Miscellaneous

I recently lost my job and as a 19-year-old, I'm feeling the pressure to find something quickly to cover my rent and bills. I interviewed for an admin position at a real estate company, and the interviewer seemed really positive. He shook my hand and said he was happy with my application, which gave me hope. The next day, he called to confirm that I got the job and said I would receive an offer soon. However, a week later when I followed up, he told me he needed to wait until he found three more candidates before drafting contracts and starting training. I was patient, but after another week, I called again and he rudely informed me he was on vacation and to check back the following Monday. When I called on the supposed start date, he told me to call again on Monday. At this point, I'm starting to feel like he’s just stringing me along. I can't help but wonder if I’m being played here. I know I seem desperate, but I really need a job. Should I keep waiting or move on? This whole situation feels really unprofessional.

I recently left my job at a pizzeria where I had been working for about a month. From the very beginning, the working conditions were terrible, with issues like cross-contamination and poor scheduling. To make matters worse, they consistently withheld my pay. Despite my attempts to get paid, both the manager and owner kept dodging my requests. I reached a breaking point and researched my rights under Alberta Employment Standards, which stated that I could resign immediately since I had been there for less than 90 days. I made the tough decision to call and quit, but my boss reacted angrily and threatened to withhold my three weeks of pay. Now, he’s not responding to me at all, and I’m feeling lost about what to do next.

I’m feeling really lost in this economy right now. I graduated high school but don’t have a college degree, and most of my work experience has been in serving tables. Despite putting in a lot of effort, I’m just barely making ends meet. With rent, groceries, and bills constantly rising, it feels impossible to get ahead. I’m at a point where I’m open to doing just about anything legal for a job. I’m not looking for a dream career or to get rich; I just want something that allows me to pay my rent, cover basic necessities, and reduce my daily stress. I’m reaching out to see what others without degrees are doing for work. What fields are hiring and actually paying enough to survive? I’m genuinely looking for ideas because I feel completely stuck. I’ve heard that trade jobs like plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC are in high demand and pay well, plus many companies offer training on the job. I switched from restaurant work a few years ago, and the pay difference has been significant, along with benefits. I also know people who have found success in commercial drone piloting and have moved up in companies like FedEx. If anyone has suggestions or insights, I’d really appreciate it!

I recently went through three rounds of interviews for a position I was really excited about. After the interviews, I was asked to provide references, which I did promptly. However, three weeks later, I received the disappointing news that I didn’t get the job. They said other candidates better met their requirements. This experience has left me feeling incredibly frustrated and embarrassed, especially since I had asked my references for quick responses, believing I was a strong contender for the role. This was just one of over 2000 applications I've submitted and 20 interviews I've participated in. After this latest setback, I paused my job search because I was feeling so burnt out. Now, I realize I need to dive back into the job market, which feels like an endless journey. I’ve had my resume reviewed and even consulted with a career coach to ensure I’m presenting myself in the best light possible. Unfortunately, the feedback I’ve received has mostly been that other candidates were simply a better fit, without any specific guidance on how I could improve. It’s disheartening to feel so helpless when I’m not receiving constructive feedback. I just needed to vent a bit and share my experience.

I am currently seeking a remote job that fits my schedule as a pharmacist, available most mornings until around 3 pm EST. I am looking for something flexible that I can do from home, and while it doesn't need to pay exceptionally well, I wouldn't mind if it did. I have previously tried roles in data annotation and AI training with companies like Mercor and OutlierAI, but unfortunately, I have not had any success. My ideal job would meet the following criteria: it should be reliable and not a scam, allow me to work from my computer without any costs like packaging or shipping, and I prefer not to be on camera or videotaping myself (though I'm fine with meetings). Flexibility is key, as I can only work before 2:30 pm EST. I am open to positions in pharmacy or healthcare, but I'm also proficient with Microsoft Office and computer tasks, so I can adapt to various roles. I would appreciate an easy application process, ideally with a high chance of acceptance. Additionally, I have experience as a tutor and would be interested in part-time tutoring again, but my previous attempts with platforms like Varsity Tutors and Wyzant didn't yield any students. I am willing to take on students if I can find a more reliable way to get back into tutoring. If anyone has suggestions or questions, I would greatly appreciate your input!

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.

