Got a Job

I was let go from my job last week, and while it was tough, I’m already making progress in my job search. I’ve had one phone screen and one interview so far, and I’ve submitted four applications that are currently marked as "under review" or "under consideration." To help stabilize my income during this transition, I also secured a part-time job. I just wanted to share my experience to encourage others who might be in a similar situation—don't give up! It can happen for you too!

I recently found myself in a tough spot after over 20 years of freelancing. The unpredictable income and constant hustle for clients became unsustainable, and I realized I needed a more stable financial situation. After some searching, I landed a stable admin support role at a large employer in my area. My background in customer service and technical skills really helped me secure the position. Interestingly, the only requirement was a high school diploma, which made the application process less daunting. It's quite a relief to not have to chase after clients anymore and enjoy a more predictable work life.

I recently started a remote position at a company, and I've been feeling increasingly uneasy about my job security. I've been in this role for about six months, with roughly four months of independent work. The company has a strict performance standard, and lately, I've been assigned a lot of challenging tasks that seem impossible to complete successfully. Just today, I was given no new work on a Monday, which felt really off. I've had several one-on-one meetings with my supervisor where we've discussed my performance. They keep asking me why I’m not meeting expectations, and I’ve expressed that the workload I’m given is overwhelming and often unmanageable. It seems like my concerns fall on deaf ears, as they continue to emphasize the need for everyone to meet performance standards, even mentioning past firings for underperformance. What really struck me was when my supervisor directly told me that if I can't meet the required performance level, they won't be able to keep me on. This hit hard because I’ve always prided myself on being an overachiever, but I feel like I'm being set up to fail. I believe that my struggles are situational, and with the right support, I could really excel. However, I'm starting to wonder if I should be preparing for the worst. Any insights or advice from others who have been in similar situations would be greatly appreciated.

I recently received a job offer from Vue Cinema, but it comes with an exclusivity contract. I'm feeling a bit uncertain about this because it limits my ability to take on other work. I've been reading some advice online, and many people suggest that I shouldn't worry too much about it. They say it's my legal right to work multiple jobs if I want to, and that Vue Cinema shouldn't have a say in where else I work. Some even mentioned that if they find out I have another job, the worst they can do is fire me, which they can do at any time anyway. I'm still considering my options and trying to weigh the pros and cons of accepting the offer with these restrictions.

I recently landed a new job in a similar field after being laid off from my previous position about six months ago. The previous role was a significant step up in terms of pay and responsibilities, but it ended abruptly due to layoffs, which was quite stressful. After many interviews and applications, I finally secured a new position that offers slightly better pay but requires more hands-on work. Despite the positive aspects, I can't shake off the anxiety from my last experience. Having spent 5-6 years in my previous career, the sudden change has left me feeling unsettled. I often find myself comparing my tenure to others who have longer, more stable careers, and I feel a sense of envy. I'm eager to prove myself in this new role and establish a long tenure again. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? How did you manage to bounce back and regain your confidence?

In July 2026, I was laid off from my Software Engineer role and began my job search journey. Initially, I focused on preparing for coding interviews using LeetCode. I started with the Blind 75 and NeetCode 150 lists, revising them multiple times to recognize patterns. I struggled to concentrate on the LeetCode platform, often jumping to solutions too quickly, so I opted to practice with pen and paper instead. I didn't apply for jobs during this time. By August, I shifted my focus to system design, utilizing resources from HelloInterview.com and watching various YouTube videos. I began conducting mock interviews using ChatGPT's voice mode, which helped me get into the flow of interviews, although I found it necessary to ask for a rating to get constructive feedback. I also continued practicing coding problems on LeetCode and compiled my interview experience in a STAR format using Google Docs. I started applying for jobs, primarily looking at postings from the last 24 hours on Indeed and Glassdoor, while occasionally using LinkedIn. Unfortunately, I faced 4-6 phone-screen rejections. In September, I had my first onsite interview and quickly learned that scheduling multiple onsites in a week was overwhelming. By October, my efforts paid off, and I received offers from Datadog and Crusoe. Throughout this process, I learned several key lessons: - It's more effective to look at solutions for a significant number of problems early on to grasp patterns rather than trying to solve everything independently. - Moving quickly to onsite interviews is crucial to gaining experience and increasing my chances of success. - Familiarizing myself with frequently asked questions can significantly improve my performance in interviews. - Consistent preparation across all companies is more beneficial than tailoring my study material too specifically for one. - I aimed to apply for 3-4 new jobs daily, as the job market was quite competitive. In terms of strategy, I maintained a one-page resume that I updated weekly to keep it fresh for ATS systems. My study schedule involved 3-4 hours in the morning and another 2-3 hours in the afternoon, with a power nap in between to recharge. I used site-blocker plugins to minimize distractions and invested in paid resources instead of creating my own materials, prioritizing landing a job. It was a long journey, but I found that consistency ultimately led to success.

