Got a Job

I recently took a job in the Bay Area, commuting from the Central Valley, which is about 118 miles one way. The first couple of months went well, but then my mother kicked me out, leaving me with a grueling 2-hour commute each way, totaling 4 hours of driving daily. I wake up at 2:30 AM just to make it to work by 5:55 AM after a quick nap in my car. At $24 an hour, I’m starting to question if this is worth it. The long hours on the road, especially over a dangerous mountain pass, are taking a toll on my mental health. I'm considering whether I should just leave the job altogether. It feels like a soul-crushing routine, and I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this up.

I recently got hired for a position, and my official start date is set for the 29th. However, I've reached out twice to confirm whether I need to report in on that day and what time, but I haven't received any clear answers. I'm feeling a bit anxious about it since I have another job to inform, and I don't want to leave them in a difficult situation by waiting until the last minute. I'm wondering how long I should wait before I follow up again to get the information I need.

I recently made the decision to quit my job at a clinic where I had been employed for the past five months. When I was hired, I was promised a full-time position, but for the last four months, I was only given part-time hours. To make matters worse, the clinic closed for two weeks, leaving me without work during that time. The communication from management has been terrible, and staffing issues have been a constant struggle. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was left alone to handle ten mental health clients, and management didn't seem to care at all about the situation. Fortunately, about two months ago, I started a new job that I absolutely love. The managers are incredibly supportive and have encouraged my goal of going to medical school. They've even talked about training me for additional medical responsibilities after my probation period. The communication is excellent, and I genuinely enjoy working with my new colleagues. I know it's time to quit my old job. I don't feel guilty about it; I feel like I was misled about the role and the lack of training was unacceptable. My only concern is whether this decision will affect my reputation in the field, but I plan to keep my resignation professional and straightforward. I intend to send a message stating, 'I am resigning from my position effective immediately. Thank you for the opportunity.'

I recently received a job offer for a part-time position in California. Before the interview, I assumed I would be working around 20 hours a week, but during the interview, I found out the pay would be $18 per hour with a maximum of just 5 hours a week, and even that was conditional on my work ability. Given that this isn't enough to support myself, I'm considering declining the offer. I'm unsure if this is a valid reason to turn it down or if I should feel obligated to accept it. Any advice would be appreciated!

I just finished my first shift at a new warehouse job, and I'm feeling really uneasy about the whole experience. I've been under a lot of stress lately due to my grandad's health issues, so I was hoping this job would be a positive change after a long job search. The pay is decent at £16 an hour, and I can handle the work itself, but the atmosphere is concerning. Right from the start, I was instructed to follow another employee and only push the trolley if asked. However, I was criticized in front of other staff for not helping out, even though I was just following orders. The supervisor also raised his voice at me when I was waiting for him to finish explaining how to bag meat products before I jumped in to help. It felt really unprofessional and made me uncomfortable. Additionally, I overheard the supervisor making inappropriate comments about non-English speakers and struggling with a colleague's name, which added to my unease. I expected a welcoming environment, especially since this is a night shift team that supposedly prides itself on being sociable, but during my break, most people sat alone and barely spoke. To top it off, another manager confronted me in front of a large group, saying she shouldn't have even interviewed me. I was late due to traffic, and I felt like I was being scrutinized unfairly. Overall, I felt disrespected and belittled rather than trained. I'm not sure if I should stick it out for a few weeks to see if things improve, raise my concerns now, or start looking for another job before I get too invested. I'm really torn about whether I'm overreacting or if this is a genuine red flag for a toxic workplace.

In the late 1990s, I was working as a technician for a large computer manufacturer. The atmosphere was tense, with constant whispers about a potential hostile takeover. At the time, I didn't fully grasp what that meant, but I could sense the unease in the office. My boss called me into his office one day and tried to reassure me, saying, "I want to assure you that you have a solid future with the company. We just don't know what that future is." That moment was a wake-up call for me. I realized that if even my boss was uncertain about the company's future, it was time to make a move. I had been considering relocating to another state, and that conversation pushed me to finally take action. I secured a new job in the state I wanted to move to, and just two months later, the company announced layoffs, letting go of everyone in my department. It was shocking to see so many talented engineers suddenly jobless, and it confirmed my decision to leave when I did.

I got laid off in March and it was a tough experience. Initially, I was in a panic mode, applying manually to about three jobs a day, which took a toll on my mental state. By week two, I discovered Tsenta and set it up to automate my applications. This was a game changer for me. From weeks three to four, I went through three recruiter screens and recalibrated my job preferences based on the feedback I received. In week five, I had two more screens and my first technical interview. Week six brought another technical interview, and I started to feel like something real was happening. By week seven, I was in the final round at a Series C company that I genuinely liked, but then week eight hit, and I experienced a lot of silence, which was nerve-wracking. Finally, in week nine, I received an offer! I sent out roughly 220 applications, went through nine recruiter screens, and ended up with one offer, which I accepted. Using Tsenta not only helped me streamline the application process but also freed up my mental space. I wasn't spending four hours a day filling out forms, which allowed me to focus my energy on the interviews that really mattered.

