I’ve been unemployed for over a year now, and it’s really taking a toll on me. I’m 28 years old and hold both a B.A. and an M.A., yet I’m struggling to find a job. Despite applying to numerous positions and even reaching out to recruiters, I’ve only landed two interviews this year, both of which ended in rejection. One of those was for an internship, and it’s disheartening to think I can’t even secure an entry-level position. I can’t help but feel like a failure, especially as I watch my peers advance in their careers while I feel stuck. It’s like my 20s are slipping away, and I’m left wondering what’s wrong with me.

I've been unemployed for 16 months now, and honestly, I feel pretty helpless. I used to work as a software engineer for 5 years, but personal issues have kept me from the job market. I'm just starting to apply for jobs again, but I've heard that the job search can take a year or more. If that's the case, I could be looking at nearly 28 months without a job by the time I find something. It feels overwhelming, and I can't help but wonder if I'll ever get back into a software engineering role. I know I could probably find something like a job at McDonald's, but that's not what I want. I really want to be a software engineer again, but I'm starting to doubt if that's even possible anymore.

My girlfriend was laid off about two months ago, and it's been tough for her. She's 24 and works in HR, while I'm a 24-year-old software engineer. I want to help her, but she doesn't like it when I bring up job applications or ask about her search, so I've backed off from that. She also doesn't want me to help with rent or groceries, which makes it hard for me to know how to support her. She's been feeling down, and sometimes she says I can't understand what she's going through. We don't live together, so I can only see her on weekends or after work. I'm looking for advice from anyone who has been laid off on what their partners did that helped them, and what I should definitely avoid doing.

I had my final interviews last Wednesday for a position I was really excited about. The recruiter mentioned that I would receive a decision by the end of the week, but now it's Monday and I've heard nothing. I reached out to the recruiter today, but I'm not getting any response. I'm starting to feel anxious and wonder if this is a sign that I didn't get the job. The interviews felt like they went well, and I thought the interviewers liked me, but now I'm left in limbo.

Today, I made the tough decision to quit my job. I've been feeling incredibly lonely at work for almost a year now. I work in a department of about 10 people, but I hardly interact with anyone. The few colleagues who did speak to me have left, and I often feel invisible as people walk past me without a word. My training was inadequate, and the person responsible for it has made my job even more difficult by not giving me all my responsibilities and throwing me under the bus when issues arise. My supervisor doesn’t provide any support and just takes her word for everything. I've been contemplating leaving for a while, but they always managed to convince me to stay. However, my mental health has taken a serious hit, and I can’t handle it any longer. I’ve saved up about $10,000 to cover my rent, so I feel somewhat secure while I search for a new job. I know it's usually advised to find a new position before quitting, but my mental well-being is my priority right now. I even struggle to find time to see a therapist due to my work schedule. I’m ready to move on and hopefully find a healthier work environment.

I recently received a rejection email for a role I applied for, and I'm trying to make sense of the feedback. The email stated, "I was able to connect with the team earlier this afternoon, and while I really enjoyed meeting with you, we’ve decided not to move forward with your candidacy at this time. This decision isn’t a reflection of your skills or experience, but rather the direction our team decided to take based on our current candidate pool." I felt I was a good match for the position based on my skills and experience, so this response left me confused. I’m considering whether I should reach out to inquire about other roles within the company that I might qualify for, or if the timing of my potential relocation at the end of October played a factor in their decision. I've heard from others that such rejection phrases can often be generic, and that there might have been an internal candidate already preferred for the role. It’s frustrating to think that even if I fit the job description perfectly, factors like team dynamics or personal impressions could have influenced their choice. I'm left wondering if I should take this as a sign that I wouldn’t fit in with their culture or if I should keep pursuing opportunities with them.

I recently left a toxic job that I had for about four years after graduating from university. Initially, it was a great experience with good pay and opportunities for growth, but over time it became increasingly toxic. I ended up with a terrible manager who was manipulative and focused solely on his own advancement, creating a hostile environment filled with backbiting and blame among coworkers. Eventually, I was let go by this manager. Now, I’m in a much better and more peaceful job, but I find that the negative experiences from my previous job still haunt me. I often think about the teasing and doubts from my old coworkers, and I hear my former manager's voice in my head whenever I make decisions at work. This has led me to second-guess myself constantly, making it difficult to fully appreciate my new role and focus on my growth. I’m curious if anyone else has gone through something similar after leaving a toxic workplace and how you managed to stop carrying the weight of your old boss and coworkers in your mind.

I just received the heartbreaking news that my dad passed away. After getting off work today, I rushed to my parents' house to be with my family, who were understandably devastated. I had to inform my employer that I couldn't come in after this loss. My boss was sympathetic, but the company policy only allows for three days of bereavement leave. This means I get Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday off, but if I need Friday, I have to use my PTO. It feels so inadequate to only have a few days to grieve such a significant loss. I rely on my job, and so does my family, but it's hard to focus on work when I'm going through this. I just wish companies would recognize the emotional toll of losing a parent and allow more time to heal.

