Got a Job

I recently started a part-time job as a customer service associate at a local retail store. I've completed a few shifts, but this week was supposed to be my official training period. During my first training shift, a fellow trainee asked our manager a question, and that’s when I learned that these training shifts are unpaid. I was completely taken aback because I’ve never encountered a situation like this before. After the shift, I did some research and found out that there are laws regarding unpaid labor, though I'm not entirely sure if my employer is violating any regulations. It seems to me that the training is mandatory since I need it to perform my job effectively. During the training, we weren’t doing any actual work; it was purely learning and observing our coworkers. I’m feeling quite disillusioned with the company for various reasons, and this unpaid training revelation has only added to my concerns. I’m seriously considering looking for other job opportunities. I’m also contemplating emailing my boss to confirm the unpaid status of the training, even though I suspect the manager was clear about it. I just find it odd that this wasn’t communicated upfront. I’ve asked a few friends about this, and opinions are mixed. Some believe I should definitely be paid for my time, while others think it’s not a big deal as long as I get paid for my shifts after training. I’m starting to think that if they’re already being shady about this, it might be time to cut my losses and find a better job.

I experienced a tough 14-month unemployment stretch between 2023 and 2024, which was the lowest point of my adult life. During this time, I found a training program in a less-than-ideal city that offered a salary of $65k. I spent a year there, feeling depressed and poor, but at least I was working. After that year, I got promoted and negotiated a move to the New York City office with a salary of $95k. A year later, I leveraged my experience to secure a local job that pays nearly $140k with fantastic benefits. While I'm not wealthy, my situation has drastically improved from those days of living at my mom's house, walking to a 7:00 a.m. shift at a gym, cleaning toilets, and struggling to pay my student loans. Now, I'm in a great city, have a nice apartment, a vibrant social life, and a promising career path. If I had known two years ago that I would be where I am now, it would have given me so much hope. I hope my story inspires others going through tough times.

I received an offer for a trainee engineer position at HP Enterprises. I'm excited about this opportunity to kickstart my career in engineering and learn from a well-respected company in the tech industry. Looking forward to starting this new chapter!

I accepted a seasonal position at Foot Locker for the back-to-school season, but it's been over 15 days with no updates. I've been trying to reach out for weeks, but no one answers the phone, even though it was the same number that called me for the interview. My email is checked daily, and the Foot Locker careers dashboard still shows my application as 'under review' since July 24. At this point, I think it's time to move on, but this situation feels really unusual.

I’ve been claiming unemployment benefits in New York since July and recently accepted a job offer, with my expected start date around September 2026. I thought that signing the contract would exempt me from having to search for work, so I didn’t engage in any job search activities while waiting for onboarding paperwork. However, I’m now worried because I received a notification that my unemployment payment was approved, but I’m unsure if I need to inform the New York Department of Labor (DOL) about my accepted job offer. I tried reaching out to them for clarification, but it’s been difficult to get through. I’d appreciate any advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation. Did you notify NY DOL about your job offer? Did you still have to complete work search activities during that waiting period? If so, how did you document those activities?

I recently started a new job after being laid off for six months. It’s been a month now, and I took a significant pay cut of $30,000. Most of my colleagues in the same role are younger than me, and even my boss and other senior staff are around my age or younger, which makes me feel a bit out of place. I’m grateful to have a job again, but I can’t shake the feeling of being at the bottom of the ladder. It’s a bit embarrassing, honestly. I’m curious if anyone else has gone through something similar and if you have any advice on how to cope with these feelings.

