Got a Job

I started a new job about a year ago at a company where a family member has worked for nearly a decade. I was excited to transition from my previous role, which I loved, to a fully remote position. My last job involved engaging with vendors and updating workflows, and I had a supportive boss who allowed me the freedom to thrive. However, my new role as an analyst has been a complete disappointment. Instead of the analytical work I expected, I find myself stuck in data entry. Most of my time is spent deciphering poorly written requests that often contradict company policy. My boss is rarely available, disappearing for weeks, and I've only had a handful of one-on-one meetings this year. She didn’t even acknowledge my grandfather's passing or my hospitalization, which has made me feel completely unsupported. This job is stifling, and I've become bitter and angry. I used to love cooking and would even bring treats to work, but now I struggle to muster the energy to cook for myself. I feel trapped and regret leaving a job I truly enjoyed. I've been applying to other positions but keep facing rejections, mostly automated ones. I even reached out to my old boss to see if there were any openings, but due to budget cuts, they can't hire anyone right now. I'm looking for advice on how to cope with this negativity and anger during my job search. I try to clear my head by walking my dog several miles each day, but it only helps to a certain extent. I'm at a loss and just want to find a way to feel better.

After four years of dedicated service and numerous unpaid overtime weekends, I finally accepted a better role at a different company. Wanting to do the right thing, I scheduled a call with my manager to hand in my two-week notice, complete with a detailed handover document. I expected a professional response, but instead, I was met with hostility. My manager sat in silence for what felt like an eternity before accusing me of betraying the team during a busy quarter and abruptly ending the call. Within twenty minutes, my access to Slack and email was cut off, and HR called to inform me that my termination was effective immediately. It felt like I was treated as a corporate spy rather than a loyal employee who had given my all for four years. They didn’t even allow me to say goodbye to my team or retrieve my personal belongings from my desk. This experience has taught me that company loyalty means little in the corporate world. If they had wanted to fire me, they could have done so without warning or severance. I now realize that giving courtesy notices to companies that see you as disposable is not worth it.

I was laid off from my role at Epic Games earlier this year, and I've been struggling to find a new position ever since. I've taken advice from various sources, revised my resume multiple times, and have been actively networking with recruiters and seeking internal referrals. Despite my efforts, I've submitted over 550 applications and participated in more than a dozen interviews, but I still haven't secured a job. The feedback I receive often indicates that I lost out on opportunities due to factors beyond my control. I frequently reach late stages in the interview processes, only to have my hopes dashed when I don't get the offer. I'm running out of runway financially and have been working a temporary job just to stay afloat, but that position is also coming to an end. It's been a series of challenges, and to say I'm scared would be an understatement. I'm feeling quite lost and unsure of what my next steps should be.

I was laid off in April 2026 during a restructuring at my previous company, despite them having a strong financial quarter. It was a tough time; I had just moved into a new apartment and suddenly found myself without a job. Thankfully, I secured a new position within a month. However, in late September 2026, the company conducted another round of layoffs, again targeting employees even after reporting record profits. It’s disheartening to see how little empathy there is in the corporate world. I know someone who had just welcomed a newborn and was laid off the following week, and another friend had recently relocated to Bengaluru with his wife only to face the same fate. These uncertain times have taught me the importance of financial preparedness. My advice to young couples is to save at least six months’ worth of expenses and strive to remain debt-free.

I just started a new job as a marketing coordinator last week, and now I've been invited for an on-site interview for a different position that I applied for earlier. It's only my second week at this new job, and I'm feeling a bit anxious about how to handle this situation. I want to attend the interview because it could lead to a better opportunity, but I also don't want to jeopardize my relationship with my current employer. I'm considering telling my boss that I have a personal appointment, but I'm not sure if that's the best approach. I really want to be respectful and not burn any bridges.

