Feeling

I was recently terminated from my role at Microsoft during what was supposed to be a "rewards discussion." After four years with the company, I was taken aback when my manager informed me that I did not meet expectations during our previous connect. He mentioned that the next step would be a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) or a General Viability Status Assessment (GVSA). However, about six weeks later, I received a calendar invite for a meeting labeled "rewards discussions." To my shock, I was let go during that call without any prior warning or the opportunity for a PIP or GVSA. When I inquired about why I wasn't given the chance to improve, my manager stated that it was a decision made by HR to terminate me immediately. This has left me confused and frustrated, especially since I had been a top performer for the last three years and had received positive feedback and bonuses from my previous manager. I'm seeking insight into whether this is a common practice at Microsoft and if anyone else has experienced similar abrupt terminations.

I recently shared my interview experience with Master Kong (康师傅) on social media, detailing some concerning interactions during the process. After posting about it on various platforms, including Threads and Reddit, I received a call from the recruiter stating that the company had seen my posts and demanded I remove them within 24 hours or face potential legal action for defamation. I firmly told the recruiter that I would not be taking down my posts and welcomed any legal pursuit. During the interview, I was asked about my salary history, which I informed them is prohibited by California law. The interviewer responded dismissively, claiming, "I’m probably more American than you." This experience prompted me to share my story online, and instead of addressing my concerns, the company is now threatening legal action. Interestingly, another applicant from Southern California reached out to me, sharing that the same hiring manager did not ask her about salary history, but an HR representative from Hong Kong did, continuing to press for information despite being told it was illegal. I believe that if a company wants to operate in the U.S., they must comply with local employment laws and treat candidates with respect. It seems that Master Kong is struggling to adapt to these standards, and I stand by my decision to speak out.

Today was a tough day for my mom, who has been a nurse for over 25 years. She works at an infusion clinic that is currently undergoing a merger, and today was the first day employees had to sign new contracts. While some nurses took minor pay cuts, my mom discovered that new graduates in her department were earning more than her, despite her extensive experience and additional certifications. She currently makes around $102,000 for 36 hours a week, which is significantly less than what new grads are getting. Feeling undervalued, she decided to bring up the possibility of a raise when she signed her contract. She even offered to increase her hours to 40 a week, which is standard for most nurses, as long as her hourly rate remained the same. However, when she discussed this with the director of her department, things took a turn for the worse. Management reacted aggressively, surrounding her with multiple HR representatives and insisting that there must have been a mistake in her contract. They claimed she should only be making $101,885 even if she worked more hours, which felt incredibly unfair to her. Despite her attempts to explain her situation and the calculations she had prepared, she felt intimidated and belittled. The director even swatted her hand away when she tried to apologize and walked out, leaving her feeling overwhelmed. In the end, she signed the contract out of fear and pressure. It’s disheartening to see how management treated her, especially when she was just trying to advocate for herself. Her colleagues were outraged when they heard about the incident, and I can't help but feel angry about how she was treated.

I recently accepted a job offer within my current company, moving to a different team in the same department. I rushed into the decision without fully considering the financial implications, and now I realize I'm going to be making a few hundred dollars less each month. I was feeling overwhelmed by my previous job's schedule and stress, which led me to make a hasty choice without crunching the numbers properly. Now, I'm in a bit of a panic. I tried to negotiate my salary but didn't get anywhere with that. I'm contemplating whether I should talk to my current manager about my concerns, but I'm worried that trying to back out might put me in an even worse position. I know I acted impulsively, and I'm trying to figure out if I should just accept this new role for the long haul or start looking for other opportunities aggressively. Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

