Miscellaneous

I'm eager to break into the finance industry, despite having no prior experience or knowledge in the field. I don't have a math background, trading experience, or familiarity with tools like Bloomberg terminals. However, I'm a fast learner who becomes deeply invested in new challenges. I'm reaching out to anyone working in finance—whether at a startup, small fund, trading firm, or even solo ventures—to offer my willingness to take on a take-home task. I'm open to any problem you want to throw my way, regardless of difficulty or timeline. I believe the best way to demonstrate my potential is by actually doing work rather than just submitting a resume. I would prefer remote opportunities due to financial constraints that prevent me from traveling. I'm not seeking a handout; I'm looking for a chance to prove myself and open a door into the finance world. If you have any tasks or projects I can help with, please DM me or comment below.

I’ve been on a frustrating job search for the past few months with no success. I’ve tried reaching out in various ways—messaging, emailing, calling, and even going in person to follow up with my resume. While I’ve managed to get some interviews, I keep getting turned down afterward. I had a job from 2023 until January this year, but I got fired, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s affecting my chances. I’m concerned that potential employers might be contacting my previous boss, who didn’t think highly of me, which could be a red flag for them. I’m autistic and I try to mask it during interviews, but I’m starting to worry that they can sense something is off or that I come across as weird, which might be a reason for not getting hired. Additionally, I have a boy’s name, and I wonder if they expect a guy to show up and are surprised when I, a girl, walk in. There’s also the possibility that they might have biases against trans individuals, which adds to my anxiety about the whole process. I’m currently a college student with limited work experience, and I know that there are many jobs I wouldn’t be able to handle due to my autism. Still, I’ve applied to various positions, including those that I believe I could manage. I’m running out of money and feeling lost. I keep replaying my interviews in my mind, trying to pinpoint what I might be doing wrong. I dress well, attempt to speak professionally, and express genuine interest in the roles. I’m not sure what I’m hoping to gain by sharing this—maybe some advice or just a space to vent. I’m losing motivation and starting to feel like giving up.

Today marks my fourth month as a marketing generalist at a financial company, and I’m feeling quite disheartened. When I interviewed for this role, I was clear about my expectations and received reassuring answers about the job’s responsibilities and growth potential. Initially, I enjoyed working with my team and felt confident in my abilities. However, things took a turn after my first performance review. My manager initially praised my confidence but later shifted her tone, criticizing my work and saying I needed to improve drastically. She even warned me that any mistakes could lead to a formal conversation, which felt quite intimidating. As the weeks went by, the situation worsened. I was often yelled at for minor issues, blamed for mistakes that weren’t mine, and my emails were constantly rewritten. It felt like I was walking on eggshells, unsure of what would trigger her next outburst. My coworkers have been supportive and don’t understand why my manager is treating me this way, which adds to my confusion. I’ve always been well-regarded in my previous job, so this experience is really shaking my confidence. Today, my manager told me that while I’ve improved in some areas, she still doesn’t trust me and feels I’m not a good fit for the role. I’m meeting with her again soon to continue this conversation, and I’m hoping for a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) so I can have a clearer understanding of what’s expected of me. I’m reaching out for advice on how to handle this situation, as it genuinely feels like my manager is targeting me. It’s tough to stay motivated when I feel like I’m constantly under scrutiny.

I’ve been working in home health for about three and a half years, and I’ve had a solid track record with two companies across three different stints. I’m highly requested in my area and have only missed two days due to illness since I was hired. When I went through the hiring process in February, I was told the baseline pay was $18.75/hour. I negotiated for $19 due to my experience and performance, which was accepted. However, I quickly realized that my pay was actually set to $18.75 from the start, despite my offer letter stating otherwise. After working hard and filling in for clients, I was frustrated to find my weekly checks were only around $300 when they should have been closer to $500. I reached out to the office to check my hours and learned that I had worked more than I thought, but my pay was still incorrect. In March, all caretakers received a $0.75 raise, and my pay was briefly adjusted to $19.50 before being manually changed back to $18.75. After several follow-ups with the office and no resolution, I contacted my union. They informed me that I should have been earning $19.75/hour and promised to help. However, after two weeks, my pay remained at $19, and I was told by my union rep that I wouldn’t be eligible for raises because I started at a quarter higher than the baseline. I genuinely love my job and the work I do, but I’m feeling stuck and unsure of what to do next. I don’t want to leave, especially since the other company in my area has a terrible reputation. I’m looking for advice on how to navigate this situation.

