Miscellaneous

I've been unemployed for nearly two years now, and it's been a tough journey both financially and mentally. I constantly find myself questioning my self-worth, especially as I approach the two-year mark. It's really taken a toll on my confidence. To make ends meet, I've been doing gig work, which helps a little, but it's not a stable solution. I'm curious if anyone else has been in a similar situation and how they managed to stay afloat. Also, for those who eventually found work after such a long gap, what strategies finally worked for you? Was it networking, a change in your approach, or something else entirely? I'd love to hear your experiences, including what didn't work for you.

I've been working as a bookkeeper at a small company for just over two years. I got the job because I knew one of the owners from our social circle, and they needed someone to handle the books. Initially, my role was pretty casual—just writing checks and entering expenses. But when the previous bookkeeper left, I stepped up to take on more responsibilities. At first, my coworkers were supportive, and even the owner who has now turned into a nightmare was helpful. However, things took a turn for the worse after about a year. The owner, who I considered a friend, has become increasingly hostile towards me. Two months ago, he went on a rant about how he wanted to fire me and called me horrible, which I found out through mutual acquaintances. He didn’t go through with it, likely due to pushback from the other owner and our vendors, but the situation has only deteriorated since then. I’m still showing up and doing my job, but it feels like I'm fighting an uphill battle against someone who holds all the power. The lack of HR support is a significant issue since the company is so small—just three employees and the two owners. I feel trapped in a toxic environment that’s really affecting my mental health. With the job market not being what it used to be, I’m worried about my options. I could survive on my pension, but that’s not a long-term solution. It feels like I’m stuck between dealing with this nightmare or quitting, and neither option seems good.

I recently accepted a job offer and started working as a [specific role] at [company name]. During the in-person interview, one of the employees asked me, "Are you comfortable being yelled at?" This immediately raised a red flag for me. On my first day, I learned that the only other person in my role had just given her two weeks' notice and would be leaving in two days. She mentioned that if I didn’t have bills to worry about, I should consider quitting. She was very helpful before leaving, explaining that she was leaving because she often faced yelling for issues beyond her control, which I witnessed myself on my first day. I also got a strong sense of misogyny in the workplace. To make matters worse, my boss has terrible communication skills; the team didn’t even know I was starting that day. I found out that in the past year, three people in my position have quit due to the toxic environment. They were supposedly looking to hire four people for this role, but I was the only one brought on board. Another team member is also actively searching for a new job. While I’ve heard that the company itself is great, this specific site has a bad reputation. I even overheard some negative comments about the employee who just left. I know no work environment is perfect, but the constant yelling and backbiting is exhausting. Plus, the commute is over an hour, which adds to the stress. I’m curious if anyone else has been in a similar situation. Did you stick it out? Did you regret it? What would you have done differently?

I was wrongfully terminated back in March and filed for unemployment, successfully receiving the first week. However, my account was locked for fraud because my social security card didn’t match my married name. After updating my card and uploading it, I filed claims for two more weeks but didn’t get paid due to the ongoing fraud flag. I assumed those weeks went through, but my account was eventually closed due to inactivity. When I called to resolve the issue, I was told I couldn’t open a new claim with the fraud flag still on my account and was advised to wait until it was cleared to file weekly claims. They mentioned that it was likely still locked due to an appeal decision, which I won in June, but my account remained locked. In person, I brought my social security card to ensure it was uploaded correctly, hoping it would unlock my account so I could claim those past weeks. Fast forward to now, October, and my account was finally unlocked at the end of last month. When I called to input my weeks retroactively, I was told by a supervisor that it wasn’t possible, despite my explanation of the situation. We went back in person, but they said it had been too long and without proof, there wasn’t much they could do. I only have a screenshot showing my account was inactive and proof of my job applications. I’m feeling overwhelmed and anxious about this whole situation. It’s been a significant stressor in my relationship since we really need the money. I’m reaching out for advice on what steps I can take next to get paid. Are we just out of luck, or is there something I can do?