I have a first-round interview coming up for what I consider my dream job at a company I have collaborated with frequently over the past ten years as an external partner. I know the hiring manager fairly well and we have had several friendly conversations, although my interactions have mostly been with their team members. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and concern because the situation seems so straightforward, and I worry that I might become overconfident or under-prepare for the interview. I’m looking for any guidance on how to approach this type of interview, potential pitfalls to avoid, and tips to stand out, especially since I know there are other candidates who are just as well-positioned as I am. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I recently started the onboarding process for a new job and I'm feeling a bit anxious about the background check. The company is using Thuro for this, and I noticed something concerning. When I filled out the background check form, I didn't see an option to decline contacting my current employer. However, when I printed the form, there was a box indicating this, and it was left blank. I’m worried that this might lead to my current employer being contacted, which I definitely want to avoid. I've already indicated on the company's onboarding site that I do not want them to reach out to my current job, but since Thuro is a third party, I’m not sure how that will play out. I'm considering reaching out to Thuro directly to explain the situation and clarify my preferences regarding my current employer. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Today, I took a significant step in my career by putting in my two weeks' notice at my current job, where I've spent the last five years. At just 23 years old, I've progressed from an entry-level customer service position to managing a team of 30 people. However, I've realized that I'm underpaid compared to the market, and I recently received an offer for a new role in a different industry that comes with a substantial pay increase while maintaining similar responsibilities. Leaving my current position was tough, especially since I have a lot of respect for my direct manager and my Director, both of whom have been incredibly supportive. They encouraged me to take this opportunity, emphasizing that it would be foolish not to accept it. Despite their support, I can't shake off the anxiety that comes with this transition. My biggest fear is the possibility of failure as I step into a new industry where I have no prior experience. I'm expected to lead a team that may have more experience than I do, and while I excelled in my current role due to my five years of experience, I worry about how I'll perform in this new environment. This is my first job switch, and I'm concerned about derailing the progress I've made thus far. I'll also be working alongside other leaders who are likely older and more experienced, which adds to my apprehension. Is this feeling of anxiety common among those switching jobs? I'm seeking advice on how to navigate this transition successfully.

I’ve been working at my current job for less than a year, and I’ve quickly realized how much I love my team and the work I do. It’s a role I can genuinely see myself in for a long time. However, my husband is in medical school and may match in another state in about 10 months, which would mean relocating for us. My job is hybrid, with the expectation to be in the office four days a week and work from home one day, but the company is flexible. They have offices across the country, but my team only operates in a few states, none of which align with our potential move. I’ve noticed that some colleagues on my team work almost entirely remotely, and there are other teams within the company that offer full remote positions. I’m really hoping to keep my job if we have to move. I’m curious if anyone has had a similar experience where they managed to retain their position after relocating. If so, what did your conversation with your employer look like, and when did you have it? I’m planning to discuss this with my employer once my husband matches and we have clarity on our move. My idea is to propose working in another division’s office to meet the hybrid requirement. I’m a bit anxious about the possibility of being told I have to quit, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I’m feeling pretty desperate right now and could really use some advice on my job search and life goals. Currently, I don’t have a driver’s license or a car, which severely limits the types of jobs I can apply for. I’m also working on getting my GED, as I have long-term aspirations to enter the healthcare field, possibly as an X-ray technician. I’ve considered starting as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to get my foot in the door. At the moment, I’m focusing on getting hired as a caregiver, ideally in a senior living facility since I can’t drive. I’ve been drawn to caregiving because I’ve seen several of my exes work in this field and they often picked up a lot of overtime, sometimes working 60 to 80 hours a week. I know that kind of schedule can be tough, but right now, I’m in a position where I need to work as much as possible to pay off debt, save for a car, and eventually get my license. My resume is pretty thin, only listing two jobs. I had another job that I left due to a no-call/no-show incident, so I don’t include it on my resume, but I don’t have an employment gap because of it. I do have restaurant experience, including some leadership and management roles, but I’m trying to transition out of that industry and into healthcare. I’m not expecting a quick fix; I’m just trying to figure out the best order to tackle everything: job → debt → license/car → GED → healthcare training/career. If anyone has been in a similar situation, especially caregivers or CNAs who transitioned into healthcare later, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what I should prioritize first. Is caregiving a good stepping-stone, or am I going about this the wrong way?