I wanted to share my journey and seek some advice as I navigate this challenging job market. I graduated high school with high hopes after my vice principal's inspiring speech about the endless opportunities that awaited us if we went to college. I pursued a bachelor's degree in psychology, believing it would lead to a wealth of job options in marketing, research, and communications. I worked hard, maintained a 3.8 GPA, and was eager to step into the professional world. However, reality hit hard when I started applying for jobs. Despite sending out hundreds of applications and landing a few interviews, I faced constant rejections. I was told I was overqualified for lower-level jobs and lacked experience for the positions I wanted. I found myself stuck working at a deli, earning $11 an hour, while my dreams of a stable adult life seemed to slip further away. Fast forward to now, I'm 28, still living with my parents, and burdened with $35,000 in student debt. My expenses keep piling up, and rent in my area has skyrocketed to $1,500 a month. To make ends meet, I took on extra work mowing lawns after my shifts at the deli. My parents often criticized me for not trying hard enough, but I felt like I was doing everything I could. The pandemic exacerbated my situation, leading to the deli's closure. I was in a toxic relationship and felt trapped. Thankfully, a friend helped me land a job as a customer retention associate, which I worked hard at for four years, eventually getting promoted to manager. However, I was laid off last year, and now my bills have only increased. Since the layoff, I've applied to over 300 jobs, but the rejections keep coming, often feeling like I'm being filtered out by AI systems. I've had several interviews, but they always choose someone else. I followed the path laid out for me—went to college, got good grades, and worked hard—but I'm left wondering when it will all pay off. Does anyone else feel forgotten by the system? I'm seeking advice on how to climb out of this economic chasm and finally start the life I was promised.

I recently received a job offer for $80,000 a year in a new city, which is a significant jump from my current salary of $70,000. I was initially firm on wanting $85,000, so I was surprised when they scaled it back. Earlier this year, I was making under $65,000, and while I did receive a raise, company-wide pay cuts took most of it away. Now, HR has offered me $82,000 to stay, which is a 30% raise in just one year. They mentioned wanting to take money off the table as I make my decision, and I feel fortunate to be in this position. However, pay hasn't been my main concern; I've communicated that to HR. Any extra money I get goes into investments. I've lived in my current city for six years, and it's home to me, but I feel increasingly isolated. My best friend and coworker quit a month ago, and I have essentially no friends left, which is really weighing on me. The thought of change excites me, but I’m unsure about what to do next. HR even asked if there’s anything they could do to improve my work life, jokingly offering to bake me a cake. I want to ask for something that could make a real impact, like an office space, but there aren’t any available, and I wouldn’t want to displace someone else. I’m looking for advice on what small changes could make a big difference in my work life. I know it’s a generous offer, and I want to make the most of it, but I’m also considering the new opportunity.

I'm 30 years old and feeling completely stuck in my life. I started my first job at 25, but it didn't offer any insurance. Eventually, I landed a full-time position through a family member, which was amazing until I got arrested for a minor misdemeanor. I hired a lawyer who got me out of prison, but I lost my job shortly after. I managed to work for a bit longer, but they decided to let me go instead of suspending me. I really needed that job, and finding another one has been a struggle. After being fired, I found another job three months later, but it was a nightmare. The micromanagement and unrealistic expectations made it unbearable, and I was let go for something trivial. I was unemployed for about 6-7 months, desperately searching for work. Finally, I got my current job, but it’s only part-time with no insurance and inconsistent hours. I’m grateful to have it, but I need a full-time position with benefits. I’ve been applying to full-time jobs and have had several interviews, but they haven’t hired me. It’s frustrating, and I feel like I’m at a dead end. I can’t drive, so I’m limited to jobs I can easily reach, like in Manhattan or Hell's Kitchen. My stress levels are through the roof, and I’m willing to do anything for a decent paycheck and health insurance. I really don’t know what to do next.

