Feeling

I used to work at Citi many years ago, and ever since I was laid off from my last job 11 years ago, I've been trying to get back in. I've applied to multiple positions at Citi, even got a few referrals, but the rejections keep piling up. One of my interviews was particularly disheartening; only 2 out of 3 interviewers seemed engaged, and I never heard back for a second interview. I've tailored my resume for various roles that I believe I'm a great fit for, but all I get are rejection emails. The last application made it to the recruiter review stage, but after almost three weeks, I received an email saying I wasn't moving forward. At this point, I'm seriously considering not applying to Citi again. I really wanted to return since it was where I started my career in operations, but it feels like maybe I'm being protected from that place. I don't want Citi to affect my mental health like this. Has anyone else felt so discouraged by repeated rejections from the same company that they decided to stop trying?

Today marked my first day as an Associate Product Manager (APM) at a fast-growing tech company, and I have to admit, it was a bit overwhelming. After being unemployed for the last two months and living at my parents' house for the past year, I was really excited to start this new chapter. Previously, I worked remotely but lost my job due to being told I "didn't take enough ownership," which felt ironic since I had spent four years at a different company where I thrived by pitching ideas and taking initiative. However, today was tough. I left the office feeling anxious and somewhat out of place. Even though I joined the company because I genuinely like their mission and the problems they are tackling, I found myself questioning if this role is the right fit for me. My manager even commented on my background, suggesting I might be better suited for a master's in writing, given my passion for it. During a call, I was sitting next to her and heard terms like "backend validation" and "company managed projects" being thrown around, and I felt lost. I realized I’m more of a people and community person rather than tech-focused, which made me doubt my capabilities. I know it's normal to feel this way on the first day, but it's hard not to compare myself to others who seem to have it all figured out. I’m trying to remind myself that it’s okay to be nervous and that learning takes time. I hope that with patience, I can grow into this role and gain the confidence I need. Any advice from others who have been in a similar situation would be greatly appreciated!

I was laid off from my job on May 19, 2026, and immediately filed for unemployment in Georgia. I received confirmation that my claim was processed, but it has been stuck at the "Eligibility Determination" stage. I was told my employer was being contacted for details about my termination, which was due to an "Involuntary Conduct Violation." I assumed I was just waiting for the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) to review everything. However, when I called for a status update, I learned that my claim became inactive because I hadn’t been submitting weekly payment requests. I was shocked because I thought my claim was still under review and that I needed to wait for their determination before requesting payments. Now, I’m being told I need to file a new claim and that I won’t receive any payments for the weeks since I first filed. This has left me feeling frustrated and confused, especially since I thought I was doing everything correctly as a first-time applicant. I would really appreciate any advice from others who have navigated the GDOL process.

I have been with my company for six years, consistently performing at a top level with perfect reviews. However, I am now facing a likely layoff due to a company restructure. It's frustrating because I know my work is essential, but the decisions are being made by people who don't fully understand my role. I'm preparing for the layoff conversation and wondering what to expect. Will they provide a clear explanation for the decision? Is it appropriate for me to question their understanding of my contributions and the potential costs of letting me go? Additionally, I am currently pregnant, so I'm curious about my options for negotiating severance or benefits. I want to be ready for how quickly they might have me sign any paperwork after the meeting.

I work at a company that is currently trying to reduce headcount in the US by replacing positions with overseas workers who are paid significantly less. The atmosphere here has become quite toxic, filled with a sense of doom and gloom as we all wonder about our job security. There's a rumor that the downsizing process has been outsourced to a third party that uses an algorithm to determine who gets laid off. Even though age discrimination is illegal, I've seen it happen frequently, especially since older employees tend to earn more due to their longer tenure. I made a career change in my late 30s and have been with my current company for less than 20 years, while many of my peers, who are younger, have been here for 25 to 35 years and likely earn significantly more than I do for similar roles. I'm starting to wonder if my shorter tenure might actually work in my favor when it comes to the algorithm they are using. I’ve heard from others that it’s a numbers game, and the third party will analyze headcount and determine how many people can be eliminated from each department. Some companies prioritize laying off those with longer tenure due to their higher salaries, but there are no guarantees. For now, I think I’ll stick it out a bit longer since having tenure might provide me with a decent severance if things go south.

I recently got laid off from my position as a Machine Learning intern at a health tech company in Jaipur after a 10-month internship. During my time there, I worked on various projects, including developing 2D and 3D models for BrainCT and ChestCT diagnostics, and I created a deployment pipeline for these models on Azure Databricks using PostGres for the database. Today was the review day, and while five of my peers received pre-placement offers (PPOs), I did not. My senior mentioned that I wasn't strong in the research aspect, despite being competent in all other areas. They suggested I hold on until next Monday when they will consider other available positions within the company. I can't shake the feeling that my senior might have reported me out of personal bias, especially since the company is currently short-staffed and not hiring many new employees. I'm feeling lost and unsure about my next steps. Should I start applying for jobs elsewhere, or would it be better to prepare for the GATE exam? I feel like this was my only shot at securing a position after being one year late in my career, and now I’m worried about my future.

