Miscellaneous

I've been out of work for several months now, and it's starting to take a toll on my mental health. I've been feeling desperate and even paranoid about my job prospects. Recently, I considered asking a friend to pose as an HR representative and call my former employer to see what they would say about me. I know it sounds a bit extreme, but I just want to understand how I'm being perceived. I’ve heard mixed opinions on this approach. Some people have done it successfully, but there are risks involved, like them finding out the truth if they check the phone number. I also learned there are companies that offer this service professionally, but they charge a fee. It’s a tough situation, and I'm just trying to figure out the best way to move forward.

I recently accepted a job offer in New England and signed a letter of intent, which required me to relocate to a much smaller city. I gave notice at my current job, where I've been employed in a large city with a population of over 2 million. However, I've hit a snag with the new employer's HR department regarding my background check. During the second interview, I was informed that the role now requires self-travel in my own vehicle 2-3 days a week instead of the originally mentioned 1 day per week. Despite this change, I felt the position was a good fit and accepted the offer. Now, HR has flagged an issue with my driving record stemming from an accident that occurred 24 years ago. The accident was not my fault; I was involved in a situation where an older man suddenly stopped in front of me, claiming I rear-ended him, but the police did not issue me a ticket as it was clear I was not at fault. I later found out that my insurance paid him $35k without my knowledge. HR is saying that this old accident is a problem and that they need to meet with their committee to discuss it further. My employment is currently on hold until they make a decision. I’ve had multiple jobs over the last 20+ years, including roles with similar travel requirements, and this issue has never been raised before. I’m left wondering how long an employer can hold such an old incident against me and if this is a case of small-town mentality.

I am a 38-year-old service employee based in upstate New York, close to NYC, and I'm currently seeking advice on my job search. My background primarily lies in food service, where I've spent around 15 years working in grocery stores, specifically in the deli and bakery sections. In these roles, I held supervisory and management positions, which involved writing schedules, maximizing sales, balancing inventory shrinkage, and updating planograms. I also have experience as a line cook for a year. Additionally, I've worked as a security guard and later as a supervisor for about three years, and most recently, I've been in luxury hospitality. My current role involves room service, upkeep, and special accommodations, requiring me to coordinate with multiple departments daily while working outdoors in various weather conditions. I want to avoid kitchen work as I find the environment challenging, and I prefer jobs that offer a change of scenery rather than being stuck at a desk. I’m open to working overnights if I have a consistent schedule, but I struggle with driving larger vehicles due to anxiety. I’m also considering certifications or further education but need to ensure I can pay my bills, especially now that I’ve just had my first child. My goal is to find a stable position that allows me to grow my career without needing an elaborate lifestyle. I have a high school diploma and am eager for any insights or suggestions on potential job paths.

I’ve been reflecting on the current job market after the recent layoffs in my company, where I worked in a tech role. Many of my colleagues were let go, and I’ve been curious about their experiences in finding new jobs. It seems like a lot of companies are citing AI advancements as a reason for downsizing, which makes me wonder how this is affecting the job search for those impacted. Are they landing offers that come with a salary increase compared to their previous compensation? Or are they having to pivot to entirely different careers? I’m particularly interested in how seasoned professionals are navigating this situation and what trends are emerging in the industry. It feels like a challenging time, and I’d love to hear more about what others are experiencing.

I’ve been working at my current company for about three months now, and I’m feeling really frustrated. Despite my efforts to be professional, patient, and polite, I haven’t been assigned any new clients. Every time I check in, I get the same response: "nothing new yet." As a result, I’ve had zero income during this time. It’s disheartening because I’ve always believed in being honest and genuine in the workplace, but it seems like the job market rewards those who can sell themselves and play the game. I’m struggling with the idea that maybe I need to change who I am to succeed. I’m at a crossroads now and wondering if I should keep pushing for opportunities here or if it’s time to move on. I’m really looking for advice from anyone who’s been in a similar situation. How did you handle it? Staying silent isn’t working for me anymore.

