Feeling

Three months after being made redundant, I finally let go of the guilt associated with stepping away from my desk. When I lost my job, I dove headfirst into the job search, opening my laptop early each day to scour job boards and submit applications in a relentless cycle. However, it wasn't the job search itself that was the issue; it was the toll it was taking on my mental well-being. I found myself feeling unrecognizable, and my usual confidence had vanished. The turning point for me wasn't attending a CV workshop or receiving LinkedIn tips. It came when I started taking just twenty minutes each day to step outside, away from my desk and the constant barrage of my inbox. It might sound simple, but giving myself permission to take that break before diving into the job hunt made a world of difference. If you're feeling lost in your own job search, please reach out. I'm here to talk, no strings attached.

I finally received a job offer after four long years as a temporary employee. I'm excited but also a bit anxious about the next steps, particularly regarding salary negotiation. My previous program manager, who held the same role I'm stepping into, was making $77k this year before moving up to a manager position. Although she isn't my hiring manager, I believe her salary gives me a benchmark. I was informed that the company conducted a market analysis to determine the salary for this role, which is standard practice. Since this is my first significant job offer outside of retail, I'm unsure about what would be considered appropriate or reasonable for negotiating my salary. Any advice on how to approach this would be greatly appreciated!

I’m currently navigating a challenging situation at my first job in IT, where I’ve been working as a Technical Support employee for the past 8 months. When I joined, I was told I would need to complete a 3-month unpaid internship due to my lack of experience, which I accepted because I didn’t want to miss the opportunity. My manager, a family acquaintance, initially hired me, and I’m grateful for that chance, but my role has become increasingly confusing since I started. I was hired for Support, but soon after, a former employee returned and took over most client communications, leaving me with a smaller client that rarely had issues. I thought I would eventually transition to handling more client interactions, but instead, my responsibilities shifted to just assigning tasks, while he continued to manage the more active clients and developer coordination. To complicate matters, I was assigned to Team A officially, but I often worked with Team B, which my manager primarily oversees. The CTO would tell me to focus on Team B, while Team A's lead would direct me to prioritize Team A tasks. This back-and-forth left me feeling lost and without a clear role. Despite my efforts, my work in task assignment isn’t valued by senior management, and I’ve repeatedly heard that my role is “vague” or “undefined.” After six months, I was supposed to go through a review process, but that never happened. Recently, I expressed interest in moving into QA after a resignation, but I haven’t received any feedback from the CTO about that. What really pushed me to my breaking point was when I found out I was excluded from a new workplace policy announcement. My name was left off the list, and this isn’t the first time I’ve been forgotten. I reached out to HR and the CTO for clarification, but I haven’t heard back. I feel like I’m in a position where nobody knows where I belong, including my managers. During daily standups, I feel embarrassed when it’s my turn to update, as I have nothing meaningful to contribute. I’m currently job hunting, but it’s been tough, and I need to stay in this role to complete my semester requirements. This situation has drained my motivation and confidence, and it’s taking a toll on my mental health. I joined this company hoping to learn and grow, but instead, I’m left questioning my purpose here.

I’m currently considering applying for a position in another department within my company, and I’m unsure whether I should inform my direct supervisor about my interview. I feel a bit conflicted about disclosing this information at this stage. Some colleagues suggested that it might be courteous to let my supervisor know, as the hiring manager from the other department will likely reach out to them for a reference. They mentioned that it’s better for my supervisor to hear it from me rather than from someone else, as it could help maintain a good relationship. I’m leaning towards being upfront about it, but I’m still weighing my options.

I recently interviewed for a position and followed up with an email after the Memorial Day weekend. I received a prompt response from the interviewer, who thanked me for my interest and mentioned they would keep me posted on the "next steps" as they continue their review process. The email felt quite neutral to me, which has left me wondering about my chances. I'm really interested in this role, but I don't want to get my hopes up too high. I'm curious if anyone else has been in a similar situation and what their experiences were like. Should I expect a rejection letter, or is there still a chance?

I have an interview coming up on Wednesday for a position I'm really excited about. It's a group interview with 4-5 other candidates, and I'm feeling a bit anxious about it. In the past, I've struggled to articulate my thoughts during interviews and often find myself saying 'um' way too many times. I know I can do the job well, but the interview process tends to trip me up. I'm reaching out for any tips or tricks that might help me prepare and present myself better during this group setting. A fellow candidate mentioned that responses don't need to be lengthy, just concise and relevant, which I found helpful. If anyone has additional advice, I'd greatly appreciate it!