I recently found myself in a tough situation after leaving a job I had for 7 years because I wasn’t enjoying it anymore. In the past two months, I’ve been hired and quit three times. I took a new job that I thought would be a good fit, but after just one month, I realized it wasn’t what I expected and decided to leave. Now, I’m at a job that I actually enjoy, but the hours are brutal. They promised 8-10 hour days, but I’m consistently working 10-12 hours without any extra pay since I’m paid by the day. As a single father with full custody, I can’t keep up with these long hours, especially with the holidays approaching when they say things will get even worse. I have multiple interviews lined up in the next couple of days for similar roles at different companies, where the hours are more manageable—10 hours for 4 days a week, and paid hourly, so I’d be compensated for any overtime. I’m conflicted about my job-hopping; I feel guilty for leaving so soon after training, but I know companies wouldn’t hesitate to let me go if it suited them. I’m wondering if I should use these new opportunities as leverage with my current employer to see if they can adjust my hours before I make a decision to quit. I’m a loyal person, and the guilt is weighing on me, but I’m also trying to be rational about my situation. Am I overthinking this?

I’m feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety as I prepare to start my new job tomorrow. It's been a long stretch of unemployment for me, about two months, and I’m only 24 years old. My previous work experience has mostly been as a security guard, despite having a title related to network operations (NOC). I’ve never held a job for more than a year and a half, so this is a big step for me. The good news is that my new job is just a 5-minute walk from my home, which should make the transition a bit easier. However, I’m nervous about how I’ll adapt to the structure of a regular job again after having the freedom of being unemployed. I really want this opportunity to work out, but I can’t shake the feeling that I might be overwhelmed. I know I’m probably overthinking it, but the shift from unemployment to a job feels significant. I’ve read some great advice from others who have been in similar situations, and I plan to take it to heart. I’m hoping this fresh start will lead to a more stable career path.

I recently received a job offer for a drilling position with APICO in Khorat, Thailand. The compensation looks attractive, and I’m excited about the prospect of working abroad. However, I have some reservations as things seem a bit off. I've exchanged emails and even printed out contracts, but I haven't shared any personal information yet. They’ve mentioned topics like passports and insurance, which raises some red flags for me. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has experience with this company or the drilling sector in Thailand to help me make an informed decision.

I recently accepted a job offer with a new employer, set to start on October 26. I had planned everything out, thinking the background verification would be completed quickly, allowing me to resign from my current job and finish my notice period before starting the new role. However, the background check took longer than anticipated. On October 14, I submitted my resignation after receiving a verbal go-ahead from the recruiter regarding the background check. Unfortunately, I didn't clarify that I would be resigning right after our conversation. Now, my current employer has confirmed that my last working day will be October 30, which conflicts with my new employer's expectation for me to start on October 26, four days before I finish at my current job. I’m considering asking my new employer to postpone my start date to November 2, but I’m worried about how this might be perceived. I’ve already accepted the offer and started the onboarding process, but I haven’t yet discussed the potential delay with the recruiter. I’m committed to joining and not reconsidering the offer, but I realize I should have confirmed the timing before resigning. I’m reaching out to HR professionals and hiring managers for advice on how to approach this situation. Specifically, I’d like to know how they would handle a request to postpone a start date by a week, if this could raise concerns about my reliability or commitment, and if it’s realistic to worry about the offer being withdrawn over this adjustment. Additionally, should I explain the background check delay or simply state that my last day at my current job is October 30?