I recently started working in the healthcare field after moving to the Northwest following my contract as an Assistant English Teacher with JET in Japan. My time in Japan was rewarding, but I faced mental health challenges due to isolation. Upon returning, I began searching for a job that would help me transition to a more stable living situation. I applied to numerous positions and attended job fairs, eventually landing two healthcare jobs. I accepted a position with a union company that offered decent pay and benefits, and another with a family-run business that I felt comfortable with. My plan was to prioritize the union job for the benefits while taking on shifts at the family company. However, after just over a month at both jobs, I realized I needed to quit the union position. The work has been incredibly stressful and anxiety-inducing for me. I struggled with the personal care aspects of the job, which made me feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed. An incident where I was exposed to a contagious disease without proper protection left me traumatized. Additionally, dealing with difficult clients in their homes, especially one who yelled at me for not working overtime, was emotionally draining. I’ve had customer service experience before, but the dynamic of being alone in a client’s home made it much more challenging. I found myself constantly anxious about making mistakes and the potential for negative interactions. Ultimately, I’ve decided to quit the union job and focus on the family business while I continue my job search. I know it’s not ideal to leave a position after such a short time, especially with paid training coming up, but my mental health is my priority. I’m hoping to find a role that aligns better with my skills and comfort level.

I’m on the verge of my fifth layoff in 20 years, and I really need to vent because I’m beyond sick of this repeating nightmare. In my career, I’ve been laid off four times, and now it seems like a fifth is looming over me. My current company announced layoffs last week, and while they told my team we aren’t affected *‘for now,’* their vague answers feel like total bullshit. I’ve been through this before. At a previous job, my VP assured us our team was safe, only for half of us to be let go a month later, and I was out the door eight months after that. I recognize this pattern, and I’m not buying the reassurances this time. Despite giving flawless performance reviews and being a great teammate for a decade, I’ve been axed repeatedly through no fault of my own. Two years ago, I finally wised up and stopped pouring my soul into a system that doesn’t care about me. I switched to doing the bare minimum to protect my sanity, but even now, the news of another impending layoff makes me feel like total garbage. I’m done with corporate life. It doesn’t matter if you do everything right or set boundaries; you’re just a line item on a spreadsheet to some executive who doesn’t know your name. I’m furious and completely lost. Thanks for letting me vent; I just needed to get this off my chest.

I've been unemployed for almost 10 months now, and it's been a tough journey. I moved to this country as a last resort, hoping to find better opportunities, but I've only managed to land a few interviews without any success. The pressure from my family to find a job is mounting, and I've started preparing my documents to return to my old job at a wiring harness factory. I spent three years there, but I remember why I left: the long 12-hour workdays and a grueling 55km (about 33 miles) commute each way. The pay isn't great, and I feel the strain of waking up at 3 AM just to catch the company's bus. While I need an income, I feel rushed to accept this job without considering my well-being. I would prefer to find something, even if it's low-paying, that doesn't involve such a harsh commute or hard labor. I'm looking for any insights or advice on how to navigate this situation.

I've been on the job search for a couple of months now after finally getting my SSDI sorted out and addressing some personal issues. My last job was at a grocery store bakery where I worked for five years, but I had to leave because the new management didn't accommodate my needs. They started scheduling me alone more often, which triggered my schizophrenia and led to mental episodes. Now, I'm looking for a simple part-time job, ideally around 20 hours a week, like being a personal shopper. I want a role where I can use an earbud to listen to music or podcasts, as it helps quiet the voices I hear. I've applied to about 30 jobs, but I only get automated responses, which really messes with my head. The voices constantly tell me I'm not good enough and that I should give up, pushing me into a depressive spiral despite my medication. I started strong, applying daily, but now I'm down to just 2 or 3 applications a week because even thinking about it is overwhelming. To cope, I've been focusing on distractions like working out, playing video games, and watching videos. I'm really struggling to stay motivated in this job market and would love to hear how others keep their spirits up during this tough time.

I am currently navigating my job search after being informed by my employer, **P**, that he will be retiring and closing his law firm at the end of 2026. I have spent the last ten years as a legal assistant and office administrator for him, and prior to that, I worked for another sole practitioner, **B**, who moved his practice to **P**. My career in the legal field spans nearly thirty years, starting as a senior bilingual paralegal's assistant and progressing through various roles, including bilingual legal assistant and office management. I've been fortunate to work with three great lawyers who have mentored me, but now I find myself feeling overwhelmed and discouraged as I enter the job market for the first time since 1996. At 55, I am concerned about age discrimination and the challenges of the modern job search, including AI resume screenings and the expectation of multiple interviews for even entry-level positions. Networking has never been my strong suit, and the job application processes I’ve encountered seem overly complicated and micromanaged, which is frustrating given my extensive experience. I’m reaching out for advice and any insights on how to approach this daunting task. Any honest feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I just received an email notifying me about a meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning with my Director and an HR representative. The message was quite generic, mentioning a "Business Update" and an important update on our team. This comes as a shock, especially since I had recently been placed on a coaching plan that I felt I was excelling in for the past five weeks. We were also about to kick off our Business Review Process this week, which makes this even more frustrating. I’m feeling a mix of anxiety and disbelief right now.

