Got a Job

I accepted a verbal offer for a position at a company with around 5,000 employees on Friday morning at 11 AM. Now it's Monday at 1 PM, and I haven't received any written confirmation from the recruiter yet. I'm starting to feel a bit anxious about the delay. I understand that it might take some time for the offer to go through legal and HR processes, but I can't help but wonder if I should be concerned about the lack of communication. I plan to give it a day or two before I follow up.

I recently found myself in a confusing situation at work. I was placed on a performance improvement plan (PIP) without my knowledge back in April due to tardiness issues. Initially, I was told that for 30 days, I just needed to inform my manager if I was running late. After those 30 days, my manager informed me that I was all set, and the corrective action notice was removed from my employee account, which led me to believe the PIP was over. However, when raises and bonuses were announced a month later, I was shocked to learn that I was disqualified due to the PIP, despite being told I was one of the higher performers in the state. I had a performance meeting today where my manager mentioned that she would take me off the PIP in August, which left me taken aback. I reminded her of our earlier conversation in May where she said I was done with the PIP, but she insisted it had been extended and that I needed to work on resolving issues at work. To add to the stress, I've been dealing with workplace bullying and have been sent home a few times due to panic attacks. My manager suggested I manage my stressors better, which felt dismissive. I'm feeling really confused and frustrated right now. Fortunately, I do have a new job offer on the table, and I was planning to give my notice soon, but honestly, I'm just ready to move on from this situation.

I recently accepted a job offer and signed the contract, which included my roles, duties, pay, and start date. However, after signing, the new employer requested references, including one from my current employer. I was hesitant to provide that since I haven't resigned yet, but they agreed to wait. Now, as my start date approaches, they are insisting on contacting my current employer for a reference. This feels unusual to me, as I've never encountered this situation before. I did some research and found that many people consider it a red flag. The prospective employer claims it's standard practice in their area and necessary for their process. To complicate matters, my previous employer shared that the new company is asking not just for proof of employment but also about my performance and weaknesses. I'm unsure how to proceed.

After being laid off for six years, I decided to apply for a job just to see what would happen. To my surprise, I got the position on my very first try! I'm 51 years old and honestly, I approached this with an IDGAF attitude, which made the whole process feel less stressful. It's absolutely hilarious to me that I landed a job so quickly after such a long break. I'm excited to see where this new opportunity takes me!

I’ve been working as a Technical Account Manager for the past year at my current company, where I’ve been for four years in total. I’ve seen gradual raises and moved up from tier 1/2 roles. Currently, I’m pursuing my Master's in Cybersecurity, which has been a significant commitment. Recently, I received an offer from a well-known bank to join their fraud department, which comes with a $10k salary increase. The position offers a work-from-home option but has unique hours—either a second shift or a four-day work week with afternoons to late nights from Monday to Friday, or mornings to afternoons from Wednesday to Saturday. I’m feeling conflicted about making this transition. Although the new role seems like a great opportunity, I’m scared to leave my current job, where I’ve become quite comfortable, even complacent. Lately, I’ve noticed that my passion for my work has dwindled, and I’ve made a few mistakes that I know I could have avoided. It feels like I’m not fully engaged anymore, and that’s concerning. I’m reaching out for advice on whether I should take the leap and accept the new job offer or stick with my current role.

I recently received an offer for a paid trial for a remote engineering role with a very early-stage startup focused on AI products. I'm 18, based in India, and finishing my exams soon. I've been working on software and AI systems for a few years, including backend systems and robotics projects, and I'm currently involved with a small technical organization. I'm eager to find a full-time engineering position after my exams. The founder of the startup, which has a small team of around 4-5 people, expressed interest in my technical background and energy. The role is quite broad, involving backend and AI work, product engineering, and even customer interactions, which is typical for a small team still figuring things out. We discussed a paid trial period before moving to a formal full-time role. Initially, it was set for two months, but we negotiated it down to one month. The founder assured me that the trial would involve meaningful work, and the compensation for the full-time role would be determined based on my performance during this period. The rough salary mentioned for the full-time position was around ₹15 lakh CTC, but I initially suggested something in the range of ₹22-24 lakh due to the undefined nature of the role. I’m genuinely interested in the product and the remote work setup, so I would consider ₹15 lakh if the work is technically strong and the terms are fair. However, I have some concerns about the trial structure. Before I accept, I plan to ask for clarity on: - The exact monthly payment during the trial - Expected working hours and availability - Specific scope and deliverables - Reporting structure and evaluation criteria - The decision date for conversion to a full-time role - Details on fixed salary, variable pay, and equity terms after conversion I'm trying to gauge whether this trial structure is a reasonable approach for a startup or if it indicates a lack of role definition. My goal is to protect myself while remaining open to this unique opportunity.

