Feeling

I recently found out that a position I once held at my dream company has reopened on LinkedIn. Back in February 2026, I was let go from that role due to not meeting performance standards, which I attribute to the steep learning curve I faced transitioning from my previous job. At that time, I was a contractor and it was a tough experience for me. Since then, I've gained additional experience in the same field through another role over the past eight months. Now, I'm considering reapplying for the position, but I'm unsure if enough time has passed. I'm also contemplating reaching out to my former boss to see if he is hiring for that opening, but I'm worried about the possibility of being blacklisted. I'm curious if anyone else has gone through a similar situation where they re-applied for a job they were previously fired from after some time had passed and felt they could bring more to the table. What do you think? Should I go for it or let it go?

I was terminated from my role at Microsoft without any prior warning, PIP, or severance pay. After eight years with the company and even receiving promotions during my tenure, I was shocked to receive a 0/0 rating in my performance review, which led to my immediate dismissal. I’m 48 years old and based in Washington, and I'm now seeking advice on potential legal action. I've heard of group legal actions and would like to know if anyone has information on that. It feels incredibly unfair, especially after years of hard work. Any insights or support would be greatly appreciated.

I've been working at my current company for 15 years, and it's been a rollercoaster ride. For the first 10-12 years, I was one of the top performers among 25 technicians, consistently ranking in the top 3 and even training many new hires. However, things have taken a turn for the worse in the last 2.5 years with constant managerial changes that have left me feeling overwhelmed and stressed. The latest manager is particularly difficult to work with, and her approach feels more like a dictatorship than leadership. Each new manager tries the same ineffective strategies to boost production, which have failed multiple times before. Now, I'm finding it hard to maintain my previous performance levels due to the stress and chaos around me. I've started to underperform, even though I know I still have the skills. The work environment is toxic, and my coworkers are equally stressed. I'm actively searching for new job opportunities, but so far, I've had little luck. I've even considered taking a temporary job at Costco just to relieve some of the stress. To improve my situation, I signed up for LinkedIn Premium and have been searching for jobs daily. I've also been trying to focus on one task at a time instead of feeling overwhelmed by the entire job. I've started documenting my small wins each day, hoping to use that list in future interviews. Has anyone else experienced a drop in performance while job hunting? Any tips would be appreciated.

I'm currently in a frustrating job search situation at 23 years old. I work as a substitute teacher, but the school year has been slow, resulting in fewer workdays. My parents have been encouraging me to find a full-time job, which has added pressure to my search. I understand their concern, but the process has been incredibly stressful for me. I've been applying to jobs on various platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor, aiming for 5-10 applications a week, sometimes even 3-5 a day. Despite my efforts, I've only secured two interviews since the school year started. One was for a part-time role that my mom dismissed, insisting it must be full-time, and the other was a door-to-door sales position that I turned down due to safety concerns. I love my parents and appreciate their support, but they seem to view my struggles in finding a job as a personal failure. Their advice, like just walking into places and asking if they're hiring, feels outdated and unrealistic in today's job market. I'm trying to stay positive, but the disconnect between my efforts and their expectations is really weighing on me. I guess I'm just looking for others who might relate to this struggle.

I had my second interview last Monday for a new warehouse position with an established company. The interview was with the main hiring managers, but they didn’t provide any information about the next steps at the end. I decided to follow up with the recruiter this Monday to check in. She responded quickly, saying that my interviews went "very well" and that they are still finishing up interviews. She mentioned that they would let me know about the next steps by the end of the week. Since they are hiring for multiple positions, I understand it might take some time. I'm trying to stay positive and keep searching for other opportunities in the meantime.

I'm currently at a crossroads with two job offers and I'm trying to weigh my options carefully. I'm 26 years old and have been considering opportunities that could improve my work-life balance. One offer has a schedule of 5 days a week, working 8.5 hours each day, which totals 42.5 hours a week. The commute is relatively short, but the downside is that they don't offer any bonuses or RSUs—just the standard benefits like insurance and a 401k. The recruiter mentioned that the base salary range is quite wide, but they might aim for something slightly below or above my current base salary. The other option involves a longer commute, but it offers a higher base salary and includes bonuses. This role also requires working 5 days a week, with the expectation of a Saturday or Sunday shift at least once a month, totaling 10 hours per day, which could occasionally stretch to 60 hours in a month with that extra weekend shift. I'm torn because the first option provides a much better work-life balance, but I worry that the pay might not meet my expectations, especially since they lack incentives like bonuses or RSUs, which feels unusual for a managerial position. On the other hand, the second option offers better pay but at the cost of my free time and work-life balance. I’ve been doing 4x12s at my current job, so either option is an improvement in terms of commute, but I’m really struggling to decide which path to take.