I recently faced a challenge with my background check for a new job. My former employers from nearly a decade ago couldn't be reached for verification, which led to my case being escalated. The compliance team asked for additional documentation, so I submitted my W-2s along with a written explanation of the situation. However, I ran into a snag because the names on the W-2s don't match what I provided in my background check; they reflect the legal entity and payroll company rather than the actual business names where I worked. I'm now wondering how long the compliance review process typically takes once I submit this documentation. Also, for those experienced in recruiting or compliance, do you think W-2s and my explanation will suffice to verify my employment in this case? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I am currently looking for work-from-home (WFH) job listings due to some medical issues that have made traditional blue-collar jobs unfeasible for me. I’m legally blind and suffer from chronic foot ulcers, which have severely limited my ability to work. My last job lasted only 8 months because I was frequently out due to my condition, and I have been unemployed since April. Unfortunately, vocational rehabilitation services haven't been helpful in my job search. I have always worked in blue-collar roles and do not have a college degree, which further narrows my options. Right now, I’m living on disability, but after paying bills, I only have about $100 left each month. I’ve started using SNAP, but it’s not enough to cover my living expenses, and I’m relying on credit cards to buy food and medications. I need to find a job soon. I’m not very familiar with how to search for WFH jobs and I’m concerned about the possibility of scams. Ideally, I would prefer not to work from home, but the high cost of transportation and poor public transit in my area makes it difficult. Using rideshare services like Uber or Lyft is costly, and I can’t afford to take on a job that would replace my SSDI income without providing enough to live on. I can only make up to $16 an hour full-time to keep my SSDI or over $20 an hour to manage without it, which complicates my job search even further. If anyone has recommendations for reputable sources or websites where I can find legitimate WFH job opportunities, I would greatly appreciate it. I just need something that allows me to earn some income without relying on my credit cards.

I'm currently on the hunt for a job in collegiate sport media, and I'm reaching out for some advice on how to navigate this challenging field. I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University, where I was part of the in-venue broadcast team, Catvision. I had a blast working there, primarily as a camera operator for football, but since then, I've found it tough to break back into college sports after working in TV news and corporate video. I've been applying to various positions but have only landed one interview, which unfortunately ended in a rejection. The automated rejection letters have been disheartening, but I'm determined to keep pushing forward. I'm particularly interested in roles similar to "Huskervision" at Nebraska or "12th Man Productions" at Texas A&M. I'm considering whether grad school might be a worthwhile option, especially since I've looked into programs at Oklahoma State, but the cost is quite high for an out-of-state student. I've also applied to schools that are looking to enhance their programs in light of changes in the sports landscape, such as USF, Utah State, and Texas State, as well as some smaller FCS schools like SDSU and the University of Northern Colorado. If anyone has tips or insights on breaking into collegiate sports media, I'd greatly appreciate it!

I was recently fired from my job after nearly three years of service due to complications with my FMLA leave related to autoimmune issues. My employer used a third-party service called TILT to manage FMLA certification and track my leave. Unfortunately, my TILT account worked for only two weeks before it started deactivating repeatedly. I reached out to TILT support for help, and they informed HR that they needed specific records to resolve the issue. However, HR never sent those records. After a few weeks of this back-and-forth, I was called into the office and told that I was being terminated for failing to input my time in TILT. This was incredibly frustrating, especially since I had communicated the issue to HR. I later sent a message with a screenshot showing that the responsibility fell on HR to resolve the situation. However, my HR representative claimed that this was new information to her, which I believe is false. Now, I'm left wondering if I have any chance of winning an appeal with the proof I have.

It's been 4 months since I was laid off from my role, and I've finally decided it's time to activate Plan B. I've been following this journey closely and want to share my experience to hopefully help someone else who might be feeling lost. After my layoff, I took a couple of weeks to regroup, especially since it coincided with my vacation. I had built up a savings cushion and received a decent severance, which has helped ease the transition. Initially, I was seeing a good response rate of about 40% to 50% for interviews, but that momentum has stalled recently. The past few weeks have been tough, with mostly silence or rejections. This has pushed me to consider alternative paths, so I registered for an EIN, opened a business checking account, and revamped my LinkedIn profile to start networking as a consultant. I’m doing this while I still have some financial stability, but I know I need to act before things get critical. I've received positive feedback on my plans for a consulting website, which I hope to launch soon. Today, I applied for a job that seemed like a perfect fit for my skills. However, I realized after submitting my application that I forgot to include a cover letter. I’ve applied to this company multiple times in the past and have had positive interactions with their recruiters, but they always seem to go with internal candidates. I think it’s silly to require cover letters, especially when many are likely AI-generated. Regardless, I'm not giving up. I’ll continue applying while also hustling to create my own opportunities. I want to remind everyone that we’re in this together, and I appreciate you all for listening.