I’ve been feeling really stuck in my current job situation. For years, I tried to build a freelance writing career, hoping to gain some autonomy and not be tied down to a company or NGO. I was making progress until AI took off, which made it harder to find opportunities. A couple of months ago, I had to find work again and, within a week, I landed a job in my field. I recognize how lucky I am to have a job after a long time without one. However, now that I’m two months in, I’m feeling exhausted and disillusioned. I forgot how overwhelming my field can be, and I’m learning more about its problematic aspects, which is making my experience even worse. I know I should feel grateful for this opportunity, and I do, but I can’t shake the feeling of misery that’s creeping back in. I remember how unhappy I was the last time I worked here, and while I blamed it on personal issues, I’m starting to realize that the workload and the draining nature of the job were significant factors. Now, I feel trapped and out of options. I have some ideas for other income sources, but they take time to develop and are uncertain. I’m telling myself to stick it out, but I can’t help but wonder if the problem lies with me. It feels like the system is broken when we have to choose between being unemployed or miserable at work. I would appreciate any advice, encouragement, or shared experiences from others who have been in a similar situation.

I started my first full-time job at a restaurant on July 29, and I'm currently in my trial period. I have a doctor's appointment on August 9 that I can't change, so I asked my manager on my first day how to request days off. He directed me to the head chef, who said it was fine as long as I coordinated with a coworker. I spoke to her the next day, and she confirmed it was manageable. However, on the night of August 1, I received a message from someone who handles shifts, telling me I was scheduled to work on August 9. I immediately informed her about my doctor's appointment, which I had already communicated to the head chef and my coworker. No one had mentioned that I needed to contact this person for shift requests, and I hadn’t even met her until that night. She said it should be okay for me to take the day off, but she would get back to me. This whole situation has left me feeling frustrated and questioning whether I should quit. I never intended to stay at this job long-term, but the lack of communication and clarity is making me reconsider everything. I’m not sure if I’m overreacting, but I feel like quitting might be a rash decision.

I recently faced a tough situation with my spouse, who was laid off from a solid job about six weeks ago. Since then, he has applied to over 100 positions and managed to secure around 20 interviews, which I think is pretty impressive given the current job market. However, he just received an offer that isn't great at all. It comes with a 30% pay cut, and to make matters worse, there’s no health insurance or 401k benefits included. The commute is also a hassle, taking 35 minutes each way, and they only offer one week of PTO. While we can manage some of these downsides, the lack of PTO is particularly concerning. We still have about eight weeks of severance left, and typically, he would take this job while continuing to search for something better. But the reality is, if he takes this position, how will he find time to interview for other roles? It’s a really difficult decision to make.

I recently received a job offer after my spouse was laid off about six weeks ago. He has applied to over 100 positions and managed to secure around 20 interviews, which feels like a stroke of luck in this tough job market. However, the offer we received is concerning. It comes with a 30% pay cut, and the benefits are quite poor—there's no health insurance or 401k, and only one week of PTO. The commute is also a bit long at 35 minutes. While we can manage some of these issues, the limited PTO is particularly frustrating. With about eight weeks of severance left, we’re weighing whether to accept this job while he continues to search for something better. The dilemma lies in how he would manage interviews if he takes this position. It's a tough decision.

It's been a year since I was laid off from my role as a product manager at a well-respected company, and the pain still lingers. I had a promising career trajectory, and my product was well-loved by customers, friends, and family. After the layoff, I managed to find a new position at a startup, but it's not the same. The product here feels like a grift, and I often find myself longing for the validation and excitement I had before. I avoid LinkedIn because seeing my former colleagues thrive only amplifies my feelings of inadequacy. I struggle to explain my current job to friends without feeling embarrassed. I question whether this sadness and fear of missing out will ever fade, and I wish I could simply appreciate having a job again.

