I’ve been struggling to find work for over a year now since being laid off from my software engineering role. The tech job market in the UK feels completely dead, and despite having 20 years of experience, I’m barely getting any interviews. It’s been incredibly frustrating. I even started a Buy Me a Coffee campaign to help keep my spirits up and manage my expenses, but the bills are piling up fast. I’ve never had this much trouble finding work in both the US and UK markets until last year, and it feels like call-backs have just dried up since then. I’m starting to feel the weight of financial stress, and it’s tough to see a way forward.

Since leaving my job as a software engineer at a tech startup, my mornings have taken on a completely new rhythm. It's been a bit of an adjustment after spending two decades in a structured work environment. I used to wake up to a flurry of emails and meetings, but now I find myself enjoying the freedom of my mornings. I typically wake up around 8 AM, brew a fresh cup of coffee, and take some time to relax while playing games. This little ritual helps me ease into the day. After my coffee kicks in, I dedicate a few hours to studying for the CKAD certification, which has been a goal of mine for a while. By noon, I switch gears and run an AI workflow I developed to help with my job search. This tool scrapes job listings from about 820 different companies, which saves me a lot of time. I’ve also started taking my dog for longer walks, about three miles, which has been a great way to clear my head and enjoy the outdoors without the constant distraction of my phone. It's a strange but refreshing change not to be tied to my devices all the time.

I'm eager to break into the finance industry, despite having no prior experience or knowledge in the field. I don't have a math background, trading experience, or familiarity with tools like Bloomberg terminals. However, I'm a fast learner who becomes deeply invested in new challenges. I'm reaching out to anyone working in finance—whether at a startup, small fund, trading firm, or even solo ventures—to offer my willingness to take on a take-home task. I'm open to any problem you want to throw my way, regardless of difficulty or timeline. I believe the best way to demonstrate my potential is by actually doing work rather than just submitting a resume. I would prefer remote opportunities due to financial constraints that prevent me from traveling. I'm not seeking a handout; I'm looking for a chance to prove myself and open a door into the finance world. If you have any tasks or projects I can help with, please DM me or comment below.

I’ve been on a frustrating job search for the past few months with no success. I’ve tried reaching out in various ways—messaging, emailing, calling, and even going in person to follow up with my resume. While I’ve managed to get some interviews, I keep getting turned down afterward. I had a job from 2023 until January this year, but I got fired, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s affecting my chances. I’m concerned that potential employers might be contacting my previous boss, who didn’t think highly of me, which could be a red flag for them. I’m autistic and I try to mask it during interviews, but I’m starting to worry that they can sense something is off or that I come across as weird, which might be a reason for not getting hired. Additionally, I have a boy’s name, and I wonder if they expect a guy to show up and are surprised when I, a girl, walk in. There’s also the possibility that they might have biases against trans individuals, which adds to my anxiety about the whole process. I’m currently a college student with limited work experience, and I know that there are many jobs I wouldn’t be able to handle due to my autism. Still, I’ve applied to various positions, including those that I believe I could manage. I’m running out of money and feeling lost. I keep replaying my interviews in my mind, trying to pinpoint what I might be doing wrong. I dress well, attempt to speak professionally, and express genuine interest in the roles. I’m not sure what I’m hoping to gain by sharing this—maybe some advice or just a space to vent. I’m losing motivation and starting to feel like giving up.

After 13 months of searching for a new job, I've decided to simplify my approach even further. I'm focusing solely on LinkedIn for my job search. It's been a long and challenging journey, and I hope that concentrating my efforts on this platform will yield better results.

I had my second interview today for a position I've been really excited about. I felt well-prepared and even took some time to meditate beforehand to keep my nerves in check. The interview was conducted with several team members at once, and they hit me with rapid-fire questions, which I handled without a hitch. However, I stumbled a bit when they asked the classic question: "Why did you decide to apply for our job?" and "Why do you want to work here?" Honestly, my immediate thought was that I've been out of work for months and I desperately need a job to keep my house. I know that's not the answer they're looking for, so I tried to pivot and talk about my skills relevant to the role and how much I liked the company culture. I can't help but feel frustrated by the reality of job searching these days. It seems like we have to put on a facade just to get through these interviews. I hope my answer was satisfactory, but I can't shake the feeling that the job market has changed so much, and it feels like we're all just trying to scrape by.