After a year of unemployment, I am excited to share that I received a temporary job offer that could potentially turn into a permanent position. I start on Monday! This past year has been filled with a lot of uncertainty and challenges, but I managed to stay strong through it all. I know how tough the job search can be, so I want to encourage anyone else who is looking not to be too hard on themselves. Even though other aspects of my life are currently difficult, this job opportunity gives me hope for better days ahead.

I was laid off after just 4 months at my previous job, which was a tough experience. Thankfully, I managed to secure a new position about a month later, but it came with a significant pay cut of $25,000. This reduction has been quite challenging for me financially, and I'm wondering if it's reasonable for me to continue job searching while I'm employed. I really need the income from my current role, but I'm not sure if I should be looking for something that pays better or if I should keep this new job off my resume in the future. I appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation.

My husband recently lost his job, which has been quite a shock for both of us. He's been in the long-term care sector for several years, and while it's generally considered stable, the unexpected layoff has left us feeling uncertain about our financial future. We've been discussing his options, and I think he should take the new job offer he received. It seems like a solid opportunity, especially since long-term care is often seen as recession-proof. We're hopeful that this new position will bring some stability back into our lives.

I recently started a new full-time job after years of unstable work, and it's been emotionally challenging. I was really excited to receive the offer, thinking my life was finally on the upswing. However, I transitioned into a technical field that is completely unfamiliar to me, coming from a humanities background with limited relevant experience. Now that I'm in the early stages of this role, I find myself feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. I've always been a confident person and a fast learner, but this situation is different. I haven't received much structured guidance, and I'm often left to figure things out on my own, which is tough when I don't even know where to start. My coworkers seem to be progressing much faster, and while I don't think they are necessarily smarter, they certainly have more experience in this field. Some of my colleagues have been kind and patient, for which I'm grateful, but I still feel like I'm lagging behind. It's confusing because I've never struggled like this before, and I worry about asking too many questions and becoming a burden. I hate the thought of frustrating others or holding them back. Socially, I haven't found my place yet. Many coworkers seem to have their own groups and support systems, while I'm still trying to fit in. No one has been unkind, but I often feel lonely. Adding to my anxiety are the upcoming evaluations and expectations that I don't feel prepared for. The uncertainty is daunting, especially since this job represents a chance for stability after years of financial insecurity. I was so hopeful when I got this opportunity, but now I'm terrified that I might not be good enough to keep it. I know it's early in my journey, but I've never faced such a setback before. I'm struggling to determine if I'm just inexperienced or genuinely not suited for this work. I've been feeling anxious, discouraged, and lonely lately, which is hard for someone who has always prided themselves on being independent and confident. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has experienced something similar when switching careers. Have you ever gone from being a fast learner to feeling completely lost in a new field? Did things eventually improve? I'm not necessarily looking for career advice, but I could really use some encouragement or just someone to talk to.

I recently accepted a job offer and am currently going through the background check process. Everything was going smoothly until I hit a snag regarding a freelance gig I did a few years back. I included this freelance position in my employment history, but the third-party background check company couldn't verify it because I forgot to mention that I was never officially employed by that company. I had listed the dates of this gig as September 2023 through August 2024, but I’m starting to doubt my memory about the 2024 part. I was also juggling a restaurant job during that hectic time, which makes it all a bit blurry. Now, the new company has asked for tax documents to verify my employment, and while I found my 2023 tax docs, I can't locate any for 2024. I vaguely recall that my work slowed down in 2024, but I thought I still did some tasks for them. I'm worried that not being able to provide proof for this freelance position might jeopardize my job offer. I have over 10 years of solid employment history that has been verified, so I'm hoping this eight-month gap won't be a deal breaker. I would really appreciate any advice from those in recruiting or HR on how to navigate this situation.

