Feeling

I was laid off in 2021 and received a severance package that included 12 weeks of full pay and full healthcare benefits, which felt like I was still employed, minus the 401k match. After that period, I filed for unemployment. Recently, I learned that a friend who was laid off after 8 years at his company received a very different severance package. His deal required him to file for unemployment immediately, and his severance would only top up his unemployment benefits to match his regular pay for 16 weeks. This means his actual severance was only about 3 to 6 weeks of pay. I found this approach shocking and quite cheap on the company’s part. I always thought severance meant receiving a lump sum or continued pay before filing for unemployment. How common is it for companies to do it this way? It seems unfair to shift the financial burden to the state instead of providing proper severance.

I recently applied for an operations specialist position and was hit with an automated email just seven minutes later, demanding I complete a one-way video interview. They wanted me to record five video responses to AI-generated prompts, which felt incredibly dehumanizing. I immediately withdrew my application because I believe interviews should be a two-way street where both parties assess each other. I expressed my willingness to discuss the role in a live conversation, but the recruiter replied, shocked that I wouldn’t participate in the video assessment, claiming their team was too busy for live interviews. I firmly believe that if a company can’t spare thirty minutes to talk to candidates, they’re not ready to hire. We need to push back against this trend of impersonal hiring practices.

I recently started my journey as a self-taught software developer at 20 years old. I've been learning JavaScript for a couple of months now, but I often find myself overwhelmed by anxiety about the job market, especially with discussions around AI potentially taking over tech jobs. I feel a lot of pressure to succeed because I want to be able to support my partner and eventually get married. My goal is to earn at least $500 a month, which would cover my basic needs in my country. I know I don't have the necessary skills yet, but I'm hopeful that with time and dedication, I can reach that goal. I'm really looking for advice on how to navigate this path without messing it up.

I just experienced my first layoff at a company reorganization, and it's left me feeling oddly relieved yet anxious. After many years in a toxic department filled with constant tension and retaliation, I finally got laid off in my early 40s. While I feel relief at escaping that environment, I can't shake the anxiety about what comes next, especially since my last official day is in December. It's a strange mix of emotions; leaving a bad situation feels like the healthiest choice, but the uncertainty of my future is daunting. I'm curious if anyone else has navigated a similar "bad place but good timing" layoff and how they managed the transition in the following months.

I wasn't planning on leaving my job as a baker, but I was in the process of getting a second job in the evenings to help with college expenses and the upcoming holiday season. Out of the blue, a district manager from a different company reached out to me after seeing my resume. They invited me for an interview, and to my surprise, they expressed a strong interest in hiring me. I have a second interview scheduled for tomorrow, and if all goes well, I’ll be signing the paperwork soon. This new position could increase my salary by about $18,000 a year, which is a significant boost. However, it means completely changing my schedule from early mornings to nights, as the new role is in cooking. While I'm excited about the opportunity, I'm also feeling guilty about potentially leaving my current coworkers in a tough spot, especially since we are approaching the busy holiday season. I really enjoy working with them and don’t want to let them down. Additionally, I’ll have to inform the second job that I can no longer work there, which makes me feel like a quitter. The new job will likely come with a more unpredictable schedule and the possibility of working holidays, but the financial stability it offers is incredibly tempting. I'm just struggling with whether or not I’m making the right decision.

Today, I faced a tough decision regarding a job offer I received after completing three interviews. I was really excited about the opportunity, especially since I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for a few years and was looking forward to re-entering the workforce. However, things took a turn during the drug test phase. I arrived a few minutes early, hoping to show my enthusiasm, but my future boss was clearly upset about it. I apologized, but it seemed to set a negative tone. During the drug test, I accidentally sealed the sample container when I wasn’t supposed to, and the hiring manager reacted very harshly. She yelled at me, which was shocking and hurtful. I’ve never been treated that way in a professional setting before, and it really affected me emotionally. After the incident, I managed to complete the test correctly, and they sent me an email offering me a start date. However, I left the office feeling defeated and cried in my car and again when I got home. I’ve been reflecting on whether I should take the job or continue searching for something else. I want to work in a place that aligns with my values, and I’m unsure if this environment is the right fit after such a negative experience. I’m looking for advice on whether to accept the offer or keep looking for a more supportive workplace.