I graduated college in December 2024 and have been applying to jobs non-stop since then, but I've had very little success. I've faced a lot of ghosting, outright rejections, and even some rejections after a couple of interview rounds. I'm currently stuck in a retail job and really want to transition to something that pays better. It's been tough, and I'm starting to lose hope. I'm considering whether I should invest in a career coach to help me navigate this challenging job market, or if it's just a lost cause. I’ve received some advice suggesting that I need to change my mindset and approach job hunting as a problem to solve, focusing on applying for the right positions, refining my resume to pass through AI filters, and practicing for interviews. I know it’s not a straightforward process, but the long wait times between callbacks are really discouraging.

I just received an email inviting me for an interview for a receptionist position. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves since I have no prior experience in this field; my background has been in the school district as a substitute Instructional Assistant. I'm reaching out for advice, especially from anyone who has worked as a receptionist before. Any tips on how to present my skills and transition into this new role would be greatly appreciated. I'm really hoping to make a good impression!

I recently applied for a position at a local computer repair shop and went through the interview process. After about two weeks of silence, I decided to follow up in person to check on my application status. When I asked, the owner informed me that the position had already been filled. I was frustrated because I felt that a simple text or email would have been a courteous way to inform me, especially after taking the time to interview. I even called once to inquire about my application, hoping for an update. Is it too much to expect a response after an interview? It seems like being ghosted has become the norm in job applications. I’ve heard from others that they often don’t receive any notification when they’re not selected, which I think is quite rude. It’s disappointing how little consideration some companies show for candidates, especially after they’ve invested time and effort into the application process.

I recently encountered a frustrating issue while trying to verify my identity with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). I received a message stating that they couldn't verify my identity and instructed me to call their support line at (800) 244-5631. However, when I tried to call, the line didn't even ring, leaving me feeling stuck and unsure of what to do next. I'm hoping to find someone who might have had a similar experience or knows how to get in touch with them.

I've been reflecting on how the recent layoffs and the current job market are impacting my retirement plans. As a software engineer in my late 30s, I had initially hoped to retire by 55, but the reality of the job market has forced me to reconsider. With the instability in tech and the feeling of being expendable, I’m now looking at a retirement age closer to 65. I’ve also noticed that many people in similar situations are re-evaluating their financial strategies. For instance, some are focusing more on saving and paying off debt, while others are contemplating dipping into their retirement funds to get through these tough times. Having been laid off by Microsoft in July, I had already anticipated this trend during the pandemic when I joined the company. I started preparing for the possibility of layoffs back then. Now, I’m trying to stay optimistic and adjust my plans accordingly, but it’s clear that the job market is making it challenging to feel secure about retirement.

I'm currently in a challenging situation at my job at a once-great company that seems to be heading downhill. Over the past year, we've lost seven senior employees without any replacements, which has left my boss overwhelmed. My former boss was moved to another department, leaving my current boss to manage everything alone. Earlier this year, half of my coworkers were laid off, doubling our workload. Recently, my boss, both of our remaining seniors, and my former boss announced their departures. This leaves us with almost no one who knows how to handle their roles effectively. What's concerning is the lack of communication from upper management regarding any plans for replacements or how responsibilities will be managed moving forward. It feels like there’s no clear direction at all. I'm worried that the remaining employees will end up taking on multiple roles without proper recognition or compensation. I’m contemplating whether to stay and see how things unfold, proactively ask management for clarity, start looking for another job, or a mix of these options. I'm seeking advice on how to navigate this situation.

I was laid off a couple of months ago and, needing to get back to work quickly, I accepted a job that wasn't my ideal fit. It was more of a first-come, first-serve situation, and I felt I had to take it to secure income. However, I had already been interviewing for a role at another company that I was much more interested in long term, and I decided to continue that process even after starting my current job. Now, two months later, I've received an offer from that company I actually wanted to work for. The tricky part is that I never disclosed to my current employer that I was interviewing elsewhere, as I didn't want to jeopardize my new position after being laid off. I'm in a bit of a dilemma about how to handle this. Should I inform my current employer before accepting the new offer, or should I wait until everything is finalized and then resign? My instinct is to keep things under wraps until I have the new offer officially in hand. I'm also concerned about whether not mentioning my ongoing interviews could affect me during a background check. Will it show that I was interviewing elsewhere, or will it just reflect my current employment dates? I want to ensure I'm not creating any issues by omitting that information. If everything with the new company checks out, how should I break the news to my current manager? I feel guilty about leaving so soon after just two months, but I took this job as a stopgap after being laid off, and this new opportunity aligns much better with my career goals. I want to leave on good terms and avoid burning any bridges, but I also don’t want to over-explain my situation. If anyone has been in a similar situation — laid off, took a quick job, kept interviewing, and then received a better offer — I would really appreciate your insights, especially from hiring managers and recruiters. Thanks!

I'm considering going back to school to pursue a degree in software or IT, mainly because both programs offer co-op options. The tuition would be around $10,000 for two years, and I could potentially gain up to eight months of co-op experience. However, I'm really worried about the risk involved. I've been unemployed for almost two years now, and my biggest fear is ending up in the same situation after graduation. I'm trying to weigh the benefits of the co-op experience against the possibility of not finding a job afterward.

