Miscellaneous

I was really excited to apply for a position that finally opened up at a company I've been eyeing for a while. However, I've been facing a frustrating issue with the Workday jobs portal. I was able to log in just fine on Saturday, but now I can't seem to access my account at all. Every time I try to sign in, it just redirects me to a different page, and I can't submit my application. I feel like I'm missing out on a great opportunity because of this glitch. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has experienced this issue and if there are any solutions or workarounds. I'm really eager to apply and don't want this technical problem to hold me back.

I've been on the job hunt lately and it's been incredibly disheartening. It feels like every workplace I look into has a reputation for being toxic. I've come across numerous warnings from current and former employees about shady management practices and a culture of unhappiness. It's really discouraging to think that I might be walking into an environment that could lead to emotional abuse or force me to leave eventually. Some days, I even wonder if it would be better to just give up and face homelessness rather than continue this exhausting search. It's frustrating to feel so dependent on others for my livelihood.

I was recently laid off from Microsoft on August 21 while on STEM OPT, and my cap-subject H-1B change of status is pending in premium processing with an October 1 start date. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has experienced a similar situation and can offer advice. I'm considering asking Microsoft if they could extend my official employment date by a few weeks or delay withdrawing my H-1B petition. If they refuse, I'm worried about whether a new employer could use this year's H-1B selection or if I'd have to go through the lottery again. Any insights or experiences would be greatly appreciated!

I just started my new graduate Software Engineer job at a non-tech company, and honestly, it feels a bit boring. Right now, I'm mainly doing DevOps tasks, which isn't exactly what I envisioned when I landed this role. It took a lot of effort to get here, and I'm proud of myself for making it, but I can't shake the fear of being laid off. My superiors have started assigning me tickets, and the initial sugarcoating is gone. They're more critical of my work now, which is a bit daunting. On the plus side, my commute is comfortable, and I get along well with my colleagues. Still, I find myself worrying a lot, especially after hearing horror stories about layoffs from companies like FAANG, Atlassian, and others. I currently live at home, and while it feels like a waste of money to move out so soon, I really want to. My relationship with my parents isn't great, and I think it's affecting my work. I can even trace some of my mistakes back to arguments we've had on days I work from home. Am I overthinking this?

I recently faced a setback with my unemployment benefits after being laid off from my position at a university due to budget cuts in May '26. Prior to that, I had worked as a non-contract employee for an Independent School District (ISD) and had decided to leave that role in December '25 to pursue the university opportunity. After my layoff, I applied for a new position at the same ISD, which I was offered, but the job won't start until August. Unfortunately, my benefits were denied because of a 'reasonable assurance' rule, which seems to imply that I am returning to my previous job, even though this is a completely new position requiring new-hire paperwork and orientation. I have an appeal scheduled in a couple of weeks and I'm hoping to argue that my situation is different from the typical cases covered by the rule. I just want to understand how they can deny my benefits when I'm essentially starting fresh at the ISD.

I’m currently searching for a 100% remote entry-level position, specifically in industries that are hiring and not focused on sales roles. Commuting is not an option for me, so I’m looking for companies that will hire me without needing to prove myself in person first. I understand that these positions may offer lower income than my previous job, but I’m okay with that. I've been proactive and have cold emailed several firms, but the responses have been mostly defensive or indifferent. It’s frustrating because I can see that there’s a demand for help in their businesses, yet they don’t seem to want to hire. I’m reaching out to see if anyone knows of companies that are actually hiring for remote roles at the entry level. I’ve heard from others that finding remote entry-level jobs is incredibly challenging, and the competition is fierce. I’m trying to figure out how to stand out among so many candidates and what skills I need to highlight. I’ve also been advised to build a tech profile on platforms like Dice to increase my chances, and to consider looking into medical billing companies as potential employers. Any insights or leads would be greatly appreciated!

I was laid off from my job in Ohio on August 21st and received a severance package that covers 12 weeks of pay. I'm trying to figure out how this affects my eligibility for unemployment benefits. I've heard that in Ohio, severance pay can be deducted from unemployment benefits, and I'm concerned that I might not be able to collect unemployment for the entire 12 weeks. I understand that it depends on whether my employer allocates the severance to specific weeks or not. If they do allocate it, I might have to wait before I can start receiving unemployment. I'm feeling uncertain about the whole process and would appreciate any insights or experiences from others who have been in a similar situation.