I recently went through a frustrating job application process for a Senior Analyst position at a mid-sized fintech firm. Over the past three weeks, I felt like I was just a prop in their internal promotion theater. The initial recruiter screen went well; she told me I was the strongest candidate and that they needed someone to start immediately to address their troubled data pipeline. I was optimistic. Then came the technical round where I had to build a dashboard and explain my approach to three managers who seemed exhausted. I dedicated an entire Sunday to this project, and they praised my work, calling it insightful and exactly what they needed. After that, I had a final round interview with the VP, which felt more like an interrogation disguised as a casual chat. We discussed leadership and team scaling for an hour, and he even shook my hand over Zoom, expressing excitement about potentially working together. I was so hopeful that I even told my wife we should celebrate, thinking the offer was just a formality. However, things took a turn for the worse. I experienced two weeks of ghosting, despite following up twice. Finally, I received a generic rejection email from a no-reply address, stating they chose another candidate whose skills aligned more closely. I felt crushed, especially when I discovered that they filled the position with someone already working as a Junior Analyst at the company. It became clear they had no intention of hiring an external candidate; I was merely used to check a box for HR. I invested so much time and energy into this process, only to realize I was part of their internal promotion game. I hope their data pipeline remains broken.

I was recently faced with a troubling situation when my husband was terminated from his job while he was on FMLA leave. He had been working as a web developer for a company that was undergoing layoffs, and instead of officially laying him off, the HR department decided to terminate him over the Christmas holiday, trying to disguise it as a 'job abandonment.' They claimed he had quit, but we have all the emails proving otherwise. This decision seemed to stem from the CFO's misguided attempt to cut costs by manufacturing a termination rather than handling it transparently. Meanwhile, we learned that several other developers were laid off around the same time. The most frustrating part is that my husband was on FMLA leave to care for me during my cancer treatment and recovery, with approved leave extending through February 2026. Now, we're in a battle with Washington state unemployment to correct the classification of his separation, as the employer insists he quit. This experience has shown us just how ruthless some companies can be, willing to jeopardize the well-being of their employees even after years of service. And yes, we are considering legal action.

I recently learned that there have been some executive layoffs at Covista, where I work. As a VP, this news is concerning, and it has created a tense atmosphere within the company. I'm trying to stay focused on my responsibilities while also keeping an ear to the ground for any further developments regarding job security and potential changes in leadership.

I recently quit my job as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and started looking for remote work opportunities in various fields. I came across a company called Great Limited Import Export Inc., which offered me a position as a Procurement Assistant and Specialist with a base salary of around $165,000. They proposed a two-week promotional period instead of a traditional interview process. While the job sounds appealing, especially since it involves purchasing items for clients in Asia, Europe, and Canada, I can't shake the feeling that this might be a scam. They provided a lengthy employment offer that appears legitimate, but I still have serious doubts about the authenticity of the opportunity.

I got laid off from my marketing role at a tech startup in March, and honestly, it was a relief. I had joined the company last year, eager to pivot from my writing background into marketing, but the job quickly revealed itself to be a mismatch. The role was advertised as entry to mid-level, but they expected someone to build things from scratch without any proper training or orientation. From day one, there were red flags. My boss was often absent, and the company culture felt toxic, with an emphasis on long hours and competition. I was overwhelmed with tasks I wasn't trained for, and after my boss went on maternity leave, I was left to figure things out on my own with minimal support. I struggled for half a year, trying to keep things afloat with the help of a consultant, but it was a lonely and miserable experience. When my boss returned, I had just come back from a family emergency, and it felt like everything was stacked against me. I was let go shortly after, and surprisingly, I felt happier than I had in months. The company assured me it wasn't performance-based and offered references, but I don't think I'll need them. Now, I'm collecting unemployment and have some savings to fall back on. The job market is tough, and I've only had one phone screen since being laid off, which was for another role that raised all the same red flags. However, I'm approaching this job search with a sense of apathy rather than desperation, which is a refreshing change for my mental health. I just wanted to share my experience and see if anyone else has felt relief after leaving a bad job.

I've been feeling pretty defeated in my job search lately. I hold a Master's in Planning and have sent out over 100 applications, but I've only managed to secure 17 interviews with no job offers in North Carolina. It's been tough, especially since I’ve applied for roles in both the public and private sectors, as well as positions in related fields. To make ends meet, I've even started applying for serving, cashier, and bartending jobs. What’s really frustrating is that I had two interviews that felt promising, but both employers ended up canceling the positions altogether without hiring anyone. I can't help but wonder if the current state budget issues are causing these hiring freezes and delays. On top of that, I have a resume dilemma. I recently moved to a rural area for a city planner position, but after just two months, I was let go and they froze hiring. Should I omit that short stint from my resume? I’m worried it might raise red flags for potential employers. I’d appreciate any advice on my resume situation or insights into the job market right now.