I recently attended an off-site hiring event for Nordstrom and was offered a Seasonal Selling Floor position on the spot. The interviewer provided me with the onboarding paperwork, including my job title, pay, and start date of October 9th. However, I'm currently seeing my status as "Under Consideration" in Workday, and I haven't received my offer letter or any background check tasks yet. I reached out to the local store, and they confirmed that my profile is active, but the offer letter hasn't been generated yet. It's been a few days now, and with my start date approaching, I'm feeling a bit anxious. I've heard that delays can happen, especially with off-site events, but I'm not sure if this is typical. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this process. Is a 3-5 day delay common for off-site event batches? Should I just keep checking my Candidate Home and following up with the store? Also, is there a specific contact I can reach out to for more information on my offer letter? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I recently signed a conditional offer with a local utilities board last Monday, and I've been going through the pre-employment process. On Wednesday, I had my physical exam, which I passed except for a color blindness test. They asked me to get a note from my eye doctor confirming I can perform my job safely, which I took care of right away. I also underwent a urine test that day. Now, it’s Saturday, and I’m feeling anxious because the background check started, and they contacted my current employer despite my request not to. While I’m leaving my current job, it still feels like a cliffhanger. The background check came back clean except for a minor issue regarding a three-month gap at an older job, which I explained was due to doing 1099 work for that same company earlier that year. I wasn't sure if they would pull 1099 dates or full-time dates, so I reached out to clarify. Additionally, I received a 613a notice regarding a speeding ticket from two years ago. It was a minor infraction—no reckless driving and zero points on my license. I also have a minor accident from three years ago that only reported property damage, and again, no points on my license. I was expecting a call yesterday to finalize everything and set a start date, but I didn’t hear anything, and now I’m in panic mode. I did email my recruiter about the background check report, which also had a caution regarding my technical school because they don’t verify those schools. I sent my certification along with the email, and she replied with a simple "thanks, Kevin!" I’m left to assume that if there was a problem, she would have informed me. However, the uncertainty is stressing me out, especially since my current job knows I’m transitioning. I feel like the speeding ticket and the no-fault accident shouldn’t prevent me from getting this job, but the color blindness test has made me realize how particular they are. Any advice on how to handle this situation would be greatly appreciated!

I recently got promoted at my job in a large insurance company where I work in pricing for home insurance. I started my graduate role in 2024 and transitioned into pricing in May 2025. I applied for this promotion mainly to gain interview experience, never expecting to actually get it, especially since I was up against more experienced colleagues, including my best friend. To my surprise, I was offered the role, but now I’m feeling overwhelmed and doubting my capabilities. It's been a month since I took on this new position, and the pressure has been intense with tight deadlines and a lot of responsibility. My manager has reduced hours, which adds to the stress because I feel like he doesn't fully understand my skill set. I constantly worry that I’m not good enough and that I might get fired for not meeting the high expectations. I remember struggling with imposter syndrome throughout my academic journey due to a late ADHD diagnosis and poor GCSEs. Although I’ve had good reviews in my previous roles, the short time I’ve spent in this company makes me feel like I still have so much to learn. I’m terrified of being found out and regret taking this role, thinking I might have taken an opportunity away from my friend. I’m reaching out for advice, but I know deep down that this feeling of inadequacy is something I need to work through myself.

I just started my first job at a liquor store, and honestly, I'm feeling pretty miserable. I'm 19, almost 20, and after finishing a three-day unpaid training, I'm about to dive into my first 9-hour shift tomorrow, followed by two more 8-hour shifts. The schedule is packed with 5-6 hour shifts for the rest of the week, and I only have Friday off. I got this job through a family friend, and I was initially grateful, but now I'm feeling overwhelmed and depressed. Before this, I had a few short gigs in fast food and retail, but nothing lasted long. Now, I feel suffocated by the responsibilities that come with this job. I used to live a carefree life, but now I’m struggling with anxiety and unhappiness. I have hobbies I love, and the thought of not having time for them is really dragging me down. I can't ask for shorter hours since I haven't even started yet, and I fear that if I do, I might lose the job. My parents are supportive and optimistic that I'll feel better soon, but it feels like an eternity to me. I have one co-worker who's nice, but I don't know if we’ll become friends. The pressure to not disappoint my parents and the family friend who helped me get this job is weighing heavily on me. I'm considering asking my employer for part-time hours once I start school in winter, but I plan to wait a couple of months before bringing that up. I really want to gain experience, but I can't shake off this feeling of depression. I've talked to friends who work hard, and while I want to contribute too, I just feel stuck. Any advice on how to cope with this would be greatly appreciated.