I'm currently at a crossroads in my life and really need some guidance. I'm working on getting my life together, but I feel like I'm starting from a challenging place. Right now, I don't have a driver's license or a car, which limits my job options significantly. I'm also in the process of getting my GED, and my long-term goal is to enter the healthcare field, potentially as an X-ray tech. I've considered starting as a CNA to get my foot in the door. At the moment, I'm looking for a caregiver position, ideally in a senior living facility since I can't drive. I've noticed that many caregivers, including some of my exes, have been able to work a lot of hours, sometimes 60-80 hours a week, which is appealing to me as I need to earn money to pay off debt, save for a car, and eventually get my license. My resume is pretty sparse, listing only two jobs. I had another job that I left after a no-call/no-show incident, so I don’t include it. However, I do have restaurant experience, including some leadership roles, but I really want to transition into healthcare. I'm not looking for a quick fix; I'm trying to figure out the best order to tackle everything: job → debt → license/car → GED → healthcare training/career. If anyone has been in a similar situation, especially caregivers or CNAs who entered healthcare later in life, I would love to hear your thoughts on what I should prioritize first. Is caregiving a solid stepping-stone, or am I missing something?

I recently graduated college and have been struggling to land an entry-level job. My volunteer experience and unpaid student assistant roles make up most of my resume, but I feel like they don't count as real work experience. I've been applying to various positions, including some familiar retail stores, just to get my foot in the door. I’ve received a few callbacks, which was encouraging, but during the interviews, I find myself explaining my experience in a way that feels inadequate. After each interview, I get rejections saying they found better candidates. It's frustrating because I have a degree, yet I feel unqualified for both entry-level positions and retail jobs. I’m starting to wonder if I’m presenting my experience wrong or if I need to find a different approach to my job search.

I've been working at a temp agency for about six months now, specifically with Robert Half, and I'm feeling pretty frustrated. The role I'm in is a long-term contract, but I don't have the benefits that come with being a full-time employee, which is really annoying since I'm treated like one. I do have health insurance thanks to the ACA and some sick leave due to state regulations, but I get no PTO or holiday pay, which has made things tough when unexpected situations arise. The company I'm contracted with is understanding and allows me to stay late or work overtime, which I appreciate, but I'm tired of being the middleman for Robert Half. They pay me significantly less than what I earned in previous roles and have been difficult when I've asked for raises. I'm considering applying for a permanent position internally or directly on the company's site because I genuinely want to work with them. I've been in my field for six years, have the education and experience to back me up, and I'm currently pursuing an additional certification. I initially took this temp job to get my foot in the door, but now I'm ready to take the next step. If anyone has advice on how to approach this or whether it's a good idea to apply internally, I would really appreciate it!

I recently had a conversation with a potential employer about a job I'm really excited about. During our discussions, the HR representative mentioned that they conduct thorough background checks, which got me thinking about my previous employment. I worked at a company from 2011 to 2013 that has since closed down, and I'm concerned about how they will verify my employment since there's no HR department to contact. I checked The Work Number, but there’s no record of my time there. I don’t want this to jeopardize my job offer, so I’m trying to figure out how to provide proof of my employment from a company that no longer exists. I’ve considered being upfront about the situation and offering any old pay stubs or tax records I still have. I’ve also thought about contacting any former colleagues who might remember me or could confirm my employment. I really hope this doesn’t become a hurdle in the hiring process.

I’m feeling really frustrated with the job application process lately. I've been using the Easy Apply feature on Indeed, which allows me to send my résumé quickly to potential employers. However, I've noticed that for many of the jobs I apply to, companies still require me to go through their own application process. This means creating an account, uploading my résumé again, and filling out additional information, which can take 30 minutes or more. It just seems so unnecessary and time-consuming. I wish companies could streamline their processes instead of making candidates jump through hoops.