I recently took a job at a higher education institution as a marketing strategist, thinking it would be a good move for my career and allow me to relocate. While the work environment has been pleasant and my colleagues are great, I've quickly realized that the financial trade-off isn't worth it. The deductions from my paycheck for teacher retirement and parking fees total around $750 each month, which is quite a strain since I relocated to save money. Moreover, I came across a job posting that offers $40,000 more than my current salary, requiring two years less experience than I have. This new role is also located closer to the city, which would be more suitable for someone my age. I've been doing the workload of multiple people, and both my coworkers and supervisors have acknowledged this. If I had known about the heavy workload and low pay, I would have accepted a higher title that would have led to managing my own team with a better salary. I initially thought this niche position would allow me to grow within the institution and utilize my full marketing skill set, but now I feel like I'm losing money each month. The job doesn't pay industry standards, and the lack of excitement in my environment is disappointing. I've only been in this position for 8 months, and I'm torn about whether to stick it out until the one-year mark or start applying for other opportunities now. I appreciate any thoughts or advice on this situation.

I’ve been on the job hunt for the past three years, applying to hundreds of positions with no luck. After taking a break for a few months, I started applying again, but salaries in my field seem to be declining. I recently received a job offer for $50K, which is a tight budget for me. I would need to move cities quickly, and I have a large dog to consider, making it hard to find suitable housing. The job is with a reputable institution and could serve as a good stepping stone, but I’m worried about managing my dog’s needs, especially since he’s not used to a dog walker and has some anxiety around strangers. Currently, I’m living with my parents and studying for an exam to apply to medical school next summer. I feel that living on my own with a job would help me focus better on my studies, but I’m hesitant due to the low pay and the quick move required. I’m really struggling mentally in my current living situation, and while I know I’m fortunate to have housing, it’s not ideal for my well-being. I’m looking for advice on whether I should take this job or hold out for something better, especially given how tough the job market seems right now.

Today, I had a revealing conversation during a team call at my small French IT company. My team lead, who has been struggling with project documentation due to being understaffed, shared that he managed to complete everything by using the latest version of ChatGPT. He proposed that instead of hiring a new team member, we should upgrade to a higher tier of ChatGPT for the entire team. This suggestion left me feeling uneasy. I was hired four years ago specifically to handle documentation and learn the system, but now it seems that AI tools could potentially replace the very role I was brought in to fulfill. While I understand that AI won't replace all senior developers, the idea that senior developers might not need as many juniors like me is unsettling. It makes me question my future in this role and whether the skills I've built will still be valuable. This shift towards AI assistance in our work raises concerns about job security and the evolving landscape of our industry. I can't help but wonder if my position is at risk as companies look for more cost-effective solutions.

Today, I experienced my second layoff in four years. It feels like I'm developing a callus from the repeated blows. I was leading a talented team, and while I had some inkling that this was coming, it still hit hard. Over the past couple of months, I've been actively applying for new positions, but the thought of receiving rejection emails is weighing heavily on me. I guess I'm just here to share my experience and prepare to dive back into the job market, particularly on LinkedIn, which feels like a daunting task. I appreciate the supportive comments and advice from others who have been in similar situations. It's comforting to know I'm not alone in this journey.

I just landed a job as a Video Game Tester after months of searching for work, and I'm feeling really excited about this opportunity. I know that this role isn't just about playing games all day, and I'm prepared for the challenges it may bring. I'm looking for advice on what to expect from this job and how I can use it as a stepping stone for my career. I hold a bachelor's degree in digital arts, specifically in 3D animation, but the job market in my Latin American country has been tough, especially in the animation industry. I've had some freelance work as a 3D modeler and illustrator, but it's been inconsistent. I also briefly worked at a call center, which was quite draining, and I have some experience as a graphic designer at a marketing agency before I was laid off due to restructuring. Currently, I'm taking an online course in UI/UX design to keep myself engaged during my unemployment. I've heard mixed reviews about working in QA, especially from those who transitioned from video game testing, but I'm hoping to make the most of this role. I want to treat my bug reports as a portfolio to showcase my skills and potentially move up to a QA analyst or lead position. I also see this job as a chance to network within the gaming industry, which could open up more opportunities in the future. Any tips or insights would be greatly appreciated!

I was laid off from Amazon this morning at 3:18 AM after dedicating 10 years to the company. Throughout my time there, my performance reviews consistently exceeded expectations, with only two instances of lower ratings due to transitioning into new roles. This layoff hit particularly hard as it happened while I was on maternity leave. I'm reaching out to see if there are others who were also laid off at Amazon today or this week, specifically in the Selling Partner Services group. It feels disheartening to think that after a decade of hard work, I could be let go, especially during such a vulnerable time.