I was laid off from my role last October and since then, I've submitted 128 applications but only landed 3 interviews. I feel completely exhausted by the job search process. It's been nearly 10 months, and I know that means I'm averaging about 3 applications per week, which seems low. I’ve received feedback that my resume is too dense and wordy, making it hard for hiring managers to quickly grasp my skills and experience. I’ve been advised to simplify my resume and maybe even use AI tools to help tailor it for each job. I’m considering looking for temporary positions, especially with the political campaign season in full swing, as it might lead to opportunities in data roles. Any further advice on how to improve my approach would be greatly appreciated.

I recently received a job offer in the IT industry for $50k, which will increase to $55k after 90 days. I was laid off in January and took the Sec+ certification to enhance my skills. Although this offer is better than what I've had before, it's still on the lower end for the industry. I come from a customer service background, so this entry-level position is a chance for me to learn and grow. However, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. Since receiving this offer, I've been contacted by other companies for interviews, and they are offering significantly higher salaries—$65k and $70k. I'm feeling anxious about accepting the current job because if I get an offer from one of these other companies, I would have to quit shortly after starting, which feels really uncomfortable to me. I have a hard time with authority and dislike the idea of job-hopping, especially since I've struggled financially for most of my life. I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this situation. Should I take the job I have now and continue interviewing, or is it better to wait and see if I get a higher offer? I appreciate any insights!

I'm currently employed as a Data Center Technician with four years of experience in server hardware, troubleshooting, fiber optics, audits, and basic networking. I'm looking to transition into a remote role and would love to hear recommendations for positions that align with my background. If anyone has made a similar move, I would appreciate insights on which certifications were most beneficial and which companies are worth considering for remote opportunities. Thank you in advance for any advice!

I received a job offer from Working America for a canvasser position at $20 per hour. However, I've come across mixed reviews about the company and I'm feeling uncertain. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has experience working with them and can share their insights.

I've been actively searching for a job throughout the entire year, but unfortunately, I haven't had any luck so far. I suspect that my resume might be the issue, and I'm open to any and all advice on how to improve it. I'm eager to make my application stand out and finally land a position.

I work as a shift manager at a fast food restaurant and have been with the company for about 6 years. Recently, we've had a new district manager and a new company take over our store, and things have been going downhill. The expected labor percentage is way too low, and many long-term employees have quit because they were reduced to just one shift a week. We're often understaffed, managing with only four people at a time, which is barely enough to keep the place running. I make $17.75 an hour, which is above the new cap of $15, but we’re no longer allowed to earn overtime. This is frustrating because I used to work at least 45 hours a week. Today, I had to go in on my day off due to the night manager being unavailable, and I ended up working an hour of overtime. However, my general manager informed me that they would cut my paycheck back to 40 hours and hold the overtime pay for the next check. She assured me I would still get paid for all my time, but it wouldn’t be reflected as overtime on my pay stub. I know it’s less than $30 after taxes, but I’m upset because it feels like they’re manipulating the numbers to make their bonuses look good while I miss out on the pay I earned. I’ve lost trust in my manager, especially since she previously cut my hourly rate without informing me. I’m worried she might forget to add my overtime pay to the next check, especially since I’ve picked up a shift at another location. I’m wondering if this is even legal. I’ve let a lot slide from management, but this feels particularly unfair. I might need to look into my rights regarding overtime pay.

I’ve been trying to help my friend navigate her unemployment situation in Louisiana. She filed for unemployment benefits in 2022 and has been waiting for a hearing date ever since. Recently, the unemployment office requested a dismissal of her case in court, which has left her feeling really discouraged. We learned that starting December 2024, any overpayments due to fraud could lead to a theft charge, and she’s worried about the overpayment from 2022. I keep telling her not to give up, especially since she hasn’t received all the money she was entitled to. She’s scared that once her case is resolved in 2026, they might come after her for that overpayment. I’m just trying to understand if there’s any chance she could face charges and how we can better navigate this process.

Applied at Walmart for Unknown

Applied at Aritzia for Retail Position

Applied at Uber for Business Operations

I have a teaching degree that I earned about 17 years ago, but despite my efforts, I've never been able to secure a full-time teaching position. Instead, I've only worked as a substitute teacher and a part-time tutor. It's been really disheartening, especially since there's this common belief that anyone with a relevant degree should easily find a job in education. I often feel judged by others for not being able to land a full-time role, which adds to the frustration of my job search.

Today marks a significant turning point in my life as I was laid off after 13 years at my company. I had always been a high-performing individual contributor, often the lowest paid in the room despite my hard work and dedication. I genuinely believed I had positioned myself as someone who would be the last to go, but I was mistaken. Now, I find myself at a crossroads. Thankfully, I've managed to save enough to last me about eight years based on my current spending habits, along with some retirement savings. However, I still have a long way to go before I reach retirement age, and I don't own any property. I've always had a passion for AI and have gained considerable experience in this field. This layoff might be the opportunity I need to explore AI on my own terms, rather than for corporate objectives. At the same time, I feel a strong desire to travel and see the world, but I also feel incredibly exhausted from the years of hard work. I had set a goal to achieve financial independence and retire early (FIRE) by age 50, but this unexpected turn has pushed that goal further away. I'm feeling lost and unsure of what my next steps should be. Should I take some time off to rest and recharge? Dive straight into personal projects? Start job hunting immediately to stay on track with my FIRE aspirations? Or should I take the plunge and travel? Additionally, I've neglected my physical and mental health for too long, and I want to prioritize that as well. I’m seeking advice on how to navigate this complex mix of feelings and options.