I’m currently facing a tough situation at my job, where I work in a corporate role. My company is preparing for another mass layoff in three months, and I’m almost certain I’ll be part of it this time. I’ve managed to hang on since the last round of layoffs at the end of last year, but I know my luck might be running out. Living alone without any family support has me feeling scared and anxious about what’s to come. I’ve been actively searching for new job opportunities for the past three months, but I know that once the layoff occurs, I’ll need to apply for unemployment right away. I’ve heard that unemployment benefits will only cover about half of my current paycheck, which is daunting. I’m also considering applying for food stamps to help make ends meet. I’m reaching out for advice from anyone who’s been in a similar situation. What steps did you take when you were laid off and had no support? I’m feeling terrified and could really use some guidance on how to navigate this challenging time.

I recently graduated with a degree in marketing and have been searching for a job in the Dominican Republic for several months now. Unfortunately, I haven't had much luck and it feels like there are no signs of employment opportunities coming my way anytime soon. I've noticed a lot of job openings on social media from Australia and I'm curious if anyone has experience working there. I'd love to hear about real experiences and insights from those who have made the move or found success in that job market.

I recently had a recruiter screen for a software developer role at a company using iCIMS. The screen took place last Friday, and the recruiter mentioned they would discuss candidates with the hiring manager the following Tuesday. The hiring process is supposed to go from recruiter screen to interview, then onsite, and finally an offer, with an estimated timeline of about two weeks depending on scheduling. However, I didn’t hear back on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, and my application status remained "Under Review" throughout that time. On Friday afternoon, I noticed that the application’s "Last Updated" date changed, but it still showed "Under Review." The last time the timestamp changed was when I was moved to the screening stage and received the interview request. I’m feeling a bit anxious since I haven’t received any rejection email or interview request yet. I’m trying to figure out if the timestamp update while remaining "Under Review" indicates any internal actions like recruiter notes or hiring manager reviews, or if it’s just administrative noise. I’m really hoping this means I’m still in active consideration rather than facing a delayed rejection.

I've been struggling with the job hunting process for the last few months, and it's been tough on my mental health. About a year ago, I was working as a freelance writer focused on video games, earning between $1000 to $3000 a month while living in a low-cost country. It was a great setup until around 4-5 months ago when all my clients suddenly stopped sending work. To make matters worse, I also had to end a significant relationship, which added to my emotional turmoil. Since then, my lifestyle has taken a significant hit. I've been sending out around 4-5 job applications daily, trying to pivot my career towards roles like UX Writer and Content Specialist, but I've only received a handful of callbacks and interviews. The majority of my applications have gone unanswered, leading to feelings of loneliness, guilt, and embarrassment. I'm 29 years old, with a master's degree in behavioral science and a bachelor's in human-centered design, and I never expected to find myself in this situation. My dad is the only breadwinner in our family, and as I approach my 30s with little to show for it financially, it's been a rough journey. I'm reaching out to see how others cope with the anxiety and depression that can come from this prolonged job search. I've tried to keep a routine, but it often feels overwhelming. Any advice on how to stay positive and motivated would be greatly appreciated.

I had an interview about a week ago for a part-time position, and during the interview, the manager seemed positive, even asking when I could start. I was told I would hear back by the end of the week, but I haven't received any updates. I've been trying to call the store to follow up, but the sales associates keep switching, and none of them are able to connect me to the store manager. I'm feeling a bit frustrated and unsure about what my next steps should be. Any advice on how to handle this situation?

I currently work at a large company where I hold a niche role that is hard to fill. I've been recognized as a high performer, and the company has a strong pay equity culture. Over the past five years, I've noticed that when my department needs to hire, they often struggle to find the right candidates, which leads them to increase the salary band to attract talent. As a result, during salary equity audits, I typically receive a meaningful pay increase—usually around 8-10%, compared to the standard 3% for others. This is framed as both a pay increase and a pay equity adjustment. Recently, my former manager reached out and offered me a new position with a 20% pay increase and an annual bonus of 10-20%. The role is comparable to my current one, so I accepted the offer. My current employer attempted to counter, but they couldn't match the pay without triggering salary increases for the entire team, and they were unable to adjust my role to facilitate a higher pay. This situation has led me to ponder whether high performers like myself are at a disadvantage when it comes to pay equity, especially in a large organization that struggles to pivot quickly.

I had an interview last week for a position that I thought went really well. The interviewers even asked me, "When can you start?" which made me feel like they were interested in hiring me. However, I've been trying to follow up with them about the next steps, and their responses have been incredibly slow. I reached out multiple times, but the recruiter told me to only contact them during business hours. Even when I did that, they just read my messages without replying. I mentioned during the interview that I had another interview lined up, and I wonder if that might have affected their interest in me. I’ve been told that it’s better to keep such information to myself, and I’m starting to think that my eagerness might have come off as desperation. I’ve learned that after an interview, it’s best to send a thank you note and express my continued interest without over-communicating. This whole experience has been frustrating, especially with how competitive the job market is right now. I’m planning to keep applying to other positions while I wait, but it’s hard not to get my hopes up about this one.