I am currently facing a really tough situation as my dad has been unemployed for over a month after being laid off from his academic job this summer. He was a contract employee, so he didn't receive any severance pay or benefits, and now the bills are piling up for our family of five. My dad is the sole provider, and without him working, we have no income. It's heartbreaking to see him becoming increasingly depressed as we drown in debt. He has a PhD and a master's degree in economics, along with over 10 years of teaching and research experience. Despite applying to hundreds of jobs across various sectors—federal, academic, corporate—he hasn't received a single interview. He's also reached out to multiple recruiters, even those in other states, but hasn't gotten any responses. I worry that his age, being 51, might be a factor in his job search challenges. I'm reaching out for any advice on how he can improve his job search, whether it's resume tips, recruiters to contact, or any other resources that might help. As an 18-year-old senior in high school, I feel helpless watching my parents struggle, and I'm hoping to find ways to support them during this difficult time.

I was recently let go from my full-time salaried job after almost a year with no explanation or cause. I'm a 23-year-old male living in Calgary, Canada, and this is my first experience with being fired. There were no write-ups, negative conversations, or any performance issues during my time there. I received a severance payout, but I'm unsure if that means I've forfeited any rights to pursue a case with the labor board or if I could potentially negotiate for a larger severance. I'm feeling lost and would appreciate any guidance on what steps I can take next. Should I seek legal advice, or is there a possibility to file for unemployment? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I have been working at my current job for two years, and recently I interviewed for a management position. I was really hopeful about this opportunity since I even left my part-time job to focus on this role. However, I was disappointed to find out that I didn't get the position. At 28 years old, I have a solid 10 years of experience in my field, including two years in management. I thought my qualifications were strong, especially since I live closest to the job and have open availability, including on-call hours. I've maintained a clean record with no disciplinary actions and have a good relationship with my boss. I'm left wondering what went wrong and why I wasn't selected for the role. This rejection has me considering resigning altogether and looking for something new. I know that the job market is tough, and I'm hesitant to make a move without something lined up, but I feel stuck. I’ve been thinking about reaching out to my boss or the interviewers to get feedback on what I might have been missing in their eyes. It’s frustrating, but I know I need to keep my options open and possibly start job hunting.

I just got laid off from my role as a solutions provider, where I worked as a contractor for major ISPs in the U.S. My job involved selling internet and VoIP services to businesses. Lately, I've noticed a significant shift in the market; advertising costs have skyrocketed, and the Google Ads algorithm seems to favor those who can outbid others, making it tough to reach potential clients. Most business owners I talk to are shocked by the current prices for internet services, often expressing that they're only looking for something around the $20 range. This disconnect between what they expect to pay and the actual costs has made it increasingly difficult to close sales. Now, I'm facing a tough situation with no incoming income, a family to support, and the looming threat of losing my house. I've spoken with other sales professionals who share similar experiences; it feels like no one is willing or able to buy right now. The market has become a challenging environment for sales, and I'm feeling the pressure.

I recently took on a high-paying, high-stress role as an associate in a large pharmaceutical company, and I’m feeling overwhelmed and anxious about my job security. I’m 25 and graduated last year, initially lined up for a more relaxed graduate rotational program in a different industry, but I opted for this new position for better pay to manage my student loans. Now, six months in, I’m struggling with a heavier workload and inefficient systems, and I can’t quite gauge my boss’s perception of my performance. While my peers think I’m doing well, my boss sets unrealistic deadlines that don’t align with the process changes needed. I’m managing ten different projects, which take months to deliver, and I feel like I might be set up to fail. With activity levels decreasing in the company, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m on the chopping block for potential layoffs, especially since I’m new. I’m worried that if I’m not laid off, my boss might fire me for perceived low performance. I regret leaving my previous job for what now feels like short-term financial gain. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? I’d appreciate any advice on how to navigate this precarious position.

I have been receiving unemployment benefits since June, but I recently had foot surgery last week. Although I am technically weight bearing, I need to minimize my activity for the first week, and since it's my driving foot, I won't be able to drive for about six weeks. I could take on remote work, which I was doing before June, but I'm unsure if I should claim that I'm too injured to work. I'm considering switching from unemployment to short-term disability and want to understand how my benefits would change if I make that switch.

