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I was recently placed on a 90-day Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) after five years at a large government contractor. The main issues cited were my attention to detail and a perceived lack of proactivity during slower work periods. The PIP outlines specific expectations, such as improving accuracy, quality-checking my work, and better communication about my workload. I admit I got too comfortable in my remote, low-stress role, and now I’m regretting not pursuing other job opportunities that came my way. My manager is still involved, assigning me work and providing training, which makes me wonder if this PIP is a genuine chance for improvement or just a formality before termination. I’ve started applying and interviewing for new jobs, and I’m torn about where to focus my energy. Should I really try to meet the PIP goals, or should I prioritize my job search instead? I’m seeking advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation or managed someone on a PIP. How did you allocate your efforts? Did you find success after completing a PIP? What are the signs that management actually wants you to succeed versus just documenting your performance for termination? I’ve learned that comfort doesn’t equal security, and thankfully, I don’t have any major personal responsibilities that would complicate my situation.

I had a Teams interview for a seasonal helper position on a Thursday evening, but I received a rejection letter by Sunday. The interview went okay, but I think I may have hurt my chances by sharing my career plans with the hiring manager. I mentioned that I was studying for a certification in a more technical role, which I thought would be relevant experience for my resume. However, I sensed that my aspirations might have alarmed him. The position I applied for was temporary, without benefits, and I was fine with the pay, but I think he expected me to want to stay in a non-technical role permanently. It made me realize that there might be a disconnect between what hiring managers expect and the reality of job seekers' situations. If they want commitment, they need to offer more than just a temporary job with no benefits.

I recently interviewed for an Executive Assistant position directly supporting the CEO at a company. The interview went well, and the CEO seemed genuinely interested in my background and how I could contribute to the role. We discussed my responsibilities, my career aspirations, and my commitment to the position, but we didn't touch on salary specifics. The CEO mentioned he would ensure an 'appropriate salary' for me to work comfortably. It's now been 5 days since the interview, which translates to 3 business days, and I forgot to ask how long it might take to receive a formal offer. I'm debating whether I should reach out to HR for an update on the offer status or if I should wait a bit longer. Some advice I've seen suggests that it's still early in the process, as they likely need to contact references and finalize details. However, I also feel anxious about the wait and want to ensure I'm not missing out on any necessary follow-ups.

I was laid off from my position as a Geophysicist after completing my PhD in Geophysics three years ago. The layoff occurred when my company, facing tough times due to recent executive orders, let go of over 60% of its staff, and I was among those affected. Since then, I've been struggling to find stable work. Currently, I'm working part-time as a faculty member and even took a temporary job in a warehouse just to make ends meet. I've been applying to a variety of jobs outside of geophysics, leveraging my skills in computers, coding, and other technical tools, but the search has been challenging and largely unsuccessful. I'm feeling pretty stuck and would appreciate any advice from others who have successfully transitioned out of geophysics or academia into more stable career paths.

Today, I visited a small retail store to inquire about job openings. After speaking with the manager, he asked me to come back later with my resume. I’m not sure if this means he intends to interview me when I return, as I often struggle with reading social cues. However, it feels like a positive sign. I plan to prepare for the possibility of an informal interview, and I’ll make sure to bring my resume and arrive during the slower hours of the day, around 2-4 PM. I’m hopeful about this opportunity!

I was really excited to apply for a position that finally opened up at a company I've been eyeing for a while. However, I've been facing a frustrating issue with the Workday jobs portal. I was able to log in just fine on Saturday, but now I can't seem to access my account at all. Every time I try to sign in, it just redirects me to a different page, and I can't submit my application. I feel like I'm missing out on a great opportunity because of this glitch. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has experienced this issue and if there are any solutions or workarounds. I'm really eager to apply and don't want this technical problem to hold me back.

I recently applied for a job at a company that I was really excited about and went through the first interview process. Unfortunately, I was rejected. However, I just noticed that the exact same position has been advertised again, this time on a different job site. I'm really torn about whether I should apply again or if that would come off as strange. I'm eager to get this role and would love to hear if anyone else has been in a similar situation. I’ve seen some people say they were successful on their second attempt, but others think it might be a waste of time. What should I do?