I'm currently looking to transition into remote Healthcare Business/Data Analyst roles. I have a background in cybersecurity and health tech, but I'm finding it challenging to get responses from hospital systems like Sentara. I'm reaching out to see if anyone knows of companies that are actively hiring in this space. Also, I'm curious if obtaining an Epic certification is necessary for these positions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I’ve been feeling really concerned about my close friend who has been struggling to find a job for nearly two years now. He lost a short-term, full-time position and since then, he’s applied to what feels like hundreds of jobs, including temp, contract, and part-time roles, but nothing seems to be working out. Despite his efforts to reach out to recruiters, network, and even consult with a career expert, he feels like he’s hit a wall. He’s starting to think he’s missed his ‘window of opportunity’ and is considering giving up on his corporate career to pursue blue-collar work, like becoming an electrician, which isn’t what he truly wants. I’m really worried about him and I want to help, but I’m not sure what advice to give. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I've been working at my current company for 4 years in a role where I've consistently exceeded expectations. Despite my manager advocating for my promotion to the leadership team, I've faced repeated pushbacks with vague reasons. They keep saying they want to wait for new salary bands and other team changes before promoting me, even though others have been promoted during this time. My manager has even gone to HR, who agrees I should be promoted, but leadership seems unresponsive and possibly indifferent to my situation. Recently, my manager mentioned a competitor that had reached out to him about a role, and I jokingly mentioned another company that had contacted me. This seemed to alarm leadership, and I worry they think I'm looking to leave, even though I've not pursued any offers. I took a bereavement day recently, and I found it inappropriate that my manager's boss questioned whether I was interviewing during that time. It feels like they are scrutinizing my time off, even when it's legitimate. Additionally, I've noticed my manager's boss scheduling meetings during my blocked time for appointments, which makes me feel like they are trying to undermine my commitments. They have suggested additional projects and paying for my continuing education, but I feel overwhelmed with my current workload and don't think this is the right approach to keep me engaged. It's confusing because part of me thinks they might want to keep me until I train someone else, yet they haven't formally assigned me to do that. I've been interviewing outside of work hours, but I don't think they are aware of it. I genuinely enjoy my job and my team, but the lack of a clear career path and the mixed messages I'm receiving from leadership are disheartening. I love what I do, but I feel like I'm being pushed to explore other opportunities.

I recently went through an exhausting process for a senior analyst position that was advertised with a salary range of $85,000 to $95,000. After five rounds of interviews, including a four-hour technical assessment and a presentation to three directors, I was informed by the recruiter that I was their unanimous first choice. I felt hopeful as I awaited the formal offer. However, when the DocuSign package arrived, I was shocked to see the base salary listed at only $62,000. The recruiter explained that the higher salary was reserved for a so-called 'unicorn' candidate who exceeded every metric, which I certainly did not expect after all the effort I put in. They claimed that $62,000 was competitive for my background, despite the clear salary range in the job listing. Feeling frustrated and undervalued, I immediately rejected the offer and withdrew from consideration. I can't believe they wasted so much of my time and even took 15 hours of my PTO for this. Honestly, I'm done with this kind of treatment in the job market.

I recently started a part-time job at a franchise eye care office about a month ago, and my first day was two weeks ago. I’m a 20-year-old female and my schedule has been a bit concerning. Since I have classes, I can only work half shifts, and my manager was supposed to manage my schedule accordingly. However, after my first week, I noticed I wasn’t scheduled for the following week and had to ask my manager to put me on the schedule. Now, as the new week starts, I keep checking our scheduling app, but I still haven’t been scheduled at all. I was trained for two positions, so I’m confused about why it’s so hard to get me scheduled. In my previous job, schedules were released three weeks in advance, and I realize now how much I took that for granted. I don’t want to keep bothering my manager about getting scheduled, but it feels like it should be their responsibility to include me. As a new hire, this experience is making me feel less welcomed than I expected. I’m considering looking for a different job, ideally at a smaller private practice that aligns more with my values. I’ve learned the basics here, and I’ve even had a few other places reach out for interviews.