I recently experienced a layoff from my job as a cashier at a retail store. I had applied multiple times over the years before finally being hired, but my experience was far from pleasant. On my first day, the orientation was poorly organized. We were given outdated materials and had issues with a DVD training video that no one knew how to operate. The training I received was minimal and unclear; my trainer seemed uncertain about my training day and left me to figure things out on my own. I struggled with the lack of clear instructions and communication regarding my schedule. I was late for my shift one day because I was misinformed about the schedule updates, which caused me a lot of stress. I tried to maintain a positive attitude with customers, but I was constantly worried about my performance and whether I would be let go. After a few shifts, I was called into the office where I was informed that I was being let go for poor performance. The manager cited my tardiness and claimed I wasn't fast enough or engaging enough with customers. I was shocked because I felt I was doing my best under the circumstances. There was no warning or opportunity for improvement discussed before my termination. It was a frustrating and disheartening experience.

I've been unemployed for months now, and it's really taking a toll on me. I'm 20 years old and still living at my parents' house, which makes me feel even more stuck. I've been applying to multiple jobs, but nothing seems to be working out. I spend most of my time lying in bed, feeling like I'm wasting my life. I have hobbies like animating, drawing, playing games, and even doing YouTube, but it all feels pointless when I'm not making any progress in finding a job. I'm broke and honestly just don't know what to do anymore.

I recently faced a challenging situation with my unemployment claim in New Jersey. I separated from my employer in December 2024 due to a lack of work and was initially approved for unemployment insurance. However, just two weeks later, my claim was reviewed, and I was denied, which led to me having to pay back the benefits I received. I appealed the decision in February 2025, but I didn’t hear anything for over a year. I continued to file my weekly claims until December 2025 when my claim expired. Last week, I finally received a letter scheduling my appeal hearing for next week. I’ve gathered all the necessary evidence and submitted it according to the instructions. However, I’m facing a complication: I legally changed my name last year. I’ve searched the unemployment website for information on how to update my name but couldn’t find anything. I’ve also tried calling multiple times, but the calls just hang up after a long wait. I haven’t registered to confirm my hearing date yet because I’m unsure whether to use my old name or my new legal name on the forms. I want to make sure I don’t complicate my case or get accused of fraud. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has dealt with a similar situation or has any advice on how to proceed.

I recently left my position at Hartzler Healthcare Scheduling after a couple of months, and I can't stress enough how terrible my experience was. The training was only four days long for a complex scheduling system, and I was quickly overwhelmed with work that was outside my job description, all without any increase in pay. Every day felt like a new set of rules, and I had to wake up 15 minutes early for mandatory meetings that only added to the stress with more complaints and escalations. The workload was insane; I was expected to handle over 130 calls a day, way above the quota of 50, but never received any recognition for it. Instead, they just kept raising the quotas. The micromanagement was suffocating—my team lead would message me about my call times, and I felt like I was constantly being watched. I even suspected my call count was being manipulated, as many of my completed calls would mysteriously go missing. The environment was toxic, with a trainer who compared us to each other and a team lead who was rude. I was so anxious that I couldn't sleep at night without taking sleep aids. I submitted my two weeks' notice after feeling completely overwhelmed, but the manager I spoke to about my concerns ended up blindsiding me by accepting my resignation without addressing any of the issues I raised. This job was hands down the worst experience I've had, and I strongly advise anyone considering a position there to think twice.

I received a job opportunity in the mail and, after signing up for an interview, I started to feel uneasy and did some research. It turns out the company is Cutco, which is known for its knife sales and is often associated with MLM (multi-level marketing) schemes. After reading about others' experiences, I realized this isn't a legitimate job but rather a shady sales position. I decided to block them and cancel the interview before wasting any more time. I'm grateful for the warnings from others who shared their experiences. It seems like a lot of people have had mixed feelings about working with them, and I don't want to get involved in something that could be a scam or just a waste of time.