Applied at Fiserv for Unknown

Applied at Dev10 for Unknown

I recently wrapped up a role as the sole go-to-market operator at an early-stage AI startup, where I spent the last 1.5 years building the entire revenue engine from scratch. This involved everything from creating signal-based outbound strategies and CRM architecture to developing AI agent workflows using tools like n8n, Claude, OpenAI, Clay, and Apify. I was juggling multiple clients at once—up to five—each with distinct ideal customer profiles. One of my proudest achievements was building a production AI agent that scrapes LinkedIn for leads based on intent signals and job titles, which helped generate over 1 crore in revenue. I also managed to achieve a 7% reply rate on my best email campaign, with all responses being positive. Additionally, I took on the role of interim product manager for an AI outbound platform during my time there. Now, I’m actively searching for new opportunities. I’m looking for a role that offers decent pay, a gym benefit or wellness stipend (this is non-negotiable for me), and a team of founders or managers who are genuinely good people—no late-night messages that masquerade as culture. If anyone knows of startups or remote positions that fit this description, I would love to connect and share my resume. I’m also open to relocation.

I recently faced a setback with my unemployment benefits after being laid off from my position at a university due to budget cuts in May '26. Prior to that, I had worked as a non-contract employee for an Independent School District (ISD) and had decided to leave that role in December '25 to pursue the university opportunity. After my layoff, I applied for a new position at the same ISD, which I was offered, but the job won't start until August. Unfortunately, my benefits were denied because of a 'reasonable assurance' rule, which seems to imply that I am returning to my previous job, even though this is a completely new position requiring new-hire paperwork and orientation. I have an appeal scheduled in a couple of weeks and I'm hoping to argue that my situation is different from the typical cases covered by the rule. I just want to understand how they can deny my benefits when I'm essentially starting fresh at the ISD.

I’m currently searching for a 100% remote entry-level position, specifically in industries that are hiring and not focused on sales roles. Commuting is not an option for me, so I’m looking for companies that will hire me without needing to prove myself in person first. I understand that these positions may offer lower income than my previous job, but I’m okay with that. I've been proactive and have cold emailed several firms, but the responses have been mostly defensive or indifferent. It’s frustrating because I can see that there’s a demand for help in their businesses, yet they don’t seem to want to hire. I’m reaching out to see if anyone knows of companies that are actually hiring for remote roles at the entry level. I’ve heard from others that finding remote entry-level jobs is incredibly challenging, and the competition is fierce. I’m trying to figure out how to stand out among so many candidates and what skills I need to highlight. I’ve also been advised to build a tech profile on platforms like Dice to increase my chances, and to consider looking into medical billing companies as potential employers. Any insights or leads would be greatly appreciated!

I'm currently in the interview process for a part-time event coordinator/host/social media manager position at a startup. I submitted my application video at 3am, just hours before the listing closed at 10am, and managed to secure an interview that same day at 4pm. The founder mentioned I was the last candidate he was seeing but liked my video, which was a good start. We had a great conversation, and he said I reminded him of his younger self, which felt like a positive connection. He quickly moved me to the next round after our chat. In the second round, I had to present a rough brainstorm for an event and marketing ideas to sell tickets. I put together a detailed 7-page slideshow with mockup posters. He appreciated my thought process and the logistics I considered. I shared my experience organizing a murder mystery party, which he enjoyed hearing about. He emphasized the importance of commitment and finding someone he enjoys working with. When I asked about the number of candidates, he mentioned there were five but reassured me I was through to the final round. He advised me to think seriously about the role, especially since I’m still in college and the commute is about an hour. I decided to move forward and told him I was happy to continue, planning to ask more questions in the next round. Now, we’re meeting for coffee in two days. I'm feeling excited but also a bit anxious about the outcome. I’m curious about what this coffee meeting might entail and whether it’s a good sign. I’ve been daydreaming about this job, but I don’t want to get my hopes too high. Any advice on how likely I am to land this role?

I am currently facing a really tough situation as my dad has been unemployed for over a month after being laid off from his academic job this summer. He was a contract employee, so he didn't receive any severance pay or benefits, and now the bills are piling up for our family of five. My dad is the sole provider, and without him working, we have no income. It's heartbreaking to see him becoming increasingly depressed as we drown in debt. He has a PhD and a master's degree in economics, along with over 10 years of teaching and research experience. Despite applying to hundreds of jobs across various sectors—federal, academic, corporate—he hasn't received a single interview. He's also reached out to multiple recruiters, even those in other states, but hasn't gotten any responses. I worry that his age, being 51, might be a factor in his job search challenges. I'm reaching out for any advice on how he can improve his job search, whether it's resume tips, recruiters to contact, or any other resources that might help. As an 18-year-old senior in high school, I feel helpless watching my parents struggle, and I'm hoping to find ways to support them during this difficult time.