I lost my job as a professor in January due to a significant drop in enrollment at my university, which left me without classes to teach. I then took a contract position as a writing tutor at an elementary school, but that ended in May. Since then, I've been applying for jobs non-stop with no success. In June, I found a retail job that requires a two-hour commute, which I dislike but took out of necessity. Recently, I thought I secured a full-time position close to home after going through the interview process, only to be hired and fired within an hour. Just today, I completed my fourth interview for another full-time job nearby, but I received an email stating they are freezing the hiring process because they are unsure when they will open in my area. To make matters worse, my rent just increased, and I’m now scrambling to find a way to afford it while also looking for a roommate. I also faced three job rejections today, which has left me feeling completely exhausted. I just want to work and find a stable full-time job, but it feels incredibly difficult right now. To top it off, I received an invitation to my ten-year high school reunion, but I’m not going because I don’t want anyone to see how I feel like I’ve failed. I’m just so tired of everything.

I got laid off back in February and it took me nearly three tough months to find a new job. I was really grateful when I finally landed a position at a company that took a chance on me. The people here are fantastic, and the company culture is great, but the role itself isn't quite what I love. It's new territory for me, and while I'm learning, I feel like it's not the best fit for my skills or interests. To make matters more complicated, just a week after I started, I had to take a week of medical leave, and then I went on a three-week vacation that was planned before I was hired. The company was incredibly understanding and honored my leave, which I really appreciate. Now, I've unexpectedly received another job offer. The benefits and company culture are similar, but the new position aligns much better with my career goals and what I enjoy doing. I'm feeling really guilty about even considering leaving so soon after starting, especially given how supportive my current employer has been. I’m torn between loyalty to my current company and pursuing a role that feels like a better fit for my long-term career. Has anyone else faced a similar dilemma? Did you prioritize loyalty, or did you go for the role that suited you better? I'm worried about burning bridges if I leave this early, especially since this is a major employer in my area.

Almost three months after being laid off from my previous job, I finally accepted a position at Target. The past few months have been incredibly challenging. I've spent countless hours on LinkedIn and Indeed, tailoring resumes and cover letters, only to receive silence or rejections in return. I made it to the final round of a lengthy interview process for a role I thought I had a good chance at, but they ultimately chose someone else. In my last week of unemployment, I reluctantly started applying for jobs I never imagined I would consider, especially after spending the last decade in a field I loved. The stress and anxiety from this experience have been overwhelming, and I can't say I feel any relief about the Target offer. I feel embarrassed that this is where I’ve ended up, and I’m struggling with feelings of failure. I worry about juggling this new job, which I believe I will dislike, while still searching for a better opportunity. It’s hard to envision a positive future when I feel like I’ve taken a significant step back in my career. I just want this difficult chapter to end, but it feels like it may never happen. I’m exhausted and frustrated, especially with everything else going on in my life. It’s tough to find excitement when I’m so unhappy with my current situation.

I recently accepted a job offer after four years at my previous company, where I was quite happy. I went through three rounds of interviews over five weeks and received an offer letter that was significantly better, about $25k more than my previous salary. After signing the offer, I put in my two weeks' notice and my old company was supportive, even throwing me a little goodbye lunch. However, just three days before my start date, I received an email from the new company's HR department stating that the position had been eliminated due to restructuring, and they were rescinding the offer. This left me in a tough spot, as I had already quit my job and now found myself unemployed with rent due in just three weeks. I immediately reached out to my old manager to see if there was any chance I could return, but he mentioned that they had already begun the process to backfill my role and would need approval from his director. There are no guarantees, and I feel completely at a loss. I'm also wondering if there are any legal options available to me since I relied on their written promise of employment to my detriment. It feels incredibly unfair, and I'm left feeling angry and anxious about my financial situation.

I graduated two months ago and have been on the job hunt ever since. I've applied to over 100 positions through various platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, focusing on tailoring my CV to match job descriptions. Despite feeling confident in my applications—having received feedback from HR acquaintances—I’ve only landed two interviews. One of those resulted in a job offer, but I had to decline it because the salary wouldn’t even cover a third of my rent in the city. Currently, I'm living back at my parents' house, which feels pretty disheartening. My field of study is quite international, so there aren't many local opportunities, but I'm open to relocating for the right job. I’m feeling exhausted by the application process, especially since many companies require extensive written responses. I’m also running low on savings and relying on my parents, which adds to my stress. I’m looking for any tips or advice on how to improve my job search.