It's been a tough 20 months since I lost my job, and I feel like I've tried everything in my power to get back into the workforce. My last position was with a small team that faced constant layoffs, and when I was let go, it didn't hit me too hard since I knew the environment was unstable. Unfortunately, the people who remained eventually faced the same fate, including my former boss. Since then, I've applied to countless jobs, but I honestly lost track of how many. I've tailored my CV meticulously and even highlighted my portfolio, but surprisingly, the only interviews I've landed came from my untailored CV. It feels like the number of interviews has drastically decreased compared to when I had less experience. I've even attempted to apply for roles in hospitality, which I did over a decade ago, and other positions where I believe my skills could transfer, like Executive Assistant roles, but I've had no luck. It’s disheartening to feel like I’m running out of options. I’m starting to feel like I’m unemployable, and I’m not sure what else to try. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I navigate this challenging job search.

I'm currently feeling overwhelmed about the future. As the sole provider for my family, including my mom, the economic challenges in Pakistan have made my responsibilities feel even heavier. The anxiety about financial stability has been keeping me up at night, and I'm constantly worried about how I will manage everything. I'm actively searching for remote work opportunities, whether they are temporary, contract, or long-term roles. My experience lies in marketing, social media, content creation, HR, recruitment, administration, and outreach. I'm open to learning new skills and willing to take on additional tasks to prove my dedication. If anyone has leads or knows of any projects that might be a good fit for me, please reach out. Even a small opportunity could make a significant difference in my life right now.

I am currently on probation at a private company where I've been experiencing a toxic work environment filled with nepotism. Unfortunately, I feel completely unsupported by HR, who I believe has been gaslighting me alongside management. The situation has taken a toll on my physical and mental health, and I’ve reached a breaking point where I cannot continue. I’ve built some good relationships with colleagues, but after discussing my concerns with HR, my manager was informed and has started gossiping about my situation, likely to cover their own tracks. I want to quit immediately and not return, and while I'm not particularly worried about burning bridges since I won’t be using them as references, I still want to handle my resignation professionally. I’m contemplating writing a detailed document outlining my reasons for leaving, as I believe it’s important to stand up for myself and ensure my perspective is known. I’d appreciate any advice on whether this is a good idea and what I should include in such a document.

I just received an incredible job offer from a public firm, and I'm ready to accept it! However, I’m feeling a bit anxious about how to resign from my current position in private accounting. This is my first professional job after school, and I even interned here before getting hired full-time. The situation is a bit complicated because my boss left about five months ago, and my new boss and I don’t seem to work well together. I've also noticed that the company is heading in a direction I’m not comfortable with, and I've been feeling overwhelmed with too much work and responsibility without the support or pay to match. I've raised these concerns to HR and my new boss multiple times, but nothing has changed. I’m excited to move on, but I want to make sure I leave on good terms. I’m unsure whether I should resign in a video call since my boss and I are in different states, or if it’s acceptable to just send an email with my resignation letter to him and HR. I’ve seen mixed opinions on this, and I want to avoid any missteps, especially since I’m not fond of my boss. I plan to give a standard two-week notice, but I’ve heard that some employers might cut off access immediately, so I need to be prepared for that. I’d appreciate any advice on the best way to handle this situation!

I still think about the time I got fired from my job during my second day as a new employee. My manager became extremely passive-aggressive and seemed to expect me to know everything right away. The more she micromanaged me, the more nervous I became, leading to silly mistakes. I ended up having a panic attack in the bathroom, and when the tears started flowing, I just couldn't stop. At the time, I was also weening off my anxiety medication, which made my emotions hit me like a freight train. I know I was in the wrong for crying, but it felt really unfair when she told me to come back the following week, only to text me an hour later to fire me. Thankfully, I'm back in school now and living off of financial aid, so everything turned out alright in the end.