I was laid off by GlobalLogic on May 18th, marking the end of my first real job after grad school. I spent my days scoring AI responses, and honestly, I realized that the traditional 40-hour work week just isn't for me. I took this remote job out of necessity, as I was facing eviction just a month prior. Things took a turn when our workload dwindled, and we found ourselves filling out forms every 15 minutes to report that we had no tasks. There was a lot of shady behavior from management, with sudden changes to guidelines and quality scores that were never clearly communicated. It felt like a ticking time bomb, and I had a gut feeling that my layoff was imminent. Sure enough, the HR guy called me at 8 AM to inform me that the previous day was my last. I didn't cry immediately; it felt surreal, but later that day, after indulging in some comfort food from Doordash and talking to my mom, the reality hit me hard. It stung that they delivered the news right after I woke up, and even worse, I was let go on a Tuesday, just shy of completing my second week for a full paycheck. I'm feeling mixed emotions about it all. On one hand, I'm relieved to escape the early mornings and have more time for meals and job searching. On the other hand, I miss the steady paycheck and my coworkers, who were genuinely nice people. Thankfully, my cohort agreed to connect on LinkedIn once layoffs began, so I won't lose touch completely. With my apartment lease ending on July 31st, I'm torn between moving back in with my family, who live two hours away, and facing the uncertainty of my next steps. I miss my mom's cooking and my grandma, who has always been like a second mother to me. I'm also contemplating applying for food stamps again, though I know Texas isn't the most supportive state for that kind of help. I hesitated to share my layoff experience because it's still a lot to process, and I didn't want to face any judgment about my degree or career path. I'm currently waiting to hear back from the unemployment office, as they haven't received any response from my former employer yet.

I recently started a job as an auditor at my local tax inspection office, and it's been a tough four months. At just 24 years old and fresh out of university with a degree in political sciences, I find myself feeling burnt out and stressed, even experiencing physical symptoms of exhaustion. One major issue is that I wasn't trained in tax legislation, which makes my job feel overwhelming. My coordinator has high expectations, expecting me to perform flawlessly and quickly, which feels incredibly unfair given my lack of experience. There have been moments where I felt humiliated, like when she scolded me for a mistake I didn't even make. The upper management adds to the stress, with discussions about monitoring employees' time down to the minute, including lunch breaks. The pay is not great, and I've heard that salary increases are almost nonexistent for the first three years, with only minor raises afterward. I’ve been hesitant to leave because I spent six months searching for this job, and I know the job market in my area is limited since I don't live in the capital city. Some days, I can get through the workday just to earn my paycheck, but other days, I find myself crying on the way to and from work. It feels like I’m in a toxic relationship with my job, and I'm seeking advice on whether I should leave or stick it out while I search for something better.

I recently had a really frustrating experience interviewing for an Assistant Store Manager position at Lovisa. After being strung along for weeks, I finally had my interview with the District Manager (DM), and it was one of the most unprofessional encounters I've ever faced in my management career. To start, I was left in the dark for nearly two weeks after the interview without any communication, even after I followed up. But honestly, the ghosting was the least of my worries. During the interview, the DM made some shocking comments that raised serious red flags. When I shared my salary expectations, she responded with the classic line about needing to check with her boss about whether Lovisa could afford me. I expected some transparency about salary bands, but that was just the beginning. What really took me aback was how she began to openly criticize her own staff. She complained about one of her stores, saying the team was 'so slow' at learning new things that it took them '6 months' to catch on. Then, she looked at me and said she prefers hiring people with 'common sense,' implying that her current employees lack any capability. Hearing a DM talk negatively about her team to an outsider was shocking and showed a complete lack of leadership integrity. If she speaks like that about her team to a stranger, it makes me question how she would talk about me behind closed doors. Overall, I would advise anyone considering a job at Lovisa to think twice and explore other options. This experience has left a sour taste in my mouth, especially with the ongoing litigation issues they're facing in Australia and New Zealand regarding wage withholding.

Today, I made the tough decision to resign from my job due to mental exhaustion and overwhelming workload. I have been in my role for 2 years and 3 months, primarily working with SQL, Db2, and SAS reporting. Although I have a notice period of 3 months, I am available to start a new job immediately since I don't have another offer lined up. I’m feeling a bit lost on how to effectively secure a new position in this challenging job market. I would appreciate any advice on how to proceed with my job search.