I’ve been job searching for a while now, applying through platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter. With 7 years of experience, I’m aiming for positions around $50k, but it feels like my resume and LinkedIn profile are just being ignored. It’s frustrating because I feel like I might as well be applying for jobs at Walmart or McDonald's instead. I can't help but think that the people who claim to have applied to hundreds of positions might be landing jobs that aren’t even listed on these sites. It’s disheartening and makes me question the effectiveness of these applications.

I was recently laid off from my role after 10 months at the company, and while they cited performance reasons, I suspect my prioritization of family played a significant role. I had been putting in long hours, managing multiple workstreams and products, but it felt like my efforts went unappreciated. My manager often shifted expectations, stating that my performance would be evaluated based on what I could get to a defined state rather than a completed state, which was frustrating. Despite my attempts to communicate and unblock engineering teams, there were misunderstandings that led to issues with implementations that were out of my control. I took my child to daycare and prioritized his time over my work, which I believe contributed to their decision to let me go. Now, I'm facing a managed exit with severance and a few weeks left before my official last day. This experience has been tough on my mental health, and I find myself questioning my self-worth and identity after being laid off for the first time. I'm anxious about the job market and how long I might be unemployed, especially since I've always supported myself since graduating. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has gone through something similar and how they coped. I could really use some support or advice during this challenging time.

I recently found myself in a tough situation at my job as an entry-level coordinator at a firm managing a large portfolio of accounts. Last week, the company hired a new VP, and already it feels like my role is being targeted for automation. My daily tasks mostly involve manual data entry and administrative work that client success managers offload onto me, which I’ve always seen as essential for keeping operations running smoothly. Today was particularly challenging. The new VP reached out to me, demanding a detailed breakdown of my daily workflow for a report I manage. While I was trying to respond thoughtfully, another manager pulled me into a meeting about a project that involves sending over my historical call-listening notes. They plan to run a program using AI, specifically Claude, to automate the very tasks I handle. I can't shake the feeling of being blindsided and disrespected. It seems like a coordinated effort to gather my insights and data before making a move to replace me once my direct manager goes on leave. I feel trapped and anxious about the future, especially with the job market being what it is. I’ve gained valuable experience here, but the looming threat of AI taking over entry-level roles has left me feeling hopeless. I’m reaching out to see if anyone else has experienced a similar situation where their own data was used against them in the context of AI efficiency testing. Am I overreacting, or is there a real chance they’re setting me up for replacement? I’m looking for advice on how to navigate this situation and whether there’s any hope for my position in the coming months.

I was let go last Friday from a startup where I had been working for a short period. The reason for my termination was quite unexpected. On Thursday, I accidentally played a song called ‘fat little chud’ at full volume from my phone because it wasn't connected to my AirPods. The song blasted through the workspace for about five seconds, catching everyone's attention. The next day, I had a meeting with the founder, who questioned my seriousness about the job, and shortly after that, I was let go. They did offer to provide me with a good referral for my next job, which I appreciate. However, I think I’ll take a break from applying for new positions for now as I want to focus on my own project.

I got laid off this week from my role as a software development engineer at a mid-sized startup. I had a feeling it was coming for about a month, so I started looking for new opportunities right away. I was only there for nine months, just shy of my one-year mark, and the reason for the layoffs was attributed to AI advancements. As a full-stack developer, I thought I’d have a decent chance at finding another job, but it’s been really tough. Most openings seem to require two or more years of experience, and I’m struggling to find positions that fit my skill level. I’ve applied to numerous jobs, but many turned out to be ghost listings—no responses or rejection emails at all. It’s disheartening because I used to be really passionate about tech, but now it feels like the industry is closing its doors to newcomers. During my time at the startup, we had an appraisal round, and raises were minimal; most of my team received less than 10%, with many getting nothing at all. It seems like the focus is all on AI, and employees are being pushed hard without much reward. I’m starting to think about a career change while I’m still young. My dad has a business, and I’m considering joining him to help grow it. However, I worry that all my education and passion for technology would go to waste. At the same time, I feel anxious about the instability of tech jobs and the possibility of being laid off again. It’s a tough decision, and I’m still weighing my options.

During my time at a previous company, my manager delivered a line during an all-hands meeting that has stuck with me ever since. He said, 'We aren't doing layoffs; we're just optimizing the human capital runway for future synergy.' It was a bizarre way to announce that five people were let go on a Friday via a Zoom call. The disconnect between his corporate jargon and the reality of the situation felt incredibly cold and inhumane. It made me reflect on how language can be manipulated in corporate settings.

I'm currently a teenager trying to secure a summer job, but I've faced quite a few challenges. So far, I've submitted over 10 applications and received four rejections. I'm feeling a bit discouraged and am looking for advice on how to improve my chances. I've heard that calling the places I applied to after about a week might help, especially in retail, but I'm unsure if that's a good strategy. I also understand that the job market is tough right now, with many adults competing for the same positions, which makes it even harder for someone like me. Any tips or insights on how to stand out would be greatly appreciated!