I recently moved to Los Angeles about two months ago and have been on the hunt for a part-time job since I'm a student. After a few weeks of searching, I finally landed a job today after completing a three-day trial shift. However, I'm not thrilled about this position as it's not what I ideally want to do. I have two interviews lined up for roles that I actually find appealing, but I'm worried that if I reject this current offer, the other companies might ghost me again, leaving me without any job at all. My parents suggested that I should accept this current position and quit later if I get a better offer. I'm just concerned about how it would look to my employer if I only work there for about 15 days before quitting. Will they even let me leave that quickly?

I was laid off two months ago and recently received my first job offer for a Node.js backend developer position with a salary of 38 LPA. While this seems like a step up from my last CTC of 32 LPA in Noida, I'm feeling uncertain about a few aspects. The company plans to deduct 12% for provident fund on my basic salary and gratuity, which is making me hesitate. Additionally, the job requires me to relocate to Powai, Mumbai. I don't have any EMIs and live a low-maintenance lifestyle, so financially I could manage. However, I'm torn about whether to accept this offer or wait for potentially better opportunities. The company operates in the insurance domain and uses the same tech stack I’m familiar with, but I find myself a bit bored with it. The discomfort of being unemployed is weighing on me, and I'm struggling to make a decision. Should I take this offer and keep looking for something better, or hold out for a different opportunity?

I just quit my job, effective immediately, at a corporate place I started working at in May. This was my first time quitting a job like this, but I couldn't handle it anymore. The environment felt like a soul-sucking nightmare, where making money was prioritized over genuine care for employees. I was overwhelmed with extra tasks while my manager barely did their part, relying on me and another colleague to pick up the slack. Thankfully, I received an offer to return to a previous job where I worked part-time, and now I'll be transitioning to full-time while also training for a managerial position. I'm also preparing for my LPN program in the Spring, and I feel like new opportunities are opening up for me. It feels incredibly freeing!

I recently found myself in a challenging situation at my current job in healthcare HR. I've been with this small, chaotic organization for about six months after taking a significant pay cut due to a layoff. Despite the chaos, I ended up managing a wide range of responsibilities that go beyond my HR role, including supervising problem employees and handling marketing tasks. I’ve been looking for a new opportunity and finally received an offer that includes a 40% pay increase and a better title, which I signed. However, just as I was preparing to give my two weeks' notice, I inherited a personal crisis that requires me to travel during the second week of my notice period. I’m concerned about how to handle this without burning bridges, especially since the company has a contract with a well-known consultant in our niche. I want to maintain a professional image and not be seen as unprofessional. I’m considering giving them just one week's notice and wrapping up what I can, but I also think about offering to be available for a few hours during the second week if needed. I’m torn because I know that notice is just a courtesy, and companies often let people go without any warning. I just want to make sure I leave on good terms.

I recently started a new full-time job after working part-time for about two years at a shop that specialized in used goods and smartphone repairs. It's only been two days in this new role, but I already find myself longing to return to my old workplace. At my previous job, the environment was cramped and cluttered, and while the pay and benefits weren't the best, I truly connected with the staff and had a lot of respect for both the manager and the owner. They prioritized customer service over profits, which resonated with me. We had a relaxed atmosphere where we could chat, enjoy snacks, and even use the store's money to buy refreshments. It felt like a warm, human workplace. I had the opportunity to take a full-time position there but declined because I didn't want to build my career in the used-goods sector, thinking I could find a better fit elsewhere. Now, at my current job, while I appreciate the reduced overtime and potential for better pay in the future, I feel disconnected from the manager and my colleagues. There's a lack of small talk, and the focus seems more on profit than on serving customers, which feels uncomfortable for me. I understand the necessity of running a business that way, but it doesn't align with my values. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this desire to return to a previous job. How did you handle it?