I recently almost fell victim to a job scam while applying for a position at Allstate Insurance. I submitted my application through Indeed a couple of weeks ago and noticed that it was viewed quickly, but I didn't receive any interview invites. Out of the blue, I got an email to my personal account claiming to be from Indeed, asking for my availability. I thought it was a bit odd that there was no record of this in my Indeed account, but I brushed it off as being overly cautious. I provided my availability and received an interview invite for the same day, which felt strange since most companies typically schedule interviews a day or two in advance. When I clicked on the meeting link, I was prompted to update my Google Meet, and my virus protection flagged the site as malicious. I reached out to the supposed interviewer, who insisted that I needed to join via a Windows PC, which didn't make sense since I had just done an interview on Google Meet the previous week without any issues. The 'Instructions for joining' link led me to the same flagged site instead of a proper meeting link, and even the 'Calendly' link in the email directed me there too. I ultimately decided to trust my instincts and informed the interviewer that I was uncomfortable proceeding due to the security concerns.

I recently started a new job as a kitchen steward, just four days ago, after a long 10-month search. Unfortunately, I've quickly realized that working in a kitchen isn't for me. The head chef is extremely harsh, and the training I received was inadequate. I've been feeling immense stress, and it's affecting my appetite and overall well-being. I dread going to work, and I can't stop thinking about how much I dislike it. The place has a bad reputation, and I found out from the handbook that I can quit without notice within the first 13 weeks. However, I'm worried about leaving since there are no other job opportunities in my town right now. I fear that if I quit, I won't find another job in time for college to start back up. Despite knowing that I won't last much longer in this stressful environment, I'm torn about what to do. I have work tomorrow, and the thought of going back is overwhelming.

I recently had my first interview for a summer job after searching since April. As a university student studying out of state, I was excited to finally get this opportunity. However, during the interview, I noticed the interviewer seemed surprised when I mentioned my school location, even though it’s clearly listed at the top of my resume. I had also made sure to clarify my availability for part-time work upfront to avoid any confusion. Now, I'm left wondering if it's common for interviewers to not even skim through resumes before the interview. I'm not feeling very hopeful about the outcome.

I've been on the job hunt for what feels like an eternity. I've lost count of the number of applications I've submitted and interviews I've attended. It's frustrating to think that if I had a dollar for each one, I could probably retire early! I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has been in a similar situation and eventually found success. What strategies or approaches did you use that actually made a difference in landing a job? I'm eager to hear any tips or experiences that could help me break through this long search.

I am a 25-year-old with a degree in cybersecurity, and I've been trying to break into the IT field since I graduated last May. I've sent out over 700 job applications in the past six months, but I haven't had any luck landing even the most basic roles, like those that pay $15 an hour and only require a GED. I have a solid background in sales from previous jobs, so I know I have skills to offer. I've tried various approaches, including applying online and even walking my resume into businesses, but nothing seems to work. I've been hearing a lot about the importance of networking, and I feel like I'm at a standstill. I'm really looking for any advice or tips from others who have been in a similar situation. It’s been a tough journey, and I just want to find that first opportunity to get my foot in the door.

I'm feeling really discouraged about my job search lately. It seems like finding work or even an apprenticeship is incredibly difficult right now. I've been applying to various positions and even going in person to places, but nothing seems to be panning out. I’m only 18, and I honestly don’t know what else to do. It feels like I’m hitting a wall, and I just want to give up. I’ve heard from others that it’s tough out there, especially in the UK, and I can definitely relate to that frustration.

I recently helped my brother navigate a job offer he received from Meta. He’s been at his current job for only seven months and is in a tight financial spot. He’s worried that if he accepts the offer from Meta, he might get laid off shortly after due to the recent layoffs there, which could hurt his future job prospects. I asked for advice on whether his concerns were valid. Some people suggested that he should weigh the compensation against the risks. If the pay is significantly better, it might be worth the chance. Others mentioned that having a FAANG company like Meta on his resume could be beneficial, even if he only stays for a few months. However, there were also warnings about how job hopping might look to future employers. A few comments reassured me that he probably wouldn’t be laid off within the first six months due to the performance evaluation cycle. They also mentioned that the company just had layoffs, so it might be a while before they do another round. Ultimately, it’s a tough decision for him, especially considering the stress of moving and managing rent. I’m hoping he can make the best choice for his situation.

I recently landed a part-time job in the medical field after a long and challenging job search filled with applications and interviews. My role involves stocking supplies and assisting in the office, which includes tasks like emptying shred boxes, keeping the fridge stocked for patients, and checking invoices against deliveries. I was overjoyed when I received the job offer and couldn't help but cry tears of gratitude. However, just two weeks in, I'm finding it really tough. The workload feels overwhelming, and I often struggle to complete everything required of me during my shift. I thought I had finally caught up last Thursday, only to receive a note from my manager saying I hadn't stocked the doctor's offices correctly, which left me feeling embarrassed and scared. I've been tracking my steps with a pedometer and discovered I've gone up and down the office staircase 28 times in one shift! I'm physically exhausted when I get home, but it's the emotional toll that's really hitting me hard. I keep worrying that I'm not performing well enough and that I might get fired, which terrifies me since I've never been let go from a job before. The thought of going back to job searching feels daunting. I'm reaching out for some encouragement and would appreciate any tips from others who have worked in similar environments to help me succeed in my new role.