I recently interviewed for a remote position with Senture and went through several steps, including a phone interview, filling out a questionnaire, and completing fingerprinting. I also received the necessary equipment for the job. They mentioned I should expect an email within two days with my login information for the eApp from either Okta or NBIS, but I haven't received that yet. Instead, I've gotten a few emails from different people, which has left me confused about whether I've officially been hired. Training is set to start this coming Monday, and I'm currently employed, so I'm trying to juggle both schedules without any clear confirmation of my new role. I've reached out to the contacts I've received emails from, but so far, no one has responded.

I recently graduated with a BTech in AI and Data Science and received an offer from TCS. However, the joining process is taking longer than expected, and I anticipate it could take another 2-3 months or more before I get my joining letter. In the meantime, I've been considering taking a temporary position at Sutherland as a tech customer support representative to gain some experience. I'm unsure if this is the right move. Should I accept the role at Sutherland while waiting for TCS?

I recently received a job offer from a local hospital, and they are using Hire Right to conduct my background verification. I worked as a nanny from 2020 to 2023, but it was under the table, so I only have Cash App transactions as proof of payment. I'm unsure whether to include this job in my employment history or leave it out. Hire Right states that I need to explain any gaps in employment over 6 months within the last 5 years, which adds to my confusion. I'm seeking advice on how to handle this situation.

I've experienced several layoffs throughout my career, and I thought it might be helpful to share my journey: 1. My first job was at a fast food restaurant during high school, where I worked my way up to manager over 9 years. I dedicated myself to the job, often putting in 60 hours a week. Eventually, the franchise owners sold the store back to the company, and I was laid off. They paid me until the end of the week and kept my insurance until the end of the month. While I was a bit disappointed with the lack of recognition for my hard work, I was also relieved to have some time off. 2. After that, I decided to pursue a career in IT. I landed an entry-level position at a large retailer, but it was a cheap company. After 4 years, they were acquired, and on the day of the layoffs, we were all taken to a hotel and informed we were let go. I received a week’s pay for every year I worked there, which was a small consolation. 3. I didn’t apply for unemployment and instead started hunting for jobs, but only found temporary work. I worked for a company for six weeks, but once the regular employees returned from vacation, I was let go. I went on another interview for a position that had no advancement opportunities, and I was relieved when I didn’t get that job. 4. Eventually, a temp agency sent me to interview with an oil company. I was thrilled when I got the job, which was the best I had at that point. However, after almost 7 years, they decided to change their accounting software and laid off many employees, including me. I was surprised when I received the call from the director's office. I had thought I was safe, but the company ended up getting bought out twice afterward. 5. After meeting someone in a different state, I moved and found a new job after a couple of months. It wasn’t the highest-paying job, but I worked three 12-hour shifts, giving me plenty of time off. When my manager discovered I was looking for other jobs, I received a 21% raise. Unfortunately, after almost 7 years, the company merged, and my position was eliminated. I stayed until the end to receive a retention bonus and got 1.5 weeks of pay for every year I worked. 6. It took a couple of months to find my next job, but it turned out to be the right fit. I was still receiving severance when I started, and I ended up working there for 22 years before retiring two years ago. I survived a major layoff in 2008 but managed to advance afterward. I had great managers and felt my work was valued. The last decade of my career really set me up for retirement. Looking back, I realize that even though layoffs can be tough, I was fortunate to have some savings to help me through the rough patches.

