Feeling

Today, I officially quit my retail job. I had already submitted my two weeks' notice a week ago, but during a conversation with one of my managers, I ended up being too honest about my dissatisfaction with the role. After what felt like an argument, my manager suggested I go home and we could discuss it further tomorrow. I took that as my cue and told him that if I was sent home, I wouldn’t be coming back. Now, I’m feeling a mix of relief and stress. My mom is worried that I made a huge mistake and that it was unprofessional of me to handle it this way. I wasn’t planning to quit today, but now that I have, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Plus, I have another job lined up, so I’m trying to focus on that. Did I do the wrong thing?

I recently found myself frustrated with the shift in my company's work policy. My role has transitioned from a hybrid model to a mandatory in-office setup, which has been challenging, especially on slower days when my tasks mainly involve answering emails and attending calls. These activities could easily be done from home, and I often find myself just waiting around, being 'on call' in the office. To cope, my team has been working in small audio privacy rooms, which I actually enjoy, as I tend to do my best work alone. However, now management wants us to work in a large open space to promote visible collaboration with other departments. This change has really upset me. It feels like I have to constantly pretend to be busy and I can't engage in any side projects on my computer because anyone could walk by and see what I'm doing. I pride myself on being highly productive and consistently exceed my targets, but this new setup seems to force everyone into a single working style that doesn’t suit my personal workflow. It’s making me seriously consider exploring other job opportunities where I can maintain my work autonomy.

I currently work for a company that has a toxic culture filled with harassment, nepotism, cronyism, favoritism, and poor management. I moved to a new state and took this job as it was the first opportunity that allowed me to transition. Initially, it seemed like a decent role, but over time, I realized how dysfunctional the environment was. During my training, I was paired with an older coworker who quickly turned from a mentor to a source of harassment. After a couple of weeks, he began gossiping about other employees and making my work life miserable. I tried to distance myself, but he only escalated his behavior, making my days increasingly difficult. Despite this, I decided to work harder than anyone else, putting in the equivalent of four people's worth of effort and taking on 60 hours a week. Unfortunately, this only fueled his harassment further. I attempted to apply for a higher position, feeling qualified with the right education and experience. However, when management found out I applied and didn't get the job, they expressed their relief in a way that felt hostile. It became clear that they preferred to hire based on friendships rather than qualifications. After five months of being punctual and dedicated, I've noticed that most of my coworkers are consistently late and fail to perform their duties properly. It's shocking how this company is still operational, given the blatant issues it faces. They even have a policy against having phones at work, which adds to the oppressive atmosphere. I've been actively applying for other jobs because this experience has been nothing short of a nightmare.

I’ve been on the job hunt lately and I’m feeling a bit lost when it comes to getting referrals. Everyone keeps saying that referrals are the best way to land interviews, but the problem is, I don’t know anyone at the companies I’m interested in. I've submitted several applications, but it feels like they just vanish into a black hole. I’m really curious about what strategies others are using to overcome this hurdle. It seems like if you don’t have connections, you’re at a significant disadvantage. I’d love to hear any tips or experiences that might help me navigate this situation.

I received a verbal job offer yesterday for a position that comes with a salary of $75K. The job description mentioned a compensation range of $70-80K, so I feel there’s some room for negotiation. The Hiring Manager has encouraged me to submit my requested compensation via email, and I’m considering asking for $78K since I hold a master’s degree and meet most of the qualifications they outlined. However, I’m feeling a bit anxious about this, especially given the current job market. I really like the benefits they offer and have been impressed with their professionalism throughout the process. I’m weighing the risks of potentially losing the offer against the benefit of negotiating for a slightly higher salary. Some advice I’ve received suggests that asking for just $3K more might not be worth the risk of losing the opportunity, especially if there are other candidates in the running. I’m also reminded that sometimes a lower salary with great benefits can be more valuable than a higher salary with poor benefits. I’m still contemplating my next steps and trying to gauge how much I really need this job.