I was laid off from my position as an AI specialist due to a restructuring program. Interestingly, before I even received my termination notice, I was offered a different role as an analyst. This new position is quite a departure from my career path, and I'm feeling uncertain about how to proceed. The analyst role seems to be at risk of becoming obsolete in a few years due to advancements in AI, and it doesn't align well with my skill set. I'm reaching out for advice on whether I should accept this offer or hold out for something more in line with my experience. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I recently found myself in a bit of a dilemma after applying for two similar positions at different companies. I had an interview with Company 1, and they sent me an offer letter shortly after, which I need to respond to by Friday. However, that same afternoon, Company 2 reached out to schedule a phone interview. During the call with HR at Company 2, they indicated that everything looked promising, but I would need to meet with local management, who is currently on vacation this week. I was transparent with them about the offer from Company 1, and the HR representative appreciated my honesty, promising to expedite their decision process as best as possible. While I recognize this is a fortunate situation to be in, I'm feeling quite torn. The compensation package at Company 2 is significantly better—double the pay, double the retirement match, and double the bonus. I’m hesitant to ask Company 1 for an extension on their offer, as I fear that could jeopardize my chances. At the same time, I don’t want to accept the position at Company 1 only to potentially leave before even starting if Company 2 comes through. I'm weighing my options carefully and trying to figure out the best course of action.

I was laid off twice this year, which has been incredibly challenging. After searching for over three months, I finally secured a job, but it was a short-lived experience. I switched to a B2 visa and then reverted to my current visa status, only to be let go again after just a couple of months. Now, I'm seriously considering the option of going back home.

I recently found myself in a tough situation at my job, where I've been working for the last three years. Back in May, we were informed that our company would be closing in six months due to a larger manufacturing firm acquiring us. Since then, I've been actively applying for new positions and managed to land one interview, but unfortunately, I didn't perform well and missed the mark on salary discussions. Recently, I had a promising onsite interview with an aerospace manufacturing contractor, which led to a verbal offer. However, there are a few complications. I also applied for a tech position that had a higher pay range, but since I haven't completed my associates degree in chemical engineering and only have three years of experience, they downgraded me to a junior tech position, resulting in a lower paygrade. Their initial offer was only $2,000 more than my current salary. When I asked about negotiating the salary, HR informed me that it wasn’t possible due to my qualifications not meeting the higher tier requirements, although they assured me it was still above what they pay their juniors. I haven't signed anything yet, as they said they would send the written offer in a day or two. Adding to my dilemma, I have another interview scheduled for next Tuesday with a different company that manufactures electrical devices for the government, and they have a much higher pay range. With the verbal offer on the table, I'm torn between accepting a lateral move with minimal salary increase or holding out for a potentially better opportunity at the upcoming interview. The retention bonus from my current job is quite low, barely covering a month’s expenses, which adds to my urgency. I'm seeking advice on whether I should take the verbal offer and continue interviewing or wait for the next opportunity. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I've been working at my current company for the last three years, but in May, we were informed that we would be closing in six months due to a larger manufacturing firm acquiring us. Since then, I've been actively applying for jobs and only managed to secure one interview, which I didn't do well in because I asked about salary too early. Recently, I had a promising onsite interview with an aerospace manufacturing contractor that led to a verbal offer. However, I've hit a couple of snags. First, I applied for a tech position that offered a higher salary, but they downgraded me from intermediate to junior tech because I haven't completed my associate's degree in chemical engineering yet (I have two semesters left) and I only have three years of experience. The lower pay grade they offered was still within my desired range, but when I received the verbal offer, they only increased my salary by $2,000 annually compared to my current pay. When I inquired about negotiating the salary, HR informed me that it wasn't possible since I didn't meet the requirements for the higher tier, although they assured me I'd be earning more than their junior employees. I haven't signed anything yet; it was just a verbal agreement, and they mentioned sending the written offer in a couple of days. To complicate matters, I have another interview lined up for next Tuesday with a different firm that manufactures electrical devices for the government, and they typically offer a higher pay range than what I'm currently making. I'm in a tough spot because the verbal offer I received requires me to sign by Friday, but I'm hesitant to accept a lateral move with minimal pay increase when I have another opportunity on the horizon. Additionally, the retention bonus from my current job is quite low, barely covering one month's expenses, which is why I'm not inclined to wait for the layoff. I'm trying to figure out the best course of action here.