Today marks my fourth month as a marketing generalist at a financial company, and I’m feeling quite disheartened. When I interviewed for this role, I was clear about my expectations and received reassuring answers about the job’s responsibilities and growth potential. Initially, I enjoyed working with my team and felt confident in my abilities. However, things took a turn after my first performance review. My manager initially praised my confidence but later shifted her tone, criticizing my work and saying I needed to improve drastically. She even warned me that any mistakes could lead to a formal conversation, which felt quite intimidating. As the weeks went by, the situation worsened. I was often yelled at for minor issues, blamed for mistakes that weren’t mine, and my emails were constantly rewritten. It felt like I was walking on eggshells, unsure of what would trigger her next outburst. My coworkers have been supportive and don’t understand why my manager is treating me this way, which adds to my confusion. I’ve always been well-regarded in my previous job, so this experience is really shaking my confidence. Today, my manager told me that while I’ve improved in some areas, she still doesn’t trust me and feels I’m not a good fit for the role. I’m meeting with her again soon to continue this conversation, and I’m hoping for a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) so I can have a clearer understanding of what’s expected of me. I’m reaching out for advice on how to handle this situation, as it genuinely feels like my manager is targeting me. It’s tough to stay motivated when I feel like I’m constantly under scrutiny.

I’ve been working in home health for about three and a half years, and I’ve had a solid track record with two companies across three different stints. I’m highly requested in my area and have only missed two days due to illness since I was hired. When I went through the hiring process in February, I was told the baseline pay was $18.75/hour. I negotiated for $19 due to my experience and performance, which was accepted. However, I quickly realized that my pay was actually set to $18.75 from the start, despite my offer letter stating otherwise. After working hard and filling in for clients, I was frustrated to find my weekly checks were only around $300 when they should have been closer to $500. I reached out to the office to check my hours and learned that I had worked more than I thought, but my pay was still incorrect. In March, all caretakers received a $0.75 raise, and my pay was briefly adjusted to $19.50 before being manually changed back to $18.75. After several follow-ups with the office and no resolution, I contacted my union. They informed me that I should have been earning $19.75/hour and promised to help. However, after two weeks, my pay remained at $19, and I was told by my union rep that I wouldn’t be eligible for raises because I started at a quarter higher than the baseline. I genuinely love my job and the work I do, but I’m feeling stuck and unsure of what to do next. I don’t want to leave, especially since the other company in my area has a terrible reputation. I’m looking for advice on how to navigate this situation.

I recently applied for a remote Customer Service Representative position at Technology Partners, Inc. After a brief interview, I received an email confirming that I got the job. The email was from Alyssa Hall, the Director of Human Resources, and it included details about my compensation, benefits, and the terms of employment. However, there were several red flags that made me question its legitimacy. The email had some grammatical errors, and the way it was written seemed off, almost like it was generated by AI. Additionally, the pay of $35 for a customer service role fully remote seemed too good to be true. I did some research and verified their address, which appeared legitimate, but I'm still uncertain. I reached out for advice on whether this could be a scam, as I am eager for a job but want to ensure it's a valid opportunity.