I'm currently working as a shift manager at a large company, earning $68,000 a year. While it seems like decent money, the reality is that I often work 45 to 60 hours a week, and the stress has become overwhelming. I'm the only manager in my department, which means all the responsibility falls on me, and if something goes wrong, I'm the one who gets blamed. Recently, the management situation at my company has deteriorated, with five supervisors let go in the past two weeks and others resigning. To make matters worse, I'm on a final write-up for performance issues, which has left me feeling insecure about my job stability. I've been offered a new position at another company that pays $26 an hour. It's an hourly job, and while it pays less, I would have the chance to work overtime and, importantly, I would actually be allowed to take breaks—something I can't do in my current salaried role. The main thing holding me back is the financial aspect. I have bills to pay, including a hefty student loan payment of $905 a month, and I'm trying to get ahead financially. However, I'm also exhausted and worried about the long-term sustainability of my current job, especially since I'm the last manager standing in my department. I'm torn between sticking it out for the salary and the perceived stability, or making the leap to a potentially less stressful job that would allow me more time and energy for my studies. I'm reaching out for advice from anyone who's faced a similar decision—would you take the lower-paying job for a better work-life balance, or stay at the higher-paying job and hope for improvement?

I’m in my early thirties and currently facing a career crisis after spending over a decade in journalism, editorial, and digital media. I had a successful stint at a major tech company where I led a team and felt proud of my contributions, all without a degree. However, now that I’m unemployed, I can’t shake the feeling that my lack of formal education might hinder my future job prospects. Originally from the Middle East, I’m contemplating my future here, especially with the geopolitical climate and the possibility of needing to relocate. As I explore international job opportunities and immigration pathways, I worry that not having a degree could limit my chances before I even get to showcase my abilities. It’s frustrating because I know I have the skills and experience to excel in my field. I was even offered a spot for a Master’s program in the UK based solely on my professional background, yet I still lack that crucial degree that seems to hold so much weight in hiring decisions. Now, I’m considering whether going back to school is the right move. Is it worth the time and financial investment at this point in my life? Will it genuinely enhance my career prospects, or am I just reacting to the uncertainty I’m feeling? On top of this, I’m dealing with the grief of losing a parent, which adds to the pressure of finding my footing again. I’m not looking for platitudes about how degrees don’t matter; I want real advice from those who have faced similar challenges. If you’ve built a career without a degree, did it ever become a barrier for you? Did you choose to go back to university later in life? And for those who have relocated internationally without a bachelor’s degree, how challenging was it to secure employment and obtain a visa? I’d really appreciate any insights as I navigate these tough decisions about my future.

I accidentally entered the wrong end date for my previous employment in Workday, putting November 2026 instead of November 2024. I submitted the e-signed form about 20 days ago and have since messaged HR but haven’t heard back yet. I’m set to start my new job next week and have already received my joining instructions. I’m really anxious about whether HR can correct the e-signed form and if this mistake will delay my start date or affect my job offer. I’ve also made a few other errors in my onboarding forms, and I’m worried about the potential consequences. Has anyone else faced a similar situation?

I recently heard some chatter about potential layoffs at Deutsche Bank. It seems like other banks are making moves in that direction, but Deutsche hasn't made any official announcements yet. I'm just trying to gather information for a friend who's concerned about job security. If anyone has any insights or updates, I would really appreciate it!

I recently found myself in a challenging situation as the sports editor at The Detroit News. After months of pursuing my dream job, which included applying and going through three interviews, I received a disappointing call saying they loved me but decided not to hire me. Throughout this process, my current employer was supportive, encouraging me to chase my passion for sports journalism. However, I was recently informed that my position might be eliminated in the spring due to circumstances beyond my control. This news has shifted my focus from pursuing my dream job to ensuring I have employment in the near future. I’m reaching out to my network for help. If anyone knows of opportunities in communications, content strategy, digital media, marketing, or sports journalism, I would greatly appreciate any connections or leads. I have decades of experience in journalism and digital content, including leadership roles, website development, research storytelling, and I even hold two Emmy awards. I've successfully built teams and launched digital initiatives, and I'm eager to apply my skills in new environments. While my dream of running a sports desk is still alive, I'm also open to exploring new challenges and industries. Sometimes plans change, and it's important to adapt and lean on the support of others. Thank you in advance for any assistance or introductions you can provide.