I recently lost my warehouse job due to my anger issues, which has been a recurring problem for me. This is the second time I've faced this situation, and I’m starting to feel really stuck. I graduated with a history degree six years ago, but I haven't found a way to utilize it in my career. The job market in my area seems limited to telemarketing, sales team leadership, or assistant manager roles, none of which appeal to me. I’m trying to avoid jobs that require a lot of interaction with people since I know my temper can get the best of me. I’ve been thinking about what kind of work I can do that keeps me away from constant social interaction. I’ve considered roles in physical labor or jobs that allow me to work more independently, like restocking shelves or handyman services. However, I know that to find any job, I need to learn to manage my anger better. It’s frustrating because I feel like I’m at a standstill, and I really want to make progress in my career while also taking care of my mental health.

I recently ran into a frustrating situation with my unemployment benefits in New York. On August 4th, I accidentally certified for weekly benefits for the period of July 26 to August 1 while using a VPN. I had just started a free trial of Avast and didn't think it would be an issue. However, I received an error message indicating that I was trying to certify from outside the country, which I later learned was due to the VPN. I turned off the VPN and certified again without issues. The next morning, I woke up to find that all my claim payments were on hold. I was instructed to complete an out-of-country questionnaire to have my payments reinstated. I submitted the questionnaire along with proof of my VPN usage, my passport, and bank statements on August 5th, but I haven't heard back since then. Getting in touch with the unemployment claims line has been nearly impossible. I've called multiple times at different hours, but the line just hangs up on me without even offering to put me on hold. I can't send messages through their online system either, as the text box is grayed out or my messages just disappear after I hit send. I'm really anxious about this situation since I haven't received any payments in over four weeks now. I plan to visit the UI office in person this week to get an update, as I want to ensure everything is in order and that I will be paid. I’ve seen posts from others who faced similar issues, but many of those were during COVID, and I’m worried about the timeline for resolution. Any advice or insights from others who have been through this would be greatly appreciated!

I have an upcoming interview with a company called Texlyon Global Solutions, but I'm feeling a bit skeptical about their legitimacy. I checked their website and saw some job postings, but I couldn't find any state or international corporate registries listing them as a registered corporation or LLC. This lack of information is raising some red flags for me, and I’m wondering if anyone else has had experiences with this company.

I recently learned that my friend, a medical receptionist, will be losing her job at the end of September due to the retirement of all three doctors at her practice in Ontario. She has been with them for four years and is quite worried about her financial situation at 61 years old. She asked the office manager about severance, but was told that only employees with over five years of service would receive it, which leaves her and another receptionist without any support. I’m not sure how severance works in Canada, but it seems unfair that they wouldn't provide her with any help after her years of service. I hope she can find another job soon, as it feels like there should be some responsibility on the practice's part to assist her during this transition.

I've applied to every entry-level job within a reasonable distance from my home, but now I'm stuck. The only positions left are ones that require a two-hour bus commute, and I don't have a car. I'm feeling really defeated and wondering if this is it for me. I can't relocate or move out because of my situation, and I'm currently living with my abusive parents, which adds to my stress. I live in a remote area, so job opportunities are extremely limited. I'm at a loss for what to do next and feeling hopeless.

I've been struggling to find a job since I ran out of unemployment benefits this month. I've sent out dozens of applications daily, but I'm lucky if I hear back from 1% of them. I've utilized unemployment services, attended resume workshops, and participated in job fairs, but nothing seems to work. I have a bachelor's degree in computer science, graduating cum laude at the age of 27. My work experience includes several months as an area manager at Amazon and a year at a finance company testing their AI system before being laid off. Now, I'm applying for any job I can find, not just in tech or office roles, but even fast food positions like McDonald's, and I'm still not getting interviews. I'm currently living with my fiancé in a basement apartment, struggling to make car payments and pay off debt from my time at Amazon. My savings are nearly depleted, and while I do DoorDash in my small town, it's not enough to cover my expenses. I'm feeling hopeless and could really use some advice on how to turn this around.

Today, I had to send in my RIF documents, which was a bittersweet moment for me. The HR representative who handled my exit was the same person who initially welcomed me to the company, which made it all the more emotional. I'm relieved to be leaving behind the toxic environment created by our GM. One of my most vivid memories of him was during a team meeting when he made a deeply offensive joke about paying for permits on Tribal Land. He said something along the lines of, 'We made them walk the Trail of Tears and now they’re making us pay cash for it.' This was particularly hurtful as one of my teammates is Native American, and it was just a thoughtless and cruel comment. It’s frustrating to think that the company allows such behavior to persist. I feel like I’ve dodged a bullet by leaving, and I’m ready to move on to better opportunities.