I recently faced a challenge with my background check for a new job. My former employers from nearly a decade ago couldn't be reached for verification, which led to my case being escalated. The compliance team asked for additional documentation, so I submitted my W-2s along with a written explanation of the situation. However, I ran into a snag because the names on the W-2s don't match what I provided in my background check; they reflect the legal entity and payroll company rather than the actual business names where I worked. I'm now wondering how long the compliance review process typically takes once I submit this documentation. Also, for those experienced in recruiting or compliance, do you think W-2s and my explanation will suffice to verify my employment in this case? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I am currently looking for work-from-home (WFH) job listings due to some medical issues that have made traditional blue-collar jobs unfeasible for me. I’m legally blind and suffer from chronic foot ulcers, which have severely limited my ability to work. My last job lasted only 8 months because I was frequently out due to my condition, and I have been unemployed since April. Unfortunately, vocational rehabilitation services haven't been helpful in my job search. I have always worked in blue-collar roles and do not have a college degree, which further narrows my options. Right now, I’m living on disability, but after paying bills, I only have about $100 left each month. I’ve started using SNAP, but it’s not enough to cover my living expenses, and I’m relying on credit cards to buy food and medications. I need to find a job soon. I’m not very familiar with how to search for WFH jobs and I’m concerned about the possibility of scams. Ideally, I would prefer not to work from home, but the high cost of transportation and poor public transit in my area makes it difficult. Using rideshare services like Uber or Lyft is costly, and I can’t afford to take on a job that would replace my SSDI income without providing enough to live on. I can only make up to $16 an hour full-time to keep my SSDI or over $20 an hour to manage without it, which complicates my job search even further. If anyone has recommendations for reputable sources or websites where I can find legitimate WFH job opportunities, I would greatly appreciate it. I just need something that allows me to earn some income without relying on my credit cards.

I'm currently on the hunt for a job in collegiate sport media, and I'm reaching out for some advice on how to navigate this challenging field. I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University, where I was part of the in-venue broadcast team, Catvision. I had a blast working there, primarily as a camera operator for football, but since then, I've found it tough to break back into college sports after working in TV news and corporate video. I've been applying to various positions but have only landed one interview, which unfortunately ended in a rejection. The automated rejection letters have been disheartening, but I'm determined to keep pushing forward. I'm particularly interested in roles similar to "Huskervision" at Nebraska or "12th Man Productions" at Texas A&M. I'm considering whether grad school might be a worthwhile option, especially since I've looked into programs at Oklahoma State, but the cost is quite high for an out-of-state student. I've also applied to schools that are looking to enhance their programs in light of changes in the sports landscape, such as USF, Utah State, and Texas State, as well as some smaller FCS schools like SDSU and the University of Northern Colorado. If anyone has tips or insights on breaking into collegiate sports media, I'd greatly appreciate it!

I was recently fired from my job after nearly three years of service due to complications with my FMLA leave related to autoimmune issues. My employer used a third-party service called TILT to manage FMLA certification and track my leave. Unfortunately, my TILT account worked for only two weeks before it started deactivating repeatedly. I reached out to TILT support for help, and they informed HR that they needed specific records to resolve the issue. However, HR never sent those records. After a few weeks of this back-and-forth, I was called into the office and told that I was being terminated for failing to input my time in TILT. This was incredibly frustrating, especially since I had communicated the issue to HR. I later sent a message with a screenshot showing that the responsibility fell on HR to resolve the situation. However, my HR representative claimed that this was new information to her, which I believe is false. Now, I'm left wondering if I have any chance of winning an appeal with the proof I have.

It's been 4 months since I was laid off from my role, and I've finally decided it's time to activate Plan B. I've been following this journey closely and want to share my experience to hopefully help someone else who might be feeling lost. After my layoff, I took a couple of weeks to regroup, especially since it coincided with my vacation. I had built up a savings cushion and received a decent severance, which has helped ease the transition. Initially, I was seeing a good response rate of about 40% to 50% for interviews, but that momentum has stalled recently. The past few weeks have been tough, with mostly silence or rejections. This has pushed me to consider alternative paths, so I registered for an EIN, opened a business checking account, and revamped my LinkedIn profile to start networking as a consultant. I’m doing this while I still have some financial stability, but I know I need to act before things get critical. I've received positive feedback on my plans for a consulting website, which I hope to launch soon. Today, I applied for a job that seemed like a perfect fit for my skills. However, I realized after submitting my application that I forgot to include a cover letter. I’ve applied to this company multiple times in the past and have had positive interactions with their recruiters, but they always seem to go with internal candidates. I think it’s silly to require cover letters, especially when many are likely AI-generated. Regardless, I'm not giving up. I’ll continue applying while also hustling to create my own opportunities. I want to remind everyone that we’re in this together, and I appreciate you all for listening.

I recently interviewed for an Activities Aide position that paid $11 an hour. I felt the interview went well, but after that, I didn't hear back from them at all. It's frustrating to be left in the dark like this, especially after putting in the effort to prepare and show up for the interview. I'm trying to stay positive and keep applying to other positions, but it's tough to deal with the uncertainty.