I recently started working at a family-owned Boba tea shop and I'm currently facing a dilemma. After my interview, I was informed that I would be on a paid trial for two weeks at minimum wage, where I need to learn the entire menu of about 25 drinks, as well as the opening and closing procedures. At the end of this period, there's a test to determine if I will be officially hired. I've only logged 17 hours so far and I'm feeling really unprepared for the upcoming test scheduled for Saturday. The job itself seems manageable and my coworkers are friendly, but the added pressure of the test is stressing me out. I've been using Quizlet to study the recipes, but I wish I had more time to prepare. Unfortunately, the manager reached out on my day off to remind me to be ready for the test, which makes me think they won't be flexible about extending the training period. I've started applying for other jobs because my confidence is low, and I'm questioning whether I should just quit before the test or give it my best shot, even if I feel like I might fail. It's frustrating to think that they would invest time in training someone only to let them go if they don't pass the test. I'm scheduled to work tomorrow and I'm torn about what to do.

I recently applied for a position that was essentially the same as my current role but offered a higher salary range. After completing a pre-screen interview, the topic of salary came up, and the recruiter informed me that they could only offer me the middle of the range, which was meant for what they called a 'unicorn applicant.' I expressed that my experience and qualifications exceeded their requirements and that I would prefer to be offered a salary closer to the top of the range. However, they stood firm on their offer, so I decided to politely decline. It baffles me that companies have a salary range but seem unwilling to pay top dollar for qualified candidates. They might end up hiring someone less experienced just to save a few thousand dollars, which seems short-sighted. I appreciate not having to go through a lengthy interview process, but it's frustrating to see such limitations in salary negotiations. It feels like a waste of a strong candidate's time.

I was recently laid off from Microsoft, and it was a tough blow, especially since I lost out on my stock vesting. I received notice on August 21 that I would be going through a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) and a Global Voluntary Separation Agreement (GVSA). My first stock vesting was set for October 15, and I tried multiple times to get an extension from HR, even bypassing my manager, but they told me it wasn’t possible. By August 26, my PIP documentation was released. I’ve been wondering if I could have prevented this situation. I had 20 annual leave days left and thought about taking a month off to coast through the PIP. However, when I asked around, I was told that my leave wouldn’t be approved, and the PIP/GVSA process would still proceed regardless. I learned that by September 1, the packets for PIP/GVSA would be going out anyway. Now, I’m left feeling like there was nothing I could have done to change the outcome. I’m just seeking some insight here, as I know this happens to many people. It feels frustrating to know that companies might time layoffs to avoid paying out stock options.

I’m preparing to apply for new jobs and I’m feeling really anxious about the interview process. There are plenty of job offers out there, but I have a strong fear of interviews and I worry that I’ll mess them up. I’m reaching out for any advice on how to improve my interview skills or manage my nerves. One suggestion I received was to find a friend who could recommend me to their manager and explain that while I might not interview well, I am a reliable worker. I’m hoping to gather more tips to help me succeed.

I was laid off from my job about a month ago and filed my unemployment claim the very next day. However, when I tried to claim my benefits the following Wednesday, I was told I needed to call a number to "request my claim" before I could start receiving any benefits. Unfortunately, getting in touch with them has been nearly impossible. I've called every day, multiple times, even trying different numbers including the governor's office, but nothing has worked. I do have my confirmation number from the page I printed after filing, but when I logged in today after calling about 15 times, I found that the message had changed from "call to request a claim" to "file a claim." It seems like my claim has just disappeared. This situation has been really stressful, and it's taking a toll on my mental health. I'm planning to write a letter and mail it to them as a last resort since they no longer allow in-person visits. I'm feeling pretty lost and would appreciate any advice from anyone who might have experienced something similar.

I’ve been working in a healthcare role for 4 months now, and I'm starting to feel really burnt out. I was hired for a schedule that includes weekends and some day or evening shifts, but my current workload has become overwhelming. I work 5 eight-hour days, and I’m finding it hard to balance my job with my personal life. I went to my manager to ask for one Friday off a month, but she denied my request, saying she needs me there. It’s frustrating because there are other staff members who could cover that shift, yet I feel stuck working every Friday night, every other Saturday, and every Sunday. This schedule has made it difficult for me to spend time with my friends who are in college 45 minutes away. I was told during my interview that this company values work-life balance, but I’m not experiencing that at all. To make matters worse, I’m also starting on-call shifts two months earlier than expected, which adds to my stress. I don’t want to jump into a job search just yet, but I’m really at a loss about what to do next.