I recently got hired at a small skincare company in a digital marketing role after being laid off last November. My main responsibilities include managing email marketing and social media. The team is small, with only about 10 employees, and I'm really enjoying the work environment. The pay is great, and my coworkers are supportive. Plus, I have a personal interest in skincare, making this job feel like a dream come true. In just two months, I've already been asked about attending conferences and designing marketing materials, which is exciting. I would love to grow within the company and eventually move into a head of marketing position. I'm looking for advice on how to make a strong impression on my boss and set myself up for advancement. I plan to take on more marketing responsibilities to help the company grow and demonstrate my commitment.

I recently had a whirlwind experience with my job search that ended in a fantastic outcome. After sending out hundreds of applications and facing numerous rejections, I finally landed a third interview for a position at my dream company. There was only one spot available, and over 200 applicants were vying for it. The first interview felt like a vibe check, and the second was more about confirming the details on my resume. The third interview was with the team lead, and I was incredibly nervous at the start. However, once we started joking about industry quirks and discussing past projects, I began to relax. Then came the dreaded question: "What would you say is your greatest weakness?" In a moment of unexpected honesty, I blurted out that I have an irrational fear of things slowly turning around to look at me, and also the ocean. The interviewer seemed taken aback, and I rambled on about how I can't stand it when fish at the dinner table turn to face me. It was a bizarre moment, and I quickly realized I had misunderstood the question. I eventually mentioned that I sometimes experience tunnel vision at work. A week later, I received the job offer! The position is as a Rapid Prototyping Technician, focusing on CNC operation and programming. The pay is great, and it comes with full benefits, life insurance, and a 401k. On my first day, my new boss even gave me a toy fish, saying my interview was memorable. I've been in the role for almost three weeks now, and it’s exceeded all my expectations. I finally uninstalled all those job hunting apps and unsubscribed from the endless job alerts. To anyone still searching, keep pushing through!

I recently started a one-year renewable contract in Luxembourg after a tough job search post-graduation. The salary is decent, allowing me to save, but the high rent is a challenge. Unfortunately, my onboarding experience has been non-existent. I was told to come in mid-July for training, but due to holidays, I received no training at all. My team consists of four people, including my manager and another temporary employee who is leaving soon. Most of my colleagues, especially the one who was supposed to train me, have been unapproachable and often ignore me. They joke and chat amongst themselves, making me feel invisible. Just yesterday, I greeted them, but they continued their conversation without acknowledging me until 3 PM. Today, during a discussion, my colleague mentioned to another that I would likely be looking for a new job next year, which made me feel unwelcome. There was even a moment when I had to be introduced to the team because someone pointed out that I hadn't been presented yet. It's been a few weeks, and I'm already feeling isolated and concerned about my well-being. I want to stick it out for at least six months, maybe the full year, but I worry about how this experience will affect me.

I started a warehouse job just yesterday, and by my second day, I'm already looking for a way out. While I'm grateful to have secured a position after some time without work, I realize that this job isn't a long-term fit for me. The 40-hour workweek, five days a week, feels overwhelming, especially in this environment. I know I'm set to receive a raise in three months, bumping my pay from $17 to $19 an hour, and I'm planning to stick it out for at least six months. During that time, I intend to pursue a certification to transition into social media specialist roles. It’s a bit daunting, but I’m determined to make a change.