I’m excited to share that after a challenging 15-month job hunt, I finally landed a job this week! It's a 12-month contract position, which comes with a decrease in pay, security, and responsibility compared to what I was hoping for, but I’m grateful to be working in my field again. This job search was particularly unique for me as I recently switched countries and this is only my second corporate role after being a high school teacher and a small business owner. Throughout my search since 2023, I applied to about 150 jobs, which was a bit tricky since I was also managing a move and taking care of my two small kids. I noticed a pattern in my job applications: every time I was asked to complete a business case and give a presentation, I received an offer. I had one offer in 2023 that was rescinded because I misinterpreted their expectations, but I accepted another offer in 2024 and just got this latest one last week. I realized that recruiters rarely ask for business cases, and often I get filtered out before I even reach that stage. Over the past three years, I’ve revamped my resume from scratch about ten times, and this year I created a strong project portfolio using Gamma. Additionally, I was fortunate to get some free career advice in Montreal, which helped me simplify my resume and tailor it for each job application, rather than just the cover letter. I think these adjustments made a significant difference. Interestingly, I had four recruiters reach out to me via LinkedIn InMail in the same week, which is unusual since I typically only hear from one a year. One of those recruiters was for the job I accepted. Although I was initially expecting a salaried role, I’m just relieved to have secured something in my field after such a long search.

I’m excited to share that after a challenging 15-month job hunt, I finally landed a job this week! While it comes with a decrease in pay, security, and responsibility, I’m grateful to be back in my field. This job search was particularly complex as it followed my move to a new country and was my second corporate position after transitioning from being a high school teacher and a small business owner. During this time, I applied to around 150 positions, balancing my search with settling in and taking care of my two small kids. I noticed a pattern in my applications: every time I was asked to complete a business case and give a presentation (which happened three times), I received an offer. I had one offer rescinded in 2023 due to a misunderstanding about my business closure expectations, but I accepted another in 2024, and just last week, I received this new offer. I’ve spent the last three years completely overhauling my resume multiple times, and this year I created a project portfolio using Gamma, which I believe helped me stand out. I also took advantage of free career advising in Montreal, which was invaluable. The advisor helped me simplify my resume and encouraged me to customize it for each job application, not just the cover letter. It seems those changes made a significant difference. Interestingly, I had four recruiters reach out to me on LinkedIn in the same week, which is quite unusual for me. One of them was for the job I accepted. I initially expected a salaried role, but I’m just happy to have found something. Here’s to new beginnings!

I’m currently feeling extremely frustrated and exhausted in my role as a sales coordinator at two hotels owned by the same company. I started this job in December 2025 after leaving a previous position I loved due to a toxic boss. Initially, this new job seemed perfect for my career growth, but that quickly changed about three months in. Now, eight months later, I feel stuck and disillusioned. The company is poorly managed, and the leadership at our properties is unpleasant, which creates a stressful environment. I was promised a path to becoming a sales manager within six months, but that hasn’t even been mentioned since I started. Honestly, I’ve lost interest in that goal because of how bad things have become. I like my direct report, but the stress is palpable, and I’m overwhelmed with tasks. I’m constantly receiving reminder emails about minor tasks that I can’t get to because I’m too busy with everything else. I feel like I have no way to advocate for myself or relieve this pressure. To cope, I’ve started applying to at least three new jobs each day, even considering roles outside my current field. I’m beginning to ignore the reminder emails about tasks that don’t really matter and focusing on the bigger picture. If I get fired, I’m okay with it; I’d rather collect unemployment while I search for a new opportunity than continue in this toxic environment.

I’ve been job hunting for about six months now, and it’s been incredibly frustrating. I have 8 years of experience in my field, which is well above the 3 years required for many positions I’ve applied for. Despite this, I keep receiving automated emails saying I wasn’t selected for roles, only to see those same job postings remain active for weeks. It’s disheartening to see companies continue to source candidates while I feel completely overlooked. I’ve tried everything: resume coaching, interview coaching, tailoring my resume for each position, and even writing personalized cover letters. Yet, nothing seems to work. It feels like the job market is rigged, and if you don’t have an inside connection, your chances are slim. Five years ago, I could find a job within two weeks, but now I’m struggling to even get a response. I don’t understand how the news can claim the job market is thriving when my experience suggests otherwise. It’s starting to take a toll on my mental health, and I feel lost in this process.