I recently experienced a layoff from my job as a cashier at a retail store. I had applied multiple times over the years before finally being hired, but my experience was far from pleasant. On my first day, the orientation was poorly organized. We were given outdated materials and had issues with a DVD training video that no one knew how to operate. The training I received was minimal and unclear; my trainer seemed uncertain about my training day and left me to figure things out on my own. I struggled with the lack of clear instructions and communication regarding my schedule. I was late for my shift one day because I was misinformed about the schedule updates, which caused me a lot of stress. I tried to maintain a positive attitude with customers, but I was constantly worried about my performance and whether I would be let go. After a few shifts, I was called into the office where I was informed that I was being let go for poor performance. The manager cited my tardiness and claimed I wasn't fast enough or engaging enough with customers. I was shocked because I felt I was doing my best under the circumstances. There was no warning or opportunity for improvement discussed before my termination. It was a frustrating and disheartening experience.

I'm currently feeling anxious about my job security at my company, where I work in a training role. With the recent changes in leadership, it seems like they are restructuring things significantly. I've noticed that they are having us train employees overseas, and I suspect that once we complete this training, they might let us go. I'm trying to prepare for the possibility of being fired without cause in the next few months. I'm wondering what steps I should take now to ensure I'm treated fairly if that happens. Should I consider reaching out to an employment lawyer before I'm officially let go, or is it better to wait until after I receive a severance package? I want to make sure I understand my rights and what I might be entitled to in terms of severance, especially since I'm based in Canada. I've heard mixed opinions on whether it's worth contacting a lawyer at this stage, especially if the severance offered is standard. I want to be proactive, but I also don't want to jump the gun.

I've been unemployed for months now, and it's really taking a toll on me. I'm 20 years old and still living at my parents' house, which makes me feel even more stuck. I've been applying to multiple jobs, but nothing seems to be working out. I spend most of my time lying in bed, feeling like I'm wasting my life. I have hobbies like animating, drawing, playing games, and even doing YouTube, but it all feels pointless when I'm not making any progress in finding a job. I'm broke and honestly just don't know what to do anymore.

I’m starting a new job next Wednesday at a large company, but I haven't received the first-day logistics yet, and I'm starting to feel anxious about it. I've already signed the offer, passed the background check, completed my I-9, received onboarding materials and benefits information, been assigned an employee ID, and confirmed my start date. Earlier this week, I reached out to my manager for details like what time to start, if there are any team meetings, whether I need to prepare anything, and how my equipment will be handled. My manager responded quickly, saying they were excited to have me on the team and would confirm a few items with HR before getting back to me. Now it’s Friday afternoon, and I still haven't heard back, which is making me a bit uneasy. I sent a follow-up email today since I start in less than a week. I'm trying to figure out if this is just a normal delay in onboarding communication, a sign of a disorganized process, or something I should genuinely be worried about. Given that this is the highest-paying job I've ever had and how long I spent interviewing, I know my anxiety might be skewing my perspective. If you were in my shoes, would you be concerned or just wait until Monday for more details?

I just started a new job a week ago, but I'm already planning to leave for better offers. After a tough year trying to get back on my feet, I finally landed a job in April 2026, but got fired just three weeks in. That was a tough blow, especially since I had been laid off in April 2025. Fast forward to June 1st, I got hired on the same day as my interview, but I wasn't thrilled about the hourly pay of $27. I was desperate for work, though. Just two days later, I received two new offers: one job is 25 minutes away with a salary of $60K, and another is just 10 minutes from home at $31.50 an hour, which they later told me would be revised to a salary of around $65K. The hours are also better, from 7:30 am to 4 pm compared to my current 8 am to 5 pm shift. I feel uneasy about leaving so soon, especially since the onboarding process at my current job has been smooth, unlike the last one where I was fired. I'm planning to resign next Monday after my shift and send a resignation letter along with photos of my fob on the desk. The new job wants me to start next Thursday. I can't help but feel guilty about leaving so quickly. Am I making the right decision?