I’ve been feeling really lost in my job search lately. I’ve been working in retail for the past four years, and I got the job without an interview—just clicked apply and they hired me. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, but it feels like I have no idea how to leverage it to find a better job. Whenever I mention my degree, people seem surprised that I’m still in retail, and it makes me feel inadequate. I’ve looked at software roles, but the qualifications seem impossible to meet, and even entry-level IT positions like help desk jobs feel out of reach. I don’t have a proper resume tailored for tech jobs; I’ve only got a basic one for my service industry experience. I’m thirty years old and have been in this line of work for over a decade, so I feel stuck. I’m overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. The support system around me feels non-existent. The government doesn’t seem to care about underemployment, and my university has basically washed their hands of me since I graduated. I’m at a loss for how to move forward and can’t think of a path that would help me earn more than $24 an hour. I really want to know how others are finding decent-paying jobs because I feel like all my options are closed off.

I was laid off yesterday after nearly 7 years at a tech consulting company. My position was moved offshore as part of a cost-cutting measure, and I received no severance. As the head of a household with a wife and a toddler, this sudden change has left me feeling incredibly stressed, especially since I now have to cover health insurance costs out of pocket, which I’ve found can exceed $1500 a month. I've been reading through this sub to see how others cope after a layoff, and many suggest taking some time to relax before diving into the job search. However, I find it hard to relax with so many uncertainties looming over me. The job market seems bleak, and I’m worried about when I’ll find another position. My experience has primarily been in client relationships, project management, and customer success, rather than technical roles, which adds to my confusion about what jobs I should be applying for. I’m also contemplating whether I should pivot to a new direction or up-skill in some way, but I’m overwhelmed with questions and don’t know where to start. How do others manage to take a step back and relax in times like this? I’m feeling pretty frantic.

After nearly a year of searching, I finally landed a job! I secured two temporary assignments that will run back-to-back through October 2027. The work is engaging, and I’m excited about the opportunity to gain valuable skills and expand my professional network. This was my fourth job search and definitely the longest one. Health constraints have complicated my professional journey, making it even more challenging. I faced a lot of rejection during interviews, which was tough and felt personal at times, especially as an introvert. To tackle this, I started using AI tools more extensively. I analyzed job descriptions to pinpoint potential pitfalls for interviews and evaluated which positions aligned best with my skills and vision. This preparation helped me approach interviews as a conversation about mutual fit rather than just proving I was the perfect candidate. I also made a point to attend industry conferences and familiarize myself with the work of others in my field through articles, podcasts, and discussions with friends. During interviews, I was able to bring up relevant topics, which I believe added value to my candidacy. Overall, this job search forced me to reflect deeply on my situation, and I hope it will make navigating future work-related challenges easier.

I recently experienced a layoff and I'm reaching out to fellow laid-off professionals to connect and support each other during this challenging time. As a software engineer with over 10 years of experience, I've been through my fair share of interviews and have even helped others in their job searches. I know how tough it can be when you're applying for countless positions and still facing rejection, especially when family members don’t fully understand the gravity of the job market situation and inadvertently place blame on us for not trying hard enough. I'm here to offer my assistance—feel free to send me your resumes for feedback or ask me any questions you might have. Let's share our experiences, frustrations, and insights to help each other navigate this tough landscape.

I’m currently working in a healthcare facility in the USA, and I’m feeling extremely targeted and retaliated against by a manager, whom I’ll refer to as A. This situation has been affecting my mental health significantly. I have a medical condition that requires me to take intermittent FMLA, which I’ve been using legitimately due to my health issues, including PTSD. However, since A was promoted about a year and a half ago, I’ve faced constant micromanagement and accusations regarding my use of FMLA. A has even questioned me about the specifics of my health condition and suggested that I might be abusing my FMLA rights to leave early. My direct manager, B, is kind but seems powerless to intervene effectively, as A is very much in control and has a close-knit relationship with the management team. I’ve tried to address my concerns with B, but it feels like nothing changes. A continues to monitor my work closely, changes my assignments negatively, and even texts me after hours to accuse me of misconduct. I feel like I’m being watched constantly, which is incredibly stressful. I’ve reached out for support through the Employee Assistance Program, but my requests have gone unanswered. I’m stuck in this contracted position and can’t afford to quit, but I desperately need advice on how to handle this situation without jeopardizing my job further.