I recently started tracking severance packages after hearing about various layoffs in the tech industry. According to the data I've gathered from 59 severance reports since launching my project, the median severance package is currently 12 weeks of pay. Interestingly, only 3% of those who received severance negotiated for better terms. In terms of location, 46% of the reports are from US-based employees, with an even split between remote and onsite work. Looking at seniority levels, 2% were VP, 33% senior, 5% mid-level, and 2% entry-level. The roles represented include 27% software engineers, 7% designers, and 5% project managers. I'm eager to provide more insights, so if anyone has specific breakdowns or information they would like to see, please let me know!

It's been a year since I left a toxic workplace, and reflecting on that experience has brought some important insights. When I was in that environment, I started to believe I was incompetent, which really affected my self-esteem. However, after a few months in a new job, I found that I was performing well again. It was the same skills and the same me, just in a healthier environment. The recovery process was not what I expected. I thought I would feel instant relief after leaving, but instead, I went through a rollercoaster of emotions—numbness, anger, sadness, and finally, relief. It took a lot longer than I anticipated, spanning several months. To aid my recovery, I found a few things really helpful: - **Therapy**: Talking to someone about my experiences helped me process everything that happened. - **Education on burnout and stress**: Learning about workplace manipulation and stress made it easier for me to understand my situation. - **Gentle movement**: Simple activities like walking and stretching outdoors had a surprisingly positive impact on my mental state. - **Journaling**: Writing down my thoughts helped me organize them and reduced the constant replay in my mind. One surprising aspect was realizing how much physical stress I had been carrying. After leaving, my sleep improved, my headaches became less frequent, and I felt generally less tense. Looking back, I see that it took time to adjust, but eventually, the job no longer dominated my thoughts. I keep asking myself if I did anything wrong, but I know now that I didn't.

I was laid off last week from my IT role due to a departmental restructure aimed at cost savings. This is the first time I've experienced a layoff in my career, and I'm still processing the decision to eliminate my position. I have to remind myself that this isn't a reflection of my skills or accomplishments. As a mid-50s professional with extensive experience in IT, I'm not particularly excited about starting a job search. However, I hope that my age, which I see as wisdom, along with my broad IT background, will help me stand out during interviews. I noticed that the job market appears to be improving based on recent job numbers, so I'm optimistic that this will be a short break before I find my next role. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has had success in their application or interview process and what made a difference for them. I'm wishing everyone else in the job search process the best of luck. The fear of the unknown is definitely keeping me awake at night.

Today, I learned that Credit Karma laid off 117 employees despite experiencing a surge in sales. It’s disheartening to see such decisions being made, especially when the company is performing well. I’ve been following the news closely, and it seems like Intuit's influence is a significant factor in these layoffs. While I don’t personally know anyone affected, I can’t help but feel for those who lost their jobs during what should be a prosperous time for the company.

I just found out that GitLab is cutting 14% of its workforce as part of a shift towards AI. This is the second layoff we've experienced in a row, and it affects around 350 people. It's disheartening to see the company I worked for take such drastic measures. I feel grateful for the experiences I've had here, but the frustration from my colleagues is palpable. Many are expressing their dissatisfaction with the product and the direction the company is heading. It's tough to see a place I once believed in go through such turmoil.

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 came across some information about UMass Memorial and their hiring practices. It seems like they have a number of positions that are being advertised but may not actually be available, often referred to as 'ghost jobs.' This has raised concerns for job seekers like myself who are looking for legitimate opportunities. I wanted to share this experience to help others avoid wasting time applying for roles that might not exist.

I recently found myself contemplating a new job opportunity while still employed at a federal agency. I'm currently in a well-paying position that I enjoy, but the long commute and the desire for more engaging work have prompted me to explore other options. I came across a role at a nonprofit organization that piqued my interest. Interestingly, I had interviewed with them a few years ago for a different position but wasn't selected, which I hold no grudges about. To gauge the situation, I reached out to a contact I have within the organization, someone fairly high up, to inquire about the salary range for the new position. I made it clear that I am not willing to accept a significant pay cut. My contact was helpful and created a group text with the two individuals overseeing the hiring process. However, the response I received was quite terse, simply instructing me to send in my resume and cover letter. While I understand that they don’t owe me anything, I was hoping for a more professional interaction. Now, I'm at a crossroads on how to proceed. I could send my resume as requested, express my disinterest politely, or ask further questions. Given my background as a retired law enforcement officer who transitioned to a STEM career, I have experience in the workforce, but this situation is making me reconsider how to navigate the job application process. Any advice on how to move forward would be greatly appreciated.