I've been unemployed for 1 year and 2 months now, and I'm feeling really defeated. It seems like my experience is never enough for potential employers, and the gap in my employment is constantly being questioned. Just the other day, a recruiter asked if I had considered doing retail during this time, as if that would be an easy option for me. I'm struggling to see a way out of this situation and I honestly don't know what to do next.

I just had another interview and, as usual, the anxiety hit me hard. I really dislike the whole process, no matter how much I prepare. It's the unpredictability that gets to me—I never know how tough the questions will be or how I'll be judged by the interview panel. I've been through several interviews now, and I've started to realize that it's healthier for me to manage my expectations. I try not to get my hopes up, even if I feel like the interview went well. There are so many factors outside of my control that can affect the outcome. I'm learning to let go of the idea that I’ll land every job I interview for, which helps me move on more easily when things don't work out. Just trying to find some peace in this process.

I recently went through a tough experience at my job. My company was acquired by a private equity firm that focuses heavily on AI automation and technology. Since then, I've felt increasingly sidelined in my role in operations. Initially, I was excited to be part of the team, but as the new leadership brought in executives from competitor companies, my responsibilities diminished. I’ve noticed my colleagues having daily meetings about training and automating processes, while I’ve been left out despite my efforts to engage and ask for opportunities. It feels like a one-way street where information flows to everyone but me. I've been cut out of client-facing meetings for the past several months, and the leadership has hinted that I may not fit in with the team, especially since I’m not a long-tenured employee. It’s disheartening because I contributed significantly to the projects that trained our automation systems, yet my role has not evolved beyond execution. I feel like I’ve gone from being valued to being invisible, which has taken a toll on my mental health. I’ve been feeling what I can only describe as quiet firing for a while now, and the pace of this change has accelerated with the shift towards AI. I haven’t taken any PTO in over a year, choosing instead to work long hours to prove my dedication, but it seems to have backfired. I realize now that my constant availability may have only made it easier for them to overlook my contributions. I’m really scared about my future. I’ve been applying for jobs for months, including roles with lower salaries, but I haven’t received any interviews. The thought of losing my health insurance is particularly frightening since I rely on expensive medications for a chronic condition. I feel trapped in this cycle of job instability and health issues, and it’s affecting my personal life as well. I’ve never had the chance to live independently or experience the milestones of adulthood due to these challenges. I feel broken and uncertain about what comes next, especially after investing so much time and effort into finding this job. It took me over 4,000 applications and years after college to land this role, and now I fear I won’t find something similar again.

I recently started working as a receptionist at a clinic where my sister helped me get hired. It's been a couple of months, and I’m already feeling overwhelmed by the toxic environment. I'm the only male receptionist among around 50 employees, and the atmosphere has been quite challenging. Patients often express a preference for female staff, and I can sense that some coworkers are uncomfortable with my presence. Despite my background as an IT consultant, my attempts to help improve security protocols were met with suspicion rather than gratitude. I even got yelled at by the director for simply checking my monitor connection, which was really frustrating. I’ve decided to stop offering help and just do what I'm told to avoid further conflict. Today, my supervisor called me out for being on my phone, but I was just trying to check my sick time accrual since there's no clear policy on that. I lost my cool a bit and pointed out the hypocrisy of others using their phones during work. She responded by saying that I need to communicate if I don’t have enough work, but I feel like every time I try to take initiative, it backfires. I’m now just following orders and trying to keep my head down. I’m not sure how much longer I can handle this situation. It feels like a sexist nightmare, and I’m starting to dread going to work.

I accepted a job offer on September 13 after a face-to-face interview on September 3. I completed all the necessary onboarding processes and background checks, but now it's September 30 and I haven't heard anything back. I'm really worried that I might have lost the job, especially since it was a flexible position that would have worked well with my studies. Has anyone else gone through something similar? I'm feeling anxious and unsure about what to do next.