I've been working as a complaint handler for an investment company for about six months now, and I'm really struggling. I left an easier call center job for this position, hoping for better pay, but it's been overwhelming. I'm constantly working outside my contracted hours just to keep up, and the stress has started to take a toll on my mental health. During my first one-on-one with my manager, I actually cried when we discussed my progress. I was told I need to handle around one case per day, but despite all the extra hours I'm putting in, I often can't meet that target. Some days are better than others, but I feel like I'm just treading water. I've had three breakdowns already due to the stress, and I'm starting to wonder if this job is sustainable for me in the long run. I'm at a point where I'm questioning whether I should keep pushing through or start looking for something else. At what point do you know a job isn't the right fit anymore?

I recently filed for unemployment insurance in Illinois and was accepted. I've been actively searching for jobs through Illinois Job Link for a couple of weeks now. My bi-weekly certification is due on Wednesdays. After waiting through the initial grace week, I certified the following Wednesday and received my first payment that Friday, which was a relief. However, I noticed that I haven't received my payment this week, and it's been 8 days since the last deposit. I've been logging in every other day to apply for jobs, so I was expecting my usual payment. I checked my direct deposit information and everything seems fine. I also confirmed that I didn't miss any certification deadlines, as my next one isn't due until next week. I received a notice stating that my weekly payment amount is set, so I should be getting paid weekly while certifying bi-weekly. I'm unsure if this is just a delay or if there's an issue I need to address. Since this is my first experience with unemployment benefits, I'm feeling a bit lost on where to look for potential errors or what steps to take next.

I just got laid off from my position at a tech entertainment company where I spent nearly 7 years. The news hit me hard, especially since it was due to a reduction in scope. It felt so impersonal and cold, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised given how corporations operate. I’m reaching out to see if anyone else has gone through something similar and how they coped with the feelings that come with such an abrupt change.

I was laid off on April 20th after four years with a Georgia-based company, where I worked remotely from Indiana. I moved to Chattanooga, TN, and continued my remote work until my layoff. I filed for unemployment in Tennessee since that's where I currently live, but now I'm seeing 'Monetarily Ineligible' on my dashboard with $0.00 across every quarter. I indicated that my employer was out of state and that I had worked in Indiana, but I'm really worried that I filed in the wrong state. I’m unsure if I should have filed in Indiana instead. The letter I received mentioned that out-of-state wages won't show up immediately and that they sent a request for that information, but I'm not feeling confident about it. I have several questions: Did I file in the wrong state? Is this 'Monetarily Ineligible' status temporary while they gather my out-of-state wage records, or does it mean I'm actually denied? If I did file incorrectly, can I correct it without causing further issues? Also, does it matter where my employer was paying unemployment taxes? I'm feeling anxious about the whole situation and would appreciate any guidance from those who have navigated similar remote work and multi-state unemployment claims.

I was part of a mass layoff announcement two weeks ago at my company, with my official separation date set for the end of July. What’s really puzzling me is why we’re not allowed to sign the separation agreement until the very last day, or even after. I just don’t understand the reasoning behind this delay. It feels like they might be creating a sort of ‘buffer zone’ where they can adjust terms or numbers before we officially separate. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to it. I’m reaching out to see if anyone who has been through a similar situation—HR professionals, managers, or even those who have been laid off—can shed some light on why companies do this. Is it a legal requirement, a strategy for liability, or something else? I’m feeling quite confused and would appreciate any insights from those who know the inner workings of these processes.

I was recently let go from my position at a drug testing lab where I worked for two and a half years. Unfortunately, my health issues have been a constant struggle, causing me to miss work occasionally, despite always notifying my employer and providing doctor's notes. I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 and Endometriosis, which has led to two surgeries and a miscarriage that required hospitalization. After returning from a paid leave, I was placed on probation, and just yesterday, I was informed that my position was terminated. Now, I'm feeling lost and overwhelmed, especially with the job market being so tough. I don't have a degree, and I'm concerned about my ability to find a role that aligns with my passions. I'm reaching out for advice from anyone who has faced similar challenges, particularly those who have navigated job searches while dealing with mental and physical health issues. Is it possible to find a job where I can truly thrive? I would appreciate any tips or insights you might have. On the financial side, I've set up unemployment benefits and food stamps, so I'm okay for now, but I need guidance on the next steps.