I recently received a full-time offer as an Engineer at the largest bank in my country, which has over 10,000 employees. I'm currently an international student and expected to graduate in June 2026. However, there's a chance I might fail a subject, which would push my graduation to December 2026 as I would need to retake the exam. The hiring manager verbally offered me the position in early June and mentioned that the earliest I could start would be in August, after their vacation in July. When I inquired about the implications of potentially not graduating on time, she said she would need to check with HR for clarity. I'm contemplating whether to delay my start date until December or request a part-time position from August to December, transitioning to full-time afterward. Given that my study visa restricts me from working full-time before graduation, I’m unsure how to navigate this situation. I would appreciate any advice from those who have faced similar challenges.

I recently gave my notice at my job in the food industry, where I've been working primarily in controlled environments like retreat centers and a senior center. With 8 years of cooking experience and 14 years in kitchens overall, I found myself increasingly stressed due to a moody boss and being part of an understaffed team. Everyone was just trying to survive their shifts. The only upside was the pay, which was decent. Now, I'm about four days into my two-week notice after accepting a Food Prep Cook position at a high-end restaurant. The pay is slightly lower than my current $23 per hour, but the better hours and improved work-life balance are worth it to me, especially since I have a family and I’m also a gigging musician. I initially found the job on Indeed, which advertised a pay range of $20-24 per hour. After I applied, the General Manager reached out, impressed with my experience, and set up an interview with the Sous Chef. The interview was brief but friendly, and I expressed my desire for a job that fit my work-life balance better. I mentioned my current pay rate, and she suggested they could offer me $21-22 per hour. After a short conversation, I was offered the job, and I immediately gave notice at my current position once I received the onboarding link. However, I haven't received a formal written job offer—everything has been done through an app. I reached out to the Head Chef to confirm my start date and salary, but he didn't respond and later told me I would start at $18 per hour, like all new hires, despite my extensive experience. They mentioned that I could renegotiate after 90 days, but I feel misled and blindsided by this situation. Currently, I have completed all onboarding processes and am likely scheduled for training next week, but without a formal commitment from them, I feel it’s wise to keep my options open and continue searching for other opportunities.

I recently started my first job as an art teacher at a brand new school in my country, which is still under construction. I was excited to focus solely on teaching art, as I had prepared a full curriculum and study methods. However, during a meeting with the other teachers, I was unexpectedly assigned additional roles. They asked me to also teach IT, despite my lack of experience in computing, simply because I know how to use software like Corel Draw and Photoshop. On top of that, I was appointed to handle media duties and assist with administrative work because of my skills with Photoshop. This means I now have four roles to juggle, while most of my colleagues have only three. I’m feeling overwhelmed and confused, as this was not what I signed up for. Additionally, the salary is incredibly low—less than $23 a month, which is just enough for transport and not a real salary. I was hoping to have time for self-improvement and possibly freelance work, but with all these new responsibilities, I’m worried I won’t have any time left for myself. Is this kind of situation normal in the workplace? I’m really struggling to understand the norms since this is my first job.

I recently received a job offer that I was eagerly waiting for, which was a huge relief for me. However, when I went to complete the background check, I noticed that they mentioned they 'may' run a credit report. My credit history isn't great; I've faced significant challenges since COVID, including being sued for debts, having a vehicle repossession (which I've paid off), and dealing with charge-offs and collections. I'm really worried that my credit issues will jeopardize this opportunity. I'm trying to turn my life around, and this job is a crucial step for me to pay off my debts. Now, I'm feeling anxious and uncertain about the outcome of the background check.

I received a call yesterday informing me that I’ve been offered a position at a company I interviewed with. However, they mentioned that the official offer letter might take a few days to arrive. I’m considering whether I should send a thank you email now or wait until I get the offer letter. I already expressed my gratitude after the interview, but I’m unsure if it’s appropriate to send another thank you at this stage. Most advice I’ve seen suggests waiting until I have the official offer in hand, as it might seem premature to thank them for a letter that hasn’t arrived yet. I plan to follow up if I don’t hear back in the timeframe they provided.

I recently resigned from a toxic role where I felt my career progression had stalled. I wasn't actively looking for a new job, but after an external hire was brought in above me to oversee my work, I decided it was time to move on. I accepted a new position that offered a 40% pay increase and a better title. After I submitted my resignation, my manager reached out within 30 minutes, asking if I would reconsider. Less than a day later, a VP-level HR leader, who had previously been hard to reach, scheduled a one-on-one meeting with me. While no counteroffer has been made yet, I sense that one might be coming. I'm torn about whether to consider a counteroffer from a company that only acted once I decided to leave. I’ve heard mixed opinions on this, with some advising against it entirely. Given the circumstances, I'm leaning toward sticking with the new opportunity, but I'm curious if anyone else has faced a similar situation and what their decision was.