I recently received a job offer for a position that I am really excited about, but I'm feeling anxious about an issue that has come up regarding my background check. The company reached out to me based on an older version of my resume that I submitted a few months ago, which accurately listed my last employer but did not include a short-term job I took after that. I worked at this short-term job for just over two months before resigning, and I didn't include it on my resume because I was worried it could hurt my chances during the interview process. Now that I'm waiting for the background check paperwork, I'm unsure how to handle the situation. I didn't mention the short-term job during my interviews, and I'm concerned that it might come up during the background check, especially since it does appear on my TWN report. I'm debating whether I should reach out to the recruiter to ask what kind of background check they will be conducting or if I should just wait and see what happens. I'm worried that not disclosing this job could jeopardize my offer, but at the same time, it was such a brief position. I really want this job, and I'm hoping for some advice from anyone who has faced a similar situation.

I graduated in 2021 with a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) and I’m currently 25 years old. I've been trying to break into the IT sector, specifically as a Java backend developer, but I have no relevant work experience and I've hit a wall. Over the past year, I've applied to over 500 jobs and have even sought referrals and unpaid internships, but I’ve received almost no interview calls. Most of the time, I suspect my graduation year and career gap are causing my resume to be filtered out before it even gets seen. I considered pursuing further studies like CAT or GATE, but that would mean starting from scratch and by the time I finish, I'd be around 28, which doesn’t feel right for me. Right now, I’m weighing my options: 1. Give IT one last shot for the next couple of months and hope for the best. 2. Take a non-IT job in a BPO just to start earning and get some experience while I figure things out. 3. Return to my ECE roots and explore roles in networking, telecom, or embedded systems, even if it means starting with a low salary and upskilling on the job, possibly pursuing an M.Tech later. 4. I’ve been pressured by my coaching institute to consider faking experience for contract IT jobs, which many of my peers have done. I’m conflicted about this approach due to the risks involved. I see some of my friends from ECE thriving in fields like VLSI and semiconductors after pursuing their M.Tech, which makes me wonder if I should go back to core ECE. However, I’ve never really enjoyed most ECE subjects except for networking and communication. I’m looking for honest advice on what steps to take next.

I had an interview with McDonald's on a Sunday and was told I would hear back by Tuesday or Wednesday. When I didn't receive any updates, I called them on Friday. They informed me that the interviewer was off and suggested I call back on Sunday. I did, and they promised I would hear from them by Monday at the latest. Now, it's Thursday, and I'm still waiting for a response, which is frustrating. I'm considering my next steps and whether I should keep following up or move on to other job applications.

I recently faced a significant career shift after being laid off from my analytics role where I had spent nearly 10 years. Initially, the experience was overwhelming and stressful; I started applying for jobs immediately, but soon found that many companies were not willing to meet my current salary of ₹38 LPA. I realized that the job market has evolved, and employers are now looking for candidates with a broader skill set that includes AI, GenAI, Python, and machine learning, in addition to traditional analytics expertise. I had a few close calls with potential opportunities, even considering a pay cut to ₹34–35 LPA, but those offers never materialized. Just when I thought I was on my own, my current employer reached out and offered me a chance to withdraw my resignation and keep my job, albeit without the severance package I would have received otherwise. After some reflection, I decided to accept their offer, prioritizing job stability over a severance payout. This experience has taught me that I need to upskill significantly to remain competitive in the evolving job market. I'm now contemplating focusing on AI and GenAI skills while staying in my current role. I'm curious if others have faced similar decisions: would you have taken the severance and continued the job search, or would you have opted for job security while upskilling for future opportunities?

I recently found myself in a tough situation after working for a struggling company in Virginia for over six years. The last year has been particularly challenging, and I haven't received a full paycheck since the one covering March 23 to April 5, which was only paid out on June 30. My employer has been giving me some money off the books, but it averages out to about $3 an hour, which is not sustainable. I'm considering quitting my job, but I'm unsure if I would be eligible for unemployment benefits if I do. I have screenshots of my pay history from the Quickbooks app we use, which I believe could help my case. I don't want to hurt the company, but I really need a steady income while I figure out my next steps. Any advice on how to proceed?