I started a summer job in May, working under a 60-hour contract for three weeks. During the interview, I was assured that regardless of the contract type, I would have the opportunity to work more hours than guaranteed. My manager confirmed this when I started, saying I could work as much as I wanted if I expressed my desire for more hours. However, despite my monthly requests to increase my hours, I've consistently only received around 60-65 hours per rotation. Recently, our new schedule showed that almost every employee, including myself, has been assigned fewer hours than our contracts stipulate. This is a clear violation of our employment agreement, and I'm entitled to full pay for the contracted hours, even if the shifts aren’t provided. I spoke to a coworker about this issue, but he’s hesitant to bring it up to management, fearing it would add more stress to our already supportive managers. I understand that the company may have overhired due to expected sales increases, but I find it hard to believe that a large company in this field can't afford to honor our contracts. While I appreciate my managers and don’t want to create problems for them, I also feel the need to stand up for my rights as an employee. I wish there was a way to address this issue directly with higher management without involving my kind managers. Financially, I’m in a tough spot since I had planned to save most of my earnings for university, but now I’m struggling to cover my living expenses after moving out due to renovations at home.

I recently landed my second job using a data-backed approach to my job search, and I wanted to share my experience in hopes it helps others. I'm a data science graduate from the class of 2022. I was previously employed at a firm on the West Coast but was laid off in early 2024. After that, I spent nearly a year applying to jobs and faced a lot of rejections, which was pretty devastating. It wasn't until recently that I realized I had been applying blindly without leveraging my data science skills effectively. To improve my job application success, I developed a testing methodology that involved running a regression model to identify key factors influencing successful applications. I defined a successful job application as receiving a reply after submission. I hired two interns to help apply on platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, and I also utilized four automatic application tools for sites like ZipRecruiter and Glassdoor. Each of us applied to about 40 to 50 jobs daily, tracking our progress with unique emails. I used the free version of Breezy HR ATS to analyze which resume formats were most effective. Through my research, I discovered that tailoring a resume to a specific job role significantly impacts ATS rankings. I used an NLP web scraper to identify popular resume formats in the industry and created three versions: UniTalent, LaTeX, and RenderCV. Over 120 days, we collectively submitted about 28,844 applications, categorized by posting time: jobs posted within 24 hours, those over a week old, and those over a month old. Our overall response rate was about 5.8%, with 1,670 positive responses. The results showed that tailored resumes with relevant keywords performed best, and timing was crucial—applications submitted within the first hour of posting had the highest response rates. Interestingly, I found that the format of the resume also played a significant role in the response rate. The UniTalent format yielded the highest number of positive responses, followed by LaTeX and RenderCV. This experience has taught me a lot about the job application process and the importance of using data to inform my approach.

After three and a half months of applying for jobs with no responses, I am thrilled to share that I am finally employed! I applied for a position at a local hospital in early July, which stated that no experience was necessary. Almost two weeks later, I received a text and an email from their AI hiring assistant to schedule a phone interview. I picked the earliest slot available, which was a week later. The phone interview went well; the recruiter walked me through the job specifics to ensure I understood the role, including the location, hours, and pay. They also asked a few standard interview questions. At the end of the call, I was scheduled for an in-person interview and informed about the expected timeline for a decision. The in-person interview took place just two days after the phone interview, and it followed a similar format—confirming job details and discussing duties. The recruiter mentioned that they typically make hiring decisions within 48 hours. My in-person interview was on a Thursday, and by the following Monday, I received a call with a job offer! I connected with the recruiter on Wednesday, signed the offer letter, and now I have a start date. I feel a mix of nerves and excitement, but mostly gratitude. I won't have a car after this month, which adds some stress to my situation, so I'm currently searching for an apartment near my new job that will accept my offer letter as proof of income. Thank you to everyone who has supported me during this journey!

I recently took on a second job in retail on Sundays to help make ends meet while my partner is in trade school. I’m currently onboarding and training for this role, but circumstances have changed quite a bit. Right after I got hired, my partner received an assistantship that could lead to a full-time position once they graduate in about a month. Now, I'm questioning how to handle this situation. I have a full-time salaried job, and my field values relevant experience over a long work history, so I'm not overly concerned about any professional repercussions. However, I’m still unsure if I should keep this second job or let it go. I've received some advice suggesting I stick with it through the holiday season, as I might be able to pick up extra hours leading up to Christmas. This makes sense since my partner's future earnings are uncertain, and I want to ensure we have some financial stability. I appreciate the input from others and will likely keep the job for now.