After struggling for six months with my job search, I decided to automate the entire process to improve my efficiency and response rates. Initially, I was manually tracking applications using spreadsheets, which involved a lot of copy-pasting and refreshing job boards daily. It was exhausting, and I often found myself dropping the ball on follow-ups. To tackle this, I built an automated job search system using Claude Cowork, Google Sheets, and App Scripts. The results have been remarkable! My response rates have doubled from around 5% to between 12-15%. Here's how I did it: 1. **Automated job discovery:** I created a script that pulls new job listings that match my criteria directly into a Google Sheet. Now, instead of hunting for jobs every day, I just review this list once. 2. **Automated follow-ups:** For every application I submit, a follow-up email is drafted automatically 48 hours later. I can review, edit, and send it in just 2-3 minutes, compared to the 15 minutes it used to take. 3. **Tab queue:** Each morning, the roles I’ve queued up open automatically in Chrome, allowing me to work through them efficiently. Overall, this system has reduced my mental overhead significantly and made my job search much more consistent. While I still experience a lot of silence, I feel more in control and productive. If anyone is interested in the details or has questions about my setup, feel free to ask!

I recently found myself in an interesting situation regarding a job opportunity that I wasn't actively pursuing. I had been networking on LinkedIn, expressing my interest in moving to France in about three years. I connected with a hiring manager at a company I admire, whom I'll refer to as Person A. I made it clear that I was primarily looking to gather information and make connections rather than apply for a job immediately. However, I also connected with another engineer, Person B, at the same company. To my surprise, Person B pushed my application forward without me formally applying, and now I've received an invitation to interview with Person A. The catch is that I'm currently settled in my new job, and my family isn't quite ready to move yet. While the company offers great relocation resources, I'm torn about how to approach this opportunity. I wonder if I should still go through with the interview, even though I'm not looking for a job right now. Some advice I received suggests being upfront about my situation during the interview. I could mention my timeline and see if they might be open to remote work for a year or a delayed start. Worst case, I get some valuable interview practice and keep the connection warm for when I'm actually ready to make the move.

I experienced a tough month with my job search, receiving rejections from four different companies. Each rejection came at various stages of the hiring process: one was after an online assessment, another after an HR round, and the last two were at the final interview stage. I’ve been tracking my applications and, unfortunately, all I see are 'rejected' tags. It's disheartening to see my friends landing internships while I’m still searching. I’m left wondering if it’s my resume, my LinkedIn profile, or my interview communication that’s holding me back. I've got a Notion document filled with vague feedback that doesn’t help me pinpoint the issue. I really want to improve my chances and would appreciate any insights from those who have faced similar struggles. Did you find out what was wrong with your approach? How did you diagnose the issue?

I have been on unemployment for a few months now and I'm about to start graduate school next week. Recently, I was selected to participate in the RESEA program, and during a phone call with them, I mentioned my upcoming full-time studies. They told me that I could still collect unemployment benefits while in school, which left me a bit confused. I thought that enrolling in full-time school would disqualify me from receiving benefits unless I went through the Training Opportunity Program (TOP). I’ve heard mixed opinions on this, with some saying I can still qualify if I’m available for full-time work and prioritize job searching over school. However, others have pointed out that enrolling in full-time school without proper approval usually disqualifies you from benefits. I'm not sure what to believe and I'm worried about my eligibility.

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 graduated in Spring 2025 with a degree in Marketing and have been struggling to find a job since then. I don’t have any internships or prior work experience, but I did well in college with a good GPA and even won some awards for my marketing projects. I worked closely with local businesses for my capstone projects and presentations, which was a great experience. I also sell clothes and shoes online through platforms like Depop, Grailed, and eBay, with over 250 sales under my belt. Despite my efforts, I’ve had no luck securing a job. I’ve interviewed at several places including Verizon, Best Buy, Famous Footwear, local car dealerships, Staples, and a few remote roles, but I haven’t received any offers. Not getting the job at Famous Footwear was particularly disheartening and has affected my motivation. I’ve reached out to my old professors and advisors for help, but so far, I haven’t had any success. I live in a small town about an hour and a half from Pittsburgh, and I’m considering moving to a bigger city where there are more job opportunities. I’m open to taking a service job or temp position just to get my foot in the door. Any advice on how to improve my job search or where to look would be greatly appreciated!