I'm currently navigating a chaotic job situation after owning my own business in Central Florida for 13 years. My operation was thriving until late 2024-2025 when I got shorted $400k by two contractors—one went bankrupt and the other essentially robbed me. This led to a drastic downsizing from 25 employees to just myself and one other person, and I'm now facing foreclosure on my home. The last 18 months have been incredibly tough, and I've exhausted all my savings and retirement funds trying to recover. I'll be turning 41 soon, which adds to the stress. I started applying for jobs about six weeks ago and quickly realized how dire the job market has become. Although I've received offers, the wages are shockingly low. However, I finally got an acceptable offer for a project management position at $120k with a schedule of 26 weeks on and 26 weeks off, starting on October 5th. In the meantime, a contractor I used to work with reached out and offered me a project that also starts on October 5th, which will pay around $40k for a two-week turnaround. Another contractor accepted my bid for a project worth $211k, estimated to take about 90 days. Both contractors are reliable payers, which is crucial in this industry. Additionally, I’m waiting to hear back from an engineering/design firm about a full remote position that pays $140k. I really want this job as it would allow me to finish my degree and gain valuable experience, but I don’t have it yet. On top of all this, there’s a possibility of receiving a settlement from the contractor that wronged me, which could be around $180k. My financial situation is precarious—my power was almost shut off last month—but both contractors are willing to front materials and expenses for the projects if I can sign contracts. I'm feeling overwhelmed with all these opportunities happening at once and need to make decisions quickly, as everyone wants answers by Monday. If anyone has advice or suggestions, I'm all ears!

I recently completed my job search journey in Canada, which was quite challenging due to my lack of local experience. Initially, I was hesitant about taking contract roles because many people in my network advised against them, citing instability and lack of benefits. However, I decided to give it a shot, and it turned out to be the best decision I could have made. The job market for permanent positions at major banks was incredibly competitive, and I found myself getting nowhere without any Canadian experience on my resume. Contract roles offered a much lower barrier to entry, and the hiring process was significantly quicker. Once I secured my first contract role at a big bank, everything changed. I was no longer just someone with international experience; I had relevant local experience that made me a more attractive candidate for subsequent applications. Through this contract, I gained valuable insights into the tools and processes used by Canadian banks, which enhanced my resume further. Although my first contract didn't pay well, it opened the door to a much better second contract role, which came with a significant pay increase. Ultimately, after gaining this experience, I was able to land my first permanent position just a few months ago. I learned that for those stuck in a similar situation, taking a contract role can be a strategic move to break into the job market.

I just accepted a new in-person office job that starts on Monday at 8 AM, but I'm feeling a bit anxious about the lack of reporting details. I completed the offer letter and the I-9 form, and I received a general email from HR today about getting my badge and finishing the I-9, but that process starts at 9 AM. There's also an onboarding meeting scheduled online at 10 AM. The email mentioned contacting the person who interviewed me for reporting details, but I reached out and haven't heard back since it's after hours on Friday. The only information I have about my start time is what was mentioned during the interview, which is 8 AM, but no specific confirmation was given in any of the emails. My plan is to arrive at the office around 7:40-7:45 AM, let the front desk know who I am, and ask for guidance on where to report for my first day. This is my first job, and I can't shake the feeling of being a kid waiting for my mom to finish shopping. I'm just hoping everything goes smoothly.

I just signed a contract today for a data analyst role after four months of searching. I had to step down from a lead position to a senior role and take a pay cut, but I'm grateful to have found something. During my job search, I learned a few key strategies that I think could help others. First, I focused on sending selective resumes rather than applying to every job I found. I tailored my applications to align with the roles I was interested in, sending about 10 resumes a week. I also had to get used to rejection; it was tough at first, especially when I received no responses or rejections without interviews. I revamped my LinkedIn profile, which I believe was crucial. I learned that networking is important, and having a strong profile helped attract headhunters. My headline now includes keywords like 'Advanced Analytics Lead' and 'Power BI & SQL Specialist' to catch the right eyes. Additionally, I made sure my CV was not generic. Many companies use ATS systems to filter resumes, so I tailored mine to pass those checks. I even used an AI tool to evaluate my resume against job descriptions. Understanding the job market in my area was also essential. As an expat, I had to consider my options carefully, especially since moving back to the US is not an option for my wife. I researched what roles were available and whether they matched my skills. Lastly, I kept myself busy during the search. I maintained my hobbies, kept up with relationships, and took time to relax without feeling guilty. I want to thank everyone for their posts; they've been a source of comfort knowing I'm not alone in this journey. Good luck to everyone still searching!