I recently went through a frustrating experience with NTT Data in Philadelphia. After three rounds of interviews for a cybersecurity position, I was told I was the top candidate and that they were finalizing an offer. However, the recruiter later informed me that the CIO wanted me to interview for a different role that he believed would be a better fit. Desperate for a job, I went along with it and ended up going through two more interviews for a cloud infrastructure position, which I was thrilled about since it aligned more with my career goals. After a week, I received a call from the recruiter confirming that I was selected for the position, but that the client was still working on approvals. I felt hopeful, but in hindsight, I should have been more cautious. A week later, I got another call saying that while I was selected, the position had been postponed due to a hiring freeze. I was left in disbelief, especially after being led to believe for over a month that the job was secure. This situation has left me feeling frustrated and anxious, as I had turned down other job opportunities and contract work based on the promise of this full-time position. Now, I'm in a worse situation than before, with increased debt and no job. It's a harsh reminder that I should have waited for something in writing before making any decisions. I'm now back on the job market, looking for new opportunities.

I graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in Data Science from a top American university, and I was really optimistic about finding a job in such a growing field. However, it's now been five months since I started my job search, and I still haven't landed anything. Despite having relevant research, an internship, and a part-time job related to my field, employers keep asking for multiple years of experience, which I don’t have. Just last month, I went through four interviews with a potential employer, only to receive a generic rejection a few days later. This whole process has been incredibly discouraging and is worsening my depression. I’ve always struggled with mental health, but the constant rejection and lack of opportunities make me question if I can keep going. I’ve thought about going back to school for a master’s degree, but I fear that it would just lead me back to the same situation, only with more debt. I’m reaching out for advice on how to stay motivated during this tough time or if anyone is willing to help me with my resume. I could really use some support right now.

I've been working at my current company for about 11 years in a process/mechanical design/safety/QA role, and I'm feeling stuck when it comes to career advancement. My title is mechanical design "engineer"—I put quotes around it because I don't have a bachelor's degree. My responsibilities are extensive and include lifecycle process ownership, planning and implementing preventative maintenance for remotely operated systems in a radiation environment, and mechanical design of tooling for highly radioactive components. I also manage radioactive waste inventory, work as a SharePoint designer, and lead R&D for new technologies in hot cell environments. Additionally, I'm the subject matter expert on ASME B30.20 and BTH-1 for multiple departments and operate overhead cranes, including remotely controlled ones. Despite my diverse skill set, I'm currently earning about 15% less than others in similar roles who have fewer responsibilities. I've had multiple discussions with my manager about a compensation increase, whether through a raise or a promotion from Engineer II to III or a management role. My manager has advocated for me, but after two years of cost-of-living raises that barely surpass 2%, I'm starting to feel like I've hit a ceiling at this company. I genuinely enjoy the work environment and the work/life balance here, but I'm beginning to think that my time may be running out if I can't find a path forward. I'm looking for suggestions on how to enhance my attractiveness for other opportunities.

I experienced a painful layoff a few months ago, but I’m now thriving in my new role. My previous company, which was owned by private equity, abruptly dismissed our long-time CEO in favor of a new one who turned out to be quite manipulative. He replaced many of us who had built the company with his own circle of friends. Fortunately, I only spent two weeks unemployed, didn’t take a pay cut, and I feel secure in my current position. However, I still keep in touch with some former colleagues, and it’s disheartening to see that conditions at my old company have worsened. They’re facing another round of layoffs, and employees are being forced to reapply for their jobs under new titles or risk being let go. The only ones remaining seem to be the executives who can’t be fired due to their contracts, while those who truly understood the business have been pushed out. They’ve hired expensive consulting firms that are recycling old ideas that were previously deemed unworkable. Additionally, a marketing firm was brought in for a rebranding effort, but that project is now a year behind schedule. New hires are being brought on at lower salaries, only to be let go shortly after because the management structure has been stripped down to almost nothing, leaving no one to properly train them. Clients are canceling contracts, and the atmosphere is rife with backstabbing. While it’s sad to see my old company struggle, I can’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction knowing I escaped just in time.