I'm currently navigating a tough situation after being laid off from my job as a heavy-duty technician apprentice in Alberta, Canada. I've been unemployed for over a year, and while I've had several interviews and even some offers, I turned down a job a few months ago because it required me to stay in a work camp, which I can't do. I also declined an offer in a different field that I now regret. Recently, I received an offer in my field, but it involves relocating to a smaller town without any relocation assistance, and the pay is lower than what I've previously earned. After much consideration, I decided to decline the offer, but now I'm second-guessing my decision. I'm torn between the need to get back to work and the uncertainty of whether I'll receive another offer soon. I'm even open to accepting jobs outside my field just to get back to work. I'm really struggling with whether I should reach out to the company and ask if the offer is still available or if I should hold out for something local. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Today was incredibly tough for me at Capital One. My manager, who has been with Discover for over 8 years, was laid off, and I had to say goodbye to her during our final call. I recently started working here, and it was heartbreaking to see someone so dedicated lose their position. During our call, she was transitioning her responsibilities to me, and it was one of the most painful experiences I've ever had in my working life. She was emotional, and as she explained the tasks, I could feel the weight of the situation. When we finished, I couldn't hold back my tears, and I cried with her. I told her how much she meant to us and how great of a leader she was. This experience has left a deep impact on me, and I truly hope I never have to go through something like this again.

I recently found myself in a tough situation after being laid off from a major top 500 company. They offered me a severance package of just four weeks, but it came with the condition that I sign away all my rights. I'm currently trying to figure out if it's possible to negotiate for a better deal. I've heard from others that if you're in a special position, like an executive, you might have more leverage, but as a regular employee, it seems like options are limited. I'm also part of a protected class in tech and under 40, so I'm wondering if that might play a role in negotiations. Has anyone had success pushing back on their severance offers? I'm looking for any advice or experiences that could help me in this situation.

I just found out that I'm facing a layoff at my company, and it's happening just two weeks before my maternity leave is set to start. The situation is a bit complicated because I've been given the option to willfully accept the layoff, which would come with a severance package of 21 weeks plus 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, all in a lump sum. I'm trying to figure out how this would affect my eligibility for State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL). My plan was to take SDI four weeks before my baby arrives and then six weeks after, followed by PFL. But now that I might be laid off, I'm unsure how this will all work. I've heard that some people suggest applying for unemployment insurance (UI) to qualify for SDI, but I'm wondering if it's realistic to look for work for just two weeks. Also, I’m curious about how SDI payments would be calculated if I no longer have a salary. I've seen some comments suggesting that since I would receive severance as a lump sum, I might still qualify for SDI and PFL in California. I just hope everything works out smoothly as I approach this new chapter in my life.

I recently graduated from a tier 3 college and was fortunate enough to secure a position as a Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) at COFORGE. However, it's been over four months since I received the verbal offer, and I still haven't received my joining letter. My college has officially ended, and my Training and Placement Officer (TPO) is unresponsive to my inquiries. I'm feeling quite anxious and frustrated as I sit at home without any updates, and my parents are constantly asking about my job status. If anyone has any advice or knows how to handle this situation, I would greatly appreciate your input.

It's been two weeks since I accepted an offer letter for a position at a grocery store. I applied about a month ago, and after some back and forth with the hiring manager, I finally received the offer letter. The manager initially asked me to resubmit my application because it had expired, which I did right after our call. A few days later, I got the offer letter and filled out the I-9 form. However, the day after signing the offer, I received a call from another manager who mentioned that the original manager wanted me to resubmit my application again. I informed her that I had already received the offer letter. Since then, I haven't heard anything back. I called the store a week later to check in and learned that the hiring manager was on vacation. I tried to speak to someone else about my situation, but they confused me with another candidate. They took my name and number but I still haven't received any updates. In the meantime, I've been applying to other jobs, but I'm not getting any responses. I'm feeling really frustrated because I left my previous job due to moving and other difficulties, and now bills are piling up. This is the longest I've ever had to wait to start a new job. Additionally, the union representative reached out because I hadn't filled out the union paperwork. He mentioned he would check on my situation when he was in the store last week, but I haven't heard back from him either. I'm considering whether I should reach out again this week.