I just received my first real job offer in a year, and it happened within an hour of applying on Craigslist! I'm 21 and have been searching for a job in education, but it felt impossible without having completed my degree. I tried various platforms like Indeed and government job sites, but they yielded nothing. On a whim, I decided to check Craigslist and was pleasantly surprised. If you filter the listings correctly, there are actually a lot of legitimate job opportunities available. Sure, there are scams, but I found there are definitely more real jobs than I expected. The great thing about Craigslist is that it requires you to email directly to respond, so you don't have to wait for a recruiter to check a specific website. I got a response from a local school just an hour after applying. For anyone young and struggling due to lack of a degree, I highly recommend giving Craigslist a shot. The other job search platforms I've tried have been pretty useless.

I'm currently struggling to find a job in my desired field and location. I've been applying to various positions, but I haven't had much luck. I'm considering how to pivot my job search to increase my chances of success. I would appreciate any advice on how to adjust my approach or explore alternative career paths that might align with my skills and interests.

It's been a while since my last update, and I wanted to share my journey. The job I had from February to May didn't work out as I had hoped. I often felt unnecessary and had to ask for tasks to do, which was frustrating. For instance, I spent time putting information into a SOW template on Canva for a potential client, but they ultimately decided not to move forward, leaving me with little to show for my efforts. I ended up doing no work for an entire month except for attending a monthly client meeting. In May, I had a check-in with my former supervisor, where I expressed my concerns about my lack of engagement. She acknowledged that the role had changed from what I was initially hired for and wished me well, which I appreciated. From May to the end of June, I focused on applying for new positions. I experienced a mix of interviews, ghosting, and rejections. At one point, I even considered applying for AI training jobs just to earn some income. On June 24th, I applied for a part-time Digital Marketing Assistant Manager position with a virtual assistant company I found on LinkedIn. The hiring process was quite extensive, involving an interview with the Digital Marketing Manager, a take-home assignment, a live Reel creation based on a prompt, and a final interview with the owner. I was aware that this was a lot of work, but the manager explained it was necessary due to past hires not performing well. I received an offer in early August and started on August 10th. So far, it’s been a positive experience. My new team is supportive, and I'm actively participating in weekly meetings and training sessions for client accounts. Although I'm earning less than my previous job, I’m now in a position that values my contributions and pays me as a contractor. While this role isn't in my desired industry, I'm determined to work hard and eventually transition back to my preferred field. I have a year before I need to secure my own health insurance, so I plan to network and apply for full-time positions between August 2025 and June 2026. If you made it this far, thanks for reading! Here's a cookie for your effort! 🍪

I’m currently enrolled in a Practicum in Entrepreneurship course, and I’m on the hunt for a job. The deadline for securing a position is this Thursday, and I submitted an application to a retail store over the weekend. I understand that it takes time for companies to respond, but I’m contemplating whether I should reach out to them for an update. I’m worried that contacting them might come off as aggressive or leave a bad impression. If I don’t hear back after the interview, I plan to ask my counselor for an extension. If that’s not possible, I may have to drop out of the course and take a local credit like office aid instead. I’d appreciate any advice on how to handle this situation.

I recently graduated with my MS by Research in June 2026 and have been on the job hunt since May. I've sent out over 1,000 applications for roles in Applied AI, Machine Learning Engineering, and Data Science, but I’m struggling to gain any traction. My background includes work with LLMs, multimodal AI, agentic systems, and ML pipelines, yet the responses have been minimal. I've been proactive on LinkedIn, reaching out for referrals, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm targeting the wrong roles, if my resume or application strategy is flawed, or if I should be focusing more on networking, projects, or interview preparation. I’m not looking for reassurance; I genuinely want honest feedback on what I should change. Am I realistically competitive for ML/AI positions as a recent graduate? Any advice on how to improve my approach would be greatly appreciated.

I recently applied for a position at a small company and was surprised when they reached out the very next day to schedule an interview. I expected a standard HR screening call, but instead, I was set up with the director of the department, who would be my direct supervisor. The interview went really well, but I didn’t get to discuss basic HR-related questions, particularly about salary, because the director didn’t have that information and it felt out of place in our conversation. Now, I’m moving forward in the interview process with an executive, who I assume is the final decision-maker for the role. While I’m excited about this opportunity, I’ve never gone through a hiring process without an initial HR screening. I’m wondering if this is a red flag or if it’s common for smaller companies. I want to ensure that we’re aligned on salary expectations before any offers are made, but I’m hesitant to reach out to the HR person I’ve been in contact with because I don’t want to jeopardize my chances of getting the job. Has anyone else experienced a similar situation? How did it turn out for you?