I recently lost my job as a C++ system developer and Scrum Master at Ericsson after more than five years of service. The company announced layoffs affecting around 1,600 employees, and I was one of the unfortunate ones. Since then, I've been on the job hunt, but it's been a much tougher journey than I anticipated. The most challenging aspect isn't just the rejections; it's the sheer lack of job opportunities available. I check job listings daily, hoping to find something relevant, but most days, there's nothing that fits my skill set. It feels like my career is on hold, and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to move forward because there are simply no roles to pursue. I've reached out to several consulting firms, and while they appreciate my profile, they often tell me they can't hire me due to a lack of available assignments. It’s disheartening to see others with more experience getting hired while I struggle to even get a foot in the door. It makes me feel like companies prioritize years of experience over actual skills and capabilities. I dedicated years to my education and built a solid career, believing that hard work and continuous learning would lead to a stable future. Now, I'm left questioning if this industry is the right fit for me. I love coding, but after months of a stagnant job market, I'm starting to doubt my place in it. The uncertainty is overwhelming. I worry about finances, my future, and how long I can sustain this if things don't change. It’s painful to feel like my life is on pause, especially when I had hopes of starting to date and maybe building a family one day. Those dreams seem more distant now, and it’s hard to plan a future when I don’t even know if I’ll have a job. I never thought I would feel this lost after all the effort I put into my education and career. I feel like I did everything right, yet here I am. I just needed a space to express my feelings. Thank you for listening.

I was laid off from my job right after getting married in December 2022, which was a tough time for me. However, I started my new position in January 2023, and I've been navigating the ups and downs of the economy ever since. Recently, during our quarterly meeting, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my company is doing quite well despite the current economic instability. It’s been a rollercoaster with some months being incredibly slow and others being extremely busy, but I’m grateful to be in a stable place now. After experiencing a layoff due to a selfish CEO, I tend to stay on guard, but it’s reassuring to see our company thriving right now.

I've been on the job hunt lately and I've noticed some interesting trends in the application process. First off, I've seen that the email confirmations I receive after applying no longer reassure me that the company will update me regardless of whether I'm accepted or not. Now, they only mention that they will inform me if my application is declined. It’s kind of funny, considering we already knew that many recruiters aren't actually reading resumes. It just feels like a more blatant acknowledgment of the situation. Additionally, I've noticed an increased emphasis on identifying as Hispanic/Latino in the application forms. Given the current climate, I can't say I'm surprised, but it feels a bit unsettling. It seems like these demographic questions about race, gender, and sexuality might be used against applicants instead of promoting equal opportunity. It's a strange time to be job searching.

I recently transitioned from a global marketing agency to a smaller agency in an in-house marketing role, and I’m finding it quite challenging. The lack of defined processes has been tough to adapt to, especially since I report directly to the CEO, who is currently focused on rebranding and restructuring the business. I’ve noticed a lot of resistance from the existing team, and I feel like I’ve inadvertently become part of that tension. People keep telling me to be patient, but the uncertainty and chaos are really affecting my confidence. I didn’t leave my previous agency by choice; we were all made redundant, so this move came during an already difficult transition. I’m based in the UAE and would love to hear from anyone who has made a similar shift from a structured environment to a smaller company or startup. How did you handle the chaos? How long did it take for things to feel normal? And how did you maintain your confidence during the adjustment?

I’ve been facing a frustrating situation with my LinkedIn account. Recently, it got temporarily restricted, and to regain access, I need to verify my identity using a government-issued ID. I tried to do this, but the identity verification provider, Persona, is stuck in a deadlock with Russian users like me. They simply won’t verify IDs from my country, which leaves me in a bind. LinkedIn keeps telling me to verify my identity, but Persona won’t allow me to do so because they don’t recognize Russian documents. This has created a vicious cycle: LinkedIn won’t unlock my account without verification, and Persona won’t verify my ID. I’ve reached out to support, but all I get are generic responses that don’t help resolve the issue. I’ve invested years into building my professional profile on LinkedIn—connections, recommendations, projects, and job applications—only to be locked out due to an impossible verification process. I’ve seen others online experiencing the same issue, and it seems like there’s no clear path to recovery. I’m not looking for special treatment, just a workable solution. If LinkedIn requires identity verification, there should be a way for users like me to complete it realistically. It’s incredibly frustrating to be told to verify my identity when the system itself won’t let me do it. I’m hoping to hear from anyone else who has faced this issue and whether they found a way to recover their accounts.

I graduated in 2025 and I'm currently struggling to find a job or internship in Hyderabad. It's been really tough, and I'm feeling quite desperate for any opportunities that might be available. I have been actively searching but haven't had any luck so far. I would appreciate any recommendations or advice on how to improve my chances. I did have a brief stint in a role, but it only lasted a month, which I know raises questions about my experience. I'm eager to prove my skills and dedication as an aerospace engineer, where I have trained in building, maintaining, and inspecting aircraft and rockets. Any help would be greatly appreciated!