. I'm feeling a bit anxious about the wait and wondering if I should reach out to HR to inquire about my application status. I've heard mixed experiences from others—some say to follow up politely, while others suggest just waiting a bit longer. I'm torn between being proactive and being patient.

I’ve been working as a Staff Accountant for about six months now, but things are looking pretty bleak at my current company. We’re in forbearance, have had layoffs, and our CFO is leaving, which is concerning since they were the one who brought me on board. I recently got an offer for a Supply Chain Finance Analyst position at a larger company with around 5,000 employees. The catch is that it comes with a $3,000 pay cut and a longer commute of about 40 miles. However, the role is hybrid on Mondays and Fridays, and it would allow me to transition from accounting to finance, which is my ultimate goal. I'm also waiting to hear back about another finance opportunity with a similar commute. I'm torn between taking the pay cut and making the move to finance or staying put until I can transition without a pay cut. I feel guilty about leaving my boss in a tough spot, but I also don't want to find myself in a precarious situation at my current job given the uncertainty. Any advice on whether I should take the leap or hold off would be greatly appreciated!

I'm currently working as a nursery employee but I'm feeling really overwhelmed by the toxic environment. My mental health is taking a hit, and I know I need to make a change. I'm 22 and planning to go to university next September, so I'm looking for a temporary job to tide me over until then. Unfortunately, there aren't many suitable temporary positions available in my area. My main options are working with my mum, who is a carer, or taking up agency work. If I work with my mum, I'd have to rely on public transport to get to clients' homes, which means I'd be out all day. On the other hand, agency work has a bad reputation and I'm worried it won't provide the consistent hours I need—I'm looking for at least 30 hours a week. I'm really unsure about what to do next.

I recently experienced a tough situation after being let go from a barista position at a local cafe just four shifts into my job. At 21, I had moved to a new city and was excited to join what seemed like a friendly team. The interview went well, and the owners were welcoming, so when I was offered the job and told about the 30-day probationary period, I felt optimistic. I was eager to learn and contribute, and my initial training felt positive. However, after my fourth shift, my boss called me aside and informed me that they decided not to keep me on. He didn't provide specific reasons, only mentioning that it wasn't the right fit and citing my customer service skills as a concern. This was particularly hard to hear because I had no indication that my performance was lacking during my short time there. I had been trying my best, and it stung to know that my soft-spoken nature might have been a factor in their decision. I’m left feeling confused and frustrated, mainly because I didn’t receive any feedback that could have helped me improve during the probation period. It feels unfair to be let go without the chance to adjust or understand what went wrong. I know this is a common experience in the job market, but it’s hard not to take it personally. I’m reaching out for advice on how to cope with this situation and whether it’s typical for employers to handle things this way.

I just found out that the location where I work is closing down in a month. I’ve been with this local business for a while now, and it only has three locations. My manager sent out an email to each of us, scheduling private meetings to discuss our future with the company and our availability. The wording of the email has me worried. The first part about discussing my future feels ominous, but the mention of availability makes me wonder if there are shifts available at the other locations. I have this meeting on Friday, and I’m feeling anxious about it. I want to be prepared, but I’m also unsure if I should be honest about my situation. I rely solely on this job for income, and my partner can’t support us alone while I look for work. Would it be unprofessional to express that? I’m looking for any advice on how to handle this meeting, but I also know that ultimately, the decision is out of my hands.

I’m currently 17 and have been struggling to find a job. I keep getting turned down because of my age, and it's really frustrating. I turn 18 in about three months, and I’m feeling desperate to start working. I’ve been considering whether I should just lie about my age to get hired sooner, but I’m worried about the potential consequences. I’ve heard that employers might run background checks and that they’ll need my ID when I’m hired, which makes me think lying could backfire. I’ve seen comments suggesting that I shouldn’t lie about my age at all, as it could lead to being fired if they find out. I also learned that there are different labor laws for minors, which makes it even more complicated. I’m thinking I might just have to wait a bit longer and look for seasonal jobs around the holidays. It seems like a better option than risking my chances by lying.