I recently found a full-time job after a year of searching, but I lost it within just 24 hours. Since graduating in 2020, I've been working as a writer and editor, initially creating content for major gaming websites before transitioning into the SaaS sector. Unfortunately, the job market took a downturn around 2024-2025, leading to the loss of most of my clients. By the end of last year, I was struggling financially and had to rely on my parents for support. Despite these challenges, I managed to earn a master's degree in behavioral sciences while freelancing. I attempted to apply for UX and research roles but had no luck. To enhance my qualifications, I completed several certifications and am on track to practice as a mental health counselor soon. However, the reality is that many people in my country cannot afford therapy, which makes it difficult for practitioners to charge what they deserve. Last week, I was thrilled when an agency contacted me for a scriptwriting role with a major gaming channel, writing scripts for one of my favorite games. I was overjoyed and celebrated with my family and friends. To top it off, I had also published a book I had been working on. It felt like a dream come true to have both a new job and a book launch in the same week. The CEO of the company informed me that they would be testing my work for two weeks, requiring 10-11 hours a day, six days a week, with a pay of around $420 a month. While this is a decent amount in my country, I was desperate for any opportunity. I dedicated an entire day to my first assignment, only to be told that my work "clearly looked like it was written by AI" without any further explanation. It was humiliating to be accused of using AI as a writer who prides themselves on originality. I tried to explain that I didn't use AI and acknowledged their concerns, promising to ensure my next assignment would not have that 'AI feel.' However, I received no response after that. Now, I'm back to being unemployed, feeling lost and heartbroken about my future as I approach my 30th birthday. This isn't how I envisioned my life turning out. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read my story. Thank you.

After nearly two years of searching for a job, I finally received an offer after submitting over 800 applications. I started applying in January 2026, focusing primarily on remote positions, but by the end of March, I noticed that opportunities in that area were dwindling. I paused my applications for a few months, but in June 2026, I broadened my search to include remote, hybrid, and both in-state and out-of-state positions. It's been a challenging journey, and I can confidently say this is the worst job market I've ever experienced. While I have an offer now, I'm still interviewing for a few other roles just to keep my options open.

Today was my first day at a new job as a barista, and I'm feeling really anxious about how it went. My manager told me that I need to be quicker, which really caught me off guard. I had prepared by memorizing the menu, but I struggled with the metric system for the drink measurements because I didn't fully understand what the numbers meant. When I asked for clarification, they said we could discuss it on my first day, but that didn't help me much beforehand. During my shift, I made some mistakes while preparing drinks since it was my first time handling the toppings. My manager seemed annoyed, and even though I eventually got the hang of it, I was still slow and sometimes messed up the quantities. I aced the quiz she gave me on the menu, but when I hesitated on one question, she suggested I shouldn't come in tomorrow. That really hit hard. They even told me I could leave early, and then asked for my uniform back, which made me think I was being let go. I still have shifts scheduled for next week, so I'm confused about what that means. I felt like I was trying my best, but the way my manager communicated made it hard to know what to do. I’m questioning if I’m just incompetent or if this is a normal experience for a first day. I really hope things improve.

I’m thrilled to share that after 414 days of unemployment and sending out over 700 applications, I finally landed a job! I’m 27 years old and my new role is as a Gardener, which is quite a shift from my previous experience in Civil Engineering, City Planning, and 3D Art. I’ve spent 10 years in the workforce, with 7 of those years in my previous fields. I had been struggling financially and was down to my last savings when I received a fantastic offer to work as a Landscaping Gardener. The company is great—they’ll provide training, transportation from home to work, and even allow me to utilize my 3D modeling and design skills along with my drone operation experience. I lost my last job due to the impact of AI on the creative industry, which has been tough, especially with the sudden need to relocate after an electrical house fire caused by my landlord's neglect. I barely managed to escape with my pets, and with winter approaching, I was worried about finding work. To anyone else in a similar situation, don’t lose hope! Keep reaching out to potential employers, network through unions or associations in your field, and consider switching industries. Your skills and experiences are always valuable, no matter the field. Wishing everyone the best of luck!

I recently applied to over 30 jobs and finally landed two interviews. The first interview was with a company I'll refer to as T. It was just okay; I didn't feel I performed my best, but it wasn't a disaster either. The main draw for me is that T is only a 15-minute walk from my home, which is very convenient. The second interview was with a company I'll call P, an Indian fintech firm that operates in a highly regulated space. I felt much more confident during this interview, and they have already indicated that they want to move me to the next round. However, the downside is that P is located about 30 kilometers from my home and requires a five-day work-from-office setup. I've completed one round of interviews with both companies, and P also has an additional assessment. I've also applied to several other companies that I consider dream opportunities, but I haven't heard back from any of them yet. I'm at a crossroads and would love to hear your thoughts on what I should do next.