I just received a job offer for a position that I applied for about a month ago, and I have mixed feelings about it. The company is offering me $21.42 an hour, which translates to around $44,000 a year. While I appreciate the opportunity, I'm feeling disappointed because I had indicated on my application that I would accept a minimum salary of $50,000. I have a bachelor's degree and over seven years of customer service experience, so I believe my qualifications warrant a higher pay, especially since the standard livable wage in my area is around $47,000 for a single person. This job is with the court system and only requires a high school diploma and a year of customer service experience, which I meet. However, I'm really struggling with the idea of negotiating the offer. I tend to be a people pleaser, and I'm anxious about potentially losing the job if I try to ask for more. Currently, I'm living with family, which is not ideal, and I really want to move out and be independent. I’m looking for advice on how to approach this negotiation or if I should just accept the offer as is and keep searching for better opportunities. I’ve heard mixed opinions about the job market right now, and I'm worried that if I push too hard, they might rescind the offer. Any insights on how to handle this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I recently gave my two weeks' notice at my job as an inside sales representative, and my last day is in just three days. I’ve been with the company for about a year and a half, and my goal has always been to transition to an outside sales role. After asking about this move several times, I was met with vague responses about market conditions and company priorities, which led me to start looking for other opportunities. I ended up accepting a job offer from a different company in a similar industry. I informed my manager about my decision three weeks ago to give them enough time to find a replacement for my position, especially since I had just been promoted to senior inside sales and taken on additional responsibilities. Now, just three days before I’m set to leave, my boss calls me with an offer for the outside sales role I’ve been wanting. While I’m tempted to stay, I’ve already completed most of the onboarding paperwork for my new job. I know that since my new role is 'at will,' I could technically back out, but I’m unsure about the implications of doing so. The advice I’ve received from others suggests that my current company’s late offer is a sign of desperation, and they should have presented it to me much earlier. They’ve shown their true colors by waiting until now to make this offer, and I’m worried that accepting it might lead to future issues. I’m considering my options carefully as I navigate this situation.

I just received an offer for a new job that pays $10,000 more than my previous position! After submitting nearly 400 applications, I finally found success. It feels amazing to see the hard work pay off, and I want to encourage everyone else out there who is job hunting to keep pushing through. There is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel! I'm excited to start this new chapter in my career.

I recently received a job offer from PwC, but I'm currently in limbo waiting for the background check to finalize. In the meantime, my current employer has assigned me to a new project and is investing a lot of training into me, especially since two team members have left. I feel guilty about potentially leaving them hanging after they've put so much effort into my development. I'm torn between staying quiet until the background check clears or being upfront about my situation. I'm leaning towards keeping it to myself for now, as I don't want to risk losing my current job if the background check doesn't go through.

After 11 months of searching, I finally received a job offer last week. It was a long and challenging journey, but I kept a detailed job tracker throughout the process, which I highly recommend to anyone in a similar situation. Here are the numbers from my job search since July 2025: I sent out a total of 607 applications, averaging about 13-20 per week. I created 427 unique files, including custom cover letters and resumes. Out of those applications, only 10 companies reached out for recruiter screenings, which is about 1.6%. I advanced to interviews with 6 companies (around 1%), and made it to final rounds with 3 (approximately 0.5%). Ultimately, I received 1 job offer, which is about 0.16% of my total applications. Throughout this time, I was browsing various forums for support, and reading about others' struggles was tough. I have over 10 years of experience and an advanced degree, and I was primarily looking for remote roles, which made the search even more competitive. The emotional toll of constant rejections was heavy, but I learned a lot and adjusted my approach significantly in the final months. One key takeaway I want to share: assume that none of your applications will be read by a human unless you actively reach out. I did a lot of networking on LinkedIn, but if I could do it all over again, I would significantly increase my outreach efforts, even if it meant applying to fewer jobs. It's essential to treat your job tracker like a CRM tool and engage in targeted outreach as part of a campaign. To anyone still searching, keep your head up. If you're qualified and facing numerous rejections, remember that the issue often lies within the broken system, not with you. The only way out is through.

I had a video call interview last week for a security officer position, and I was thrilled when I got offered the role and accepted it immediately. However, the next step was a bit of a nightmare due to the reference process. I needed to provide a reference from a recent employer or my college, so I opted for my college since I'm on a zero-hour contract with my current job. I submitted my application and provided my college's contact details for the reference. Unfortunately, my college was incredibly slow to respond. After waiting for a while, I decided to call them to expedite the reference confirmation. To my surprise, they claimed they had already responded, but my new employer still hadn't received the confirmation. It turned out that my college had mistakenly forwarded my details to a different department meant for adult learners, which complicated things further. My employer kept emailing me about the lack of confirmation, so I had to reach out to that department and explain the situation, only to find out they didn’t even have my records. It was incredibly frustrating and made the whole process much more complicated than it needed to be.

I recently started a new job after a year of not working, and I've been there for about two months now. However, I'm still on the lookout for better opportunities. I'm debating whether to include this new job on my CV or leave it out and only show my previous job from a year ago. My concern is how potential employers might view my job search so soon after starting a new position. I’ve heard that it could be seen negatively, as it may suggest that I’m not committed or that I frequently change jobs. I'm looking for advice on whether to include this short-term role on my CV or not.